Herod’s Violence to the Church

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.

^9 (A)“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

⁵³ When I was with you daily in the ^(A)temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your ^(B)hour, and the power of darkness.”

¹⁷ But beware of men, for ^(A)they will deliver you up to councils and ^(B)scourge you in their synagogues. ^18 (C)You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.

^2 (A)They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming ^(B)that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you, ^(A)‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. ^(B)If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, ^(A)and that signs and wonders may be done ^(B)through the name of ^(C)Your holy Servant Jesus.”

The Church Prospers

^31 (A)Then the ^[a]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were ^(B)edified.^[b] And walking in the ^(C)fear of the Lord and in the ^(D)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were ^(E)multiplied.