Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Trust in God’s Protection

A song for the ascents.^[a]

²⁶ And from above the expanse that was above their heads there was the likeness of a throne, looking like a sapphire,^[a] and above the likeness of the throne was a likeness similar to^[b] the appearance of a human on it, but above it.^{[c] 27} And I saw something like the outward appearance of amber, something like the appearance of fire, with a covering around it, from the likeness of his loins and upward.^[d] And from the likeness of his loins and downward^[e] I saw something like the appearance of fire, and it was radiant all around.^{[f] 28} Like the appearance^[g] of a bow that is in the cloud on a rainy day,^[h] such was the radiance^[i] around it; thus was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Yahweh. And I saw, and I fell on my face, and I heard a voice speaking.

The Call of Ezekiel to Speak God’s Words

2 And he said to me, “Son of man,^[j] stand on your feet, so that I can speak with you.”

Paul Makes His Defense Before King Agrippa

26 So Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his^[a] hand and^[b] began to defend himself:^[c]

² “Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that before you I am about to defend myself today, ³ because^[d] you are especially acquainted with both all the customs and controversial questions with respect to the Jews. Therefore I beg you^[e] to listen to me with patience.

⁴ “Now all the Jews know my manner of life from my youth, that had taken place from the beginning among my own people^[f] and in Jerusalem, ⁵ having known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that in accordance with the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now I stand here on trial on the basis of hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, ⁷ to which our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve him^[g] night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king! ⁸ Why is it thought incredible by you people^[h] that God raises the dead? ⁹ Indeed, I myself thought it was necessary to do many things opposed to the name of Jesus the Nazarene, ¹⁰ which I also did in Jerusalem, and not only did I lock up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when^[i] they were being executed, I cast my vote^[j] against them.^{[k] 11} And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often and^[l] tried to force^[m] them^[n] to blaspheme, and because I^[o] was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing them^[p] even as far as to foreign cities. ¹² In this activity^[q] I was traveling to Damascus with the authority and full power of the chief priests. ¹³ In the middle of the day along the road, O king, I saw a light from heaven, more than the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who were traveling with me. ¹⁴ And when^[r] we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Aramaic language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads!’ ¹⁵ So I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But get up and stand on your feet, because for this reason I have appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and witness both to the things in which you saw me and to the things in which I will appear to you, ¹⁷ rescuing you from the people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’