“Father, forgive them!” Creator Sets Free (Jesus) cried out. “They do not know what they are doing.” The soldiers divided up his garments and gambled for them by drawing straws.
But I tell you, treat your enemies with love and respect, and send up good prayers for the ones who make trouble for you and bring you pain. This will show that you are mature children of your Father from above, who sends his blessing of rain on the ones who do right and the ones who do wrong.
He then fell to his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Honored One, do not hold this wrong against them!” Then, with a final breath, he fell asleep and crossed over to death.
Never return evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, speak words of blessing over each other, for you were chosen to share together in Creator’s blessings.
He chose me even though I used to speak evil against him. I even hunted down and attacked his followers. But he took pity on me because I did not know what I was doing and did not yet believe who he was.
“Fellow Tribal Members,” he said, “I understand that neither you nor your leaders knew what they were doing when they had Creator Sets Free (Jesus)killed.
We have had to work hard with our own hands to have enough to eat. We have blessed those who cursed us and have been patient with the ones who bring harm to us.
“I honor you, O Great Father, Maker of earth and sky,” he prayed, “for you have hidden these things from the ones who are wise in their own eyes but have shown them to the humble of heart.
Then they stripped him of his clothes and nailed him to a wooden tree-pole—the cross—and gambled for his clothes by drawing straws to see who would win.
These are the ones I now pray for. I am not praying for the ones who walk in the ways of the world, but for the ones you gave to me, for they belong to you.