The wordof Godkept on spreading;and the numberof the disciplescontinued to increasegreatlyin Jerusalem,and a greatmanyof the priestswere becoming obedientto the faith.
But the priestswere too few,so that they were unableto skinallthe burntofferings;therefore their brothersthe Leviteshelpedthem untilthe workwas completedand untilthe [other] priestshad consecratedthemselves. For the Leviteswere moreconscientiousto consecratethemselves thanthe priests.
For Hezekiahkingof Judahhad contributedto the assembly1000bullsand 7,000sheep,and the princeshad contributedto the assembly1000bullsand 10,000sheep;and a largenumberof priestsconsecratedthemselves.
"Her priestsalso I will clothewith salvation,And her godlyoneswill singaloudfor joy.
Let Your priestsbe clothedwith righteousness,And let Your godlyonessingfor joy.
"But many[who are] firstwill be last;and [the] last,first.
And Simeonblessedthem and saidto MaryHis mother,"Behold,this[Child] is appointedfor the falland riseof manyin Israel,and for a signto be opposed--
Neverthelessmanyevenof the rulersbelievedin Him, but becauseof the Phariseesthey were not confessing[Him], for fearthat they would be put out of the synagogue;
But the wordof the Lordcontinued to growand to be multiplied.
But Elymasthe magician(for sohis nameis translated)was opposingthem, seekingto turnthe proconsulawayfrom the faith.
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
Sothe wordof the Lordwas growingmightilyand prevailing.
praisingGodand havingfavorwith allthe people.And the Lordwas addingto their numberday by daythosewho were being saved.
And when they heardit they [began] glorifyingGod;and they saidto him, "You see,brother,how manythousandsthere are amongthe Jewsof thosewho have believed,and they are allzealousfor the Law;
Nowat thistimewhile the discipleswere increasing[in number], a complaintaroseon the part of the Hellenistic[Jews] againstthe [native] Hebrews,becausetheir widowswere being overlookedin the dailyserving[of food].
throughwhomwe have receivedgraceand apostleshipto bring about[the] obedienceof faithamongallthe Gentilesfor His name'ssake,
but nowis manifested,and by the Scripturesof the prophets,accordingto the commandmentof the eternalGod,has been made knownto allthe nations,[leading] to obedienceof faith;
but only,they kept hearing,"He who oncepersecutedus is nowpreachingthe faithwhichhe oncetried to destroy."
So then,whilewe haveopportunity,let us dogoodto all people,and especiallyto thosewho are of the householdof the faith.
which has cometo you, justas in allthe worldalsoit is constantly bearing fruitand increasing,evenas [it has been doing] in you alsosincethe dayyou heard[of it] and understoodthe graceof Godin truth;
dealingout retributionto thosewho do not knowGodand to thosewho do not obeythe gospelof our LordJesus.
for whichI suffer hardshipevento imprisonmentas a criminal;but the wordof Godis not imprisoned.
By faithAbraham,when he was called,obeyedby goingout to a placewhichhe was to receivefor an inheritance;and he wentout, not knowingwherehe was going.
And having been made perfect,He becameto allthosewho obeyHim the sourceof eternalsalvation,
But you, beloved,buildingyourselvesup on your mostholyfaith,prayingin the HolySpirit,
Beloved,while I was makingeveryeffortto writeyou aboutour commonsalvation,I feltthe necessityto writeto you appealingthat you contend earnestlyfor the faithwhich was once for allhanded downto the saints.
