Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Abraham » Divine call of
But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Go forth from your country, and from your kindred, and came into the land which I will show you,'
By faith Abraham, when called, obeyed to go forth into the place which he was about to receive for an inheritance; and he went forth, not knowing whither he was going.
Verse Concepts
Babylon » Formerly a part of mesopotamia
But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
Verse Concepts
Court » Accused spoke in his own defense
But Peter and the apostles, answering, said, "It is proper to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, Whom ye slew, having suspended Him on a tree: This One God exalted as a Prince and Savior, with His right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. read more.
And we are witnesses of these things; also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to those who obey Him."
And we are witnesses of these things; also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to those who obey Him."
And, having called them they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John, answering, said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you, rather than to God, judge ye; for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard."
And the high priests accused Him of many things. And Pilate again asked Him, saying, "Answerest Thou nothing? Behold how many things they accuse Thee of!" But Jesus no longer made any answer; so that Pilate marvelled.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are this day examined in regard to a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this person has been made whole; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, in Him does this man stand here before you well! read more.
This is the Stone That was set at naught by you, the builders, Which was made into a head of a corner. And in no one else is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that has been given among men, in Which we must be saved."
This is the Stone That was set at naught by you, the builders, Which was made into a head of a corner. And in no one else is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that has been given among men, in Which we must be saved."
And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Go forth from your country, and from your kindred, and came into the land which I will show you,' read more.
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A Prophet will God raise up for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A Prophet will God raise up for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"
And Paul, looking intently on the Sanhedrin, said, "Brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." And the high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by, to smite him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God is about to smite you??ou whited wall! And do you sit judging me according to the law, and, in violation of law, command me to be smitten?" read more.
And those standing by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest; for it has been written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" And Paul, perceiving that the one part was of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, was crying out in the Sanhedrin, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; concerning the hope and resurrection from the dead, I am being judged." And, when he said this, there arose a dissension of the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the multitude was divided.
And those standing by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest; for it has been written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" And Paul, perceiving that the one part was of the Sadducees, and the other of the Pharisees, was crying out in the Sanhedrin, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; concerning the hope and resurrection from the dead, I am being judged." And, when he said this, there arose a dissension of the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the multitude was divided.
Government » Mosaic » Constitutes, with priests and scribes, a court for the trial of both civil and ecclesiastical causes
And He began to teach them, that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the high priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Verse Concepts
And, when morning came, all the high priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus, so as to put Him to death; and, binding Him, they led Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate, the governor.
And, when He came into the temple, the high-priests and the elders of the people came to Him while He was teaching, saying, "By what authority art Thou doing these things? And who gave Thee this authority?"
Verse Concepts
And straightway in the morning the high priests with the elders, and the scribes, and the whole Sanhedrin, having held a consultation, binding Jesus, carried Him away, and delivered Him up to Pilate.
Verse Concepts
Then the high priests and the elders of the people were gathered together into the court of the high priest who was called Caiaphas; and they consulted together that they might take Jesus by guile and kill Him. But they said, "Not during the feast, lest an uproar might arise among the people."
And those who seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. And Peter was following Him afar off to the court of the high priest; and, entering within, he was sitting with the attendants to see the end. And the high priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false witness against Jesus, that they might put Him to death; read more.
and they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. But afterward two false witnesses, coming forward, said, "This Man, said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.'" And the high priest, standing up, said to Him, "Answerest Thou nothing? What are these testifying against Thee?" But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou art the Christ, the Son of God" Jesus saith to him, "You said it: nevertheless I say to you, henceforth ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, "He blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, ye just now heard the blasphemy! What think ye?" And they, answering, said, "He is worthy of death." Then did they spit in His face, and buffet Him. And others smote Him, saying, "Prophesy to us, O Christ, who is he that struck Thee?"
and they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. But afterward two false witnesses, coming forward, said, "This Man, said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.'" And the high priest, standing up, said to Him, "Answerest Thou nothing? What are these testifying against Thee?" But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure Thee by the living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou art the Christ, the Son of God" Jesus saith to him, "You said it: nevertheless I say to you, henceforth ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, "He blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, ye just now heard the blasphemy! What think ye?" And they, answering, said, "He is worthy of death." Then did they spit in His face, and buffet Him. And others smote Him, saying, "Prophesy to us, O Christ, who is he that struck Thee?"
