And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
The above, Luke 3:23, comes after we’re told of Jesus’ baptism, which is described in verses 3 thru 6.
Luke 3
3 And he [John] came into all the country about Jordan [where all are carried into death by the words of misleaders in the fall], preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins [the fall];
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the LORD, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall SEE the salvation of God.
When Luke describes the baptism, the word “repentance” is metanoia, meaning “(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another’s) decision).”
As the description (of the baptism) continues, Luke uses the word aphesis, rendered “remission,” meaning “freedom; (figuratively) pardon,” from the word aphiemi, from the words apo, away or off, and hiemi, meaning to send forth.
These words tell of the work of God unknown, Jehovah God, unknown in John (the dove, the sign of the end reached) working in the pattern of Elijah, meaning Jehovah God. The work of Elijah is to cast out and down the prophets of Baal, when only he and the elect remnant remain undefiled.
The LORD’s working this, referenced in verses 4 thru 6 above quoting Isaiah 40, speaks of its unknown aspect, as He reveals what only He knows. By it (revelation), He strengthens and raises His people on wings as eagles (to fly with Him in the heavens, the place of complete understanding only He gives, revealing His presence).
In our time, the pattern is spoken of by John, when, in Revelation 14:1, he SEES the Lamb standing on Mouth Zion, with the one hundred and forty-four thousand. These are the elect remnant, with the Lamb who is the risen LORD, the Passover Lamb whose blood will mark and save those who receive it. He is the long-suffering servant son of God, in who Jehovah’s Salvation is manifested, in the apocalypse (uncovering) that reveals Him.
Philippians 2
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The mark of the LORD’s blood is understanding, in the head or hand: revealed in the ideas we espouse and the works of our hands.
The mark of the beast is confusion, Babylon (confusion) that has ruled the world into its now mass delusional state of insanity, revealed, SEEN, in repeated works lacking positive effect, producing corrupt (evil) fruit from those who claim their intentions are good. These same men in charge, if left to themselves, are about to destroy the world and all humanity. This ELE (Extinction Level Event), the culminating effect of the fall, is as truthfully foretold by God in Genesis 2:17.
The LORD, when pronouncing the death sentence, says, in Genesis 3:19, man will return to the dust from where he was created. As we’ve seen, the dust is confusion, the ashes of the furnace, the deep sleep of God’s people that masks the true prophets God sends with His word and in Who He manifests His presence as salvation.
The following, ending with Revelation 13, is from the post of 6 December 2021:
Job 32
6 And Elihu [he is God {speaking}] the son of Barachel [which is God’s blessing] the Buzite [against those He despises] answered and said, I am young, and you are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion.
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration [nshamah] of the Almighty gives them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.
It (nshamah) is His quickening us into life, out of corruption, bringing it into our dead flesh.
Job 33
4 The spirit of God has made me, and the breath [nshamah] of the Almighty has given me life.
5 If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to your wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon you.
8 Surely you have spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counts me for his enemy,
11 He puts my feet in the stocks, he marks all my paths.
12 Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man.
13 Why do you strive against him? for he gives not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed;
16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draws near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favorable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looks upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light [understanding] of the living.
The deeper understanding of the nshamah bringing life, by the means described in Job 33:23, is added to in Genesis 2:7, saying it’s from the “dust” of the ground, and “breathed” from God. The word “dust” is the Hebrew word ‘aphar, and “breathed” is the word naphach. The “dust” of the world is what hides God’s word from man, covering His identity, and in this state, without form and void, the darkness covers deep understanding contained therein.
As we know, when we’re told of the condition the earth became (hayah), in Genesis 1:2, Moses uses the words tohuw (“without form”) and bohuw (“void”). These words only appear together two other times: once in Jeremiah 4:23 rendered the same, and the other in Isaiah 34:11 where they tell us “without form” is “confusion,” and the “void” is the resulting “emptiness.” These are the foundation and building of the world in which we now find ourselves.
The word ‘aphar (first letter ‘Aleph) is used by the LORD to lead us to the twice-used word ‘apher (first letter ‘Ayin). The latter word (‘apher), in the Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, is given the number (of a man), 666. As previously discussed, it is the face covering (hiding) the prophets (true and false), covered in 1 Kings 20:30, and uncovered in 1 Kings 20:41. This “covering,” in Genesis 1:2, is the darkness (ignorance of the time, when confusion rules and all words are empty), which only ends when the light comes (understanding from heaven) and the true prophets are uncovered.
