June 18: Proverbs 189 1Chronicles 23-26

Song for Today:
Master, The Tempest Is Raging

Hear My Prayer

Desire without knowledge is not good,
and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.
•••
Good sense makes one slow to anger,
and it is his glory to overlook an offense.
•••
The fear of the LORD leads to life,
and whoever has it rests satisfied;
he will not be visited by harm.
•••
Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
from Proverbs 19

When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
•••
These were the sons of Levi by their fathers’ houses, the heads of fathers’ houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the LORD.
•••
Thus they were to keep charge of the tent of meeting and the sanctuary, and to attend the sons of Aaron, their brothers, for the service of the house of the LORD.
from 1Chronicles 23

The divisions of the sons of Aaron were these…
from 1Chronicles 24

David and the chiefs of the service also set apart for the service the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who prophesied with lyres, with harps, and with cymbals. The list of those who did the work and of their duties was:..
from 1Chronicles 25

As for the divisions of the gatekeepers:..
•••
And of the Levites, Ahijah had charge of the treasuries of the house of God and the treasuries of the dedicated gifts…
from 1Chronicles 26
•••

June 17: Proverbs 18; 1Chronicles 20-22

Song for Today:
Angels Watching Over Me

Ten Thousand Angles Cried

When God Ran

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire;
he breaks out against all sound judgment.
•••
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
but only in expressing his opinion.
•••
When wickedness comes, contempt comes also,
and with dishonor comes disgrace.
•••
It is not good to be partial to the wicked
or to deprive the righteous of justice.
•••
The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
•••
Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty,
but humility comes before honor.
•••
He who finds a wife finds a good thing
and obtains favor from the LORD.
from Proverbs 18

These were descended from the giants in Gath, and they fell by the hand of David and b
from 1Chronicles 20

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
•••
God was displeased with this thing, and he struck Israel. And David said to God, “I have sinned greatly in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.” And the LORD spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, “Go and say to David, ‘Thus says the LORD, Three things I offer you; choose one of them, that I may do it to you.’” So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Choose what you will: either three years of famine, or three months of devastation by your foes while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the LORD, pestilence on the land, with the angel of the LORD destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now decide what answer I shall return to him who sent me.” Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.”
•••
So the LORD sent a pestilence on Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell. And God sent the angel to Jerusalem to destroy it, but as he was about to destroy it, the LORD saw, and he relented from the calamity. And he said to the angel who was working destruction, “It is enough; now stay your hand.”
•••
David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.”
•••
David paid Ornan 600 shekels of gold by weight for the site. And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. Then the LORD commanded the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.
from 1Chronicles 21

Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God and here the altar of burnt offering for Israel.”
•••
David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death.
•••
Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the LORD, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the LORD my God. But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’
•••
may the LORD grant you discretion and understanding, that when he gives you charge over Israel you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed.
from 1Chronicles 22
•••

June 16: Proverbs 17; 1Chronicles 17-19

<strong>Song for Today:</strong>

Good Things Just Take Time

Give Me Oil In My Lamp

Our Father

Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.
•••
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the LORD tests hearts.
•••
The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
from Proverbs 17

I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. When your days are fulfilled to walk with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’” In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.
•••
There is none like you, O LORD, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
from 1Chronicles 17

And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went.
•••
David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.
from 1Chronicles 18

When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and they were arrayed against the Ammonites. And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will help you. Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” So Joab and the people who were with him drew near before the Syrians for battle, and they fled before him. And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai, Joab’s brother, and entered the city
from 1Chronicles 19
•••

June 15: Proverbs 16; 1Chronicles 13-16

Song for Today:
You Never Let Go

King of the Ages

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the LORD,
and your plans will be established.
The LORD has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
•••
By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
•••
Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
•••
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
•••
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
from Proverbs 16

David and all Israel went up to Baalah, that is, to Kiriath-jearim that belongs to Judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the LORD who sits enthroned above the cherubim. And they carried the ark of God on a new cart, from the house of Abinadab, and Uzzah and Ahio were driving the cart. And David and all Israel were celebrating before God with all their might, with song and lyres and harps and tambourines and cymbals and trumpets.
And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. And David was angry because the LORD had broken out against Uzzah. And that place is called Perez-uzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, and he said, “How can I bring the ark of God home to me?” So David did not take the ark home into the city of David, but took it aside to the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had.
from 1Chronicles 13

Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him. And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that his kingdom was highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel.
And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem:..
•••
David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.
from 1Chronicles 14

David built houses for himself in the city of David. And he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it. Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the LORD to its place, which he had prepared for it
•••
“You are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites. Consecrate yourselves, you and your brothers, so that you may bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it. Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” So the priests and the Levites consecrated themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses had commanded according to the word of the LORD.
•••
Chenaniah, leader of the Levites in music, should direct the music, for he understood it.
from 1Chronicles 15

