¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.^(A)”

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!^{(A) 30} The God of our ancestors^(B) raised Jesus from the dead^(C)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.^{(D) 31} God exalted him to his own right hand^(E) as Prince and Savior^(F) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.^{(G) 32} We are witnesses of these things,^(H) and so is the Holy Spirit,^(I) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

⁴ “I tell you, my friends,^(A) do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.^{(B) 6} Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.^(C) Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.^(D)

⁸ “I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.^{(E) 9} But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned^(F) before the angels of God.

¹⁰ then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^(A) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,^(B) that this man stands before you healed. ¹¹ Jesus is

¹² Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”^(D)

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(E) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(F) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^(G)

³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.^(A)

³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others,^(A) I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.^(B)