Come, people of all nations! Gather around and listen. Let the whole earth and everyone living on it come here and listen.

"Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all who are left of my people. I have cared for you from the time you were born.

Listen to me, distant nations, you people who live far away! Before I was born, the LORD chose me and appointed me to be his servant.

The LORD says, "Listen to me, you that want to be saved, you that come to me for help. Think of the rock from which you came, the quarry from which you were cut.

"Listen to me, my people, listen to what I say: I give my teaching to the nations; my laws will bring them light.

"Listen to me, you that know what is right, who have my teaching fixed in your hearts. Do not be afraid when people taunt and insult you;

"Listen now, my people, and come to me; come to me, and you will have life! I will make a lasting covenant with you and give you the blessings I promised to David.

Now then, sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say.

"Now, young people, listen to me. Do as I say, and you will be happy.

And Jesus concluded, "So those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last."

This also includes you who are in Rome, whom God has called to belong to Jesus Christ.

We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose.

but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

But you are the chosen race, the King's priests, the holy nation, God's own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light.

They will fight against the Lamb; but the Lamb, together with his called, chosen, and faithful followers, will defeat them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings."

Who was it that made this happen? Who has determined the course of history? I, the LORD, was there at the beginning, and I, the LORD, will be there at the end.

The LORD, who rules and protects Israel, the LORD Almighty, has this to say: "I am the first, the last, the only God; there is no other god but me.

" 'I, and I alone, am God; no other god is real. I kill and I give life, I wound and I heal, and no one can oppose what I do.

"I am the first and the last," says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

It said, "Write down what you see, and send the book to the churches in these seven cities: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea."

When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He placed his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the first and the last.

I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead.

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: "This is the message from the one who is the first and the last, who died and lived again.

I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end."