But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so I was able to preach the message completely, and all the Gentiles heard it. I was saved from the lion’s mouth.
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I’ve chosen this man to do a special work for me. He will announce my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
Since all of this is true, then the Lord knows how to save godly people and keep them safe in times of testing. But he also knows how to keep ungodly people under guard until the day they will be judged and punished.
You know that I’ve been treated badly and suffered greatly. You know what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—how badly I was treated there. But the Lord saved me from all my troubles.
But he told me, “My grace is all you need, because my power is made perfect in weakness.” So I will gladly brag all the more about how weak I am, so that Christ’s power can rest on me.
Pray that I’ll be kept safe from those in Judea who do not believe. And pray that the offering I’m taking to Jerusalem will be well received by the Lord’s people there.
But as for you, stay in control of yourself no matter what happens. Don’t give up when things become difficult. Work to spread the good news. Fulfill all the responsibilities of your work.