"Thenyou will prosper,ifyou are carefulto observethe statutesand the ordinanceswhichthe LORDcommandedMosesconcerningIsrael.Be strongand courageous,do not fearnorbe dismayed.
"I am goingthe wayof allthe earth.Be strong,therefore, and showyourself a man.
"Keepthe chargeof the LORDyour God,to walkin His ways,to keepHis statutes,His commandments,His ordinances,and His testimonies,according to what is writtenin the Lawof Moses,that you may succeedin allthat you doand whereveryou turn,
"Considernow,for the LORDhas chosenyou to builda housefor the sanctuary;be courageousand act."
Then Davidsaidto his sonSolomon,"Be strongand courageous,and act;do not fearnorbe dismayed,for the LORDGod,my God,is with you. He will not failyou norforsakeyou untilallthe workfor the serviceof the houseof the LORDis finished.
I will establishhis kingdomforeverifhe resolutelyperformsMy commandmentsand My ordinances,as is done now.'
He builtfortifiedcitiesin Judah,sincethe landwas undisturbed,and therewas nooneat warwith him during thoseyears,becausethe LORDhad givenhim rest.
They roseearlyin the morningand wentout to the wildernessof Tekoa;and when they wentout, Jehoshaphatstoodand said,"Listento me, O Judahand inhabitantsof Jerusalem,putyour trustin the LORDyour Godand you will be established.Putyour trustin His prophetsand succeed."
He continuedto seekGodin the daysof Zechariah,who had understandingthrough the visionof God;and as longas he soughtthe LORD,Godprosperedhim.
"Be strongand courageous,do not fearor be dismayedbecauseof the kingof Assyrianor becauseof allthe hordethat is with him; for the one with us is greaterthanthe one with him.
He will be like a tree[firmly] plantedby streamsof water,Whichyieldsits fruitin its seasonAnd its leafdoes not wither;And in whateverhe does,he prospers.
ThenI shall not be ashamedWhen I lookupon allYour commandments.
Givethe kingYour judgments,O God,And Your righteousnessto the king'sson.
But nowtakecourage,Zerubbabel,'declaresthe LORD,'takecouragealso, Joshuasonof Jehozadak,the highpriest,and allyou peopleof the landtakecourage,'declaresthe LORD,'and work;for I am with you,' declaresthe LORDof hosts.
"Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,'Let your handsbe strong,you who are listeningin thesedaysto thesewordsfrom the mouthof the prophets,[those] who[spoke] in the daythat the foundationof the houseof the LORDof hostswas laid,to the end that the templemight be built.
But Jesusansweringsaidto him, "Permit[it] at this time;for in this wayit is fittingfor us to fulfillallrighteousness."Thenhe permittedHim.
"AfterHe had removedhim, He raisedup Davidto be their king,concerning whomHe alsotestifiedand said,I HAVE FOUNDDAVIDthe son of Jesse,A MANAFTERMY HEART,whowill doallMy will.'
Be on the alert,stand firmin the faith,act like men,be strong.
Bearone another'sburdens,and therebyfulfillthe lawof Christ.
Finally,be strongin the Lordand in the strengthof His might.
You therefore,my son,be strongin the gracethat is in ChristJesus.
If,however,you are fulfillingthe royallawaccordingto the Scripture,"YOU SHALL LOVEYOUR NEIGHBORAS YOURSELF,"you are doingwell.
"Anyonewhorebelsagainstyour commandand does not obeyyour wordsin allthat you commandhim, shall be putto death;onlybe strongand courageous."
