The Major Prophets of the Bible: Volume 1. in Rhyme

By Warren Sherwood Bennett

Though this is Mr. Bennett's sixth book-poem of God's Holy Bible, it's the first volume of His major prophets; it precedes the Pentateuch, also known as the five books of Moses.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781477282915

Warren Sherwood Bennett

As said in the prophecy, God is the source of all knowledge and life-giving breath. These matters of the fact lead the way to all forces on Earth and all unto death. This author has visualized and realized how his life has been blessed with the verse to feel with his zeal just how he could be prized with some wisdom of God’s universe. They recently had a great-grandchild, a boy, as their twenty-fifth one, and somehow, they also just had their first great-great-grandchild. This makes them great-great-grandparents now.

Book preview

Chapter I

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Now after his breath ceased, and caused the demise

Of the Lord’s servant Mo`-ses, He spoke

To Josh`-u-a, son of Nun, Mo`-ses’ wise,

Faithful aid, saying this to invoke:

"My good servant Mo`-ses is dead,—therefore rise,

And go over the Jor`-dan. Take all

The people to trek to the land I advise

To the children of Is`-ra-el’s fall.

"As I said to Mo`-ses, I’ve given to you,

Ev’ry place that the soles of your feet

Will tread upon, and, from the wilderness too,

Where the rivers of Leb`-a-non meet.

"The river Eu-phra`-tes, and all the land spanned

To the great sea on down, as the sun

Goes down, will be your coast, and all is your land,

And the ones against you will be none.

"As I was with Mo`-ses, so I’ll be with you;

All the days of your life it will be.

I’ll never forsake you, nor fail you to rue,

So be strong, of good courage,—you’ll see.

"For you will cause this people, I now declare,

To inherit the land I foreswore,

To all of their ancestors, here and elsewhere,

Unto them was their seed as before.

"Again I say, ‘Only be strong in the law,

And be very courageous and rife.’

Observe to do all of the Law without flaw,

From My Mo`-ses, My servant in life,

Which he had commanded you,—deviate not,

Do not turn from it, left or the right,

That you may do wisely and prosper, not rot,

Where so ever you go in My Light.

"This book of the Law will not ever depart

From your mouth, but instead be retained.

You’ll meditate deeply on it from your heart;

Day and night you’ll observe what’s contained.

"For then, you will make your way prosperous, and,

Good success you will have,—each endeavor.

Have courage. Be strong, was my foremost command.

So afraid or dismayed, be not ever.

The Lord God is with you, wherever you go.—

Then commanded by Josh`-u-a, this:

"Your officers over the people, say so,

While you pass through the camp,—and don’t miss:

"‘Prepare needed victuals, to last three days;

You will cross over Jor`-dan to home.

To go and prepare all the land God portrays

That He’s given,—you no more need roam.’"

To Reu`-ben-ites, Gad`-ites, Ma-nas`-ah’s half tribe,

Said by Josh`-u-a, "Recall the word,

‘Commandments’ by Mo`-ses, by God’s only scribe;

He commanded you, saying inferred,

‘The Lord God has given you rest and this land.’

So your little ones, wives, and your herds,

Will stay on the land of which Mo`-ses command,

Was this side of the Jor`-dan,—His Words.

"But you’ll pass before them, and cross over armed,—

All the mighty and valorous men.

They’ll help and prevent them from being so harmed,

Until God gives them rest once again.

"As He gave to you, they will likewise possess

All the land which God gives to them now.

Then you will return to your own land, possess,

And enjoy it: the land of God’s vow.

The land that God’s servant, called Mo`-ses, gave you,

Is this side of the Jor`-dan, towards sun."

Replied they to Josh`-u-a, "We’ll obey true,

And we’ll go anywhere till it’s done.

"As we obeyed Mo`-ses in all things, so we

Shall obey you, as God is with you!

Whoever rebels against you, dead he’ll be.

Be of good courage, strong, and be true.

Chapter II

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The son of Nun, Josh`-u-a, sent out two men

From the city of Shit`-tim, to spy.

Said, "Secretly go view the land and each glen.

Even Jer`-i-cho, thoroughly eye."

They went and came into a prostitute’s place,

Name of Ra`-hab, and lodged there disguised.

Now Jer`-i-cho’s king was so told of this base,

Saying, "Is`-rael-ites came. Be advised!

They came here to search out the country,—invade!

So the king ordered Ra`-hab her aid:

"Bring forth the men spying how our land was laid,

The ones hiding with you, unafraid."

The woman instead hid the men, and said thus,

"Yes, there did come to me the two men,

But I do not know where they came from to us,

At the time of the gate closing, then.

At dark the men left, but to where I don’t know.—

Pursue after them quickly,—you’ll view!"

However, she had hid them under stalks row,

On the roof, laid in order, flat too.

The men pursued after them, on the way, straight

To the fords of the Jor`-dan to rest.

Soon after they left, our men closed up the gate,

To prevent a return to arrest.

Before the two men were laid down, she came up

On the roof, and to them did profess,

"I know the Lord gave you this land and the ‘cup’

Of your terror on us will aggress.

"Inhabitants here faint on seeing you near,

For we’ve heard the Lord dried the Red Sea,

When you came from E`-gypt, you gave two kings fear:

They were Am`-mor-ites, then living free,

Across on the other side of River Jor`-dan,

With Si`-hon and Og you destroyed.

As soon as we’d heard all these things, and more than,

Did our hearts melt,—our courage made void.

"Because of you, we know your Lord God is true,

And is God of the heavens and earth.

Now therefore, swear unto me, I pray to you

By your Lord, since I saved you your worth.

I showed you my kindness, which you’ll also show

The same kindness to me and my clan:

My whole father’s house, and assure me to know

By a token, you’ll save us by plan:

"That you keep alive all my family here,

Spare my father and mother, and more:

My brothers and sisters, and their kinship near,

And deliver our lives from death’s door."

The man answered her, "It is our lives for yours!—

If you don’t tell our bus’ness with you,

It will be when God gives us all He procures,

We’ll deal then with you kindly and true."

She then let them down through a window nearby,

By a cord, for her house perched a wall.

Though she lived within the wall, her house was high

On the outside, allowing the fall.

She said to advise them, "Go on by the way

Of the hills, lest pursuers should find you.

Then hide yourselves there for three days, to delay

Their return, then do all you’ve a mind to."

The men answered her, "We shall not be released

From this oath that you’ve made us swear,

If, when we come into the land, we find pieced

To the window, this scarlet thread rare,

Which you let us down by; and gather your kin;

Bring your father and mother, and all

Your brethren, and all of your father’s house, in

To your home.—They’ll be safe and not fall.

"It will be that who e’er goes out in the street,

Is responsible for his own death.

We then will be guiltless of such act complete;

We’ll be innocent, stilling his breath.

"Whoever will be in your house there with you,

We shall then be responsible too,

That their blood is on us, if harm comes in view,

Or a hand laid on one to subdue.

"And also, if you ever utter a word

Of our oath with you of this thing,

We’ll make void the oath, and all that you’ve heard."

[They’ll continue with what war will bring.]

She then said, According to your word, so be it.

She sent them away and departed.

She bound in the window the thread so they’d see it:

[The bright scarlet line’s where they started.]

The two men went out, and came into the hills,

And for three days and nights they’d abide,

Until the pursuers returned without kills;

For they sought, and found not where they’d hide.

The two men returned and descended the hills,

And crossed over to Josh`-u-a, son

Of Nun, and told him all these things, and the chills

That befell them since they had begun.

They said unto Josh`-u-a, "Truly the Lord

Has delivered to us in our hands,

All lands, because even inhabitants warred,

And would faint and cringe, by our commands.

Chapter III

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And Josh`-u-a rose in the dim early morn,

And from Shit`-tim to Jor`-dan set out.

He joined all the children of Is`-ra-el, worn

And was tired, so they lodged there about.

Before they passed over, they rested three days,

And the officers went through the host.

They ordered the people instructions of praise,

Saying when to start leaving the coast:

"When you see the Ark of the Covenant raised,

That the priests of the Le`-vites will bear,

Then you will remove yourselves, and be amazed

At your following it anywhere.

"Yet there will be space between you and the Ark,—

About two thousand cubits in length.

