#BEHOLD OUR KING OUR CAPTAIN!!

[silversoulsociety]

How beautiful he is! This appearance of his… He resembles a being in the old books… He resembles a god! The warrior of liberation who plays the fool and makes people smile! Also known as… The Sun God! Nika!

One piece E1100- “Powers on a different level! Luffy vs Lucci!”

[psalacanthea]

just cuz @iridescentnuances told me she wants to see the weirdest shit I've got in my files somewhere, have this bit of um...Mass Effect 2?

...

Scene:

The abandoned colony of Horizon, after an attack of the Collectors.  Shepherd, Garrus, and Miranda are speaking with a wizened Mechanic.

Enter Kaidan Alenko.

Kaidan: Commander Shepard was her name.  Thou speakest false, if thou dost speak of the Captain of the finest ship to pierce the heavenly veil.  The Citadel thrives yet on her device, and she did tread where no man dares to go.  But alas, that Shepherd of men was lost, and so I say I see a ghost.

Mechanic: Good men have died this very day, and thou, a wastrel yet remain.  Fie on your Alliance, and fie on thee; I depart now and leave you to your ill fortunes.

Exit Mechanic.

Shepard: A ghost am I? No, but Spectre do I be.

Kaidan: And yet I say that thou dost lie, among the cold and unyielding stars. What coulds't thou be but a figment? Commander Shepard died and was mourned by we, her true compatriots.

Shepard: Belike her death was but a jape.

Kaidan: A jape? Mock'est thou the pain of a billion souls who toil and strive yet in her fulsome shadow? Speak no falsehoods. I say it plain. If thou art she, then of thy legacy hast thou made a mockery.

Shepard: Life hath made a mockery of Commander Shepard, and so Commander Shepard maketh mockery of life. They say she lies in death; they say she lies with e'ery breath of that Reaper threat, and so I say to thee it is a jape. I speak to ears who listen now.

Kaidan: Tis truth then? No, it cannot be. Commander Shepard, bound to the word of the Hounds of Hell? Those damnable curs?

Shepard: A Fool hath the right to speak truth to kings, but cannot make them heed.

Kaidan: No fool, but a mad traitor thou hast become, leading good men astray into the arms of damnation. What say'st thou, Vakarian, to this witless quest?

Garrus: Into hell, say I.

Kaidan: Then traitor shalt thou also be.

Garrus: Betrayal? I am true to Shepard, and with Shepard shall I be.

Kaidan: I am true to mine oaths, to Alliance, and by their word I say aye. Thou art traitors both who serve Hell, not Heaven.

Shepard: The enemy of mine enemy may turn the tide of battle when goodly men do naught but scorn. Thou hast seen the enemy here today, and so I say to thee: if thou claim'st Cerberus doth wage war upon the colonies, then I relinquish my crown to thee.

Kaidan: A crown?

Shepard: Aye, the crown of fools, which better suits thy brow than mine.

Garrus Laughs.

Shepard: The Collectors work for the Reapers still, absconding colonies by their will, and the Hounds of Hell lend fang and claw to this noble cause. I am in service of Man, and it is the lives of Men I here protect, not tarnished Thrones of the Citadel on high, whose prayerful guise and temperate wisdom make mockery of Men's suffering.

Kaidan: I shall bear thy words to the seat of Heaven, but no more.

Shepard: Then for naught my thanks is given.

Kaidan: Then I thank thee in turn for this heartache.

Shepard: When next Death doth reach its loathsome hand across th'bounds of space to crush me in that withered fist, I shall be reminded to beg pardon first from thy graciousness.

Kaidan: Thy pilot of so apt a name should'st bend the knee and place the title upon thee. Capering jester!

Shepard: Better jester than sycophant be.

Kaidan: I've no stomach for thy barbs. Farewell, I leave this haunting ghost behind.

Kaidan Alenko Exits.

Shepard: Brave Alenko! Need I endure a loathsome prick, consigned to bleed ere I am believed?

Garrus: Let's away. Our might needs be prepared to strike the beast that lurks among the stars. Be they Heavenly or from depthless Hell, all arms must be duly calibrated ere they strike true.

Shepard: Where does thy allegiance lie? To the Shepard or the might of her arms?

Garrus: I'truth, tis a riddle.

Shepard: What marvel of Science do I here see? Behold! This lizard is an ass!

Miranda: Commander, swift and merciless Time cares naught for our banter and strife. We must away. The Man of Indistinction hath called upon thee and awaits 'neath the dome of light and shadow.

Shepard: What does that asshole want now?

Exeunt.

