Boaz went to the meeting place at the town gate and sat down there. Then Elimelech's nearest relative, the man whom Boaz had mentioned, came by, and Boaz called to him, "Come over here, my friend, and sit down." So he went over and sat down.

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

Listen when I reprimand you; I will give you good advice and share my knowledge with you.

"I appeal to all of you; I call to everyone on earth.

The LORD said to his people, "I scattered you in all directions. But now, you exiles, escape from Babylonia and return to Jerusalem.

"When my people in their need look for water, when their throats are dry with thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer their prayer; I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.

I will make rivers flow among barren hills and springs of water run in the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water and the dry land into flowing springs.

As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.

I thirst for you, the living God. When can I go and worship in your presence?

O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.

I lift up my hands to you in prayer; like dry ground my soul is thirsty for you.

Jesus answered, "If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water."

It was our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well; he and his children and his flocks all drank from it. You don't claim to be greater than Jacob, do you?"

but those who drink the water that I will give them will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give them will become in them a spring which will provide them with life-giving water and give them eternal life."

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

whoever believes in me should drink. As the scripture says, 'Streams of life-giving water will pour out from his side.' "

And he said, "It is done! I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink from the spring of the water of life without paying for it.

The angel also showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" Everyone who hears this must also say, "Come!" Come, whoever is thirsty; accept the water of life as a gift, whoever wants it.

"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.

I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see.

Your lips cover me with kisses; your love is better than wine.

Take me with you, and we'll run away; be my king and take me to your room. We will be happy together, drink deep, and lose ourselves in love. No wonder all women love you!

I have entered my garden, my sweetheart, my bride. I am gathering my spices and myrrh; I am eating my honey and honeycomb; I am drinking my wine and milk. Eat, lovers, and drink until you are drunk with love!

The LORD Almighty will protect his people, and they will destroy their enemies. They will shout in battle like drunk men and will shed the blood of their enemies; it will flow like the blood of a sacrifice poured on the altar from a bowl.

The people of Israel will be strong like soldiers, happy like those who have been drinking wine. Their descendants will remember this victory and be glad because of what the LORD has done.

I tell you, I will never again drink this wine until the day I drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."

When the wine had given out, Jesus' mother said to him, "They are out of wine."

Jesus' mother then told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

Jesus said to the servants, "Fill these jars with water." They filled them to the brim,

which now had turned into wine, and he tasted it. He did not know where this wine had come from (but, of course, the servants who had drawn out the water knew); so he called the bridegroom

At that time the mountains will be covered with vineyards, and cattle will be found on every hill; there will be plenty of water for all of Judah. A stream will flow from the Temple of the LORD, and it will water Acacia Valley.

I had to feed you milk, not solid food, because you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready for it,

Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved.

The Sovereign LORD says to his people, "When you became slaves, no money was paid for you; in the same way nothing will be paid to set you free.

But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free.

But God's mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great,

In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world.

For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.