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GENESIS 12

GOD’S WORD LEADS TO FAITH (GENESIS 12: 1–3). Abram was an idolater when God called him (Jos 24:2), revealed His glory to him (Ac 7:2), and spoke to him. Abram turned from vain idols to walk with the Lord, and all of this was by God’s grace. The hearing of
the Word creates faith (Jn 5:24; Rom. 10:17). Again God’s creative Word is at work.

FAITH LEADS TO OBEDIENCE (GENESIS 12: 4–6). The New Testament states, “By faith Abraham obeyed ” (Heb 11:8). “I will show you, I will make you, I will bless you! ” were God’s promises, and Abram believed. It has well been said that faith is not believing in
spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequences. The proof of faith is obedience, for true faith always leads to works (James 2:14ff.). Hearing leads to heeding.

OBEDIENCE LEADS TO BLESSING (GENESIS 12: 7–9). We are told nothing about the journey, which must have been very difficult; but we are told that God met Abram when he arrived and gave him a new promise. God always goes before us and has His Word ready to encourage us. From now on, Abram’s life will be marked by the presence of the tent (a pilgrim on earth) and the altar (a citizen of heaven).

BLESSING LEADS TO TESTING (GENESIS 12:10–20). Faith is always tested for at least three reasons: to prove whether our faith is real; to help our faith grow; and to bring glory to the Lord (1 Pe 1:6-9; James 1:1–8). Imagine a famine in the very land where God led him! We can be in the will of God and still suffer trials. It has been said that “faith is living without scheming, ” but Abram began to scheme. He was walking by sight and not by faith, and it cost him his testimony—and almost his wife! Note that Abram had neither a tent nor an altar in Egypt. “Going down to Egypt ” is Bible language for getting out of the will of God.

God blessed Abram that he might be a blessing. Through Abram and his descendants, the whole world has been blessed. Whenever God gives you a blessing, it’s so that you might be a blessing to others. God’s blessings are not luxuries; they are opportunities.

AM I LIVING BY FAITH?

When you live by faith, you make your decisions on the basis of the Word of God (Rom.10:17), and you seek to glorify God alone (Ro 4:19-20). True faith is not in a hurry; it is willing to wait (Is 28:16; Heb. 6:12).

Faith obeys God in spite of circumstances or consequences, and it is not afraid of what others may say or do (Heb. 11:29–30).

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GENESIS 12
PROMISES TO ABRAM

1 Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.

2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.

6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.

7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
9 So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.

ABRAM IN EGYPT

10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.
11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance.
12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.
13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”
14 So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful.
15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house.
16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
17 But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.”
20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.

DAY 8 (ENGLISH)

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

BIBLE VERSES

GENESIS 25:1-4
1 CHRONICLES 1:32-33
GENESIS 25:5-6,12-18
1 CHRONICLES 1:28-31,34
GENESIS 25:19-26,7-11

TOPICAL OVERVIEW

-ABRAHAM AND KETURAH
-FAMILY OF KETURAH
-THE FAMILIES OF ISHMAEL & ISAAC
-ABRAHAM’S DEATH AND BURIAL

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GENESIS 25:1-4
ABRAHAM AND KETURAH

1 Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
4 And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

1 CHRONICLES 1:32-33
THE FAMILY OF KETURAH

32 Now the sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine, were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan were Sheba and Dedan.
33 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

GENESIS 25:5-6

5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.
6 But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.

GENESIS 25:12-18
THE FAMILIES OF ISHMAEL AND ISAAC

12 Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham.
13 And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
15 Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
16 These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations.
17 These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.
18 (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.

1 CHRONICLES 1:28-31

28 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael.

THE FAMILY OF ISHMAEL

29 These are their genealogies: The firstborn of Ishmael was Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
30 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema,
31 Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

1 CHRONICLES 1:34
THE FAMILY OF ISAAC

34 And Abraham begot Isaac. The sons of Isaac were Esau and Israel.

GENESIS 25:19-26

19 This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham begot Isaac.
20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.
21 Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said to her:
“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.”
24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau.
26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

GENESIS 25:7-11
ABRAHAM’S DEATH AND BURIAL

7 This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years.
8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite,
10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.
11 And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.

DAY 7-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 21:8-23:20,
GENESIS 11:32,
GENESIS 24:1-67

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TOPICAL OVERVIEW:
-HAGAR AND ISHMAEL DEPART
-A COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH
-ABRAHAM’S FAITH CONFIRMED
-FAMILY OF NAHOR
-SARAH’S DEATH AND BURIAL
-A BRIDE FOR ISAAC

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GENESIS 21:8-23:20
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL DEPART

8 So the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the same day that Isaac was weaned.
9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing.
10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac.”
11 And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.
12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.
13 Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed.”
14 So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.
15 And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs.
16 Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.
17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”
19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink.
20 So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21 He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

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A COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH

22 And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do.
23 Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.”
24 And Abraham said, “I will swear.”
25 Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized.
26 And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.”
27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. 28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”
30 And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.”
31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.
32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines.
33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.
34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

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GENESIS 22
ABRAHAM’S FAITH CONFIRMED

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”
And he said, “Here I am.”
2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
3 So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted his eyes and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.”
6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife, and the two of them went together.
7 But Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.”
Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
8 And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” So the two of them went together.
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” So he said, “Here I am.”
12 And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
15 Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven,
16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—
17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.
18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” 19 So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

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THE FAMILY OF NAHOR

20 Now it came to pass after these things that it was told Abraham, saying, “Indeed Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor:
21 Huz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram,
22 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.”
23 And Bethuel begot Rebekah. These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.
24 His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah, Gaham, Thahash, and Maachah.

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GENESIS 23
SARAH’S DEATH AND BURIAL

1 Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah.
2 So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.
3 Then Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spoke to the sons of Heth, saying,
4 “I am a foreigner and a visitor among you. Give me property for a burial place among you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.”
5 And the sons of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him,
6 “Hear us, my lord: You are a mighty prince among us; bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us will withhold from you his burial place, that you may bury your dead.”
7 Then Abraham stood up and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Heth.
8 And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your wish that I bury my dead out of my sight, hear me, and meet with Ephron the son of Zohar for me,
9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me at the full price, as property for a burial place among you.”
10 Now Ephron dwelt among the sons of Heth; and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the presence of the sons of Heth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying,
11 “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I give it to you. Bury your dead!”
12 Then Abraham bowed himself down before the people of the land;
13 and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If you will give it, please hear me. I will give you money for the field; take it from me and I will bury my dead there.”
14 And Ephron answered Abraham, saying to him,
15 “My lord, listen to me; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”
16 And Abraham listened to Ephron; and Abraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, currency of the merchants.
17 So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded
18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.
19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.
20 So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.

