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Take care of your children like a faithful nursemaid and guide their steps in safe paths,
26
so that none of them will be lost. When the time comes, I will hold you responsible for them.
1
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Don't worry; when the day of trouble and distress comes, others will cry and mourn, but you will be happy and rich.
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The other nations will be jealous of you, but they will not be able to harm you.
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"I will protect you with my power and save your children from hell.
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Be happy, Jerusalem, you and your children, because I, the Lord, will rescue you.
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Remember your children who are asleep in their graves; I, the Lord Almighty, am merciful, and I will bring them out from the place where they lie hidden in the earth.
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Until I come, hold your children close and tell them about my grace and mercy, which are like a spring that never runs dry."
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I, Ezra, was on Mount Sinai when the Lord ordered me to go to the people of Israel. But when I went to them, they rejected me and refused to listen to what the Lord commanded.
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That is why I am speaking to you Gentiles. You are ready to listen and understand: "Wait for your shepherd who is coming very soon, at the end of the age, to give you eternal rest.
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Be ready to receive the blessings of the kingdom, for eternal light will shine on you forever.