Book of Common Prayer

¹³ When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled. And they knew them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing also the man that was healed standing with them, they could not speak against it. ¹⁵ But they ordered them to go aside out of the council, and conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, What shall we do with these men? For a manifest sign has been done by them, and is openly known to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us threaten them, and charge them to speak to no one in this name from now on.

¹⁸ And they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them and said, Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you more than God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak that which we have seen and heard.

²¹ So they threatened them and let them go, and found no way to punish them, because of the people. For all the people lauded God for the miracle that was done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been shown.

²³ As soon as they were let go, they went to their companions and told them all that the high priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, Lord, you are God who has made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who by the mouth of your servant David has said: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? ²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers came together against the Lord and against his Christ. ²⁷ For of a truth, against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together, ²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done. ²⁹ And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all confidence, ³⁰ and stretch forth your hand so that healing and signs and wonders may be done by the name of the holy child Jesus.

³¹ And as soon as they had prayed, the place moved where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly.

¹⁶ After a while you will not see me, and again after a while you will see me, because I go to the Father.

¹⁷ Then some of his disciples said between themselves, What is this that he says to us, After a while you will not see me, and again after a while you will see me? and, Because I go to the Father? ¹⁸ They said therefore, What is this that he says, After a while? We cannot understand what he says.

¹⁹ Jesus perceived that they wanted to question him and said to them, You enquire about this between yourselves, that I said, After a while you will not see me, and again after a while you will see me. ²⁰ Truly truly I say to you, you will weep and lament, and the world will rejoice. You will sorrow; but your sorrow will be turned to joy.

²¹ A woman when she travails has sorrow, because her hour is come. But as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. ²² And you now are in sorrow. But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. ²³ And in that day you will ask me no question. Truly truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.

²⁵ These things I have spoken to you in parables. The time will come when I will speak no more to you in figures, but I will show you plainly from my Father. ²⁶ At that day, you will ask in my name. And I say not to you that I will speak to my Father for you. ²⁷ For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came out from God. ²⁸ I went out from the Father and came into the world, and I leave the world again and go to the Father.

²⁹ His disciples said to him, Lo, now you speak plainly, and you use no parable. ³⁰ Now we know that you understand all things, and there is no need for anyone to ask you any question. Therefore we believe that you came from God.

³¹ Jesus answered them, Now you do believe. ³² Behold, the hour draws near, and is already come, that you shall be scattered every man his ways, and will leave me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

³³ These words I have spoken to you so that in me you may have peace. For in the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.