The high and lofty one who lives in eternity,
the Holy One,
says this:
“I live in the high and holy place
with those whose spirits are contrite and humble.
I restore the crushed spirit of the humble
and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.”
“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word.
I send it out,
and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
…If you are walking in darkness,
without a ray of light,
trust in the LORD
and rely on your God.
(Jamaica Beach)
…Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil,
but always try to do good to each other
and to all people.
…they nailed him to the cross.
And the criminals were also crucified—
one on his right and one on his left.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed,
“So you’re the Messiah,
are you?
Prove it by saving yourself—
and us, too,
while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested,
“Don’t you fear God
even when you have been sentenced to die?
We deserve to die for our crimes,
but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Then he said,
“Jesus,
remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
And Jesus replied,
“I assure you,
today you will be with me in paradise.”
The Word gave life to everything that was created,
and his life brought light to everyone.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness can never extinguish it.
