¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. ^(A)May it not be charged against them! ¹⁷ But ^(B)the Lord stood by me and ^(C)strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and ^(D)all the Gentiles might hear it. So ^(E)I was rescued ^(F)from the lion's mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. ^(G)To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.