¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.^{[a](A) 30} The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.^{(B) 31} God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.^{(C) 32} And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”^(D)

¹⁰ Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.^{(A) 11} Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever conquers will not be harmed by the second death.^(B)

³⁹ Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.^(A)

¹⁰ let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^[a] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.^{(A) 11} This Jesus^[b] is

¹² “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”^(C)

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.^(D)

³ Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

Exhortation to Fearless Confession

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that can do nothing more.^{(A) 5} But I will show you whom to fear: fear the one who, after killing, has authority^[a] to cast into hell.^[b] Yes, I tell you, fear that one!^{(B) 6} Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. ⁷ But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.^(C)

⁸ “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,^{(D) 9} but whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God.

³² “Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven,^{(A) 33} but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.