Jesus said to them,“ This is what I told you while I was still with you. Everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms must come true.”

耶稣对他们说：“这就是我从前与你们同在之时所告诉你们的话说：摩西的律法、先知的书，和诗篇上所记的，凡指着我的话都必须应验。”

耶稣对他们说：“这就是我从前和你们同在时所告诉你们的话：摩西的律法、先知的书，和《诗篇》上所记一切指着我的话都必须应验。”

耶稣对他们说：“这就是我从前和你们同在时所告诉你们的话：摩西的律法、先知的书，和《诗篇》上所记一切指着我的话都必须应验。”

耶稣对他们说：“我跟你们在一起的时候曾经说过，摩西的律法书、先知的书以及诗篇里有关我的记载都要应验。”

主对他们说：“这就是我从前与你们同在的时候，对你们说过的话：摩西的律法、先知书和诗篇上所记关于我的一切事，都必定应验。”

耶稣对他们说：“这就是我还与你们在一起的时候，对你们说过的话：摩西的律法、先知书和诗篇上所记的有关我的一切事，都必须应验。”

耶穌對他們說：「這就是我從前與你們同在之時所告訴你們的話說：摩西的律法、先知的書，和詩篇上所記的，凡指着我的話都必須應驗。」

耶穌對他們說：「這就是我從前和你們同在時所告訴你們的話：摩西的律法、先知的書，和《詩篇》上所記一切指着我的話都必須應驗。」

耶穌對他們說：「這就是我從前和你們同在時所告訴你們的話：摩西的律法、先知的書，和《詩篇》上所記一切指着我的話都必須應驗。」

耶穌對他們說：「我跟你們在一起的時候曾經說過，摩西的律法書、先知的書以及詩篇裡有關我的記載都要應驗。」

主對他們說：“這就是我從前與你們同在的時候，對你們說過的話：摩西的律法、先知書和詩篇上所記關於我的一切事，都必定應驗。”

耶穌又對他們說：『我這些話、我從前還和你們同在時所對你們講的話、就是：凡摩西《律法書》和《神言人的書》跟《詩篇》上所記的關於我的話、都必須得應驗。』

耶穌對他們說：「這就是我還與你們在一起的時候，對你們說過的話：摩西的律法、先知書和詩篇上所記的有關我的一切事，都必須應驗。」

謂之曰、此乃我素偕爾時、所語爾者、云、凡摩西律、先知書、及詩篇所載指我者、悉必應也、

曰、摩西例、先知書、及詩篇、所載指我者、皆應、我素偕爾、曾言之矣、

曰、昔我偕爾時、曾告爾云、凡摩西律法、先知書、及詩篇所載指我之言、皆必應、今果應矣、

耶穌又謂諸徒曰：『曩日與爾同處、予曾明言、摩西律先知書與聖詠中所載予事、悉當應驗。』

He said to them,“ This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

Then he said to them,“ These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Then he said,“ When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

He told them,“ These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you— that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Now He said to them,“ These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all the things that are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

Then He said to them,“ These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me.

Then He told them,“ These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you— that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”

And he said unto them, These[ are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and[ in] the prophets, and[ in] the psalms, concerning me.

Then he said to them,“ These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.”

He said to them,“ This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”

Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and then receive his glory?”Jesus explained to them what was said about himself in all the Scriptures. He began with Moses and all the Prophets.

“ I will pour out a spirit of grace and prayer on David’s family line. I will also send it on those who live in Jerusalem. They will look to me. I am the one they have pierced. They will mourn over me as someone mourns over an only child who has died. They will be full of sorrow over me. Their sorrow will be just like someone’s sorrow over an oldest son.

he has done for us, their children. He has raised up Jesus. This is what is written in the second Psalm. It says,“‘ You are my son. Today I have become your father.’( Psalm 2:7)

He said,“ The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead.”

“ City of Zion, be full of joy! People of Jerusalem, shout! See, your king comes to you. He always does what is right. He has won the victory. He is humble and riding on a donkey. He is sitting on a donkey’s colt.

When I heard this, I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me,“ Don’t do that! I serve God, just as you do. I am God’s servant, just like believers who hold firmly to what Jesus has taught. Worship God! The Spirit of prophecy tells the truth about Jesus.”

God, give the king the ability to judge fairly. He is your royal son. Help him to do what is right.May he rule your people in the right way. May he be fair to those among your people who are hurting.May the mountains and the hills produce rich crops, because the people will do what is right.May the king stand up for those who are hurting. May he save the children of those who are in need. May he crush those who treat others badly.May the king rule as long as the sun shines and the moon gives its light. May he rule for all time to come.May he be like rain falling on the fields. May he be like showers watering the earth.May godly people do well as long as he rules. May they have more than they need as long as the moon lasts.May the king rule from sea to sea. May his kingdom reach from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.May the desert tribes bow down to him. May his enemies lick the dust.May the kings of Tarshish and of places far away bring him gifts. May the kings of Sheba and Seba give him presents.May all kings bow down to him. May all nations serve him.The king will save needy people who cry out to him. He will save those who are hurting and have no one else to help.He will take pity on those who are weak and in need. He will save them from death.He will save them from people who treat others badly. He will save them from people who do mean things to them. Their lives are very special to him.May the king live a long time! May gold from Sheba be given to him. May people always pray for him. May they ask the Lord to bless him all day long.May there be plenty of grain everywhere in the land. May it sway in the wind on the tops of the hills. May the crops grow well, like those in Lebanon. May they grow like the grass of the field.May the king’s name be remembered forever. May his fame last as long as the sun shines. Then all nations will be blessed because of him. They will call him blessed.Give praise to the Lord God, the God of Israel. Only he can do wonderful things.Give praise to his glorious name forever. May his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, end here.

