He is not here; he has been raised. Remember what he said to you while he was in Galilee:

'The Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and three days later rise to life.' "

He also told them, "The Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. He will be put to death, but three days later he will be raised to life."

Jesus took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, "Listen! We are going to Jerusalem where everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true.

They will whip him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life."

From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples, "I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life."

When the disciples all came together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be handed over to those

who will kill him; but three days later he will be raised to life." The disciples became very sad.

"Listen," he told them, "we are going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn him to death

and then hand him over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, whip him, and crucify him; but three days later he will be raised to life."

Then Jesus began to teach his disciples: "The Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. He will be put to death, but three days later he will rise to life."

He made this very clear to them. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

because he was teaching his disciples: "The Son of Man will be handed over to those who will kill him. Three days later, however, he will rise to life."

"Listen," he told them, "we are going up to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn him to death and then hand him over to the Gentiles,

who will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him; but three days later he will rise to life."

But I have told you this, so that when the time comes for them to do these things, you will remember what I told you. "I did not tell you these things at the beginning, for I was with you.

But now I am going to him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going.

"In a little while you will not see me any more, and then a little while later you will see me."

Some of his disciples asked among themselves, "What does this mean? He tells us that in a little while we will not see him, and then a little while later we will see him; and he also says, 'It is because I am going to the Father.'

And now I am coming to you; I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world. Holy Father! Keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one just as you and I are one.

And now I am coming to you, and I say these things in the world so that they might have my joy in their hearts in all its fullness.

Was it not necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and then to enter his glory?"

And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets.

and said to them, "This is what is written: the Messiah must suffer and must rise from death three days later,

For those will be 'The Days of Punishment,' to make come true all that the Scriptures say.

But in that case, how could the Scriptures come true which say that this is what must happen?"

But all this has happened in order to make come true what the prophets wrote in the Scriptures." Then all the disciples left him and ran away.

The soldiers said to one another, "Let's not tear it; let's throw dice to see who will get it." This happened in order to make the scripture come true: "They divided my clothes among themselves and gambled for my robe." And this is what the soldiers did.

Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, "He is your son."

Jesus knew that by now everything had been completed; and in order to make the scripture come true, he said, "I am thirsty."

Jesus drank the wine and said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

So the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first man and then of the other man who had been crucified with Jesus.

One of the soldiers, however, plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out.

This was done to make the scripture come true: "Not one of his bones will be broken."

God announced long ago through all the prophets that his Messiah had to suffer; and he made it come true in this way.

And after they had done everything that the Scriptures say about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb.

and for many days he appeared to those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now witnesses for him to the people of Israel.

I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures;

that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures;

I will make you and the woman hate each other; her offspring and yours will always be enemies. Her offspring will crush your head, and you will bite her offspring's heel."

And Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and also a priest of the Most High God, brought bread and wine to Abram,

All the nations will ask me to bless them as I have blessed your descendants---all because you obeyed my command."

Judah will hold the royal scepter, And his descendants will always rule. Nations will bring him tribute And bow in obedience before him.

He said, "Tell your brother Aaron that only at the proper time is he to go behind the curtain into the Most Holy Place, because that is where I appear in a cloud above the lid on the Covenant Box. If he disobeys, he will be killed.

Then the LORD gave the following instructions. Before Aaron goes into the Most Holy Place, he must take a bath and put on the priestly garments: the linen robe and shorts, the belt, and the turban.

He shall offer a bull as a sacrifice to take away his own sins and those of his family.

There he shall draw lots, using two stones, one marked "for the LORD" and the other "for Azazel."

The goat chosen for Azazel shall be presented alive to the LORD and sent off into the desert to Azazel, in order to take away the sins of the people.

he shall take a fire pan full of burning coals from the altar and two handfuls of fine incense and bring them into the Most Holy Place.

He shall take some of the bull's blood and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the lid and then sprinkle some of it seven times in front of the Covenant Box.

In this way he will perform the ritual to purify the Most Holy Place from the uncleanness of the people of Israel and from all their sins. He must do this to the Tent, because it stands in the middle of the camp, which is ritually unclean.

he must then go out to the altar for burnt offerings and purify it. He must take some of the bull's blood and some of the goat's blood and put it all over the projections at the corners of the altar.

Then the LORD told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed.

You are guilty only of manslaughter, and the community is to rescue you from the dead person's relative, and they are to return you to the city of refuge to which you had escaped. You must live there until the death of the man who is then High Priest.

