Psalm 7^[a]

A shiggaion^[b](A) of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

David in Saul’s Service

¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed^(A) from Saul, and an evil^[a] spirit^(B) from the Lord tormented him.^(C)

¹⁵ Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶ Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre.^(D) He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

¹⁷ So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse^(E) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.^(F) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with^(G) him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.^(H)” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,^(I) a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

²¹ David came to Saul and entered his service.^(J) Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

²³ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit^(K) would leave him.

David and Goliath

17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled^(L) at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh^(M) and Azekah.^{(N) 2} Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah^(O) and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. ³ The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

⁴ A champion named Goliath,^(P) who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.^{[b] 5} He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels^[c]; ⁶ on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin^(Q) was slung on his back. ⁷ His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod,^(R) and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.^[d] His shield bearer^(S) went ahead of him.

⁸ Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose^(T) a man and have him come down to me. ⁹ If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” ¹⁰ Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy^(U) the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.^(V)” ¹¹ On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.

¹⁷ While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,^(A) the men sent by Cornelius^(B) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸ They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision,^(C) the Spirit said^(D) to him, “Simon, three^[a] men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”^(E)

²¹ Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

²² The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,^(F) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”^{(G) 23} Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers^(H) from Joppa went along.^{(I) 24} The following day he arrived in Caesarea.^(J) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. ²⁶ But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”^(K)

²⁷ While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.^{(L) 28} He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.^(M) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.^{(N) 29} So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

³⁰ Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes^(O) stood before me ³¹ and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. ³² Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ ³³ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

³⁶ While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”^(A)

³⁷ They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.^{(B) 38} He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? ³⁹ Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see;^(C) a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

⁴⁰ When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. ⁴¹ And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ⁴³ and he took it and ate it in their presence.^(D)

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:^(E) Everything must be fulfilled^(F) that is written about me in the Law of Moses,^(G) the Prophets^(H) and the Psalms.”^(I)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer^(J) and rise from the dead on the third day,^{(K) 47} and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(L) to all nations,^(M) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(N) 48} You are witnesses^(O) of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised;^(P) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,^(Q) he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.^{(R) 52} Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple,^(S) praising God.