"I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

When Peter saw this, he declared to the people, "Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this man walk by our own power or piety?

Every day I am in danger of death! This is as sure as my boasting in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What I am saying with this boastful confidence I do not say the way the Lord would. Instead it is, as it were, foolishness.

Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example.

and has appointed us as a kingdom, as priests serving his God and Father -- to him be the glory and the power for ever and ever! Amen.