Then Peter began to speak to them: "I truly understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. [36] You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ--he is Lord of all. [37] That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. [39] We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; [40] but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, [41] not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. [42] He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. [43] All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
1 Give thanks to the LORD, for | he is good;*
his mercy en- | dures forever.
2 Let Israel | now proclaim,*
"His mercy en- | dures forever."
14 The LORD is my strength | and my song,*
and he has become | my salvation.
15 There is a sound of exulta- | tion and victory*
in the tents | of the righteous:
16 "The right hand of the | LORD has triumphed!*
The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the | LORD has triumphed!"
17 I shall not | die, but live,*
and declare the works | of the LORD.
18 The LORD has pun- | ished me sorely,*
but he did not hand me o- | ver to death.
19 Open for me the | gates of righteousness;*
I will enter them; I will offer thanks | to the LORD.
20 "This is the gate | of the LORD;*
he who is right- | eous may enter."
21 I will give thanks to you, for you | answered me*
and have become | my salvation.
22 The same stone which the build- | ers rejected*
has become the chief | cornerstone.
23 This is | the LORD's doing,*
and it is marvelous | in our eyes.
24 On this day the | LORD has acted;*
we will rejoice and be | glad in it.
Colossians 3:1-4 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, [3] for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. [2] So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." [3] Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went toward the tomb. [4] The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.
[6] Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, [7] and the cloth that had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. [8] Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; [9] for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
[10] Then the disciples returned to their homes. [11] But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; [12] and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. [13] They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." [14] When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."
[16] Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). [17] Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" [18] Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know-- [23] this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. [24] But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. [25] For David says concerning him, 'I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; [26] therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. [27] For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. [28] You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'
[29] "Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. [31] Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, 'He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.' [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.
1 Protect me, O God, for I take ref- | uge in you;*
I have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, my good a- | bove all other."
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are | in the land,*
upon those who are noble a- | mong the people.
3 But those who run after | other gods*
shall have their troubles | multiplied.
4 Their libations of blood I | will not offer,*
nor take the names of their gods up- | on my lips.
5 O LORD, you are my portion | and my cup;*
it is you who up- | hold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a | pleasant land;*
indeed, I have a | goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the LORD who | gives me counsel;*
my heart teaches me night | after night.
8 I have set the LORD al- | ways before me;*
because he is at my right hand, I | shall not fall.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spir- | it rejoices;*
my body also shall | rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me | to the grave,*
nor let your holy one | see the pit.
11 You will show me the | path of life;*
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for- | evermore.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, [5] who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, [7] so that the genuineness of your faith--being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. [8] Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." [20] After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." [22] When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
[24] But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."
[26] A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." [28] Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" [29] Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." [30] Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. [31] But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." [37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" [38] Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." [40] And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." [41] So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
1 I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my | supplication,*
because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I | called upon him.
2 The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took | hold of me;*
I came to | grief and sorrow.
3 Then I called upon the name | of the LORD:*
"O LORD, I pray you, | save my life."
10 How shall I re- | pay the LORD*
for all the good things he has | done for me?
11 I will lift up the cup | of salvation*
and call upon the name | of the LORD.
12 I will fulfill my vows | to the LORD*
in the presence of | all his people.
13 Precious in the sight | of the LORD*
is the death | of his servants.
14 O LORD, I | am your servant;*
I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
you have freed me | from my bonds.
15 I will offer you the sacrifice | of thanksgiving*
and call upon the name | of the LORD.
16 I will fulfill my vows | to the LORD*
in the presence of | all his people,
17 in the courts of | the LORD's house,*
in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. | Hallelujah!
If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. [18] You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, [19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. [20] He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.
[21] Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. [22] Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. [23] You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God.
Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, [14] and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. [15] While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, [16] but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. [17] And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?" They stood still, looking sad. [18] Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?" [19] He asked them, "What things?" They replied, "The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, [20] and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. [21] But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. [22] Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, [23] and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. [24] Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him."
[25] Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! [26] Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?" [27] Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. [28] As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. [29] But they urged him strongly, saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over." So he went in to stay with them. [30] When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. [31] Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. [32] They said to each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?" [33] That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. [34] They were saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" [35] Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.
Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [43] Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. [44] All who believed were together and had all things in common; [45] they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. [46] Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, [47] praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
1 The LORD | is my shepherd;*
I shall not | be in want.
2 He makes me lie down | in green pastures*
and leads me be- | side still waters.
3 He re- | vives my soul*
and guides me along right pathways | for his name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall | fear no evil;*
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they | comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who | trouble me;*
you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is | running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days | of my life,*
and I will dwell in the house of the | LORD forever.
For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. [20] If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. [21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. [22] "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." [23] When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. [24] He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. [25] For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. [2] The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. [5] They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." [6] Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
[7] So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. [56] "Look," he said, "I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" [57] But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. [58] Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. [59] While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." [60] Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.
1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be | put to shame;*
deliver me | in your righteousness.
2 Incline your | ear to me;*
make haste to de- | liver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,
for you are my crag | and my stronghold;*
for the sake of your name, lead | me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly | set for me,*
for you are my tow- | er of strength.
