Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter {was} read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. {by force...: Chaldee, by arm and power}

And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and {there is} much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do {it} with thy might; for {there is} no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap.

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they {are} stronger than we.

I sleep, but my heart waketh: {it is} the voice of my beloved that knocketh, {saying}, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, {and} my locks with the drops of the night.

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. {safe: Heb. set on high}

The slothful {man} saith, {There is} a lion in the way; a lion {is} in the streets.

The slothful {man} saith, {There is} a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and {there is} much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

But when his disciples saw {it}, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose {is} this waste?