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"This mound," said Laban, "shall be a witness
from now on between you and me." That is why it was named
Galeed - and also Mizpah, for he said: "May the LORD keep
watch between you and me when we are out of each other's
sight." [GEN 31:48-49]
The tent, which was called the meeting tent, Moses used to
pitch at some distance away, outside the camp. Anyone who wished
to consult the LORD would go to this meeting tent outside the
camp. Whenever Moses went out to the tent, the people would all
rise and stand at the entrance of their own tents, watching Moses
until he entered the tent. As Moses entered the tent, the column
of cloud would come down and stand at its entrance while the LORD
spoke with Moses. On seeing the column of cloud stand at the
entrance of the tent, all the people would rise and worship at the
entrance of their own tents. The LORD used to speak to Moses face
to face, as one man speaks to another. Moses would then return to
the camp, but his young assistant, Joshua, son of Nun, would not
move out of the tent. [EX 33:7-11]
Upon seeing the Kenites, he gave voice to his oracle: Your
abode is enduring, O smith, and your nest is set on a cliff; Yet
destined for burning - even as I watch - are your inhabitants. [NUM
24:21-22]
When Gideon heard the description and explanation of the dream,
he prostrated himself. Then returning to the camp of Israel, he
said, "Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian
into your power." He divided the three hundred men into three
companies, and provided them all with horns and with empty jars
and torches inside the jars. "Watch me and follow my
lead," he told them. "I shall go to the edge of the
camp, and as I do, you must do also. When I and those with me blow
horns, you too must blow horns all around the camp and cry out,
'For the LORD and for Gideon!'" [JUDG 7:15-18]
Boaz said to Ruth, "Listen, my daughter! Do not go to
glean in anyone else's field; you are not to leave here. Stay here
with my women servants. Watch to see which field is to be
harvested, and follow them; I have commanded the young men to do
you no harm. When you are thirsty, you may go and drink from the
vessels the young men have filled." [RUTH 2:8-9]
As she remained long at prayer before the LORD, Eli watched her
mouth, for Hannah was praying silently; though her lips were
moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli, thinking her drunk,
said to her, "How long will you make a drunken show of
yourself? Sober up from your wine!" "It isn't that, my
lord," Hannah answered. "I am an unhappy woman. I have
had neither wine nor liquor; I was only pouring out my troubles to
the LORD. Do not think your handmaid a ne'er-do-well; my prayer
has been prompted by my deep sorrow and misery." Eli said,
"Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you
have asked of him." [1SAM 1:12-17]
A Benjaminite fled from the battlefield and reached Shiloh that
same day, with his clothes torn and his head covered with dirt.
When he arrived, Eli was sitting in his chair beside the gate,
watching the road, for he was troubled at heart about the ark of
God. The man, however, went into the city to divulge his news,
which put the whole city in an uproar. [1SAM 4:12-13]
That same day David took to flight from Saul, going to Achish,
king of Gath. But the servants of Achish said, "Is this not
David, the king of the land? During their dances do they not sing,
'Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands'?"
