Afterthe readingof the Lawand the Prophetsthe synagogue officialssentto them, saying,"Brethren,ifyou have anywordof exhortationfor the people,sayit."
Oneof the synagogue officialsnamedJairuscameup, and on seeingHim, fellat His feet
"The Lawand the Prophets[were proclaimed] untilJohn;sincethat timethe gospelof the kingdomof Godhas been preached,and everyoneis forcing his wayinto it.
"Brethren,the Scripturehadto be fulfilled,whichthe HolySpiritforetoldby the mouthof DavidconcerningJudas,who becamea guideto thosewho arrestedJesus.
"For thosewho livein Jerusalem,and their rulers,recognizingneither Him northe utterancesof the prophetswhich are readeverySabbath,fulfilled[these] by condemning[Him].
"For Mosesfrom ancientgenerationshasin everycitythosewho preachhim, since he is readin the synagogueseverySabbath."
After there had beenmuchdebate,Peterstoodup and saidto them, "Brethren,you knowthat in the earlydaysGodmade a choiceamongyou, that by my mouththe Gentileswould hearthe wordof the gospeland believe.
And they alltook holdof Sosthenes,the leader of the synagogue,and [began] beatinghim in frontof the judgment seat.But Galliowas not concernedabout anyof these things.
Crispus,the leader of the synagogue,believedin the Lordwith allhis household,and manyof the Corinthianswhen they heardwere believingand being baptized.
"Brethren,I mayconfidentlysayto you regardingthe patriarchDavidthat he bothdiedand was buried,and his tombis with us to thisday.
Nowwhen they heard[this], they were piercedto the heart,and saidto Peterand the restof the apostles,"Brethren,whatshall we do?"
And they were allfilledwith the HolySpiritand beganto speakwith othertongues,as the Spiritwas givingthem utterance.
When he had gone throughthosedistrictsand had giventhem muchexhortation,he cameto Greece.
"Brethrenand fathers,hearmy defensewhich I now[offer] to you."
Now Joseph,a Leviteof Cyprianbirth,who was also calledBarnabasby the apostles(whichtranslatedmeansSonof Encouragement),
And he said,"Hearme, brethrenand fathers!The Godof gloryappearedto our fatherAbrahamwhen he was in Mesopotamia,beforehe livedin Haran,
orhe who exhorts,in his exhortation;he who gives,with liberality;he who leads,with diligence;he who shows mercy,with cheerfulness.
But one who prophesiesspeaksto menfor edificationand exhortationand consolation.
But their mindswere hardened;for untilthis verydayat the readingof the oldcovenantthe sameveilremainsunlifted,becauseit is removedin Christ.
For our exhortationdoes not [come] from errororimpurityorby wayof deceit;
But I urgeyou, brethren,bearwith thiswordof exhortation,for I have writtento you briefly.
