Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great--- not one of them is ever missing!

In the beginning, when God created the universe,

Then God commanded, "Let there be light"---and light appeared.

and he named the light "Day" and the darkness "Night." Evening passed and morning came---that was the first day.

(SEE 1:6)

Then God commanded, "Let the water below the sky come together in one place, so that the land will appear"---and it was done.

Then he commanded, "Let the earth produce all kinds of plants, those that bear grain and those that bear fruit"---and it was done.

Evening passed and morning came---that was the third day.

they will shine in the sky to give light to the earth"---and it was done.

He placed the lights in the sky to shine on the earth,

Evening passed and morning came---that was the fourth day.

So God created the great sea monsters, all kinds of creatures that live in the water, and all kinds of birds. And God was pleased with what he saw.

Evening passed and morning came---that was the fifth day.

So God made them all, and he was pleased with what he saw.

So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female,

I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat;

God looked at everything he had made, and he was very pleased. Evening passed and morning came---that was the sixth day.

Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place.

but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. He is the one through whom God created the universe, the one whom God has chosen to possess all things at the end.

He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.

"I am the high and holy God, who lives forever. I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are humble and repentant, so that I can restore their confidence and hope.

The Sovereign LORD has filled me with his Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me To bring good news to the poor, To heal the broken-hearted, To announce release to captives And freedom to those in prison.

and you repented and humbled yourself before me, tearing your clothes and weeping, when you heard how I threatened to punish Jerusalem and its people. I will make it a terrifying sight, a place whose name people will use as a curse. But I have heard your prayer,

and the punishment which I am going to bring on Jerusalem will not come until after your death. I will let you die in peace." The men returned to King Josiah with this message.

and you repented and humbled yourself before me, tearing your clothes and weeping, when you heard how I threatened to punish Jerusalem and its people. I have heard your prayer,

and the punishment which I am going to bring on Jerusalem will not come until after your death. I will let you die in peace." The men returned to King Josiah with this message.

The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.

My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

Even though you are so high above, you care for the lowly, and the proud cannot hide from you.

We turned away from you, but soon we wanted to return. After you had punished us, we hung our heads in grief. We were ashamed and disgraced because we sinned when we were young.'

"Israel, you are my dearest child, the one I love best. Whenever I mention your name, I think of you with love. My heart goes out to you; I will be merciful.

"Go through the whole city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the forehead of everyone who is distressed and troubled because of all the disgusting things being done in the city."

Kill the old men, young men, young women, mothers, and children. But don't touch anyone who has the mark on his forehead. Start here at my Temple." So they began with the leaders who were standing there at the Temple.

"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

"Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them!

But the tax collector stood at a distance and would not even raise his face to heaven, but beat on his breast and said, 'God, have pity on me, a sinner!'

I tell you," said Jesus, "the tax collector, and not the Pharisee, was in the right with God when he went home. For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great."

Listen to what the LORD says, you that fear him and obey him: "Because you are faithful to me, some of your own people hate you and will have nothing to do with you. They mock you and say, 'Let the LORD show his greatness and save you, so that we may see you rejoice.' But they themselves will be disgraced!

I sat there grieving until the time for the evening sacrifice to be offered, and people began to gather around me---all those who were frightened because of what the God of Israel had said about the sins of those who had returned from exile.

Now we must make a solemn promise to our God that we will send these women and their children away. We will do what you and the others who honor God's commands advise us to do. We will do what God's Law demands.

Because of you I am afraid; I am filled with fear because of your judgments.

Powerful people attack me unjustly, but I respect your law.

Always obey the LORD and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.

I hear all this, and I tremble; my lips quiver with fear. My body goes limp, and my feet stumble beneath me. I will quietly wait for the time to come when God will punish those who attack us.

"But get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you must do."

The jailer called for a light, rushed in, and fell trembling at the feet of Paul and Silas.

Then he led them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation,