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Romans 2:17-3:2
You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.No wonder the Scriptures say,“ The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people?In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision?Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.
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Psalms 147:19-20
He has revealed his words to Jacob, his decrees and regulations to Israel.He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his regulations. Praise the Lord!
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2 Chronicles 2 5-2 Chronicles 2 6
“ This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods.But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?
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Deuteronomy 4:34-36
Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your eyes.“ He showed you these things so you would know that the Lord is God and there is no other.He let you hear his voice from heaven so he could instruct you. He let you see his great fire here on earth so he could speak to you from it.
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Psalms 54:1
Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might.
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Psalms 48:1-3
How great is the Lord, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!It is high and magnificent; the whole earth rejoices to see it! Mount Zion, the holy mountain, is the city of the great King!God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers, revealing himself as its defender.
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Deuteronomy 4:7-8
For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him?And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?
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Daniel 3:29
Therefore, I make this decree: If any people, whatever their race or nation or language, speak a word against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, they will be torn limb from limb, and their houses will be turned into heaps of rubble. There is no other god who can rescue like this!”
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Psalms 67:1
May God be merciful and bless us. May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude
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Acts 17:23
for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it:‘ To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
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Daniel 4:1-2
King Nebuchadnezzar sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:“ Peace and prosperity to you!“ I want you all to know about the miraculous signs and wonders the Most High God has performed for me.
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Psalms 148:13-14
Let them all praise the name of the Lord. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!He has made his people strong, honoring his faithful ones— the people of Israel who are close to him. Praise the Lord!
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Psalms 61:1
O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer!
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Psalms 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, O God who declares me innocent. Free me from my troubles. Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
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Psalms 98:2-3
The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel. The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
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1 Chronicles 29 10-1 Chronicles 29 12
Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly:“ O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.