¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my aid, but they all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued me from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will save me for his heavenly kingdom, to whom be the glory forever and ever^[a]. Amen.