¹⁵ After the usual readings from the books of Moses^[a] and the prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it.”

²² I urge you, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.

²¹ For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.”

²² Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet,

⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

22 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.”

¹⁷ The crowd^[a] then grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right there in the courtroom. But Gallio paid no attention.

²⁷ The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not recognize Jesus as the one the prophets had spoken about. Instead, they condemned him, and in doing this they fulfilled the prophets’ words that are read every Sabbath.

¹⁶ When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. ¹⁷ The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

³ But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them.