²⁷ During this time some prophets^(A) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ One of them, named Agabus,^(B) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.^(C) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)^{(D) 29} The disciples,^(E) as each one was able, decided to provide help^(F) for the brothers and sisters^(G) living in Judea. ³⁰ This they did, sending their gift to the elders^(H) by Barnabas^(I) and Saul.^(J)

Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison

12 It was about this time that King Herod^(K) arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. ² He had James, the brother of John,^(L) put to death with the sword.^{(M) 3} When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,^(N) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.^{(O) 4} After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.^(P)

⁵ So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.^(Q)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good^(A) of those who love him, who^[a] have been called^(B) according to his purpose.^{(C) 29} For those God foreknew^(D) he also predestined^(E) to be conformed to the image of his Son,^(F) that he might be the firstborn^(G) among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined,^(H) he also called;^(I) those he called, he also justified;^(J) those he justified, he also glorified.^(K)

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(L) If God is for us,^(M) who can be against us?^{(N) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(O) but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³ Who will bring any charge^(P) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(Q) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(R)—more than that, who was raised to life^(S)—is at the right hand of God^(T) and is also interceding for us.^{(U) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(V) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(W) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(Y) through him who loved us.^{(Z) 38} For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[c] neither the present nor the future,^(AA) nor any powers,^{(AB) 39} neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God^(AC) that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.^(AD)

The Request of James and John^(A)

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

³⁶ “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³⁷ They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”^(B)

³⁸ “You don’t know what you are asking,”^(C) Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup^(D) I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”^(E)

³⁹ “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,^{(F) 40} but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

⁴¹ When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,^{(G) 44} and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,^(H) and to give his life as a ransom for many.”^(I)