As soon as I had passed by them I found the one my heart loves. I threw my arms around him and didn’t let him go until I had brought him to my mother’s house. I took him to my mother’s room.
“I slept, but my heart was awake. Listen! The one who loves me is knocking. He says, ‘My sister, I love you. Open up so I can come in. You are my dove. You are perfect in every way. My head is soaked with dew. The night air has made my hair wet.’
Family of Jacob, the Lord created you. People of Israel, he formed you. He says, “Do not be afraid. I will set you free. I will send for you by name. You belong to me.
After she said this, she went back home. She called her sister Mary to one side to talk to her. “The Teacher is here,” Martha said. “He is asking for you.”
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren’t, you couldn’t do the signs you are doing.”
In Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate is a pool. In the Aramaic language it is called Bethesda. It is surrounded by five rows of columns with a roof over them.
The Lord came and stood there. He called out, just as he had done the other times. He said, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel replied, “Speak. I’m listening.”
Again the Lord called out, “Samuel!” Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, “Here I am. You called out to me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I didn’t call you. Go back and lie down.”