Saturday, May 30

1Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.

2And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.

3But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.'

5But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.

6However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

7In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.

8And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.

9So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

10They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

11After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.

12And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.

13From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,

14where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.

15And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

17And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: 'Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,

18who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.

19But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

20For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.'

21Then they said to him, 'We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.

22But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.'

23So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.

24And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

25So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: 'The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

26saying, 'Go to this people and say: 'Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.' '

28'Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!'

29And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.

30Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,

31preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

13But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.

14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep.

16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

47The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

48As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.

49And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—

52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'

55'O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?'

56The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.

57But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

15So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Feed My lambs.'

16He said to him again a second time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' He said to Him, 'Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.' He said to him, 'Tend My sheep.'

17He said to him the third time, 'Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?' Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, 'Do you love Me?' And he said to Him, 'Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed My sheep.'

18Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.'

19This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, 'Follow Me.'

20Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays You?'

21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, 'But Lord, what about this man?'

22Jesus said to him, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.'

23Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, 'If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?'

24This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

25And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.

24'Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

25Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.

26For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

27and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

28Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice

29and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

30I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

35And Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

36But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.

37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.

38For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

39This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.