Don’t ever come near it,—you’ll know to embark

By the way you must go and have strength.

For you have not ever passed by here before.

So then Josh"-u-a said to them all,

"Come, sanctify ev’ryone! He, Who foreswore,

Will do wonders tomorrow! Enthrall!"

Spoke Josh`-u-a unto the priests, ordered this:

"Take the Ark of the Covenant, and,

Pass over before all the people amiss."

So they lifted the Ark on command.

The Lord said to Josh`-u-a, "This day I’ll start

Magnifying you in Is`-rael’s view,

That they will indeed know, with Mo`-ses’ heart,

I was with him, so I’ll be with you.

You also will order the priests who would carry

The Ark of the Covenant, saying,

‘When you’re near the brink of the Jor`-dan to tarry,

You’ll stand in the Jor`-dan, delaying.’"

And Josh`-u-a said to all Is`-ra-el’s kin,

"Come near me;—hear the Words of the Lord.

By this, Josh`-ua said, "you will know to begin,

That the living God is, as you’ve heard.

Our God is among you, and will without fail,

Before you, drive the Gen`-tiles away:

The Ca`-naan-ites, Hit`-tites, and Per`-iz-zites, frail,

With the Hi`-vites, and Gir`-ga-shites, slay.

"The Am`-mor-ites, Jeb`-u-sites, you must drive out.

Behold now, that the Covenant’s Ark

Is going before you to Jor`-dan, about:

[That the Covenant’s Ark will embark.]

"Select now twelve men, one from each of the tribes,

And it will come to pass just as soon

As soles of the feet of the priests and the scribes,

Who would carry the Ark, and commune,

Will rest in the waters of Jor`-dan, and be

Then cut off from the waters that flow,

From high above that which comes down from the sea,

And they’ll stand in a heap far below."

It did come to pass, that the people went out

From their tents to the Jor`-dan by land,

The priests who were bearing the Ark were devout,

And did come to the Jor`-dan first-hand.

Their feet were dipped into the watery brim,

(For the water flowed over its edge,

Each time during harvest,)and over its rim,

That the waters came down without dredge.

The waters stood calm, but rose up in a heap,

From the city of A`-dam to ‘reign’.

Residing near Zar`-e-tan, and, those in deep,

That came down toward the sea of the plain.

The Dead Sea and Ar`-a-bah also were cut

Off from Jer`-i-cho, when they all passed.

The priests who had carried the Ark too were shut

From the torrential watery blast.

The Ark of Lord’s Covenant perched on dry ground,

Till the people passed over the stream;

Until the whole nation trekked over and found

The land God promised them to redeem.

Chapter IV

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It then came to pass, when the people had passed

Over Jor`-dan, the Lord spoke again,

To Josh`-u`-a, saying, "Take twelve men amassed,—

One from each tribe of valiant men.

Command them by saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here,

In the midst of the Jor`-dan in light,

Where priests’ feet stood firm, and will carry them near

In the place where you’ll lodge in the night.’"

Then Josh`-u-a called the twelve men, now prepared,

Of the children of Is`-ra-el’s ‘rod’.

Then Josh`-u-a went unto them and declared,

"Pass the Ark of the Lord, Holy God.

"Go into the midst of the Jor`-dan, and each

Put a stone on his shoulder to mark,

The number of tribes of all Is`-ra-el’s reach,

[And according to men of the Ark.]

"That their act may be a true sign unto you,

When your children ask you in due time,

‘What do these stones men?’ Then you’ll answer them true,

[So they’ll understand fully, sublime.]

"‘The waters of Jor`-dan were cut off before

The Lord’s Ark of the Covenant stood;

When crossing the Jor`-dan, the waters would soar,

Then were cut off and stilled.—It was good.

"‘The stones will commemorate this ancient act;

Its memorial ever will be,

To Is`-ra-el’s children’, [denoting the fact

The Lord’s Covenant Ark is God’s plea.]"

The children of Is`-ra-el did as was told;

They obeyed all of Josh`-u-a’s word.

They took up twelve stones from the Jor`-dan to hold,

As the Lord spoke to him, and they heard.

