Come to the Temple, LORD, with the Covenant Box, the symbol of your power, and stay here forever.

You made a promise to your servant David; do not reject your chosen king, LORD.

David stood before them and addressed them: "My friends, listen to me. I wanted to build a permanent home for the Covenant Box, the footstool of the LORD our God. I have made preparations for building a temple to honor him,

The LORD says, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house, then, could you build for me, what kind of place for me to live in?

When the priests who carry the Covenant Box of the LORD of all the earth put their feet in the water, the Jordan will stop flowing, and the water coming downstream will pile up in one place."

Seven priests, each carrying a trumpet, are to go in front of the Covenant Box. On the seventh day you and your soldiers are to march around the city seven times while the priests blow the trumpets.

Then they are to sound one long note. As soon as you hear it, all the people are to give a loud shout, and the city walls will collapse. Then the whole army will go straight into the city."

From Zion the LORD will extend your royal power. "Rule over your enemies," he says.

I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe, first the Jews and also the Gentiles.

He is astonished to see that there is no one to help the oppressed. So he will use his own power to rescue them and to win the victory.

He will punish his enemies according to what they have done, even those who live in distant lands.

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

And you will be known as the priests of the LORD, The servants of our God. You will enjoy the wealth of the nations And be proud that it is yours.

Jerusalem rejoices because of what the LORD has done. She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. God has clothed her with salvation and victory.

But take up the weapons of the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop paying attention to your sinful nature and satisfying its desires.

You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.

So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to---the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.

and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.

She has been given clean shining linen to wear." (The linen is the good deeds of God's people.)

The armies of heaven followed him, riding on white horses and dressed in clean white linen.

Your people captured fortified cities, fertile land, houses full of wealth, cisterns already dug, olive trees, fruit trees, and vineyards. They ate all they wanted and grew fat; they enjoyed all the good things you gave them.

Happy are those whom you choose, whom you bring to live in your sanctuary. We shall be satisfied with the good things of your house, the blessings of your sacred Temple.

What a rich harvest your goodness provides! Wherever you go there is plenty.

Be glad and rejoice forever in what I create. The new Jerusalem I make will be full of joy, and her people will be happy.

I myself will be filled with joy because of Jerusalem and her people. There will be no weeping there, no calling for help.

How good and beautiful the land will be! The young people will grow strong on its grain and wine.

It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies.

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!