Acts 24 Cross References - LEB

¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor. ² And when* he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,* saying, "We have experienced* much* peace through you, and reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight. ³ Both in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this,* most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. ⁴ But so that I may not impose on you for longer, I implore you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. ⁵ For we have found* this man to be a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire* and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, ⁶ who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we arrested _⌊him*_⌋.* ⁸ When* you yourself examine him* you will be able to find out from _⌊him_⌋* about all these things of which we are accusing him." ⁹ And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting these things were so. ¹⁰ And when* the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I* know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself. ¹¹ You can ascertain that _⌊it has not been more than_⌋* twelve days _⌊since_⌋* I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or making a crowd develop in the temple courts* nor in the synagogues nor throughout the city. ¹³ Nor can they prove the things* to you concerning which they are now accusing me. ¹⁴ But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets, ¹⁵ having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶ _⌊For this reason_⌋* also I myself _⌊always_⌋* do my best to have a clear conscience toward God and people. ¹⁷ So after many years, I came to practice charitable giving and offerings to my people,* ¹⁸ in which they found me purified in the temple courts,* not with a crowd or with a disturbance. ¹⁹ But there are some Jews from Asia* who ought to be present before you and bring charges against me,* if they have anything against me, ²⁰ or these men themselves should say what crime they found when* I stood before the Sanhedrin,* ²¹ other than concerning this one declaration that I shouted while* standing there before them: 'I am being judged before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead!'" ²² But Felix, because he* understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide _⌊your case_⌋."* ²³ He ordered* the centurion for him to be guarded and to have some freedom, and in no way to prevent any of his own people* from serving him. ²⁴ And after some days, when* Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And while* he was discussing about righteousness and self control and the judgment that is to come, Felix became afraid and* replied, "Go away for the present, and when I* have an opportunity, I will summon you." ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and* talked with him. ²⁷ And when* two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And because he* wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind _⌊as a prisoner_⌋.*

² For look: The wicked _⌊string the bow_⌋.* They have fitted their arrow to the string, to shoot from the darkness at the upright of heart.

³ captain of fifty and the honorable men of rank, and counselor and skillful magicians and skillful enchanter.

²¹ So on an appointed day Herod, after* putting on royal clothing and sitting down on the judgment seat, began to deliver a public address to them.

²⁷ But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia* who had seen him in the temple courts* stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,

² So the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near him to strike his mouth.

²⁴ And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them and* bring him* safely to Felix the governor."

³⁰ And when it* was made known to me there would be a plot against the man, I sent him* to you immediately, also ordering his* accusers to speak against him* before you.

³⁵ he said, "I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers arrive also," giving orders for him to be guarded in the praetorium* of Herod.

¹¹ You can ascertain that _⌊it has not been more than_⌋* twelve days _⌊since_⌋* I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

² And the chief priests and the most prominent men of the Jews brought charges against Paul to him, and were urging him,

¹⁵ concerning whom when* I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented evidence, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.

¹ And I, when I* came to you, brothers, did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony* of God.

⁴ and my speech and my preaching were not with the persuasiveness* of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power,

³ for the wicked boasts about the desire of his _⌊heart_⌋,* and the one greedy for gain curses and treats Yahweh with contempt.

² They speak falseness _⌊to each other_⌋.* With flattering lips, with _⌊a double heart_⌋* they speak. ³ May Yahweh cut off all flattering lips, the tongue speaking great boasts—

²⁸ A tongue of deceit hates its victim, and a flattering mouth makes ruin.

⁵ A strong man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his feet.

²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and* talked with him. ²⁷ And when* two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And because he* wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind _⌊as a prisoner_⌋.*

¹⁶ These people are grumblers, discontented, proceeding according to their* desires, and their mouths speaking pompous words, _⌊showing partiality to gain an advantage_⌋*.

³ it seemed best to me also—because I* have followed all things carefully from the beginning—to write them* down in orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus,

²⁶ Claudius Lysias.
To his excellency Governor Felix.
Greetings!

²⁵ But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but am speaking words of truth and rationality.

³² And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel and the prophets,

⁷ Then Saul said to the servants who were standing around him, "Please listen, _⌊Benjaminites_⌋!* Will the son of Jesse give you all fields and vineyards? Will he make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds? ⁸ For all of you have conspired against me, and _⌊no one discloses to me_⌋* the _⌊making_⌋* of an agreement between my son and the son of Jesse! None of you have had sympathy for me or _⌊disclosed to me_⌋* that _⌊my son commissioned my servant against me to ambush me_⌋* as has been done this day!" ⁹ But Doeg the Edomite, who was stationed among the servants of Saul, answered and said, "I saw the son of Jesse going to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.

¹⁷ When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is this you who throws Israel into confusion?" ¹⁸ He said, "I did not throw Israel into confusion; rather you and the house of your father have by forsaking the commands of Yahweh when you went after the Baals!

¹² be it known to the king that the Jews who have come up from near you to us have gone to Jerusalem. They are building the rebellious and wicked city. They are finishing the wall and repairing the foundation. ¹³ Now be it known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute and toll, and the royal revenue will be reduced. ¹⁴ Now since we eat the salt of the palace and the dishonor of the king is not proper for us to see, we send and make this known to the king, ¹⁵ so that it may be investigated in the book of records of your ancestors.* You will find in the book of records and learn that this city is a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, and they have rebelled in its midst from ancient times. Because of that this city was destroyed. ¹⁶ We make known to the king that if this city is built and the walls are finished, you will have nothing in the province Beyond the River." ¹⁷ The king sent a reply: "To Rehum the royal officer, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates who live in Samaria and the rest of the province Beyond the River, greetings. And now ¹⁸ the letter that you sent to us has been translated and read before me. ¹⁹ And _⌊I issued_⌋* a decree, and they searched and found that this city from ancient days revolted against kings, and rebellion and sedition has been made in it.

⁵ And Sanballat sent his servant with an open letter, another word like this to me a fifth time, in his hand. ⁶ In it was written, "It has been reported among the nations, and Gashmu also is saying it, that you and the Jews are considering rebellion. Therefore, truly you are building the wall and you are becoming their king, according to these words. ⁷ You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, saying, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now it will be proclaimed to the king according to these words. Now, come and we will plan together." ⁸ So I sent to him saying, "None of these words you have spoken has happened. You are indeed saying things created in your own mind"—

⁸ And Haman said to King Ahasuerus, "There is a certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all of the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from every other people, and they do not _⌊observe_⌋* the laws of the king; it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them.

⁴ Then the officials said to the king, "Please, this man must be killed, _⌊because_⌋* he is making slack the hands of _⌊the soldiers_⌋* who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking to them words like these, for this man is not seeking for welfare* to this people, _⌊but only_⌋* for harm."

