Surely you recall that I used to tell you these things while I was still with you.

You are my friends if you do what I command you.

“The Lord bless you and protect you;

When you walk about, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you wake up, they will talk to you.

They will attack you but they will not be able to overcome you, for I will be with you to rescue you,” says the Lord.

But now the same thing comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are terrified.

If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you are a mocker, you alone must bear it.

You are my God and I will give you thanks! You are my God and I will praise you!

For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.

You have forgotten the Rock who fathered you, and put out of mind the God who gave you birth.

I tell you the solemn truth, when you were young, you tied your clothes around you and went wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will tie you up and bring you where you do not want to go.”

“Without a doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.

‘But I will take you out of the city. And I will hand you over to foreigners. I will execute judgments on you.

“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

For you will always have the poor with you, and you can do good for them whenever you want. But you will not always have me!

‘If you will just stay in this land, I will build you up. I will not tear you down. I will firmly plant you. I will not uproot you. For I am filled with sorrow because of the disaster that I have brought on you.

The Lord will fight for you, and you can be still.”

One law and one custom must apply to you and to the resident foreigner who lives alongside you.’”

So if the son sets you free, you will be really free.

For who is going to harm you if you are devoted to what is good?