Visions of God's Kingdom and Ultimate Betrayal

1. In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters. 2. Daniel spoke and said, “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the sky broke out on the great sea. 3. Four great animals came up from the sea, different from one another. 4. “The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made to stand on two feet as a man. A man’s heart was given to it. 5. “Behold, there was another animal, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth. They said this to it: ‘Arise! Devour much flesh!’ 6. “After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The animal also had four heads; and dominion was given to it. 7. “After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, there was a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth. It devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet. It was different than all the animals that were before it. It had ten horns. 8. “I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. 9. “I watched until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool. His throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire. 10. A fiery stream issued and came out from before him. Thousands of thousands ministered to him. Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The judgment was set. The books were opened. 11. “I watched at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke. I watched even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. 12. As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14. Dominion was given him, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which will not pass away, and his kingdom that which will not be destroyed. 15. “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was grieved within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. “So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. 17. ‘These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who will arise out of the earth. 18. But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ 19. “Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was different than all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet; 20. and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows. 21. I saw, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them, 22. until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. 23. “Thus he said, ‘The fourth animal will be a fourth kingdom on earth, which will be different than all the kingdoms, and will devour the whole earth, and will tread it down, and break it in pieces. 24. As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different than the former, and he will put down three kings. 25. He will speak words against the Most High, and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will plan to change the times and the law; and they will be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. 26. “‘But the judgment will be set, and they will take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. 27. The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions will serve and obey him.’ 28. “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts much troubled me, and my face was changed in me; but I kept the matter in my heart.” 1. In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, even to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first. 2. I saw the vision. Now it was so, that when I saw, I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision, and I was by the river Ulai. 3. Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns. The two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4. I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward. No animals could stand before him. There wasn’t any who could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and magnified himself. 5. As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west over the surface of the whole earth, and didn’t touch the ground. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6. He came to the ram that had the two horns, which I saw standing before the river, and ran on him in the fury of his power. 7. I saw him come close to the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and struck the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to stand before him; but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled on him. There was no one who could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8. The male goat magnified himself exceedingly. When he was strong, the great horn was broken; and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of the sky. 9. Out of one of them came out a little horn, which grew exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious land. 10. It grew great, even to the army of the sky; and it cast down some of the army and of the stars to the ground, and trampled on them. 11. Yes, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the army; and it took away from him the continual burnt offering, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 12. The army was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through disobedience. It cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and prospered. 13. Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who spoke, “How long will the vision about the continual burnt offering, and the disobedience that makes desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the army to be trodden under foot be?” 14. He said to me, “To two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary will be cleansed.” 15. When I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. Then behold, there stood before me something like the appearance of a man. 16. I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called, and said, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” 17. So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was frightened, and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man; for the vision belongs to the time of the end.” 18. Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright. 19. He said, “Behold, I will make you know what will be in the latter time of the indignation; for it belongs to the appointed time of the end. 20. The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. 21. The rough male goat is the king of Greece. The great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22. As for that which was broken, in the place where four stood up, four kingdoms will stand up out of the nation, but not with his power. 23. “In the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have come to the full, a king of fierce face, and understanding dark sentences, will stand up. 24. His power will be mighty, but not by his own power. He will destroy awesomely, and will prosper in what he does. He will destroy the mighty ones and the holy people. 25. Through his policy he will cause deceit to prosper in his hand. He will magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many in their security. He will also stand up against the prince of princes; but he will be broken without hand. 26. “The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but seal up the vision, for it belongs to many days to come.” 27. I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick for some days. Then I rose up, and did the king’s business. I wondered at the vision, but no one understood it. 1. In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the offspring of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, 2. in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years. 3. I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4. I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, “Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5. we have sinned, and have dealt perversely, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even turning aside from your precepts and from your ordinances. 6. We haven’t listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. 7. “Lord, righteousness belongs to you, but to us confusion of face, as it is today; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, who are near, and who are far off, through all the countries where you have driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against you. 8. Lord, to us belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. 9. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness; for we have rebelled against him. 10. We haven’t obeyed Yahweh our God’s voice, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. 11. Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice. “Therefore the curse and the oath written in the law of Moses the servant of God has been poured out on us; for we have sinned against him. 12. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us, and against our judges who judged us, by bringing on us a great evil; for under the whole sky, such has not been done as has been done to Jerusalem. 13. As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil has come on us. Yet have we not entreated the favor of Yahweh our God, that we should turn from our iniquities, and have discernment in your truth. 14. Therefore Yahweh has watched over the evil, and brought it on us; for Yahweh our God is righteous in all his works which he does, and we have not obeyed his voice. 15. “Now, Lord our God, who has brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have gotten yourself renown, as it is today; we have sinned. We have done wickedly. 16. Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us. 17. “Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his petitions, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. 18. My God, turn your ear, and hear. Open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name; for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. 19. Lord, hear. Lord, forgive. Lord, listen and do. Don’t defer, for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.” 20. While I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before Yahweh my God for the holy mountain of my God; 21. yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening offering. 22. He instructed me, and talked with me, and said, Daniel, “I have now come to give you wisdom and understanding. 23. At the beginning of your petitions the commandment went out, and I have come to tell you; for you are greatly beloved. Therefore consider the matter, and understand the vision. 24. “Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy. 25. “Know therefore and discern that from the going out of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem to the Anointed One, the prince, will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be built again, with street and moat, even in troubled times. 26. After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end will be with a flood, and war will be even to the end. Desolations are determined. 27. He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.”

