2913 verses about Truth

Thus they returned us answer, saying, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are building the house that was built these many years ago, which a great king of Israel built and finished.

Now therefore, if it seems good to the king, let a search be made in the king’s treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it is so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem; and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.”

Then Darius the king made a decree, and the house of the archives, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon, was searched.

A scroll was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of Media, and in it this was written for a record:

In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning God’s house at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid; with its height sixty cubits, and its width sixty cubits;

I have also made a decree that whoever alters this message, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened on it; and let his house be made a dunghill for this.

The elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the perfect God of heaven. Now

Because you are sent by the king and his seven counselors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of your God which is in your hand,

I, even I Artaxerxes the king, make a decree to all the treasurers who are beyond the River, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, requires of you, it shall be done with all diligence,

You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges, who may judge all the people who are beyond the River, who all know the laws of your God; and teach him who doesn’t know them.

Then Ezra arose, and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore.

The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.

Then they said, “We will restore them, and will require nothing of them. We will do so, even as you say.” Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they would do according to this promise.

in which was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel. Because of that, you are building the wall. You would be their king, according to these words.

Then I sent to him, saying, “There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.”

I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers’ houses, nor their offspring, whether they were of Israel:

These searched for their genealogical records, but couldn’t find them. Therefore were they deemed disqualified and removed from the priesthood.

“You also came down on Mount Sinai, and spoke with them from heaven, and gave them right ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments,

However you are just in all that has come on us; for you have dealt truly, but we have done wickedly.

Also our kings, our princes, our priests, and our fathers have not kept your law, nor listened to your commandments and your testimonies with which you testified against them.

Esther had not made known her people nor her relatives, because Mordecai had instructed her that she should not make it known.

This thing became known to Mordecai, who informed Esther the queen; and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.

When this matter was investigated, and it was found to be so, they were both hanged on a tree; and it was written in the book of the chronicles in the king’s presence.

Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily to him, and he didn’t listen to them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai’s reason would stand; for he had told them that he was a Jew.

They told to Mordecai Esther’s words.

It was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, who were doorkeepers, who had tried to lay hands on the King Ahasuerus.

Write also to the Jews, as it pleases you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring; for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may not be reversed by any man.”

Then the king’s scribes were called at that time, in the third month, which is the month Sivan, on the twenty-third day of the month; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded to the Jews, and to the satraps, and the governors and princes of the provinces which are from India to Ethiopia, one hundred twenty-seven provinces, to every province according to its writing, and to every people in their language, and to the Jews in their writing, and in their language.

He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus, and sealed it with the king’s ring, and sent letters by courier on horseback, riding on royal horses that were bred from swift steeds.

Therefore they called these days “Purim”, from the word “Pur.” Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,

He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,

The commandment of Esther confirmed these matters of Purim; and it was written in the book.

“If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

Look this, we have searched it, so it is. Hear it, and know it for your good.”

Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?

“How long will you speak these things? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse.

Do you have eyes of flesh? Or do you see as man sees?

“Shouldn’t the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

Should your boastings make men hold their peace? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you,

“Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.

With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his.

He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.

He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.

But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be wise.

Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

Will you speak unrighteously for God, and talk deceitfully for him?

Will you show partiality to him? Will you contend for God?

Is it good that he should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive him?

He will surely reprove you, if you secretly show partiality.

Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

“Should a wise man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind?

Should he reason with unprofitable talk, or with speeches with which he can do no good?

For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty.

Your own mouth condemns you, and not I. Yes, your own lips testify against you.

Have you heard the secret counsel of God? Do you limit wisdom to yourself?

“I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare

(which wise men have told by their fathers, and have not hidden it;

Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

They change the night into day, saying ‘The light is near’ in the presence of darkness.

If it is true that I have erred, my error remains with myself.

“Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!

“Shall any teach God knowledge, since he judges those who are high?

Haven’t you asked wayfaring men? Don’t you know their evidences,

So how can you comfort me with nonsense, because in your answers there remains only falsehood?”

If it isn’t so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech worth nothing?”

How have you counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!

To whom have you uttered words? Whose spirit came out of you?

surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, neither shall my tongue utter deceit.

Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

I will teach you about the hand of God. That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?

He binds the streams that they don’t trickle. The thing that is hidden he brings out to light.

“But where shall wisdom be found? Where is the place of understanding?

The deep says, ‘It isn’t in me.’ The sea says, ‘It isn’t with me.’

Where then does wisdom come from? Where is the place of understanding?

Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the sky.

Doesn’t he see my ways, and count all my steps?

“If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit

(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);

if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,

if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my heart,

oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me! Let the accuser write my indictment!

Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.