Instead, he will send you a prophet like me from among your own people, and you are to obey him.

So the LORD said to me, 'They have made a wise request.

He will speak in my name, and I will punish anyone who refuses to obey him.

As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up,

If you had really believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.

For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will send you a prophet, just as he sent me, and he will be one of your own people. You are to obey everything that he tells you to do.

And all the prophets who had a message, including Samuel and those who came after him, also announced what has been happening these days.

Moses is the one who said to the people of Israel, 'God will send you a prophet, just as he sent me, and he will be one of your own people.'

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

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. As Abraham was coming back from the battle in which he defeated the four kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him,

The Holy Spirit clearly teaches from all these arrangements that the way into the Most Holy Place has not yet been opened as long as the outer tent still stands.

The Jewish Law is not a full and faithful model of the real things; it is only a faint outline of the good things to come. The same sacrifices are offered forever, year after year. How can the Law, then, by means of these sacrifices make perfect the people who come to God?

And Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures, beginning with the books of Moses and the writings of all the prophets.

Well then, the Lord himself will give you a sign: a young woman who is pregnant will have a son and will name him 'Immanuel.'

A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counselor," "Mighty God," "Eternal Father," "Prince of Peace."

The royal line of David is like a tree that has been cut down; but just as new branches sprout from a stump, so a new king will arise from among David's descendants.

and find pleasure in obeying him. He will not judge by appearance or hearsay;

He will rule his people with justice and integrity.

Cows and bears will eat together, and their calves and cubs will lie down in peace. Lions will eat straw as cattle do.

On Zion, God's sacred hill, there will be nothing harmful or evil. The land will be as full of knowledge of the LORD as the seas are full of water.

This, now, is what the Sovereign LORD says: "I am placing in Zion a foundation that is firm and strong. In it I am putting a solid cornerstone on which are written the words, 'Faith that is firm is also patient.'

"Comfort my people," says our God. "Comfort them!

A voice cries out, "Prepare in the wilderness a road for the LORD! Clear the way in the desert for our God!

Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it. The LORD himself has promised this."

Grass withers and flowers fade when the LORD sends the wind blowing over them. People are no more enduring than grass.

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!

He will take care of his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers.

The LORD says, "Here is my servant, whom I strengthen--- the one I have chosen, with whom I am pleased. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to every nation.

He will not break off a bent reed nor put out a flickering lamp. He will bring lasting justice to all.

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.

He said to me, "Israel, you are my servant; because of you, people will praise me."

Before I was born, the LORD appointed me; he made me his servant to bring back his people, to bring back the scattered people of Israel. The LORD gives me honor; he is the source of my strength.

Israel's holy God and savior says to the one who is deeply despised, who is hated by the nations and is the servant of rulers: "Kings will see you released and will rise to show their respect; princes also will see it, and they will bow low to honor you." This will happen because the LORD has chosen his servant; the holy God of Israel keeps his promises.

"Why did my people fail to respond when I went to them to save them? Why did they not answer when I called? Am I too weak to save them? I can dry up the sea with a command and turn rivers into a desert, so that the fish in them die for lack of water.

The Sovereign LORD has taught me what to say, so that I can strengthen the weary. Every morning he makes me eager to hear what he is going to teach me.

I bared my back to those who beat me. I did not stop them when they insulted me, when they pulled out the hairs of my beard and spit in my face.

The LORD says, "My servant will succeed in his task; he will be highly honored.

But now many nations will marvel at him, and kings will be speechless with amazement. They will see and understand something they had never known."

The people reply, "Who would have believed what we now report? Who could have seen the LORD's hand in this?

We despised him and rejected him; he endured suffering and pain. No one would even look at him--- we ignored him as if he were nothing.

But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.

"He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly; he never said a word. Like a lamb about to be slaughtered, like a sheep about to be sheared, he never said a word.

He was placed in a grave with those who are evil, he was buried with the rich, even though he had never committed a crime or ever told a lie."

After a life of suffering, he will again have joy; he will know that he did not suffer in vain. My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased, will bear the punishment of many and for his sake I will forgive them.

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.

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

The LORD says, "The time is coming when I will choose as king a righteous descendant of David. That king will rule wisely and do what is right and just throughout the land.

The LORD said, "The time is coming when I will fulfill the promise that I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "I will take the top of a tall cedar and break off a tender sprout; I will plant it on a high mountain,

I will give them a king like my servant David to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them.

