When Jesus heard that, he told them, “People who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. I haven’t come to call those who are right with God. I’ve come for sinners.”
I used to say insulting things about Jesus. I tried to hurt his followers, and I even used violence against them. But God had mercy on me because I did those things without knowing any better. I wasn’t a believer.
The person who does what is sinful belongs to the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the devil’s work.
The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord is the God who gives messages to the prophets, and he has sent his angel to show his servants the things that must take place soon.”
They sang a new song that said, “You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals, because you were put to death, and you bought people for God with your blood. They come from every tribe, language, race, and nation.
This is a saying you can trust. I want you to emphasize these things so that those who trust in God will be careful to commit themselves to doing good. These things are excellent and good for everyone.
The one who was sitting on the throne said, “I’m making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down. You can trust these words, because they’re true.”
When they heard this, they didn’t question or criticize Peter any longer. Instead, they praised God and said, “So then, God has allowed even Gentiles to turn away from their sins and find life!”
In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and in the sight of Christ Jesus, who told the truth when he was a witness in front of Pontius Pilate, I give you a command.