Part one of The Message is the Old Testament,
which many people today like to call the First Testament

In the Old Testament, God's plan of salvation for humankind
is foretold, recounted and explained

The main aim of the Old Testament
was to prepare for the coming of the Messiah

The Old Testament books have a lively sense of God.
They contain a store of sublime teachings about God, about wisdom and about human life.
They have a wonderful treasury of prayers,
and in them the mystery of our salvation is present in a hidden way.
Christians should receive them with reverence

Heavenly Father, please increase my love for the Old Testament