Book of Common Prayer
An Angel Sends Philip Down The Road To an Ethiopian Eunuch Reading Isaiah
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Arise and go toward the south[a] on the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza”. This[b] is a wilderness [road]. 27 And having arisen, he proceeded. And behold— there was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch[c], a court-official of Candace[d] (queen of the Ethiopians), who was over all her treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and was returning, and sitting on his chariot[e]. And he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Approach and join this chariot”. 30 And having run up, Philip heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you indeed understand the things which you are reading?” 31 And the one said, “How indeed might I be able, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip to sit with him, having come up.
Philip Explains That Isaiah 53 Refers To Jesus
32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter. And as a lamb before the one having sheared it is silent, so He does not open His mouth. 33 In His humiliation, His justice[f] was taken-away. Who will describe[g] His generation[h]? Because His life is taken-away from the earth” [Isa 53:7-8]. 34 And having responded, the eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, about whom is the prophet saying this— about himself or about some other?” 35 And Philip— having opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture— announced Jesus as good news to him.
The Man Believes And Is Baptized, And Continues Home Rejoicing
36 And as they were proceeding along the road, they came upon some water. And the eunuch says, “Behold— water. What is preventing me from being baptized?” 37 [i] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop. And they both went down into[j] the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out-of [k] the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. And the eunuch did not see him any longer, for he was going his way rejoicing.
Philip Continues Announcing The Good News In Other Cities
40 And Philip was found at Azotus. And while going through, he was announcing-the-good-news-to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
Pilate Offers To Release Jesus. The Crowd Demands He Be Crucified
13 Now Pilate, having called-together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 said to them, “You brought me this man as One turning-away[a] the people. And behold— I, having examined Him in your presence, found no guilt in this man of the things which you are accusing against Him. 15 But neither did Herod, for he sent Him back to us. And behold— nothing worthy of death has been committed by Him. 16 Therefore, having disciplined Him, I will release Him”. 17 [b] 18 But they cried-out all-together, saying, “Take away this One, and release Barabbas for us”— 19 who had been thrown in prison because of a certain rebellion[c] having taken place in the city, and murder. 20 And again Pilate addressed them, wanting to release Jesus. 21 But the ones were calling-out, saying “Crucify, crucify Him!” 22 And a third time the one said to them, “What indeed[d] did this One do wrong? I found no guilt worthy of death in Him. Therefore, having disciplined Him, I will release Him”. 23 But the ones were pressing-upon him with loud voices, asking that He be crucified. And their voices were prevailing. 24 And Pilate decided[e] that their request should be done. 25 And he released the one having been thrown into prison because of rebellion and murder, whom they were asking-for. And he handed-over Jesus to their will.
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