Summon the nations to come to the trial. Which of their gods can predict the future? Which of them foretold what is happening now? Let these gods bring in their witnesses to prove that they are right, to testify to the truth of their words.

"People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be.

"Now come close to me and hear what I say. From the beginning I have spoken openly and have always made my words come true." (Now the Sovereign LORD has given me his power and sent me.)

"There are some things that the LORD our God has kept secret; but he has revealed his Law, and we and our descendants are to obey it forever.

"The command that I am giving you today is not too difficult or beyond your reach.

Nor is it on the other side of the ocean. You do not have to ask, 'Who will go across the ocean and bring it to us, so that we may hear it and obey it?'

calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together:

Listen! Wisdom is calling out. Reason is making herself heard.

At the entrance to the city, beside the gates, she calls:

Look! He is talking in public, and they say nothing against him! Can it be that they really know that he is the Messiah?

As Jesus taught in the Temple, he said in a loud voice, "Do you really know me and know where I am from? I have not come on my own authority. He who sent me, however, is truthful. You do not know him,

On the last and most important day of the festival Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice, "Whoever is thirsty should come to me, and

Jesus said this about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were going to receive. At that time the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not been raised to glory.

Jesus answered, "I have always spoken publicly to everyone; all my teaching was done in the synagogues and in the Temple, where all the people come together. I have never said anything in secret.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages.

How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages?

"When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood.

But people will tell you to ask for messages from fortunetellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, "After all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living."

Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near.

Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.

The LORD says, "Shout as loud as you can! Tell my people Israel about their sins!

The people ask, "Why should we fast if the LORD never notices? Why should we go without food if he pays no attention?" The LORD says to them, "The truth is that at the same time you fast, you pursue your own interests and oppress your workers.

"So now, my people, in the presence of our God and of this assembly of all Israel, the LORD's people, I charge you to obey carefully everything that the LORD our God has commanded us, so that you may continue to possess this good land and so that you may hand it on to succeeding generations forever."

and he went to meet King Asa. He called out, "Listen to me, King Asa, and all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The LORD is with you as long as you are with him. If you look for him, he will let you find him, but if you turn away, he will abandon you.

I would have been ashamed to ask the emperor for a troop of cavalry to guard us from any enemies during our journey, because I had told him that our God blesses everyone who trusts him, but that he is displeased with and punishes anyone who turns away from him.

Such are the people who come to God, who come into the presence of the God of Jacob.

But as for me, I will pray to you, LORD; answer me, God, at a time you choose. Answer me because of your great love, because you keep your promise to save.

When the oppressed see this, they will be glad; those who worship God will be encouraged.

The LORD is pleased when good people pray, but hates the sacrifices that the wicked bring him.

You will seek me, and you will find me because you will seek me with all your heart.

The LORD says to the people of Israel, "Come to me, and you will live.

"You have said terrible things about me," says the LORD. "But you ask, 'What have we said about you?'

You have said, 'It's useless to serve God. What's the use of doing what he says or of trying to show the LORD Almighty that we are sorry for what we have done?

'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me.

It is no use for them to worship me, because they teach human rules as though they were my laws!' "

And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures.

"Who is this coming from the city of Bozrah in Edom? Who is this so splendidly dressed in red, marching along in power and strength?" It is the LORD, powerful to save, coming to announce his victory.

God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes his mind. Whatever he promises, he does; He speaks, and it is done.

I have been instructed to bless, And when God blesses, I cannot call it back.

"The LORD is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; Your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair.

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

The promises of the LORD can be trusted; they are as genuine as silver refined seven times in the furnace.

The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.

Reverence for the LORD is good; it will continue forever. The judgments of the LORD are just; they are always fair.

In all he does he is faithful and just; all his commands are dependable.

They last for all time; they were given in truth and righteousness.

You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are just.

The rules that you have given are completely fair and right.

Listen to my excellent words; all I tell you is right.

"God keeps every promise he makes. He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.