David took note of these remarks and became very much afraid of
Achish, king of Gath. So, as they watched, he feigned insanity and
acted like a madman in their hands, drumming on the doors of the
gate and drooling onto his beard. Finally Achish said to his
servants: "You see the man is mad. Why did you bring him to
me? Do I not have enough madmen, that you bring in this one to
carry on in my presence? Should this fellow come into my
house?" [1SAM 21:11-16]
Look kindly on the prayer and petition of your servant, O LORD,
my God, and listen to the cry of supplication which I, your
servant, utter before you this day. May your eyes watch night and
day over this temple, the place where you have decreed you shall
be honored; may you heed the prayer which I, your servant, offer
in this place. Listen to the petitions of your servant and of your
people Israel which they offer in this place. Listen from your
heavenly dwelling and grant pardon. [1KGS 8:28-30]
To these classes of gatekeepers, under their chief men, were
assigned watches in the service of the house of the LORD, for each
group in the same way. They cast lots for each gate, the small and
the large families alike. [1CHRON 26:12-13]
When the builders had laid the foundation of the LORD'S temple,
the vested priests with the trumpets and the Levites, sons of
Asaph, were stationed there with the cymbals to praise the LORD in
the manner laid down by David, king of Israel. They alternated in
songs of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, "for he is
good, for his kindness to Israel endures forever"; and all
the people raised a great shout of joy, praising the LORD because
the foundation of the LORD'S house had been laid. Many of the
priests, Levites, and family heads, the old men who had seen the
former house, cried out in sorrow as they watched the foundation
of the present house being laid. Many others, however, lifted up
their voices in shouts of joy, and no one could distinguish the
sound of the joyful shouting from the sound of those who were
weeping; for the people raised a mighty clamor which was heard
afar off. [EZRA 3:10-13]
At that time there came to them Tattenai, governor of
West-of-Euphrates, and Shethar-bozenai, and their fellow
officials, who asked of them: "Who issued the decree for you
to build this house and raise this edifice? What are the names of
the men who are building this structure?" But their God
watched over the elders of the Jews so that they were not
hindered, until a report could go to Darius and then a written
order be sent back concerning this matter. [EZRA 5:3-5]
I addressed them in these words: "You are consecrated to
the LORD, and the utensils are also consecrated; the silver and
the gold are a free-will offering to the LORD, the God of your
fathers. Keep good watch over them till you weigh them out in
Jerusalem in the presence of the chief priests and Levites and the
family leaders of Israel, in the chambers of the house of the
LORD." The priests and the Levites then took over the silver,
the gold, and the utensils that had been weighed out, to bring
them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God. [EZRA 8:28-30]
"Do not keep with you overnight the wages of any man who
works for you, but pay him immediately. If you thus behave as
God's servant, you will receive your reward. Keep a close watch on
yourself, my son, in everything you do, and discipline yourself in
all your conduct." [TOBIT 4:14]
Meanwhile, Anna sat watching the road by which her son was to
come. When she saw him coming, she exclaimed to his father,
"Tobit, your son is coming, and the man who traveled with
him!" [TOBIT 11:5-6]
But Raphael said to them: "No need to fear; you are safe.
Thank God now and forever. As for me, when I came to you it was
not out of any favor on my part, but because it was God's will. So
continue to thank him every day; praise him with song. Even though
you watched me eat and drink. I did not really do so; what you
were seeing was a vision. So now get up from the ground and praise
God. Behold, I am about to ascend to him who sent me; write down
all these things that have happened to you." [TOBIT 12:17-20]
When the king asked Heliodorus who would be a suitable man to
be sent to Jerusalem next, he answered: "If you have an enemy
or a plotter against the government, send him there, and you will
receive him back well-flogged, if indeed he survives at all; for
there is certainly some special divine power about the Place. He
who has his dwelling in heaven watches over that Place and
protects it, and he strikes down and destroys those who come to
harm it." [2MACC 3:37-39]
Am I the sea, or a monster of the deep, that you place a watch
over me? Why have you set me up as an object of attack; or why
should I be a target for you? [JOB 7:12]
Though I have sinned, what can I do to you, O watcher of men?
[JOB 7:20]
You put my feet in the stocks; you watch all my paths and trace
out all my footsteps. [JOB 13:27]
The eye of the adulterer watches for the twilight; he says,
"No eye will see me." In the night the thief roams
about, and he puts a mask over his face; in the dark he breaks
into houses. By day they shut themselves in; none of them know the
light, for daylight they regard as darkness. Their portion in the
land is accursed, and wickedness is splintered like wood. [JOB
24:15-20]
Job took up his theme anew and said; Oh, that I were as in the
months past! as in the days when God watched over me, While he
kept his lamp shining above my head, and by his light I walked
through darkness; As I was in my flourishing days, when God
sheltered my tent; When the Almighty was yet with me, and my
children were round about me; When my footsteps were bathed in
milk, and the rock flowed with streams of oil [Taken from JOB 29:1-6]
Therefore the wicked will not survive judgment, nor will
sinners in the assembly of the just. The LORD watches over the way
of the just, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin. [PS 1:5-6]
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven.
