I looked, but there was no one to help,
I was appalled that no one gave support;
so my own arm achieved salvation for me,
and my own wrath sustained me.

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens . . .

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore have I set my face like flint,
and I know I will not be put to shame.

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”

Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
have worked salvation for him.

And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you . . . But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

“So do not fear, for I am with
you; do not be dismayed, for I
am your God. I will strengthen
you and help you; I will uphold
you with my righteous
right hand.”

Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.
He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Ho...

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

"The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”

You turn things upside down,
as if the potter were thought to be like the clay!
Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
“You did not make me”?
Can the pot say to the potter,
“You know nothing”?

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.

But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerin...

How you have fallen from heaven,
morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
You said in your heart,
“I will ascend to the heavens . . .
But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
to the depths of the pit."

Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.