5 Into your hands I com- | mend my spirit,*
for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O | God of truth.
15 My times are | in your hand;*
rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who | persecute me.
16 Make your face to shine up- | on your servant,*
and in your loving- | kindness save me."
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- [3] if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. [4] Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and [5] like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [6] For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
[7] To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," [8] and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. [9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. [4] And you know the way to the place where I am going."
[5] Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" [6] Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. [7] If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
[8] Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." [9] Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? [10] Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. [11] Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. [12] Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. [23] For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. [24] The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, [25] nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. [26] From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, [27] so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him--though indeed he is not far from each one of us. [28] For 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.'
[29] Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. [30] While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, [31] because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
7 Bless our | God, you peoples;*
make the voice of his praise | to be heard,
8 who holds our | souls in life,*
and will not allow our | feet to slip.
9 For you, O | God, have proved us;*
you have tried us just as sil- | ver is tried.
10 You brought us in- | to the snare;*
you laid heavy burdens up- | on our backs.
11 You let enemies ride over our heads; we went through | fire and water,*
but you brought us out into a place | of refreshment.
12 I will enter your house with burnt-offerings and will pay | you my vows,*
which I promised with my lips and spoke with my mouth when I | was in trouble.
13 I will offer you sacrifices of fat beasts with the | smoke of rams;*
I will give you ox- | en and goats.
14 Come and listen, all you | who fear God,*
and I will tell you what he has | done for me.
15 I called out to him | with my mouth,*
and his praise was | on my tongue.
16 If I had found evil | in my heart,*
the Lord would | not have heard me;
17 but in truth | God has heard me;*
he has attended to the voice | of my prayer.
18 Blessed be God, who has not reject- | ed my prayer,*
nor withheld his | love from me.
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? [14] But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, [15] but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; [16] yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil.
[18] For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, [19] in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, [20] who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. [21] And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you--not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. [16] And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. [17] This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. [18] "I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. [19] In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. [20] On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. [21] They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them."
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning [2] until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. [3] After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. [4] While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. "This," he said, "is what you have heard from me; [5] for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
[6] So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[9] When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. [11] They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
1 Clap your hands, | all you peoples;*
shout to God with a | cry of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is | to be feared;*
he is the great king over | all the earth.
3 He subdues the | peoples under us,*
and the nations un- | der our feet.
4 He chooses our inheri- | tance for us,*
the pride of Jacob | whom he loves.
5 God has gone up | with a shout,*
the LORD with the sound | of the ram's horn.
6 Sing praises to | God, sing praises;*
sing praises to our | king, sing praises.
7 For God is King of | all the earth;*
sing praises with | all your skill.
8 God reigns o- | ver the nations;*
God sits upon his | holy throne.
9 The nobles of the peoples have gath- | ered together*
with the people of the | God of Abraham.
10 The rulers of the earth be- | long to God,*
and he is high- | ly exalted.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason [16] I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. [17] I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, [18] so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, [19] and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power.
[20] God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. [22] And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you--that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." [45] Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, [46] and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, [47] and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things.
[49] And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." [50] Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. [51] While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. [52] And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; [53] and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" [7] He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
[9] When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. [11] They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
[12] Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. [13] When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. [14] All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
1 Let God arise, and let his ene- | mies be scattered;*
let those who hate him | flee before him.
2 Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives | it away;*
as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the pres- | ence of
God.
3 But let the righteous be glad and rejoice | before God;*
let them also be mer- | ry and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; exalt him who rides up- | on the
heavens;*
YAHWEH is his name, re- | joice before him!
5 Father of orphans, defend- | er of widows,*
God in his holy | habitation!
6 God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners | into freedom;*
but the rebels shall live | in dry places.
7 O God, when you went forth be- | fore your people,*
when you marched | through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, and the skies poured down rain,
at the presence of God, the | God of Sinai,*
at the presence of God, the | God of Israel.
9 You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon | your inheritance;*
you refreshed the land when | it was weary.
10 Your people found their | home in it;*
in your goodness, O God, you have made provision | for the poor.
33 Sing to God, O kingdoms | of the earth;*
sing praises | to the Lord.
34 He rides in the heavens, the | ancient heavens;*
he sends forth his voice, his | mighty voice.
35 Ascribe pow- | er to God;*
his majesty is over Israel; his strength is | in the skies.
36 How wonderful is God in his | holy places,*
the God of Israel giving strength and power to his people! | Blessed be God!
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among
you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. [13] But
rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be
glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. [14] If you are reviled for
the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the
Spirit of God, is resting on you.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt
you in due time. [7] Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. [8]
Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil
prowls around, looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, steadfast in your
faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are
undergoing the same kinds of suffering. [10] And after you have suffered for a
little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in
Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. [11] To
him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
After Jesus had spoken these words, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, [2] since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. [3] And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. [4] I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do.
[5] So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. [6] "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. [7] Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; [8] for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
[9] I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. [10] All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. [11] And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.