Thomas said, ¹  “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?

For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over ¹  judgment.

Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected ¹  to see you ²  again, but now God has allowed me to see your children ³  too.”

Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather together so I can tell you ¹  what will happen to you in the future. ² 

Moses said ¹  to God, ²  “Who am I, that I should go ³  to Pharaoh, or that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

Your claim to have a strategy and military strength is just empty talk. ¹  In whom are you trusting that you would dare to rebel against me?

“Does the wild donkey ¹  bray ²  when it is near grass? ³  Or ⁴  does the ox low near its fodder? ⁵ 

Rely ¹  on the Lord! Obey his commands! ²  Then he will permit you ³  to possess the land; you will see the demise of evil men. ⁴ 

I will continually ¹  thank you when ²  you execute judgment; ³  I will rely ⁴  on you, ⁵  for your loyal followers know you are good. ⁶ 

Then they will call to me, but I will not answer; they will diligently seek ¹  me, but they will not find me.

The Beloved to Her Lover: “I have already taken off my robe – must I put it on again? I have already washed my feet – must I soil them again?”

He will not grow dim or be crushed ¹  before establishing justice on the earth; the coastlands ²  will wait in anticipation for his decrees.” ³ 

In a far-off land the Lord will manifest himself to them. He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you. ¹ 

Israel has rebelled ¹  like a stubborn heifer! Soon ²  the Lord will put them out to pasture like a lamb in a broad field! ³ 

They lie around on beds decorated with ivory, ¹  and sprawl out on their couches. They eat lambs from the flock, and calves from the middle of the pen.

“I will not overlook, ¹  O sinful house, the dishonest gain you have hoarded away, ²  or the smaller-than-standard measure I hate so much. ³ 

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors ¹  do the same, don’t they?

And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?

Zechariah ¹  said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? ²  For I am an old man, and my wife is old as well.” ³