All these with one mind and one purpose were continually devoting themselves to prayer, [waiting together] along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

beginning with the baptism by John [at the outset of Jesus’ ministry] until the day when He was taken up from us—one of these men must become a witness with us [to testify] of His resurrection.”

They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know all hearts [their thoughts, motives, desires], show us which one of these two You have chosen

They were completely astonished, saying, “Look! Are not all of these who are speaking Galileans?

These people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is [only] the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.);

Indeed, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also announced these days.

saying, “What are we to do with these men? For the fact that an extraordinary miracle has taken place through them is public knowledge and clearly evident to all the residents of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

And hearing these words, Ananias fell down suddenly and died; and great fear and awe gripped those who heard of it.

And great fear and awe gripped the whole church, and all who heard about these things.

Now when the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these things, they were greatly perplexed, wondering what would come of this.

And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has bestowed on those who obey Him.”

Then he said to the Council, “Men of Israel, be careful in regard to what you propose to do to these men.

So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men [merely human in origin], it will fail and be destroyed;

They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].

Now the high priest asked [Stephen], “Are these charges true?”

And God gave Abraham a covenant [a formal agreement to be strictly observed] of [which] circumcision [was the sign]; and so [under these circumstances] Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac [became the father] of Jacob, and Jacob [became the father] of the twelve patriarchs.

‘Was it not My hand that made all these things?’

Now when they heard this [accusation and understood its implication], they were cut to the heart, and they began grinding their teeth [in rage] at him.

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who were listening to the message [confirming God’s acceptance of Gentiles].

“Can anyone refuse water for these people to be baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?”

The Spirit told me to go with them without the slightest hesitation. So these six brothers also went with me and we went to the man’s house.

Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, who failed to recognize or understand both Jesus and the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled these [very prophecies] by condemning Him.

As Paul and Barnabas were leaving [the synagogue], the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath.

“Men, why are you doing these things? We too are only men of the same nature as you, bringing the good news to you, so that you turn from these useless and meaningless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them.

Even saying these words, with difficulty they prevented the people from offering sacrifices to them.

Says the Lord,
Who has been making these things known from long ago.

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials:

that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from [consuming] blood, and from [eating the meat of] things that have been strangled, and from sexual impurity. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.”

She followed after Paul and us and kept screaming and shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

and when they had brought them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men, who are Jews, are throwing our city into confusion and causing trouble.

But when they failed to find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too;

Now these people were more noble and open-minded than those in Thessalonica, so they received the message [of salvation through faith in the Christ] with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

For you are bringing some startling and strange things to our ears; so we want to know what they mean.”

Now after these events, Paul determined in the Spirit that he would travel through Macedonia and Achaia (most of the Greek mainland), and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome [and preach the good news of salvation].”

These [craftsmen] he called together, along with the workmen of similar trades, and said, “Men, you are well aware that we make a good living from this business.

So, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and stay calm and not do anything rash.

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

And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

These men went on ahead and were waiting for us (including Luke) at Troas.

But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].

You know personally that these hands ministered to my own needs [working in manual labor] and to [those of] the people who were with me.

After this we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem.

take these men and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses [for the temple offerings] so that they may shave their heads. Then everyone will know that there is nothing to the things they have been told about you, but that you yourself also follow and keep the Law.

When these [horsemen] reached Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor, and also presented Paul to him.

and ordered his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to determine [the truth about] these things with which we charge him.”

The Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.

having [the same] hope in God which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked.

They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone [the rites of] purification, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor],

Or else let these men tell what crime they found [me guilty of] when I stood before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court),

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial there in my presence [before the Jewish Sanhedrin] on these charges?”

Because of this some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.

For [your majesty] the king understands these things, and [therefore] I am also speaking to him with confidence and boldness, since I am convinced that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner [hidden from view, in secret].

And Paul replied, “Whether in a short time or long, I wish to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”

Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you cannot be saved.”

Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all, and he broke it and began to eat.

[And when he had said these things, the Jews left, arguing among themselves.]