Having been set free from sin, [you] have become slaves of righteousness.

“You cannot serve God and money.”—When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.—Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”—“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

“O Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance.”—I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

Psalm 119:32 (Listen)

32   I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you enlarge my heart!^{Or for you set my heart free">1}

(ESV)

Isaiah 26:13 (Listen)

13   O LORD our God,
    other lords besides you have ruled over us,
    but your name alone we bring to remembrance.

(ESV)

Matthew 6:24 (Listen)

24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.^{Greek mammon, a Semitic word for money or possessions">1}

(ESV)

Matthew 11:29–30 (Listen)

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(ESV)

John 12:26 (Listen)

26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

(ESV)

Romans 6:18 (Listen)

18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

(ESV)

Romans 6:20–22 (Listen)

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

(ESV)

Romans 10:4 (Listen)

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.^{Or end of the law, that everyone who believes may be justified">1}

(ESV)

“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Manasseh… did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations…. He erected altars for Baal…. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.—And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”—The Lord is… patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish.

2 Kings 21:1–3 (Listen)

Manasseh Reigns in Judah

21 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.

(ESV)

2 Kings 21:5–6 (Listen)

5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 And he burned his son as an offering^{Hebrew made his son pass through the fire">1} and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger.

(ESV)

2 Chronicles 33:12–13 (Listen)

12 And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God.

(ESV)

Isaiah 1:18 (Listen)

18   “Come now, let us reason^{Or dispute">1} together, says the LORD:
  though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
  though they are red like crimson,
    they shall become like wool.

(ESV)

Acts 2:21 (Listen)

21   And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

(ESV)

2 Peter 3:9 (Listen)

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,^{Some manuscripts on your account">1} not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

(ESV)

“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”—In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.—“You are my friends if you do what I command you.”—“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—“My food is to do the will of him who sent me.”

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.—Whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him.

Matthew 7:21 (Listen)

I Never Knew You

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

(ESV)

Luke 8:21 (Listen)

21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

(ESV)

Luke 11:28 (Listen)

28 But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

(ESV)

John 4:34 (Listen)

34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.

(ESV)

John 15:14 (Listen)

14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.

(ESV)

Galatians 5:6 (Listen)

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

(ESV)

Hebrews 2:11–12 (Listen)

11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.^{Greek all are of one">1} That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,^{Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters">2} 12 saying,

  “I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

(ESV)

1 John 1:6 (Listen)

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

(ESV)

1 John 2:5 (Listen)

5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:

(ESV)

“What are you doing here, Elijah?”

“He knows the way that I take.”—O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways…. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?… If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours.—The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.—Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.—The righteous falls seven times and rises again.—Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.—“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”—As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

1 Kings 19:9 (Listen)

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

9 There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

(ESV)

Job 23:10 (Listen)

10   But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

(ESV)

Psalm 37:24 (Listen)

24   though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the LORD upholds his hand.

(ESV)

Psalm 103:13 (Listen)

13   As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.

(ESV)

Psalm 139:1–3 (Listen)

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

139   O LORD, you have searched me and known me!
2   You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
3   You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.

(ESV)

Psalm 139:7 (Listen)

7   Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?

(ESV)

Psalm 139:9–10 (Listen)

9   If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10   even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.

(ESV)

Proverbs 24:16 (Listen)

16   for the righteous falls seven times and rises again,
    but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

(ESV)

Proverbs 29:25 (Listen)

25   The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

(ESV)

Matthew 26:41 (Listen)

41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

(ESV)

Galatians 6:9 (Listen)

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

(ESV)

James 5:17 (Listen)

17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.

(ESV)

“Whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.—He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.—His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Your life is hidden with Christ in God.—He who touches you touches the apple of his eye.—“Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord…. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”—God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”—“Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”—I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

Exodus 14:13–14 (Listen)

13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

(ESV)

Psalm 46:1–2 (Listen)

God Is Our Fortress

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.^{Probably a musical or liturgical term">1} A Song.

46   God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present^{Or well proved">2} help in trouble.
2   Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

(ESV)

Psalm 90:1 (Listen)

Book Four

From Everlasting to Everlasting

A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.

90   Lord, you have been our dwelling place^{Some Hebrew manuscripts (compare Septuagint) our refuge">1}
    in all generations.

(ESV)

Psalm 91:1 (Listen)

My Refuge and My Fortress

91   He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

(ESV)

Psalm 91:4 (Listen)

4   He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

(ESV)

Proverbs 1:33 (Listen)

33   but whoever listens to me will dwell secure
    and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”

(ESV)

Zechariah 2:8 (Listen)

8 For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me^{Or he sent me after glory">1} to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:

(ESV)

Matthew 14:27 (Listen)

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

(ESV)

Luke 24:38–39 (Listen)

38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

(ESV)

Colossians 3:3 (Listen)

3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

(ESV)

2 Timothy 1:12 (Listen)

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.^{Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit">1}

(ESV)

“My kingdom is not of this world.”

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.—“From now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”—He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.—He raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.—which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Matthew 26:64 (Listen)

64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

(ESV)

John 18:36 (Listen)

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:25 (Listen)

25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:57 (Listen)

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(ESV)

Ephesians 1:20–23 (Listen)

20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

(ESV)

1 Timothy 6:15 (Listen)

15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

(ESV)

Hebrews 10:12–13 (Listen)

12 But when Christ^{Greek this one">1} had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

(ESV)

Pray in the Holy Spirit.

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”—We… have access in one Spirit to the Father.

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.—This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.—“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication.

