Book of Common Prayer
In a Vision At The Temple, God Said He Was Sending Me To The Gentiles
17 “And it came about at my having returned to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, that I came-to-be in a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Hurry, and go out from Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me’. 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that throughout the synagogues I was imprisoning and beating the ones putting-faith upon You. 20 And when the blood of Stephen Your witness was being shed, I myself also was standing-near and giving-approval and guarding the garments of the ones killing him’. 21 And He said to me, ‘Be going, because I will send you out far away to the Gentiles’”.
At The Mention of Gentiles, The Mob Erupts. The Romans Take Paul Away
22 And they were listening-to him up to this statement. And they raised their voice, saying, “Take away such a one from the earth, for it was[a] not proper that he continue-living”. 23 And while they were shouting and throwing-off their cloaks and throwing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered that he be brought into the barracks— having said that he should be interrogated with whips in order that he might learn for what reason they were calling-out against him in this manner. 25 But when they stretched him out with[b] the straps[c], Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful[d] for you to whip a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” 26 And having heard it, the centurion, having gone to the commander, reported, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman”. 27 And having gone to him, the commander said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And the one said, “Yes”. 28 And the commander responded, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum [of money]”. And Paul said, “But I indeed have been born one”. 29 So the ones being about to interrogate him immediately withdrew from him. And the commander also became afraid, having learned that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
Love Your Enemies. Be Compassionate And Do Good To All
27 “But I say to you, the ones hearing[a]— Be loving your enemies. Be acting commendably to the ones hating you. 28 Be blessing[b] the ones cursing you. Be praying for the ones mistreating you. 29 To the one striking you on the cheek, be offering also the other. And from the one taking away your cloak, also do not withhold[c] the tunic[d]. 30 To everyone asking you, be giving. And from the one taking away your things, do not be demanding them back. 31 And just as you want people to be doing to you, be doing to them likewise. 32 If indeed you are loving the ones loving you, what-kind-of credit is it to you? For even the sinners are loving the ones loving them. 33 For if indeed you are doing-good-to the ones doing-good-to you, what kind of credit is it to you? Even the sinners are doing the same. 34 And if you lend-to ones from whom you are expecting[e] to receive, what kind of credit is it to you? Even sinners are lending to sinners to receive-back the equal[f] amounts. 35 But be loving your enemies, and be doing good, and be lending, expecting-back[g] nothing, and your reward will be great. And you will be sons[h] of the Most-High, because He is good to the ungrateful and evil ones. 36 Be compassionate, just-as[i] your Father also is compassionate.
Do Not Judge Or Condemn Others. Pardon And Give To Them
37 “And do not be judging[j], and you will never be judged. And do not be condemning, and you will never be condemned. Be pardoning, and you will be pardoned. 38 Be giving, and it will be given to you. They[k] will give a good measure— having been pressed down, having been shaken, running over— into your fold[l] [of the garment]. For with what measure you measure, it will be measured-back to you”.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing