Wisdom’s Call

Psalm 8^[a]

For the director of music. According to gittith.^[b] A psalm of David.

Peter Addresses the Crowd

¹⁴ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.

²² “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth^(A) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,^(B) which God did among you through him,^(C) as you yourselves know. ²³ This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;^(D) and you, with the help of wicked men,^[a] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.^{(E) 24} But God raised him from the dead,^(F) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.^{(G) 25} David said about him:

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(J) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(K) David died and was buried,^(L) and his tomb is here^(M) to this day. ³⁰ But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.^{(N) 31} Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.^{(O) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(P) and we are all witnesses^(Q) of it. ³³ Exalted^(R) to the right hand of God,^(S) he has received from the Father^(T) the promised Holy Spirit^(U) and has poured out^(V) what you now see and hear. ³⁴ For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord^(X) and Messiah.”^(Y)

Jesus’ Claims About Himself

⁴⁸ The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan^(A) and demon-possessed?”^(B)

⁴⁹ “I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. ⁵⁰ I am not seeking glory for myself;^(C) but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. ⁵¹ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”^(D)

⁵² At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed!^(E) Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. ⁵³ Are you greater than our father Abraham?^(F) He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”

⁵⁴ Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself,^(G) my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me.^{(H) 55} Though you do not know him,^(I) I know him.^(J) If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word.^{(K) 56} Your father Abraham^(L) rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it^(M) and was glad.”

⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born,^(N) I am!”^{(O) 59} At this, they picked up stones to stone him,^(P) but Jesus hid himself,^(Q) slipping away from the temple grounds.