Matthew 26:39 (Listen)

39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

(ESV)

John 4:24 (Listen)

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

(ESV)

John 16:13 (Listen)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

(ESV)

Romans 8:26–27 (Listen)

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because^{Or that">1} the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

(ESV)

Ephesians 2:18 (Listen)

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

(ESV)

Ephesians 6:18 (Listen)

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

(ESV)

1 John 5:14 (Listen)

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

(ESV)

Jude 20 (Listen)

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,

(ESV)

“There is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.”

A bruised reed he will not break.—He restores my soul.

Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.—For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.—“After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this.”

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me…. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication.

Ezra 9:13 (Listen)

13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this,

(ESV)

Job 14:7 (Listen)

7   “For there is hope for a tree,
    if it be cut down, that it will sprout again,
    and that its shoots will not cease.

(ESV)

Psalm 23:3 (Listen)

3     He restores my soul.
  He leads me in paths of righteousness^{Or in right paths">1}
    for his name's sake.

(ESV)

Psalm 119:67 (Listen)

67   Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.

(ESV)

Isaiah 42:3 (Listen)

3   a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.

(ESV)

Micah 7:8–9 (Listen)

8   Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
    when I fall, I shall rise;
  when I sit in darkness,
    the LORD will be a light to me.
9   I will bear the indignation of the LORD
    because I have sinned against him,
  until he pleads my cause
    and executes judgment for me.
  He will bring me out to the light;
    I shall look upon his vindication.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 7:10 (Listen)

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12:11 (Listen)

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(ESV)

“Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”

“If he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”—“I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the Lord their God.”—“I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.”

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”—“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”—“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.

Exodus 22:27 (Listen)

27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

(ESV)

Leviticus 26:44 (Listen)

44 Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them, neither will I abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them, for I am the LORD their God.

(ESV)

Isaiah 1:18 (Listen)

18   “Come now, let us reason^{Or dispute">1} together, says the LORD:
  though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
  though they are red like crimson,
    they shall become like wool.

(ESV)

Isaiah 42:3 (Listen)

3   a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.

(ESV)

Isaiah 55:7 (Listen)

7   let the wicked forsake his way,
    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
  let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

(ESV)

Ezekiel 16:60 (Listen)

60 yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant.

(ESV)

Luke 23:42–43 (Listen)

42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

(ESV)

John 6:37 (Listen)

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

(ESV)

His beloved Son.

Behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”—Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights.—The only God, who is at the Father's side.

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins…. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love.

“The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”—See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God.

Isaiah 42:1 (Listen)

The Lord's Chosen Servant

42   Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
  I have put my Spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.

(ESV)

Matthew 3:17 (Listen)

17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son,^{Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved">1} with whom I am well pleased.”

(ESV)

John 1:18 (Listen)

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God,^{Or the only One, who is God; some manuscripts the only Son">1} who is at the Father's side,^{Greek in the bosom of the Father">2} he has made him known.

(ESV)

John 17:22–23 (Listen)

22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

(ESV)

Colossians 1:13 (Listen)

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

(ESV)

1 John 3:1 (Listen)

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

(ESV)

1 John 4:9–10 (Listen)

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

(ESV)

1 John 4:16 (Listen)

16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

(ESV)

When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”—I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.—When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?—The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 23:4 (Listen)

4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^{Or the valley of deep darkness">1}
    I will fear no evil,
  for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

(ESV)

Psalm 27:1 (Listen)

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

27   The LORD is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
  The LORD is the stronghold^{Or refuge">1} of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

(ESV)

Psalm 56:3–4 (Listen)

3   When I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you.
4   In God, whose word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
    What can flesh do to me?

(ESV)

Isaiah 42:16 (Listen)

16   And I will lead the blind
    in a way that they do not know,
  in paths that they have not known
    I will guide them.
  I will turn the darkness before them into light,
    the rough places into level ground.
  These are the things I do,
    and I do not forsake them.

(ESV)

Isaiah 43:2–3 (Listen)

2   When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.
3   For I am the LORD your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
  I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

(ESV)

Micah 7:8 (Listen)

8   Rejoice not over me, O my enemy;
    when I fall, I shall rise;
  when I sit in darkness,
    the LORD will be a light to me.

(ESV)

One God, and… one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”—An intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

We and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,… they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love…. Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house.

The covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises…. “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”

Deuteronomy 6:4 (Listen)

4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.^{Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone">1}

(ESV)

Psalm 106:6–7 (Listen)

6   Both we and our fathers have sinned;
    we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.
7   Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,
    did not consider your wondrous works;
  they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love,
    but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.

(ESV)

Psalm 106:23 (Listen)

23   Therefore he said he would destroy them—
    had not Moses, his chosen one,
  stood in the breach before him,
    to turn away his wrath from destroying them.

(ESV)

Galatians 3:20 (Listen)

20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

(ESV)

1 Timothy 2:5 (Listen)

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man^{men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4">1} Christ Jesus,

(ESV)

Hebrews 3:1–2 (Listen)

Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers,^{Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12">1} you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's^{Greek his; also verses 5, 6">2} house.

(ESV)

Hebrews 8:6 (Listen)

6 But as it is, Christ^{Greek he">1} has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

(ESV)

Hebrews 8:12 (Listen)

12   For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
    and I will remember their sins no more.”

(ESV)

“You will recognize them by their fruits.”

Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.—Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.—Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.”—“The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.”—What more was there to do for my vineyard, that I have not done in it?

Isaiah 5:4 (Listen)

4   What more was there to do for my vineyard,
    that I have not done in it?
  When I looked for it to yield grapes,
    why did it yield wild grapes?

