justas it is written,"BEHOLD,I LAYIN ZIONA STONEOF STUMBLINGAND A ROCKOF OFFENSE,AND HE WHO BELIEVESIN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
The stonewhich the buildersrejectedHas becomethe chiefcorner[stone].
Sustainme according to Your word,that I may live;And do not let me be ashamedof my hope.
Guardmy souland deliverme; Do not let me be ashamed,for I takerefugein You.
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.
Israelhas been savedby the LORDWith an everlastingsalvation;You will not be putto shameor humiliatedTo alleternity.
"Fearnot, for you will not be putto shame;And do not feelhumiliated,for you will not be disgraced;But you will forgetthe shameof your youth,And the reproachof your widowhoodyou will remembernomore.
Jesussaidto them, "Did you neverreadin the Scriptures,THE STONEWHICHTHE BUILDERSREJECTED,THISBECAMETHE CHIEFCORNER[stone]; THISCAMEABOUT FROM THE LORD,AND IT IS MARVELOUSIN OUR EYES'?
"And he who fallson thisstonewill be broken to pieces;but on whomeverit falls,it will scatter him like dust."
Brethren,my heart'sdesireand my prayerto Godfor them is for [their] salvation.
For the Scripturesays,"WHOEVERBELIEVESIN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."
and hopedoes not disappoint,becausethe loveof Godhas been pouredout withinour heartsthroughthe HolySpiritwho was givento us.
But I, brethren,ifI stillpreachcircumcision,whyam I stillpersecuted?Thenthe stumbling blockof the crosshas been abolished.
accordingto my earnest expectationand hope,that I will not be put to shamein anything,but [that] with allboldness,Christwill evennow,as always,be exaltedin my body,whetherby lifeorby death.
For thisreasonI alsosufferthese things,but I am not ashamed;for I knowwhomI have believedand I am convincedthat He is ableto guardwhat I have entrustedto Him untilthat day.
Now,little children,abidein Him, sothat whenHe appears,we may haveconfidenceand not shrinkawayfrom Him in shameat His coming.
