At once the believers sent Paul away to the coast; but both Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea.

The men who were taking Paul went with him as far as Athens and then returned to Berea with instructions from Paul that Silas and Timothy should join him as soon as possible.

while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and help your faith,

For we cannot stop speaking of what we ourselves have seen and heard."

While Paul was waiting in Athens for Silas and Timothy, he was greatly upset when he noticed how full of idols the city was.

I can hardly wait to speak. I can't hold back the words.

I can't stand it; I have to speak.

Your anger against them burns in me too, LORD, and I can't hold it in any longer." Then the LORD said to me, "Pour out my anger on the children in the streets and on the gatherings of the young people. Husbands and wives will be taken away, and even the very old will not be spared.

But when I say, "I will forget the LORD and no longer speak in his name," then your message is like a fire burning deep within me. I try my best to hold it in, but can no longer keep it back.

The power of the LORD came on me with great force, and as his spirit carried me off, I felt bitter and angry.

But as for me, the LORD fills me with his spirit and power, and gives me a sense of justice and the courage to tell the people of Israel what their sins are.

I have a baptism to receive, and how distressed I am until it is over!

We are ruled by the love of Christ, now that we recognize that one man died for everyone, which means that they all share in his death.

I am pulled in two directions. I want very much to leave this life and be with Christ, which is a far better thing;

For with his strong arguments he defeated the Jews in public debates by proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

"All the people of Israel, then, are to know for sure that this Jesus, whom you crucified, is the one that God has made Lord and Messiah!"

But Saul's preaching became even more powerful, and his proofs that Jesus was the Messiah were so convincing that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not answer him.

And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead.

and explaining the Scriptures, and proving from them that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from death. "This Jesus whom I announce to you," Paul said, "is the Messiah."

To Jews and Gentiles alike I gave solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus.

And you, too, will speak about me, because you have been with me from the very beginning.

I write you this brief letter with the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful Christian. I want to encourage you and give my testimony that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.

Note this and understand it: From the time the command is given to rebuild Jerusalem until God's chosen leader comes, seven times seven years will pass. Jerusalem will be rebuilt with streets and strong defenses, and will stand for seven times sixty-two years, but this will be a time of troubles.

And at the end of that time God's chosen leader will be killed unjustly. The city and the Temple will be destroyed by the invading army of a powerful ruler. The end will come like a flood, bringing the war and destruction which God has prepared.

At once he found his brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah." (This word means "Christ.")

You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.'

when the people gathered around him and asked, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense? Tell us the plain truth: are you the Messiah?"