According to number of Is`-ra-el’s tribes,

As the Lord ordered Josh`-ua to do,

They carried them unto the place with the scribes,

Where they lodged, and there waited for You.

So Josh`-u-a set up twelve stones in the place,

In the midst of the Jor`-dan, where feet

Of priests who did carry the Ark by its base,

And they’re there to this day.—They’re complete.

Those same priests who carried the Covenant’s Ark,

To the midst of the Jor`-dan, until

All things were completed, the Lord said to mark,

And commanded that Josh`-u-a still,

Would speak to the people according to all

The Lord’s Mo`-ses had ordered before,

To Josh`-u-a,—hence, they all hearkened the call

To pass over, and hasted the more.

It soon came to pass, when the people clean passed

Over Jor`-dan, the Ark of the Lord,

With priests too had passed, and completed at last,

[The trek needed to finish the ford.]

The children of Reu`-ben,—the children of Gad,

And Ma-nas`-she’s half tribe fully armed,

Had passed over first, before anything bad

Came to Is`-ra-el.—Mo`-ses alarmed!

About forty thousand prepared for the war,

Passing over before to the fray.

To Jer`-i-cho’s plains into battle,—death’s door,

Did the Lord magnify him that day.

In sight of all Is`-ra-el, Josh`-ua was feared,

As before they feared Mo`-ses for life.

The Lord spoke to Josh`-ua, because he revered,

"Command priests who have borne, with all strife,

The Covenant’s Ark, from the Jor`-dan came out."

Therefore Josh`-u-a ordered the priests,

Come out to the Jor`-dan. [They did without doubt,

But was still not the time for the feasts.]

It soon came to pass, that the priests of the Ark

Of the Covenant, came up and out,

Of watery shadows, to dry land embark

From the midst of the Jor`-dan about.

When soles of their feet touched the dry ground to stand,

The whole river returned to its place.

The waters flowed over the banks on the land,

As they once did before in that space.

The people came up out of Jor`-dan, and there

Camped in Gil`-gal, the east border’s edge

Of Jer-`i-cho, on the tenth day of affair,

Of the first month, fulfilling the pledge.

Those twelve stones from Jor`-dan were taken and set

Up in Gil`-gal by Josh`-u-a, then,

He spoke to the children of Is`-ra-el, yet

Saying, "When your sons ask of these men,

In soon time to come, asking what the stones mean,

You will then let your own children know:

All Is`-ra-el came over Jor`-dan’s dry scene,

For the Lord dried it up,—stopped its flow.

"The waters were stilled, and receded to land,

Until all had passed over, and safe.

As to the Red Sea, the Lord did before, and,

We crossed over the dry land, and safe.

"That all of the people on earth will then know,

Just how mighty the Lord’s hand may be,

[And you in all Is`-ra-el, may in faith grow,

And fear God, and forever be free.]"

Chapter V

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It soon came to pass, when the Am`-or-ite kings,

Who resided on Jor`-dan’s east side,

And all of the Ca`-naan-ite kings, and their things

By the sea, heard how God justified,

By drying up waters of Jor`-dan before

All the children of Is`-ra-el, ‘til

We all were passed over, their hearts melted faint;

All the spirit they had was now still.

Because of the children of Is`-ra-el’s acts,

Of that time, the Lord said unto him,

"O, make yourselves knives, many sharp artifacts,—

Circumcise them again, and with vim."

So Josh`-u-a made him sharp knives for the task,

And did circumcise them all again.

And this is the cause that made Josh`-u-a’s task:

Fleeing E`-gypt had killed all the men.

All males, even warriors, died in the wilds

By the way, when from E`-gypt they fled.

But those who were born on the journey,—each child,

Was not circumcised yet, or was dead.

The children of Is`-ra-el walked forty years

In the wilderness, ‘til men who warred,

Who came out of E`-gypt, had died in those years,

Because they obeyed not God the Lord:

The Lord had sworn unto these men, He’d not show

Them the land, which He formerly swore,

To give to their fathers and us long ago;—

Land of honey and milk and much more.

Their children, whom He had raised up in their stead,

And by Josh`-ua, were circumcised too.

For they were uncircumcised while they all fled,

Because they, on their way, failed to do.

