"Sohe gotup and cameto his father.But while he was stilla long wayoff,his fathersawhim and felt compassion[for him], and ranand embracedhim and kissedhim.
Then Esauranto meethim and embracedhim, and fellon his neckand kissedhim, and they wept.
Then he fellon his brotherBenjamin'sneckand wept,and Benjaminwepton his neck.
Josephpreparedhis chariotand wentup to Goshento meethis fatherIsrael;as soon as he appearedbeforehim, he fellon his neckand wepton his necka longtime.
So when Joabcameto the kingand toldhim, he calledfor Absalom.Thus he cameto the kingand prostratedhimself on his faceto the groundbeforethe king,and the kingkissedAbsalom.
But You, O Lord,are a Godmercifuland gracious,Slowto angerand abundantin lovingkindnessand truth.
For You, Lord,are good,and readyto forgive,And abundantin lovingkindnessto allwho callupon You.
"Can a womanforgether nursingchildAnd havenocompassionon the sonof her womb?Eventhesemay forget,but I will not forgetyou.
"I have seenhis ways,but I will healhim; I will leadhim and restorecomfortto him and to his mourners,
"Is EphraimMy dearson?Is he a delightfulchild?Indeed,as oftenas I have spokenagainst him, I certainly[still] rememberhim; ThereforeMy heartyearnsfor him; I will surelyhavemercyon him," declaresthe LORD.
Howcan I giveyou up, O Ephraim?How can I surrenderyou, O Israel?Howcan I makeyou like Admah?How can I treatyou like Zeboiim?My heartis turnedoverwithinMe, AllMy compassionsare kindled.
I amno longerworthyto be calledyour son;makeme as oneof your hired men."'
"And the sonsaidto him, 'Father,I have sinnedagainstheavenand in your sight;I amno longerworthyto be calledyour son.'
"For the promiseis for you and your childrenand for allwhoare far off,as manyas the Lordour Godwill callto Himself."
And they [began] to weepaloudand embracedPaul,and repeatedly kissedhim,
But nowin ChristJesusyou whoformerlywere far offhave been broughtnearby the bloodof Christ.
AND HE CAMEAND PREACHEDPEACETO YOU WHOWERE FAR AWAY,AND PEACETO THOSEWHO WERE NEAR;
