So some of his disciples said to one another, "What is this that he is saying to us, 'A little [while] and you will not see me, and again a little [while] and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going away to the Father'?"

So they kept on saying, "What is this that he is saying, 'A little [while]'? We do not understand what he is speaking about!"

A woman, when she gives birth, experiences pain because her hour has come. But when [her] child is born, she no longer remembers the affliction, on account of the joy that a human being has been born into the world.

"I have said these [things] to you in figurative sayings. An hour is coming when I will speak to you in figurative sayings no longer, but I will tell you plainly about the Father.

His disciples said, "Behold, now you are speaking {plainly} and are telling [us] no figurative saying!

Behold, an hour is coming--and has come--that you will be scattered each one to his own [home], and you will leave me alone. And I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

just as you have given him authority over all flesh, in order that he would give eternal life to them--everyone whom you have given him.

Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

And I am no longer in the world, and they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we [are].

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world.

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Sanctify them in the truth--your word is truth.

Just as you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

that they all may be one, just as you, Father, [are] in me and I [am] in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me.

And the glory that you have given to me, I have given to them, in order that they may be one, just as we [are] one--

I in them, and you in me, in order that they may be completed in one, so that the world may know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.

Jesus replied to him, "If I have spoken wrongly, testify about what [is] wrong! But if [I have spoken] correctly, why do you strike me?"

One of the slaves of the high priest, who was related to the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"

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,"

Jesus replied, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here."

Then Pilate said to him, "So then you are a king!" Jesus replied, "You say that I am a king. For this [reason] I was born, and for this reason I have come into the world: in order that I can testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice."

Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" And [when he] had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, "I find no basis for an accusation against him.

But it is your custom that I release for you one [prisoner] at the Passover. So do you want [me] to release for you the king of the Jews?"

and carrying for himself the cross, he went out to the [place] called The Place of a Skull (which is called Golgotha in Aramaic),

So they said to one another, "Let us not tear it apart, but cast lots for it, [to see] whose it will be," so that the scripture would be fulfilled that says, "They divided my garments among themselves, and for my clothing they cast lots." Thus the soldiers did these [things].

Then when he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is completed," and bowing [his] head, he gave up [his] spirit.

And the one who has seen [it] has testified, and his testimony is true, and that person knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe.

So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in [strips of] linen cloth with the fragrant spices, as is the Jews' custom to prepare for burial.

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you."

but these [things] are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that [by] believing you may have life in his name.

Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" So Simon Peter, [when he] heard that it was the Lord, tied around himself his outer garment (for he was naked) and threw himself into the sea.

Peter turned [and] saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following [them] (who also leaned back on his chest at the dinner and said, "Lord, who is the one betraying you?")

Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you? You follow me!"

So this saying went out to the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but "If I want him to remain until I come, what [is that] to you?"

This is the disciple who is testifying about these [things], and who has written down these [things]. And we know that his testimony is true.

So [when] they had come together, they began asking him, saying, "Lord, [is it] at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

But he said to them, "It is not for you to know [the] times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.

And as they were staring into the sky [while] he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain that is called Olive Grove which is near Jerusalem, {a Sabbath day's journey away}.

because he was counted among us and received a share in this ministry."

And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language "Akeldama," that is, "Field of Blood.")

"For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his residence become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it,' and, 'Let another person take his position.'

Therefore it is necessary for [one] of the men who have accompanied us during all the time [in] which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,

beginning from the baptism of John until the day [on] which he was taken up from us--one of these [men] must become a witness of his resurrection together with us."

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them [ability] to speak out.

And how do we hear, each one [of us], in {our own native language}?

Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing [in] Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

For these [men] are not drunk, as you assume, because it is the third hour of the day.

But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

"Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as [you] yourselves know--

For David says with reference to him, 'I saw the Lord before me {continually}, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken.

"Men [and] brothers, it is possible to speak with confidence to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us until this day.

For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those [who are] far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself."

And Peter looked intently at him, together with John, [and] said, "Look at us!"

And [when he] saw [it], Peter replied to the people, "Men [and] Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as [if] by our own power or godliness we have made him walk?

And on the basis of faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith [that is] through him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.

This one is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become {the cornerstone}.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved."

saying, "What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them [is] evident to all those who live [in] Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny [it]!

But in order that it may not spread much [further] among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name {to anyone at all}."

But Peter and John answered [and] said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide!

[as] you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

and placing [them] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need.

So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated "son of encouragement"), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality,

[When it] remained to you, did it not remain [yours]? And [when it] was sold, was it at your disposal? How [is it] that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!"

So Peter [said] to her, "How [is it] that it was agreed by you [two] to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband [are] at the door, and they will carry you out!"

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.

Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, [as to] what this might be.

saying, "{We strictly commanded} you not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!"

But Peter and the apostles answered [and] said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men!

This one God has exalted to his right hand [as] Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

And we are witnesses of these things, and [so is] the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.

But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God." So they were persuaded by him.

Now in these days, [as] the disciples were increasing [in number], a complaint arose by the {Greek-speaking Jews} against the {Hebraic Jews} because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution [of food].

So the twelve summoned the community of disciples [and] said, "It is not desirable [that] we neglect the word of God to serve tables.

But some of those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen ({as it was called}), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up [and] disputed with Stephen.

For we have heard him saying that this Nazarene Jesus will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed down to us."

And [as they] looked intently at him, all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face [was] like the face of an angel.

And the high priest said, "Is it so concerning these [things]?"

and the nation {that} they will serve as slaves, I will judge,' God said, 'and after these [things] they will come out and will worship me in this place.'

"But as the time of the promise that God had made to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt

and [when] he was abandoned, the daughter of Pharaoh took him [up] and brought him [up] {as her own son}.

But the one who was doing wrong to [his] neighbor pushed him aside, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us?

And the Lord said to him, 'Untie the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

This Moses whom they had repudiated, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?'--this man God sent [as] both ruler and redeemer with {the help} of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

"This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, 'God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.'

This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and who [with] our fathers received living oracles to give to us,

saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go on before us! For this Moses, who led us out from the land of Egypt--we do not know what has happened to him!'

But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, just as it is written in the book of the prophets: 'You did not bring offerings and sacrifices to me [for] forty years in the wilderness, [did you], house of Israel?

The tabernacle of the testimony {belonged} to our fathers in the wilderness, just as the one who spoke to Moses directed [him] to make it according to the design that he had seen,

But the Most High does not live in [houses] made by human hands, just as the prophet says,

'Heaven [is] my throne and earth [is] the footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what [is the] place of my rest?

"[You] stiff-necked [people] and uncircumcised in hearts and in [your] ears! You constantly resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers [did], [so] also [do] you!

Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand about the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become,

And they kept on stoning Stephen [as he] was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, [as] they heard [him] and saw the signs that he was performing.

They were all paying attention to {him}, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called 'Great.'"

But when they believed Philip [as he] was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized.