Confirming One’s Calling and Election

³ His divine power^(A) has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him^(B) who called us^(C) by his own glory and goodness. ⁴ Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises,^(D) so that through them you may participate in the divine nature,^(E) having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.^(F)

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. ¹⁵ These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!^{(A) 16} No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

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

²⁹ “Fellow Israelites,^(R) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch^(S) David died and was buried,^(T) and his tomb is here^(U) 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.^{(V) 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.^{(W) 32} God has raised this Jesus to life,^(X) and we are all witnesses^(Y) of it. ³³ Exalted^(Z) to the right hand of God,^(AA) he has received from the Father^(AB) the promised Holy Spirit^(AC) and has poured out^(AD) 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^(AF) and Messiah.”^(AG)

³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”^(AH)

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,^(AI) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.^(AJ) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.^{(AK) 39} The promise is for you and your children^(AL) and for all who are far off^(AM)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^{(AN) 41} Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(AO) that day.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy^(A)

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy^[a] came to him and begged him on his knees,^(B) “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

⁴¹ Jesus was indignant.^[b] He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” ⁴² Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

⁴³ Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: ⁴⁴ “See that you don’t tell this to anyone.^(C) But go, show yourself to the priest^(D) and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing,^(E) as a testimony to them.” ⁴⁵ Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places.^(F) Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.^(G)