¹⁵ These were the sons Leah bore to Jacob in Paddan Aram,^[c](M) besides his daughter Dinah.^(N) These sons and daughters of his were thirty-three in all.

¹⁸ These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah,^(R) whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah^(S)—sixteen in all.

²² These were the sons of Rachel^(AB) who were born to Jacob—fourteen in all.

²⁵ These were the sons born to Jacob by Bilhah,^(AF) whom Laban had given to his daughter Rachel^(AG)—seven in all.

²⁶ All those who went to Egypt with Jacob—those who were his direct descendants, not counting his sons’ wives—numbered sixty-six persons.^{(AH) 27} With the two sons^[f] who had been born to Joseph in Egypt,^(AI) the members of Jacob’s family, which went to Egypt, were seventy^[g] in all.^(AJ)

Jonathan Eats Honey

²⁴ Now the Israelites were in distress that day, because Saul had bound the people under an oath,^(A) saying, “Cursed be anyone who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies!” So none of the troops tasted food.

²⁵ The entire army entered the woods, and there was honey on the ground. ²⁶ When they went into the woods, they saw the honey oozing out; yet no one put his hand to his mouth, because they feared the oath. ²⁷ But Jonathan had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb.^(B) He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.^{[a] 28} Then one of the soldiers told him, “Your father bound the army under a strict oath, saying, ‘Cursed be anyone who eats food today!’ That is why the men are faint.”

²⁹ Jonathan said, “My father has made trouble^(C) for the country. See how my eyes brightened when I tasted a little of this honey. ³⁰ How much better it would have been if the men had eaten today some of the plunder they took from their enemies. Would not the slaughter of the Philistines have been even greater?”

³¹ That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Mikmash^(D) to Aijalon,^(E) they were exhausted. ³² They pounced on the plunder^(F) and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood.^{(G) 33} Then someone said to Saul, “Look, the men are sinning against the Lord by eating meat that has blood^(H) in it.”

“You have broken faith,” he said. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” ³⁴ Then he said, “Go out among the men and tell them, ‘Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the Lord by eating meat with blood still^(I) in it.’”

So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there. ³⁵ Then Saul built an altar^(J) to the Lord; it was the first time he had done this.

Israel Forsakes God

2 The word^(A) of the Lord came to me: ² “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem:

“This is what the Lord says:

⁵ This is what the Lord says:

³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’^(A)

⁴¹ “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me,^(B) you who are cursed, into the eternal fire^(C) prepared for the devil and his angels.^{(D) 42} For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’

⁴⁴ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’

⁴⁵ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’^(E)

⁴⁶ “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.^(F)”^(G)

Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard

¹⁷ Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders.^(A) When they had assembled, Paul said to them: “My brothers,^(B) although I have done nothing against our people^(C) or against the customs of our ancestors,^(D) I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. ¹⁸ They examined me^(E) and wanted to release me,^(F) because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death.^{(G) 19} The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar.^(H) I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. ²⁰ For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel^(I) that I am bound with this chain.”^(J)

²¹ They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people^(K) who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. ²² But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”^(L)

²³ They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God,^(M) and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets^(N) he tried to persuade them about Jesus.^{(O) 24} Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.^{(P) 25} They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said^(Q) through Isaiah the prophet:

²⁸ “Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation^(T) has been sent to the Gentiles,^(U) and they will listen!” ^[29] [b]

³⁰ For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. ³¹ He proclaimed the kingdom of God^(V) and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness^(W) and without hindrance!