He says, "All the leaders, who are supposed to warn my people, are blind! They know nothing. They are like watch dogs that don't bark---they only lie around and dream. How they love to sleep!

On your walls, Jerusalem, I have placed sentries; They must never be silent day or night. They must remind the LORD of his promises And never let him forget them.

The sentries patrolling the city saw me. I asked them, "Have you found my lover?"

The sentries patrolling the city found me; they struck me and bruised me; the guards at the city wall tore off my cape.

Then the LORD appointed sentries to listen for the trumpet's warning. But they said, "We will not listen."

Yes, the time is coming when sentries will call out on the hills of Ephraim, 'Let's go up to Zion, to the LORD our God.' "

The LORD says, "Sing with joy for Israel, the greatest of the nations. Sing your song of praise, 'The LORD has saved his people; he has rescued all who are left.'

"Mortal man," he said, "I am making you a lookout for the nation of Israel. You will pass on to them the warnings I give you.

"Now, mortal man, I am making you a lookout for the nation of Israel. You must pass on to them the warnings I give you.

Obey your leaders and follow their orders. They watch over your souls without resting, since they must give to God an account of their service. If you obey them, they will do their work gladly; if not, they will do it with sadness, and that would be of no help to you.

Those who survive will sing for joy. Those in the West will tell how great the LORD is,

Jerusalem, go up on a high mountain and proclaim the good news! Call out with a loud voice, Zion; announce the good news! Speak out and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah that their God is coming!

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

A day is coming when people will sing, "Give thanks to the LORD! Call for him to help you! Tell all the nations what he has done! Tell them how great he is!

Let everyone who lives in Zion shout and sing! Israel's holy God is great, and he lives among his people."

A day is coming when the people will sing this song in the land of Judah: Our city is strong! God himself defends its walls!

On that day the LORD will say of his pleasant vineyard,

They will reach Jerusalem with gladness, singing and shouting for joy. They will be happy forever, forever free from sorrow and grief.

Go out from Babylon, go free! Shout the news gladly; make it known everywhere: "The LORD has saved his servant Israel!"

the shouts of gladness and joy and the happy sounds of wedding feasts. You will hear people sing as they bring thank offerings to my Temple; they will say, 'Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, because he is good and his love is eternal.' I will make this land as prosperous as it was before. I, the LORD, have spoken."

Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts,

praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God, and they shall rule on earth."

Be glad, heaven, because of her destruction! Be glad, God's people and the apostles and prophets! For God has condemned her for what she did to you!

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. They said, "Amen! Praise God!"

The moon will be as bright as the sun, and the sun will be seven times brighter than usual, like the light of seven days in one. This will all happen when the LORD bandages and heals the wounds he has given his people.

I will give them a single purpose in life: to honor me for all time, for their own good and the good of their descendants.

"Then I will change the people of the nations, and they will pray to me alone and not to other gods. They will all obey me.

At that time the LORD will protect those who live in Jerusalem, and even the weakest among them will become as strong as David was. The descendants of David will lead them like the angel of the LORD, like God himself.

When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place.

The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had.

By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose.

What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete---as complete as God's knowledge of me.

and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him.

I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people,