God's eyes keep careful watch; they test all peoples. The LORD
tests the good and the bad, hates those who love violence, And
rains upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone, a scorching wind
their allotted cup. The LORD is just and loves just deeds; the
upright shall see his face. [PS 11:4-7]
My ravenous enemies press upon me; they close their hearts,
they fill their mouths with proud roaring. Their steps even now
encircle me; they watch closely, keeping low to the ground [Taken
from PS 17:10-11]
You set a table before me as my enemies watch; You anoint my
head with oil; my cup overflows. [PS 23:5]
I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk,
give you counsel and watch over you. [PS 32:8]
Many are the troubles of the just, but the LORD delivers from
them all. God watches over all their bones; not a one shall be
broken. Evil will slay the wicked; those who hate the just are
condemned. [PS 34:20-22]
The LORD watches over the days of the blameless; their heritage
lasts forever. They will not be disgraced when times are hard; in
days of famine they will have plenty. [PS 37:18-19]
I said, "I will watch my ways, lest I sin with my
tongue; I will set a curb on my mouth." [PS 39:2]
All the day they foil my plans; their every thought is of evil
against me. They hide together in ambush; they watch my every
step; they lie in wait for my life. They are evil; watch them,
God! Cast the nations down in your anger! [PS 56:6-8]
My strength, for you I watch; you, God, are my fortress, my loving God.
[PS 59:10-11]
Do not cast me aside in my old age; as my strength fails, do
not forsake me. For my enemies speak against me; they watch and
plot against me. They say, "God has abandoned that one
Pursue, seize the wretch! No one will come to the rescue!"
God, do not stand far from me; my God, hasten to help me. [PS 71:9-12]
You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will
see. [PS 91:8]
Unless the LORD build the
house, they labor in vain who build. Unless the LORD guard the
city, in vain does the guard keep watch. [PS 127:1]
You, LORD, watch over all who love you, but all the wicked you
destroy. [PS 145:20]
My son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands,
Turning your ear to wisdom, inclining your heart to understanding;
Yes, if you call to intelligence, and to understanding raise your
voice; If you seek her like silver, and like hidden treasures
search her out: Then will you understand the fear of the LORD; the
knowledge of God you will find; For the LORD gives wisdom, from
his mouth come knowledge and understanding; He has counsel in
store for the upright, he is the shield of those who walk
honestly, Guarding the paths of justice, protecting the way of his
pious ones. Then you will understand rectitude and justice,
honesty, every good path; For wisdom will enter your heart,
knowledge will please your soul, Discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you; Saving you from the way of evil men,
from men of perverse speech, Who leave the straight paths to walk
in the way of darkness, Who delight in doing evil, rejoice in
perversity; Whose ways are crooked, and devious their paths [Taken
from PROV 2:1-15]
My son, to my wisdom be attentive, to my knowledge incline your ear,
That discretion may watch over you, and understanding may guard you.
