²⁰ for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”^(A)

¹⁵ for you will be his witness to all the world of what you have seen and heard.^(A)

¹⁶ If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a wage, but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.^(A)

The Word of Life

1 We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life^(A)— ² this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us^(B)— ³ what we have seen and heard we also declare to you so that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.^(C)

³² And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”^(A)

³⁹ We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree,^{(A) 40} but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear,^{(B) 41} not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.^(C)

¹¹ then go to the exiles, to your people, and speak to them. Say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God,’ whether they hear or refuse to hear.”^(A)

¹⁷ But you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them.^{(A) 18} And I for my part have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.^{(B) 19} They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, says the Lord, to deliver you.”^(C)

⁵ When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with proclaiming the word,^[a] testifying to the Jews that the Messiah^[b] was Jesus.^(A)