Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. For who is God besides the Lord?
And who is the Rock except our God? Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 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”). Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us. Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Better a patient person than a warrior,
one with self-control than one who takes a city. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,
whose plan is wonderful,
whose wisdom is magnificent. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.