³⁶ In Joppa^(A) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good^(B) and helping the poor. ³⁷ About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.^{(C) 38} Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples^(D) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

³⁹ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows^(E) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out of the room;^(F) then he got down on his knees^(G) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”^(H) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.^{(I) 43} Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.^(J)

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

More Than Conquerors

³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things?^(A) If God is for us,^(B) who can be against us?^{(C) 32} He who did not spare his own Son,^(D) 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^(E) against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?^(F) No one. Christ Jesus who died^(G)—more than that, who was raised to life^(H)—is at the right hand of God^(I) and is also interceding for us.^{(J) 35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(K) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(L) 36} As it is written:

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

Further Conflict Over Jesus’ Claims

²² Then came the Festival of Dedication^[a] at Jerusalem. It was winter, ²³ and Jesus was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.^{(A) 24} The Jews^(B) who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”^(C)

²⁵ Jesus answered, “I did tell you,^(D) but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,^{(E) 26} but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.^{(F) 27} My sheep listen to my voice; I know them,^(G) and they follow me.^{(H) 28} I give them eternal life,^(I) and they shall never perish;^(J) no one will snatch them out of my hand.^{(K) 29} My Father, who has given them to me,^(L) is greater than all^[b];^(M) no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”^(N)