Just as a fatherhascompassionon [his] children,So the LORDhascompassionon those who fearHim.
For as highas the heavensare abovethe earth,So greatis His lovingkindnesstowardthose who fearHim.
But the lovingkindnessof the LORDis from everlastingto everlastingon those who fearHim, And His righteousnessto children'schildren,
The LORDfavorsthose who fearHim, Those who waitfor His lovingkindness.
For whomthe LORDlovesHe reproves,Even as a father[corrects] the sonin whom he delights.
"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.
"With weepingthey will come,And by supplicationI will leadthem; I will make them walkby streamsof waters,On a straightpathin which they will not stumble;For I ama fatherto Israel,And Ephraimis My firstborn."
Yet in spiteof this,when they are in the landof their enemies,I will not rejectthem, norwill I so abhorthem as to destroythem, breakingMy covenantwith them; for I am the LORDtheir God.
"But for you who fearMy name,the sunof righteousnesswill risewith healingin its wings;and you will goforthand skipaboutlike calvesfrom the stall.
"Was it I who conceivedallthispeople?Was it I who broughtthem forth,that You should sayto me, 'Carrythem in your bosomas a nursecarriesa nursinginfant,to the landwhichYou sworeto their fathers'?
"For the Gentileseagerly seekallthese things;for your heavenlyFatherknowsthat you needallthese things.
"Pray,then,in this way:'Our Fatherwhois in heaven,Hallowedbe Your name.
Jesussaidto her, "Stopclingingto Me, for I have not yetascendedto the Father;but goto My brethrenand sayto them, 'I ascendto My Fatherand your Father,and My Godand your God.'"
"Brethren,sonsof Abraham'sfamily,and thoseamongyou who fearGod,to us the messageof thissalvationhas been sent.
"Allthesewere citiesfortifiedwith highwalls,gatesand bars,besidesa greatmanyunwalledtowns.