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GENESIS 11:32

32 So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran.

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GENESIS 24
A BRIDE FOR ISAAC

1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh,
3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell;
4 but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
5 And the servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?”
6 But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there.
7 The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.
8 And if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be released from this oath; only do not take my son back there.”
9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor.
11 And he made his camels kneel down outside the city by a well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water.
12 Then he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
13 Behold, here I stand by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.
14 Now let it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your pitcher that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. And by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder.
16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up.
17 And the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me drink a little water from your pitcher.”
18 So she said, “Drink, my lord.” Then she quickly let her pitcher down to her hand, and gave him a drink.
19 And when she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.”
20 Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough, ran back to the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels.
21 And the man, wondering at her, remained silent so as to know whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.
22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold,
23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Tell me, please, is there room in your father’s house for us to lodge?”
24 So she said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah’s son, whom she bore to Nahor.”
25 Moreover she said to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge.”
26 Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord.
27 And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”
28 So the young woman ran and told her mother’s household these things.
29 Now Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban, and Laban ran out to the man by the well.
30 So it came to pass, when he saw the nose ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of his sister Rebekah, saying, “Thus the man spoke to me,” that he went to the man. And there he stood by the camels at the well.
31 And he said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels.”
32 Then the man came to the house. And he unloaded the camels, and provided straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.
33 Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told about my errand.” And he said, “Speak on.”
34 So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant.
35 The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys.
36 And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has.
37 Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell;
38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’
39 And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’
40 But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house.
41 You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’
42 “And this day I came to the well and said, ‘O Lord God of my master Abraham, if You will now prosper the way in which I go,
43 behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass that when the virgin comes out to draw water, and I say to her, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,”
44 and she says to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,”—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.’
45 “But before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah, coming out with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down to the well and drew water. And I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’
46 And she made haste and let her pitcher down from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels a drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels a drink also.
47 Then I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the nose ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists.
48 And I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord, and blessed the Lord God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master’s brother for his son.
49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing comes from the Lord; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
51 Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master’s son’s wife, as the Lord has spoken.”
52 And it came to pass, when Abraham’s servant heard their words, that he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
53 Then the servant brought out jewelry of silver, jewelry of gold, and clothing, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother.
54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank and stayed all night. Then they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”
55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman stay with us a few days, at least ten; after that she may go.”
56 And he said to them, “Do not hinder me, since the Lord has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.”
57 So they said, “We will call the young woman and ask her personally.”
58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”
59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant and his men.
60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her:
“Our sister, may you become
The mother of thousands of ten thousands;
And may your descendants possess
The gates of those who hate them.”
61 Then Rebekah and her maids arose, and they rode on the camels and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and departed.
62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South.
63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.
64 Then Rebekah lifted her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she dismounted from her camel;
65 for she had said to the servant, “Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took a veil and covered herself.
66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done.
67 Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent; and he took Rebekah and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

DAY 6-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN-ENGLISH

GENESIS 18:1-21:7

GENESIS 18
THE SON OF PROMISE

1 Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.
2 So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
3 and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant.
4 Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
5 And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh your hearts. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal; knead it and make cakes.”
7 And Abraham ran to the herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young man, and he hastened to prepare it.
8 So he took butter and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate.
9 Then they said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” So he said, “Here, in the tent.”
10 And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.)
11 Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
13 And the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child, since I am old?’
14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
15 But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!”

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ABRAHAM INTERCEDES FOR SODOM

16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way.
17 And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing,
18 since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”
20 And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave,
21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.
23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?
25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord:
28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?” So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”
33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

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GENESIS 19
SODOM’S DEPRAVITY

1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground.
2 And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the night in the open square.”
3 But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
5 And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”
6 So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him,
7 and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly!
8 See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”
9 And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door.
10 But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door.
11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.

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SODOM AND GOMORRAH DESTROYED

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place!
13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.”
16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”
18 Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords!
19 Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die.
20 See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”
21 And he said to him, “See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken.
22 Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar.
24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens.
25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.
26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord.
28 Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.
29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

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THE DESCENDANTS OF LOT

30 Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave.
31 Now the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.
32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.”
33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
34 It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, “Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.”
35 Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.
37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day.
38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.

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GENESIS 20
ABRAHAM AND ABIMELECH

1 And Abraham journeyed from there to the South, and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.
2 Now Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.
3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.”
4 But Abimelech had not come near her; and he said, “Lord, will You slay a righteous nation also? 5 Did he not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she, even she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.”
6 And God said to him in a dream, “Yes, I know that you did this in the integrity of your heart. For I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.
7 Now therefore, restore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you shall live. But if you do not restore her, know that you shall surely die, you and all who are yours.”
8 So Abimelech rose early in the morning, called all his servants, and told all these things in their hearing; and the men were very much afraid.
9 And Abimelech called Abraham and said to him, “What have you done to us? How have I offended you, that you have brought on me and on my kingdom a great sin? You have done deeds to me that ought not to be done.”
10 Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What did you have in view, that you have done this thing?”
11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife.
12 But indeed she is truly my sister. She is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
13 And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house, that I said to her, ‘This is your kindness that you should do for me: in every place, wherever we go, say of me, “He is my brother.” ’ ”
14 Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him.
15 And Abimelech said, “See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.”
16 Then to Sarah he said, “Behold, I have given your brother a thousand pieces of silver; indeed this vindicates you before all who are with you and before everybody.” Thus she was rebuked.
17 So Abraham prayed to God; and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they bore children;
18 for the Lord had closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.

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GENESIS 21
ISAAC IS BORN

1 And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as He had spoken.
2 For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3 And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him—whom Sarah bore to him—Isaac.
4 Then Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5 Now Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6 And Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and all who hear will laugh with me.”
7 She also said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

DAY 5-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN-ENGLISH

TOPICS:

• GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAM
• HAGAR AND ISHMAEL
• THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT

GENESIS 15:1-17:27
GOD’S COVENANT WITH ABRAM

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”
4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.”
5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”
6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”
8 And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”
9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”
10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.
11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.
13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.
14 And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
15 Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.
16 But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.
18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: “To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates—
19 the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites,
20 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,
21 the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

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GENESIS 16
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL

1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. And she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.
2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai.
3 Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.
4 So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The Lord judge between you and me.”
6 So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt harshly with her, she fled from her presence.
7 Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”
9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.”
10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”
11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her:
“Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.”
13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

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GENESIS 17
THE SIGN OF THE COVENANT

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.
2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:
4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.
5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.
6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”
9 And God said to Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.
10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised;
11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.
13 He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant.”
15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.
16 And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”
18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”
19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”
22 Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael;
27 and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

DAY 1-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR (ENGLISH)

GENESIS 1:1-GENESIS 3:24

• TOPICAL OVERVIEW:
• THE HISTORY OF CREATION
• THE GARDEN OF EDEN
• LIFE IN YAHWEH’S GARDEN
• THE TEMPTATION AND FALL OF MAN

GENESIS 1-3
THE HISTORY OF CREATION

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”
7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so.
10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;
15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.
16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.
17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”
21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so.
25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.
30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. 31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

THE GARDEN OF EDEN

1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished.
2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.
3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.
4 This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground;
6 but a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the ground.

