¹⁵ for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

⁹ Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.^[a]

¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

³ Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. ⁴ Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

¹⁰ None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

¹⁶ The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.^[a]

⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

¹¹ Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹² Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”