Book of Common Prayer

¹² The apostles did many signs and wonderful things for the people who met together in the place called Solomon's porch.

¹³ Other people feared to join them, but they spoke well of them.

¹⁴ Many more men and women believed and came to the Lord.

¹⁵ They brought sick people out into the streets and laid them on beds and mats. They hoped that at least Peter's shadow would touch them as he passed by.

¹⁶ Many people also came from the cities around Jerusalem. They brought others who were sick and those who were controlled by bad spirits. Every one of them was healed.

¹⁷ Some Sadducees were with the high priest. They all became very jealous.

¹⁸ They caught the apostles and put them in prison.

¹⁹ But that night the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out.

²⁰ `Go,' said the angel. `Stand in the temple and tell the people all about this new life.'

²¹ When the apostles heard that, they went into the temple early in the morning and taught the people there. The high priest and his men came. They called a meeting of the court and all the leaders of the Jews. Then they sent men to the prison to bring the apostles out.

²² When the men came to the prison, they did not find the apostles there. Then they went back and told the high priest and those with him.

²³ They said, `The prison was locked very well. And the police were guarding the doors. But when we opened the doors, no one was inside.'

²⁴ When the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard this, they did not know what to think. `We wonder what will come from all this,' they thought.

²⁵ Just then someone came and told them, `The men you put in prison are standing in the temple teaching the people.'

²⁶ Then the captain went with the men and brought the apostles quietly. They did not bring them by force because they were afraid the people would kill them with stones.

²⁹ Jesus told them a story. He said, `Look at a fig tree. Look at all the trees.

³⁰ As soon as you see the leaves coming, you know that it will soon be the warm time of the year.

³¹ It is the same way when you see all these things happening. You will know that the kingdom of God is near.

³² I tell you the truth. People who are living then will not die before all these things happen.

³³ The sky and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.'

³⁴ `But take care. Do not think too much about eating, drinking, and things in this life. If you do, that day will come and catch you like a trap.

³⁵ That day will come to all people who are living on the whole earth.

³⁶ Watch all the time. Ask God to make you strong to do right so that you will not go through all these things that are going to happen. Ask him to make you able to stand in front of the Son of Man.'