Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

Furthermore Solomon consecrated the middle of the court that was in front of the house of the Lord; for there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat.

Now therefore, do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’

Artaxerxes, king of kings,To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven:Perfect peace, and so forth.

(They sent a letter to him, in which was written thus) To Darius the king:All peace.

So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.”

And I said to them, “According to our ability we have redeemed our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations. Now indeed, will you even sell your brethren? Or should they be sold to us?” Then they were silenced and found nothing to say.

For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.

Dreadful sounds are in his ears;In prosperity the destroyer comes upon him.