⁸ And he went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, persuading and arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.

⁹ But when some became more and more stubborn (hardened and unbelieving), discrediting and reviling and speaking evil of the Way [of the Lord] before the congregation, he separated himself from them, taking the disciples with him, and went on holding daily discussions in the lecture room of Tyrannus from about ten o’clock till three.

¹⁰ This continued for two years, so that all the inhabitants of [the province of] Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the Word of the Lord [concerning the ^[a]attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].

¹¹ And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

¹² So that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin were carried away and put upon the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

¹³ Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists (men who adjure evil spirits) also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches!

¹⁴ Seven sons of a certain Jewish chief priest named Sceva were doing this.

¹⁵ But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know ^[b]about, but who are you?

¹⁶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering ^[c]two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.

¹⁷ This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and alarm and terror fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled and magnified.

¹⁸ Many also of those who were now believers came making ^[d]full confession and thoroughly exposing their [former deceptive and evil] practices.

¹⁹ And many of those who had practiced curious, magical arts collected their books and [throwing them, ^[e]book after book, on the pile] burned them in the sight of everybody. When they counted the value of them, they found it amounted to 50,000 pieces of silver (^[f]about $9,300).

²⁰ Thus the Word of the Lord [concerning the ^[g]attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] grew and spread and intensified, prevailing mightily.

Psalm 25

[A Psalm] of David.

¹ Unto You, O Lord, do I bring my life.

² O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me.

³ Yes, let none who trust and wait hopefully and look for You be put to shame or be disappointed; let them be ashamed who forsake the right or deal treacherously without cause.

⁴ Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.

⁵ Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

⁶ Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercy and loving-kindness; for they have been ever from of old.

⁷ Remember not the sins (the lapses and frailties) of my youth or my transgressions; according to Your mercy and steadfast love remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

⁸ Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will He instruct sinners in [His] way.

⁹ He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way.

¹⁰ All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.

¹¹ For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity and my guilt, for [they are] great.

¹² Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

¹³ He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.

¹⁴ The secret [of the sweet, satisfying companionship] of the Lord have they who fear (revere and worship) Him, and He will show them His covenant and reveal to them its [deep, inner] meaning.^(A)

¹⁵ My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He will pluck my feet out of the net.

¹⁶ [Lord] turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.

¹⁷ The troubles of my heart are multiplied; bring me out of my distresses.

¹⁸ Behold my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins [of thinking and doing].

¹⁹ Consider my enemies, for they abound; they hate me with cruel hatred.

²⁰ O keep me, Lord, and deliver me; let me not be ashamed or disappointed, for my trust and my refuge are in You.

²¹ Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for and expect You.

²² Redeem Israel, O God, out of all their troubles.

Psalm 26

[A Psalm] of David.

¹ Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the Lord without wavering and I shall not slide.

² Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; test my heart and my mind.

³ For Your loving-kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked in Your truth [faithfully].

⁴ I do not sit with false persons, nor fellowship with pretenders;

⁵ I hate the company of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.

⁶ I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord,

⁷ That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works.

⁸ Lord, I love the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells.

⁹ Gather me not with sinners and sweep me not away [with them], nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

¹⁰ In whose hands is wickedness, and their right hands are full of bribes.

¹¹ But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be merciful and gracious to me.

¹² My foot stands on an even place; in the congregations will I bless the Lord.