A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace."

His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The LORD Almighty is determined to do all this.

I offer peace to all, both near and far! I will heal my people.

There is no safety for sinners," says the LORD.

Show us your constant love, O LORD, and give us your saving help.

I am listening to what the LORD God is saying; he promises peace to us, his own people, if we do not go back to our foolish ways.

and he will bring peace. When the Assyrians invade our country and break through our defenses, we will send our strongest leaders to fight them.

"Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.

I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!"

Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies.

By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God.

And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.

Those who go to Egypt for help are doomed! They are relying on Egypt's vast military strength---horses, chariots, and soldiers. But they do not rely on the LORD, the holy God of Israel, or ask him for help.

And yet you are proud to say that you are citizens of the holy city and that you depend on Israel's God, whose name is the LORD Almighty.

The LORD says, "Do you think I sent my people away like a man who divorces his wife? Where, then, are the papers of divorce? Do you think I sold you into captivity like a man who sells his children as slaves? No, you went away captive because of your sins; you were sent away because of your crimes.

They put their trust in God and prayed to him for help, and God answered their prayers and made them victorious over the Hagrites and their allies.

And so the people of Judah were victorious over Israel, because they relied on the LORD, the God of their ancestors.

Didn't the Ethiopians and the Libyans have large armies with many chariots and cavalry troops? But because you relied on the LORD, he gave you victory over them.

Those who know you, LORD, will trust you; you do not abandon anyone who comes to you.

"But I will bless the person who puts his trust in me.

He is like a tree growing near a stream and sending out roots to the water. It is not afraid when hot weather comes, because its leaves stay green; it has no worries when there is no rain; it keeps on bearing fruit.

Abraham believed and hoped, even when there was no reason for hoping, and so became "the father of many nations." Just as the scripture says, "Your descendants will be as many as the stars."

His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God's promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God.