²³ that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

⁵ and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.

²⁶ Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?”

¹⁸ to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

¹⁸ No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.”

The Scattering of the Sheep

²⁴ “A period of seventy sets of seven^[a] has been decreed for your people and your holy city to finish their rebellion, to put an end to their sin, to atone for their guilt, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to confirm the prophetic vision, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.^{[b] 25} Now listen and understand! Seven sets of seven plus sixty-two sets of seven^[c] will pass from the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until a ruler—the Anointed One^[d]—comes. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses,^[e] despite the perilous times.

²⁶ “After this period of sixty-two sets of seven,^[f] the Anointed One will be killed, appearing to have accomplished nothing, and a ruler will arise whose armies will destroy the city and the Temple. The end will come with a flood, and war and its miseries are decreed from that time to the very end.