The Reign of the Lord's Anointed

The Lord's Prayer

11 Now Jesus^[a] was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, ^(A)as John taught his disciples.” ² And he said to them, ^(B)“When you pray, say:

⁵ And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, ⁶ for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷ and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? ⁸ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything ^(K)because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence^[c] he will rise and give him whatever he needs. ⁹ And I tell you, ^(L)ask, and ^(M)it will be given to you; ^(N)seek, and you will find; ^(O)knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for^[d] a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; ¹² or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, ^(P)who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father ^(Q)give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Fellowship of the Believers

⁴² And ^(A)they devoted themselves to the apostles' ^(B)teaching and the ^(C)fellowship, to ^(D)the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³ And awe^[a] came upon every soul, and ^(E)many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were together and ^(F)had all things in common. ⁴⁵ And ^(G)they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶ And day by day, ^(H)attending the temple ^(I)together and ^(J)breaking bread in their homes, they received their food ^(K)with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and ^(L)having favor with all the people. And the Lord ^(M)added to their number ^(N)day by day those who ^(O)were being saved.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard it, they lifted their voices ^(A)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, ^(B)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵ who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,^[a] said by the Holy Spirit,

²⁷ for truly in this city there were gathered together against your ^(F)holy servant Jesus, ^(G)whom you anointed, both ^(H)Herod and ^(I)Pontius Pilate, along ^(J)with the Gentiles and ^(K)the peoples of Israel, ^28 (L)to do whatever your hand and ^(M)your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, ^(N)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all ^(O)boldness, ³⁰ while ^(P)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed ^(Q)through the name of your ^(R)holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, ^(S)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and ^(T)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and ^(U)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

³² Now the full number of those who believed were of ^(V)one heart and ^(W)soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but ^(X)they had everything in common. ³³ And with great ^(Y)power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and ^(Z)great grace was upon them all. ^34 (AA)There was not a needy person among them, for ^(AB)as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵ and ^(AC)laid it at the apostles' feet, and ^(AD)it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶ Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means ^(AE)son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷ sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and ^(AF)laid it at the apostles' feet.

Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and with his wife's knowledge ^(AG)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and ^(AH)laid it at the apostles' feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^(AI)Satan filled your heart to lie ^(AJ)to the Holy Spirit and ^(AK)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but ^(AL)to God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he ^(AM)fell down and breathed his last. And ^(AN)great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and ^(AO)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

⁷ After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you^[c] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” ⁹ But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together ^(AP)to test ^(AQ)the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ¹⁰ Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ And ^(AR)great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

^4 (A)Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness^[a] be known to everyone. ^(B)The Lord is at hand; ^6 (C)do not be anxious about anything, ^(D)but in everything by prayer and supplication ^(E)with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And ^(F)the peace of God, ^(G)which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. ⁹ What you have learned^[b] and ^(H)received and heard and seen ^(I)in me—practice these things, and ^(J)the God of peace will be with you.

God's Provision

¹⁰ I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length ^(K)you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. ¹¹ Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be ^(L)content. ¹² I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and ^(M)hunger, abundance and ^(N)need. ¹³ I can do all things ^(O)through him who strengthens me.

¹⁴ Yet it was kind of you ^(P)to share^[c] my trouble. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that ^(Q)in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, ^(R)no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. ¹⁶ Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ^17 (S)Not that I seek the gift, but I seek ^(T)the fruit that increases to your credit.^{[d] 18} I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, ^(U)having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, ^(V)a fragrant offering, ^(W)a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God ^(X)will supply every need of yours ^(Y)according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. ²⁰ To ^(Z)our God and Father be ^(AA)glory forever and ever. Amen.