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

LIFE IN GOD’S GARDEN

8 The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.
9 And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.
11 The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one which skirts the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
12 And the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and the onyx stone are there.
13 The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one which goes around the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one which goes toward the east of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.
20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.
22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 And Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of [s]Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

THE TEMPTATION AND FALL OF MAN

1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;
3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”
10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
11 And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”
12 Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”
13 And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:
“Because you have done this,
You are cursed more than all cattle,
And more than every beast of the field;
On your belly you shall go,
And you shall eat dust
All the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.”
16 To the woman He said:
“I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception;
In pain you shall bring forth children;
Your desire shall be for your husband,
And he shall rule over you.”
17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:
“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
19 In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”
20 And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.
21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”—
23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.

24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

DAY 4-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR IN ENGLISH

BIBLE VERSES:

GENESIS 11:1-26
1 CHRONICLES 1:24-27
GENESIS 11:27-14:24

TOPICAL OVERVIEW:

THE TOWER OF BABEL
SHEM’S DESCENDANTS
TERAH’S DECENDANTS
PROMISES TO ABRAM
ABRAM IN EGYPT
ABRAM IN CANAAN
LOT’S CAPTIVITY AND RESCUE
ABRAM AND MELCHIZEDEK

---

GENESIS 11:1-26
THE TOWER OF BABEL

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.
3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar.
4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built.
6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them.
7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.
9 Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

SHEM’S DESCENDANTS

10 This is the genealogy of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old, and begot Arphaxad two years after the flood.
11 After he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.
12 Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Salah. 13 After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.
14 Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber.
15 After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and three years, and begot sons and daughters.
16 Eber lived thirty-four years, and begot Peleg.
17 After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.
18 Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu.
19 After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters.
20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Serug.
21 After he begot Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters.
22 Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor.
23 After he begot Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years, and begot sons and daughters.
24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and begot Terah.
25 After he begot Terah, Nahor lived one hundred and nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters.
26 Now Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

1 CHRONICLES 1:24-27

24 Shem, Arphaxad, Shelah,
25 Eber, Peleg, Reu,
26 Serug, Nahor, Terah,
27 and Abram, who is Abraham.

GENESIS 11:27-14:24
TERAH’S DESCENDANTS

27 This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot.
28 And Haran died before his father Terah in his native land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.
29 Then Abram and Nahor took wives: the name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah.
30 But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
31 And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot, the son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, his son Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to Haran and dwelt there.
32 So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years, and Terah died in Haran.

PROMISES TO ABRAM

12 Now the Lord had said to Abram:
“Get out of your country, From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
4 So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

5 Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.
6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, as far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites were then in the land.
7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
8 And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.
9 So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.

ABRAM IN EGYPT

10 Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.
11 And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance.
12 Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, ‘This is his wife’; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.
13 Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.”
14 So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful.

15 The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house.
16 He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
17 But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister’? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.”
20 So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had.

ABRAM INHERITS CANAAN

1 Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South.
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents.
6 Now the land was not able to [h]support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.
7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”
10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.
12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.
14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward;
15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.
16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.
17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.

LOT’S CAPTIVITY AND RESCUE

1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations,
2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
3 All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea).
4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
6 and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness.
7 Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar.
8 And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim
9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five.
10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains.
11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way.
12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.
13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram.
14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.

ABRAM AND MELCHIZEDEK

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
19 And he blessed him and said:
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
And he gave him a tithe of all.
21 Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.”
22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth,
23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—
24 except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.”

DAY 2 BASAHIN ANG CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER NG BIBLIYA SA LOOB NG ISANG TAON (15 MINUTES DAILY BIBLE READING)

DAY 2

• SI CAIN AT SI ABEL
• ANG ANGKAN NINA ADAN,SET
• ANG KASAMAAN NG SANGKATAUHAN
• PINAGAWA NG MALAKING BARKO SI NOE

GENESIS 4:1-GENESIS 5:32

SI CAIN AT SI ABEL

1 Sinipingan ni Adan ang kanyang asawa at ito’y nagdalang-tao. Nang isilang ang kanyang panganay na lalaki ay sinabi ni Eva: “Nagkaroon ako ng anak na lalaki sa tulong ni Yahweh.” Kaya Cain ang ipinangalan niya rito.
2 Sinundan si Cain ng isa pang anak na lalaki, at Abel naman ang ipinangalan dito. Naging pastol ito at si Cain naman ay naging magsasaka.
3 Dumating ang panahon na si Cain ay naghandog kay Yahweh ng ani niya sa bukid.
4 Kinuha naman ni Abel ang isa sa mga panganay ng kanyang kawan. Pinatay niya ito at inihandog ang pinakamainam na bahagi. Si Yahweh ay nasiyahan kay Abel at sa kanyang handog,
5 ngunit hindi niya kinalugdan si Cain at ang handog nito. Dahil dito, hindi mailarawan ang mukha ni Cain sa tindi ng galit.
6 Kaya’t sinabi ni Yahweh, “Anong ikinagagalit mo, Cain? Bakit ganyan ang mukha mo?
7 Kung mabuti ang ginawa mo, dapat kang magsaya. Kung masama naman, ang kasalana’y tulad ng mabangis na hayop na laging nag-aabang upang lapain ka. Nais nitong pagharian ka. Kaya’t kailangang mapaglabanan mo ito.”
8 Isang araw, niyaya ni Cain ang kanyang kapatid, “Abel, pumunta tayo sa bukid.” Sumama naman ito, ngunit pagdating nila sa bukid ay pinatay ni Cain si Abel.
9 Tinanong ni Yahweh si Cain, “Nasaan ang kapatid mong si Abel?” Sumagot siya, “Hindi ko alam. Bakit, ako ba’y tagapag-alaga ng aking kapatid?”
10 At sinabi ni Yahweh, “Cain, ano itong ginawa mo? Sumisigaw sa akin mula sa lupa ang dugo ng iyong kapatid, at humihingi ng katarungan.
11 Sinusumpa kita ngayon, at hindi mo na maaaring bungkalin ang lupa dahil dumanak doon ang dugo ng kapatid mo na iyong pinaslang.
12 Bungkalin mo man ang lupa upang tamnan, hindi ka mag-aani; wala kang matitirhan at magiging lagalag ka sa daigdig.”
13 “Napakabigat namang parusa ito!” sabi ni Cain kay Yahweh.
14 “Ngayong pinapalayas mo ako sa lupaing ito upang malayo sa iyong paningin, at maglagalag sa daigdig, papatayin ako ng sinumang makakakita sa akin.”
15 “Hindi,” sagot ni Yahweh. “Paparusahan ng pitong ibayo ang sinumang papatay sa iyo.” Kaya’t nilagyan ni Yahweh ng palatandaan si Cain upang maging babala sa sinuman na ito’y hindi dapat patayin.
16 Iniwan ni Cain si Yahweh at tumira siya sa lupain ng Nod, isang lugar sa silangan ng Eden.

