You were very patient with our ancestors.\par You let them mistreat you for many years.\par You warned them with your Spirit.\par You sent the prophets to warn them.\par But our ancestors {\cf2\super [58]} didn’t listen.\par So you gave them to people in other countries.\par
But the people turned against the Lord.\par They made his Holy Spirit very sad.\par So the Lord became their enemy.\par The Lord fought against those people.\par
\{Then Stephen said,\} “You stubborn Jewish leaders! You have not given your hearts to God! You won’t listen to him! You are always against what the Holy Spirit {\cf2\super [147]} is trying to tell you. Your ancestors did this, and you are just like them!
Remember to use the gift that you have. That gift was given to you through a prophecy {\cf2\super [19]} when the group of elders {\cf2\super [20]} put their hands on {\cf2\super [21]} you.
That is why I want you to remember the gift God gave you. God gave you that gift when I put my hands on {\cf2\super [3]} you. Now I want you to use that gift and let it grow more and more, like a small flame grows into a fire.
Samuel did what the Lord told him to do. Samuel went to Bethlehem. The elders (leaders) of Bethlehem shook with fear. They met Samuel and asked, “Do you come in peace?”