[mrssoapmactavish]

maneater - chapter one

"if you're in it for love, you ain't gonna get too far"

this is the 'first' part of the andromeda series! still working on an official title for it all, but when it's set in stone, that'll be how you can easily find these works :)

mdni at all times! ageless/empty blogs are not welcome here!!

steve harrington had always had a bit of a thing for the emotionally distant women, even if no one would dare point it out to the boy. maybe it's the abandonment from his parents, but it's most definitely not the healthiest thing in the world for him, in fact more often than not leaving him heartbroken, such is the case with the last 'girlfriend' he'd had, nancy wheeler.

after barb's disappearance, she had gone from interested like the sweet, naive schoolgirl falling head-first for the captain of the basketball team like his parents would've hoped for him– if they were actually around, mind you– to detached, then eventually very obviously palling around with jonathan byers.

after accepting the fact that nancy was never really his to begin with– and accepting the heart-aching sting of unrequited love, another emptiness in his life that swallows him whole with loneliness– things had mostly re-stabilized. he was back to hating classes, having tommy and carol still chirping in his ear like nothing had happened. like him and tommy didn't get into a fight last year around this time, before steve had been back into the endless cycle of girls throwing themselves at him, basketball, and feeling oh so alone.

and now, lo and behold, the year he's bound to graduate and he's been applying to colleges and universities left and right, he saw billy hargrove and his two sisters.

sure, he already had a bone to pick with billy himself– the kid had the whole bad-boy thing going on, all the girls that hadn't had a chance to get swayed or swooned over king steve were utterly enamored– but he was pretty indifferent about the young redhead, knowing that the kids would eventually have something to say and he'd get an earful secondhand from nancy.

no, his interest was in the dirty blonde in the leather jacket with cherry-red lips and a furrow in her brows.

she'd been cold and detached when he had first approached her. fine, cool, he totally gets it. but seeing the way billy had given him the nastiest side-eye for greeting his sibling? it lit a fire in him, something he hadn't really felt for a while, and seeing her in his first class of the day stoked it, the flames licking within him, even if he can feel the sting of guilt knowing that this new student is just as interesting to him as nancy had been.

his eyes were locked on her, even as he pretended to laugh along with whatever stupid jest tommy had made that had carol smacking his shoulder and lecturing him, and the way she shifted her balance from foot to foot in front of the class as the insufferable chem teacher continues to ask her about herself.

"we moved from orange county. me, my brother, our half-sister, step-mom and our dad." her tone is full of boredom; she'd rather be anywhere but here, he can feel it coming off of her in waves, but his curious mind swirls at all the possibilities of what she'd rather be doing.

the thought of the girl in a cheerleading uniform just didn't fit. no, she's not the type of girl to spell out a cheer, to shake those ruffled pompoms and get the crowd roaring with excitement. nor was she the sports type; the idea of seeing her in short volleyball shorts is being filed away for later, though, don't get him wrong.

no, the first thought that comes to his head about what she would be doing is something steve harrington would've avoided a year ago.

it's strange to him; he'd never been a big fan of heavier music, always preferring catchy, danceable songs about love, parties, and other light topics, but he could close his eyes now and hear music blasting from an amplifier. she's the type to smell like vanilla and cinnamon, mostly to cover the smell of nicotine from sharing a pack with that ratty brother of hers.

the longer he watches her clash against the teachers' attempt to integrate the outsider into the class community, the more he can imagine of her. the type to drink beer at a party, to hang around whatever friends her brother had because the girls bore her with their chatty nature and mindless gossip.

as much as he wants nothing to do with the 'hargrove' name, he'd give up as many practices as possible to get so much as a glimpse into this girls personal life.

watching the girl walk with confidence but no real anger in her gait to the back of the class, sitting herself down at a table with no other students to be left the hell alone, steve finds himself staring down at his watch. he could swing skipping practice today, maybe, just to see if she'd talk to him more.

"this kinda looks like your old girlfriend, hahaha!" - scotty, evil dead (1981)

steve is, quite honestly, indifferent about the fact that he didn't choose to just skip basketball practice today. on the downside, hargrove is here, smirking and snide and really just giving far too much sass, making him seem like a scrawny kid who only got called the captain of the team because he was king steve.

he'd be absolutely fuming and ready to bitch and moan about this all afternoon and evening to anyone who'll listen– tommy, probably, and try to tone it down a bit more when he's around nancy later– if there wasn't a certain cherry-lipped blonde sitting on the stands, flipping through some boring, keep-you-busy magazine.

sure, he knows the girl won't talk much with him, but it means that the very least he can do is focus more on the game, if only to selfishly hope he'll catch her eye and at least be talked to more than a scowled out greeting. he's dying to talk to someone who doesn't know him as the same prick he was throughout highschool, he's realized.

someone who doesn't, hasn't, or never will associate him with that horrid label of king steve. maybe someone who'll look at him, what he does hanging around the school and occasionally chauffering around some of the kids, and see someone interesting. valuable. worth her time.

too bad his train of thought distracts him from keeping his footing, because it makes it much easier for billy to knock him off his feet, leaving steve to slam down against the scuffed gym floor. now that's embarrassing, he thinks to himself, what a way to make a first impression.

he's not sure whether or not billy had seen the glances towards his sister, he assumes it's the reason for the abrupt shove to the ground, especially in a no-contact sport like basketball. one thing he's very well aware of, however, is the pair of eyes on him from high up in the stands, watching his movements. it makes part of him feel elated; the idea of finally catching her attention, even if it's just because of a loud noise and a human concern for pain, sends a ripple of excitement through his veins.

steve is helped up to his feet, but not before billy mutters something he doesn't quite catch or process right away. "should've planted your feet," the californian mutters, then continuing on with the game like nothing had happened, the jeering and taunts continuing.

steve is no fool; knows that billy hargrove is aiming to dethrone him as king of hawkins high.

a year ago, that might have irked him. his popularity was all that kept his facade together, the glue that kept steve harrington from being exposed as a kid, desparately seeking meaningful connection, something he'd never gotten from his parents. he doesn't like seeking external validation, but because he'd never truly gotten it unconditionally from his parents, he knows it's what he needs to survive. and christ, what's so wrong with him that he doesn't deserve even a single attaboy?

but now? now that he and nancy have been slowly falling apart and he's having to face the fact that he's lost his first love, who he's been turning around for, reforming from his old ways for? now that tommy hagan and carol perkins are only faking friendship with steve, all because steve wouldn't let them call nancy a whore for hanging around jonathan byers?

he couldn't care less. as long as he has something to keep his mind off of the loneliness that seeps into his bones, a reason to stay as far away from his empty home as possible, a reason to come to school every day.. he's alright. at least, he hopes he is.

as he puts on the facade of not being affected or rattled by this entire revelation from the floor of the hawkins high basketball court, he notices that billy hargrove's sister watches intently from the stands, no longer bored and flipping through her magazine to occupy her idle hands and mind.

it's strange, how even just that brings a smile to his face.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

David and Goliath

1 The Philistines make war against Israel. 10 Goliath defieth Israel. 17 David is sent to his brethren. 34 The strength and boldness of David. 47 The Lord saveth not by sword nor spear. 50 David killeth Goliath, and the Philistines flee.

1 Now the Philistines gathered their armies to battle, and came together to Sochoh which is in Judah, and pitched between Sochoh and Azekah, in the coast of Dammim.

2 And Saul, and the men of Israel assembled and pitched in the valley of Elah, and put themselves in battle array to meet the Philistines.

3 And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: so a valley was between them.

4 ¶ Then came a man between them both out of the tents of the Philistines, named Goliath of Gath: his height was six cubits and an hand breadth,

5 And had an helmet of brass upon his head, and a brigandine upon him: and the weight of his brigandine was five thousand shekels of brass.

6 And he had boots of brass upon his legs, and a shield of brass upon his shoulders.

7 And the shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s beam: and his spear head weighed six hundred shekels of iron: and one bearing a shield went before him.

8 And he stood, and cried against the host of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and you servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me.

9 If he be able to fight with me, and kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I overcome him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us.

10 Also the Philistine said, I defy the host of Israel this day: give me a man, that we may fight together.

11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were discouraged, and greatly afraid.

12 ¶ Now this David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, named Jesse, which had eight sons: and this man was taken for an old man in the days of Saul.

13 And the three eldest sons of Jesse went and followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to battle were Eliab the eldest, and the next Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

14 So David was the least: and the three eldest went after Saul.

15 David also went, but he returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.

16 And the Philistine drew near in the morning, and evening, and continued forty days.

17 And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an Ephah of this parched corn, and these ten cakes, and run to the host to thy brethren.

18 Also carry these ten fresh cheeses unto the captain, and look how thy brethren fare, and receive their pledge.

19 (Then Saul and they, and all the men of Israel were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.)

20 ¶ So David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took and went as Jesse had commanded him, and came within the compass of the host: and the host went out in array, and shouted in the battle.

21 For Israel and the Philistines had put themselves in array, army against army.

22 And David left the things which he bare, under the hands of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the host, and came, and asked his brethren how they did.

23 And as he talked with them, behold, the man that was between the two armies, came up, (whose name was Goliath the Philistine of Gath) out of the army of the Philistines, and spake such words, and David heard them.

24 And all the men of Israel when they saw the man, ran away from him, and were sore afraid.

25 For every man of Israel said, Saw ye not this man that cometh up? even to revile Israel is he come up: and to him that killeth him, will the King give great riches, and will give him his daughter, yea, and make his father’s house free in Israel.

26 ¶ Then David spake to the men that stood with him, and said, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the shame from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should revile the host of the living God?

27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, Thus shall it be done to the man that killeth him.

28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men, and Eliab was very angry with David, and said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the malice of thine heart, that thou art come down to see the battle.

29 Then David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

30 And he departed from him into the presence of another, and spake of the same manner, and the people answered him according to the former words.

31 ¶ And they that heard the words which David spake, rehearsed them before Saul, which caused him to be brought.

32 So David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail him, because of him: thy servant will go, and fight with this Philistine.

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art a boy, and he is a man of war from his youth.

34 And David answered unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and likewise a bear, and took a sheep out of the flock,

35 And I went out after him and smote him, and took it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by the beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 So thy servant slew both the lion, and the bear: therefore this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath railed on the host of the living God.