[PROV 5:1-2]
Let your fountain be yours alone, not one shared with
strangers; And have joy of the wife of your youth, your lovely
hind, your graceful doe. Her love will invigorate you always,
through her love you will flourish continually, When you lie down
she will watch over you, and when you wake, she will share your
concerns; wherever you turn, she will guide you. Why then, my son,
should you go astray for another's wife and accept the embraces of
an adulteress? For each man's ways are plain to the LORD'S sight;
all their paths he surveys; By his own iniquities the wicked man
will be caught, in the meshes of his own sin he will be held fast;
He will die from lack of discipline, through the greatness of his
folly he will be lost. [PROV 5:17-23]
"So now, O children, listen to me; instruction and wisdom
do not reject! Happy the man who obeys me, and happy those who
keep my ways, Happy the man watching daily at my gates, waiting at
my doorposts; For he who finds me finds life, and wins favor from
the LORD; But he who misses me harms himself; all who hate me love
death." [PROV 8:32-36]
The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the
evil and the good. [PROV 15:3]
When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She
reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the
needy. She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her
food in idleness. Her children rise up and praise her; her
husband, too, extols her [Taken from PROV 31:10-12,20,27-28]
One who pays heed to the wind will not sow, and one who watches
the clouds will never reap. [ECCL 11:4]
Resplendent and unfading is Wisdom, and she is readily
perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.
She hastens to make herself known in anticipation of men's desire;
he who watches for her at dawn shall not be disappointed, for he
shall find her sitting by his gate. [WISDOM 6:12-14]
Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch. [SIRACH
1:26]
God watches over the hosts of highest heaven, while all men are
dust and ashes. [SIRACH 17:27]
Keep a strict watch over an unruly wife, lest, finding an
opportunity, she make use of it [Taken from SIRACH 26:10]
Keeping watch over riches wastes the flesh, and the care of
wealth drives away rest. Concern for one's livelihood banishes
slumber; more than a serious illness it disturbs repose. [SIRACH
31:1-2]
Every counselor points out a way, but some counsel ways of
their own; Be on the alert when one proffers advice, find out
first of all what he wants. For he may be thinking of himself
alone; why should the profit fall to him? He may tell you how good
your way will be, and then stand by to watch your misfortune. Seek
no advice from one who regards you with hostility; from those who
envy you, keep your intentions hidden. [SIRACH 37:7-10]
The scribe's profession increases his wisdom; whoever is free
from toil can become a wise man. How can he become learned who
guides the plow, who thrills in wielding the goad like a lance,
Who guides the ox and urges on the bullock, and whose every
concern is for cattle? His care is for plowing furrows, and he
keeps a watch on the beasts in the stalls. So with every engraver
and designer who, laboring night and day, Fashions carved seals,
and whose concern is to vary the pattern. His care is to produce a
vivid impression, and he keeps watch till he finishes his design.
So with the smith standing near his anvil, forging crude iron. The
heat from the fire sears his flesh, yet he toils away in the
furnace heat. The clang of the hammer deafens his ears, His eyes
are fixed on the tool he is shaping. His care is to finish his
work, and he keeps watch till he perfects it in detail. So with
the potter sitting at his labor, revolving the wheel with his
feet. He is always concerned for his products, and turns them out
in quantity. With his hands he molds the clay, and with his feet
softens it. His care is for proper coloring, and he keeps watch on
the fire of his kiln. All these men are skilled with their hands,
each one an expert at his own task; Without them no city could be
lived in, and wherever they stay, they need not hunger. They do
not occupy the judge's bench, nor are they prominent in the
assembly; They set forth no decisions or judgments, nor are they
found among the rulers; Yet they maintain God's ancient handiwork,
and their concern is for exercise of their skill. [SIRACH 38:24-34]
Keep a close watch on your daughter, lest she make you the
sport of your enemies, A byword in the city, a reproach among the
people, an object of derision in public gatherings. See that there
is no lattice in her room, no place that overlooks the approaches
to the house. Let her not parade her charms before men, or spend
her time with married women; For just as moths come from garments,
so harm to women comes from women: Better a man's harshness than a
woman's indulgence, and a frightened daughter than any disgrace.
[SIRACH 42:11-14]
He called upon the Most High God when his enemies beset him on
all sides, And God Most High gave answer to him in hailstones of
tremendous power, Which he rained down upon the hostile army till
on the slope he destroyed the foe; That all the doomed nations
might know that the LORD was watching over his people's battles.
