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Chinese (traditional)These are the words of the Lord of hosts:
Stand at the crossroads and look around;
ask for the ancient paths.
When you are shown where the good way lies,
walk along it and your souls will find rest.
However, they said, “We will not take it.” Therefore say to them, “Thus says the Lord God: The fulfillment of my words will not be delayed any longer. What I have said will be done now. This is the word of the Lord God.” Just as water reflects one’s face,
so does one human heart reflect another. Ah, Lord God, you made the heavens and the earth by your great power and your outstretched arm. Nothing is impossible for you. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares about you. For he guards the paths of justice
and keeps watch over the way of his faithful ones. All this took place in order to fulfill what the Lord had announced through the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,”
a name that means “God is with us.” After he had decided to follow this course of action, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to receive Mary into your home as your wife. For this child has been conceived in her womb through the Holy Spirit.” Therefore, you will be given this sign
by the Lord himself:
The virgin will be with child,
and she will give birth to a son,
and she will name him Immanuel. For it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord,
every knee shall bow before me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.” Diligent labor always yields profit,
but idle conversation only leads to poverty. You shall not kill. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. Yet even so, because of your great compassion,
you did not completely destroy them,
nor did you forsake them,
for you are a gracious and merciful God. For the word of the Lord is true,
and he is faithful in everything he does. You shall 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 as we gaze upon the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, all of us are being transformed into that same image from glory to glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. A man may plan his own course,
but the Lord makes his steps secure. Make every possible effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. I was eager to respond
to those who did not consult me.
I was anxious to be approached
by those who did not seek me.
I said, “Here I am! Here I am!”
to a nation that did not summon me. In peace I lie down and sleep,
for only with your help, O Lord,
can I rest secure. He is himself the sacrifice for our sins—
and not only for our sins
but also for the sins of the whole world. Bring the tithes in full into the treasury
so that there may be food in my house.
Put me thus to the test,
says the Lord of hosts,
and see if I will not open
the windows of heaven for you
and pour down blessings upon you
without measure. I have instructed you in the ways of wisdom
and led you along the paths of righteousness. I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to render an account for every careless word they utter. So Christ, having been offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly waiting for him. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a resolute spirit within me. Go, therefore, 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 observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the world. If you know me,
then you will know my Father also.
From now on you do know him.
You have seen him. He reserves his wisdom for the upright
and is a shield to those who lead blameless lives. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Then he said to them, “Go forth into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.” Enriched in every way, you will be able to practice all your acts of generosity, which, through our intervention, will result in thanksgiving to God.Next verse!With image