I appeared to them from far away. People of Israel, I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love.

I drew them to me with affection and love. I picked them up and held them to my cheek; I bent down to them and fed them.

People cannot come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me; and I will raise them to life on the last day.

When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me."

So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation,

because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.

I will eagerly obey your commands, because you will give me more understanding.

Without delay I hurry to obey your commands.

As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.

Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my dearest compared to other men. I love to sit in its shadow, and its fruit is sweet to my taste.

Restore my strength with raisins and refresh me with apples! I am weak from passion.

As soon as I left them, I found him. I held him and wouldn't let him go until I took him to my mother's house, to the room where I was born.

In her colorful gown she is led to the king, followed by her bridesmaids, and they also are brought to him.

With joy and gladness they come and enter the king's palace.

So the foolish ones went off to buy some oil; and while they were gone, the bridegroom arrived. The five who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was closed.

There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so.

And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to myself, so that you will be where I am.

In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world.

Sing for joy to the LORD, all the earth; praise him with songs and shouts of joy!

Blow trumpets and horns, and shout for joy to the LORD, our king.

Clap your hands, you rivers; you hills, sing together with joy before the LORD,

Be glad, Israel, because of your Creator; rejoice, people of Zion, because of your king!

The Sovereign LORD will destroy death forever! He will wipe away the tears from everyone's eyes and take away the disgrace his people have suffered throughout the world. The LORD himself has spoken.

I, the LORD, will rescue all the descendants of Jacob, and they will give me praise.

To give to those who mourn in Zion Joy and gladness instead of grief, A song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees That the LORD himself has planted. They will all do what is right, And God will be praised for what he has done.

Sing and shout for joy, people of Israel! Rejoice with all your heart, Jerusalem!

Rejoice, rejoice, people of Zion! Shout for joy, you people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you! He comes triumphant and victorious, but humble and riding on a donkey--- on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

but the angel said to them, "Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.

It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies.

May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord. I say it again: rejoice!

You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express,

Your lips cover me with kisses; your love is better than wine.

My heart breaks when I remember the past, when I went with the crowds to the house of God and led them as they walked along, a happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to God.

Inside your Temple, O God, we think of your constant love.

My soul will feast and be satisfied, and I will sing glad songs of praise to you.

Praise the LORD, my soul! All my being, praise his holy name!

Praise the LORD, my soul, and do not forget how kind he is.

The LORD does not let us forget his wonderful actions; he is kind and merciful.

I will tell of the LORD's unfailing love; I praise him for all he has done for us. He has richly blessed the people of Israel because of his mercy and constant love.

Then he took a piece of bread, gave thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me."

For I received from the Lord the teaching that I passed on to you: that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took a piece of bread,

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup and said, "This cup is God's new covenant, sealed with my blood. Whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me."

There is a fragrance about you; the sound of your name recalls it. No woman could keep from loving you.

After they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?" "Yes, Lord," he answered, "you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Take care of my lambs."

A third time Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter became sad because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" and so he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you!" Jesus said to him, "Take care of my sheep.

May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.