The Lord says to my lord,“ Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your control.”The Lord will make your royal authority spread out from Zion to other lands. He says,“ Rule over your enemies who are all around you.”Your troops will be willing to fight for you on the day of battle. Your young men will be wrapped in holy majesty. They will come to you like the fresh dew that falls early in the morning.The Lord has made a promise. He will not change his mind. He has said,“ You are a priest forever, just like Melchizedek.”The Lord is at your right hand. He will crush kings on the day when he is angry.He will judge the nations. He will pile up dead bodies on the field of battle. He will crush the rulers of the whole earth.He will drink from a brook along the way and receive new strength. And so he will win the battle.

“ Comfort my people,” says your God.“ Comfort them.Speak tenderly to the people of Jerusalem. Announce to them that their hard labor has been completed. Tell them that their sin has been paid for. Tell them the Lord has punished them enough for all their sins.”A messenger is calling out,“ In the desert prepare the way for the Lord. Make a straight road through it for our God.Every valley will be filled in. Every mountain and hill will be made level. The rough ground will be smoothed out. The rocky places will be made flat.Then the glory of the Lord will appear. And everyone will see it together. The Lord has spoken.”Another messenger says,“ Cry out.” And I said,“ What should I cry?”“ Cry out,‘ All people are like grass. They don’t stay faithful to me any longer than wildflowers last.The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground. That happens when the Lord makes his wind blow on them. So people are just like grass.The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground. But what our God says will stand forever.’ ”Zion, you are bringing good news to your people. Go up on a high mountain and announce it. Jerusalem, you are bringing good news to them. Shout the message loudly. Shout it out loud. Don’t be afraid. Say to the towns of Judah,“ Your God is coming!”The Lord and King is coming with power. He rules with a powerful arm. He has set his people free. He is bringing them back as his reward. He has won the battle over their enemies.He takes care of his flock like a shepherd. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them close to his heart. He gently leads those that have little ones.

Give Joshua a message from the Lord who rules over all. He says,‘ Here is the man whose name is the Branch. He will branch out and build my temple.

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me. He will be one of your own people. You must listen to him.At Mount Horeb you asked the Lord your God for a prophet. You asked him on the day you gathered together. You said,“ We don’t want to hear the voice of the Lord our God. We don’t want to see this great fire anymore. If we do, we’ll die.”The Lord said to me,“ What they are saying is good.I will raise up for them a prophet like you. He will be one of their own people. I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him to say.The prophet will speak in my name. But someone might not listen to what I say through the prophet. I will hold that person responsible for not listening.

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming. It is not the real things themselves. The same sacrifices have to be offered over and over again. They must be offered year after year. That’s why the law can never make perfect those who come near to worship.

Moses said,‘ The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me. He will be one of your own people. You must listen to everything he tells you.Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’( Deuteronomy 18:15, 18, 19)“ Beginning with Samuel, all the prophets spoke about this. They said these days would come.

Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how he told you he would rise. It was while he was still with you in Galilee.He said,‘ The Son of Man must be handed over to sinful people. He must be nailed to a cross. On the third day he will rise from the dead.’ ”

Do you believe Moses? Then you should believe me. He wrote about me.

The Lord says,“ My servant will act wisely and accomplish his task. He will be highly honored. He will be greatly respected.Many people were shocked when they saw him. He was so scarred that he no longer looked like a person. His body was so twisted that he did not look like a human being anymore.But many nations will be surprised when they see what he has done. Kings will be so amazed that they will not be able to say anything. They will understand things they were never told. They will know the meaning of things they never heard.”Who has believed what we’ve been saying? Who has seen the Lord’ s saving power?His servant grew up like a tender young plant. He grew like a root coming up out of dry ground. He didn’t have any beauty or majesty that made us notice him. There wasn’t anything special about the way he looked that drew us to him.People looked down on him. They didn’t accept him. He knew all about pain and suffering. He was like someone people turn their faces away from. We looked down on him. We didn’t have any respect for him.He suffered the things we should have suffered. He took on himself the pain that should have been ours. But we thought God was punishing him. We thought God was wounding him and making him suffer.But the servant was pierced because we had sinned. He was crushed because we had done what was evil. He was punished to make us whole again. His wounds have healed us.All of us are like sheep. We have wandered away from God. All of us have turned to our own way. And the Lord has placed on his servant the sins of all of us.He was treated badly and made to suffer. But he didn’t open his mouth. He was led away like a lamb to be killed. Sheep are silent while their wool is being cut off. In the same way, he didn’t open his mouth.He was arrested and sentenced to death. Then he was taken away. He was cut off from this life. He was punished for the sins of my people. Who among those who were living at that time tried to stop what was happening?He was given a grave with those who were evil. But his body was buried in the tomb of a rich man. He was killed even though he hadn’t harmed anyone. And he had never lied to anyone.The Lord says,“ It was my plan to crush him and cause him to suffer. I made his life an offering to pay for sin. But he will see all his children after him. In fact, he will continue to live. My plan will be brought about through him.After he has suffered, he will see the light of life. And he will be satisfied. My godly servant will make many people godly because of what he will accomplish. He will be punished for their sins.So I will give him a place of honor among those who are great. He will be rewarded just like others who win the battle. That’s because he was willing to give his life as a sacrifice. He was counted among those who had committed crimes. He took the sins of many people on himself. And he gave his life for those who had done what is wrong.”

