Dedication to Theophilus

1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those ^(A)things which ^[a]have been fulfilled among us,

Prologue

1 The former account I made, O ^(A)Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, ^2 (B)until the day in which ^[a]He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit ^(C)had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, ^3 (D)to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many ^[b]infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word^(A)

¹⁶ For we did not follow ^(B)cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the ^(C)power and ^(D)coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were ^(E)eyewitnesses of His majesty. ¹⁷ For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ^(F)“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” ¹⁸ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on ^(G)the holy mountain.

^19 [a]And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a ^(H)light that shines in a dark place, ^(I)until ^(J)the day dawns and the morning star rises in your ^(K)hearts;

^31 (A)but these are written that ^(B)you may believe that Jesus ^(C)is the Christ, the Son of God, ^(D)and that believing you may have life in His name.

¹⁶ And without controversy great is the ^[a]mystery of godliness:

The Lord Is Faithful

^17 (A)But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, ^(B)so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered ^(C)out of the mouth of the lion.