Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him. ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. He must become greater; I must become less. To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. Before a downfall the heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
who walk in obedience to him. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call on him while he is near. And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. May God bless us still,
so that all the ends of the earth will fear him. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all. The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Whoever is patient has great understanding,
but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing
without revealing his plan
to his servants the prophets. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.