Book of Common Prayer

⁴⁴ The next Sabbath day almost all of the people in that city gathered to hear God's word.

⁴⁵ The leaders of the Jews saw that many people came. They were very jealous. They talked back to Paul and said he was not telling the truth. They also said wrong things about him.

⁴⁶ But Paul and Barnabas did not fear the Jewish leaders. They said, `We had to tell God's word to you first but you will not listen to it. By that you are saying you Jews are not good enough to live for ever. So we will go to the people who are not Jews.

⁴⁷ That is what the Lord told us to do. He said, "I have made you to be a light to the people who are not Jews. You will tell people everywhere in the world how to be saved." '

⁴⁸ Those who were not Jews heard this. They were glad and they thanked God for his message. All those who had been chosen to live for ever believed.

⁴⁹ The word of the Lord was told through all that part of the country.

⁵⁰ But the leaders of the Jews talked to the leading women who worshipped God and to the chief men of Antioch. They made plenty of trouble for Paul and Barnabas. They made them leave that part of the country.

⁵¹ So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet and left them. They went on to Iconium.

⁵² And the followers were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹ The Jews did not all say the same thing because of what Jesus said.

²⁰ Many of them said, `A bad spirit is in him. He is crazy. Why do you listen to him?'

²¹ But others said, `A person who has a bad spirit in him does not say the things this man says. Can a bad spirit make blind people see?'

²² At that time there was a feast in Jerusalem at the temple. It was the cold time of the year.

²³ Jesus was walking in that part of the temple called Solomon's resting place.

²⁴ The Jews came around Jesus and said, `How long will you keep us wondering about this matter? If you are really the Christ, then tell us plainly.'

²⁵ Then Jesus said, `I have already told you and you did not believe it. My Father has given me the power to do big works. These works tell you who I am.

²⁶ And yet you do not believe because you are not my sheep. I told you this before.

²⁷ My sheep listen to me. I know them. They come to me.

²⁸ I give them life that lasts for ever. They will never die. No one will take them out of my hand.

²⁹ My Father gave the sheep to me. He is greater than anyone else. No one is able to take them out of my Father's hand.

³⁰ My Father and I are one.'