And because he was a devoted follower of God [SIRACH 46:5-6]
I give you thanks, O God of my father; I praise you, O God my
savior! I will make known your name, refuge of my life; you have
been my helper against my adversaries. You have saved me from
death, and kept back my body from the pit, From the clutches of
the nether world you have snatched my feet; you have delivered me,
in your great mercy From the scourge of a slanderous tongue, and
from lips that went over to falsehood; From the snare of those who
watched for my downfall, and from the power of those who sought my
life; From many a danger you have saved me [Taken from SIRACH 51:1-3]
The word of the LORD came to me with the question: What do you
see, Jeremiah? "I see a branch of the watching-tree," I
replied. Then the LORD said to me: Well have you seen, for I am
watching to fulfill my word. [JER 1:11-12]
But this people's heart is stubborn and rebellious; they turn
and go away, And say not in their hearts, "Let us fear the
LORD, our God, Who gives us rain early and late, in its time; Who
watches for us over the appointed weeks of harvest." [JER 5:23-24]
Yes, I hear the whisperings of many: "Terror on every
side! Denounce! let us denounce him!" All those who were my
friends are on the watch for any misstep of mine. "Perhaps he
will be trapped; then we can prevail, and take our vengeance on
him." But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion: my
persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. In their failure
they will be put to utter shame, to lasting, unforgettable
confusion. [JER 20:10-11]
The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will seed the house
of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed
of beast. As I once watched over them to uproot and pull down, to
destroy, to ruin, and to harm, so I will watch over them to build
and to plant, says the LORD. [JER 31:27-28]
But listen then to the word of the LORD, all you people of
Judah who live in Egypt; I swear by my own great name, says the
LORD, in the whole land of Egypt no man of Judah shall henceforth
pronounce my name, saying, "As the Lord GOD lives." I am
watching over them to do evil, not good. All the men of Judah in
Egypt shall perish by the sword or famine until they are utterly
destroyed. Those who escape the sword to return from the land of
Egypt to the land of Judah shall be few in number. The whole
remnant of Judah who came to settle in Egypt shall know whose word
stands, mine or theirs. [JER 44:26-28]
Come down from glory, sit on the ground, you that dwell in
Dibon; Moab's ravager has come up against you, he has ruined your
strongholds. Stand by the wayside, watch closely, you that dwell
in Aroer; Ask the man who flees, the woman who tries to escape:
say to them, "What has happened?" Moab is disgraced,
yes, destroyed, howl and cry out; Publish it at the Arnon, Moab is
ruined! [JER 48:18-20]
"He has kept watch over my sins; by his hand they have
been plaited: They have settled about my neck, he has brought my
strength to its knees; The Lord has delivered me into their grip,
I am unable to rise." [LAM 1:14]
Rise up, shrill in the night, at the beginning of every watch;
Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord; Lift
up your hands to him for the lives of your little ones (Who faint
from hunger at the corner of every street). [LAM 2:19]
Our eyes ever wasted away, looking in vain for aid; From our
watchtower we watched for a nation that could not save us. [LAM
4:17]
All the evils of which the LORD had warned us have come upon
us: and we did not plead before the LORD, or turn, each from the
figments of his evil heart. And the LORD kept watch over the
evils, and brought them home to us; for the LORD is just in all
the works he commanded us to do, but we did not heed his voice, or
follow the precepts of the LORD which he set before us. [BARUCH 2:7-10]
Thus the word of the LORD came to me: Son of man, I have
appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel. When you hear a
word from my mouth, you shall warn them for me. [EZEK 3:17]
As it is written in the law of Moses, this calamity came full
upon us. As we did not appease the LORD, our God, by turning back
from our wickedness and recognizing his constancy, so the LORD
kept watch over the calamity and brought it upon us. You, O LORD,
our God, are just in all that you have done, for we did not listen
to your voice. [DAN 9:13-14]
When the people left at noon, Susanna used to enter her
husband's garden for a walk. When the old men saw her enter every
day for her walk, they began to lust for her. They suppressed
their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to
heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments. Though both were
enamored of her, they did not tell each other their trouble, for
they were ashamed to reveal their lustful desire to have her. Day
by day they watched eagerly for her. One day they said to each
other, "Let us be off for home, it is time for lunch."
