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Author: DJ

  • Matthew 5:20

    For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

    Note: Jesus reveals new information here, with elaboration through verse 28, that entry to heaven requires righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. How we acquire the required righteousness is a key point of the gospel which is addressed in subsequent verses and later throughout the New Testament. For a summary, see Romans 3:21-26.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

    Ezekiel 18:4

    If a man is righteous and does what is just and right …
    walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully — he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord GOD.

    Ezekiel 18:5,9

    The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

    Psalm 14:2-3
    Note: In Mark 10:18, Jesus says “No one is good except God alone.”

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:19

    Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

    Note: Definition of “relaxes“.
    The Old Testament verses below are similar to Jesus’ words above except that Jesus reveals additional new information about the fact that in heaven, there will be some that are called least and some that are called great.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.

    Deuteronomy 4:2

    Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

    Deuteronomy 12:32

    Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

    Proverbs 30:5-6

    The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.

    Psalm 33:11
    Note: Definition of “counsel“

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:17-18

    Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

    Note: “the Law or the Prophets” refers to the entire Hebrew Bible, what we call the Old Testament.

    This statement by Jesus confirms that the whole Old Testament is the word of God; therefore; no specific verses are shown below.

    It also confirms that some contents of the Old Testament were fulfilled by Jesus first coming and others will not be abolished “until heaven and earth pass away”.

    This is further explained in Chapter 19 of the Westminster Confession.
    https://thewestminsterstandards.com/wcf-chapter-19-of-the-law-of-god-19-1-19-5/

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:13-16

    You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven..

    Note: The three verses prior to these were about being persecuted for the sake of righteousness and Jesus; therefore, included below are some Old Testament verses about not being intimidated from “letting your light shine before others”, as well as verses about light and salt metaphors.
    The word “salt” may have referred not to our modern table salt, but to a mixture of chemicals used as fertilizer. See also Luke 14:35 which refers to fitness of salt for the soil or the manure pile. Definition of the word translated as “taste“.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

    Daniel 12:3

    Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” He said, “Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him. Then he went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the LORD, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it.

    2 Kings 1:19-21

    Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings.

    Isaiah 51:7

    I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

    Isaiah 42:6-7

    Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

    Psalm 37:1-3

    he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

    Isaiah 49:6 “he” refers to God.

    Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.

    Isaiah 60:1-3

    You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt.

    Leviticus 2:13

    Ought you not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt?

    2 Chronicles 13:5

    Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.

    Isaiah 60:1-3

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:11-12

    Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you..

    Note: Addressing his followers as “you” (plural), Jesus prepares them for coming persecution and assures them that they will receive the blessing of the prior verse when they are persecuted “on my account”. Jesus is thus equating himself to “righteousness”, i.e. equating himself to God, the Father. The fact that Jesus himself is the Messiah is “new” information to the audience, although the prophecy of a Messiah is spread throughout the Old Testament. Jesus is also revealing “new” information that there are “rewards” in heaven. Definition of reward.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

    2 Chronicles 36:15-16

    Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sake have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.

    Isaiah 66:5

    How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

    Psalm 119:84-88

    Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted

    Isaiah 52:13

    Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

    Psalm 34:19

    Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

    Psalm 91:14

    The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

    Psalm 37:39-40

    So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

    Proverbs 2:20-22

    And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

    Daniel 12:5

    For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

    Malachi 4:1-2

    Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

    Psalm 73:23-24

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:10

    Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

    Note: Many prophets described in the Old Testament, e.g. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Elijah, Daniel, and others, faced persecution and opposition for delivering God’s message to the people and for following God’s commandments. Definition of righteousness.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    The LORD, the God of their fathers, sent persistently to them by his messengers, because he had compassion on his people and on his dwelling place. But they kept mocking the messengers of God, despising his words and scoffing at his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD rose against his people, until there was no remedy.

    2 Chronicles 36:15-16

    Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you and cast you out for my name’s sake have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy’; but it is they who shall be put to shame.

    Isaiah 66:5

    How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

    Psalm 119:84-88

    Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted

    Isaiah 52:13

    Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

    Psalm 34:19

    Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

    Psalm 91:14

    The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

    Psalm 37:39-40

    So you will walk in the way of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will inhabit the land, and those with integrity will remain in it, but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it.

    Proverbs 2:20-22

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:9

    Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

    Note: Definition of peace

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

    Proverbs 3:17-18 (“Her” refers to wisdom.)

    Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

    Psalm 34:14

    There are six things that the LORD hates…

    … one who sows discord among brothers

    Proverbs 6:16,19

    There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

    Isaiah 57:21

    Deliver me, O LORD, from evil men; preserve me from violent men, who plan evil things in their heart and stir up wars continually.