(ESV)

Matthew 7:20 (Listen)

20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

(ESV)

Matthew 12:33 (Listen)

A Tree Is Known by Its Fruit

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

(ESV)

Matthew 12:35 (Listen)

35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.

(ESV)

James 3:11–13 (Listen)

11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Wisdom from Above

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

(ESV)

1 Peter 2:12 (Listen)

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

(ESV)

1 John 3:7 (Listen)

7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

(ESV)

I will make the place of my feet glorious.

Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.”—“But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!”

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts…. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts.”

I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more…. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.”

2 Chronicles 6:18 (Listen)

18 “But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built!

(ESV)

Isaiah 60:13 (Listen)

13   The glory of Lebanon shall come to you,
    the cypress, the plane, and the pine,
  to beautify the place of my sanctuary,
    and I will make the place of my feet glorious.

(ESV)

Isaiah 66:1 (Listen)

The Humble and Contrite in Spirit

66   Thus says the LORD:
  “Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool;
  what is the house that you would build for me,
    and what is the place of my rest?

(ESV)

Haggai 2:6–7 (Listen)

6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.

(ESV)

Haggai 2:9 (Listen)

9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”

(ESV)

Revelation 21:1 (Listen)

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

(ESV)

Revelation 21:3 (Listen)

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place^{Or tabernacle">1} of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,^{Some manuscripts peoples">2} and God himself will be with them as their God.^{Some manuscripts omit as their God">3}

(ESV)

He removed them with his fierce breath in the day of the east wind.

“Let us fall into the hand of the Lord, for his mercy is great.”—“I am with you to save you, declares the Lord…. I will discipline you in just measure, and I will by no means leave you unpunished.”—He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities…. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.—“I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.”

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.—“Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.”—You have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.

2 Samuel 24:14 (Listen)

14 Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great; but let me not fall into the hand of man.”

(ESV)

Psalm 103:9–10 (Listen)

9   He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
10   He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.

(ESV)

Psalm 103:14 (Listen)

14   For he knows our frame;^{Or knows how we are formed">1}
    he remembers that we are dust.

(ESV)

Isaiah 25:4 (Listen)

4   For you have been a stronghold to the poor,
    a stronghold to the needy in his distress,
    a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;
  for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,

(ESV)

Isaiah 27:8 (Listen)

8   Measure by measure,^{Or By driving her away; the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain">1} by exile you contended with them;
    he removed them with his fierce breath^{Or wind">2} in the day of the east wind.

(ESV)

Jeremiah 30:11 (Listen)

11   For I am with you to save you,
      declares the LORD;
  I will make a full end of all the nations
    among whom I scattered you,
    but of you I will not make a full end.
  I will discipline you in just measure,
    and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

(ESV)

Malachi 3:17 (Listen)

17 “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

(ESV)

Luke 22:31–32 (Listen)

Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,^{The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular">1} that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 10:13 (Listen)

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

(ESV)

“I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me.”

“The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.”—We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

My speech and my message were… in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God…. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty.—We shall see him as he is.—“In my flesh I shall see God.”—I shall be satisfied.

1 Kings 10:7 (Listen)

7 but I did not believe the reports until I came and my own eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity surpass the report that I heard.

(ESV)

Job 19:26 (Listen)

26   And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in^{Or without">1} my flesh I shall see God,

(ESV)

Psalm 17:15 (Listen)

15   As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness;
    when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

(ESV)

Isaiah 33:17 (Listen)

17   Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty;
    they will see a land that stretches afar.

(ESV)

Matthew 12:42 (Listen)

42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

(ESV)

John 1:14 (Listen)

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son^{Or only One, or unique One">1} from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 2:4–5 (Listen)

4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men^{The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women">1} but in the power of God.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 (Listen)

9 But, as it is written,

  “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
    nor the heart of man imagined,
  what God has prepared for those who love him”—

10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

(ESV)

1 John 3:2 (Listen)

2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears^{Or when it appears">1} we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

(ESV)

Your thoughts are very deep!

We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.—That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!—For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.—You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.

Psalm 40:5 (Listen)

5   You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
  I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.

(ESV)

Psalm 92:5 (Listen)

5   How great are your works, O LORD!
    Your thoughts are very deep!

(ESV)

Isaiah 55:8–9 (Listen)

8   For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
9   For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

(ESV)

Romans 11:33 (Listen)

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

(ESV)

Ephesians 3:17–19 (Listen)

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

(ESV)

Colossians 1:9 (Listen)

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

(ESV)

Whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

“As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”—They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.—The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption.

One who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.—The one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.—Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Job 4:8 (Listen)

8   As I have seen, those who plow iniquity
    and sow trouble reap the same.

(ESV)

Proverbs 11:18 (Listen)

18   The wicked earns deceptive wages,
    but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

(ESV)

Proverbs 11:24–25 (Listen)

24   One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
    another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25   Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
    and one who waters will himself be watered.

(ESV)

Hosea 8:7 (Listen)

7   For they sow the wind,
    and they shall reap the whirlwind.
  The standing grain has no heads;
    it shall yield no flour;
  if it were to yield,
    strangers would devour it.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 9:6 (Listen)

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully^{Greek with blessings; twice in this verse">1} will also reap bountifully.

(ESV)

Galatians 6:7–10 (Listen)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

(ESV)

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

“Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.”—Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,… in all wisdom.

How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

Wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you.

“My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”—I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.—“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Job 23:11–12 (Listen)

11   My foot has held fast to his steps;
    I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12   I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.