And straightway, while He yet spake, comes Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and clubs, from the high priests and the scribes and the elders. Now he that was betraying Him gave them a signal, saying, "Whomsoever I shall kiss, This is He, take Him, and lead Him away securely." And, having come, going straightway to Him, he says, "Rabbi;" and kissed Him. read more.
And they laid hands on Him, and took Him. And one of those standing by, having drawn his sword, smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. And Jesus answering, said to them, "Did ye come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye did not take Me; but this is done that the Scriptures may be fulfilled." And, having left Him, they all fled. And a certain young man was following with Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body; and they lay hold on him; but, leaving the linen cloth, he fled naked. And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and there come together with him all the high priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed Him afar off, even within into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the attendants, and he was warming himself at the light of the fire. And the high priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking for testimony against Jesus, in order to put Him to death; and they were not finding it. For many were bearing false testimony against Him, and their testimonies were not agreed. And certain ones, standing up, were bearing false testimony against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'" And not even so did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, "Dost Thou answer nothing? What do these testify against Thee?" But He was silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, and says to Him, "Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am; and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." And the high priest, rending his clothes, says, "What further need have we of witnesses? Ye heard the blasphemy: what think ye?" And they all condemned Him to be worthy of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy;" and the officers received Him with blows of their hands.
And they laid hands on Him, and took Him. And one of those standing by, having drawn his sword, smote the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. And Jesus answering, said to them, "Did ye come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs, to seize Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye did not take Me; but this is done that the Scriptures may be fulfilled." And, having left Him, they all fled. And a certain young man was following with Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body; and they lay hold on him; but, leaving the linen cloth, he fled naked. And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and there come together with him all the high priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed Him afar off, even within into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the attendants, and he was warming himself at the light of the fire. And the high priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking for testimony against Jesus, in order to put Him to death; and they were not finding it. For many were bearing false testimony against Him, and their testimonies were not agreed. And certain ones, standing up, were bearing false testimony against Him, saying, "We heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'" And not even so did their testimony agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, "Dost Thou answer nothing? What do these testify against Thee?" But He was silent, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, and says to Him, "Art Thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am; and ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." And the high priest, rending his clothes, says, "What further need have we of witnesses? Ye heard the blasphemy: what think ye?" And they all condemned Him to be worthy of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say to Him, "Prophesy;" and the officers received Him with blows of their hands.
And Jesus said to the high priests and captains of the temple and elders, who came up against Him, "Did ye come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against Me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." And, seizing Him, they led Him away, and brought Him into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following afar off. read more.
And, they having kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and having sat down together, Peter was sitting in the midst of them. And a certain maid, seeing him sitting by the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with Him." But he denied, saying, "I do not know Him, woman." And, after a little while, another, seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And, about one hour having intervened, a certain other was confidently insisting, saying, "Of a truth this one also was with Him; for he also is a Galilaean." But Peter said, "Man, I know not what you are saying." And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. And, turning, the Lord looked upon Peter: and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, "Before a cock shall crow to-day, you will thrice deny Me." And, going forth without, he wept bitterly. And the men who were holding Jesus were mocking Him, beating Him; and, blindfolding Him, they were questioning Him, saying, "Prophesy who he is that smote Thee." And many other things they said against Him, reviling Him. And, when it was day, the eldership of the people was gathered together, both high priests and scribes; and they led Him away into their Sanhedrin, saying, "If Thou art the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, ye will not believe. And, if I question you, ye will not answer. But henceforth the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." And they all said, "Art Thou, therefore, the Son of God?" And He said to them, "Ye say that I am." And they said, "Why do we still have need of testimony? for we ourselves heard from His own mouth!"
