When a country is rebellious it has many princes, but by someone who is discerning and knowledgeable order is maintained.

They travel down to Egypt without seeking my will, seeking Pharaoh’s protection, and looking for safety in Egypt’s protective shade.

What can I say? He has decreed and acted. I will walk slowly all my years because I am overcome with grief.

Their webs cannot be used for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are sinful; they commit violent crimes.

There is still medicinal ointment available in Gilead! There is still a physician there! Why then have my dear people not been restored to health?

You and your people are saying that this land will become desolate, uninhabited by either people or animals. You are saying that it will be handed over to the Babylonians. But fields will again be bought in this land.

As I watched, I noticed four wheels by the cherubim, one wheel beside each cherub; the wheels gleamed like jasper.

“For this is what the sovereign Lord says: Look here, I am about to deliver you over to those whom you hate, to those with whom you were disgusted.

They will return in fear and trembling like birds from Egypt, like doves from Assyria, and I will settle them in their homes,” declares the Lord.

To you, O Lord, I call out for help, for fire has burned up the grassy pastures, flames have razed all the trees in the fields.

Even the wild animals cry out to you; for the river beds have dried up; fire has destroyed the grassy pastures.

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.

For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” nor in turn can the head say to the foot, “I do not need you.”

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that the extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in every respect, not only when they are watching – like those who are strictly people-pleasers – but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”

I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:

By faith we understand that the worlds were set in order at God’s command, so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.

For by speaking high-sounding but empty words they are able to entice, with fleshly desires and with debauchery, people who have just escaped from those who reside in error.