The meaning of every prophetic vision will be hidden from you; it will be like a sealed scroll. If you take it to someone who knows how to read and ask him to read it to you, he will say he can't because it is sealed.

He said to me, "And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal on it until the end of the world. Meanwhile, many people will waste their efforts trying to understand what is happening."

You are to answer them, "Listen to what the LORD is teaching you! Don't listen to mediums---what they tell you cannot keep trouble away."

It was after they had come out of Egypt and were in the valley east of the Jordan River, opposite the town of Bethpeor, that he gave them these laws. This was in the territory that had belonged to King Sihon of the Amorites, who had ruled in the town of Heshbon. Moses and the people of Israel defeated him when they came out of Egypt.

Then Jehoiada led Joash out, placed the crown on his head, and gave him a copy of the laws governing kingship. Then Joash was anointed and proclaimed king. The people clapped their hands and shouted, "Long live the king!"

He tells what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his message.

But whoever accepts his message confirms by this that God is truthful.

Moses was faithful in God's house as a servant, and he spoke of the things that God would say in the future.

We believe human testimony; but God's testimony is much stronger, and he has given this testimony about his Son.

The testimony is this: God has given us eternal life, and this life has its source in his Son.

I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "Don't do it! I am a servant together with you and with other believers, all those who hold to the truth that Jesus revealed. Worship God!" For the truth that Jesus revealed is what inspires the prophets.

"Seven times seventy years is the length of time God has set for freeing your people and your holy city from sin and evil. Sin will be forgiven and eternal justice established, so that the vision and the prophecy will come true, and the holy Temple will be rededicated.

I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne; it was covered with writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.

Then one of the elders said to me, "Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll."

As soon as they spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice speak from heaven, "Keep secret what the seven thunders have said; do not write it down!"

"I myself will teach your people and give them prosperity and peace.

The LORD is the friend of those who obey him and he affirms his covenant with them.

Everything I say is true; nothing is false or misleading.

To those with insight, it is all clear; to the well-informed, it is all plain.

He answered, "You must go now, Daniel, because these words are to be kept secret and hidden until the end comes.

Many people will be purified. Those who are wicked will not understand but will go on being wicked; only those who are wise will understand.

Jesus answered, "The knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

When Jesus was alone, some of those who had heard him came to him with the twelve disciples and asked him to explain the parables.

"You have been given the secret of the Kingdom of God," Jesus answered. "But the others, who are on the outside, hear all things by means of parables,

He would not speak to them without using parables, but when he was alone with his disciples, he would explain everything to them.

When they went back into the house, the disciples asked Jesus about this matter.

Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.

"If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches! "To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.