The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ Just^(A) then an expert in the law^(B) stood up to test^(C) Him, saying, “Teacher,^(D) what must I do to inherit eternal life?”^(E)

²⁶ “What is written in the law?” He asked him. “How do you read it?”

²⁷ He answered:

²⁸ “You’ve answered correctly,” He told him. “Do this and you will live.”^(I)

²⁹ But wanting to justify himself,^(J) he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”^(K)

³⁰ Jesus took up the question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan^(L) on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion.^{(M) 34} He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil^(N) and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day^[b] he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

³⁷ “The one who showed mercy^(O) to him,” he said.

Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

⁴⁴ Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.^{(A) 45} They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.^[a]

Believers Sharing

³² Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.^{(A) 33} And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.^{(B) 34} For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,^{(C) 35} and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed for each person’s basic needs.^[a](D)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement,^{(E) 37} sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.^(F)

Cornelius’s Vision

10 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment.^{(A) 2} He was a devout man and feared God along with his whole household. He did many charitable deeds for the Jewish people and always prayed to God.^{(B) 3} About three in the afternoon^[a] he distinctly saw in a vision an angel of God who came in and said to him, “Cornelius!”^(C)

⁴ Looking intently at him, he became afraid and said, “What is it, lord?”

The angel told him, “Your prayers and your acts of charity have come up as a memorial offering before God.^{(D) 5} Now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, who is also named Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.”^(E)

⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had gone, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier, who was one of those who attended him. ⁸ After explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

¹⁰ They asked only that we would remember the poor,^(A) which I made every effort to do.

The Support of Widows

³ Support^[a] widows^(A) who are genuinely widows. ⁴ But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God. ⁵ The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God^(B) and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; ⁶ however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.^{(C) 7} Command this also, so they won’t be blamed. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide^(D) for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith^(E) and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow should be placed on the official support list^[b] unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for good works^(F)—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality,^(G) washed the saints’ feet,^(H) helped the afflicted,^(I) and devoted herself to every good work.^{(J) 11} But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry^{(K) 12} and will therefore receive condemnation^(L) because they have renounced their original pledge. ¹³ At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips^(M) and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger women to marry,^(N) have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us.^{(O) 15} For some have already turned away^(P) to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any^[c] believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before our^[a] God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows^(A) in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.^(B)

¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?^(A)