ANG ANGKAN NI CAIN

17 Sinipingan ni Cain ang kanyang asawa, nagdalang-tao ito at nagkaanak ng isang lalaki na pinangalanang Enoc. Pagkatapos, nagtayo si Cain ng isang lunsod at ito’y tinawag na Enoc, bilang alaala sa kanyang anak.
18 Si Enoc ang ama ni Irad na ama ni Mehujael. Anak naman nito si Metusael na ama ni Lamec.
19 Nag-asawa si Lamec ng dalawa, sina Ada at Zilla.
20 Naging anak ni Ada si Jabal, ang ninuno ng mga nagpapastol ng mga baka at ng mga tumitira sa tolda.
21 Kapatid nito si Jubal na siya namang ninuno ng mga manunugtog ng alpa at plauta.
22 Naging anak naman ni Zilla si Tubal-cain na ninuno ng lahat ng panday ng mga kagamitang tanso at bakal. Si Tubal-cain ay may kapatid na babae, si Naama.
23 Sinabi ni Lamec sa dalawa niyang asawa:
“Dinggin ninyo itong aking sasabihin,
Ada at Zilla, mga asawa kong giliw;
may pinatay akong isang kabataan,
sapagkat ako’y kanyang sinugatan.
24 Kung saktan si Cain, ang parusang gawad sa gagawa nito’y pitong patong agad; ngunit kapag ako ang siyang sinaktan, pitumpu’t pitong patong ang kaparusahan.”

ANG ANGKAN NI SET

25 Muling sinipingan ni Adan ang kanyang asawa, at ito’y nanganak ng isa pang lalaki. Sinabi ng ina, “Binigyan ako ng Diyos ng kapalit ni Abel na pinatay ni Cain;” at ito’y tinawag niyang Set.
26 Si Set ang ama ni Enos. Noon nagsimulang tumawag sa pangalan ni Yahweh ang mga tao sa kanilang pagsamba.

GENESIS 5

ANG LAHI NI ADAN

1 Ito ang kasaysayan ng lahi na mula kay Adan. Nang likhain ng Diyos ang tao, ginawa niya ito ayon sa kanyang larawan.
2 Sila’y nilikha niya na lalaki at babae, at matapos pagpalain, sila’y tinawag niyang “Sangkatauhan”.
3 Si Adan ay 130 taon nang maging anak niya si Set na kanyang kalarawan.
4 Nabuhay pa siya nang walong daang taon, at nagkaroon pa ng mga anak na lalaki’t babae.
5 Namatay siya sa gulang na 930 taon.
6 Si Set ay 105 taon nang maging anak niya si Enos.
7 Nabuhay pa siya nang 807 taon at nagkaroon din ng iba pang mga anak.
8 Namatay siya sa gulang na 912 taon.
9 Siyamnapung taon naman si Enos nang maging anak niya si Kenan.
10 Nabuhay pa siya nang 815 taon at nagkaroon din ng iba pang mga anak.
11 Namatay siya sa gulang na 905 taon.
12 Si Kenan naman ay pitumpung taon nang maging anak si Mahalalel.
13 Nabuhay pa si Kenan nang 840 taon at nagkaroon din ng iba pang mga anak. 14 Namatay siya sa gulang na 910 taon.
15 Animnapu’t limang taon si Mahalalel nang maging anak si Jared.
16 Nabuhay pa si Mahalalel nang 830 taon at nagkaroon din ng iba pang mga anak.
17 Namatay siya sa gulang na 895 taon.
18 Si Jared ay 162 nang maging anak niya si Enoc.
19 Nabuhay pa si Jared nang 800 taon at nagkaroon din ng iba pang mga anak.
20 Namatay siya sa gulang na 962 taon.
21 Animnapu’t limang taon naman si Enoc nang maging anak niya si Matusalem.
22 Tatlong daang taon pang nabuhay si Enoc na kasama ang Diyos, at nagkaroon ng iba pang mga anak.
23 Umabot siya nang 365 taon,
24 at sa buong panahong iyon ay namuhay siyang kasama ng Diyos. Pagkatapos, nawala siya sapagkat kinuha siya ng Diyos.
25 Si Matusalem ay 187 taon nang maging anak niya si Lamec.
26 Nabuhay pa si Matusalem nang 782 taon at nagkaroon din ng iba pang mga anak.
27 Namatay siya sa gulang na 969 na taon.
28 Si Lamec naman ay 182 taon nang magkaroon ng anak.
29 Sinabi niya, “Mula sa lupang ito na isinumpa ni Yahweh, ipinanganak ang lulunas sa lahat ng ating mga pagpapagal at paghihirap.” Kaya’t Noe ang ipinangalan niya sa kanyang anak.
30 Nabuhay pa si Lamec nang 595 taon at nagkaroon din siya ng iba pang mga anak.
31 Namatay siya sa gulang na 777 taon.
32 Si Noe nama’y 500 na nang maging anak niya sina Shem, Ham at Jafet.

1 CRONICA 1:1-4
MGA TALAAN NG MGA ANGKANG PINAGMULAN NG ISRAEL

1 Si Adan ang ama ni Set at si Set ang ama ni Enos.
2 Si Enos ang ama ni Kenan at si Kenan ang ama ni Mahalalel na ama ni Jared.
3 Si Jared ang ama ni Enoc, at anak ni Enoc si Matusalem na ama ni Lamec.
4 Si Lamec ang ama ni Noe at mga anak naman ni Noe sina Shem, Ham at Jafet.

GENESIS 6
ANG KASAMAAN NG SANGKATAUHAN

1 Napakarami na ng mga tao sa daigdig nang panahong iyon. Nagkaroon sila ng mga anak na babae.
2 Nang makita ng mga anak ng Diyos na ang mga babaing anak ng tao ay magaganda, ang mga ito’y pumili sa kanila ng kanya-kanyang asawa.
3 Sinabi ni Yahweh, “Hindi ko ipapahintulot na mabuhay nang habang panahon ang tao, sapagkat siya’y makalaman. Hindi na lalampas sa 120 taon ang kanyang buhay sa daigdig.”

4 Nang panahong iyon, may mga higante sa ibabaw ng lupa. Sila ang naging bunga ng pakikipagtalik ng mga anak ng Diyos sa mga anak ng tao. Ang mga higanteng iyon ay tinanghal na mga dakilang bayani at tanyag na tao noong unang panahon.
5 Nakita ni Yahweh na laganap na ang kasamaan ng tao sa daigdig, at puro kasamaan na lamang ang palaging nasa isip nito.
6 Kaya’t labis na ikinalungkot ni Yahweh na nilikha pa niya ang tao.
7 Sinabi niya, “Lilipulin ko ang lahat ng taong aking nilalang. Lilipulin ko rin ang lahat ng hayop at mga ibon. Ikinalulungkot kong nilalang ko pa ang mga ito.”
8 Ngunit si Noe ay naging kalugud-lugod kay Yahweh.

SI NOE

9 Ito ang kasaysayan ni Noe. Matuwid at mabuting tao si Noe noong kanyang kapanahunan. Namuhay siya ayon sa kalooban ng Diyos.
10 Siya’y may tatlong anak na lalaki, sina Shem, Ham at Jafet.
11 Maliban kay Noe, masasama ang lahat ng tao sa paningin ng Diyos at laganap ang karahasan sa lahat ng dako.
12 Ito ang kalagayang nakita ng Diyos sa buong daigdig; namumuhay sa kasamaan ang lahat ng tao.

