Lexicon :: Strong's H2656 - ḥēp̄eṣ

“Has the LORD as great a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices

As in obedience to the voice of the LORD?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed [is better] than the fat of rams.

“Truly is not my house so [blessed] with God?

For He has made an everlasting covenant with me,

Ordered in all things, and secured.

For will He not cause to grow and prosper

All my salvation and my every wish?

Will He not make it grow and prosper?

King Solomon [in turn] gave to the queen of Sheba everything that she wanted, whatever she asked, besides what he gave to her [fn]from his royal bounty. So she returned to her own country, she and her servants.

King Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all [the things] she desired, whatever she asked, [fn]besides a return for what she had brought to the king. So she returned to her own land with her servants.

“For what pleasure does he have in his house and family after he is dead,

When the number of his months [of life] is cut off?

“Is it any pleasure or joy to [fn]the Almighty that you are righteous?

Or is it of benefit to Him that you make your ways perfect?

“If I have withheld from the poor what they desired,

Or have caused the eyes of the widow to look in vain [for relief],

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night.

As for the saints (godly people) who are in the land,

They are the majestic and the noble and the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.

Then they were glad because of the calm,

And He guided them to their desired haven (harbor).

Great are the works of the LORD,

Studied by all those who delight in them.

She is more precious than rubies;

And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].

For wisdom is better than rubies;

And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

She looks for wool and flax

And works with willing hands in delight.

There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—

When you make a vow or a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God takes no pleasure in fools [who thoughtlessly mock Him]. Pay what you vow.

If you see the oppression of the poor and the denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight [of corruption]; for a higher official watches over another official, and there are higher ones over them [looking out for one another].

For there is a [fn]proper time and [appropriate] procedure for every delight,

Though mankind’s misery and trouble lies heavily upon him [who rebels against the king].

Remember [thoughtfully] also your Creator in the days of your youth [for you are not your own, but His], before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say [of physical pleasures], “I have no enjoyment and delight in them”;

“It is I who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd (ruler),

And he will carry out all that I desire—’

Saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall [again] be built,’

And of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall [again] be laid.’”

Declaring the end and the result from the beginning,

And from ancient times the things which have not [yet] been done,

Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,

And I will do all that pleases Me and fulfills My purpose,’

“Assemble, all of you, and listen!

Who among them [the idols and Chaldean astrologers] has declared these things?

The LORD loves him (Cyrus of Persia); he will do His pleasure and purpose against Babylon,

And his arm will be against the Chaldeans [who reign in Babylon].

Yet the LORD was [fn]willing

To crush Him, [fn]causing Him to suffer;

If [fn]He would give Himself as a guilt offering [an atonement for sin],

He shall see His [spiritual] offspring,

He shall prolong His days,

And the will (good pleasure) of the LORD shall succeed and prosper in His hand.

“And I will make your battlements of rubies,

And your gates of [shining] beryl stones,

And all your [barrier] [fn]walls of precious stones.

‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You do not see it?

Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?’

Hear this [O Israel], on the day of your fast [when you should be grieving for your sins] you find something you desire [to do],

And you force your hired servants to work [instead of stopping all work, as the law teaches].

“If you turn back your foot from [[fn]unnecessary travel on] the Sabbath,

From doing your own pleasure on My holy day,

And call the Sabbath a [spiritual] delight, and the holy day of the LORD honorable,

And honor it, not going your own way

Or [fn]engaging in your own pleasure

Or speaking your own [idle] words,

“Is this man [King] Coniah a despised, broken jar?

Is he a vessel in which no one takes pleasure?

Why are he and his [royal] descendants hurled out

And cast into a land which they do not know or understand?

Israel is [as if] swallowed up [by enemies];

They are now among the nations

Like a vessel [of cheap, coarse pottery] that is useless.