You didn’t want sacrifices and offerings. You didn’t require burnt offerings and sin offerings. You opened my ears so that I could hear you and obey you.Then I said,“ Here I am. It is written about me in the book.My God, I have come to do what you want. Your law is in my heart.”

A child will be born to us. A son will be given to us. He will rule over us. And he will be called Wonderful Adviser and Mighty God. He will also be called Father Who Lives Forever and Prince Who Brings Peace.

In one month I got rid of three worthless shepherds. The sheep hated me, and I got tired of them.So I said,“ I won’t be your shepherd anymore. Let those of you who are dying die. Let those who are passing away pass away. Let those who are left eat one another up.”Then I got my staff called Favor. I broke it. That meant the covenant the Lord had made with all the nations was broken.It happened that day. The sheep that had been treated badly were watching me. They knew it was the Lord’ s message.I told them,“ If you think it is best, give me my pay. But if you don’t think so, keep it.” So they paid me 30 silver coins.The Lord said to me,“ Throw those coins to the potter.” That amount shows how little they valued me! So I threw the 30 silver coins to the potter at the Lord’ s temple.

Jesse’s family is like a tree that has been cut down. A new little tree will grow from its stump. From its roots a Branch will grow and produce fruit.The Spirit of the Lord will rest on that Branch. The Spirit will help him to be wise and understanding. The Spirit will help him make wise plans and carry them out. The Spirit will help him know the Lord and have respect for him.The Branch will take delight in respecting the Lord. He will not judge things only by the way they look. He won’t make decisions based simply on what people say.He will always do what is right when he judges those who are in need. He’ll be completely fair when he makes decisions about poor people. When he commands that people be punished, it will happen. When he orders that evil people be put to death, it will take place.He will put on godliness as if it were his belt. He’ll wear faithfulness around his waist.Wolves will live with lambs. Leopards will lie down with goats. Calves and lions will eat together. And little children will lead them around.Cows will eat with bears. Their little ones will lie down together. And lions will eat straw like oxen.A baby will play near a hole where cobras live. A young child will put its hand into a nest where poisonous snakes live.None of those animals will harm or destroy anything or anyone on my holy mountain of Zion. The oceans are full of water. In the same way, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.At that time, here is what the man who is called the Root of Jesse will do. He will be like a banner that brings nations together. They will come to him. And the place where he rules will be glorious.

The stone the builders didn’t accept has become the most important stone of all.

“ Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men.”

I will place one shepherd over them. He will belong to the family line of my servant David. He will take good care of them. He will look after them. He will be their shepherd.

“ My sword, wake up! Attack my shepherd! Attack the man who is close to me,” announces the Lord who rules over all.“ Strike down the shepherd. Then the sheep will be scattered. And I will turn my hand against their little ones.

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again.

My God, my God, why have you deserted me? Why do you seem so far away when I need you to save me? Why do you seem so far away that you can’t hear my groans?My God, I cry out in the daytime. But you don’t answer. I cry out at night. But you don’t let me sleep.But you rule from your throne as the Holy One. You are the God Israel praises.Our people of long ago put their trust in you. They trusted in you, and you saved them.They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you, and you didn’t let them down.Everyone treats me like a worm and not a man. They hate me and look down on me.All those who see me laugh at me. They shout at me and make fun of me. They shake their heads at me.They say,“ He trusts in the Lord. Let the Lord help him. If the Lord is pleased with him, let him save him.”But you brought me out of my mother’s body. You made me trust in you even when I was at my mother’s breast.From the time I was born, you took good care of me. Ever since I came out of my mother’s body, you have been my God.Don’t be far away from me. Trouble is near, and there is no one to help me.Many enemies are all around me. They are like strong bulls from the land of Bashan.They are like roaring lions that tear to pieces what they kill. They open their mouths wide to attack me.My strength is like water that is poured out on the ground. I feel as if my bones aren’t connected. My heart has turned to wax. It has melted away inside me.My mouth is dried up like a piece of broken pottery. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You bring me down to the edge of the grave.A group of sinful people has closed in on me. They are all around me like a pack of dogs. They have pierced my hands and my feet.Everyone can see all my bones right through my skin. People stare at me. They laugh when I suffer.They divide up my clothes among them. They cast lots for what I am wearing.Lord, don’t be so far away from me. You give me strength. Come quickly to help me.Save me from being killed by the sword. Save the only life I have. Save me from the power of those dogs.Save me from the mouths of those lions. Save me from the horns of those wild oxen.I will announce your name to my people. I will praise you among those who are gathered to worship you.You who have respect for the Lord, praise him! All you people of Jacob, honor him! All you people of Israel, worship him!He has not forgotten the one who is hurting. He has not turned away from his suffering. He has not turned his face away from him. He has listened to his cry for help.Because of what you have done, I will praise you in the whole community of those who worship you. In front of those who respect you, I will keep my promises.Those who are poor will eat and be satisfied. Those who seek the Lord will praise him. May their hearts be filled with new hope!People from one end of the earth to the other will remember and turn to the Lord. The people of all the nations will bow down in front of him.The Lord is King. He rules over the nations.All rich people of the earth will feast and worship God. All who go down to the grave will kneel in front of him. Those who cannot keep themselves alive will kneel.Those who are not yet born will serve him. Those who are born later will be told about the Lord.And they will tell people who have not yet been born,“ The Lord has done what is right!”

