Then they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing because they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name of Jesus.

and from there to Philippi, which is chief of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were spending some days in that very city.

And the crowd rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore their clothes and ordered [men] to beat [them] with rods.

who, having received such a command, cast them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

For which cause I also suffer these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I have been persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed to Him until that Day.

Still others took a trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and of prison.

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tried, they were slain, being murdered with the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, being in want, being afflicted, being ill treated,

looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured [the] cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you be weary and discouraged in your souls.

or to governors, as to those being sent for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise [of those] doing good.

as free, yet not using freedom as a cover for wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, just as you know what kind [of men] we were among you for your sake.

Now when they observed the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

For we can do none other but to speak the things which we saw and heard.

And when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Therefore they spent a considerable time there, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, giving signs and wonders to take place by their hands.

And according to Paul's custom, he went in to them, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

interpreting and pointing out that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer, and to arise from the dead, and [saying] that "This is the Christ, Jesus, whom I proclaim to you."

and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, in the opening of my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

for the sake of which I serve as an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I must speak.

But there arose some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, both of the Cyrenians and the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, debating with Stephen.

And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.

And certain men coming down from Judea were teaching the brothers, "If you are not circumcised in the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

Therefore when there arose a serious dissension and debate with Paul and Barnabus, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue.

And according to Paul's custom, he went in to them, and for three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

And some of them were persuaded and were joined with Paul and Silas, both of the devout Greeks, a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brothers to the rulers of the city, crying out, "The men who have upset the whole world, these have come here, too;

And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.

And he entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, debating and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Only conduct yourselves worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel,

For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have concerning you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you about our common salvation, it became necessary to write to you exhorting you to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.