In 1 Kings 20, this covering and uncovering depict, in a pattern, the LORD smitten (in betrayal and on the cross) and resurrected, as the king sees (reference Zedikiah’s blinding ending the seated king line – see Jeremiah 52:10 & 11) again the prophet uncovered (in the light).
The chapter begins by telling of the king of Israel, Ahab, listening to God’s prophet, defeating the king of Syria and the kings with him who attacked them. After defeating them in a second attack, instead of destroying them as God said, they made peace with those who remained. In the treaty, the king of Syria promised to let Ahab make streets (ways – broadways that lead to destruction) in Damascus (when the work of God is silenced) as his father made in Samaria. This promise tells of his, Ahab’s, slaying the prophets and replacing God’s way with idols.
This (not listening and following God’s advice) is then depicted as smiting the prophet, so the word of God would flow from the Rock in who we can trust. When they (God’s people), after not listening, and the resulting confusion and emptiness occur, do smite the prophet, it is betrayal, which results in the prophet’s face becoming hidden (masked) in confusion.
When the prophet’s face is finally uncovered, he tells the king of Israel, the cause of the entire situation was not listening to the LORD: not destroying the enemies and their corrupt ways as commanded.
For context defining this moment, the confusion of false prophets and following their ways are depicted in the face covering, #666 ‘apher, which the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says is a face bandage (mask).
Job 33
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold your peace, and I shall teach you wisdom [and bring you out of darkness into the light].
Revelation 13
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark [confusion], or the name of the beast [Babel – confused language], or the number of his name.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man [James Strong – in his Hebrew Dictionary]; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six [#666].
In Job 32 above, we find the context of Luke 3 when Elihu (God speaking) listens to the so-called wise men, finds no understanding in them and then speaks of the “inspiration” of God giving Him life.
Luke earlier, in Luke 2:17, as in the title verse above, tells of when Jesus’ family, after a DAY’s journey (the day spoken of in Genesis 2:17, 3:17, and 15:17 & 18) “supposed” he was with them when he wasn’t. Then, in their confusion, when diligently seeking Him, they found Him in the temple speaking to those who should have understanding (and finding none, the Father came to him, inspiriting him unknown to the world).
Luke 2
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing [nomizo] him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days [in the resurrection] they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why have you thus dealt with us? behold, your father and I have sought you sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that you sought me? wist [know] you not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spoke unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
The “doctors” the LORD was found speaking to, from the word didaskalos, are the same teachers (false prophets claiming they are speaking God’s word while speaking their own) from which he was freed in the baptism of John and became the firstborn of God from the dead.
Hebrews 2
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto you.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Luke 3
7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost [in who the LORD will manifest His presence with us] and with fire:
17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.
18 And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,
22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove [the sign of Jonah {also meaning dove}, the end] upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.”
23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed [nomizo]) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,
Heli is the Hebrew name Eli, (meaning ascension), who is the priest of Shiloh. Joseph means the LORD will add a son, from the word yacaph, “to add or augment (often adverbially to continue to do a thing).”
These names refer us to Genesis 49, when Jacob tells his children what shall befall them in the last days. Therein we’re told of the coming king, who is Shiloh (our peace), who is the blessing, the seed of Joseph, the teacher (stone and shepherd) who brings peace through understanding.
Genesis 49
22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well [a tree of life by these waters of God]; whose branches run over the wall [the wall of lies men have created and teach]:
23 The archers [ba’al – the gods of this world whose teaching has blinded all from seeing the Father, in the son, the seed of the women who brings forth the man child – see Revelation 12:5] have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him:
24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the [good] Shepherd, the [foundation] Stone of Israel:)
25 Even by the God of your father, who shall help [‘azar] you; and by the Almighty, who shall bless [barak] you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep [thowm] that lies under [the deep meaning that lies below the surface], blessings of the breasts [of the Ancient of Day – see Isaiah 28:9], and of the womb [seed, the son]:
26 The blessings of your father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors [harah – all those who have come before us, and were only blessed with part of what is perfected in our return to the LORD] unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head [see Zechariah 9:16] of him that was separate from his brethren.
2 Peter 2
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers [pseudodidaskalos] among you, who privily shall bring in damnable [apoleia – perdition] heresies [works by which they perish], even denying the LORD that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction [apoleia – perdition].
2 And many shall follow their pernicious [apoliea] ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of [vilifying the word and work of God, for which there is no forgiveness].
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingers not, and their damnation [apoleia – perdition] slumbers not.
2 Corinthians 11
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works [false teaching, heresies to which they are chained].