Here is what the Holy Spirit was showing us. He was telling us that God had not yet clearly shown the way into the Most Holy Room. It would not be clearly shown as long as the first holy tent was still being used.

They bring charges against me, even though I love them and pray for them.They pay me back with evil for the good things I do. They pay back my love with hatred.Appoint an evil person to take my enemies to court. Let him stand at their right hand and bring charges against them.When they are tried, let them be found guilty. May even their prayers judge them.May their days be few. Let others take their places as leaders.May their children’s fathers die. May their wives become widows.May their children be driven from their destroyed homes. May they wander around like beggars.May everything those people own be taken away to pay for what they owe. May strangers rob them of everything they’ve worked for.May no one be kind to them or take pity on the children they leave behind.May their family line come to an end. May their names be forgotten by those who live after them.May the Lord remember the evil things their fathers have done. May he never erase the sins of their mothers.May the Lord never forget their sins. Then he won’t let people remember the names of my enemies anymore.They never thought about doing anything kind. Instead, they drove those who were poor and needy to their deaths. They did the same thing to those whose hearts were broken.They loved to curse others. May their curses come back on them. They didn’t find any pleasure in giving anyone their blessing. May no blessing ever come to them.They cursed others as easily as they put on clothes. Cursing was as natural to them as getting a drink of water or putting olive oil on their bodies.May their curses cover them like coats. May their curses be wrapped around them like a belt forever.May that be the Lord’ s way of paying back those who bring charges against me. May it happen to those who say evil things about me.

The Lord himself will give you a sign. The virgin is going to have a baby. She will give birth to a son. And he will be called Immanuel.

Lord, you are the God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you.Please hear my prayer. Pay attention to my cry for help.I have so many troubles I’m about to die.People think my life is over. I’m like someone who doesn’t have any strength.People treat me as if I were dead. I’m like those who have been killed and are now in the grave. You don’t even remember them anymore. They are cut off from your care.It’s as if you have put me deep down in the grave. It’s as if you have put me in that deep, dark place.Your great anger lies heavy on me. All the waves of your anger have crashed over me.You have taken my closest friends away from me. You have made me sickening to them. I feel trapped and can’t escape.I’m crying so much I can’t see very well. Lord, I call out to you every day. I lift up my hands to you in prayer.Do you do wonderful things for those who are dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you?Do those who are dead speak about your love? Do those who are in the grave tell how faithful you are?Are your wonderful deeds known in that dark place? Are your holy acts known in that land where the dead are forgotten?Lord, I cry out to you for help. In the morning I pray to you.Lord, why do you say no to me? Why do you turn your face away from me?I’ve been in pain ever since I was young. I’ve been close to death. You have made me suffer terrible things. I have lost all hope.Your great anger has swept over me. Your terrors have destroyed me.All day long they surround me like a flood. They have closed in all around me.You have taken my friends and neighbors away from me. Darkness is my closest friend.

“ This is the same Moses who spoke to the Israelites.‘ God will send you a prophet,’ he said.‘ He will be like me. He will come from your own people.’( Deuteronomy 18:15)

So my heart is glad. Joy is on my tongue. My body also will be secure.You will not leave me in the place of the dead. You will not let your faithful one rot away.You always show me the path of life. You will fill me with joy when I am with you. You will make me happy forever at your right hand.

