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. Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. When I fed them, they were satisfied;
when they were satisfied, they became proud;
then they forgot me. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him. Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” What a person desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar. Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless. But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children. The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Hatred stirs up conflict,
but love covers over all wrongs. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.