So they went out and parted; but both turned back, and when they
met again, they asked each other the reason. They admitted their
lust, and then they agreed to look for an occasion when they could
meet her alone. One day, while they were waiting for the right
moment, she entered the garden as usual, with two maids only. She
decided to bathe, for the weather was warm. Nobody else was there
except the two elders, who had hidden themselves and were watching
her. "Bring me oil and soap," she said to the maids,
"and shut the garden doors while I bathe." They did as
she said; they shut the garden doors and left by the side gate to
fetch what she had ordered, unaware that the elders were hidden
inside. As soon as the maids had left, the two old men got up and
hurried to her. "Look," they said, "the garden
doors are shut, and no one can see us; give in to our desire, and
lie with us. If you refuse, we will testify against you that you
dismissed your maids because a young man was here with you."
"I am completely trapped," Susanna groaned. "If I
yield, it will be my death; if I refuse, I cannot escape your
power. Yet it is better for me to fall into your power without
guilt than to sin before the Lord." [DAN 13:7-23]
A trumpet to your lips, You who watch over the house of the
LORD! Since they have violated my covenant, and sinned against my
law, While to me they cry out, "O, God of Israel, we know
you!" The men of Israel have thrown away what is good; the
enemy shall pursue them. [HOSEA 8:1-3]
They ate their fill; when filled, they became proud of heart
and forgot me. Therefore, I will be like a lion to them, like a
panther by the road I will keep watch. [HOSEA 13:6-7]
The hammer comes up against you; guard the rampart, Keep watch
on the road, gird your loins, marshal all your strength! [NAHUM
2:2]
I will stand at my guard post, and station myself upon the
rampart, And keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what
answer he will give to my complaint. Then the LORD answered me and
said: Write down the vision Clearly upon the tablets, so that one
can read it readily. For the vision still has its time, presses on
to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; If it delays, wait for
it, it will surely come, it will not be late. [HAB 2:1-3]
Then I took my staff "Favor" and snapped it asunder,
breaking off the covenant which I had made with all peoples; that
day it was broken off. The sheep merchants who were watching me
understood that this was the word of the LORD. I said to them,
"If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, let
it go." And they counted out my wages, thirty pieces of
silver. But the LORD said to me, "Throw it in the treasury,
the handsome price at which they valued me." So I took the
thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the treasury in the
house of the LORD. [ZECH 11:10-13]
Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he
said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and
pray." He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and
began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, "My
soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with
me." He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer,
saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from
me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." When he returned to
his disciples he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "So you
could not keep watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you
may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is
weak." Withdrawing a second time, he prayed again, "My
Father, if it is not possible that this cup pass without my
drinking it, your will be done!" Then he returned once more
and found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open. He
left them and withdrew again and prayed a third time, saying the
same thing again. Then he returned to his disciples and said to
them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold,
the hour is at hand when the Son of Man is to be handed over to
sinners. Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is at hand." [MT
26:36-46]
And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means
Place of the Skull), they gave Jesus wine to drink mixed with
gall. But when he had tasted it, he refused to drink. After they
had crucified him, they divided his garments by casting lots; then
they sat down and kept watch over him there. And they placed over
his head the written charge against him: This is Jesus, the King
of the Jews. [MT 27:33-37]
But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his
spirit. And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from
top to bottom. The earth quaked, rocks were split, tombs were
opened, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were
raised. And coming forth from their tombs after his resurrection,
they entered the holy city and appeared to many. The centurion and
the men with him who were keeping watch over Jesus feared greatly
when they saw the earthquake and all that was happening, and they
said, "Truly, this was the Son of God!" [MT 27:50-54]
Again he entered the synagogue. There was a man there who had a
withered hand. They watched him closely to see if he would cure
him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him. He said to the
man with the withered hand, "Come up here before us."
