ls around the lake and whip up dangerous
waves.

"Where is the Rabbi?" asked Philip.

"He is probably inside," answered Simon, turning to enter the synagogue.

From behind a row of pillars they looked for Jesus among the men who
filled the room. In the middle of the room was a low platform with a
desk on it. Seats were arranged on all sides. Over their heads was a
balcony where the women sat. Simon pointed.

"There is Jesus down near the front," he whispered to Philip. "We'll sit
with him." Philip noticed the tone of reverence in Simon's voice.

A row of dignified men sat in front of a heavy curtain at the end of the
room. One of them came over to Jesus. Simon and Philip were too far away
to hear what he whispered, but evidently he asked Jesus, as the visiting
teacher, to take part in the service, because Jesus followed him and sat
down with the elders. The synagogue filled quickly. Philip thought that
many people must have heard about Jesus and come to Capernaum. Jesus
walked to the desk on the platform. Philip was impressed by his strong
voice repeating a prayer that was often used in the synagogue:

"Blessed be Thou, O Lord, King of the world,
Who formest the light and createst the darkness,
Who in mercy givest light to the earth and to those who dwell upon it,
And in Thy goodness, day by day and every day, renewest the works of
creation.
Blessed be the Lord our God for the glory of His handiworks,
And for the light-giving lights which He has made for His praise.
Selah."

In the second prayer, Jesus asked God to forgive and help the people.

"With great love hast Thou loved us, O Lord our God,
And with much overflowing pity hast Thou pitied us,
Our Father and our King.
For the sake of our fathers who trusted in Thee,
And Thou taughtest them the statutes of life,
Have mercy upon us, and teach us.
Enlighten our eyes in Thy law;
Cause our hearts to cleave to Thy commandments:
Unite our hearts to love and fear Thy Name,
And we shall not be put to shame, world without end. Amen."

Then all the congregation repeated their Creed in unison.

"'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one God....
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
And with all thy soul,
And with all thy might.'
Remember all the commandments of the Lord and do them.
'I am the Lord your God, who brought you ... out of the land of Egyp