I Hope

Take control of what I say, O Lord,
and guard my lips.
Don't let me drift toward evil
or take part in acts of wickedness.

- NLT 2

Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.

- NLT 2

I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.

- NLT 2

This is how the Lord responds:

"If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.

If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
You will be my spokesman.

You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!

They will fight against you like an attacking army,
but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.

They will not conquer you,
for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!

Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
I will rescue you from their cruel hands."

- NLT 2

God frees prisoners -
He gives sight to the blind,
He lifts up the fallen.

- The Message

Then Jesus said,
"Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest a while."

He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.

- NLT 2