And, they having kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and having sat down together, Peter was sitting in the midst of them. And a certain maid, seeing him sitting by the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with Him." But he denied, saying, "I do not know Him, woman." And, after a little while, another, seeing him, said, "You also are one of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not." And, about one hour having intervened, a certain other was confidently insisting, saying, "Of a truth this one also was with Him; for he also is a Galilaean." But Peter said, "Man, I know not what you are saying." And immediately, while he was yet speaking, a cock crowed. And, turning, the Lord looked upon Peter: and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He said to him, "Before a cock shall crow to-day, you will thrice deny Me." And, going forth without, he wept bitterly. And the men who were holding Jesus were mocking Him, beating Him; and, blindfolding Him, they were questioning Him, saying, "Prophesy who he is that smote Thee." And many other things they said against Him, reviling Him. And, when it was day, the eldership of the people was gathered together, both high priests and scribes; and they led Him away into their Sanhedrin, saying, "If Thou art the Christ, tell us." But He said to them, "If I tell you, ye will not believe. And, if I question you, ye will not answer. But henceforth the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God." And they all said, "Art Thou, therefore, the Son of God?" And He said to them, "Ye say that I am." And they said, "Why do we still have need of testimony? for we ourselves heard from His own mouth!"
But, as they were speaking to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being greatly troubled because of their teaching the people, and declaring in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody till the next day; for it was now evening. read more.
And many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men became about five thousand. And it came to pass, the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. And, having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, "In what power or in what name, did ye do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are this day examined in regard to a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this person has been made whole; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, in Him does this man stand here before you well! This is the Stone That was set at naught by you, the builders, Which was made into a head of a corner. And in no one else is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that has been given among men, in Which we must be saved." Now, beholding the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered and ignorant men, they were wondering; they also were recognizing them, that they had been with Jesus; and, seeing the man who had been healed, standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. But, having ordered them to go aside out of the Sanhedrin, they were conferring one with another, saying, "What shall we do to these men? for, indeed, that a notable sign has been done through them is manifest to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it; but, that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak no more to any man in This Name." And, having called them they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John, answering, said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you, rather than to God, judge ye; for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard." And they, when they had further threatened them, released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people; because all were glorifying God for what had taken place;
And many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men became about five thousand. And it came to pass, the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. And, having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, "In what power or in what name, did ye do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are this day examined in regard to a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this person has been made whole; be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, Whom ye crucified, Whom God raised from the dead, in Him does this man stand here before you well! This is the Stone That was set at naught by you, the builders, Which was made into a head of a corner. And in no one else is there salvation; for neither is there any other name under Heaven, that has been given among men, in Which we must be saved." Now, beholding the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered and ignorant men, they were wondering; they also were recognizing them, that they had been with Jesus; and, seeing the man who had been healed, standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. But, having ordered them to go aside out of the Sanhedrin, they were conferring one with another, saying, "What shall we do to these men? for, indeed, that a notable sign has been done through them is manifest to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it; but, that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak no more to any man in This Name." And, having called them they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach, in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John, answering, said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken to you, rather than to God, judge ye; for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard." And they, when they had further threatened them, released them, finding no way to punish them, on account of the people; because all were glorifying God for what had taken place;
But there arose some of those who were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Freedmen, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he was speaking. Then they suborned men, who said, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God." read more.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the Scribes; and, coming upon him, they seized him, and brought him to the Sanhedrin, and set up false witnesses, who said, "This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place, and the law; for we have heard him say, that This Jesus, the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin, gazing intently at him, saw his face as it were an angel's face.
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the Scribes; and, coming upon him, they seized him, and brought him to the Sanhedrin, and set up false witnesses, who said, "This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place, and the law; for we have heard him say, that This Jesus, the Nazarene, will overthrow this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." And all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin, gazing intently at him, saw his face as it were an angel's face.
