When the LORD brings you into the land that you are going to occupy, you are to proclaim the blessing from Mount Gerizim and the curse from Mount Ebal.

"After you have crossed the Jordan, the following tribes are to stand on Mount Gerizim when the blessings are pronounced on the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.

The Israelites, with their leaders, officers, and judges, as well as the foreigners among them, stood on two sides of the LORD's Covenant Box, facing the levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood with their backs to Mount Gerizim and the other half with their backs to Mount Ebal. The LORD's servant Moses had commanded them to do this when the time came for them to receive the blessing.

"My Samaritan ancestors worshiped God on this mountain, but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where we should worship God."

You make my enemies run from me; I destroy those who hate me.

They cry for help, but no one saves them; they call to the LORD, but he does not answer.

Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me."

You refuse to let me correct you; you reject my commands.

"You are always ready to speak evil; you never hesitate to tell lies.

You have done all this, and I have said nothing, so you thought that I am like you. But now I reprimand you and make the matter plain to you.

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 had any use for knowledge and have always refused to obey the LORD.

If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.

If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.

"When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood.

"The kind of fasting I want is this: Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free.

"Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side.

if you give food to the hungry and satisfy those who are in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon.

The servant fell on his knees before the king. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay you everything!'

"Then the man went out and met one of his fellow servants who owed him a few dollars. He grabbed him and started choking him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he said.

But he refused; instead, he had him thrown into jail until he should pay the debt.

So he called the servant in. 'You worthless slave!' he said. 'I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to.

The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount."

For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.