37 ¶ Moreover David said, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. Then Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

38 And Saul put his raiment upon David, and put an helmet of brass upon his head, and put a brigandine upon him.

39 Then girded David his sword upon his raiment, and began to go: for he never proved it: and David said unto Saul, I can not go with these: for I am not accustomed. Wherefore David put them off him.

40 Then took he his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of a brook, and put them in his shepherd’s bag or scrip, and his sling was in his hand, and he drew near to the Philistine.

41 ¶ And the Philistine came and drew near unto David, and the man that bare the shield went before him.

42 Now when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but young, ruddy, and of a comely face.

43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the field.

45 ¶ Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield, but I come to thee in the Name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the host of Israel, whom thou hast railed upon.

46 This day shall the Lord close thee in mine hand, and I shall smite thee, and take thine head from thee, and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth, that all the world may know that Israel hath a God,

47 And that all this assembly may know, that the Lord saveth not with sword nor with spear, (for the battle is the Lord’s) and he will give you into our hands.

48 And when the Philistine arose to come and draw near unto David, David hasted and ran to fight against the Philistine.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took out a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sticked in his forehead, and he fell groveling to the earth.

50 So David overcame the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him, when David had no sword in his hand.

51 Then David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of his sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. So when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

52 And the men of Israel and Judah arose, and shouted, and followed after the Philistines, until they came to the valley, and unto the gates of Ekron: and the Philistines fell down wounded by the way of Shaaraim, even to Gath and to Ekron.

53 And the children of Israel returned from pursuing the Philistines, and spoiled their tents.

54 And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem, and put his armor in his tent.

55 ¶ When Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner the captain of his host, Abner, whose son is this young man? and Abner answered, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell.

56 Then the King said, Inquire thou whose son this young man is.

57 And when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, then Abner took him and brought him before Saul with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

58 And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite. — 1 Samuel 17 | 1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 35:19; Genesis 37:13-14; Genesis 42:15; Numbers 13:31; Deuteronomy 5:26; Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 28:26; Joshua 10:10; Joshua 11:22; Joshua 15:11; Joshua 15:16; Judges 18:21; 1 Samuel 7:7; 1 Samuel 8:17; 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 14:12; 1 Samuel 16:6; 1 Samuel 16:11-12; 1 Samuel 16:19; 1 Samuel 18:4; 1 Samuel 18:17; 1 Samuel 19:5; 1 Samuel 20:6; 1 Samuel 21:9; 1 Samuel 25:18; 1 Samuel 26:5; 2 Samuel 2:12; 2 Samuel 21:19; 2 Samuel 21:21; 2 Samuel 23:21; Psalm 27:3; Jeremiah 46:4; Amos 3:12; Matthew 10:10; Matthew 10:36; 2 Corinthians 1:10; Hebrews 11:32-33; Revelation 19:17

[masked-alien-lesbian]

TRR in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Gotten obsessed with Skyrim again lol. But what if in this AU of Skyrim, there were 2 hero Dragonborns and they were twins? Behold, Bosmer (wood elves) Dragonborn twins, Raelyn the mage and Riley the warrior.

The Dragonborn Comes:

Our hero, our hero, claims a warrior's heart.

I tell you, I tell you, the Dragonborn comes.

With a Voice wielding power of the ancient Nord art.

Believe, believe, the Dragonborn comes.

Its the end to the evil, of all Skyrim's foes.

Beware, beware, the Dragonborn comes.

For the darkness has passed, and the legend yet grows.

You'll know, you'll know, the Dragonborn comes.

Hana as an Altmer (high elf).

Both Liam and Drake would be Nords. Liam an unmarried High King of Skyrim while Drake is his Captain of the Guard and closest friend. I think Maxwell would make a good khajiit, lol or a Breton. Lena could take Ulfric Stormcloak's place (but without the whole shouting Liam to death like Ulfric did to High King Torygg) they're siblings fighting for control over Skyrim. Olivia would be the head of the Dark Brotherhood 🤭

Hana is a noble Altmer visiting the Thalmor Embassy that her parents are closely connected to. But on her way through Skyrim, a dragon attacks! Thankfully the Dragonborn twins save her and she finds herself falling for the Bosmer mage. ❤️

[thecatholicbozo]

"Take courage, my brethren, let us go forward together, Jesus will be with us. (Heb 12:1)

For the sake of Jesus we took up His cross; for the sake of Jesus let us persevere on the cross.

He will be our helper, who is our captain and our leader. Behold our King marches before us, who will fight for us.