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And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Go forth from your country, and from your kindred, and came into the land which I will show you,' read more.
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A Prophet will God raise up for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!" But, crying out with a loud voice, they closed their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and, having thrust him forth outside of the city, they kept stoning him! And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul. And they were stoning Stephen, calling and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A Prophet will God raise up for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!" But, crying out with a loud voice, they closed their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and, having thrust him forth outside of the city, they kept stoning him! And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul. And they were stoning Stephen, calling and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"
Mesopotamia » Abraham a native of
But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
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Select readings » Stephen's defense
And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Go forth from your country, and from your kindred, and came into the land which I will show you,' read more.
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A Prophet will God raise up for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"
Then, having come forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Haran; and, from thence, after his father died, He removed him into this land, in which ye now dwell; and He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot-breadth; and He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his Seed after him, when he had no child. And God spake thus; that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land; and they would bring it into servitude, and ill-use it four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God; 'and, after these things, shall they come forth, and they shall serve Me in this place.' And He gave him a covenant of circumcision; and so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy, sold Joseph into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his house. "Now there came a famine upon the whole of Egypt and Canaan, and great tribulation; and our fathers were not finding sustenance. But Jacob, having heard that there was grain in Egypt, sent out our fathers first; and, at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's race became known to Pharaoh. And Joseph, sending, called for Jacob his father, and all his kindred, seventy-five souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he and our fathers; and they were removed to Shechem, and were laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor, in Shechem. But, as the time of the promise which God promised to Abraham was drawing nigh, the people increased and were multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king in Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same, dealing craftily with our race, ill-treated our fathers, in causing their children to be cast out, that they might not be preserved alive. In which season Moses was born, and was beautiful to God; who was nourished three months in the house of his father; but, when he was cast out, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and nourished him as her own son. And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works. But, when his fortieth year was being completed, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel. And, seeing a certain one wrongly treated, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, having smitten the Egyptian. And he was supposing that his brethren understood that God, through his hand, would give them deliverance; but they understood not. On the following day, also, he appeared to them while they were fighting and he was urging them to peace, saying, 'Men, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one another?' But he who was wronging his neighbor thrust him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? Do you wish to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. And, forty years having been fulfilled, there appeared to him, in the wilderness of mount Sinai, an angel in a flame of fire in a bush. And Moses, seeing it, wondered at the sight; and, as he drew near to observe it, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, becoming terrified, was not daring to examine it. And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you have been standing is holy ground. Surely, I saw the affliction of My people in Egypt, and heard their groaning; and I came down to rescue them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.' This Moses whom they denied, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent as both ruler and redeemer, with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. This man led them out, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, A Prophet will God raise up for you of your brethren, as He did me. This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spake to him on mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received living oracles to give to us: to whom our fathers wished not to become obedient, but thrust him away, and in their hearts turned back again to Egypt; saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for as for this Moses who brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what happened to him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it has been written in a book of the prophets, 'Did ye offer to Me slain beasts and sacrifices, forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? And ye took up the tent of Moloch, and the star of the god Rephan??he figures which ye made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' "Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as He, directed, Who spake to Moses, that he should make it according to the model which he had seen; which also our fathers, having received in succession, brought in with Joshua, in taking possession of the nations which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked that he might find 'A habitation for the God of Jacob.' But Solomon built a house for Him. Yet the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as says the prophet, 'Heaven is My throne; and the earth is the footstool of My feet: what manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest? Did not My hand make all these things?' Ye stiffnecked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears! ye do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who declared beforehand concerning the coming of the Righteous One??f Whom just now ye became the betrayers and murderers; who, indeed, received the law as the ministrations of angels, and did not keep it." Now, while hearing these things, they were being cut to their hearts, and were gnashing their teeth over him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looking intently into Heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God; and he said, "Behold I see Heaven opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!"
Syria » Originally included mesopotamia
But he said, "Brethren and fathers, the God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, while he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
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