Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

34 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. ² He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left. ³ For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images. ⁴ They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them. He broke the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images in pieces, made dust of them, and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. ⁵ He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and purged Judah and Jerusalem. ⁶ He did this in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, even to Naphtali, around in their ruins. ⁷ He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel, then returned to Jerusalem.

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.

Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” ⁴⁸ He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.