But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.” I am the Lord your God; follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Keep my Sabbaths holy, that they may be a sign between us. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Where there is strife, there is pride,
but wisdom is found in those who take advice. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Let your face shine on your servant;
save me in your unfailing love. Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Keep your mouth free of perversity;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Truly my soul finds rest in God;
my salvation comes from him. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.