So they got rid of their foreign gods and worshiped the LORD; and he became troubled over Israel's distress.

You are good to us and forgiving, full of constant love for all who pray to you.

But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful.

As a father is kind to his children, so the LORD is kind to those who honor him.

from all their suffering. It was not an angel, but the LORD himself who saved them. In his love and compassion he rescued them. He had always taken care of them in the past,

"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.

He may bring us sorrow, but his love for us is sure and strong.

He takes no pleasure in causing us grief or pain.

"I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat.

Jesus saw her weeping, and he saw how the people with her were weeping also; his heart was touched, and he was deeply moved.

Jesus wept.

This means that he had to become like his people in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, so that the people's sins would be forgiven.

Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.

Everyone there was crying and mourning for the child. Jesus said, "Don't cry; the child is not dead---she is only sleeping!"

The LORD says, "A sound is heard in Ramah, the sound of bitter weeping. Rachel is crying for her children; they are gone, and she refuses to be comforted.

Stop your crying and wipe away your tears. All that you have done for your children will not go unrewarded; they will return from the enemy's land.

"Woman, why are you crying?" they asked her. She answered, "They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!"

"Woman, why are you crying?" Jesus asked her. "Who is it that you are looking for?" She thought he was the gardener, so she said to him, "If you took him away, sir, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him."

those who weep, as though they were not sad; those who laugh, as though they were not happy; those who buy, as though they did not own what they bought;

Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope.