"Do not be afraid,littleflock,for your Fatherhas chosen gladlyto giveyou the kingdom.
Like a shepherdHe will tendHis flock,In His armHe will gatherthe lambsAnd carry[them] in His bosom;He will gently leadthe nursing[ewes].
"Do not fear,you wormJacob,you menof Israel;I will helpyou," declaresthe LORD,"and your Redeemeris the HolyOneof Israel.
Allof us like sheephave goneastray,Eachof us has turnedto his own way;But the LORDhas caused the iniquityof us allTo fallon Him.
"Then I said,'HowI would setyou among My sonsAnd giveyou a pleasantland,The mostbeautifulinheritanceof the nations!'And I said,'You shall callMe, My Father,And not turnawayfrom followingMe.'
But immediatelyJesusspoketo them, saying,"Take courage,it is I; do not be afraid."
"Sothe lastshall be first,and the firstlast."
"Thenthe Kingwill sayto thoseon His right,'Come,you who are blessedof My Father,inheritthe kingdompreparedfor you from the foundationof the world.
"Bewareof the false prophets,whocometo you in sheep'sclothing,but inwardlyare ravenouswolves.
At that verytimeHe rejoiced greatlyin the HolySpirit,and said,"I praiseYou, O Father,Lordof heavenand earth,that You have hiddenthese thingsfrom [the] wiseand intelligentand have revealedthem to infants.Yes,Father,for this waywas well-pleasingin Your sight.
Jesusanswered,"My kingdomis not of thisworld.IfMy kingdomwere of thisworld,then My servantswould be fightingsothat I would not be handedover to the Jews;but as it is, My kingdomis not of this realm."
"Be on guardfor yourselvesand for allthe flock,amongwhichthe HolySpirithas madeyou overseers,to shepherdthe churchof GodwhichHe purchasedwith His ownblood.
"I knowthat aftermy departuresavagewolveswill comein amongyou, not sparingthe flock;
For the wagesof sinis death,but the free giftof Godis eternallifein ChristJesusour Lord.
For sincein the wisdomof Godthe worldthroughits wisdomdid not [come to] knowGod,Godwas well-pleasedthroughthe foolishnessof the message preachedto savethosewho believe.
for it is Godwho is at workin you, bothto willand to workfor [His] good pleasure.
To thisendalsowe prayfor you always,that our Godwill count you worthyof your calling,and fulfilleverydesirefor goodnessand the workof faithwith power,
[This is] a plain indicationof God'srighteousjudgmentsothat you will be considered worthyof the kingdomof God,for whichindeedyou are suffering.
Therefore,since we receivea kingdomwhich cannot be shaken,let us showgratitude,by whichwe may offerto Godan acceptableservicewith reverenceand awe;
Listen,my belovedbrethren:did not Godchoosethe poorof thisworld[to be] richin faithand heirsof the kingdomwhichHe promisedto thosewho loveHim?
for in this waythe entranceinto the eternalkingdomof our Lordand SaviorJesusChristwill be abundantlysuppliedto you.
and He has madeus [to be] a kingdom,prieststo His Godand Father--to Him [be] the gloryand the dominionforever and ever.Amen.
And there will nolongerbe [any] night;and they will not haveneedof the lightof a lampnorthe lightof the sun,becausethe LordGodwill illuminethem; and they will reignforeverand ever.
