I am a strangerin the earth;Do not hideYour commandmentsfrom me.
So Jacobsaidto Pharaoh,"The yearsof my sojourningare one hundredand thirty;fewand unpleasanthave beenthe yearsof my life,norhave they attainedthe yearsthat my fatherslivedduring the daysof their sojourning."
"For we are sojournersbeforeYou, and tenants,as allour fatherswere; our dayson the earthare like a shadow,and thereis nohope.
BecauseGodhas made her forgetwisdom,And has not givenher a shareof understanding.
With allmy heartI have soughtYou; Do not let me wanderfrom Your commandments.
"Hearmy prayer,O LORD,and giveearto my cry;Do not be silentat my tears;For I am a strangerwith You, A sojournerlike allmy fathers.
"TurnYour gazeawayfrom me, that I may smile[again] BeforeI departand am nomore."
Why,O LORD,do You cause us to strayfrom Your waysAnd hardenour heartfrom fearingYou? Returnfor the sakeof Your servants,the tribesof Your heritage.
ThenHe openedtheir mindsto understandthe Scriptures,
But they did not understandthisstatement,and it was concealedfrom them sothat they would not perceiveit; and they were afraidto askHim aboutthisstatement.
Therefore,being alwaysof good courage,and knowingthat while we are at homein the bodywe are absentfrom the Lord--
Beloved,I urgeyou as aliensand strangersto abstainfrom fleshlylustswhichwage waragainstthe soul.