PINAGAWA NG MALAKING BARKO SI NOE

13 Sinabi ng Diyos kay Noe, “Napagpasyahan ko nang lipulin ang lahat ng tao sa daigdig. Umabot na sa sukdulan ang kanilang kasamaan. Gugunawin ko sila kasama ng daigdig.
14 Kaya gumawa ka ng isang malaking barko na yari sa kahoy na sipres. Lagyan mo ito ng mga silid at pahiran mo ng alkitran ang loob at labas nito.
15 Ang barkong gagawin mo ay 135 metro ang haba, 22 metro ang luwang, at 13.5 metro ang taas.
16 Bubungan mo ito at lagyan ng kalahating metrong pagitan mula sa bubong hanggang sa tagiliran. Gawin mong tatlong palapag ang barko at lagyan mo ng pintuan sa tagiliran.
17 Palulubugin ko sa tubig ang buong daigdig at malilipol ang lahat ng may buhay sa balat ng lupa.
18 Ngunit ako’y gagawa ng kasunduan natin: Isama mo ang iyong asawa at mga anak na lalaki, pati mga asawa nila, at pumasok kayo sa barko.
19 Magsakay ka ng isang lalaki at isang babae ng bawat uri ng hayop at ibon upang magpatuloy ang lahi nila.
20 Magsakay ka rin ng tig-iisang pares sa bawat uri ng ibon at hayop at mga gumagapang sa lupa upang magpatuloy rin ang lahi ng mga ito.
21 Maglaan ka ng lahat ng uri ng pagkain para sa inyo at sa kanila.”
22 At ginawa nga ni Noe ang lahat ng iniutos sa kanya ng Diyos.

DAY 1 BASAHIN ANG CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER NG BIBLIYA SA LOOB NG ISANG TAON (15 MINUTES DAILY BIBLE READING)

GENESIS 1:1-3:24

GENESIS 1

ANG KASAYSAYAN NG PAGLIKHA

1 Nang pasimula ay nilikha ng Diyos ang langit at ang lupa;
2 ang lupa ay walang hugis o anyo. Dilim ang bumabalot sa kalaliman at kumikilos ang Espiritu ng Diyos sa ibabaw ng tubig.
3 Sinabi ng Diyos: “Magkaroon ng liwanag!” At nagkaroon nga.
4 Nasiyahan ang Diyos nang ito’y mamasdan. Pinagbukod niya ang liwanag at ang dilim.
5 Ang liwanag ay tinawag niyang Araw, at ang dilim naman ay tinawag na Gabi. Lumipas ang gabi, at sumapit ang umaga—iyon ang unang araw.
6 Sinabi ng Diyos: “Magkaroon ng kalawakang maghahati sa tubig upang ito’y magkahiwalay!”
7 At nangyari ito. Ginawa ng Diyos na pumagitan ang kalawakan sa tubig na nasa itaas at sa tubig na nasa ibaba.
8 Langit ang itinawag niya sa kalawakan. Lumipas ang gabi, at sumapit ang umaga—iyon ang ikalawang araw.
9 Sinabi ng Diyos: “Magsama-sama sa isang dako ang tubig sa silong ng langit upang lumitaw ang lupa.” At nangyari nga ito.
10 Tinawag niyang Lupa ang tuyong bahagi at Dagat naman ang nagsama-samang tubig. Nasiyahan siya nang ito’y mamasdan.
11 Pagkatapos, sinabi ng Diyos: “Magkaroon sa lupa ng lahat ng uri ng tumutubong halamang nagkakabinhi at mga punong namumunga.” At nangyari ito.
12 Tumubo nga sa lupa ang gayong mga halaman. Nasiyahan siya nang ito’y mamasdan.
13 Lumipas ang gabi, at sumapit ang umaga—iyon ang ikatlong araw.
14 Sinabi ng Diyos: “Magkaroon ng mga tanglaw sa langit upang mabukod ang araw sa gabi. Ito ang magiging batayan sa bilang ng mga araw, taon at kapistahan.
15 Mula sa langit, ang mga ito’y magbibigay ng liwanag sa daigdig.” At gayon nga ang nangyari.
16 Nilikha ng Diyos ang dalawang malalaking tanglaw: ang Araw, upang magbigay liwanag sa maghapon, at ang Buwan, upang tumanglaw kung gabi. Nilikha rin niya ang mga bituin.
17 Inilagay niya sa langit ang mga tanglaw na ito upang magbigay ng liwanag sa daigdig,
18 tumanglaw kung araw at gabi, at magbukod sa liwanag at dilim. Nasiyahan ang Diyos nang ito’y kanyang mamasdan.
19 Lumipas ang gabi, at sumapit ang umaga—iyon ang ikaapat na araw.
20 Sinabi ng Diyos: “Magkaroon sa tubig ng maraming bagay na may buhay, at magkaroon din ng mga ibon sa himpapawid.”
21 Nilikha ng Diyos ang mga dambuhala sa dagat, at lahat ng bagay na nabubuhay sa tubig, gayundin ang lahat ng uri ng ibon. Nasiyahan ang Diyos nang ito’y mamasdan.
22 Pinagpala niya ang mga ito at sinabi: “Magpakarami ang lahat ng bagay na nabubuhay sa tubig at punuin ang karagatan; magpakarami rin ang mga ibon at punuin ang daigdig.”
23 Lumipas ang gabi, at sumapit ang umaga—iyon ang ikalimang araw.
24 Sinabi ng Diyos: “Magkaroon ng lahat ng uri ng hayop sa lupa—maaamo, maiilap, malalaki at maliliit.” At gayon nga ang nangyari.
25 Ginawa nga niya ang lahat ng ito, at nasiyahan siya nang ito’y kanyang mamasdan.

26 Pagkatapos, sinabi ng Diyos: “Ngayon, likhain natin ang tao ayon sa ating larawan, ayon sa ating wangis. Sila ang mamamahala sa mga isda, sa mga ibon sa himpapawid at sa lahat ng hayop, maging maamo o mailap, malaki o maliit.”
27 Nilalang nga ng Diyos ang tao ayon sa kanyang larawan. Sila’y kanyang nilalang na isang lalaki at isang babae,
28 at sila’y pinagpala niya. Sinabi niya, “Magpakarami kayo at punuin ninyo ng inyong mga anak ang buong daigdig, at kayo ang mamahala nito. Binibigyan ko kayo ng kapangyarihan sa mga isda sa tubig, sa mga ibon sa himpapawid, at sa lahat ng mga hayop na nasa ibabaw ng lupa.
29 Ibinibigay ko rin sa inyo ang lahat ng uri ng halamang nagkakabinhi at mga bungangkahoy bilang pagkain ninyo.
30 Ang lahat ng halamang luntian ay ibinibigay ko naman sa lahat ng hayop sa ibabaw ng lupa at sa lahat ng mga ibon.” At ito nga ang nangyari.
31 Pinagmasdan ng Diyos ang lahat niyang ginawa, at lubos siyang nasiyahan. Lumipas ang gabi, at sumapit ang umaga—iyon ang ikaanim na araw.