At the time of those rulers the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never end. It will never be conquered, but will completely destroy all those empires and then last forever.

During this vision in the night, I saw what looked like a human being. He was approaching me, surrounded by clouds, and he went to the one who had been living forever and was presented to him.

"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.

And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will be killed unjustly. The city and the Temple will be destroyed by the invading army of a powerful ruler. The end will come like a flood, bringing the war and destruction which God has prepared.

But to the people of Judah I will show love. I, the LORD their God, will save them, but I will not do it by war---with swords or bows and arrows or with horses and horsemen."

The LORD said to Hosea, "Name him 'Not-My-People,' because the people of Israel are not my people, and I am not their God."

The people of Judah and the people of Israel will be reunited. They will choose for themselves a single leader, and once again they will grow and prosper in their land. Yes, the day of Jezreel will be a great day!

But the time will come when the people of Israel will once again turn to the LORD their God and to a descendant of David their king. Then they will fear the LORD and will receive his good gifts.

"Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions.

"I will give warnings of that day in the sky and on the earth; there will be bloodshed, fire, and clouds of smoke.

But all who ask the LORD for help will be saved. As the LORD has said, 'Some in Jerusalem will escape; those whom I choose will survive.' "

The LORD says, "A day is coming when I will restore the kingdom of David, which is like a house fallen into ruins. I will repair its walls and restore it. I will rebuild it and make it as it was long ago.

People of Jerusalem, gather your forces! We are besieged! They are attacking the leader of Israel!

So the LORD will abandon his people to their enemies until the woman who is to give birth has her son. Then those Israelites who are in exile will be reunited with their own people.

I will overthrow all the nations, and their treasures will be brought here, and the Temple will be filled with wealth.

The new Temple will be more splendid than the old one, and there I will give my people prosperity and peace." The LORD Almighty has spoken.

Tell him that the LORD Almighty says, 'The man who is called The Branch will flourish where he is and rebuild the LORD's Temple.

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

I lost patience with three other shepherds, who hated me, and I got rid of them all in a single month.

Then I took the stick called "Favor" and broke it, to cancel the covenant which the LORD had made with all the nations.

I said to them, "If you are willing, give me my wages. But if not, keep them." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver as my wages.

"I will fill the descendants of David and the other people of Jerusalem with the spirit of mercy and the spirit of prayer. They will look at the one whom they stabbed to death, and they will mourn for him like those who mourn for an only child. They will mourn bitterly, like those who have lost their first-born son.

The LORD Almighty says, "Wake up, sword, and attack the shepherd who works for me! Kill him, and the sheep will be scattered. I will attack my people

At that time he will stand on the Mount of Olives, to the east of Jerusalem. Then the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west by a large valley. Half of the mountain will move northward, and half of it southward.

The LORD Almighty answers, "I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant."

He will come to judge like one who refines and purifies silver. As a metalworker refines silver and gold, so the LORD's messenger will purify the priests, so that they will bring to the LORD the right kind of offerings.

But for you who obey me, my saving power will rise on you like the sun and bring healing like the sun's rays. You will be as free and happy as calves let out of a stall.

"Remember the teachings of my servant Moses, the laws and commands which I gave him at Mount Sinai for all the people of Israel to obey.

He will bring fathers and children together again; otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country."

Why do the nations plan rebellion? Why do people make their useless plots?

"Let us free ourselves from their rule," they say; "let us throw off their control."

Then he warns them in anger and terrifies them with his fury.

"I will announce," says the king, "what the LORD has declared. He said to me: 'You are my son; today I have become your father.

You will break them with an iron rod; you will shatter them in pieces like a clay pot.' "

Serve the LORD with fear; tremble

And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure,

You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I have cried desperately for help, but still it does not come.

But you are enthroned as the Holy One, the one whom Israel praises.

They called to you and escaped from danger; they trusted you and were not disappointed.

All who see me make fun of me; they stick out their tongues and shake their heads.

It was you who brought me safely through birth, and when I was a baby, you kept me safe.

Do not stay away from me! Trouble is near, and there is no one to help.

They open their mouths like lions, roaring and tearing at me.

My throat is as dry as dust, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have left me for dead in the dust.

All my bones can be seen. My enemies look at me and stare.

O LORD, don't stay away from me! Come quickly to my rescue!

Rescue me from these lions; I am helpless before these wild bulls.

"Praise him, you servants of the LORD! Honor him, you descendants of Jacob! Worship him, you people of Israel!