    Psalm 140:1-2

    Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

    Psalm 133:1

    A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, … continually sowing discord.

    Proverbs 6:12,14

    A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

    Proverbs 15:1

    A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.

    Proverbs 15:18

    A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

    Proverbs 16:28

    The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

    Proverbs 17:14

    Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

    Proverbs 17:27

    A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

    Proverbs 19:13

    It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.

    Proverbs 20:3

    It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

    Proverbs 21:9 and 25:24

    It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

    Proverbs 21:19

    Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

    Proverbs 26:18-19

    As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife

    Proverbs 26:21

    You are sons of the LORD your God …

    Deuteronomy 14:1

    But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

    Isaiah 64:8

    For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.

    Isaiah 63:16

    They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because they are blemished; they are a crooked and twisted generation. Do you thus repay the LORD, you foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?

    Deuteronomy 32:5-6

    I said, How I would set you among my sons, and give you a pleasant land, a heritage most beautiful of all nations. And I thought you would call me, My Father, and would not turn from following me.

    Jeremiah 3:19

    Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.”

    Hosea 1:10

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:8

    Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

    Note: Definition of pure

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…

    Psalm 24:3-4

    Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

    Proverbs 4:23

    There are six things that the LORD hates …

    … a heart that devises wicked schemes …

    Proverbs 6:16,18

    Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

    Psalm 51:10

    O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.

    Proverbs 14:31

    Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

    Psalm 73:1

    A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.

    Proverbs 17:20

    And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God.

    Job 19:26

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:7

    Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

    Note: Definition of mercy

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    With the merciful you show yourself merciful…

    2 Samuel 22:26

    For I desire mercy and not sacrifice…

    Hosea 6:6, which is quoted by Jesus in Matthew 9:13

    Thus says the LORD of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another

    Zechariah 7:9

    Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

    Proverbs 19:17

    Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the LORD delivers him

    Psalm 41:1

    Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

    Proverbs 14:31

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:6

    Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

    Psalm 63:1

    I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments

    Psalm 119:131

    As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

    Psalm 42:1-2

    For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

    Psalm 107:9

    Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

    Proverbs 21:21

    For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

    Psalm 11:7

    Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor

    Proverbs 21:21

    “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.

    Isaiah 55:1-2

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:5

    Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

    Note: definition of meek

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.

    Psalm 37:11

    Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

    Numbers 12:3

    In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!

    Psalm 45:4

    You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great.

    2 Samuel 22:36

    Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

    Proverbs 16:32

    Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.

    Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

    Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

    Proverbs 14:29

    Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD

    Zephaniah 2:3

    A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

    Proverbs 29:11

    He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

    Psalm 25:9

    He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God

    Micah 6:8

    Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

    Proverbs 19:11

    for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

    Psalm 37:22

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:4

    Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.

    Jeremiah 31:25

    The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.

    Isaiah 61:1-2

    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

    Psalm 51:17

    The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

    Psalm 34:18

    “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

    Joel 2:12-13

    My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!

    Psalm 119:28

    The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

    Ecclesiastes 7:4

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 5:2-3

    And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

    Note: This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; definition of poor

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit

    Psalm 34:18

    For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

    Isaiah 57:15

    Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool…. All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

    Isaiah 66:1-2

    For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

    Psalm 138:6

    One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.

    Proverbs 29:23

    For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.

    Psalm 18:27

    He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way

    Psalm 25:9

    The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.

    Proverbs 22:4

    It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

    Proverbs 16:19

    When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

    Proverbs 11:2

    Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

    Psalm 145:13

    He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

    Micah 6:8

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • Matthew 4:17

    From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

    Note: Definition of “repent“

    Similar Old Testament Verses

    “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

    Isaiah 55:6-7

    “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

    Ezekiel 18: 30-32

    You have neither listened nor inclined your ears to hear, although the LORD persistently sent to you all his servants the prophets, saying, ‘Turn now, every one of you, from his evil way and evil deeds, and dwell upon the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers from of old and forever.

    Jeremiah 25:4-5

    “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

    Joel 2:12-13

    Therefore say to them, Thus declares the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets cried out, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, Return from your evil ways and from your evil deeds.’ But they did not hear or pay attention to me, declares the LORD.

    Zechariah 1:3-4

    From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’

    Malachi 3:7

    Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, “‘Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD.

    Jeremiah 3:12-13

    The LORD is near to all who call on him,
    to all who call on him in truth.

    Psalm 145:18

    The LORD will reign forever and ever.

    Exodus 15:18

    Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”

    1 Chronicles 16:31

    The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.

    Psalm 103:19

    At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

    Daniel 4:34

    Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.