GENESIS 2

1 Nilikha nga ng Diyos ang langit at ang lupa at ang lahat ng bagay na naroroon.
2 Tinapos niyang likhain ang lahat ng ito sa loob ng anim na araw, at siya’y nagpahinga sa ikapitong araw.
3 Pinagpala niya ang ikapitong araw at itinuring itong banal, sapagkat sa araw na ito siya nagpahinga matapos likhain ang lahat.
4 Ganito ang pagkalikha sa langit at sa lupa.

ANG HALAMANAN NG EDEN

Nang likhain ng Panginoong Yahweh ang lupa at lahat ng bagay sa langit,

5 wala pang anumang halaman o pananim sa lupa, sapagkat hindi pa nagpapaulan noon ang Panginoong Yahweh, at wala pa ring nagsasaka.
6 Ngunit mayroon nang bukal ng tubig na dumidilig sa kapatagan sa lupa.
7 Pagkatapos, ginawa ng Panginoong Yahweh ang tao mula sa alabok, hiningahan niya sa ilong, at nagkaroon ito ng buhay.
8 Gumawa ang Panginoong Yahweh ng isang halamanan sa Eden, sa dakong silangan, at doon dinala ang taong kanyang nilalang.
9 Pinatubo niya roon ang lahat ng uri ng punongkahoy na magagandang pagmasdan at masasarap ang bunga. Sa gitna ng halamanan ay naroon ang punongkahoy na nagbibigay-buhay, at gayundin ang punongkahoy na nagbibigay-kaalaman tungkol sa mabuti at masama.
10 Umaagos noon mula sa Eden ang isang ilog na dumidilig sa halamanan. Paglabas doon, ito’y nahahati sa apat na sanga.
11 Ang una na kung tawagi’y Ilog Pishon ay umaagos sa lupain ng Havila.
12 Lantay ang ginto roon at marami ring bedelio at batong onise.
13 Ang ikalawang sanga ng ilog na tinawag namang Gihon ay umaagos sa lupain ng Etiopia.
14 Ilog Tigris naman ang tawag sa ikatlong sanga, at umaagos naman ito sa silangan ng Asiria. Ang ikaapat na sanga ng ilog ay ang Eufrates.
15 Inilagay ng Panginoong Yahweh ang tao sa halamanan ng Eden upang ito’y pagyamanin at pangalagaan.
16 Sinabi niya sa tao, “Makakain mo ang alinmang bungangkahoy sa halamanan,

17 maliban sa bunga ng punongkahoy na nagbibigay ng kaalaman tungkol sa mabuti at masama. Huwag na huwag mong kakainin ang bungang iyon, sapagkat sa araw na kainin mo iyon ay mamamatay ka.”
18 Matapos gawin ang lahat ng ito, sinabi ng Panginoong Yahweh, “Hindi mabuti na mag-isa ang tao; bibigyan ko siya ng isang angkop na makakasama at makakatulong.”
19 Kaya, mula sa lupa ay lumikha ang Panginoong Yahweh ng mga hayop sa parang at mga ibon sa himpapawid, dinala niya ang mga ito sa tao upang ipaubaya rito ang pagbibigay ng pangalan sa mga iyon. Kung ano ang kanyang itinawag, iyon ang naging pangalan ng mga ito.
20 Ang tao nga ang nagbigay ng pangalan sa lahat ng ibon sa himpapawid at hayop sa parang. Ngunit wala isa man sa mga ito ang nababagay na makasama at makatulong niya.
21 Kaya’t pinatulog ng Panginoong Yahweh ang tao. Samantalang nahihimbing, kinuha niya ang isang tadyang nito at pinaghilom ang laman sa tapat niyon.
22 Ang tadyang na iyo’y ginawa niyang isang babae, at dinala niya ito sa lalaki.
23 Sinabi ng lalaki, “Sa wakas, narito ang isang tulad ko,
laman ng aking laman, buto ng aking buto; babae ang itatawag sa kanya, sapagkat sa lalaki siya’y kinuha.”
24 Ito ang dahilan kaya iniiwan ng lalaki ang kanyang ama’t ina, nagsasama sila ng kanyang asawa, at sila’y nagiging isa.
25 Kapwa hubad noon ang lalaki at ang babae, ngunit hindi sila nahihiya.

GENESIS 3

NAGKASALA ANG TAO

1 Ang ahas ang pinakatuso sa lahat ng hayop na nilikha ng Panginoong Yahweh. Isang araw tinanong nito ang babae, “Totoo bang sinabi ng Diyos na huwag kayong kakain ng anumang bungangkahoy sa halamanan?”
2 Sumagot ang babae, “Maaari naming kainin ang anumang bunga sa halamanan,
3 huwag lamang ang bunga ng puno na nasa gitna niyon. Sinabi ng Diyos na huwag naming kakainin ni hihipuin man ang bunga nito; kung kami raw ay kakain nito, mamamatay kami.”
4 Ngunit sinabi ng ahas, “Hindi totoo iyan, hindi kayo mamamatay!
5 Sinabi lang iyan ng Diyos, sapagkat alam niyang kung kakain kayo ng bunga niyon ay makakaunawa kayo. Kayo’y magiging parang Diyos at malalaman ninyo ang mabuti at masama.”

6 Ang punongkahoy ay napakaganda sa paningin ng babae at sa palagay niya’y masarap ang bunga nito. Naisip din niya na kahanga-hanga ang maging marunong, kaya’t pumitas siya ng bunga at kumain nito. Binigyan niya ang kanyang asawa, at kumain din ito.
7 Nagkaroon nga sila ng pagkaunawa matapos kumain. Noon nila nalamang sila’y hubad, kaya kumuha sila ng mga dahon ng igos, pinagtahi-tahi nila ang mga ito at ginawang panakip sa katawan.
8 Nang dapit-hapon na, narinig nilang naglalakad sa halamanan ang Panginoong Yahweh, kaya’t nagtago sila sa mga puno.
9 Ngunit tinawag niya ang lalaki at tinanong, “Saan ka naroon?”
10 “Natakot po ako nang marinig kong kayo’y nasa halamanan; nagtago po ako sapagkat ako’y hubad,” sagot ng lalaki.
11 Nagtanong muli ang Diyos, “Sinong maysabi sa iyong hubad ka? Bakit, kumain ka ba ng bungang ipinagbabawal ko?”
12 “Kasi, pinakain po ako ng babaing ibinigay ninyo sa akin,” tugon ng lalaki.
13 “Bakit mo ginawa ang bagay na iyon?” tanong ng Panginoong Yahweh sa babae. “Mangyari po’y nilinlang ako ng ahas, kaya ako natuksong kumain,” sagot naman nito.

