The Fellowship of the Believers

42 And (A)they devoted themselves to the apostles' (B)teaching and the (C)fellowship, to (D)the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe[a] came upon every soul, and (E)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and (F)had all things in common. 45 And (G)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, (H)attending the temple (I)together and (J)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food (K)with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and (L)having favor with all the people. And the Lord (M)added to their number (N)day by day those who (O)were being saved.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:43 Or fear

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(A) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(B) and to prayer.(C) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(D) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(E) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(F) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(G) They broke bread(H) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(I) And the Lord added to their number(J) daily those who were being saved.

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19 For this is a gracious thing, when, (A)mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. 20 For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But (B)if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. 21 For (C)to this you have been called, (D)because Christ also suffered for you, (E)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 (F)He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 (G)When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, (H)but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 (I)He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we (J)might die to sin and (K)live to righteousness. (L)By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For (M)you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to (N)the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.(A) 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.(B) 21 To this(C) you were called,(D) because Christ suffered for you,(E) leaving you an example,(F) that you should follow in his steps.

22 “He committed no sin,(G)
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[a](H)

23 When they hurled their insults at him,(I) he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats.(J) Instead, he entrusted himself(K) to him who judges justly.(L) 24 “He himself bore our sins”(M) in his body on the cross,(N) so that we might die to sins(O) and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”(P) 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[b](Q) but now you have returned to the Shepherd(R) and Overseer of your souls.(S)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 2:22 Isaiah 53:9
  2. 1 Peter 2:25 Isaiah 53:4,5,6 (see Septuagint)

I Am the Good Shepherd

10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. (A)A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus (B)used with them, but they (C)did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, (D)I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, (E)he will be saved and will go in and out and (F)find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and (G)kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

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The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.(A) The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.(B) The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.(C) He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.(D) When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.(E) But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech,(F) but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.(G)

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am(H) the gate(I) for the sheep. All who have come before me(J) are thieves and robbers,(K) but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life,(L) and have it to the full.(M)

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Footnotes

  1. John 10:9 Or kept safe

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my (A)shepherd; I shall not (B)want.
    He makes me lie down in green (C)pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
    He (D)restores my soul.
He (E)leads me in (F)paths of righteousness[b]
    for his (G)name's sake.

Even though I (H)walk through the valley of (I)the shadow of death,[c]
    I will (J)fear no evil,
for (K)you are with me;
    your (L)rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You (M)prepare a table before me
    in (N)the presence of my enemies;
you (O)anoint my head with oil;
    my (P)cup overflows.
Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall (Q)dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
    (R)forever.[g]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest
  2. Psalm 23:3 Or in right paths
  3. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness
  4. Psalm 23:6 Or Only
  5. Psalm 23:6 Or steadfast love
  6. Psalm 23:6 Or shall return to dwell
  7. Psalm 23:6 Hebrew for length of days

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd,(A) I lack nothing.(B)
    He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,(C)
    he refreshes my soul.(D)
He guides me(E) along the right paths(F)
    for his name’s sake.(G)
Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a](H)
I will fear no evil,(I)
    for you are with me;(J)
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table(K) before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;(L)
    my cup(M) overflows.
Surely your goodness and love(N) will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 23:4 Or the valley of the shadow of death