In the full assembly I will praise you for what you have done; in the presence of those who worship you I will offer the sacrifices I promised.

All nations will remember the LORD. From every part of the world they will turn to him; all races will worship him.

All proud people will bow down to him; all mortals will bow down before him.

People not yet born will be told: "The Lord saved his people."

You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,

How I love to do your will, my God! I keep your teaching in my heart."

Save me, O God! The water is up to my neck;

I am worn out from calling for help, and my throat is aching. I have strained my eyes, looking for your help.

My sins, O God, are not hidden from you; you know how foolish I have been.

It is for your sake that I have been insulted and that I am covered with shame.

My devotion to your Temple burns in me like a fire; the insults which are hurled at you fall on me.

I dress myself in clothes of mourning, and they laugh at me.

But as for me, I will pray to you, LORD; answer me, God, at a time you choose. Answer me because of your great love, because you keep your promise to save.

Don't let the flood come over me; don't let me drown in the depths or sink into the grave.

Don't hide yourself from your servant; I am in great trouble---answer me now!

You know how I am insulted, how I am disgraced and dishonored; you see all my enemies.

When I was hungry, they gave me poison; when I was thirsty, they offered me vinegar.

Strike them with blindness! Make their backs always weak!

May their camps be left deserted; may no one be left alive in their tents.

Keep a record of all their sins; don't let them have any part in your salvation.

But I am in pain and despair; lift me up, O God, and save me!

This will please the LORD more than offering him cattle, more than sacrificing a full-grown bull.

The LORD listens to those in need and does not forget his people in prison.

He will save Jerusalem and rebuild the towns of Judah. His people will live there and possess the land;

Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice,

May the land enjoy prosperity; may it experience righteousness.

May your people worship you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon gives light, for ages to come.

May righteousness flourish in his lifetime, and may prosperity last as long as the moon gives light.

The peoples of the desert will bow down before him; his enemies will throw themselves to the ground.

All kings will bow down before him; all nations will serve him.

He has pity on the weak and poor; he saves the lives of those in need.

Long live the king! May he be given gold from Sheba; may prayers be said for him at all times; may God's blessings be on him always!

May the king's name never be forgotten; may his fame last as long as the sun. May all nations ask God to bless them as he has blessed the king.

Praise his glorious name forever! May his glory fill the whole world. Amen! Amen!

LORD God, my savior, I cry out all day, and at night I come before you.

So many troubles have fallen on me that I am close to death.

I am abandoned among the dead; I am like the slain lying in their graves, those you have forgotten completely, who are beyond your help.

Your anger lies heavy on me, and I am crushed beneath its waves.

my eyes are weak from suffering. LORD, every day I call to you and lift my hands to you in prayer.

Is your constant love spoken of in the grave or your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

LORD, I call to you for help; every morning I pray to you.

Ever since I was young, I have suffered and been near death; I am worn out from the burden of your punishments.

All day long they surround me like a flood; they close in on me from every side.

They oppose me, even though I love them and have prayed for them.

Choose some corrupt judge to try my enemy, and let one of his own enemies accuse him.

May his life soon be ended; may someone else take his job!

May his children be homeless beggars; may they be driven from the ruins they live in!

May no one ever be kind to him or care for the orphans he leaves behind.

May the LORD remember the evil of his ancestors and never forgive his mother's sins.

That man never thought of being kind; he persecuted and killed the poor, the needy, and the helpless.

He cursed as naturally as he dressed himself; may his own curses soak into his body like water and into his bones like oil!

LORD, punish my enemies in that way--- those who say such evil things against me!

The LORD said to my lord, "Sit here at my right side until I put your enemies under your feet."

On the day you fight your enemies, your people will volunteer. Like the dew of early morning your young men will come to you on the sacred hills.

The Lord is at your right side; when he becomes angry, he will defeat kings.

The king will drink from the stream by the road, and strengthened, he will stand victorious.

The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.

You study the Scriptures, because you think that in them you will find eternal life. And these very Scriptures speak about me!

According to his usual habit Paul went to the synagogue. There during three Sabbaths he held discussions with the people, quoting

and explaining the Scriptures, and proving from them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from death. "This Jesus whom I announce to you," Paul said, "is the Messiah."

They tried to find out when the time would be and how it would come. This was the time to which Christ's Spirit in them was pointing, in predicting the sufferings that Christ would have to endure and the glory that would follow.

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.