Then he appointed some of the Levites as ministers before the ark of the LORD, to invoke, to thank, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph was the chief, and second to him were Zechariah, Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel, who were to play harps and lyres; Asaph was to sound the cymbals, and Benaiah and Jahaziel the priests were to blow trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. Then on that day David first appointed that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers.
•••
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Israel his servant,
children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
He is the LORD our God;
his judgments are in all the earth.
•••
Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
and he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy are in his place.
Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples,
ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come before him!
Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth;
yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice,
and let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy
before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth.
Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
for his steadfast love endures forever!
from 1Chronicles 16
•••

June 14: Proverbs 15; 1Chronicles 11-12

Song for Today:
There is Power in the Blood

Spirit Song

A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
•••
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
The eyes of the LORD are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
•••
A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
•••
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!
•••
A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
•••
Better is a little with the fear of the LORD
than great treasure and trouble with it.
•••
The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
from Proverbs 15

Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD your God said to you, ‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.
•••
This is an account of David’s mighty men:..
from 1Chronicles 11

Now these are the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he could not move about freely because of Saul the son of Kish. And they were among the mighty men who helped him in war. They were bowmen and could shoot arrows and sling stones with either the right or the left hand; they were Benjaminites, Saul’s kinsmen.
•••
the Spirit clothed Amasai, chief of the thirty, and he said,
“We are yours, O David,
and with you, O son of Jesse!
Peace, peace to you,
and peace to your helpers!
For your God helps you.”
Then David received them and made them officers of his troops.
•••
These are the numbers of the divisions of the armed troops who came to David in Hebron to turn the kingdom of Saul over to him, according to the word of the LORD.
•••
men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do
from 1Chronicles 12
•••

June 13: Proverbs 14; 1Chronicles 7-10

Song for Today:
Teach Me Thy Way O Lord

Heart of Worship

Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.
•••
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
•••
The simple believes everything,
but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
•••
love and faithfulness.
In all toil there is profit,
but mere talk tends only to poverty.
•••
In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,
and his children will have a refuge.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
•••
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
from Proverbs 14

The sons of Issachar:..
The sons of Benjamin:..
The sons of Naphtali:..
The sons of Manasseh:..
The sons of Ephraim:.. the sons of Joseph the son of Israel.
The sons of Asher:..
from 1Chronicles 7

Benjamin fathered…
from 1Chronicles 8

So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith. Now the first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants. And some of the people of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem:
from 1Chronicles 9

the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died.
•••
So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.
from 1Chronicles 10
•••

June 12: Proverbs 13; 1Chronicles 4-6

Song for Today:
Near the Cross

Blessings

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
•••
Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
•••
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
•••
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
•••
The fallow ground of the poor would yield much food,
but it is swept away through injustice.
from Proverbs 13

The sons of Judah:..
•••
The sons of Simeon:..
from 1Chronicles 4

The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn, but because he defiled his father’s couch, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph the son of Israel, so that he could not be enrolled as the oldest son; though Judah became strong among his brothers and a chief came from him, yet the birthright belonged to Joseph), the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel:..
•••
The sons of Gad…
•••
The members of the half-tribe of Manasseh…
from 1Chronicles 5

The sons of Levi:..
from 1Chronicles 6
•••

June 11: Proverbs 12; 1Chronicles 1-3

Song for Today:
In The Sweet By and By

You Deserve the Glory

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.
•••
Better to be lowly and have a servant
than to play the great man and lack bread.
•••
Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread,
but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.
•••
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good,
and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
•••
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
•••
Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
from Proverbs 12

Abraham fathered Isaac. The sons of Isaac: Esau and Israel.
from 1Chronicles 1

These are the sons of Israel:..
•••
Nahshon fathered Salmon, Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed, Obed fathered Jesse. Jesse fathered Eliab his firstborn, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, Nethanel the fourth, Raddai the fifth, Ozem the sixth, David the seventh.
from 1Chronicles 2

These are the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron:..
•••
These were born to him in Jerusalem:..
from 1Chronicles 3
•••

June 10: Proverbs 11; Acts 27-28

Song for Today:
Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Yours Will Be

A false balance is an abomination to the LORD,
but a just weight is his delight.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.
•••
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
•••
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
•••
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.
•••
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
•••
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise.
from Proverbs 11

when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.
•••
Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
•••
soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along… they began the next day to jettison the cargo. And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
•••
Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
•••
striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
from Acts 27

Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
•••
After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island,
•••
And so we came to Rome. And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
•••
they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
“‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
from Acts 28
•••

June 9: Proverbs 10; Acts 24-26

Song for Today:
Our God, He Is Alive

Anywhere With Jesus

He who gathers in summer is a prudent son,
but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.
•••
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
•••
The wise lay up knowledge,
but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
•••
When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
from Proverbs 10

when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
from Acts 24

Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
from Acts 25

for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repen
from Acts 26
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