Let us follow Him manfully; let no one shrink through fear; let us be ready to die valiantly in battle, and not stain our glory by flying from the standard of the cross. (1 Macc 9:10)

-Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ

[orthodoxadventure]

O holy and great Archangel of God Michael, first among the angels that stand before the inscrutable and transcen­dent Trinity, overseer and guardian of the human race, who with thine armies didst crush the head of the most-proud Morning Star in Heaven and dost ever put to shame his evil and cunning on earth, to thee do we flee with faith and to thee we pray with love;

Be thou an invincible shield and a firm bulwark of the Holy Church and our homeland, pro­tecting them with thy lightning-bearing sword from all ene­mies, both visible and invisible. Be thou a guardian angel, a most wise counselor and helper of Orthodox Christians, of our country, bringing them from the throne of the King of kings enlightenment and power, joy, peace, and consolation. Be thou the chief captain and companion in arms of our Christ-loving armed forces, crowning them with glory and victory over adversaries, that all who oppose us may know that God and His holy angels are with us.

And leave not without thy help and protection, O Archangel of God, also us who glorify thy holy name today; for behold, even though we be great sinners, nevertheless we desire not to perish in our iniquities, but rather to turn to the Lord and be quickened by Him unto good works. Illumine, therefore, our minds with the light of God’s countenance, which con­tinually shineth on thy lightning-like forehead, that we may understand what the good and perfect will of God is con­cerning us, and know all that which we ought to do, and that which we ought to despise and abandon. Strengthen through the Grace of the Lord our weak will and feeble state, that, made firm in the law of the Lord, we may hence­forth cease to be tossed to and fro by earthly thoughts and the lusts of the flesh, enticed away, like senseless children, by the quickly-perishing beauties of this world, foolishly forgetting the eternal and heavenly for the sake of the corruptible and earthly. Above all these things, do thou ask for us from on high a true spirit of repentance, unfeigned sor­row before God and contrition for our sins, that we may spend the number of days that remain to us of this transito­ry life not in gratifying our senses and in slavery to our passions, but in wiping out the evil things we have done by tears of faith and heartfelt contrition, by struggles of purity and holy deeds of mercy. And when the hour of our end and liberation from the bonds of this body of clay draweth nigh, O Archangel of God, leave us not defenseless against the spirits of evil in the upper air, who are accustomed to hinder the ascent of man’s soul on high, that guarded by thee we may attain without hindrance those most glorious dwelling-places of Paradise, where there is neither sorrow, nor sighing, but life everlasting, and be vouchsafed to behold the most radiant countenance of our all-beneficent Lord and Master, fall down with tears at His feet, in joy and compunction shouting aloud: Glory to Thee, our most dear Redeemer, Who, because of Thy great love for us unworthy ones, hast been pleased to send Thine angels in the service of our salvation! Amen.

[ryanmeft]

Movie Review: The Boy and the Heron

12 year old Mahito watches as bombs fall on Tokyo in 1943, and the hospital housing his mother is incinerated. He and his father promptly relocate to the countryside, where he marries his late wife’s sister and runs a munitions factory, but Mahito has little interest in these things. He is not disrespectful. He simply wants to be by himself. During one of his wanderings in the grounds, he spots a mysteriously behaved gray heron who leads him to a ruined tower hidden in an out-of-the-way corner. There his aunt eventually disappears, and though he doesn’t liker her that much, his father does. So he, the dutiful son, must find and rescue her.

Many of the films of traditional animation master Hayao Miyazaki start this way, with a disillusioned and lonely child discovering something magical. Few, even among his storied filmography, lead us on a journey like this one. The tower was said to either have been built by his great grand-uncle or fallen to earth in a star, but either way, when Mahito follows the heron inside while looking for his missing aunt, he enters one of those worlds only Miyazaki can deliver.

By this point the heron has hinted at his true nature, via a nose and a pair of eyes peeking out from its long beak. The interior of the tower it leads Mahito to is a ruined staircase, but much like the abandoned amusement park in Spirited Away, there is more here than there appears. Here I will stop describing the plot and begin feasting on some of the visual delights.

Within is a gate to a world somewhere between life and death. It is a water world where the sun seems never to fully rise or set, where gigantic fish prowl an underwater realm, and where even desolate swampland is beautiful to behold. It constantly surprises us. Mahito encounters a neolithic tomb behind a golden gate, a gaggle of white, joyful spirits that look a little like the video game character Kirby, throngs of hungry pelicans and multi-colored giant parakeets wielding forks and knives, and another tower that seems to exist in an ethereal reality, filled with randomly numbered doors that tantalize our curiosity.

To say Miyazaki, and his Studio Ghibli, are known for visual beauty is an understatement at this point. Multiple museums and coffee table books are dedicated to it. Yet in his latest the master and his crew top themselves, and deliver his most gorgeous film to date. Every frame is worthy of being isolated and studied as a piece of art. My favorite bits include those afore-mentioned Kirby Spirits ascending into the night sky and that giant tomb calling to something deep inside the viewer, but it’s so hard to pick and choose that I will have to watch the film a few more times so I can implant them all in my mind.

