Restoration, Persecution, and Inclusive Grace

1. In the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri, into a covenant with him. 2. They went around in Judah, and gathered the Levites out of all the cities of Judah, and the heads of fathers’ households of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem. 3. All the assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s house. He said to them, “Behold, the king’s son must reign, as Yahweh has spoken concerning the sons of David. 4. This is the thing that you must do. A third part of you, who come in on the Sabbath, of the priests and of the Levites, shall be gatekeepers of the thresholds. 5. A third part shall be at the king’s house; and a third part at the gate of the foundation. All the people will be in the courts of Yahweh’s house. 6. But let no one come into Yahweh’s house, except the priests and those who minister of the Levites. They shall come in, for they are holy, but all the people shall follow Yahweh’s instructions. 7. The Levites shall surround the king, every man with his weapons in his hand. Whoever comes into the house, let him be slain. Be with the king when he comes in, and when he goes out.” 8. So the Levites and all Judah did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded: and they each took his men, those who were to come in on the Sabbath; with those who were to go out on the Sabbath; for Jehoiada the priest didn’t dismiss the shift. 9. Jehoiada the priest delivered to the captains of hundreds the spears, and bucklers, and shields, that had been king David’s, which were in God’s house. 10. He set all the people, every man with his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, near the altar and the house, around the king. 11. Then they brought out the king’s son, and put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, “Long live the king!” 12. When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came to the people into Yahweh’s house. 13. Then she looked, and, behold, the king stood by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpets by the king. All the people of the land rejoiced, and blew trumpets. The singers also played musical instruments, and led the singing of praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes, and said, “Treason! treason!” 14. Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds who were set over the army, and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks; and whoever follows her, let him be slain with the sword.” For the priest said, “Don’t kill her in Yahweh’s house.” 15. So they made way for her. She went to the entrance of the horse gate to the king’s house; and they killed her there. 16. Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, all the people, and the king, that they should be Yahweh’s people. 17. All the people went to the house of Baal, broke it down, broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18. Jehoiada appointed the officers of Yahweh’s house under the hand of the priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in Yahweh’s house, to offer the burnt offerings of Yahweh, as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, as David had ordered. 19. He set the gatekeepers at the gates of Yahweh’s house, that no one who was unclean in anything should enter in. 20. He took the captains of hundreds, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought the king down from Yahweh’s house. They came through the upper gate to the king’s house, and set the king on the throne of the kingdom. 21. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet. They had slain Athaliah with the sword. 1. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah, of Beersheba. 2. Joash did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3. Jehoiada took for him two wives, and he became the father of sons and daughters. 4. After this, Joash intended to restore Yahweh’s house. 5. He gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah, and gather money to repair the house of your God from all Israel from year to year. See that you expedite this matter.” However the Levites didn’t do it right away. 6. The king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said to him, “Why haven’t you required of the Levites to bring in the tax of Moses the servant of Yahweh, and of the assembly of Israel, out of Judah and out of Jerusalem, for the Tent of the Testimony?” 7. For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up God’s house; and they also gave all the dedicated things of Yahweh’s house to the Baals. 8. So the king commanded, and they made a chest, and set it outside at the gate of Yahweh’s house. 9. They made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in for Yahweh the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness. 10. All the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had filled it. 11. Whenever the chest was brought to the king’s officers by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the chief priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to its place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance. 12. The king and Jehoiada gave it to those who did the work of the service of Yahweh’s house. They hired masons and carpenters to restore Yahweh’s house, and also those who worked iron and brass to repair Yahweh’s house. 13. So the workmen worked, and the work of repairing went forward in their hands. They set up God’s house as it was designed, and strengthened it. 14. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, from which were made vessels for Yahweh’s house, even vessels with which to minister and to offer, including spoons and vessels of gold and silver. They offered burnt offerings in Yahweh’s house continually all the days of Jehoiada. 15. But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died. He was one hundred thirty years old when he died. 16. They buried him in David’s city among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house. 