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.

When he is king, the people of Judah will be safe, and the people of Israel will live in peace. He will be called 'The LORD Our Salvation.'

The time is coming when the LORD will make every plant and tree in the land grow large and beautiful. All the people of Israel who survive will take delight and pride in the crops that the land produces.

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.

It was the will of the LORD that his servant grow like a plant taking root in dry ground. He had no dignity or beauty to make us take notice of him. There was nothing attractive about him, nothing that would draw us to him.

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,

on Israel's highest mountain. It will grow branches and bear seed and become a magnificent cedar. Birds of every kind will live there and find shelter in its shade.

Listen then, Joshua, you who are the High Priest; and listen, you fellow priests of his, you that are the sign of a good future: I will reveal my servant, who is called The Branch!

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.

He is the one who will build it and receive the honor due a king, and he will rule his people. A priest will stand by his throne, and they will work together in peace and harmony.'

The spirit of the LORD speaks through me; his message is on my lips.

The God of Israel has spoken; the protector of Israel said to me: "The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God,

Ride on in majesty to victory for the defense of truth and justice! Your strength will win you great victories!

you love what is right and hate what is evil. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has poured out more happiness on you than on any other king.

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.

His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The LORD Almighty is determined to do all this.

The spirit of the LORD will give him wisdom and the knowledge and skill to rule his people. He will know the LORD's will and honor him,

he will judge the poor fairly and defend the rights of the helpless. At his command the people will be punished, and evil persons will die.

Some day there will be a king who rules with integrity, and national leaders who govern with justice.

Each of them will be like a shelter from the wind and a place to hide from storms. They will be like streams flowing in a desert, like the shadow of a giant rock in a barren land.

The LORD is a God who is eager to save, so he exalted his laws and teachings, and he wanted his people to honor them.

Nor does the Father himself judge anyone. He has given his Son the full right to judge,

"I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life.

Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life.

Do not be surprised at this; the time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice

About the Son, however, God said: "Your kingdom, O God, will last forever and ever! You rule over your people with justice.

You love what is right and hate what is wrong. That is why God, your God, has chosen you and has given you the joy of an honor far greater than he gave to your companions."

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,

and Abraham gave him one tenth of all he had taken. (The first meaning of Melchizedek's name is "King of Righteousness"; and because he was king of Salem, his name also means "King of Peace.")

Then I saw heaven open, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True; it is with justice that he judges and fights his battles.