Then he said to them, "Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy
it?" But they remained silent. Looking around at them with
anger and grieved at their hardness of heart, he said to the man,
"Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his
hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately took
counsel with the Herodians against him to put him to death. [MK 3:1-6]
He enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of
the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." [MK 8:15]
"Watch out for yourselves. They will hand you over to the
courts. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will be arraigned
before governors and kings because of me, as a witness before
them. But the gospel must first be preached to all nations. When
they lead you away and hand you over, do not worry beforehand
about what you are to say. But say whatever will be given to you
at that hour. For it will not be you who are speaking but the Holy Spirit.
Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child;
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who
perseveres to the end will be saved." [MK 13:9-13]
"When you see the desolating abomination standing where he
should not (let the reader understand), then those in Judea must
flee to the mountains, (and) a person on a housetop must not go
down or enter to get anything out of his house, and a person in a
field must not return to get his cloak. Woe to pregnant women and
nursing mothers in those days. Pray that this does not happen in
winter. For those times will have tribulation such as has not been
since the beginning of God's creation until now, nor ever will be.
If the Lord had not shortened those days, no one would be saved;
but for the sake of the elect whom he chose, he did shorten the
days. If anyone says to you then, 'Look, here is the Messiah!
Look, there he is!' do not believe it. False messiahs and false
prophets will arise and will perform signs and wonders in order to
mislead, if that were possible, the elect. Be watchful! I have
told it all to you beforehand." [MK 13:14-23]
"Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes
tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. In the
same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is
near, at the gates. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not
pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and
earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But of that
day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the
Son, but only the Father. Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know
when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad. He
leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in
the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you,
I say to all: 'Watch!'" [MK 13:28-37]
Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he said to his
disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took with him
Peter, James, and John, and began to be troubled and distressed.
Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch." He advanced a little and fell to
the ground and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass
by him; he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to
you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you
will." When he returned he found them asleep. He said to
Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for
one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The
spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Withdrawing again,
he prayed, saying the same thing. Then he returned once more and
found them asleep, for they could not keep their eyes open and did
not know what to answer him. He returned a third time and said to
them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is
enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is to be handed
over to sinners. Get up, let us go. See, my betrayer is at
hand." [MK 14:32-42]
Pilate was amazed that he was already dead. He summoned the
centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died. And when he
learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the
linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the
rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where he was
laid. [MK 15:44-47]
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the
Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of
great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city
of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped
in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly
there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest and on
earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." When the
angels went away from them to heaven, the shepherds said to one
another, "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing
that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us."
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the infant
lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known the
message that had been told them about this child. All who heard it
were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary
kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had
heard and seen, just as it had been told to them. [LK 2:8-20]
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he
would cure on the sabbath so that they might discover a reason to
accuse him. But he realized their intentions and said to the man
with the withered hand, "Come up and stand before us."
And he rose and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, "I ask
you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do
evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Looking around
at them all, he then said to him, "Stretch out your
hand." He did so and his hand was restored. But they became
enraged and discussed together what they might do to Jesus. [LK
6:7-11]
They watched [Jesus] closely and sent agents pretending to be
righteous who were to trap him in speech, in order to hand him
over to the authority and power of the governor. [Taken from LK 20:20]
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified
him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his
left. (Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not
what they do.") They divided his garments by casting lots.
