Introduction

1 The first account I ^[a]composed, ^(A)Theophilus, about all that Jesus ^(B)began to do and teach, ² until the day when He ^(C)was taken up to heaven, after He ^(D)had given orders ^[b]by the Holy Spirit to ^(E)the apostles whom He had ^(F)chosen. ³ To ^[c]these ^(G)He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of ^(H)things regarding the kingdom of God. ^4 [d]Gathering them together, He commanded them ^(I)not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for ^[e](J)what the Father had promised, “Which,” He said, “you heard of from Me; ⁵ for ^(K)John baptized ^[f]with water, but you will be baptized ^[g]with the Holy Spirit ^[h](L)not many days from now.”

⁶ So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, ^(M)is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which ^(N)the Father has set by His own authority; ⁸ but you will receive power ^(O)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^(P)My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and ^(Q)Samaria, and as far as ^(R)the remotest part of the earth.”

⁴² They were ^(A)continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to ^(B)the breaking of bread and ^(C)to ^[a]prayer.

^43 [b]Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many ^(D)wonders and ^[c]signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all the believers ^[d]were together and ^(E)had all things in common; ⁴⁵ and they ^(F)would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. ^46 (G)Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and ^(H)breaking bread ^[e]from house to house, they were taking their ^[f]meals together with gladness and ^[g]sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and ^(I)having favor with all the people. And the Lord ^(J)was adding to ^[h]their number day by day ^(K)those who were being saved.

The Wall Is Finished

¹⁵ So ^(A)the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ^16 (B)When all our enemies heard about it, and all the nations surrounding us saw it, they ^[a]lost their confidence; for ^(C)they realized that this work had been accomplished ^[b]with the help of our God.