22. Should you not fear me?"
declares the LORD. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made
the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot
cross it.
23. But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned
aside and gone away.
24. They do not say to themselves, `Let us fear the LORD our God, who
gives autumn and spring rains in season, who assures us of the regular
weeks of harvest.'
25. Your wrongdoings have kept these away; your sins have deprived you
of good.
1. Meanwhile, when a crowd
of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another,
Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your
guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that
will not be made known.
3. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what
you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from
the roofs.
4. "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the
body and after that can do no more.
5. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing
of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
6. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies ? Yet not one of them is
forgotten by God.
7. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid;
you are worth more than many sparrows.
8. "I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man
will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
9. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels
of God.