¹⁰ Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam the king of Israel, saying, "Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to endure all of his words.

²³ And he came and* lived in a town called Nazareth, in order that what was said by the prophets would be fulfilled:* "He will be called a Nazarene."

¹¹ Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household?

² And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us* to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying he himself is Christ, a king!"

⁵ But they insisted, saying, "He incites the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea and beginning from Galilee as far as here."

¹⁹ (who had been thrown in prison because of a certain insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder).

²⁵ And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.

¹⁷ Now the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and* they were filled with jealousy.

¹³ And they put forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking words against the holy place* and the law!

⁵ But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them* to observe the law of Moses!"

²⁰ And when they* had brought them to the chief magistrates, they said, "These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews, ²¹ and are proclaiming customs that are not permitted for us to accept or to practice, because we* are Romans!"

⁶ And when they* did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city officials, shouting, "These people who have stirred up trouble throughout the world* have come here also, ⁷ whom Jason has entertained as guests! And these people are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus!"

²⁸ shouting, "Israelite men, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place! And furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!"

²² Now they were listening to him until this word, and they raised their voices, saying, "Away with such a man from the earth! For it is not fitting for him to live!"

¹⁴ But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets,

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.

²² But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere."

¹³ when we are* slandered, we encourage. We have become like the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now.

¹⁹ For indeed it is necessary that there be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may become evident among you.

¹² maintaining your good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in the things in which they slander you as evildoers, by seeing your good deeds they may glorify God on the day of visitation. ¹³ Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a king* as having supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. ¹⁵ For the will of God is as follows: by* doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

¹⁹ For this finds favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows while* suffering unjustly.

³¹ So Pilate said to them, "You take him and judge him according to your law!" The Jews said to him, "It is not permitted for us to kill anyone,"

⁷ The Jews replied to him, "We have a law, and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself out to be the Son of God!" ⁸ So when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid,

³⁷ For you have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.

²⁷ But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia* who had seen him in the temple courts* stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, ²⁸ shouting, "Israelite men, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place! And furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!" ²⁹ (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought that Paul had brought into the temple.) ³⁰ And the whole city was stirred up, and the people came running together, and they seized Paul and* dragged him outside of the temple courts,* and immediately the doors were shut. ³¹ And as they* were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² _⌊He_⌋* immediately took along soldiers and centurions and* ran down to them. And when* they saw the military tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

²³ And while* they were screaming and throwing off their* cloaks and throwing dust into the air,

¹⁰ And when* the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring him* into the barracks.* ¹¹ And the next night the Lord stood by him and* said, "Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." ¹² And when it* was day, the Jews made a conspiracy and* bound themselves under a curse, saying they would* neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ Now there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy, ¹⁴ who went to the chief priests and the elders and* said, "We have bound ourselves under a curse to partake of nothing until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as if you were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near."

¹² And neither did they find me arguing with anyone or making a crowd develop in the temple courts* nor in the synagogues nor throughout the city.

¹⁶ For they will not sleep if they have not done wrong, and they are robbed of their sleep if they do not cause stumbling.

³¹ And as they* were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. ³² _⌊He_⌋* immediately took along soldiers and centurions and* ran down to them. And when* they saw the military tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the military tribune came up and* arrested him and ordered him* to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what it was that he had done.

³⁵ And when he came to the steps, it happened that he had to be carried by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd,

¹⁰ And when* the dispute became severe, the military tribune, fearing lest Paul be torn apart by them, ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from their midst, and bring him* into the barracks.*

²³ And he summoned two of the centurions and* said, "Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen,* in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea. ²⁴ And provide mounts so that they can put Paul on them and* bring him* safely to Felix the governor." ²⁵ _⌊He wrote_⌋* a letter that had this form:* ²⁶ Claudius Lysias.
To his excellency Governor Felix.
Greetings! ²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I* came upon them* with the detachment and* rescued him,* because I* learned that he was a Roman citizen. ²⁸ And because I* wanted to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him* down to their Sanhedrin.* ²⁹ I found _⌊he_⌋* was accused concerning controversial questions of their law, but having no charge deserving death or imprisonment. ³⁰ And when it* was made known to me there would be a plot against the man, I sent him* to you immediately, also ordering his* accusers to speak against him* before you. ³¹ Therefore the soldiers, in accordance with _⌊their orders_⌋,* took Paul and* brought him* to Antipatris during the night. ³² And on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and* they returned to the barracks.*

⁵ So he said, "Let those among you who are prominent go down with me,* and* if there is any wrong in the man, let them bring charges against him."

¹⁵ concerning whom when* I was in Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented evidence, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. ¹⁶ To _⌊them_⌋* I replied that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before the one who had been accused met his* accusers face to face and received an opportunity for a defense concerning the accusation.

² O sons of man, how long will my honor* be a disgrace? How long will you love vanity? How long will you seek lies?* Selah

³ How long will you attack a man? All of you will be shattered* like a leaning wall, a tottering fence. ⁴ They only* plan to thrust him down from his high position; they are pleased with deception. With their mouths* they bless, but _⌊inwardly_⌋* they curse. Selah

² Hide me from the secret plots* of evildoers, from the unrest of those who do iniquity, ³ who sharpen their tongue like a sword. They bend their bow to shoot their arrows—bitter words, ⁴ to shoot from* their* hiding places at the blameless. Suddenly they shoot at him and do not fear. ⁵ They encourage themselves in the evil matter. They talk of secretly laying snares. They say, "Who will see them?" ⁶ _⌊They carefully plot_⌋* injustices saying, "We have perfected _⌊the perfect plot_⌋!"* Both the _⌊inner thought_⌋* and heart of a man are deep. ⁷ But God will shoot them; with an arrow they will suddenly be wounded. ⁸ * And they who would cause him* to stumble, their own tongue will be against them. All who gaze on them will shake.*

⁴ There is nobody _⌊who pleads with_⌋* justice, and there is nobody who judges with honesty. They rely on nothing and speak vanity. They conceive trouble and beget iniquity; ⁵ they hatch viper eggs, and they weave a spider web. One who eats their eggs dies, and that which is pressed is hatched as a serpent. ⁶ Their webs cannot become clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds* of violence are in their hands. ⁷ Their feet run to evil, and they hasten to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; devastation and destruction are in their highways.

³ And they bend their tongue like their bow, for falsehood and not truth is superior in the land, for they go forth* from evil to evil, and they do not know me," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh. ⁴ "Let everyone be on your guard against his neighbor, and you must not trust in any brother, for everyone surely betrays, and every neighbor goes about with slander. ⁵ And everyone deceives his neighbor, and they do not speak the truth, they have taught their tongues* to speak lies,* they are tired from going astray. ⁶ Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit, upon* deceit they refuse to know me," _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh.

