(SEE 25:7)

Isaac said, "You see that I am old and may die soon.

Cook me some of that tasty food that I like, and bring it to me. After I have eaten it, I will give you my final blessing before I die."

Then Jacob said to Joseph, "As you see, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will take you back to the land of your ancestors.

"I wait for your deliverance, LORD.

These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what their father said as he spoke a suitable word of farewell to each son.

When Jacob had finished giving instructions to his sons, he lay back down and died.

He said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will certainly take care of you and lead you out of this land to the land he solemnly promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king's anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back.

Judah will hold the royal scepter, And his descendants will always rule. Nations will bring him tribute And bow in obedience before him.

I look into the future, And I see the nation of Israel. A king, like a bright star, will arise in that nation. Like a comet he will come from Israel. He will strike the leaders of Moab And beat down all the people of Seth.

But I know there is someone in heaven who will come at last to my defense.

Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming; he saw it and was glad."

Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

It was concerning this salvation that the prophets made careful search and investigation, and they prophesied about this gift which God would give you.

God revealed to these prophets that their work was not for their own benefit, but for yours, as they spoke about those things which you have now heard from the messengers who announced the Good News by the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. These are things which even the angels would like to understand.

He was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he had promised.

For it was by hope that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. For who of us hopes for something we see?

This, then, is how we will know that we belong to the truth; this is how we will be confident in God's presence.

"I am a foreigner living here among you; sell me some land, so that I can bury my wife."

Jacob answered, "My life of wandering has lasted a hundred and thirty years. Those years have been few and difficult, unlike the long years of my ancestors in their wanderings."

"Yet my people and I cannot really give you anything, because everything is a gift from you, and we have only given back what is yours already.

You know, O LORD, that we pass through life like exiles and strangers, as our ancestors did. Our days are like a passing shadow, and we cannot escape death.

Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry; come to my aid when I weep. Like all my ancestors I am only your guest for a little while.

I am here on earth for just a little while; do not hide your commands from me.

You call him Father, when you pray to God, who judges all people by the same standard, according to what each one has done; so then, spend the rest of your lives here on earth in reverence for him.

I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions, which are always at war against the soul.