These false “doctors” (pseudodidaskalos, meaning “a spurious teacher, i.e. propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine”), who teach what is falsely called knowledge, are corrupt trees who produce the fruit of ignorant and fearful adherence.
2 Peter 3
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2 That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy [truthful] prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the LORD and Savior:
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers [empaiktes – the mockers of Jude 1:18], walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the [wholly corrupt] heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the DAY of judgment and perdition [apoleia] of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one DAY is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The LORD is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance [metanoia].
10 But the day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements [stoicheion – the corrupt foundational ideas and ways of men] shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab [the open mouths of false teachers and false prophet, which are the gate holding humanity in death and hell] shall be at the fords of Arnon [passing over these brawling words, which are machines of war].
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
15 And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him has written unto you;
16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrestle, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction [apoleia – perdition].
2 Timothy 4
1 I charge you therefore before God, and the LORD Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers [didaskalos], having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch you in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of your ministry.
Revelation 14
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb [who is long-suffering to deliver God’s word as received] stood on the mount Zion, and with him a hundred forty and four thousand [elect remant], having his Father’s name written in their foreheads [the mark of understanding in their minds].
2 And I heard a voice from heaven [which said, “You are my beloved Son; in you I am well pleased.], as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder [the voice of the light, of understanding]: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song [that must be repeated as received] but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.
4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.
5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,
7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.
8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
11 And the smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name [which is Babylon – confusion].
12 Here is the patience [long-suffering] of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the LORD from henceforth: Yea, says the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud [where understanding is held], and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in your sickle, and reap: for the time is come for you to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.
19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
Isaiah 16
1 Send you the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount [rising up] of the daughter of Zion.
2 For it shall be, that, as a wandering bird cast out of the nest, so the daughters of Moab [the open mouths of false teachers and false prophet, which are the gate holding humanity in death and hell] shall be at the fords of Arnon [passing over these brawling words, which are machines of war] .
3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make your shadow as the night [show their ignorance] in the midst of the noonday [when full understanding has come]; hide the outcasts; bewray not him that wanders [don’t reveal My hidden ones].
4 Let mine outcasts dwell with you, Moab [destroy your own and leave Mine alone]; be you a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceases, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.
5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.
6 We have heard of the pride of Moab [the gates of hell – the mouths of the dead among us]; he is very proud: even of his haughtiness, and his pride, and his wrath: but his lies shall not be so [shall not remain covered].
The name Sela, in verse 1 above, is referring us to the use of the word cela, rendered “rock” in Isaiah 42:11.
Isaiah 42
6 I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, you that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.
11 Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar [darkness – ignorance] doth inhabit: let the inhabitants [the hidden ones] of the rock [cela] sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war [in Timothy, the soldier He’s chosen and sent in His name]: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
15 I will make waste mountains and hills [the ignorant in high places], and dry up all their herbs [what their words create]; and I will make the rivers [through which their word flow] islands [dry places – in silence], and I will dry up the pools [where their word are gathered].
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make [the ignorant to understand] darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, You are our gods.
18 Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may SEE [My presence].
Isaiah 40
1 Comfort you, comfort you my people, says your God.
2 Speak you comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she has received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
3 The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare you the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall SEE it together: for the mouth of the LORD has spoken it.
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withers, the flower fades: because the spirit of the LORD blows upon it: surely the people is grass.
8 The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand forever.
9 O Zion, that brings good tidings, get you up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that brings good tidings, lift up your voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
10 Behold, the LORD God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor has taught him?
14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will you liken God? or what likeness will you compare unto him?
19 The workman melts a graven image [makes an idol they call gods], and the goldsmith spreads it over with gold, and casts silver chains.
20 He that is so impoverished that he has no oblation chooses a tree that will not rot; he seeks unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image [idol in which they trust], that shall not be moved.
21 Have you not known? have you not heard? has it not been told you from the beginning? have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he that sits upon the circle [the beginning and end of ages, occurring when understanding is given, becomes hidden by the word of babblers, and comes again as light into the darkness] of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:
23 That bringeth the princes to nothing; he makes the judges of the earth as vanity.
24 Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.
25 To whom then will you liken me, or shall I be equal? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who has created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one fails.
27 Why sayest you, O Jacob, and speaks, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Have you not known? have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalms 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still [mnuwchah – the “rest” of Isaiah 28:11, that comes by the LORD’s good teaching] waters.
3 He restores [shuwb – returns] my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table [this feast of understanding] before me in the presence of mine enemies: you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalms 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.
2 My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer your foot to be moved: he that keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is your keeper: the LORD is your shade upon your right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil: he shall preserve your soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
