The wordof Godkept on spreading;and the numberof the disciplescontinued to increasegreatlyin Jerusalem,and a greatmanyof the priestswere becoming obedientto the faith.
Sothe wordof the Lordwas growingmightilyand prevailing.
But the wordof the Lordcontinued to growand to be multiplied.
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;
And having been made perfect,He becameto allthosewho obeyHim the sourceof eternalsalvation,
but nowis manifested,and by the Scripturesof the prophets,accordingto the commandmentof the eternalGod,has been made knownto allthe nations,[leading] to obedienceof faith;
throughwhomwe have receivedgraceand apostleshipto bring about[the] obedienceof faithamongallthe Gentilesfor His name'ssake,
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
By faithAbraham,when he was called,obeyedby goingout to a placewhichhe was to receivefor an inheritance;and he wentout, not knowingwherehe was going.
for whichI suffer hardshipevento imprisonmentas a criminal;but the wordof Godis not imprisoned.
dealingout retributionto thosewho do not knowGodand to thosewho do not obeythe gospelof our LordJesus.
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;
But Elymasthe magician(for sohis nameis translated)was opposingthem, seekingto turnthe proconsulawayfrom the faith.
Neverthelessmanyevenof the rulersbelievedin Him, but becauseof the Phariseesthey were not confessing[Him], for fearthat they would be put out of the synagogue;
And Simeonblessedthem and saidto MaryHis mother,"Behold,this[Child] is appointedfor the falland riseof manyin Israel,and for a signto be opposed--
"But many[who are] firstwill be last;and [the] last,first.
"Her priestsalso I will clothewith salvation,And her godlyoneswill singaloudfor joy.
Let Your priestsbe clothedwith righteousness,And let Your godlyonessingfor joy.
For Hezekiahkingof Judahhad contributedto the assembly1000bullsand 7,000sheep,and the princeshad contributedto the assembly1000bullsand 10,000sheep;and a largenumberof priestsconsecratedthemselves.
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.
praisingGodand havingfavorwith allthe people.And the Lordwas addingto their numberday by daythosewho were being saved.
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].
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.
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.
But you, beloved,buildingyourselvesup on your mostholyfaith,prayingin the HolySpirit,