(ESV)

Psalm 119:9–10 (Listen)

Beth

9   How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10   With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not wander from your commandments!

(ESV)

Psalm 119:99 (Listen)

99   I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for your testimonies are my meditation.

(ESV)

Proverbs 2:10–11 (Listen)

10   for wisdom will come into your heart,
    and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11   discretion will watch over you,
    understanding will guard you,

(ESV)

John 8:31–32 (Listen)

The Truth Will Set You Free

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

(ESV)

John 15:3 (Listen)

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

(ESV)

John 17:17 (Listen)

17 Sanctify them^{Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God)">1} in the truth; your word is truth.

(ESV)

Colossians 3:16 (Listen)

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

(ESV)

Fellow citizens with the saints.

You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.—Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.—The Father… has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

Ephesians 2:19 (Listen)

19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,^{Or sojourners">1} but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

(ESV)

Philippians 3:20–21 (Listen)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

(ESV)

Colossians 1:12–13 (Listen)

12 giving thanks^{Or patience, with joy giving thanks">1} to the Father, who has qualified you^{Some manuscripts us">2} to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

(ESV)

Hebrews 11:13 (Listen)

13 These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12:22–23 (Listen)

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly^{Or church">1} of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

(ESV)

1 Peter 2:11 (Listen)

11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

(ESV)

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.—God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”—Indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.—Rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.—Whoever keeps his commandments abides in him, and he in them.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (Listen)

9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 6:16 (Listen)

16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

  “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
    and I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.

(ESV)

Ephesians 3:17–19 (Listen)

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

(ESV)

Hebrews 10:23 (Listen)

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.

(ESV)

1 Peter 4:13 (Listen)

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

(ESV)

1 John 1:3 (Listen)

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

(ESV)

1 John 3:24 (Listen)

24 Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God,^{Greek him">1} and God^{Greek he">2} in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.

(ESV)

1 John 4:15 (Listen)

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

(ESV)

We are his workmanship.

They quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones.—When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.

You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house.—Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.—Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people.

You are… God's building.—Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.—He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

1 Kings 5:17 (Listen)

17 At the king's command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones.

(ESV)

1 Kings 6:7 (Listen)

7 When the house was built, it was with stone prepared at the quarry, so that neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron was heard in the house while it was being built.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 3:9 (Listen)

9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 5:13 (Listen)

13 God judges^{Or will judge">1} those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 5:5 (Listen)

5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

(ESV)

Ephesians 2:10 (Listen)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

(ESV)

Ephesians 2:20–22 (Listen)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by^{Or in">1} the Spirit.

(ESV)

1 Peter 2:5 (Listen)

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(ESV)

1 Peter 2:10 (Listen)

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

(ESV)

You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!

The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.—In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.—“Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker?”

“I am with you to deliver you.”—“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.—You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Deuteronomy 31:6 (Listen)

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

(ESV)

Psalm 32:7 (Listen)

7   You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

(ESV)

Psalm 37:23–24 (Listen)

23   The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
    when he delights in his way;
24   though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
    for the LORD upholds his hand.

(ESV)

Psalm 40:17 (Listen)

17   As for me, I am poor and needy,
    but the Lord takes thought for me.
  You are my help and my deliverer;
    do not delay, O my God!

(ESV)

Psalm 59:16 (Listen)

16   But I will sing of your strength;
    I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
  For you have been to me a fortress
    and a refuge in the day of my distress.

(ESV)

Proverbs 14:26 (Listen)

26   In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
    and his children will have a refuge.

(ESV)

Isaiah 51:12–13 (Listen)

12   “I, I am he who comforts you;
    who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,
    of the son of man who is made like grass,
13   and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker,
    who stretched out the heavens
    and laid the foundations of the earth,
  and you fear continually all the day
    because of the wrath of the oppressor,
  when he sets himself to destroy?
    And where is the wrath of the oppressor?

(ESV)

Jeremiah 1:8 (Listen)

8   Do not be afraid of them,
  for I am with you to deliver you,
      declares the LORD.”

(ESV)

“What will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?”

Now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest.

The priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

We see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.—“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.”

“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

Joshua 3:15 (Listen)

15 and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest),

(ESV)

Joshua 3:17 (Listen)

17 Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan.

(ESV)

Psalm 23:4 (Listen)

4   Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^{Or the valley of deep darkness">1}
    I will fear no evil,
  for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

(ESV)

Isaiah 43:2 (Listen)

2   When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
  when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.

(ESV)

Jeremiah 12:5 (Listen)

The Lord Answers Jeremiah

5   “If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you,
    how will you compete with horses?
  And if in a safe land you are so trusting,
    what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

(ESV)

Hebrews 2:9 (Listen)

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

(ESV)

Revelation 1:17–18 (Listen)

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

(ESV)

Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.

Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.—“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”—“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”—He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.—Your promise gives me life.

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 19:7–8 (Listen)

7   The law of the LORD is perfect,^{Or blameless">1}
    reviving the soul;
  the testimony of the LORD is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8   the precepts of the LORD are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
  the commandment of the LORD is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;

(ESV)

Psalm 119:50 (Listen)

50   This is my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise gives me life.

(ESV)

John 3:5 (Listen)

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

(ESV)

John 17:17 (Listen)

17 Sanctify them^{Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God)">1} in the truth; your word is truth.

(ESV)

Ephesians 5:2 (Listen)

2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

(ESV)

Ephesians 5:25–26 (Listen)

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

(ESV)

Titus 3:5 (Listen)

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

(ESV)

1 Peter 1:23 (Listen)

23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

(ESV)

Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

“I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.”