²⁷ Its officials are like wolves tearing prey in its midst, to pour out blood, to destroy people, to make dishonest gain. ²⁸ And for them its prophets plaster whitewash; they are seeing falseness and are practicing divination for them by lying, saying, 'Thus says the Lord Yahweh,' and Yahweh has not spoken. ²⁹ They severely oppress the people of the land, and _⌊they committed robbery_⌋,* and they mistreated the needy and the poor, and they oppressed the alien _⌊without_⌋* justice.

¹² Because her rich are full of violence, and her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. ¹³ And I also _⌊have made you sick by striking you down_⌋,* making you desolate because of your sins.

² The faithful person has perished from the land, and there is none who is upright among humankind. All of them lie in wait; each hunts his brother with a net. ³ Their hands are upon evil, to do it well; the official and the judge ask for the bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; and they weave it together.

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order that they could put him to death. ⁶⁰ And they did not find it,* although* many false witnesses came forward. And finally two came forward

⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father! That one was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand firm in the truth, because truth is not in him. Whenever he speaks the lie, he speaks from his own nature,* because he is a liar and the father _⌊of lies_⌋.*

¹¹ Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!" ¹² And they incited the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came up and* seized him and brought him* to the Sanhedrin.* ¹³ And they put forward false witnesses who said, "This man does not stop speaking words against the holy place* and the law!

¹⁶ hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles in order that they may be saved, so that they always fill up their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the end.*

²⁵ If a man sins against a man, then God can intercede for him. But if a man sins against Yahweh, who can intercede for him?" But they did not _⌊obey_⌋* their father, because Yahweh wanted to kill them.

¹⁴ But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?"

² saying, "There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people.

¹⁷ But motioning to them with his* hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and to the brothers," and he departed and* went to another place.

¹⁶ So Paul stood up,* and motioning with his* hand, he said, "Israelite men, and those who fear God, listen!

¹⁵ But if it is questions concerning a word and names and _⌊your own law_⌋,* see to it* yourselves! I do not wish to be a judge of these things."

³³ And some of the crowd advised* Alexander, when* the Jews put him forward. But Alexander, motioning with his* hand, was wanting to defend himself to the popular assembly.

⁴⁰ So when* he permitted him,* Paul, standing there on the steps, motioned with his* hand to the people. And when there* was a great silence, he addressed them* in the Aramaic language, saying,

¹ So Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted for you to speak for yourself." Then Paul extended his* hand and* began to defend himself:*

¹⁵ but set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for an accounting concerning the hope that is in you.

¹⁸ And on the next day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.

²⁶ Then Paul took along the men on the next day, and* after he* had purified himself together with them, he entered into the temple courts,* announcing the completion of the days of purification until _⌊the time_⌋* the offering would be presented on behalf of each one of them. ²⁷ But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia* who had seen him in the temple courts* stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,

³⁰ But on the next day, because he* wanted to know the true reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble, and he brought down Paul and* had him* stand before them.

¹¹ And the next night the Lord stood by him and* said, "Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

²³ And he summoned two of the centurions and* said, "Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen,* in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea.

³² And on the next day they let the horsemen go on with him, and* they returned to the barracks.* ³³ _⌊The horsemen_⌋,* when they* came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him.

¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, all of whom brought charges against Paul to the governor.

¹⁷ So after many years, I came to practice charitable giving and offerings to my people,*

⁵ For we have found* this man to be a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire* and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

¹⁸ in which they found me purified in the temple courts,* not with a crowd or with a disturbance.

⁸ while* Paul said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews nor against the temple nor against Caesar have I sinned with reference to anything!"

¹⁷ Now it happened that after three days, he called together those who were the most prominent of the Jews. And when* they had assembled, he said to them, "Men and brothers, although* I had done nothing against our* people or the customs of our fathers, from Jerusalem I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans,

⁷ And when* he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges that they were not able to prove,

¹⁶ But do so with courtesy and respect, having a good conscience, so that in the things in which you are slandered, the ones who malign your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

¹⁵ And God said again to Moses, "So you must say to the _⌊Israelites_⌋,* 'Yahweh, the God of your ancestors,* the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and this is my remembrance from generation to generation.'

¹⁸ O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, our ancestors,* keep this forever as a plan and thoughts of the heart of your people, and establish their heart toward you.

⁴⁶ And I will speak of your testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.

¹⁴ These are those who swear by the guilt of Samaria and say, 'By the life of your gods, O Dan,' and 'By the life of the way of Beersheba,' they will fall and they will not rise again."

² And many nations will come and say, "Come! Let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the _⌊temple_⌋* of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths," for the law will go out from Zion, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.

¹² Therefore in all things, whatever you want that people should do to you, thus also you do to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

³² "Therefore everyone who acknowledges me before people, I also will acknowledge him before my Father who is in heaven.

⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets."

⁷⁰ just as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from earliest times—

¹⁶ "The law and the prophets were until John; from that time on the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urgently pressed* into it.

²⁹ But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they must listen to them.'

²⁷ And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures.

⁴⁴ And he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I* was still with you, that everything that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled."

⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found the one whom Moses wrote about in the law, and the prophets wrote about—Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth!"

³⁹ You search* the scriptures because you think that you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me. ⁴⁰ And you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. ⁴¹ "I do not accept glory* from people, ⁴² but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. ⁴³ I have come in my Father's name, and you do not accept me. If another should come in his own name, you would accept that one! ⁴⁴ How are you able to believe, if you* accept glory from one another, and do not seek the glory which is from the only God? ⁴⁵ Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father! The one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have put your hope! ⁴⁶ For if you had believed Moses, you would believe me, for that one wrote about me. ⁴⁷ But if you do not believe that one's writings, how will you believe my words?"

¹³ The God of Abraham and of Isaac* and of Jacob,* the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, after* he had decided to release him.*

²² Moses said, 'The Lord God* will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You will listen to him in everything that he says to you.* ²³ And it will be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet will be destroyed utterly from the people.'* ²⁴ And indeed, all the prophets from Samuel and all those who followed him* have spoken about and proclaimed these days.

³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by* hanging him* on a tree.

³² 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob!'* So Moses began trembling and* did not dare to look at it.*

² and* asked for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, both men and women, he could bring them* tied up* to Jerusalem.

⁴³ To this one all the prophets testify, that through his name everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins."

¹⁵ So after the reading from the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent word* to them, saying, "Men and brothers, if there is any message of exhortation by you for the people, say it."*

⁹ But when some became hardened and were disobedient, reviling the Way before the congregation, he departed from them and* took away the disciples, leading discussions every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.

²³ Now there happened at that time no little disturbance concerning the Way.

