Book of Common Prayer

¹³ They saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak out. They knew that they were like any other men. They did not have much training. So the people were very much surprised. They knew that Peter and John had been with Jesus.

¹⁴ They saw the man who had been healed standing beside them. So they could say nothing against them.

¹⁵ They told Peter and John to leave the court. Then they talked the matter over among themselves.

¹⁶ They said, `What shall we do to these men? All the people who live in Jerusalem know about this big work they have done. And we cannot say they did not do it.

¹⁷ But we do not want any more people to hear about it. So let us say to these men, "Take care! Never speak to anyone in this name again." '

¹⁸ They called them in and said, `Never speak or teach in this name again.'

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, `How does God look at it? Is it right for us to obey you or to obey him? You judge that for yourselves.

²⁰ As for us, we must tell the things we have seen and heard.'

²¹ So the high priest and those with him told them again. Then they let them go. They could not punish them because of the people. They all praised God for what had been done.

²² The man who had been healed was more than forty years old.

²³ When they were free, Peter and John went back to their own friends. They told them all that the chief priests and leaders had said to them.

²⁴ When they heard it, they talked to God together. They said, `Lord, you are God. You made the sky, and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them.

²⁵ Our father David was your servant. Through him you said by the Holy Spirit, "Why are the people who are not Jews so angry? And why do the people plan things for nothing?

²⁶ The kings of the earth joined their forces. And the rulers met together against the Lord and his Christ."

²⁷ `It is true that Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with Jews and those who were not Jews here in this city. They met to make secret plans against your holy Son Jesus, whom you made Christ.

²⁸ But they only did what you had already planned should be done.

^29-30 ord, hear their words. Listen to the wrong things they say against us. We are your servants. Help us to speak your word without fear. And heal the sick by your own power. Let signs and wonderful things be done in the name of your holy Son Jesus.'

³¹ When they had talked to God, the room they were in shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. And they spoke the word of God without fear.

¹⁶ `Very soon now, you will not see me. A little while after that, you will see me again, because I go to my Father.'

¹⁷ Some of the disciples talked among themselves and said, `He says, "Very soon now, you will not see me. A little while after that, you will see me." And he says, "Because I go to my Father." What does he mean by "a little while"?

¹⁸ We do not know what he means.'

¹⁹ Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him this question. So he said to them, `Are you asking each other what I mean by saying, "Very soon you will not see me. Then in a little while after that you will see me"?

²⁰ I tell you the truth. You people will cry and be very sad, but the people in the world will be very glad. At first you will be sad, but after that you will not be sad. You will be glad.

²¹ `Any woman is sad just before her baby is born. She has much pain because the time has come for the baby to be born. But as soon as the baby is born, she forgets the pain she had. She is very glad because a person has been born into the world.

²² So you also are very sad now. But I will see you again. Then you will be very glad. And no one can take your joy from you.

²³ When that time comes, you will not ask me for anything. I tell you the truth. My Father will do for you anything you ask in my name.

²⁴ You have not asked for anything in my name yet. Ask my Father and he will give it to you. That is what will make you very glad always.

²⁵ `I have told you these things by a story. The time will come when I will not talk by stories. I will tell you about my Father plainly.

²⁶ When that day comes, you will ask in my name. I do not say that I will ask my Father for you.

²⁷ My Father himself loves you. He loves you because you have loved me. And he loves you because you have believed that God sent me.

²⁸ My Father sent me into the world. And now I will leave the world and go back to my Father.'

²⁹ The disciples said to him, `Yes, now you are telling us plainly. You are not telling us with words we do not understand.

³⁰ We know now that you know everything. No one needs to ask you questions. This makes us believe that God sent you.'

³¹ Jesus answered them, `Do you really believe now?

³² Listen, the time is coming. No, the time is here when you will run away. Every man will go to his own home. You will leave me on my own. And yet I am not alone, because my Father is with me.

³³ I have told you these things so that you may have peace. I give you peace. The world will trouble you much. But be glad. I have power over the world.'