People who live on the islands, listen to me. Pay attention, you nations far away. Before I was born the Lord chose me to serve him. Before I was born the Lord spoke my name.He made my words like a sharp sword. He hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow. He took good care of me and kept me safe.He said to me,“ You are my true servant Israel. I will show my glory through you.”But I said,“ In spite of my hard work, I feel as if I haven’t accomplished anything. I’ve used up all my strength. It seems as if everything I’ve done is worthless. But the Lord will give me what I should receive. My God will reward me.”The Lord formed me in my mother’s body to be his servant. He wanted me to bring the family of Jacob back to him. He wanted me to gather the people of Israel to himself. The Lord will honor me. My God will give me strength.Here is what the Lord says to me.“ It is not enough for you as my servant to bring the tribes of Jacob back to their land. It is not enough for you to bring back the people of Israel I have kept alive. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles. Then you will make it possible for the whole world to be saved.”The Lord sets his people free. He is the Holy One of Israel. He speaks to his servant, who is looked down on and hated by the nations. He speaks to the servant of rulers. He says to him,“ Kings will see you and stand up to honor you. Princes will see you and bow down to show you their respect. I am the Lord. I am faithful. I am the Holy One of Israel. I have chosen you.”The Lord says to his servant,“ When it is time to have mercy on you, I will answer your prayers. When it is time to save you, I will help you. I will keep you safe. You will put into effect my covenant with the people of Israel. Then their land will be made like new again. Each tribe will be sent back to its territory that was left empty.

“ Here is my servant. I take good care of him. I have chosen him. I am very pleased with him. I will put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations.He will not shout or cry out. He will not raise his voice in the streets.He will not break a bent twig. He will not put out a dimly burning flame. He will be faithful and make everything right.He will not grow weak or lose hope. He will not give up until he brings justice to the earth. The islands will put their hope in his teaching.”

The court must provide a safe place for the person accused of murder. It must keep the one accused of murder safe from those who want to kill them. The court must send the accused person back to the city they ran to for safety. The accused person must stay there until the high priest dies. That priest has been anointed with holy oil.

“ The Lord has appointed 70‘ weeks’ for your people and your holy city. During that time, acts against God’s law will be stopped. Sin will come to an end. And the evil things people do will be paid for. Then everyone will always do what is right. Everything that has been made known in visions and prophecies will come true. And the Most Holy Room in the temple will be anointed.“ Here is what I want you to know and understand. There will be seven‘ weeks.’ Then there will be 62‘ weeks.’ The seven‘ weeks’ will begin when an order is given to rebuild Jerusalem and make it like new again. At the end of the 62‘ weeks,’ the Anointed King will come. Jerusalem will have streets and a water system when it is rebuilt. But that will be done in times of trouble.After the 62‘ weeks,’ the Anointed King will be put to death. His followers will desert him. And everything he has will be taken away from him. The army of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the temple. The end will come like a flood. War will continue until the end. The Lord has ordered that many places be destroyed.A covenant will be put into effect with many people for one‘ week.’ In the middle of the‘ week’ sacrifices and offerings will come to an end. And at the temple a hated thing that destroys will be set up. It will remain until that ruler who will come is destroyed. Then he will experience what the Lord has ordered.”

But I will show love to the people of Judah. And I will save them. I will not use bows or swords or other weapons of war to do it. I will not save them by using horses and horsemen either. Instead, I will use my own power to save them. I am the Lord their God. And I will save them.”Later, Gomer stopped nursing Lo- Ruhamah. After that, she had another son.Then the Lord said,“ Name him Lo- Ammi.” Lo- Ammi means Not My People.“ That’s because Israel is no longer my people. And I am no longer their God.“ But the time will come when the people of Israel will be like the sand on the seashore. It can’t be measured or counted. Now it is said about them,‘ You are not my people.’ But at that time they will be called‘ children of the living God.’The people of Judah and Israel will come together again. They will appoint one leader and come up out of the land. And Jezreel’s day will be great.

The Spirit of the Lord and King is on me. The Lord has anointed me to announce good news to poor people. He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts have been broken. He has sent me to announce freedom for those who have been captured. He wants me to set prisoners free from their dark cells.He has sent me to announce the year when he will set his people free. He wants me to announce the day when he will pay his enemies back. Our God has sent me to comfort all those who are sad.He wants me to help those in Zion who are filled with sorrow. I will put beautiful crowns on their heads in place of ashes. I will anoint them with olive oil to give them joy instead of sorrow. I will give them a spirit of praise in place of a spirit of sadness. They will be like oak trees that are strong and straight. The Lord himself will plant them in the land. That will show how glorious he is.

The Lord said to Moses,“ Make a snake. Put it up on a pole. Then anyone who is bitten can look at it and remain alive.”

All nations on earth will be blessed because of your children. All these things will happen because you have obeyed me.”

When I came to save you, why didn’t anyone welcome me? When I called out to you, why didn’t anyone answer me? Wasn’t I powerful enough to set you free? Wasn’t I strong enough to save you? I dry up the sea with a single command. I turn rivers into a desert. Then fish rot because they do not have any water. They die because they are thirsty.I make the sky turn dark. It looks as if it’s dressed in clothing sad people wear.”The Lord and King has taught me what to say. He has taught me how to help those who are tired. He wakes me up every morning. He makes me want to listen like a good student.The Lord and King has unplugged my ears. I’ve always obeyed him. I haven’t turned away from him.I let my enemies beat me on my bare back. I let them pull the hair out of my beard. I didn’t turn my face away when they made fun of me and spit on me.

Melchizedek was the king of Jerusalem. He brought out bread and wine. He was the priest of the Most High God.

