Come and see what God has done, his wonderful acts among people.

I will praise him for what he has done; may all who are oppressed listen and be glad!

Come, my young friends, and listen to me, and I will teach you to honor the LORD.

Now that I am old and my hair is gray, do not abandon me, O God! Be with me while I proclaim your power and might to all generations to come.

Then the people who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard what they said. In his presence, there was written down in a book a record of those who feared the LORD and respected him.

This is a true saying, to be completely accepted and believed: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. I am the worst of them,

but God was merciful to me in order that Christ Jesus might show his full patience in dealing with me, the worst of sinners, as an example for all those who would later believe in him and receive eternal life.

What we have seen and heard we announce to you also, so that you will join with us in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

"Praise him, you servants of the LORD! Honor him, you descendants of Jacob! Worship him, you people of Israel!

He does not neglect the poor or ignore their suffering; he does not turn away from them, but answers when they call for help."

Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.

So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them.

You have sent troubles and suffering on me, but you will restore my strength; you will keep me from the grave.

Last of all he appeared also to me---even though I am like someone whose birth was abnormal.

But by God's grace I am what I am, and the grace that he gave me was not without effect. On the contrary, I have worked harder than any of the other apostles, although it was not really my own doing, but God's grace working with me.