and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood,
Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until an Anointed One, the ruler, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with a square and a moat, but in difficult times.
For in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was entirely appropriate that God #– #for whom and through whom all things exist #– #should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
‘You are a king then? ’ Pilate asked. ‘You say that I’m a king,’ Jesus replied. ‘I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.’
Afterwards, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the last days.
And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ,
a throne will be established in love, and one will sit on it faithfully in the tent of David, judging and pursuing what is right, quick to execute justice.
My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow my ordinances, and keep my statutes and obey them.
‘ “They will live in the land that I gave to my servant Jacob, where your ancestors lived. They will live in it for ever with their children and grandchildren, and my servant David will be their prince for ever.
‘You are my witnesses’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. No god was formed before me, and there will be none after me.
I alone declared, saved, and proclaimed – and not some foreign god among you. So you are my witnesses’ – this is the Lord’s declaration – ‘and I am God.