it is he who made us capable of serving the new covenant, which consists not of a written law but of the Spirit. The written law brings death, but the Spirit gives life.

Perhaps an angel may come to their aid--- one of God's thousands of angels, who remind us of our duty.

Unreliable messengers cause trouble, but those who can be trusted bring peace.

It is the duty of priests to teach the true knowledge of God. People should go to them to learn my will, because they are the messengers of the LORD Almighty.

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so I send you."

I will rescue you from the people of Israel and from the Gentiles to whom I will send you.

You are to open their eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light and from the power of Satan to God, so that through their faith in me they will have their sins forgiven and receive their place among God's chosen people.'

For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

We know what it means to fear the Lord, and so we try to persuade others. God knows us completely, and I hope that in your hearts you know me as well.

In our work together with God, then, we beg you who have received God's grace not to let it be wasted.

The LORD had sent his messengers and prophets to warn Israel and Judah: "Abandon your evil ways and obey my commands, which are contained in the Law I gave to your ancestors and which I handed on to you through my servants the prophets."

The LORD, the God of their ancestors, had continued to send prophets to warn his people, because he wanted to spare them and the Temple.

You warned them to obey your teachings, but in pride they rejected your laws, although keeping your Law is the way to life. Hard-headed and stubborn, they refused to obey.

Turn to the LORD and pray to him, now that he is near.

Let the wicked leave their way of life and change their way of thinking. Let them turn to the LORD, our God; he is merciful and quick to forgive.

I kept sending you my servants the prophets, who told you not to do this terrible thing that I hate.

Give up all the evil you have been doing, and get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you Israelites want to die?

I do not want anyone to die," says the Sovereign LORD. "Turn away from your sins and live."

You and I are the same in God's sight, both of us were formed from clay.

Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me."

My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me.

So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

So then, whoever rejects this teaching is not rejecting a human being, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Now, Job, make peace with God and stop treating him like an enemy; if you do, then he will bless you.

"Foolish people! How long do you want to be foolish? How long will you enjoy making fun of knowledge? Will you never learn?

I have been calling you, inviting you to come, but you would not listen. You paid no attention to me.

So when you get into trouble, I will laugh at you. I will make fun of you when terror strikes---

Then you will call for wisdom, but I will not answer. You may look for me everywhere, but you will not find me.

You have never wanted my advice or paid any attention when I corrected you.

Inexperienced people die because they reject wisdom. Stupid people are destroyed by their own lack of concern.

But if the enemies of my people want my protection, let them make peace with me. Yes, let them make peace with me."

Honor the LORD, your God, before he brings darkness, and you stumble on the mountains; before he turns into deep darkness the light you hoped for.

If you will not listen, I will cry in secret because of your pride; I will cry bitterly, and my tears will flow because the LORD's people have been taken away as captives.

I said, "You will not be handed over to them. I beg you to obey the LORD's message; then all will go well with you, and your life will be spared.

So the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the country roads and lanes and make people come in, so that my house will be full.