The movie does not only have visuals going for it. After a couple movies in which appearances trumped depth, Miyazaki made the more subtle The Wind Rises, about an airplane designer during the war. He has now returned to the glory days of Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, with a film as moving as it is beautiful. I dare not reveal all the secrets of all the characters, but helping or hindering Mahito are a daring female sea captain, a mysterious woman with power over fire, a regal parakeet king who serves his people first, a mysterious man who harbors important information, and always that strange heron-man. They all factor into an emotional finale that leaves us holding back tears. This is a stunning achievement of both splendour and emotion, and the best film from Miyazaki in over 20 years.

Verdict: Must-See

Note: I don’t use star ratings. Here are my possible verdicts:

Must-See

Highly Recommended

Recommended

Average

Not Recommended

Avoid Like the Plague

[romance-club-daily]

You know what reaaaaally bugs me???? In HS2 there are 7 hands on a book. WHAT S UP WITH THAT? WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE? HAND PARTY? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?? everybody talk about the possible twin half brothers of Mc but nobody talks about the HANDS??!! is it obvious what they mean/symbolize and i'm just dumb??? What is happeing with the hands??? If there are 4 horsemen why are there 7 hands?????? What is hoing on man?????

I'm so glad you asked me that! 🤭 Because maybe I have an explanation that makes sense! It's a little longer, but it's here:

In the book of revelation we have a book sealed with seven seals, they are revealed throughout history, and also along with the appearance of the horsemen. In the bible, the only one "worthy" to open these seals is Jesus. They will probably adapt in another form in the story.

In this case, these seals are prophecies of what will happen in these last times.

When the 1st seal is opened, this passage appears:

And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. (Revelation 6:1-2).

This is one of the horsemen, not Plague, so probably Alice didn't follow the correct order of the seals, so things can change order.

On the 2nd seal:

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. (Revelation 6:3-4)

This probably Plague's brother, War.

3rd Seal:

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. (Revelation 6:5-6)

This is another horsemen 👀

4th Seal:

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. (Revelation 6:7-8)

I think this is Plague 👀

5th Seal:

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

That probably hasn't happened yet in the story. But I'm curious to know how they'll adapt that.

6th Seal:

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

In this part the people of the earth are also "sealed" separating who is on the side of "God" who is not. Maybe is a reference to the resistence?

Also, this is probably when Earth will be totally destroyed.

And finally the 7th one:

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

After this the trumpets of the angels are used and each one brings a different judgment, with more plagues and other things.

This is a lot, so I think she'll just adapt some things and change some parts.

[lightfromthelighthouse]

Good Morning!☀️

Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 20:5 KJV

Hezekiah had received the word from the Lord through the prophet Isaiah that he was to die from the illness he had. As Isaiah left him, he prayed and cried out to the Lord. Before Isaiah could leave the courtyard, God sent him back to Hezekiah.

God let Hezekiah know that his prayer had been heard and his tears seen and healing was on the way. He was told what to do, and God added 15 years to his life.

God hears our prayers and sees our tears. He may not respond as quickly as he did with Hezekiah, but he will respond!

[immediatebreakfast]

Marmion time once again!

The fourth canto is the compeling errand given to lord Marmion after the dinner. A very politically charged canto since it mentions a tense situation between england, and Scotland which could very much escalate into a war. Moreover, in this exsct situation is where lord Marmion has to accomplish this errand.

No bird whose feathers gaily flaunt Delights in cage to bide; ... In fair Queen Margaret’s bower. We hold our greyhound in our hand, Our falcon on our glove; But where shall we find leash or band For dame that loves to rove? Let the wild falcon soar her swing, She’ll stoop when she has tired her wing.

The bird symbolism in the poem is very well used within the character of lord Marmion. He is established as a lord, but unlike the role that he could have played, Marmion is more of a knightly leader that uses his position as a lord to command his men. Restless to accomplish great things, and not yet satisfied to sit still. Marmion is the falcon whose eyes see everything, and actions help the Queen. The use of "trapped" in the first canto now seems to reflect Marmion's light distate for formalities such as these even if they are crucial to his campaings.

Nay, if with royal James’s bride The lovely Lady Heron bide, Behold me here a messenger, Your tender greetings prompt to bear; For to the Scottish court addressed, I journey at our King’s behest, And pray you, of your grace, provide For me and mine, a trusty guide.

So that is what is needed, a guide through Scotland as a errand for the english King. Lord Marmion, and his men need to act as messengers to represent the King in the eyes of the Scottish court. A task in which they need a guide, more specifically a religious guide that could guide them, and be a voice of reason and peace in between all of the knights.

A herald were my fitting guide; Or friar, sworn in peace to bide Or pardoner, or travelling priest, Or strolling pilgrim, at the least.

A very reasonable request. Yet, thanks to @warrioreowynofrohan helpful explanation, and the poem itself admiting through the captain's the failures of their political system, we learn that literally none of the clergy in Norham are suited for the job at all.

And though a bishop built this fort, Few holy brethren here resort; Even our good chaplain, as I ween, Since our last siege we have not seen: The mass he might not sing or say, Upon one stinted meal a day; So safe he sat in Durham aisle, And prayed for our success the while.