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it…. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”—There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.—“When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name.”

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way… let us draw near.

Luke 11:2 (Listen)

2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

  “Father, hallowed be your name.
  Your kingdom come.

(ESV)

John 14:13–14 (Listen)

13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me^{Some manuscripts omit me">1} anything in my name, I will do it.

(ESV)

John 14:16–17 (Listen)

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,^{Or Advocate, or Counselor; also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7">1} to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be^{Some manuscripts and is">2} in you.

(ESV)

John 17:23 (Listen)

23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

(ESV)

Ephesians 2:18 (Listen)

18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

(ESV)

Ephesians 4:4–6 (Listen)

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

(ESV)

Hebrews 10:19–20 (Listen)

The Full Assurance of Faith

19 Therefore, brothers,^{Or brothers and sisters">1} since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

(ESV)

Hebrews 10:22 (Listen)

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

(ESV)

Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.

Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.—The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

My iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!

“So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.”

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.—He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.—He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Psalm 40:12–13 (Listen)

12   For evils have encompassed me
    beyond number;
  my iniquities have overtaken me,
    and I cannot see;
  they are more than the hairs of my head;
    my heart fails me.
13   Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
    O LORD, make haste to help me!

(ESV)

Psalm 51:17 (Listen)

17   The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

(ESV)

Psalm 147:3 (Listen)

3   He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds.

(ESV)

Hosea 12:6 (Listen)

6   “So you, by the help of your God, return,
    hold fast to love and justice,
    and wait continually for your God.”

(ESV)

Micah 6:8 (Listen)

8   He has told you, O man, what is good;
    and what does the LORD require of you
  but to do justice, and to love kindness,^{Or steadfast love">1}
    and to walk humbly with your God?

(ESV)

Matthew 26:75 (Listen)

75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 7:10 (Listen)

10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

(ESV)

1 John 1:7 (Listen)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

(ESV)

1 John 1:9 (Listen)

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(ESV)

“‘Is all well with you?…’” And she answered, “All is well.”

We have the same spirit of faith.—As punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies…. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

2 Kings 4:26 (Listen)

26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’” And she answered, “All is well.”

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:8–10 (Listen)

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:13 (Listen)

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak,

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (Listen)

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self^{Greek man">1} is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 6:9–10 (Listen)

9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

(ESV)

3 John 2 (Listen)

2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.

(ESV)

He led them in safety.

I walk in the way of righteousness, in the paths of justice.

“Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.”—In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

Not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.—So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.—Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.

Exodus 23:20 (Listen)

Conquest of Canaan Promised

20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.

(ESV)

Psalm 5:8 (Listen)

8   Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies;
    make your way straight before me.

(ESV)

Psalm 43:3–4 (Listen)

3   Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
  let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
4   Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
  and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

(ESV)

Psalm 44:3 (Listen)

3   for not by their own sword did they win the land,
    nor did their own arm save them,
  but your right hand and your arm,
    and the light of your face,
    for you delighted in them.

(ESV)

Psalm 78:53 (Listen)

53   He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid,
    but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.

(ESV)

Proverbs 8:20 (Listen)

20   I walk in the way of righteousness,
    in the paths of justice,

(ESV)

Isaiah 63:9 (Listen)

9   In all their affliction he was afflicted,^{Or he did not afflict">1}
    and the angel of his presence saved them;
  in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
    he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

(ESV)

Isaiah 63:14 (Listen)

14   Like livestock that go down into the valley,
    the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest.
  So you led your people,
    to make for yourself a glorious name.

(ESV)

You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified.

The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.—Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.—Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.—“It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.—Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.—Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven…. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Psalm 32:1–2 (Listen)

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil^{Probably a musical or liturgical term">1} of David.

32   Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2   Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

(ESV)

Isaiah 53:5 (Listen)

5   But he was pierced for our transgressions;
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
  upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
    and with his wounds we are healed.

(ESV)

Romans 8:33 (Listen)

33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 6:11 (Listen)

11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

(ESV)

Ephesians 5:25–27 (Listen)

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.^{Or holy and blameless">1}

(ESV)

Hebrews 10:22 (Listen)

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

(ESV)

1 John 1:7 (Listen)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

(ESV)

Revelation 19:8 (Listen)

8   it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”—

for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

(ESV)

Bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to pre-sent your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.—Just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.—Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them.

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”—“I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

John 15:8 (Listen)

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

(ESV)

John 15:16 (Listen)

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

(ESV)

Romans 6:19 (Listen)

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

(ESV)

Romans 12:1–2 (Listen)

A Living Sacrifice

12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers,^{Or brothers and sisters">1} by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.^{Or your rational service">2} 2 Do not be conformed to this world,^{Greek age">3} but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.^{Or what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God">4}

(ESV)

Galatians 6:15–16 (Listen)

15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

(ESV)

Colossians 1:10 (Listen)

10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

(ESV)

I sought him, but found him not.

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. Take with you words and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all iniquity; accept what is good.”

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God….” But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire…. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!—It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.—“Will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?”

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salva-tion…. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.

Psalm 27:14 (Listen)

14   Wait for the LORD;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the LORD!

(ESV)

Psalm 62:1 (Listen)

My Soul Waits for God Alone

To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

62   For God alone my soul waits in silence;
    from him comes my salvation.

(ESV)

Psalm 62:5 (Listen)

5   For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
    for my hope is from him.

(ESV)

Song of Solomon 3:1 (Listen)

The Bride's Dream

3   On my bed by night
  I sought him whom my soul loves;
    I sought him, but found him not.

(ESV)

Lamentations 3:26 (Listen)

26   It is good that one should wait quietly
    for the salvation of the LORD.

(ESV)

Hosea 14:1–2 (Listen)

A Plea to Return to the Lord

14   Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
    for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
2   Take with you words
    and return to the LORD;
  say to him,
    “Take away all iniquity;
  accept what is good,
    and we will pay with bulls
    the vows^{Septuagint, Syriac pay the fruit">1} of our lips.

