1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David… These are the first verses of Paul to the Romans, written in the late 50’s AD. The letter serves as…

      But you, Israel, my servant,        Jacob, whom I have chosen,        the offspring of Abraham, my friend;              9       you whom I took from the ends of the earth,        and called from its farthest corners,                    saying to you, “You are my servant,        I have chosen you and not cast you off”;              10       fear not, for I…

24 Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. I have…

What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? For decades, Christian parents have had to deal with the sad fact that we could raise our children all their lives,…

17 “Israel is a hunted sheep driven away by lions. First the king of Assyria devoured him, and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has gnawed his bones. 18 Therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing punishment on the king of Babylon and his land, as I punished the king of…

      The LORD is high above all nations,        and his glory above the heavens!              5       Who is like the LORD our God,        who is seated on high,              6       who looks far down        on the heavens and the earth?              7       He raises the poor from the dust        and lifts the needy from the…