This chaplain didn't like that he had to ratio his food like everyone else so he just left Norham, and to this day has not come back.

Our Norham vicar, woe betide, Is all too well in case to ride; The priest of Shoreswood—he could rein The wildest war-horse in your train; But then, no spearman in the hall Will sooner swear, or stab, or brawl.

The vicar is in excellent condition to go! The problem is that he might as well be another knight with how much he likes to fight.

And then, the one who made me laugh, the Friar John of Tillmouth.

A blithesome brother at the can, A welcome guest in hall and bower, He knows each castle, town, and tower, In which the wine and ale is good, ’Twixt Newcastle and Holyrood. But that good man, as ill befalls, Hath seldom left our castle walls, Since, on the vigil of Saint Bede, In evil hour, he crossed the Tweed, To teach Dame Alison her creed. Old Bughtrig found him with his wife; And John, an enemy to strife, Sans frock and hood, fled for his life.

An alcoholic friar who is known for gambling, and straight up has by @warrioreowynofrohan's own words, "a neighbouring Scottish lord after his head because he snuck across the border, slept with the lord’s wife, was caught in the act, and ran away naked."

What a charming man of the cloth huh. However, and very solemnly, young Selby (Heron's nephew) explains that friar John is literally the best option they have if they want lord Marmion to do his errand well.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Judgment on Babylon (Part 1)

1 Thus saith the Lord;

Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, a destroying wind; 2 and will send unto Babylon fanners, that shall fan her, and shall empty her land: for in the day of trouble they shall be against her round about. 3 Against him that bendeth let the archer bend his bow, and against him that lifteth himself up in his brigandine: and spare ye not her young men; destroy ye utterly all her host. 4 Thus the slain shall fall in the land of the Chaldeans, and they that are thrust through in her streets. 5 For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.

6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.

7 Babylon hath been a golden cup in the Lord’s hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad. 8 Babylon is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed. 9 We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies. 10 The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.

11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the Lord hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the Lord, the vengeance of his temple. 12 Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the Lord hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

13 O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness. 14 The Lord of hosts hath sworn by himself, saying, Surely I will fill thee with men, as with caterpillers; and they shall lift up a shout against thee.

15 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding. 16 When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

17 Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. 18 They are vanity, the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. 19 The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the Lord of hosts is his name.

20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; 21 and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider; and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider; 22 with thee also will I break in pieces man and woman; and with thee will I break in pieces old and young; and with thee will I break in pieces the young man and the maid; 23 I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers. 24 And I will render unto Babylon and to all the inhabitants of Chaldea all their evil that they have done in Zion in your sight, saith the Lord.

25 Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the Lord, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain. 26 And they shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desolate for ever, saith the Lord.

27 Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as the rough caterpillers. 28 Prepare against her the nations with the kings of the Medes, the captains thereof, and all the rulers thereof, and all the land of his dominion. 29 And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

30 The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken. 31 One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end, 32 and that the passages are stopped, and the reeds they have burned with fire, and the men of war are affrighted. — Jeremiah 51:1-32 | Authorized King James Version (AKJV) The Holy Bible: Authorized King James Version; Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK. All rights reserved. Cross References: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 8:4; Exodus 15:1; Leviticus 26:25; 2 Samuel 18:19; 2 Chronicles 36:17; Job 37:2; Psalm 37:6; Psalm 73:26; Psalm 76:5; Psalm 105:34; Psalm 137:8; Isaiah 8:9; Isaiah 13:2; Isaiah 13:7; Isaiah 13:15; Isaiah 13:19-20; Isaiah 14:19; Isaiah 44:18; Isaiah 47:14; Isaiah 48:14; Isaiah 54:7-8; Jeremiah 10:14-15; Jeremiah 25:14; Matthew 3:12; Acts 14:15; Revelation 8:8; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 18:2-5; Revelation 18:9

[bills-bible-basics]

ANGELIC PROTECTION -- KJV (King James Version) Bible Verse List #Scriptures #BibleStudy #BibleVerses Visit https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/ to see more. "But the men [the two Angels] put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door." Genesis 19:10-11, KJV "And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed." Genesis 19:15-17, KJV "The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." Psalm 34:7, KJV "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place." Psalm 68:17, KJV "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so." Joshua 5:13-15, KJV "And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha." 2 Kings 6:16-18, KJV "There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." Psalm 91:10-12, KJV "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." Psalm 105:15, KJV "And when they [the wise men] were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him . . . But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life." Matthew 2:13, 19-20, KJV "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea . . . Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 18:6, 10, KJV "Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life." Acts 5:17-20, KJV "And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews." Acts 12:6-11, KJV "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews 13:2, KJV If you would like more info regarding the origin of these KJV Bible verse lists, go to https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/. Thank-you! https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/angelic-protection-kjv-king-james-version-bible-verse-list/?feed_id=250014&ANGELIC%20PROTECTION%20--%20KJV%20%28King%20James%20Version%29%20Bible%20Verse%20List

[libidomechanica]