(ESV)

Luke 18:7 (Listen)

7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?

(ESV)

James 1:13–17 (Listen)

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.^{Some manuscripts variation due to a shadow of turning">1}

(ESV)

“I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.”

“I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.”—There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.—“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Mighty God.—[He] made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.—We see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.—Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things.

Psalm 89:19 (Listen)

19   Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one,^{Some Hebrew manuscripts godly ones">1} and said:
    “I have granted help to one who is mighty;
    I have exalted one chosen from the people.

(ESV)

Isaiah 9:6 (Listen)

6   For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon^{Or is upon">1} his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^{Or is called">2}
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(ESV)

Isaiah 43:11 (Listen)

11   I, I am the LORD,
    and besides me there is no savior.

(ESV)

Acts 4:12 (Listen)

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men^{The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women">1} by which we must be saved.”

(ESV)

Philippians 2:7–9 (Listen)

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,^{Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)">1} being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

(ESV)

1 Timothy 2:5 (Listen)

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man^{men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4">1} Christ Jesus,

(ESV)

Hebrews 2:9 (Listen)

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

(ESV)

Hebrews 2:14 (Listen)

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

(ESV)

“Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.—He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

“Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.”—“Then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”—“If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.”

The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Deuteronomy 30:4 (Listen)

4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.

(ESV)

Psalm 50:5 (Listen)

5   “Gather to me my faithful ones,
    who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

(ESV)

Mark 13:27 (Listen)

27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

(ESV)

John 17:24 (Listen)

24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.

(ESV)

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (Listen)

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

(ESV)

Hebrews 9:15 (Listen)

15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.^{The Greek word means both covenant and will; also verses 16, 17">1}

(ESV)

Hebrews 9:28 (Listen)

28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

(ESV)

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.—Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness…. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord;… let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Isaiah 25:8–9 (Listen)

8     He will swallow up death forever;
  and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces,
    and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,
    for the LORD has spoken.
9   It will be said on that day,
    “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
    This is the LORD; we have waited for him;
    let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

(ESV)

Ephesians 6:14 (Listen)

14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

(ESV)

Ephesians 6:16–17 (Listen)

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

(ESV)

1 Thessalonians 5:8 (Listen)

8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

(ESV)

Hebrews 11:1 (Listen)

By Faith

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

(ESV)

1 Peter 1:13 (Listen)

Called to Be Holy

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,^{Greek girding up the loins of your mind">1} and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

(ESV)

The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country.

“Thus says the Lord, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined. And the people of Israel struck down of the Syrians 100,000 foot soldiers in one day.—Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”

1 Kings 20:27–29 (Listen)

27 And the people of Israel were mustered and were provisioned and went against them. The people of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, but the Syrians filled the country. 28 And a man of God came near and said to the king of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,” therefore I will give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” 29 And they encamped opposite one another seven days. Then on the seventh day the battle was joined. And the people of Israel struck down of the Syrians 100,000 foot soldiers in one day.

(ESV)

Isaiah 41:10 (Listen)

10   fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
  I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

(ESV)

Jeremiah 1:19 (Listen)

19 They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the LORD, to deliver you.”

(ESV)

1 John 4:4 (Listen)

4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

(ESV)

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men!

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!—Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.

“The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”—He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved… so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

How great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!—The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

Psalm 31:19 (Listen)

19   Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
    which you have stored up for those who fear you
  and worked for those who take refuge in you,
    in the sight of the children of mankind!

(ESV)

Psalm 34:8 (Listen)

8   Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

(ESV)

Psalm 107:8 (Listen)

8   Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!

(ESV)

Psalm 145:9–12 (Listen)

9   The LORD is good to all,
    and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10   All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD,
    and all your saints shall bless you!
11   They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
    and tell of your power,
12   to make known to the children of man your^{Hebrew his; also next line">1} mighty deeds,
    and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

(ESV)

Isaiah 43:21 (Listen)

21     the people whom I formed for myself
  that they might declare my praise.

(ESV)

Zechariah 9:17 (Listen)

17   For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!
    Grain shall make the young men flourish,
    and new wine the young women.

(ESV)

Ephesians 1:5–6 (Listen)

5 he predestined us^{Or before him in love, 5having predestined us">1} for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.

(ESV)

Ephesians 1:12 (Listen)

12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.

(ESV)

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast.

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.—For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.—Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.—Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me…. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Romans 5:3–5 (Listen)

3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (Listen)

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12:11 (Listen)

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(ESV)

James 1:2–4 (Listen)

Testing of Your Faith

2 Count it all joy, my brothers,^{Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 16, 19">1} when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

(ESV)

James 1:12 (Listen)

12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

(ESV)

James 5:11 (Listen)

11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

(ESV)

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”—God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

The Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.—When he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.—It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

“If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

John 11:25 (Listen)

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.^{Some manuscripts omit and the life">1} Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,

(ESV)

John 14:3 (Listen)

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:43 (Listen)

43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

(ESV)

Colossians 3:4 (Listen)

4 When Christ who is your^{Some manuscripts our">1} life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

(ESV)

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 (Listen)

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

(ESV)

1 John 3:2 (Listen)

2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears^{Or when it appears">1} we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

(ESV)

1 John 5:11–12 (Listen)

11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

(ESV)

Lead me in your truth and teach me.

