"Israel, remember this! The LORD ---and the LORD alone---is our God.

and prayed, "O LORD, the God of Israel, seated on your throne above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world. You created the earth and the sky.

Now, LORD our God, rescue us from the Assyrians, so that all the nations of the world will know that only you, O LORD, are God."

You are mighty and do wonderful things; you alone are God.

"Almighty LORD, God of Israel, seated above the winged creatures, you alone are God, ruling all the kingdoms of the world. You created the earth and the sky.

Now, LORD our God, rescue us from the Assyrians, so that all the nations of the world will know that you alone are God."

"People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be.

The LORD, who rules and protects Israel, the LORD Almighty, has this to say: "I am the first, the last, the only God; there is no other god but me.

Do not be afraid, my people! You know that from ancient times until now I have predicted all that would happen, and you are my witnesses. Is there any other god? Is there some powerful god I never heard of ?"

Jesus replied, "The most important one is this: 'Listen, Israel! The Lord our God is the only Lord.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.'

The Father and I are one."

In the beginning, when God created the universe,

And so the whole universe was completed.

I gave them my commands and taught them my laws, which bring life to anyone who obeys them.

The LORD created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.

By his wisdom he made the heavens; his love is eternal;

He made the sun and the moon; his love is eternal;

the moon and the stars to rule over the night; his love is eternal.

the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them. He always keeps his promises;

(You people must tell them that the gods who did not make the earth and the sky will be destroyed. They will no longer exist anywhere on earth.)

The LORD made the earth by his power; by his wisdom he created the world and stretched out the heavens.

Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things.

For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him.

"Our Lord and God! You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and power. For you created all things, and by your will they were given existence and life."

He said in a loud voice, "Honor God and praise his greatness! For the time has come for him to judge all people. Worship him who made heaven, earth, sea, and the springs of water!"

To the LORD belong even the highest heavens; the earth is his also, and everything on it.

"But can you, O God, really live on earth? Not even all of heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough?

Your righteousness is towering like the mountains; your justice is like the depths of the sea. People and animals are in your care.

Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place.

He reflects the brightness of God's glory and is the exact likeness of God's own being, sustaining the universe with his powerful word. After achieving forgiveness for the sins of all human beings, he sat down in heaven at the right side of God, the Supreme Power.

And so the whole universe was completed.

When he saw them, he said, "This is God's camp"; so he named the place Mahanaim.

Micaiah went on: "Now listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne in heaven, with all his angels standing beside him.

Praise the LORD, all you heavenly powers, you servants of his, who do his will!

Praise him, all his angels, all his heavenly armies.

Praise him, highest heavens, and the waters above the sky.

Around him flaming creatures were standing, each of which had six wings. Each creature covered its face with two wings, and its body with two, and used the other two for flying.

They were calling out to each other: "Holy, holy, holy! The LORD Almighty is holy! His glory fills the world."

But when God was about to send his first-born Son into the world, he said, "All of God's angels must worship him."

Again I looked, and I heard angels, thousands and millions of them! They stood around the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders,

And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea---all living beings in the universe---and they were singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!"