he is likea manbuildinga house,whodugdeepand laida foundationon the rock;and when a floodoccurred,the torrentburst againstthat houseand couldnot shakeit, becauseit had been wellbuilt.
He onlyis my rockand my salvation,My stronghold;I shall not be greatlyshaken.
Thereforethussaysthe LordGOD,"Behold,I am layingin Ziona stone,a testedstone,A costlycornerstone[for] the foundation,firmlyplaced.He who believes[in it] will not be disturbed.
Nowto Him who is ableto keepyou from stumbling,and to make you standin the presenceof His gloryblamelesswith great joy,
"Trustin the LORDforever,For in GODthe LORD,[we have] an everlastingRock.
having been builton the foundationof the apostlesand prophets,ChristJesusHimselfbeingthe corner[stone],
Now,little children,abidein Him, sothat whenHe appears,we may haveconfidenceand not shrinkawayfrom Him in shameat His coming.
Nevertheless,the firmfoundationof Godstands,havingthisseal,"The Lordknowsthosewho are His," and, "Everyonewho namesthe nameof the Lordis to abstainfrom wickedness."
Therefore,let everyonewho is godlyprayto You in a timewhen You may be found;Surelyin a floodof greatwatersthey will not reachhim.
"For whois God,besidesthe LORD?And whois a rock,besidesour God?
When the whirlwindpasses,the wickedis nomore,But the righteous[has] an everlastingfoundation.
"The LORDlives,and blessedbe my rock;And exaltedbe God,the rockof my salvation,
So they will fearthe nameof the LORDfrom the westAnd His gloryfrom the risingof the sun,For He will comelike a rushingstreamWhich the windof the LORDdrives.
Therefore,brethren,be all the morediligentto makecertainabout His callingand choosingyou; for as long as you practicethese things,you will neverstumble;
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
"These thingsI have spokento you, sothat in Me you may havepeace.In the worldyou havetribulation,but take courage;I have overcomethe world."
But with an overflowingfloodHe will makea completeendof its site,And will pursueHis enemiesinto darkness.
O come,let us singfor joyto the LORD,Let us shoutjoyfullyto the rockof our salvation.
"For the wavesof deathencompassedme; The torrentsof destructionoverwhelmedme;
"But Jeshurungrewfatand kicked--You are grownfat,thick,and sleek--Then he forsookGodwho madehim, And scornedthe Rockof his salvation.
"The Godof Israelsaid,The Rockof Israelspoketo me, 'He who rulesover menrighteously,Who rulesin the fearof God,
He said,"The LORDis my rockand my fortressand my deliverer;
"Thereis nooneholylike the LORD,Indeed,thereis noonebesidesYou, Noris thereany rocklike our God.
"Indeedtheir rockis not like our Rock,Even our enemiesthemselves judgethis.
"You neglectedthe Rockwho begotyou, And forgotthe Godwho gaveyou birth.
"Everyonewho comesto Me and hearsMy wordsand actson them, I will showyou whomhe is like:
"But the one who has heardand has not acted[accordingly], is likea manwho builta houseon the groundwithoutany foundation;and the torrentburst againstit and immediatelyit collapsed,and the ruinof that housewas great."