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”—You have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.

To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.—All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.—The sacred writings… are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.—“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”—“If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.”—It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

Psalm 25:5 (Listen)

5   Lead me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all the day long.

(ESV)

Psalm 32:8 (Listen)

8   I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

(ESV)

Isaiah 8:20 (Listen)

20 To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

(ESV)

Isaiah 35:8 (Listen)

8   And a highway shall be there,
    and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
  the unclean shall not pass over it.
    It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
    even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.^{Or if they are fools, they shall not wander in it">1}

(ESV)

Matthew 6:22 (Listen)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,

(ESV)

John 7:17 (Listen)

17 If anyone's will is to do God's^{Greek his">1} will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

(ESV)

John 16:13 (Listen)

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

(ESV)

2 Timothy 3:15–17 (Listen)

15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God^{That is, a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)">1} may be complete, equipped for every good work.

(ESV)

1 John 2:20 (Listen)

20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.^{Some manuscripts you know everything">1}

(ESV)

“Take the finest spices…. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil.”

“It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.”—One Spirit.—Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.

Your God… has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.—God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.—God… gives the Spirit without measure.

From his fullness we have all received.—But as his anointing teaches you about everything—and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you—abide in him.—It is God who… has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Exodus 20:23 (Listen)

23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.

(ESV)

Exodus 20:25 (Listen)

25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.

(ESV)

Exodus 30:32 (Listen)

32 It shall not be poured on the body of an ordinary person, and you shall make no other like it in composition. It is holy, and it shall be holy to you.

(ESV)

Psalm 45:7 (Listen)

7     you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
  Therefore God, your God, has anointed you
    with the oil of gladness beyond your companions;

(ESV)

John 1:16 (Listen)

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.^{Or grace in place of grace">1}

(ESV)

John 3:34 (Listen)

34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.

(ESV)

Acts 10:38 (Listen)

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 12:4 (Listen)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (Listen)

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.^{Or down payment">1}

(ESV)

Galatians 5:22–23 (Listen)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

(ESV)

Ephesians 4:4 (Listen)

4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—

(ESV)

1 John 2:27 (Listen)

27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

(ESV)

The present form of this world is passing away.

Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.—What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.—The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!”—While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Genesis 5:27 (Listen)

27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.

(ESV)

Psalm 39:4 (Listen)

4   “O LORD, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!

(ESV)

1 Corinthians 7:31 (Listen)

31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

(ESV)

1 Thessalonians 5:3–4 (Listen)

3 While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

(ESV)

James 1:9–11 (Listen)

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass^{Or a wild flower">1} he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

(ESV)

James 4:14 (Listen)

14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

(ESV)

1 John 2:17 (Listen)

17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

(ESV)

Now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.—The exhortation that addresses you as sons… “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.”—For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.—For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.—God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (Listen)

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

(ESV)

Hebrews 2:18 (Listen)

18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

(ESV)

Hebrews 4:15 (Listen)

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12:5 (Listen)

5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

  “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12:11 (Listen)

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(ESV)

1 Peter 1:6 (Listen)

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

(ESV)

1 Peter 4:12–13 (Listen)

Suffering as a Christian

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

(ESV)

Prince of Peace.

May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!… May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!—“Glory to God,… and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”—“Peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all).”

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”—“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.”—The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 72:2–3 (Listen)

2   May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice!
3   Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!

(ESV)

Psalm 72:6–7 (Listen)

6   May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth!
7   In his days may the righteous flourish,
    and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

(ESV)

Isaiah 9:6 (Listen)

6   For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon^{Or is upon">1} his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^{Or is called">2}
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(ESV)

Luke 1:78–79 (Listen)

78   because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us^{Or when the sunrise shall dawn upon us; some manuscripts since the sunrise has visited us">1} from on high
79   to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

(ESV)

Luke 2:14 (Listen)

14   “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^{Some manuscripts peace, good will among men">1}

(ESV)

John 14:27 (Listen)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

(ESV)

John 16:33 (Listen)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

(ESV)

Acts 10:36 (Listen)

36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),

(ESV)

Philippians 4:7 (Listen)

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

(ESV)

The ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,… “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”—The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”—Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.—“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”—“If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.”—“To the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance.”—“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”—“You refuse to come to me that you may have life.”—“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

Psalm 107:43 (Listen)

43   Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;
    let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

(ESV)

Proverbs 10:29 (Listen)

29   The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless,
    but destruction to evildoers.

(ESV)

Hosea 14:9 (Listen)

9   Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
    whoever is discerning, let him know them;
  for the ways of the LORD are right,
    and the upright walk in them,
    but transgressors stumble in them.

(ESV)

Matthew 6:22 (Listen)

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light,

(ESV)

Matthew 11:15 (Listen)

15 He who has ears to hear,^{Some manuscripts omit to hear">1} let him hear.

(ESV)

Matthew 13:12 (Listen)

12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

(ESV)

John 5:40 (Listen)

40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.

(ESV)

John 7:17 (Listen)

17 If anyone's will is to do God's^{Greek his">1} will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.

(ESV)

John 8:47 (Listen)

47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

(ESV)

John 10:27 (Listen)

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

(ESV)

1 Peter 2:7–8 (Listen)

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,

  “The stone that the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”^{Greek the head of the corner">1}

8 and

  “A stone of stumbling,
    and a rock of offense.”

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

(ESV)

Everlasting Father.