God, save me. My troubles are like a flood. I’m up to my neck in them.I’m sinking in deep mud. I have no firm place to stand. I am out in deep water. The waves roll over me.I’m worn out from calling for help. My throat is very dry. My eyes grow tired looking for my God.Those who hate me without any reason are more than the hairs on my head. Many people who don’t have any reason to be my enemies are trying to destroy me. They force me to give back what I didn’t steal.God, you know how foolish I’ve been. My guilt is not hidden from you.Lord, you are the Lord who rules over all. May those who put their hope in you not be dishonored because of me. You are the God of Israel. May those who worship you not be put to shame because of me.Because of you, people laugh at me. My face is covered with shame.I’m an outsider to my own family. I’m a stranger to my own mother’s children.My great love for your house destroys me. Those who make fun of you make fun of me also.When I weep and go without eating, they laugh at me.When I put on rough clothing to show how sad I am, people make jokes about me.Those who gather in public places make fun of me. Those who get drunk make up songs about me.But Lord, I pray to you. May this be the time you help me. God, answer me because you love me so much. Save me, as you always do.Save me from the trouble I’m in. It’s like slippery mud, so don’t let me sink in it. Save me from those who hate me. Save me from the deep water I’m in.Don’t let the floods cover me. Don’t let the deep water swallow me up. Don’t let the grave close its mouth over me.Lord, answer me because your love is so good. Turn to me because you are so kind.Don’t turn your face away from me. Answer me quickly. I’m in trouble.Come near and save me. Set me free from my enemies.You know how they make fun of me. They dishonor me and put me to shame. You know all about my enemies.They have broken my heart by saying evil things about me. It has left me helpless. I looked for pity, but I didn’t find any. I looked for someone to comfort me, but I didn’t find anyone.They put bitter spices in my food. They gave me vinegar when I was thirsty.Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let my enemies get what’s coming to them.Let their eyes grow weak so they can’t see. Let their backs be bent forever.Pour out your anger on them. Let them feel what it is like.May their homes be deserted. May no one live in their tents.They attack those you have wounded. They talk about the pain of those you have hurt.Charge them with one crime after another. Don’t save them.May their names be erased from the book of life. Don’t include them in the list of those who do right.I’m in pain. I’m in deep trouble. God, save me and keep me safe.I will praise God’s name by singing to him. I will bring him glory by giving him thanks.That will please the Lord more than offering him an ox. It will please him more than offering him a bull with its horns and hooves.Poor people will see it and be glad. The hearts of those who worship God will be strengthened.The Lord hears those who are in need. He doesn’t forget his people in prison.Let heaven and earth praise him. Let the oceans and everything that moves in them praise him.God will save Zion. He will build the cities of Judah again. Then people will live in them and own the land.The children of those who serve God will receive it. Those who love him will live there.

They wanted to find out when and how this salvation would come. The Spirit of Christ in them was telling them about the sufferings of the Messiah. These were his sufferings that were going to come. The Spirit of Christ was also telling them about the glory that would follow.

“ A new day is coming,” announces the Lord.“ At that time I will raise up for David’s royal line a godly Branch. He will be a King who will rule wisely. He will do what is fair and right in the land.

Jerusalem, you are being attacked. So bring your troops together. Our enemies have surrounded us. They want to slap the face of Israel’s ruler.The Lord says,“ Bethlehem Ephrathah, you might not be an important town in the nation of Judah. But out of you will come for me a ruler over Israel. His family line goes back to the early years of your nation. It goes all the way back to days of long ago.”The Lord will hand over his people to their enemies. That will last until the pregnant woman bears her promised son. Then the rest of his relatives in Judah will return to their land.That promised son will stand firm and be a shepherd for his flock. The Lord will give him the strength to do it. The Lord his God will give him the authority to rule. His people will live safely. His greatness will reach from one end of the earth to the other.

After that, the people of Israel will return to the Lord their God. They will look to him and to a king from the family line of David. In the last days, they will tremble with fear as they come to the Lord. And they will receive his full blessing.

Why do the nations plan evil together? Why do they make useless plans?The kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. The rulers of the earth join together against his anointed king.“ Let us break free from their chains,” they say.“ Let us throw off their ropes.”The God who sits on his throne in heaven laughs. The Lord makes fun of those rulers and their plans.When he is angry, he warns them. When his anger blazes out, he terrifies them.He says to them,“ I have placed my king on my holy mountain of Zion.”I will announce what the Lord has promised. He said to me,“ You are my son. Today I have become your father.Ask me, and I will give the nations to you. All nations on earth will belong to you.You will break them with an iron scepter. You will smash them to pieces like clay pots.”Kings, be wise! Rulers of the earth, be warned!Serve the Lord and have respect for him. Celebrate his rule with trembling.Obey the son completely, or he will be angry. Your way of life will lead to your death. His anger can blaze out at any moment. Blessed are all those who go to him for safety.

“ Moses was faithful as one who serves in the house of God.”( Numbers 12:7) He was a witness to what God would say in days to come.

Melchizedek was the king of Salem. He was the priest of God Most High. He met Abraham, who was returning from winning a battle over some kings. Melchizedek blessed him.

