This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’ As water reflects the face,
so one’s life reflects the heart. Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. For he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. It is written: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’ All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty. ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’ But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the Lord establishes their steps. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me;
I was found by those who did not seek me.
To a nation that did not call on my name,
I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” I instruct you in the way of wisdom
and lead you along straight paths. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. He holds success in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.Next verse!With image