even though I was formerlya blasphemerand a persecutorand a violent aggressor.YetI was shown mercybecauseI actedignorantlyin unbelief;
"I will sowher for Myself in the land.I will also havecompassionon her who had not obtainedcompassion,And I will sayto those who were not My people,'You are My people!'And they will say,'[You are] my God!'"
"Orifthe rawfleshturnsagainand is changedto white,then he shall cometo the priest,
But the personwhodoes[anything] defiantly,whetherhe is nativeor an alien,that oneis blasphemingthe LORD;and that personshall be cutofffrom amonghis people.
"And that slavewho knewhis master'swilland did not get readyoractin accordwith his will, willreceivemanylashes,
But Jesuswas saying,"Father,forgivethem; for they do not knowwhatthey are doing."And they castlots,dividingup His garmentsamongthemselves.
"I persecutedthisWayto the death,bindingand puttingbothmenand womeninto prisons,
"And now,brethren,I knowthat you actedin ignorance,justas your rulersdid also.
But Saul[began] ravagingthe church,enteringhouseafterhouse,and draggingoff menand women,he would putthem in prison.
NowSaul,stillbreathingthreatsand murderagainstthe disciplesof the Lord,wentto the high priest,
But Ananiasanswered,"Lord,I have heardfrom manyaboutthisman,how muchharmhe didto Your saintsat Jerusalem;
And he said,"Whoare You, Lord?"And He [said], "I amJesuswhomyou are persecuting,
For I amthe leastof the apostles,and not fitto be calledan apostle,becauseI persecutedthe churchof God.
NowconcerningvirginsI havenocommandof the Lord,but I givean opinionas one who by the mercyof the Lordis trustworthy.
For you have heardof my formermanner of lifein Judaism,howI used to persecutethe churchof Godbeyondmeasureand tried to destroyit;
as to zeal,a persecutorof the church;as to the righteousnesswhich is in the Law,foundblameless.
Yetfor thisreasonI found mercy,sothat in me as the foremost,JesusChristmight demonstrateHis perfectpatienceas an examplefor thosewho wouldbelievein Him for eternallife.
Thereforelet us draw nearwith confidenceto the throneof grace,sothat we may receivemercyand findgraceto helpin time of need.
for you oncewere NOT A PEOPLE,but nowyou are THE PEOPLEOF GOD;you had NOT RECEIVEDMERCY,but nowyou have RECEIVED MERCY.
