So the LORD answers, "Can a woman forget her own baby and not love the child she bore? Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you.

I will comfort you in Jerusalem, as a mother comforts her child.

Just as he arrived at the gate of the town, a funeral procession was coming out. The dead man was the only son of a woman who was a widow, and a large crowd from the town was with her.

"Take your son," God said, "your only son, Isaac, whom you love so much, and go to the land of Moriah. There on a mountain that I will show you, offer him as a sacrifice to me."

Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other sons, because he had been born to him when he was old. He made a long robe with full sleeves for him.

One time Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more.

Some time later the widow's son got sick; he got worse and worse, and finally he died.

"Mortal man," he said, "with one blow I am going to take away the person you love most. You are not to complain or cry or shed any tears.

Early in the day I was talking with the people. That evening my wife died, and the next day I did as I had been told.

and so reveal their secret thoughts. And sorrow, like a sharp sword, will break your own heart."

The sisters sent Jesus a message: "Lord, your dear friend is sick."

Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.

So Jesus told them plainly, "Lazarus is dead,