David answered, "I am in a desperate situation! But I don't want to be punished by people. Let the LORD himself be the one to punish us, for he is merciful."

Our friends, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure.

And there is another reason why we always give thanks to God. When we brought you God's message, you heard it and accepted it, not as a message from human beings but as God's message, which indeed it is. For God is at work in you who believe.

I have a baptism to receive, and how distressed I am until it is over!

It is not we who have closed our hearts to you; it is you who have closed your hearts to us.

"Now, Lord, you have kept your promise, and you may let your servant go in peace.

With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,

It was now the day before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He had always loved those in the world who were his own, and he loved them to the very end.

We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.

As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life.

Even after my skin is eaten by disease, while still in this body I will see God.

I will see him with my own eyes, and he will not be a stranger. My courage failed because you said,

But God will rescue me; he will save me from the power of death.

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged Jesus, "Let me go with you." But Jesus sent him away, saying,

Jesus said to him, "I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me."

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.

"Father! You have given them to me, and I want them to be with me where I am, so that they may see my glory, the glory you gave me; for you loved me before the world was made.

They kept on stoning Stephen as he called out to the Lord, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

We are full of courage and would much prefer to leave our home in the body and be at home with the Lord.

then we who are living at that time will be gathered up along with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Write this: Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!" "Yes indeed!" answers the Spirit. "They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them."

because you protect me from the power of death. I have served you faithfully, and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

You will show me the path that leads to life; your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

But I will see you, because I have done no wrong; and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.

You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor.

My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need.

"I don't know, sir. You do," I answered. He said to me, "These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.

Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them,