When all circumcision was done to the men,

They abode in their camp for their bliss,

‘Til they were healed whole, and were made strong again.

Then the Lord said to Josh`-u-a, this:

"This day I have rolled away E`-gypt’s disgrace

From off you.—Therefore, Gil`-gal it’s called."

The children of Is`-ra-el bode in this place,

And the Passover kept, and enthralled.

The place was in Jer`-i-cho’s plain, even-tide,

On the month’s fourteenth day, there to stay.

The day after Passover, found them outside,

Eating old corn and cakes the same day.

The manna had ceased on the morrow,—they ate

The old corn of the land and no more.

Was manna to be as the food they’d await,

And the fruit they did eat, not ignore.

In Ca`-naan that year, as it soon came to pass,

That when Josh`-ua, by Jer`-i-cho, saw

A man standing opposite him, and alas,

Had his sword drawn, approaching with awe.

So Josh`-u-a went unto him and inquired,

"Are you for us, or for all our foes?"

The man answered, "Neither; I am here desired,

As the captain, of Lord’s host, of woes.

Then Josh`-u-a fell on his face to the earth,

And did worship, and asked of the man,

What now do you order your servant of worth?

The Lord’s army commander began,

"Remove from your feet, both your shoes, for this place,

On which you are standing is holy with grace."

Chapter VI

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Now Jer`-i-cho closed up its gates, in and out,

Just because of the Is`-rael-ite threat;

No one could come in or out, or near about.

[The Lord comforted him not to fret]:

"Behold, I have given you Jer`-i-cho now,

And with warriors mighty,—its king.

You’ll compass the city, with mighty men’s vow,

Circle once for six days. [Fright you’ll bring.]

"With seven strong priests bearing each a ram’s horn,

Seven trumpets before the Ark play.

The seventh day, compass the city in morn,

Seven times blow the trumpets that day.

"It will come to pass, when they make a long blast

With the horns, and the trumpets will sound,

The people will shout with a great shout to last,

And the wall of the town will aground.

"The wall will fall flat, and the people will charge

Straight ahead, and before him ascend."

The son of Nun, Josh`-u-a called priests at large,

And ordered them not to contend,

But, "Take up the Ark of the Covenant, and,

Let the seven priests bearing each horn,

To use as the trumpets to blow on command,

And go on before all, to forewarn."

He said to the people, "Pass on and surround

The whole city, and they who are armed,

Go on ahead, passing before (to confound),

The Lord’s Ark, and go therefore unharmed."

It soon came to pass, that when Josh`-u-a spoke

To the people, the plan that progressed,

Was seven priests, bearing the seven horns yoke,

Had passed on ‘fore the Ark to attest.

The priests blew the trumpets of rams’ horns in front

Of the Ark of the Covenant, while

The armed men went on before them to confront,

And the rear guard came after in file.

While blowing incessantly, trumpets a blare,

The priests marched on and stayed in the lead.

Then Josh`-u-a ordered the people right there,

"Do not shout, nor make noise to exceed.

"Say nothing until the day comes, when I say,

‘You will shout and make noise with your voice.’"

The Lord’s Ark then started to make its display,

By encompassing this town, by choice.

They did this but once, then went into their tents,

Lodging there in the camp for the night.

And Josh`-u-a rose in the morn to consent

The priests taking the Ark in the light.

The seven priests bearing the rams’ horns before

The Lord’s Ark, went on day after day.

The trumpets from these horns continued encore,

With the armed men before them to fray.

The rear guard went after the Ark of the Lord,

As the priests blew the trumpets each step.

The second day came, and they compassed and soared

Six more days, to complete the plans’ prep.

It soon came to pass, on the last (seventh) day,

That they rose in the dawn of the day.

They compassed the city the very same way

As they did the six days,—now the fray.

The seventh time now, as the trumpets were blown

By the priests Josh`-ua said to them all,

"Now shout, people, shout! For the Lord has alone

Given you this whole city to fall."

Accursed will the city be, and all therein,

To the Lord,—only Ra`-hab He’ll save.

The harlot and all that are with her will win

Their salvation, for all that she gave.

She hid our young messengers, whom we had sent.

