Quotes About Reflection

Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. And while he stayed there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

After I had arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days,

On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads.

While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

But they and our fathers became arrogant and stiff-necked and did not obey Your commandments.

You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.

Some time later, when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done, and what had been decreed against her.

That night sleep escaped the king; so he ordered the Book of Records, the Chronicles, to be brought in and read to him.

And this is what he said:

“May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ëA boy is conceived.í

Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?

For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest

“If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking?

In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.

Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

So I am allotted months of futility, and nights of misery are appointed me.

When I lie down I think: ëWhen will I get up?í But the night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.

My days are swifter than a weaverís shuttle; they come to an end without hope.

Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

The eye that beholds me will no longer see me. You will look for me, but I will be no more.

When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,