The voice which I heard from heaven, again speaking with me, said, “Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel who stands on the sea and on the land.” I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. He said to me, “Take it and eat it. It will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey.” I took the little book out of the angel’s hand, and ate it. It was as sweet as honey in my mouth. When I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter. They told me, “You must prophesy again over many peoples, nations, languages, and kings.”
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches. Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALETH The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YODH How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth! I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
He entered into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house is a house of prayer,’ 19:46 Isaiah 56:7 but you have made it a ‘den of robbers’!” 19:46 Jeremiah 7:11 He was teaching daily in the temple, but the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people sought to destroy him. They couldn’t find what they might do, for all the people hung on to every word that he said.