The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at
him and said, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is
the chosen one, the Messiah of God." Even the soldiers jeered
at him. As they approached to offer him wine they called out,
"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself." [LK 23:33-37]
The next day John was there again with two of his disciples,
and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, "Behold, the Lamb
of God." The two disciples heard what he said and followed
Jesus. [JN 1:35-37]
After a long time had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
but their plot became known to Saul. Now they were keeping watch
on the gates day and night so as to kill him, but his disciples
took him one night and let him down through an opening in the
wall, lowering him in a basket. When he arrived in Jerusalem he
tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not
believing that he was a disciple. [ACTS 9:23-26]
Peter thus was being kept in prison, but prayer by the church
was fervently being made to God on his behalf. On the very night
before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter, secured by double
chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while outside the door
guards kept watch on the prison. Suddenly the angel of the Lord
stood by him and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the
side and awakened him, saying, "Get up quickly." The
chains fell from his wrists. The angel said to him, "Put on
your belt and your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him,
"Put on your cloak and follow me." So he followed him
out, not realizing that what was happening through the angel was
real; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first
guard, then the second, and came to the iron gate leading out to
the city, which opened for them by itself. They emerged and made
their way down an alley, and suddenly the angel left him. Then
Peter recovered his senses and said, "Now I know for certain
that (the) Lord sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of
Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been
expecting." [ACTS 12:5-11]
Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which
the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the
church of God that he acquired with his own blood. I know that
after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they
will not spare the flock. And from your own group, men will come
forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after
them. So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and
day, I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears. [ACTS 20:28-31]
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create
dissensions and obstacles, in opposition to the teaching that you
learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ
but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering speech they
deceive the hearts of the innocent. [ROM 16:17-18]
Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of
these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So
do not be associated with them. For you were once darkness, but
now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for
light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the
fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is
shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but
everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything
that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: "Awake, O
sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you
light." Watch carefully then how you live, not as foolish
persons but as wise, making the most of the opportunity, because
the days are evil. Therefore, do not continue in ignorance, but
try to understand what is the will of the Lord. And do not get
drunk on wine, in which lies debauchery, but be filled with the
Spirit, addressing one another (in) psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving
thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God the Father. [EPH 5:6-20]
With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in
the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and
supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech
may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the
mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so
that I may have the courage to speak as I must. [EPH 6:18-20]
Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving; at
the same time, pray for us, too, that God may open a door to us
for the word, to speak of the mystery of Christ, for which I am in
prison, that I may make it clear, as I must speak. Conduct
yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the
opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with
salt, so that you know how you should respond to each one. [COL
4:2-6]
Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over
you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their
task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no
advantage to you. [HEB 13:17]
"To the angel of the church in Sardis, write this: 'The one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars says
this: "I know your works, that you have the reputation of
being alive, but you are dead. Be watchful and strengthen what is
left, which is going to die, for I have not found your works
complete in the sight of my God. Remember then how you accepted
and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not watchful, I will
come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will
come upon you. However, you have a few people in Sardis who have
not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in
white, because they are worthy. The victor will thus be dressed in
white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but
will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his
angels. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the
churches."'" [RV 3:1-6]
Then I watched while the Lamb broke open the first of the seven
seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures cry out in a
voice like thunder, "Come forward." I looked, and there
was a white horse, and its rider had a bow. He was given a crown,
and he rode forth victorious to further his victories. [RV 6:1-2]
Then I watched while he broke open the sixth seal, and there
was a great earthquake; the sun turned as black as dark sackcloth
and the whole moon became like blood. The stars in the sky fell to
the earth like unripe figs shaken loose from the tree in a strong
wind. Then the sky was divided like a torn scroll curling up, and
every mountain and island was moved from its place. The kings of
the earth, the nobles, the military officers, the rich, the
powerful, and every slave and free person hid themselves in caves
and among mountain crags. They cried out to the mountains and the
rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who
sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the
great day of their wrath has come and who can withstand it?" [RV
6:12-17]
"Behold, I am coming like a thief." Blessed is the
one who watches and keeps his clothes ready, so that he may not go
naked and people see him exposed. [Taken from RV 16:15]
Also try:
fortitude
[F12]
prepare
/ prepared [P13]
confessing
of sins / forgiveness [F10]
judgment
[J3a]
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