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”

“I and the Father are one…. The Father is in me and I am in the Father.”—“If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”—Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”—“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”—Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied.—“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”—“Before Abraham was, I am.”—God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

Of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”—He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.—In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.

Exodus 3:14 (Listen)

14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”^{Or I am what I am, or I will be what I will be">1} And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

(ESV)

Deuteronomy 6:4 (Listen)

4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.^{Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone">1}

(ESV)

Isaiah 9:6 (Listen)

6   For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon^{Or is upon">1} his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^{Or is called">2}
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(ESV)

Isaiah 53:11 (Listen)

11   Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see^{Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll he shall see light">1} and be satisfied;
  by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.

(ESV)

John 8:19 (Listen)

19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

(ESV)

John 8:58 (Listen)

58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”

(ESV)

John 10:30 (Listen)

30 I and the Father are one.”

(ESV)

John 10:38 (Listen)

38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

(ESV)

John 14:8–9 (Listen)

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

(ESV)

Colossians 1:17 (Listen)

17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

(ESV)

Colossians 2:9 (Listen)

9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily,

(ESV)

Hebrews 1:8 (Listen)

8 But of the Son he says,

  “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
    the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

(ESV)

Hebrews 2:13 (Listen)

13 And again,

  “I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

  “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

(ESV)

Revelation 1:8 (Listen)

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

(ESV)

Always seek to do good.

To this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return… but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.—Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8 (Listen)

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

(ESV)

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (Listen)

15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

(ESV)

Hebrews 12:1–3 (Listen)

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do Not Grow Weary

3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

(ESV)

1 Peter 2:21–23 (Listen)

21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.

(ESV)

Mighty God.

You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously…. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.—Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: “I have granted help to one who is mighty.”—“The man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts.

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”—Thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.—Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever.

Psalm 45:2–4 (Listen)

2   You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
3   Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your splendor and majesty!
4   In your majesty ride out victoriously
    for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
    let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!

(ESV)

Psalm 45:6 (Listen)

6   Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
    The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;

(ESV)

Psalm 89:19 (Listen)

19   Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one,^{Some Hebrew manuscripts godly ones">1} and said:
    “I have granted help to one who is mighty;
    I have exalted one chosen from the people.

(ESV)

Isaiah 9:6 (Listen)

6   For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon^{Or is upon">1} his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^{Or is called">2}
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(ESV)

Isaiah 12:2 (Listen)

2   “Behold, God is my salvation;
    I will trust, and will not be afraid;
  for the LORD GOD¹ is my strength and my song,
    and he has become my salvation.”

(ESV)

Zechariah 13:7 (Listen)

The Shepherd Struck

7   “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd,
    against the man who stands next to me,”
      declares the LORD of hosts.
  “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered;
    I will turn my hand against the little ones.

(ESV)

2 Corinthians 2:14 (Listen)

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

(ESV)

Jude 24–25 (Listen)

Doxology

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time^{Or before any age">1} and now and forever. Amen.

(ESV)

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.

Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.

“It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the Lord, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there.”—“In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.”

“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

“The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.—Pray without ceasing.

Exodus 20:24 (Listen)

24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.

(ESV)

Exodus 29:42 (Listen)

42 It shall be a regular burnt offering throughout your generations at the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD, where I will meet with you, to speak to you there.

(ESV)

Psalm 123:2 (Listen)

2   Behold, as the eyes of servants
    look to the hand of their master,
  as the eyes of a maidservant
    to the hand of her mistress,
  so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
    till he has mercy upon us.

(ESV)

Proverbs 8:34 (Listen)

34   Blessed is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.

(ESV)

Matthew 18:20 (Listen)

20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

(ESV)

John 4:23–24 (Listen)

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

(ESV)

Ephesians 6:18 (Listen)

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

(ESV)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Listen)

17 pray without ceasing,

(ESV)

His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor.

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?… To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right…. I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.—The Lord of hosts… is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.—If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.—Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (Listen)

5   Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
6   In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

(ESV)

Proverbs 8:1 (Listen)

The Blessings of Wisdom

8   Does not wisdom call?
    Does not understanding raise her voice?

(ESV)

Proverbs 8:4–6 (Listen)

4   “To you, O men, I call,
    and my cry is to the children of man.
5   O simple ones, learn prudence;
    O fools, learn sense.
6   Hear, for I will speak noble things,
    and from my lips will come what is right,

(ESV)

Proverbs 8:14 (Listen)

14   I have counsel and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.

(ESV)

Isaiah 9:6 (Listen)

6   For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
  and the government shall be upon^{Or is upon">1} his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^{Or is called">2}
  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(ESV)

Isaiah 11:2–3 (Listen)

2   And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him,
    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and might,
    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.
3   And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD.
  He shall not judge by what his eyes see,
    or decide disputes by what his ears hear,

(ESV)

Isaiah 28:29 (Listen)

29   This also comes from the LORD of hosts;
    he is wonderful in counsel
    and excellent in wisdom.

(ESV)

James 1:5 (Listen)

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

(ESV)

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows him his counsel?—God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.

“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”—Born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

“My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.”—“The battle is not yours but God's.”—“The Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's.”

1 Samuel 17:47 (Listen)

47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hand.”

(ESV)

2 Chronicles 20:15 (Listen)

15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.

(ESV)

Isaiah 40:13 (Listen)

13   Who has measured^{Or has directed">1} the Spirit of the LORD,
    or what man shows him his counsel?

(ESV)

Haggai 2:5 (Listen)

5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

(ESV)

Zechariah 4:6 (Listen)

6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

(ESV)

John 1:13 (Listen)