Peter and John Before the Council

4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and ^(A)the captain of the temple and ^(B)the Sadducees came upon them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming ^(C)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they arrested them and ^(D)put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who had heard the word believed, and ^(E)the number of the men came to about five thousand.

⁵ On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶ with ^(F)Annas the high priest and ^(G)Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷ And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, ^(H)“By what power or ^(I)by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, ^(J)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today ^(K)concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that ^(L)by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, ^(M)whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ^11 (N)This Jesus^[a] is the stone that was ^(O)rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.^{[b] 12} And there is ^(P)salvation ^(Q)in no one else, for ^(R)there is no other ^(S)name under heaven given among men^[c] by which we must be saved.”

^13 (T)Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ But seeing the man who was healed ^(U)standing beside them, ^(V)they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶ saying, ^(W)“What shall we do with these men? For that ^(X)a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them ^(Y)to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, ^(Z)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for ^(AA)we cannot but speak of what ^(AB)we have seen and heard.” ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, ^(AC)because of the people, for all were praising God ^(AD)for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices ^(AE)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, ^(AF)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵ who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,^[d] said by the Holy Spirit,

²⁷ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your ^(AJ)holy servant Jesus, ^(AK)whom you anointed, both ^(AL)Herod and ^(AM)Pontius Pilate, along ^(AN)with the Gentiles and ^(AO)the peoples of Israel, ^28 (AP)to do whatever your hand and ^(AQ)your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, ^(AR)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all ^(AS)boldness, ³⁰ while ^(AT)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed ^(AU)through the name of your ^(AV)holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, ^(AW)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and ^(AX)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and ^(AY)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

³² Now the full number of those who believed were of ^(AZ)one heart and ^(BA)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but ^(BB)they had everything in common. ³³ And with great ^(BC)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and ^(BD)great grace was upon them all. ^34 (BE)There was not a needy person among them, for ^(BF)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵ and ^(BG)laid it at the apostles' feet, and ^(BH)it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶ Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means ^(BI)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and ^(BJ)laid it at the apostles' feet.

Paul on Malta

28 After we were brought safely through, ^(A)we then learned that ^(B)the island was called Malta. ^2 (C)The native people^[a] showed us unusual ^(D)kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. ³ When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. ⁴ When ^(E)the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ^(F)“No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, ^(G)Justice^[b] has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ He, however, ^(H)shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. ⁶ They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, ^(I)they changed their minds and ^(J)said that he was a god.

⁷ Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and ^(K)prayed, and ^(L)putting his hands on him, healed him. ⁹ And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. ¹⁰ They also honored us greatly,^[c] and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

¹¹ After three months we set sail in ^(M)a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods^[d] as a figurehead. ¹² Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. ¹³ And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. ¹⁴ There we found ^(N)brothers^[e] and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ And ^(O)the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, ^(P)Paul thanked God and took courage. ¹⁶ And when we came into Rome, ^(Q)Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.

Paul in Rome

¹⁷ After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, ^(R)though I had done nothing against our people or ^(S)the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. ¹⁸ When they had examined me, they ^(T)wished to set me at liberty, ^(U)because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. ¹⁹ But because the Jews objected, I was compelled ^(V)to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against ^(W)my nation. ²⁰ For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is ^(X)because of ^(Y)the hope of Israel that I am wearing ^(Z)this ^(AA)chain.” ²¹ And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of ^(AB)the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you. ²² But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this ^(AC)sect we know that everywhere ^(AD)it is spoken against.”

²³ When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening ^(AE)he expounded to them, testifying to ^(AF)the kingdom of God and ^(AG)trying to convince them about Jesus ^(AH)both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. ²⁴ And ^(AI)some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. ²⁵ And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: ^(AJ)“The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that ^(AO)this ^(AP)salvation of God ^(AQ)has been sent to the Gentiles; ^(AR)they will listen.”^[f]

³⁰ He lived there two whole years at his own expense,^[g] and ^(AS)welcomed all who came to him, ^31 (AT)proclaiming ^(AU)the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ ^(AV)with all boldness and ^(AW)without hindrance.

^9 (A)making known^[a] to us the mystery of his will, ^(B)according to his purpose, which he ^(C)set forth in Christ

¹⁷ So when God desired to show more convincingly to ^(A)the heirs of the promise ^(B)the unchangeable character of his purpose, ^(C)he guaranteed it with an oath,

^9 (A)making known^[a] to us the mystery of his will, ^(B)according to his purpose, which he ^(C)set forth in Christ

¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what ^(A)the will of the Lord is.

³⁶ For ^(A)you have need of endurance, so that ^(B)when you have done the will of God you may ^(C)receive what is promised.

^21 (A)equip you with everything good that you may do his will, ^(B)working in us^[a] that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, ^(C)to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.