¹⁴ And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth,

²² But Felix, because he* understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide _⌊your case_⌋."*

⁶ And now I stand here on trial on the basis of hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,

²² Therefore I have experienced help from God until this day, and* I stand here testifying to both small and great, saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses have said were going to happen,

²⁷ Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe."

²³ And when they* had set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince* them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.

²¹ But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified about by the law and the prophets—

²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, factions,

³ _⌊I am thankful_⌋* to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience _⌊as my ancestors did_⌋*, when _⌊I remember you constantly_⌋* in my prayers night and day,

¹⁰ Reject a divisive person after a first and second admonition,

¹¹ investigating for what person or which time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he* testified beforehand to the sufferings with reference to Christ and the glories after these things,

¹ But there were also false prophets among the people, as there will be false teachers among you also, who will bring in _⌊destructive heresies_⌋*, even denying the Master who bought them, thus* bringing on themselves swift destruction. ² And many will follow their licentious ways, because of whom the way of truth will be reviled.

¹⁰ And I fell down before his feet to worship him, and he said to me, "_⌊Do not do that!_⌋* I am a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

²⁵ But* I myself* know that my redeemer is alive, and at the last he will stand up upon _⌊the earth_⌋.* ²⁶ And after my skin has been thus destroyed, but* from* my flesh I will see God,

² And many from those sleeping _⌊in the dusty ground_⌋* will awake, some to _⌊everlasting life_⌋* and some to disgrace and _⌊everlasting contempt_⌋.*

³¹ Now concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, who said, ³² "I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob"?* He is not the God of the dead, but of the living!"

²⁸ "Do not be astonished at this, because an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹ and they will come out—those who have done good things to a resurrection of life, but those who have practiced evil things to a resurrection of judgment.

⁶ Now when* Paul realized that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he shouted out in the Sanhedrin, "Men and brothers! I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees! I am being judged concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead!" ⁷ And when* he said this, a dispute developed between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.)

²¹ other than concerning this one declaration that I shouted while* standing there before them: 'I am being judged before you today concerning the resurrection of the dead!'"

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* night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king!

²⁰ Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you,* for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!" ²¹ And they said to him, "We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and* reported or spoken anything evil about you. ²² But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere." ²³ And when they* had set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince* them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets. ²⁴ And some were convinced by* what was said, but others refused to believe. ²⁵ So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after* Paul made one statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, ²⁶ saying,
'Go to this people and say, "_⌊You will keep on hearing_⌋* and will never understand, and _⌊you will keep on seeing_⌋* and will never perceive. ²⁷ For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their* ears they hear with difficulty, and they have shut their eyes, lest they see with their* eyes, and hear with their* ears, and understand with their* heart, and turn, and I would heal them." '* ²⁸ Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!"*

³⁰ So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

¹² Now if Christ is preached as raised up from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁴ But if Christ has not been raised, then* our preaching is in vain, and your faith is in vain. ¹⁵ And also we are found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if after all, then, the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ But if Christ has not been raised, your faith is empty; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ And as a further result, those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If _⌊we have put our hope_⌋* in Christ in this life only, we are of all people most pitiable. ²⁰ But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since through a man came death, also through a man came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. ²³ But each in his own group: Christ the first fruits, then those who are Christ's at his coming, ²⁴ then the end, when he hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when he has abolished all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For it is necessary for him to reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be abolished is death. ²⁷ For "he subjected all things under his feet."* But when it says "all things" are subjected, it is clear that the one who subjected all things to him is not included.

²¹ who will transform our humble body to be conformed to his glorious body, in accordance with the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

¹⁴ For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, thus also God will bring those who have fallen asleep through Jesus together with him. ¹⁵ For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain until the Lord's coming, will not possibly precede those who have fallen asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection. Over this person the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand* years.

¹² And I saw the dead—the great and the small—standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and each one was judged according to their deeds.

¹ And looking intently at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Men and brothers, I have lived my life in all good conscience before God to this day."

¹⁵ who show the work of the law written on their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts one after another accusing or even defending them

¹ I am telling the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears witness to me in the Holy Spirit—

⁴ For I am conscious of nothing against myself, but not by this am I vindicated. But the one who judges me is the Lord.

¹² For our reason for boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness* and purity of motive from God, not* in merely human wisdom, but by the grace of God.

² but we have renounced shameful hidden things, not behaving with craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but with the open proclamation of the truth commending ourselves to every person's conscience before God.

¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and righteously and blamelessly we became to you who believe,

⁵ But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a faith without hypocrisy,

¹⁹ having faith and a good conscience, which some, because they* have rejected these, have suffered shipwreck concerning their faith,

⁹ holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience,

¹⁵ To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure, but both their mind and conscience are defiled.

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, ¹² training us in order that, denying impiety and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled and righteously and godly in the present age, ¹³ looking forward to the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

¹⁴ how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?

²² let us approach with a true heart in the full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

¹⁸ Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, and want to conduct ourselves commendably in every way.

²¹ And* also, corresponding to this, baptism now saves you, not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

²⁹ So from the disciples, _⌊according to their ability to give_⌋,* each one of them determined to send financial aid* for support to the brothers who lived in Judea, ³⁰ which they also did, sending the aid* to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

¹⁶ For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he would not be having to spend time in Asia.* For he was hurrying if it could be possible for him to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

³¹ Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you* with tears.

²⁶ Then Paul took along the men on the next day, and* after he* had purified himself together with them, he entered into the temple courts,* announcing the completion of the days of purification until _⌊the time_⌋* the offering would be presented on behalf of each one of them.

²⁵ But now I am traveling to Jerusalem, serving the saints. ²⁶ For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. ²⁷ For they were pleased to do so, and they are obligated to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they ought also to serve them in material things. ²⁸ Therefore, after I* have accomplished this and sealed this fruit for delivery to them, I will depart by way of you for Spain,

³¹ that I may be rescued from those who are disobedient in Judea, and my ministry in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,

¹ Now concerning the collection for the saints: just as I gave directions about it to the churches of Galatia, so you do also. ² On the first day of the week, each one of you _⌊put aside_⌋* something, saving up _⌊to whatever extent he has prospered_⌋*, in order that whenever I come, at that time collections do not take place. ³ And whenever I arrive, whomever you approve by letters, I will send these to take your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ And if it is worthwhile for me to go also, they will travel with me.

¹ Now we make known to you, brothers, the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, ² that with a great ordeal of affliction, the abundance of their joy and the extreme depth of their poverty have overflowed to the wealth of their generosity. ³ I testify that they gave* according to their ability, and beyond their ability, by their own choice, ⁴ requesting of us with much exhortation the favor and the fellowship of the ministry to the saints,

⁹ For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that although he* was rich, for your sake he became poor, in order that you, by his poverty, may become rich.