“ In my vision I saw one who looked like a son of man. He was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Eternal God. He was led right up to him.

“‘ The Lord and King says,“ I myself will get a twig from the very top of a cedar tree and plant it. I will break off the highest twig. I will plant it on a very high mountain.

“ In the time of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom. It will never be destroyed. And no other nation will ever take it over. It will crush all those other kingdoms. It will bring them to an end. But it will last forever.

So the Lord and King speaks. He says,“ Look! I am laying a stone in Zion. It is a stone that has been tested. It is the most important stone for a firm foundation. The one who depends on that stone will never be shaken.

He told them,“ This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day.

Why have I told you this? So that when their time comes, you will remember that I warned you about them. I didn’t tell you this from the beginning because I was with you.But now I am going to the one who sent me. None of you asks me,‘ Where are you going?’

You study the Scriptures carefully. You study them because you think they will give you eternal life. The Scriptures you study are a witness about me.

“ Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another.“ Let’s cast lots to see who will get it.” This happened so that Scripture would come true. It says,“ They divided up my clothes among them. They cast lots for what I was wearing.”( Psalm 22:18) So that is what the soldiers did.Jesus’ mother stood near his cross. So did his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.Jesus saw his mother there. He also saw the disciple he loved standing nearby. Jesus said to his mother,“ Dear woman, here is your son.”He said to the disciple,“ Here is your mother.” From that time on, the disciple took her into his home.Later, Jesus knew that everything had now been finished. He also knew that what Scripture said must come true. So he said,“ I am thirsty.”A jar of wine vinegar was there. So they soaked a sponge in it. They put the sponge on the stem of a hyssop plant. Then they lifted it up to Jesus’ lips.After Jesus drank he said,“ It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.It was Preparation Day. The next day would be a special Sabbath day. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath day. So they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down.The soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the other man.But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead. So they did not break his legs.Instead, one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side. Right away, blood and water flowed out.The man who saw it has been a witness about it. And what he has said is true. He knows that he tells the truth. He is a witness so that you also may believe.These things happened in order that Scripture would come true. It says,“ Not one of his bones will be broken.”( Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20)Scripture also says,“ They will look to the one they have pierced.”( Zechariah 12:10)

They did everything that had been written about Jesus. Then they took him down from the cross. They laid him in a tomb.But God raised him from the dead.For many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they are telling our people about Jesus.

I will shake all the nations. Then what is desired by all nations will come to my temple. And I will fill the temple with glory,” says the Lord who rules over all.“ The silver belongs to me. So does the gold,” announces the Lord who rules over all.“ The new temple will be more beautiful than the first one was,” says the Lord.“ And in this place I will bring peace,” announces the Lord who rules over all.

They came together in Galilee. Then Jesus said to them,“ The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men.They will kill him. On the third day he will rise from the dead.” Then the disciples were filled with deep sadness.

The Lord who rules over all says,“ I will send my messenger. He will prepare my way for me. Then suddenly the Lord you are looking for will come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant will come. He is the one you long for.”But who can live through the day when he comes? Who will be left standing when he appears? He will be like a fire that makes things pure. He will be like soap that makes things clean.He will act like one who makes silver pure. And he will purify the Levites, just as gold and silver are purified with fire. Then these men will bring proper offerings to the Lord.

“ We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said.“ The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles.They will make fun of him and spit on him. They will whip him and kill him. Three days later he will rise from the dead!”

But here is what will happen for you who have respect for me. The sun that brings life will rise. Its rays will bring healing to my people. You will go out and leap for joy like calves that have just been fed.Then you will stomp on sinful people. They will be like ashes under your feet. That will happen on the day I judge,” says the Lord.“ Remember the law my servant Moses gave you. Remember the rules and laws I gave him at Mount Horeb. They were for the whole nation of Israel.“ I will send the prophet Elijah to you. He will come before the day of the Lord arrives. It will be a great and terrifying day.Elijah will bring peace between parents and their children. He will also bring peace between children and their parents. If that does not happen, I will come. And I will completely destroy the land.”

That was because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them,“ The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men. They will kill him. After three days he will rise from the dead.”

On that day he will stand on the Mount of Olives. It’s east of Jerusalem. It will be split in two from east to west. Half of the mountain will move north. The other half will move south. A large valley will be formed.

But then how would the Scriptures come true? They say it must happen in this way.”

Moses lifted up the snake in the desert. In the same way, the Son of Man must also be lifted up.

