Bible Verses About Select Readings

I will deliver you from the People and from the Goyim. I am sending you

to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and thus receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in me.’

“So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven!

On the contrary, I announced first in Dammesek, then in Yerushalayim and throughout Y’hudah, and also to the Goyim, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance.

It was because of these things that Jews seized me in the Temple and tried to kill me.

However, I have had God’s help; so to this day, I stand testifying to both small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moshe said would happen —

that the Messiah would die, and that he, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to both the People and the Goyim.”

But just as he reached this point in his defense, Festus shouted at the top of his voice, “Sha’ul, you’re out of your mind! So much learning is driving you crazy!”

But Sha’ul said, “No, I am not ‘crazy,’ Festus, your Excellency; on the contrary, I am speaking words of truth and sanity.

For the king understands these matters, so to him I express myself freely, because I am sure that none of these things have been hidden from him. After all, they didn’t happen in some back alley.

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe!”

Agrippa said to Sha’ul, “In this short time, you’re trying to convince me to become Messianic?”

Sha’ul replied, “Whether it takes a short time or a long time, I wish to God that not only you, but also everyone hearing me today, might become just like me except for these chains!”

Then the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and the others sitting with them.

After they had left, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing that deserves either death or prison.”

And Agrippa said to Festus, “If he hadn’t appealed to the Emperor, he could have been released.”

I may speak in the tongues of men, even angels; but if I lack love, I have become merely blaring brass or a cymbal clanging.

I may have the gift of prophecy, I may fathom all mysteries, know all things, have all faith — enough to move mountains; but if I lack love, I am nothing.

I may give away everything that I own, I may even hand over my body to be burned; but if I lack love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind, not jealous, not boastful,

not proud, rude or selfish, not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not gloat over other people’s sins but takes its delight in the truth.

Love always bears up, always trusts, always hopes, always endures.

Love never ends; but prophecies will pass, tongues will cease, knowledge will pass.

For our knowledge is partial, and our prophecy partial;