¹ For it is unnecessary for me to write to you concerning the ministry to the saints, ² because I know your readiness to help, concerning which I keep on boasting to the Macedonians about you, that Achaia has been ready to help since last year, and your zeal has stirred up the majority of them.

¹² because the service of this ministry is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but also is overflowing through many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

¹⁰ They asked only that we should remember the poor, the very thing I was also eager to do.

²⁶ Then Paul took along the men on the next day, and* after he* had purified himself together with them, he entered into the temple courts,* announcing the completion of the days of purification until _⌊the time_⌋* the offering would be presented on behalf of each one of them. ²⁷ But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia* who had seen him in the temple courts* stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, ²⁸ shouting, "Israelite men, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place! And furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!" ²⁹ (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they thought that Paul had brought into the temple.) ³⁰ And the whole city was stirred up, and the people came running together, and they seized Paul and* dragged him outside of the temple courts,* and immediately the doors were shut.

²¹ On account of these things the Jews seized me in* the temple courts* and* were attempting to kill me.*

¹⁶ To _⌊them_⌋* I replied that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before the one who had been accused met his* accusers face to face and received an opportunity for a defense concerning the accusation.

² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

⁶ Now when* Paul realized that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he shouted out in the Sanhedrin, "Men and brothers! I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees! I am being judged concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead!"

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* night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king! ⁸ Why is it thought incredible by you people* that God raises the dead?

²⁰ Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you,* for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!"

¹⁸ Then judges shall make a thorough inquiry, and if it turns out* that the witness is a false witness and he testified falsely against his brother,

²⁰ And when* they asked him* to stay for a longer time, he did not give his consent,

⁶ who even attempted to desecrate the temple, and we arrested _⌊him*_⌋.*

¹⁰ And when* the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, "Because I* know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself.

²⁴ And after some days, when* Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus.

²⁶ I do not have anything definite to write to my* lord about _⌊him_⌋.* Therefore I have brought him before you all*—and especially before you, King Agrippa—so that after* this preliminary hearing has taken place, I may have something to write.

³ because* you are especially acquainted with both all the customs and controversial questions with respect to the Jews. Therefore I beg you* to listen to me with patience.

⁷ When the ways of a man are pleasing to Yahweh, even his enemies he will cause to make peace with him.

⁸ And on the next day we departed and* came to Caesarea, and entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and* stayed with him. ⁹ (_⌊Now this man had_⌋* four virgin daughters who prophesied.) ¹⁰ And while we* were staying there* many days, a certain prophet _⌊named_⌋* Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ And he came to us and took Paul's belt. Tying up his own feet and hands, he said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will tie up the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him* into the hands of the Gentiles.'" ¹² And when we heard these things, both we and the local residents urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³ Then Paul replied, "What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be tied up, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!" ¹⁴ And because* he would not be persuaded, we remained silent, saying, "The will of the Lord be done."

¹⁶ But when* the son of Paul's sister heard about the ambush, he came and entered into the barracks* and* reported it* to Paul.

²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible and* talked with him.

³ And on the next day, we put in at Sidon. And Julius, treating Paul kindly, allowed him* to go to his* friends _⌊to be cared for_⌋.*

¹⁶ And when we entered into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

²⁰ For Herod was afraid of John, because he* knew him to be a righteous and holy man and protected him. And when he* listened to him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he listened to him gladly.

³ And he was seeking to see Jesus—who he was—and he was not able to as a result of the crowd, because he was short in stature.

⁸ And when* Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him.

³¹ And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household!"

²¹ testifying both to Jews and to Greeks with respect to repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.

¹⁶ but knowing that a person is not justified by the works of the law, if not by faith in Jesus Christ,* and we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ* and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law _⌊no human being will be justified_⌋*.

²⁰ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me, and that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

² I want only to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

¹ Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been fathered by God, and everyone who loves _⌊the father_⌋* also loves the child fathered by him.

³ Dear friends, although I* was making every effort to write to you concerning our common salvation, I considered it a necessity to write to you to encourage you to contend for the faith delivered once and for all to the saints.

¹² Here is the patient endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith in Jesus.

⁷ So then take your stand, so that I may judge you before Yahweh with regard to all the deeds of justice* of Yahweh that he performed with both you and your ancestors.*

³ The God of Israel said to me, the rock of Israel has spoken; 'He who rules over mankind rules righteously, in the fear of God.

²⁷ When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth over his flesh, fasted, lay in the sackcloth, and went about dejectedly.

²⁶ The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the commander of the city and to Jehoash the son of the king; ²⁷ and say, 'Thus says the king: "Put this fellow in the house of imprisonment and feed him reduced rations of food and water until I come in peace." '"

¹⁹ because you have a responsive heart, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants to become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before my face, I have also heard, declares Yahweh.

³ So now let us make a covenant with our God to send away all of these women and their offspring, according to the advice of my lord and those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law.

⁹ Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month on the twentieth day of the month. All the people sat in the public square of the house of God trembling because of this matter and from the rains.

¹⁴ I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a headband.

⁷ For Yahweh is righteous; he loves righteous deeds. The upright shall see his face.

⁷ You love righteousness and hate wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you from among your companions with festive oil.

³ Our God comes and he is not silent. Before him fire devours, and around him it is very tempestuous. ⁴ He summons the heavens above and the earth that he might judge his people:

¹ For the music director, according to Do not Destroy. Of David. A miktam.*
Do you really speak what is right when silent?* Do you judge fairly the children of humankind?* ² No, in your heart you plan injustices; in the land* you weigh out the violence of your hands.

² May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

¹ A psalm of Asaph.*
God stands in the divine assembly;* he administers judgment in the midst of the gods.* ² "How long will you judge unjustly and _⌊show favoritism to the wicked_⌋?* Selah ³ Judge on behalf of the helpless and the orphan; provide justice to the afflicted and the poor. ⁴ Rescue the helpless and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."

¹ Yahweh is king; let the peoples tremble. He sits enthroned* between the cherubim. Let the earth shake.

¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

²⁴ Because I called out and you refused me, I stretched out my hand, yet there is none who heeds. ²⁵ You have ignored all my counsel, and my reproof you are not willing to accept. ²⁶ I will also laugh at your calamity;* I will mock when panic* comes upon you. ²⁷ When your panic comes like a storm, and your calamity arrives like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you, ²⁸ then they will call* me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but not find me. ²⁹ Since they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of Yahweh, ³⁰ they were not willing to accept my counsel, they despised all my reproof. ³¹ They shall eat from the fruit of their way, and they shall be sated from their own schemes, ³² for the waywardness of the simple ones will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

⁴ Do not give sleep to your eyes, or slumber to your eyelids. ⁵ Save yourself like a gazelle from a hand, or like a bird from the hand of a fowler.

¹² An abomination to kings is doing evil, for by righteousness the throne will be established.

³ Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to destroy kings. ⁴ It is not for the kings, O Lemuel; drinking wine is not for the kings, nor is strong drink for rulers. ⁵ Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed, and he will pervert the rights* of all the _⌊afflicted_⌋.*

¹⁶ I saw something else under the sun: instead of justice there was evil; instead of righteousness there was wickedness. ¹⁷ So I said _⌊to myself_⌋,* "God will surely judge the righteous and the wicked, for he has appointed* a time of judgment for every deed and every work."

⁸ Do not be surprised if you see the poor being oppressed with violence or do not see justice and righteousness in the province. For one official is watched by a higher official, and there are even higher officials over them!

¹⁶ Woe to you, O land, when your king is a youth and your princes feast in the morning. ¹⁷ Blessed are you, O land, when your king is a son of nobility and your princes feast at the proper time— to gain strength and not to get drunk.

⁹ Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth! Follow the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes— but know that God will bring you into judgment for all these things.

¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

¹⁸ "Come now, and let us argue," says Yahweh. "Even though your sins are like scarlet, they will be white like snow; even though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

²¹ How has a faithful city become like a whore? Full of justice, righteousness lodged in her, but now murderers.

⁵ then a throne shall be established in steadfast love, and one shall sit on it in faithfulness, in the tent of David, judging and seeking justice and zealous for righteousness.

⁶ and a spirit of justice to the one who sits over judgment, and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. ⁷ And these also stagger because of wine and stagger because of strong drink; priest and prophet stagger because of strong drink; they are confused* because of wine. They stagger because of strong drink; they err in vision. They stagger in the rendering of a decision,

¹¹ Tremble, you who are at ease; tremble, carefree ones; strip, and strip yourself, and gird yourself on your loins,*

²¹ "Present your legal case," says Yahweh. "Bring your evidence," says the king of Jacob.

⁶ Seek Yahweh _⌊while he lets himself be found_⌋;* call him _⌊while he is_⌋* near.

⁸ For I, Yahweh, love justice, hate robbery and* injustice, and I will _⌊faithfully_⌋* give their reward, and I will _⌊make_⌋* an everlasting covenant _⌊with_⌋* them.

² And my hand has made all these things, and all these _⌊came to be_⌋,"*
_⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "but* I look to this one:
to the humble and the contrite of spirit and the one frightened at my word.

³ Thus says Yahweh, "Act with justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been seized from the hand of the oppressor. And you must not oppress the immigrant, the orphan, and the widow. And you must not shed innocent blood in this place.

¹⁵ Do you reign as king because you are competing in cedar? Did not your father eat and drink, and he did justice and righteousness, then it was well with him? ¹⁶ He judged the legal cause of the needy and the poor, and then it was well. _⌊Is that not what it means to know me_⌋?*" _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh. ¹⁷ "But there is nothing in your eyes and your heart _⌊except_⌋* your unlawful gain, and on shedding the blood of the innocent, and on committing oppression and extortion."

²⁹ "Is not my word like fire?" _⌊declares_⌋* Yahweh, "and like a blacksmith's hammer that breaks a rock into pieces?

¹⁷ Then King Zedekiah sent and fetched him. And the king questioned him in secrecy in his house, and he said, "Is there a word from Yahweh?" And Jeremiah said, "There is." And he said, "You will be given into the hand of the king of Babylon." ¹⁸ Then Jeremiah said to King Zedekiah, "What did I do wrong to you, or to your servants, or to this people, that you have put me in _⌊prison_⌋?* ¹⁹ And where are your prophets who prophesied to you, _⌊saying_⌋,* 'The king of Babylon will not come against you and against this land'? ²⁰ Now then, my lord the king, please let my plea fall _⌊before you_⌋.* You must not send me back to the house of Jonathan the secretary, so that I will not die there." ²¹ So King Zedekiah commanded, and they handed Jeremiah over in the courtyard of the guard, and they gave to him a round loaf of bread from the street of the bakers _⌊every day_⌋* until the finishing of all the bread from the city. And Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard.

¹⁴ And Zedekiah the king sent and made someone bring Jeremiah the prophet to him, to the third entrance that was at the _⌊temple_⌋* of Yahweh. And the king said to Jeremiah, "I am asking you _⌊something_⌋,* you must not hide _⌊anything_⌋* from me." ¹⁵ And Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I tell you, will you not surely kill me? _⌊Besides_⌋,* if I advise you, you will not listen to me. ¹⁶ So Zedekiah the king swore to Jeremiah in secret, _⌊saying_⌋,* "_⌊As Yahweh lives_⌋,* who has made for us this life, I will not kill you and I will not give you into the hand of these men who are seeking your life." ¹⁷ Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of hosts, the God of Israel, 'If only you will go surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then _⌊you_⌋* will live, and this city will not be burned with fire, and you will live, you and your house. ¹⁸ But if you do not go surrender to the officials of the king of Babylon, then this city will be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they will burn it with fire, and you will not escape from their hand.'" ¹⁹ And Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Judeans who have deserted to the Chaldeans, lest they give me into their hand and they abuse me." ²⁰ And Jeremiah said, "They will not give you over. Please obey the voice of Yahweh with regard to what I am saying to you, and it will go well with you, and _⌊you_⌋* will live. ²¹ But if you are refusing to surrender, this is the thing that Yahweh has shown me. ²² Now look, all the women who remain in the house of the king of Judah are being led out to the officials of the king of Babylon. And look, they are saying,
'_⌊Your trusted friends_⌋* have misled you, and they have prevailed against you. Your feet are stuck in the mud, so they turned backward.' ²³ And all your wives and your children will be led out to the Chaldeans, and you will not escape from their hand, but by the hand of the king of Babylon you will be seized, and this city will burn with fire." ²⁴ And Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "No man must know about these words so that you will not die. ²⁵ And if the officials hear that I have spoken with you, and they come to you and say to you, 'Please tell us what you said to the king. You must not conceal it from us so that we will not kill you. And what did the king say to you?' ²⁶ Then you shall say to them, 'I was presenting my plea _⌊before_⌋* the king, to not cause me to return to the house of Jonathan to die there.'" ²⁷ And all the officials came to Jeremiah and questioned him, and he informed them like all these words that the king commanded. So they fell silent, for the _⌊conversation_⌋* was not heard. ²⁸ And Jeremiah stayed in the courtyard of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was captured. And it happened that Jerusalem was captured.*

⁹ Thus says the Lord Yahweh, "Enough of this for you, the princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction and do justice and righteousness; revoke your acts of dispossession from upon* my people!" _⌊declares_⌋* the Lord Yahweh.

