13 The Lord is like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

15 But you, O Lord,

are a God of compassion and mercy,

slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;

how I praise you!

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!*

His mercies never cease.

23 Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

15 "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?

Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?

But even if that were possible,

I would not forget you!

16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.

18 So the Lord must wait for you to come to him

so he can show you his love and compassion.

For the Lord is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for his help.

18 Where is another God like you,

who pardons the guilt of the remnant,

overlooking the sins of his special people?

You will not stay angry with your people forever,

because you delight in showing unfailing love.

6 "I will strengthen Judah and save Israel*;

I will restore them because of my compassion.

It will be as though I had never rejected them,

for I am the Lord their God, who will hear their cries.

9 "This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. 10 Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other.

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters.* Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister* in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

11 Dear brothers and sisters,* I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.