Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him. Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. The Lord is good,
a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you. Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart. But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.