O LORD, you are faithful to those who are faithful to you; completely good to those who are perfect.

"Happy are those who are merciful to others; God will be merciful to them!

for God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others.

May the angel, who has rescued me from all harm, bless them! May my name and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac live on through these boys! May they have many children, many descendants!"

How I love you, LORD! You are my defender.

and saves me from my foes. O LORD, you give me victory over my enemies and protect me from violent people.

The righteous call to the LORD, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles.

The LORD is near to those who are discouraged; he saves those who have lost all hope.

He is my protector and defender, my shelter and savior, in whom I trust for safety. He subdues the nations under me.

They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.

We felt that the death sentence had been passed on us. But this happened so that we should rely, not on ourselves, but only on God, who raises the dead.

From such terrible dangers of death he saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in him that he will save us again,

Pray also that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people; for not everyone believes the message.

"I don't know, sir. You do," I answered. He said to me, "These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.