If only they were wise, they would figure it out; they would understand their fate.

How could one man pursue a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up?

If only My people would listen to Me and Israel would follow My ways,

Those who hate the LORD would pretend submission to Him; their doom would last forever.

If only you had paid attention to My commands. Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

So I sent you all My servants the prophets time and time again, saying, Don't do this detestable thing that I hate.

So My people come to you in crowds, sit in front of you, and hear your words, but they don't obey them. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue unjust gain.

Yes, to them you are like a singer of love songs who has a beautiful voice and plays skillfully on an instrument. They hear your words, but they don't obey them.

"Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The city who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing!

saying, "If you knew this day what [would bring] peace-- but now it is hidden from your eyes.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ; certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."

Working together with Him, we also appeal to you: "Don't receive God's grace in vain."

See that you do not reject the One who speaks; for if they did not escape when they rejected Him who warned them on earth, even less will we if we turn away from Him who warns us from heaven.

Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.

How happy are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.

How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the law of the LORD!

They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways.

If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

He said, "Even more, those who hear the word of God and keep it are blessed!"

You are My friends if you do what I command you.

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to attest these things to you for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star."

When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!"

He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is called the Word of God.

"Look, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic words of this book."

Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, "My daughter, shouldn't I find security for you, so that you will be taken care of?

In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them.

Tell the righteous that it will go well [for them], for they will eat the fruit of their deeds.

who says: I will build myself a massive palace, with spacious upper rooms. He will cut windows in it, and it will be paneled with cedar and painted with vermilion.

Are you a king because you excel in cedar? Your own father, did he not eat and drink? He administered justice and righteousness, then it went well with him.

that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.

But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who acts-- this person will be blessed in what he does.