As for you, keep away from this thing,

Lest you are accursed, and make Is`-ra-el rent,

With the curse to the camp that you’d bring.

All brass vessels, iron, with silver and gold,

Are most holy to God,—consecrated.

They’ll come to the treasury. There they will hold

For the Lord, and to Him, dedicated.

The people loud shouted. The priests blew the sound

Of the trumpets. The people soon heard.

They shouted the more. The wall fell to the ground,

Lying flat, so the way was assured.

The people charged straight in the city ahead,

And they captured it, creating strife:

They killed all the people, both young and old, dead;

All their livestock, by sword, ended life.

But Josh`-u-a said to the two men who spied

Out the country to plan for the fray,

"Go into the harlot’s house. Bring her outside,

With the ones to be saved on that day.

"The woman and all that she has, that you swore

Unto her, we shall save, and no more."

The men who were spies charged the house of the whore,

And brought Ra`-hab and kin to the fore:

Her father and mother, her brethren, and all

Of her goods and her kindred therein,

Were brought to the Is`-ra-el camp from the brawl,

And were set just outside to begin.

They burned the whole city, and all things they fired,

Except treasures they looted and gained.

They put in the treasury silver acquired,

With the gold, brass, and iron attained.

But Ra`-hab the harlot, and all that she has,

And her father’s whole household of kin,

Were saved now and reckoned by Josh`-ua, not bad,

And with Is`-ra-el, lived there within.

Because she hid messengers, Josh`-u-a sent

To spy Jer`-i-cho’s lay of the land,

That Josh`-ua adjured them, and gave this consent,

Saying, "Cursed is the man who has planned

To build again Jer`-i-cho, he’d lose his son,

When he’d lay its foundation,—first-bred.

His youngest he’d lose, when its gates he’d begun!"

So the Lord made his fame to be spread.

Chapter VII

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The children of Is`-ra-el broke faith, regarding

The things of devotion, accursed.

For A`-chan, of Car`-mi, of Zab`-di, the son

Of one Ze`-rah, of Ju`-dah, dispersed,

Took some of the things of devotion, intent.

And the Lord’s anger kindled at them,

The children of Is`-ra-el, so Josh`-ua sent

Men from Jer`-i-cho, A`-i condemned.

Now A`-i was near to Beth-a`-ven, and east

Side of Beth`-el where Josh`-u-a said,

Go up, view the country of A`-i, the least.

So they went up and viewed A`-i’s stead.

They came back to Josh`-u-a, gave him advice,

"Let not all of the people go through,

But let about two of three thousand, suffice,

To smite A`-i, since they are so few."

So there went about only three thousand men,

And they fled before A`-i’s estate.

Their warriors smote about thirty-six men,

Chasing all of them outside their gate,

To Sheb`-a-rim, then into Mo`-rab they killed

All the men going down on the slope.

The hearts of the people then melted and shrilled,

And became as but water,—no hope.

And Josh`-u-a rent all his clothes, and fell free

To the earth on his face,—faced his dreads.

Before the Lord’s Ark until eventide, he

And the elders put dust on their heads.

And Josh`-ua exclaimed, "O, my Lord God, alas!

Why have You brought this people at all,

Across River Jor`-dan, to Am`-or-ite grass,

To destroy us?—From this we would fall!

"We’d be better off and content’ there to stay

On the Jor`-dan’s far east other side!

O, Lord God Almighty, just what may I say,

When they turn back from foes? Will You chide?

"The Ca`-naan-ites, and all who dwell in the land,

Will hear all that has happened to us.

They’ll compass us, cut off our name by demand.

What will You do? Your great Name, they’ll fuss!"

The Lord said to Josh`-u-a, "Stand up! and why

Do you lie on your face on the ground?

It’s Is`-ra-el who has sinned, transgressed awry,

My Law Covenant with them, abound!

"For they’ve even taken devoted things from

The accursed, and have stolen from them.

They’ve acted deceitfully, even kept some

Among their private things, I condemn.

"The children of Is`-ra-el therefore can’t stand

Before enemies, but turn their backs

Before them, because they’ve accursed on their land;

Nor will I be with you in attacks.

"Until you destroy the accursed among you,

I shall