They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James.

They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

All the believers continued together in close fellowship and shared their belongings with one another.

Day after day they met as a group in the Temple, and they had their meals together in their homes, eating with glad and humble hearts,

Then Peter realized what had happened to him, and said, "Now I know that it is really true! The Lord sent his angel to rescue me from Herod's power and from everything the Jewish people expected to happen."

Aware of his situation, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Paul and Silas left the prison and went to Lydia's house. There they met the believers, spoke words of encouragement to them, and left.

How excellent are the LORD's faithful people! My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

My heart breaks when I remember the past, when I went with the crowds to the house of God and led them as they walked along, a happy crowd, singing and shouting praise to God.

I am a friend of all who serve you, of all who obey your laws.

Keep company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined.

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.

Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together?

How can God's temple come to terms with pagan idols? For we are the temple of the living God! As God himself has said, "I will make my home with my people and live among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people."