The Lord said to Moses,“ Speak to your brother Aaron. Tell him not to come into the Most Holy Room just anytime he wants to. Tell him not to come behind the curtain in front of the cover of the ark. The cover is the place where sin is paid for. If he comes behind the curtain, he will die. That is because I appear in the cloud over the cover.“ Aaron must not enter the area of the Most Holy Room without bringing a sacrifice. He must bring a young bull for a sin offering. He must also bring a ram for a burnt offering.He must put on the sacred inner robe made out of linen. He must wear linen underwear next to his body. He must tie the linen belt around him. And he must put the linen turban on his head. Those are sacred clothes. So he must take a bath before he puts them on.The community of Israel must give him two male goats and a ram. The goats are for a sin offering. The ram is for a burnt offering.“ Aaron must offer the bull for his own sin offering. It will pay for his own sin and the sin of his whole family.Then he must take the two goats and bring them to me at the entrance to the tent of meeting.He must cast lots for the two goats. One lot is for me. The other is for the goat that carries the people’s sins away.Aaron must bring the goat chosen for me by lot. He must sacrifice it for a sin offering.But the goat chosen by the other lot must remain alive. First, it must be brought in to me to pay for the people’s sins. Then, it must be sent into the desert as a goat that carries the people’s sins away.“ Aaron must bring the bull for his own sin offering. It will pay for his own sin and the sin of his whole family. He must kill the bull for his own sin offering.He must take a shallow cup full of burning coals from the altar in my sight. He must get two handfuls of incense completely ground up. The incense must smell sweet. He must take the cup and the incense behind the curtain.He must put the incense on the fire in my sight. The smoke from the incense will hide the cover of the ark where the tablets of the covenant law are kept. The cover is the place where sin is paid for. Aaron must burn the incense so that he will not die.He must dip his finger in the bull’s blood. He must sprinkle it on the front of the cover of the ark. He must sprinkle some in front of the cover. He must do it seven times.“ Then Aaron must kill the goat for the sin offering for the people. He must take its blood behind the curtain. There he must do the same thing with it as he did with the bull’s blood. He must sprinkle it on the cover of the ark. He must also sprinkle some in front of it.That is how he will make the Most Holy Room pure. He must do it because the Israelites are not‘ clean.’ They have not obeyed me. They have also committed other sins. Aaron must do the same for the tent of meeting because it stands in the middle of the camp. And the camp is‘ unclean.’Aaron will go into the Most Holy Room to pay for the people’s sin. While Aaron is there, no one may be in the tent of meeting. No one may enter the tent until Aaron comes out. He will not come out until he has paid for his own sin and the sin of his whole family. He will not come out until he has also paid for the sin of the whole community of Israel.“ Then he will come out to the altar for burnt offerings. It is in front of the tent where the ark of the Lord is. He will make the altar pure and clean. He will take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood. Then he will put the blood on all the horns that stick out from the upper four corners of the altar.He will sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times. He will do it to make the altar pure. He will do it to set it apart from the Israelites. They are‘ unclean.’

The right to rule will not leave Judah. The ruler’s scepter will not be taken from between his feet. It will be his until the king it belongs to will come. The nations will obey that king.

“ The days are coming,” announces the Lord.“ At that time I will fulfill my good promise to my people. I made it to the people of Israel and Judah.

Jesus took the 12 disciples to one side. He told them,“ We are going up to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will come true.He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will make fun of him. They will laugh at him and spit on him.They will whip him and kill him. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them. So they didn’t know what Jesus was talking about.

“ After that, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will have dreams. Your young men will have visions.In those days I will pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women alike.I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke.The sun will become dark. The moon will turn red like blood. It will happen before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes.Everyone who calls out to me will be saved. On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem some of my people will be left alive. I have chosen them. That is what I have promised.

Jesus then began to teach his disciples. He taught them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He taught them that the elders would not accept him. The chief priests and the teachers of the law would not accept him either. He must be killed and after three days rise again.He spoke clearly about this. Peter took Jesus to one side and began to scold him.

“ We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said.“ The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death.Then they will hand him over to the Gentiles. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”

I will not remain in the world any longer. But they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name. It is the name you gave me. Keep them safe so they can be one, just as you and I are one.While I was with them, I guarded them. I kept them safe through the name you gave me. None of them has been lost, except the one who was headed for ruin. It happened so that Scripture would come true.“ I am coming to you now. But I say these things while I am still in the world. I say them so that those you gave me can have the same joy that I have.

Paul went into the synagogue as he usually did. For three Sabbath days in a row he talked with the Jews about the Scriptures.He explained and proved that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead.“ This Jesus I am telling you about is the Messiah!” he said.

What I received I passed on to you. And it is the most important of all. Here is what it is. Christ died for our sins, just as Scripture said he would.He was buried. He was raised from the dead on the third day, just as Scripture said he would be.

But all this has happened so that the words of the prophets would come true.” Then all the disciples left him and ran away.

This is the time when God will punish Jerusalem. Everything will come true, just as it has been written.

But God had given a promise through all the prophets. And this is how he has made his promise come true. He said that his Messiah would suffer.

It is written,‘ He was counted among those who had committed crimes.’( Isaiah 53:12) I tell you that what is written about me must come true. Yes, it is already coming true.”

Jesus continued,“ In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me.”After they heard this, some of his disciples spoke to one another. They said,“ What does he mean by saying,‘ In a little while, you will no longer see me. Then after a little while, you will see me’? And what does he mean by saying,‘ I am going to the Father’?”

“ The time will come when I will set up David’s fallen shelter. I will repair its broken walls. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be.

I will make you and the woman hate each other. Your children and her children will be enemies. Her son will crush your head. And you will bite his heel.”