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For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel has said this, “In returning [to Me] and rest you shall be saved, In quietness and confident trust is your strength.” But you were not willing.

The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish with a [mighty and thunderous] roar, and the [material] elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and the works that are on it will be burned up. He called a little child and set him before them,

and said, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Trust [confidently] in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your heart before Him.

God is a refuge for us. Selah

Men of low degree are only a breath (emptiness), and men of [high] rank are a lie (delusion).

In the balances they go up [because they have no measurable weight or value];

They are together lighter than a breath.

Do not trust in oppression,

And do not vainly hope in robbery;

If riches increase, do not set your heart on them.

God has spoken once,

Twice I have heard this:

That power belongs to God.

Also to You, O Lord, belong lovingkindness and compassion,

For You compensate every man according to [the value of] his work.

Therefore the LORD waits [expectantly] and longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; Blessed (happy, fortunate) are all those who long for Him [since He will never fail them].

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will most certainly be gracious to you at the sound of your cry for help; when He hears it, He will answer you.

Though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of oppression, yet your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will [constantly] see your Teacher.

Your ears will hear a word behind you, This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.

Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people whom He has chosen as His own inheritance. The LORD looks [down] from heaven;

He sees all the sons of man;

From His dwelling place He looks closely

Upon all the inhabitants of the earth--

He who fashions the hearts of them all,

Who considers and understands all that they do.

The king is not saved by the great size of his army;

A warrior is not rescued by his great strength.

A horse is a false hope for victory;

Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength.

Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience],

On those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness,

To rescue their lives from death

And keep them alive in famine.

We wait [expectantly] for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

For in Him our heart rejoices,

Because we trust [lean on, rely on, and are confident] in His holy name. Let Your [steadfast] lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,

In proportion as we have hoped in You.