From: "FamilyNet" 

Bible Reading for December 04

Acts 20
[3] And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as
he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
[4] And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the
Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus;
and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. [5] These going before tarried for us
at Troas. [6] And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened
bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
[7] And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and
continued his speech until midnight. [8] And there were many lights in the
upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
[9] And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being
fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with
sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. [10] And
Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not
yourselves; for his life is in him. [11] When he therefore was come up
again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till
break of day, so he departed. [12] And they brought the young man alive,
and were not a little comforted. [13] And we went before to ship, and
sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he
appointed, minding himself to go afoot. [14] And when he met with us at
Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. [15] And we sailed thence, and
came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos,
and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
[16] For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend
the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at
Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
[17] And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
[18] And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the
first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at
all seasons,
[19] Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and
temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: [20] And how
I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and
have taught you publickly, and from house to house, [21] Testifying both to
the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ. [22] And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: [23] Save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me.
[24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto
myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which
I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of
God. [25] And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. [26] Wherefore I
take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
[27] For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
[28] Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] For I know this, that
after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing
the flock.
[30] Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to
draw away disciples after them.
[31] Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. [32] And now,
brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able
to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are
sanctified.
[33] I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. [34] Yea, ye
yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and
to them that were with me. [35] I have shewed you all things, how that so
labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. [36]
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
[37] And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, [38]
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see
his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Acts 21
[1] And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had
launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following
unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: [2] And finding a ship sailing
over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
[3] Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and
sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her
burden.
[4] And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul
through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. [5] And when we
had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all
brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the
city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed. [6] And when we had
taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.
[7] And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais,
and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. [8] And the next day
we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we
entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the
seven; and abode with him. [9] And the same man had four daughters,
virgins, which did prophesy. [10] And as we tarried there many days, there
came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
[11] And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own
hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at
Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into
the hands of the Gentiles.
[12] And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place,
besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. [13] Then Paul answered, What mean
ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only,
but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
[14] And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the
Lord be done.
[15] And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
[16] There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and
brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we
should lodge.
[17] And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
[18] And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the
elders were present.
[19] And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God
had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. [20] And when they heard
it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how
many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of
the law:
[21] And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which
are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to
circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. [22] What is
it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear
that thou art come.
[23] Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a
vow on them;
[24] Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them,
that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things,
whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou
thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. [25] As touching the
Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no
such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to
idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
[26] Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them
entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of
purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of
them. [27] And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were
of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and
laid hands on him,
[28] Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all
men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and
further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy
place. [29] (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an
Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) [30]
And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took
Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
[31] And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief
captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. [32] Who
immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when
they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
[33] Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to
be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
[34] And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when
he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be
carried into the castle.
[35] And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the
soldiers for the violence of the people. [36] For the multitude of the
people followed after, crying, Away with him. [37] And as Paul was to be
led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee?
Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? [38] Art not thou that Egyptian, which
before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness
four thousand men that were murderers? [39] But Paul said, I am a man which
am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I
beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
[40] And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and
beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great
silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Acts 22
[1] Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
[2] (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they
kept the more silence: and he saith,) [3] I am verily a man which am a Jew,
born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet
of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the
fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
[4] And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into
prisons both men and women.
[5] As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the
elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to
Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be
punished.
[6] And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto
Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round
about me.
[7] And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me?
[8] And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of
Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
[9] And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but
they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. [10] And I said, What
shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus;
and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee
to do.
[11] And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the
hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. [12] And one Ananias,
a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews
which dwelt there, [13] Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother
Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. [14] And
he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know
his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
[15] For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
[16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord. [17] And it came to pass, that, when
I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in
a trance; [18] And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly
out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
[19] And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every
synagogue them that believed on thee: [20] And when the blood of thy martyr
Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death,
and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
[21] And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
[22] And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their
voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit
that he should live.
[23] And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
[24] The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and
bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore
they cried so against him.
[25] And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that
stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and
uncondemned?
[26] When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain,
saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman. [27] Then the
chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said,
Yea.
[28] And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this
freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born. [29] Then straightway they
departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain
also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had
bound him.
[30] On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he
was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the
chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and
set him before them.

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