²⁷ Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you and your sin remove* with righteousness and your iniquity with having mercy on the oppressed, _⌊in case there might be a prolongation of your prosperity_⌋.'"*

¹ Belshazzar the king made a great festival for a thousand of his lords,* and _⌊in the presence of_⌋* the thousand lords he was drinking wine.* ² _⌊When he tasted the wine_⌋,* Belshazzar commanded that they bring the vessels of gold and silver that Nebuchadnezzar his _⌊predecessor_⌋* had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem, so that the king and his lords,* his wives and his concubines may drink from them. ³ Then they brought in the vessels of gold that they took from the temple, the house of God that was in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords,* his wives and his concubines drank from them. ⁴ They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone.*

³⁰ _⌊That same night_⌋* Belshazzar, the Chaldean king, was killed.

⁵ On the day of our king, the princes became sick with the heat of wine;* he stretched out his hand with mockers.

⁴ They utter words of vain oaths when _⌊making covenants_⌋,* and judgment blossoms like a poisonous plant on the furrows of the field.

¹² Sow for yourselves righteousness; _⌊reap loyal love_⌋.* Break up for yourself fallow ground; it is time to seek Yahweh so he will come and rain righteousness upon you.

²⁴ But let justice roll on like the water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

¹² Do horses run on rocks, or does one plow the sea with oxen?* But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood!

¹⁶ I hear and my stomach shakes; my lips quiver at the sound; infection enters my bones; that which is beneath me trembles; I wait quietly for the day of trouble to come upon the people attacking us.

² "Thus says Yahweh of hosts: 'This people says, "_⌊The time has not come to rebuild the temple of Yahweh_⌋.'" *

⁵ And although he* wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they looked upon him as a prophet. ⁶ But when* Herod's birthday celebration took place, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of them and pleased Herod. ⁷ Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. ⁸ And coached by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter!" ⁹ And although* the king was distressed, because of his oaths and his _⌊dinner guests_⌋* he commanded the request* to be granted. ¹⁰ And he sent orders* and* had John beheaded in the prison,

⁵ But they paid no attention and* went away—this one to his own field, that one to his business.

¹ "Then the kingdom of heaven may be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and* went out to meet the bridegroom. ² Now five of them were foolish and five were wise. ³ For when* the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take olive oil with them. ⁴ But the wise ones took olive oil in flasks with their lamps. ⁵ And when* the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.* ⁶ But in the middle of the night there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' ⁷ Then all those virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸ And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, 'Give us some of your olive oil, because our lamps are going out!' ⁹ But the wise ones answered saying, "Certainly there will never be enough for us and for you! Go instead to those who sell olive oil* and buy some* for yourselves.' ¹⁰ But while* they had gone away to buy it* the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding celebration, and the door was shut.

³¹ Now when the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² And all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them from one another like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ And he will place the sheep on his right and the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world! ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something* to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something* to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me as a guest, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and you came to me.' ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,* or thirsty and give you something* to drink? ³⁸ And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you* as a guest, or naked and clothe you?* ³⁹ And when did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?' ⁴⁰ And the king will answer and* say to them, 'Truly I say to you, in as much as you did it* to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it* to me.' ⁴¹ Then he will also say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed ones, into the eternal fire that has been prepared for the devil and his angels! ⁴² For I was hungry and you did not give me anything* to eat, I was thirsty and you did not give me anything* to drink, ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not welcome me as a guest, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not care for me.' ⁴⁴ Then they will also answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and not serve you?' ⁴⁵ Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, in as much as you did not do it* to one of the least of these, you did not do it* to me.' ⁴⁶ And these will depart into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

¹⁸ For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not permitted for you to have your brother's wife." ¹⁹ So Herodias held a grudge against him and was wanting to kill him, and was not able to do so. ²⁰ For Herod was afraid of John, because he* knew him to be a righteous and holy man and protected him. And when he* listened to him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he listened to him gladly. ²¹ And a suitable day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers and military tribunes and the most prominent men of Galilee. ²² And when* the daughter of Herodias herself* came in and danced and pleased* Herod and _⌊his dinner guests_⌋,* the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it* to you." ²³ And he swore to her,* "Anything whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom!" ²⁴ And she went out and* said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" And she said, "The head of John the baptizer."

²⁴ "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able to, ²⁵ when once the master of the house has gotten up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, 'Lord, open the door* for us!' And he will answer and* say to you, 'I do not know where you are from!'

²⁶ And just as it was in the days of Noah, so also it will be in the days of the Son of Man— ²⁷ they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. ²⁸ Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. ²⁹ But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all.

⁸ And when he* comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment:

³⁷ Now when they* heard this,* they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "What should we do, men and brothers?"

⁶ But get up and enter into the city, and it will be told to you _⌊what you must do_⌋."*

⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that this one is the one appointed* by God as judge of the living and of the dead.

²⁹ And demanding lights, he rushed in and, _⌊beginning to tremble_⌋,* fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And he brought them outside and* said, "Sirs, what must I do so that I can be saved?" ³¹ And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household!" ³² And they spoke the message of the Lord to him, together with all those in his house. ³³ And he took them at that very hour of the night and* washed their* wounds, and he himself was baptized at once, and all those of his household.* ³⁴ And he brought them up into his* house and* set a meal before them,* and rejoiced greatly that he had believed in God with his whole household.

² _⌊And as was his custom_⌋,* Paul went in to them and on three Sabbath days he discussed with them from the scriptures,

¹³ But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the message of God had been proclaimed by Paul in Berea also, they came there too, inciting and stirring up the crowds.

³² Now when they* heard about the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed, but others said, "We will hear you about this again also."

¹⁵ having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

²⁸ But Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?"*

¹⁶ on the day when God judges the secret things of people, according to my gospel, through* Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those under the law, in order that every mouth may be closed and the whole world may become accountable to God. ²⁰ For by the works of the law _⌊no person will be declared righteous_⌋* before him, for through the law comes knowledge of sin.

¹ Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.

¹² So* each one of us will give an account concerning himself.*

⁵ Therefore do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord should come, who will both enlighten the hidden things of darkness and will reveal the counsels of hearts, and then praise will come to each one from God.

²⁴ But if all prophesy, and some unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is judged by all, ²⁵ the secret things of his heart become evident, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God, proclaiming, "God is truly among you!"

¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, in order that each one may receive back the things through the body according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

² For he says,
"At the acceptable time I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."*
Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!

²² But the scripture imprisoned all under sin, in order that the promise could be given by faith* in Jesus Christ to those who believe.

²³ gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.

⁷ and to you who are being afflicted, rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels, ⁸ with burning flame* giving punishment to those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus, ⁹ who will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength, ¹⁰ whenever he should come to be glorified on that day by his saints and to be marveled at by all who believe, because our testimony was believed among you,

¹ I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom,

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, ¹² training us in order that, denying impiety and worldly desires, we may live self-controlled and righteously and godly in the present age,

⁷ Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says,
"Today, if you hear his voice, ⁸ do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness,

¹³ But encourage one another _⌊day by day_⌋*, as long as it is called "today," so that _⌊none of you become hardened_⌋* by the deception of sin.

