The Lord created me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy creatures.
“And to the angel of the church in La-odicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
“God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.