1. When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, 2. “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” 3. Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. 4. They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit, and kill him. 5. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.” 6. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7. a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. 8. But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.” 10. However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me. 11. For you always have the poor with you; but you don’t always have me. 12. For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. 13. Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.” 14. Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15. and said, “What are you willing to give me, that I should deliver him to you?” They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16. From that time he sought opportunity to betray him. 17. Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, “Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 18. He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.”’” 19. The disciples did as Jesus commanded them, and they prepared the Passover. 20. Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. 21. As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” 22. They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?” 23. He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish, the same will betray me. 24. The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” 25. Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.” 26. As they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27. He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, “All of you drink it, 28. for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. 29. But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on, until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” 30. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31. Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32. But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.” 33. But Peter answered him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble.” 34. Jesus said to him, “Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35. Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise. 36. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” 37. He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. 38. Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me.” 39. He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” 40. He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? 41. Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42. Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.” 43. He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44. He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. 45. Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46. Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.” 47. While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. 48. Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.” 49. Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50. Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. 51. Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. 52. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. 53. Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? 54. How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” 55. In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. 56. But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him, and fled. 57. Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58. But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end. 59. Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death; 60. and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward, 61. and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.’” 62. The high priest stood up, and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?” 63. But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64. Jesus said to him, “You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.” 65. Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. 66. What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!” 67. Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists, and some slapped him, 68. saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who hit you?” 69. Now Peter was sitting outside in the court, and a maid came to him, saying, “You were also with Jesus, the Galilean!” 70. But he denied it before them all, saying, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” 71. When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him, and said to those who were there, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72. Again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the man.” 73. After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.” 74. Then he began to curse and to swear, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately the rooster crowed. 75. Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” He went out and wept bitterly. 1. Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: 2. and they bound him, and led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor. 3. Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4. saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.” 5. He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary, and departed. He went away and hanged himself. 6. The chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7. They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them, to bury strangers in. 8. Therefore that field was called “The Field of Blood” to this day. 9. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced, 10. and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” 11. Now Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said to him, “So you say.” 12. When he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. 13. Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear how many things they testify against you?” 14. He gave him no answer, not even one word, so that the governor marveled greatly. 15. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whom they desired. 16. They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus, who is called Christ?” 18. For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up. 19. While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.” 20. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21. But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” They said, “Barabbas!” 22. Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do to Jesus, who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let him be crucified!” 23. But the governor said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be crucified!” 24. So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.” 25. All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!” 26. Then he released to them Barabbas, but Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified. 27. Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, and gathered the whole garrison together against him. 28. They stripped him, and put a scarlet robe on him. 29. They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30. They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31. When they had mocked him, they took the robe off him, and put his clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. 32. As they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them, that he might carry his cross. 33. When they came to a place called “Golgotha”, that is to say, “The place of a skull,” 34. they gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it, he would not drink. 35. When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots, 36. and they sat and watched him there. 37. They set up over his head the accusation against him written, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” 38. Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. 39. Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 40. and saying, “You who destroy the temple, and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” 41. Likewise the chief priests also mocking, with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said, 42. “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43. He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44. The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach. 45. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46. About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?” That is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47. Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48. Immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. 49. The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” 50. Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51. Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. 52. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53. and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. 54. Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God.” 55. Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him. 56. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. 57. When evening had come, a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, who himself was also Jesus’ disciple came. 58. This man went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up. 59. Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60. and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut out in the rock, and he rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61. Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. 62. Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate, 63. saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64. Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65. Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66. So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.

1. To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me; lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit. 2. Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. 3. Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts. 4. Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve. 5. Because they don’t respect the works of Yahweh, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up. 6. Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions. 7. Yahweh is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him. 8. Yahweh is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed. 9. Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.