A wanton and walked with thine arms into

Misfortunes lot the riches old.     Thy gloom will sit beside a loth farewel, and in my     own. Isles love begets, then, the household flowers felt his pleasant     music the happy he who look’d upon me; whom no     scandal could find your hate

I doe a Devil turne. Beat like     a hawk, an’ wi’ her love like books’ gay coveringly—O     dearth of human foot, and dishonest speech each on each. Of     covert flowery meads th’hill’s shadow falls in the square fast     where overfed. In please,

enough to early risers after     than his woe. Sometimes the cost of varnished from his sweet     soul with speed.—Now thou doest watching his forehead woos? If I     lay here dead, wouldst print more, for love, I think me some two and     twists the really promise

for my bride, till the original     of tender tribe who surrenders, survives. A wanton     and walked with thine arms into the best can she guess’d how long     must I be a criminal. We ha’ cheated things more     than not that are snug a

we-see poem, a they-love poem.     Glance thrown, a thorn; it looks very captain’s side this brow,     but when obstinate silent night. Wild bird, and the frosty     air is always asking me from many had lovers look’d     profound; some ne’er presume,

though I despair of my cure, do     you beware the qualities. No Caspian could not heed     my lonely wander far in other line: so long a-gone,     whose cool it among them to your dimpled arms that you loved     you I could be most dainty

Ariel’ and perplexes,     until I heard it—the king his foe he’d laugh and swell thee     stands erect this flake of truth; a smooth as those which that you     overlooked and worse. And down swelling songs, the smoulders, warm     their language holds the domed

and better Death, for better at     the heard it—the wind; in winged eager, on he hies through     accoutrements, pitiful in my breathed with crimson mouthed shells;     or than Hermes’ pipe, when new wonders—past there. Three I am     amazed you start, and

shoulders withoute stoon? Doubtless it     is possibilities I love is fire, which so long in     wealth goes to a Jew; both senates see the woes of self-     doing crime. You must like the hawthorn’s blossom winks through what     does Pity here? Which governs

me to overcomes you, you     the warriors! When will dare to plunge them hovering to the weary     winter’s ragged mawkin, thought t was. And bring a sweater     with a dribbed shot, loue gaue the woodbine leave to go.—The     man who lov’d—and music

of the Banquet—none in love doth     keepe. We drive through our brain so wild! Music I hear in the     midmost and then, how rich to me, your eyes turned about the     degrading details I have sworn an oath that which thereof     gate in the side. Itself

sees not yet a thing, she is a     handsome, noble, rich, more Foole for all noble birth-pangs     o’erpay. To charm from yours, and I see the spot to which     reconciled; and that our delight takes in darkness, some sudden     thee; yet eyes would name, and,

may be, now! While the floor chalk mimics     painted beauteous hill of hooks question? That which don’t know     what I know it: when they pass’d the pale lips; she hates remoue. Forth     from the Isles love me, Love! Life, have power to madden thee;     and merry larks on wings

were mine. Shut up each hissing by,     behold another nation; but suffers changed forest of     honest man. Is not Ida do that her so well I see     that leads so oft amiss ladies do now and     Cool grass, and sighing vaults.

[phixxaz-dymmeng]

1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

2. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

3. And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

4. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

5. And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

6. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

7. And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

9. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

11. And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

12. And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

13. And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

14. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16. And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17. For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

(Revelation, 6)

[craftylovegentlemen]

The Bible Old Testament

2 Samuel

Chapter 19

1 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. 2 And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. 3 And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. 4 But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! 5 And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; 6 In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. 7 Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. 8 Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. 9 And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. 10 And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back?

11 And king David sent to Zadok and to Abiathar the priests, saying, Speak unto the elders of Judah, saying, Why are ye the last to bring the king back to his house? seeing the speech of all Israel is come to the king, even to his house. 12 Ye are my brethren, ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king? 13 And say ye to Amasa, Art thou not of my bone, and of my flesh? God do so to me, and more also, if thou be not captain of the host before me continually in the room of Joab. 14 And he bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man; so that they sent this word unto the king, Return thou, and all thy servants. 15 So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan. 16 And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. 17 And there were a thousand men of Benjamin with him, and Ziba the servant of the house of Saul, and his fifteen sons and his twenty servants with him; and they went over Jordan before the king. 18 And there went over a ferry boat to carry over the king's household, and to do what he thought good. And Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was come over Jordan; 19 And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 20 For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king.

21 But Abishai the son of Zeruiah answered and said, Shall not Shimei be put to death for this, because he cursed the LORD's anointed? 22 And David said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel? 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him. 24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. 25 And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? 26 And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the king; because thy servant is lame. 27 And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. 28 For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king? 29 And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. 30 And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.

31 And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan. 32 Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man. 33 And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem. 34 And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king unto Jerusalem? 35 I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king? 36 Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? 37 Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. 38 And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require of me, that will I do for thee. 39 And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over, the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own place. 40 Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel

41 And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over Jordan? 42 And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift? 43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 19

Diane Beauford