¹ Therefore let us fear, while there* remains a promise of entering into his rest, that none of you appear to fall short of it.

¹¹ Therefore, let us make every effort to enter into that rest, in order that no one may fall in the same pattern of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, both joints and marrow, and able to judge the reflections and thoughts of the heart.

² teaching about baptisms and laying on of hands, and resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

²⁷ And _⌊just as_⌋* it is destined for people to die once, and after this, judgment,

²¹ And the spectacle was so terrifying that Moses said, "I am terrified and trembling."*

¹⁹ You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe, and shudder!

¹³ Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there, and carry on business and make a profit," ¹⁴ you who do not know _⌊what will happen tomorrow_⌋*, _⌊what your life will be like_⌋*. For you are a smoky vapor that appears for a short time and then disappears.

⁴ with respect to which they are surprised when* you do not run with them into the same flood of dissipation, and so they* revile you. ⁵ They* will give an account to the one who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

⁶ and with knowledge, self-control, and with self-control, patient endurance, and with patient endurance, godliness,

⁷ Little children, let no one deceive you: the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as that one is righteous.

¹⁰ By this the children of God and the children of the devil are evident: everyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, namely, the one who does not love his brother.

¹¹ And I saw a great white throne and the one who was seated on it, _⌊from whose presence_⌋* earth and heaven fled, and a place was not found for them. ¹² And I saw the dead—the great and the small—standing before the throne, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and each one was judged according to their deeds. ¹⁴ And Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. ¹⁵ And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

⁸ And you will not take a bribe, because the bribe makes the sighted blind and ruins the words of the righteous.

¹⁹ You shall not subvert* justice; you shall not _⌊show partiality_⌋;* and you shall not take a bribe, for the bribe makes blind the eyes of the wise and misrepresents the words of the righteous.

³ But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after gain, they took bribes, and they perverted justice.

³ Here I am! Testify against me before Yahweh and before his anointed one! Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I exploited? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe, that I may shut my eyes _⌊regarding_⌋* him?-then I will restore it to you."

⁷ So now, let the fear of Yahweh be upon you all. _⌊Be careful what you do_⌋,* for there is neither wickedness nor _⌊showing partiality_⌋* and taking bribes with Yahweh our God."

³⁴ for the company of the godless is barren, and fire consumes the tents of those who accept bribes.

⁹ Do not destroy me* with the sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed, ¹⁰ in whose hands is an evil plan, and whose right hand is full of bribes.*

⁸ The bribe is a stone of magic in the eyes of its owner;* _⌊everywhere_⌋* he will turn, he will prosper.

²³ The wicked will accept a bribe from the lap, in order to pervert the ways of justice.

⁶ Many will seek favor before the generous, and everyone is the friend of a man of gifts.*

⁴ By justice a king gives stability to a land, but a man of bribes will ruin it.

²³ Your princes are rebels and companions of thieves. Every one loves a bribe and runs after gifts. They do not defend the orphan and the legal dispute of the widow does not come before them.

¹⁵ He who walks in righteousness and speaks uprightness, who rejects the gain of extortion, who _⌊refuses_⌋* a bribe, who stops up his ears* from hearing _⌊bloodshed_⌋* and shuts his eyes from seeing evil.

¹¹ And the dogs _⌊have a greedy appetite_⌋;* they _⌊are never satisfied_⌋.* And they are the shepherds! They do not have* understanding. They all turn to their own way, each one for his own gain, _⌊every one of them_⌋.*

²⁷ Its officials are like wolves tearing prey in its midst, to pour out blood, to destroy people, to make dishonest gain.

³¹ And they come to you _⌊as people do_⌋,* and they sit _⌊before you_⌋,* and my people hear your words, and they do not do them, for they are showing* passion in their mouth, but their heart is going after ill-gotten gain.

¹⁸ When their drinking has ended, they surely indulge in sexual orgies. They love lewdness more than their* glory.

⁷ The trader, in his hand are scales of deceit;* he loves to oppress. ⁸ And Ephraim said, "Surely, I am rich, I gained* wealth for myself; in all my toil they have not found guilt in me that is sin.

⁶ Thus says Yahweh: "For three transgressions of Israel and for four I will not revoke the punishment,* because they sell the righteous for money and the poor for a pair of sandals! ⁷ Those who trample the heads of the powerless into the dust of the ground and turn aside the way of the destitute, a man and his father _⌊have sexual relations with_⌋* the same girl, so that they profane my holy name.

¹¹ Its rulers judge for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money. But they lean on Yahweh, saying, "Is not Yahweh in our midst? Disaster will not come upon us."

³ Their hands are upon evil, to do it well; the official and the judge ask for the bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; and they weave it together.

² And when* he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him,* saying, "We have experienced* much* peace through you, and reforms are taking place in this nation through your foresight. ³ Both in every way and everywhere we acknowledge this,* most excellent Felix, with all gratitude.

⁹ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived! Neither sexually immoral people, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor passive homosexual partners, nor dominant homosexual partners,

⁵ For this you know _⌊for certain_⌋*, that every sexually immoral person, or unclean person, or greedy person (who is an idolater), does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

⁹ But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they* desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.

³ And in greediness they will exploit you with false words, whose condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

¹⁴ having eyes full of desire for an adulteress and unceasing from sin, enticing unstable persons, and* having hearts trained for greediness. Accursed children! ¹⁵ By* leaving the straight path, they have gone astray, because they* followed the way of Balaam the son of Bosor,* who loved the wages of unrighteousness,

² You will not _⌊follow_⌋* a majority* for evil, and you will not testify concerning a legal dispute to turn aside after a majority* to pervert justice.

²⁵ The fear of a person will lay a snare, but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.

¹⁵ So Pilate, because he* wanted _⌊to satisfy_⌋* the crowd, released for them Barabbas. And after* he had Jesus flogged, he handed him* over so that he could be crucified.

²⁴ And Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. ²⁵ And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.

³ And when he* saw that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (_⌊Now this was during the feast_⌋* of Unleavened Bread.)

¹ Now when* Festus set foot in the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

⁴ Then Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, and he himself was about to go there* in a short time.

⁹ But Festus, because he* wanted to do a favor for the Jews, answered and* said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there concerning these things?"

¹⁴ And while they were staying there many days, Festus laid out the case against Paul to the king, saying, "There is a certain man left behind by Felix as a prisoner,

²⁴ And as* he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are out of your mind, Paul! Your* great learning _⌊is driving_⌋* you _⌊insane_⌋!"* ²⁵ But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but am speaking words of truth and rationality.

³² And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar."

³⁰ So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him,

¹⁰ For am I now making an appeal to people or to God? Or am I seeking to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.