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah came, and bowed down to the king. Then the king listened to them. 18. They abandoned the house of Yahweh, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherah poles and the idols, so wrath came on Judah and Jerusalem for this their guiltiness. 19. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again to Yahweh, and they testified against them; but they would not listen. 20. The Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God, ‘Why do you disobey Yahweh’s commandments, so that you can’t prosper? Because you have forsaken Yahweh, he has also forsaken you.’” 21. They conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of Yahweh’s house. 22. Thus Joash the king didn’t remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son. When he died, he said, “May Yahweh look at it, and repay it.” 23. At the end of the year, the army of the Syrians came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all their plunder to the king of Damascus. 24. For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; and Yahweh delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken Yahweh, the God of their fathers. So they executed judgment on Joash. 25. When they had departed from him (for they left him very sick), his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed, and he died. They buried him in David’s city, but they didn’t bury him in the tombs of the kings. 26. These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith the Moabitess. 27. Now concerning his sons, the greatness of the burdens laid on him, and the rebuilding of God’s house, behold, they are written in the commentary of the book of the kings. Amaziah his son reigned in his place. 1. Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan, of Jerusalem. 2. He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, but not with a perfect heart. 3. Now when the kingdom was established to him, he killed his servants who had killed his father the king. 4. But he didn’t put their children to death, but did according to that which is written in the law in the book of Moses, as Yahweh commanded, saying, “The fathers shall not die for the children, neither shall the children die for the fathers; but every man shall die for his own sin.” 5. Moreover Amaziah gathered Judah together, and ordered them according to their fathers’ houses, under captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, even all Judah and Benjamin. He counted them from twenty years old and upward, and found that there were three hundred thousand chosen men, able to go out to war, who could handle spear and shield. 6. He also hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valor out of Israel for one hundred talents of silver. 7. A man of God came to him, saying, “O king, don’t let the army of Israel go with you, for Yahweh is not with Israel, with all the children of Ephraim. 8. But if you will go, take action, and be strong for the battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to overthrow.” 9. Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “Yahweh is able to give you much more than this.” 10. Then Amaziah separated them, the army that had come to him out of Ephraim, to go home again. Therefore their anger was greatly kindled against Judah, and they returned home in fierce anger. 11. Amaziah took courage, and led his people out, and went to the Valley of Salt, and struck ten thousand of the children of Seir. 12. The children of Judah carried away ten thousand alive, and brought them to the top of the rock, and threw them down from the top of the rock, so that they all were broken in pieces. 13. But the men of the army whom Amaziah sent back, that they should not go with him to battle, fell on the cities of Judah, from Samaria even to Beth Horon, and struck of them three thousand, and took much plunder. 14. Now after Amaziah had come from the slaughter of the Edomites, he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense to them. 15. Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against Amaziah, and he sent to him a prophet, who said to him, “Why have you sought after the gods of the people, which have not delivered their own people out of your hand?” 16. As he talked with him, the king said to him, “Have we made you one of the king’s counselors? Stop! Why should you be struck down?” Then the prophet stopped, and said, “I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this, and have not listened to my counsel.” 17. Then Amaziah king of Judah consulted his advisers, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us look one another in the face.” 18. Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, “The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son as his wife. Then a wild animal that was in Lebanon passed by, and trampled down the thistle. 19. You say to yourself that you have struck Edom; and your heart lifts you up to boast. Now stay at home. Why should you meddle with trouble, that you should fall, even you, and Judah with you?’” 20. But Amaziah would not listen; for it was of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought after the gods of Edom. 21. So Joash king of Israel went up, and he and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. 22. Judah was defeated by Israel; and they every man fled to his tent. 23. Joash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth Shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 24. He took all the gold and silver, and all the vessels that were found in God’s house with Obed-Edom, and the treasures of the king’s house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. 25. Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived for fifteen years after the death of Joash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel. 26. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, aren’t they written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel? 27. Now from the time that Amaziah turned away from following Yahweh, they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem. He fled to Lachish, but they sent after him to Lachish, and killed him there. 28. They brought him on horses, and buried him with his fathers in the City of Judah.

1. Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” 5. These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; 6. whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7. The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8. Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9. But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10. They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12. They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council, 13. and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15. All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel. 1. The high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2. He said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3. and said to him, ‘Get out of your land, and from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.’ 4. Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living. 5. He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his offspring after him, when he still had no child. 6. God spoke in this way: that his offspring would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7. ‘I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that will they come out, and serve me in this place.’ 8. He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. 9. “The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him, 10. and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11. Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food. 12. But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time. 13. On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s race was revealed to Pharaoh. 14. Joseph sent, and summoned Jacob, his father, and all his relatives, seventy-five souls. 15. Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, himself and our fathers, 16. and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem. 17. “But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18. until there arose a different king, who didn’t know Joseph. 19. The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive. 20. At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house. 21. When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and reared him as her own son. 22. Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. 23. But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24. Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian. 25. He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand. 26. “The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’ 27. But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28. Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29. Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. 30. “When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31. When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him, 32. ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled, and dared not look. 33. The Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 34. I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’ 35. “This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36. This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37. This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’ 38. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living revelations to give to us, 39. to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, 40. saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’ 41. They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. 42. But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43. You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’ 44. “Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen; 45. which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David, 46. who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 47. But Solomon built him a house. 48. However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, 49. ‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord. ‘Or what is the place of my rest? 50. Didn’t my hand make all these things?’ 51. “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. 52. Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers. 53. You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!” 54. Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56. and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57. But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord. 58. They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59. They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60. He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 1. Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles. 2. Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him. 3. But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison. 4. Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word. 5. Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6. The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7. For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8. There was great joy in that city. 9. But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one, 10. to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.” 11. They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 12. But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13. Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed. 14. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15. who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16. for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18. Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19. saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20. But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21. You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God. 22. Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23. For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.” 24. Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.” 25. They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans. 26. But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.” 27. He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28. He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.” 30. Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31. He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32. Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth. 33. In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.” 34. The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?” 35. Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus. 36. As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?” 37. 38. He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40. But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea. 1. But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2. and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3. As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4. He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5. He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6. But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7. The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. 8. Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9. He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank. 10. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.” 11. The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12. and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.” 13. But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 14. Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15. But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel. 16. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” 17. Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18. Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized. 19. He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. 20. Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. 21. All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!” 22. But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 23. When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 24. but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, 25. but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 26. When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28. He was with them entering into Jerusalem, 29. preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him. 30. When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. 31. So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 32. As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed. 34. Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose. 35. All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did. 37. In those days, she became sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38. As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39. Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40. Peter sent them all out, and knelt down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41. He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43. He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon. 1. Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2. a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 3. At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4. He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God. 5. Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is also called Peter. 6. He lodges with a tanner named Simon, whose house is by the seaside. 7. When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually. 8. Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9. Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon. 10. He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance. 11. He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth, 12. in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13. A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!” 14. But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15. A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.” 16. This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. 17. Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, 18. and called and asked whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19. While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you. 20. But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.” 21. Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?” 22. They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.” 23. So he called them in and provided a place to stay. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24. On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. 25. When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 26. But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.” 27. As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 28. He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean. 29. Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?” 30. Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31. and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32. Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He lodges in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33. Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.” 34. Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism; 35. but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him. 36. The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all— 37. you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38. even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39. We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a tree. 40. God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed, 41. not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead. 43. All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.” 44. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. 45. They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 46. For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47. “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” 48. He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.

1. Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them: 2. for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief. 3. Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 4. by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. 5. A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; 6. for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors. 7. Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. 8. One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. 9. The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. 10. If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. 11. Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 12. If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work? 13. My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste: 14. so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off. 15. Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place: 16. for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 17. Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; 18. lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19. Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked: 20. for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out. 21. My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious: 22. for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows? 23. These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24. He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him— 25. but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. 26. An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 27. Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. 28. Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips. 29. Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.” 30. I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32. Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: 33. a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; 34. so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.