How will anyone know that you are pleased with your people and with me if you do not go with us? Your presence with us will distinguish us from any other people on earth."

and to ask the priests and the prophets this question: "Should we continue to mourn because of the destruction of the Temple, by fasting in the fifth month as we have done for so many years now?"

From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and an apostle chosen and called by God to preach his Good News.

And so the Lord says, "You must leave them and separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with what is unclean, and I will accept you.

These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit.

My child, learn what I teach you and never forget what I tell you to do.

Yes, beg for knowledge; plead for insight.

If you do, you will know what it means to fear the LORD and you will succeed in learning about God.

Jesus answered, "The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

"The Kingdom of heaven is like this. A man happens to find a treasure hidden in a field. He covers it up again, and is so happy that he goes and sells everything he has, and then goes back and buys that field.

"You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God," Jesus answered. "But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables,

So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people.

Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

Your joy is your own; your bitterness is your own. No one can share them with you.

The start of an argument is like the first break in a dam; stop it before it goes any further.

Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them.

A gossip can never keep a secret. Stay away from people who talk too much.

Have reverence for the LORD, my child, and honor the king. Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them;

Getting involved in an argument that is none of your business is like going down the street and grabbing a dog by the ears.

We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire.

At night I long for you with all my heart; when you judge the earth and its people, they will all learn what justice is.

I did not spend my time with other people, laughing and having a good time. In obedience to your orders I stayed by myself and was filled with anger.

Very early the next morning, long before daylight, Jesus got up and left the house. He went out of town to a lonely place, where he prayed.