INIHAYAG NG DIYOS ANG KAPARUSAHAN

14 At sinabi ng Panginoong Yahweh sa ahas:
“Sa iyong ginawa’y may parusang dapat,
na ikaw lang sa lahat ng hayop ang magdaranas;
mula ngayon ikaw ay gagapang,
at ang pagkain mo’y alikabok lamang.
15 Kayo ng babae’y aking pag-aawayin,
binhi mo’t binhi niya’y lagi kong paglalabanin.
Ang binhi niya ang dudurog sa iyong ulo,
at sa sakong niya’y ikaw ang tutuklaw.”
16 Sa babae nama’y ito ang sinabi:
“Sa pagbubuntis mo’y hirap ang daranasin,
at sa panganganak sakit ay titiisin;
ang asawang lalaki’y iyong nanasain,
pasasakop ka sa kanya’t siya mong susundin.”

17 Ito naman ang sinabi ng Diyos kay Adan:
“Dahil nakinig ka sa iyong asawa,
nang iyong kainin ang ipinagbawal kong bunga;
dahil dito’y sinusumpa ko ang lupa,
sa hirap ng pagbubungkal, pagkain mo’y magmumula.
18 Mga damo at tinik ang iyong aanihin,
halaman sa gubat ang iyong kakainin;
19 sa pagod at pawis pagkain mo’y manggagaling
maghihirap ka hanggang sa malibing.
Dahil sa alabok, doon ka nanggaling,
sa lupang alabok ay babalik ka rin.”

20 Eva ang itinawag ni Adan sa kanyang asawa, sapagkat siya ang ina ng sangkatauhan.
21 Ang mag-asawa’y iginawa niya ng mga damit na yari sa balat ng hayop.

PINALAYAS SA HARDIN SI ADAN AT SI EVA

22 Pagkatapos, sinabi ng Panginoong Yahweh, “Katulad na natin ngayon ang tao, sapagkat alam na niya ang mabuti at masama. Baka pumitas siya at kumain ng bungangkahoy na nagbibigay-buhay at hindi na siya mamatay.”
23 Kaya, pinalayas niya sa halamanan ng Eden ang tao upang magbungkal ng lupang kanyang pinagmulan.
24 Pinalayas nga siya ng Diyos. At sa dakong silangan ng halamanan ng Eden ay naglagay ang Diyos ng bantay na kerubin. Naglagay rin siya ng espadang nagniningas na umiikot sa lahat ng panig upang hindi malapitan ninuman ang punongkahoy ng buhay.

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HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS-BEGINNINGS OF JESUS’ MINISTRY IN 12 EVENTS

JESUS BAPTIZED
MATTHEW 3:13-17
MARK 1:9-11
LUKE 3:21-23
JOHN 1:29-34
PSALM 2:7

JESUS TEMPTED
MATTHEW 4:1-11
MARK 1:12-13
LUKE 4:1-13
PSALM 91:11

JESUS CALLS FIRST DISCIPLES
JOHN 1:35-51

THE FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS
JOHN 2:1-11

JESUS’ FIRST STAY IN CAPERNAUM
JOHN 2:12

JESUS’ FIRST CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
JOHN 2:13-22
PSALM 69:9

JESUS RECEIVED AT JERUSALEM
JOHN 2:23-25

JESUS TEACHES NICODEMUS ABOUT SECOND BIRTH
JOHN 3:1-21
NUMBERS 21:8-9

JESUS CO-MINISTRY WITH JOHN
JOHN 3:22-30

JESUS LEAVES FOR GALILEE
MATTHEW 4:12
MARK 1:14
LUKE 4:14
JOHN 4:1-4

JESUS MEETS A SAMARITAN WOMAN AT JACOB’S WELL
JOHN 4:5-42
JOSHUA 24:32

JESUS RETURNS TO GALILEE
MARK 1:15
LUKE 4:15
JOHN 4:43-45

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JESUS BAPTIZED

MATTHEW 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.
14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”
15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.
16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.
17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

MARK 1:9-11
9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.
11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

LUKE 3:21-23
21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.
22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli,

JOHN 1:29-34
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’
31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”
32 And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.
33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”

PSALM 2:7
7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

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JESUS TEMPTED

MATTHEW 4:1-11
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
8 Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”
10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

MARK 1:12-13
12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.

LUKE 4:1-13
1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
2 being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.
3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.
6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”
8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”
9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here.
10 For it is written:‘He shall give His angels charge over you,To keep you,’
11 and,‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

PSALM 91:11
11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

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JESUS CALLS FIRST DISCIPLES

JOHN 1:35-51
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, “What do you seek?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), “where are You staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.”
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
48 Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

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THE FIRST MIRACLE OF JESUS

JOHN 2:1-11
1 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.
2 Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding.
3 And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
4 Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
5 His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
6 Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece.
7 Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim.
8 And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.
9 When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom.
10 And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
11 This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him.

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JESUS’ FIRST STAY IN CAPERNAUM

JOHN 2:12
12 After this He went down to Capernaum, He, His mother, His brothers, and His disciples; and they did not stay there many days.

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JESUS’ FIRST CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE

JOHN 2:13-22
13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers’ money and overturned the tables.
16 And He said to those who sold doves, “Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!”
17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up.”
18 So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?”
19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
20 Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?”
21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.
22 Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.

PSALM 69:9
9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

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JESUS RECEIVED AT JERUSALEM

JOHN 2:23-25
23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did.
24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men,
25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.

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JESUS TEACHES NICODEMUS ABOUT SECOND BIRTH

JOHN 3:1-21
1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?”
10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?
11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
15 that whoever believes in Him should [c]not perish but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

NUMBERS 21:8-9
8 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”
9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

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JESUS’ CO-MINISTRY WITH JOHN

JOHN 3:22-30
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.
23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.
24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification.
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

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JESUS LEAVES FOR GALILEE

MATTHEW 4:12
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He departed to Galilee.

MARK 1:14
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

LUKE 4:14
14 Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region.

JOHN 4:1-4
1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John
2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),
3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
4 But He needed to go through Samaria.

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JESUS MEETS A SAMARITAN WOMAN AT JACOB’S WELL

JOHN 4:5-42
5 So He came to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.
7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”
8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
9 Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.
10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”
11 The woman said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then do You get that living water?
12 Are You greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
15 The woman said to Him, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.”
16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
17 The woman answered and said, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You have well said, ‘I have no husband,’
18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly.”
19 The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.”
21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”
27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, “What do You seek?” or, “Why are You talking with her?”
28 The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men,
29 “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
30 Then they went out of the city and came to Him.
31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
33 Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?”
34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!
36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’
38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.”
40 So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days.
41 And many more believed because of His own word.
42 Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

JOSHUA 24:32
32 The bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel had brought up out of Egypt, they buried at Shechem, in the plot of ground which Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor the father of Shechem for one hundred pieces of silver, and which had become an inheritance of the children of Joseph.

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JESUS RETURNS TO GALILEE

MARK 1:15
15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

LUKE 4:15
15 And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

JOHN 4:43-45
43 Now after the two days He departed from there and went to Galilee.
44 For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country.
45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they also had gone to the feast.

HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS (PAGSISIMULA NG MINISTERYO NI JESUS SA 12 MGA KAGANAPAN)

BINAUTISMUHAN SI JESUS
MATEO 3:13-17
MARCOS 1:9-11
LUCAS 3:21-23
JUAN 1:29-34
AWIT 2:7

TINUKSO SI JESUS
MATEO 4:1-11
MARCOS 1:12-13
LUCAS 4:1-13
AWIT 91:11

TINAWAG NI JESUS ANG MGA UNANG ALAGAD
JUAN 1:35-51

ANG UNANG HIMALA NI JESUS
JUAN 2:1-11

ANG UNANG PANANATILI NI JESUS SA CAPERNAUM
JUAN 2:12

ANG UNANG PAGLILINIS NI JESUS SA TEMPLO
JUAN 2:13-22
AWIT 69:9

TINANGGAP SI JESUS SA JERUSALEM
JUAN 2:23-25

ITINURO NI JESUS KAY NICODEMO ANG TUNGKOL SA IKALAWANG KAPANGANAKAN
JUAN 3:1-21
BILANG 21:8-9

KASAMA NI JESUS SI JUAN
JUAN 3:22-30

SI JESUS AY UMALIS PATUNGONG GALILEA
MATEO 4:12
MARCOS 1:14
LUCAS 4:14
JUAN 4:1-4

NAKILALA NI JESUS ANG ISANG BABAENG SAMARITAN SA BALON NI JACOB
JUAN 4:5-42
JOSUE 24:32

BUMALIK SI JESUS SA GALILEA
MARCOS 1:15
LUCAS 4:15
JUAN 4:43-45

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BINAUTISMUHAN SI JESUS

MATEO 3:13-17
13 Dumating si Jesus sa Ilog Jordan mula sa Galilea upang magpabautismo kay Juan.
14 Ngunit tinangka ni Juan na pigilan siya at sinabi, “Ako po ang dapat magpabautismo sa inyo! Bakit kayo nagpapabautismo sa akin?”
15 Subalit sumagot si Jesus, “Hayaan mong ito ang mangyari ngayon, sapagkat ito ang nararapat nating gawin upang matupad ang kalooban ng Diyos.” Kaya’t pumayag din si Juan.
16 Nang mabautismuhan si Jesus, kaagad siyang umahon sa tubig. Nabuksan ang langit at nakita ni Jesus ang Espiritu ng Diyos na bumababang parang isang kalapati at dumapo sa kanya.
17 At isang tinig mula sa langit ang nagsabi, “Ito ang minamahal kong Anak na lubos kong kinalulugdan!”

MARCOS 1:9-11
9 Nang panahong iyon, dumating si Jesus mula sa Nazaret sa Galilea, at siya’y binautismuhan ni Juan sa Ilog Jordan. 10 Pagkaahung-pagkaahon ni Jesus sa tubig, nakita niyang bumukas ang kalangitan at bumababa sa kanya ang Espiritu na tulad ng isang kalapati.
11 Narinig niya ang isang tinig na mula sa langit at nagsasabing, “Ikaw ang minamahal kong Anak; lubos kitang kinalulugdan.”

LUCAS 3:21-23
21 Nang mabautismuhan na ni Juan ang mga tao, binautismuhan din niya si Jesus. Habang nananalangin si Jesus, nabuksan ang langit
22 at bumabâ sa kanya ang Espiritu Santo sa anyong kalapati. Isang tinig mula sa langit ang nagsabi, “Ikaw ang minamahal kong Anak; lubos kitang kinalulugdan.”
23 Magtatatlumpung taon na si Jesus nang siya’y magsimulang mangaral. Ipinapalagay ng mga tao na siya’y anak ni Jose. Si Jose naman ay anak ni Eli,

JUAN 1:29-34
29 Kinabukasan, nakita ni Juan si Jesus na lumalapit sa kanya. Sinabi niya, “Tingnan ninyo, siya ang Kordero ng Diyos na nag-aalis ng kasalanan ng sanlibutan.
30 Siya ang tinutukoy ko nang sabihin kong ang dumarating na kasunod ko ay higit sa akin, sapagkat siya’y naroon na bago pa man ako ipanganak.
31 Hindi ko rin siya kilala noon subalit ako’y naparitong nagbabautismo sa tubig upang ipakilala siya sa Israel.”
32 Ganito ang patotoo ni Juan: “Nakita ko ang Espiritu na bumababa na parang isang kalapati na buhat sa langit at nanatili sa kanya.
33 Hindi ko nga siya kilala noon. Ngunit ang nagsugo sa akin upang magbautismo sa tubig ang siyang nagsabi sa akin, ‘Kung kanino mo makitang bumabâ at manatili ang Espiritu, siya ang magbabautismo sa pamamagitan ng Espiritu Santo.’
34 Ngayon ay nakita ko siya, at pinapatotohanan kong siya ang Anak ng Diyos.”

MGA AWIT 2:7
7 “Ipahahayag ko ang sinabi sa akin ni Yahweh, ‘Ikaw ang aking anak, mula ngayo’y ako na ang iyong ama.

TINUKSO SI JESUS

MATEO 4:1-11
1 Pagkatapos, si Jesus ay dinala ng Espiritu sa ilang upang tuksuhin ng diyablo.
2 Siya’y nag-ayuno sa loob ng apatnapung araw at apatnapung gabi kaya’t siya’y nagutom.
3 Dumating ang diyablo at sinabi sa kanya, “Kung ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, gawin mo ngang tinapay ang mga batong ito.”
4 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus, “Nasusulat, ‘Hindi lamang sa tinapay nabubuhay ang tao, kundi sa bawat salitang nagmumula sa bibig ng Diyos.’”
5 Pagkatapos, dinala siya ng diyablo sa Jerusalem, ang banal na lungsod, at pinatayo sa taluktok ng Templo.
6 Sinabi nito sa kanya, “Kung ikaw ang Anak ng Diyos, magpatihulog ka, sapagkat nasusulat, ‘Sa kanyang mga anghel, ika’y itatagubilin, at sa kanilang mga kamay, ika’y aalalayan, nang sa mga bato, paa mo’y hindi masaktan.’”
7 Ngunit sumagot si Jesus, “Nasusulat din naman, ‘Huwag mong susubukin ang Panginoon mong Diyos.’”
8 Pagkatapos, dinala siya ng diyablo sa isang napakataas na bundok at ipinakita sa kanya ang lahat ng kaharian sa daigdig at ang karangyaan ng mga ito.
9 Sinabi ng diyablo sa kanya, “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang lahat ng ito kung magpapatirapa ka at sasamba sa akin.”
10 Kaya’t sumagot si Jesus, “Lumayas ka Satanas! Sapagkat nasusulat, ‘Ang Panginoon mong Diyos ang dapat mong sambahin. At siya lamang ang dapat mong paglingkuran.’”
11 Pagkatapos, iniwan na siya ng diyablo. Dumating naman ang mga anghel at siya’y pinaglingkuran nila.

MARCOS 1:12-13
12 Pagkatapos, dinala agad ng Espiritu si Jesus sa ilang.
13 Nanatili siya roon nang apatnapung araw, at doo’y tinukso siya ni Satanas. Doon ay may mababangis na hayop ngunit si Jesus ay pinaglingkuran ng mga anghel.

LUCAS 4:1-13
1 Mula sa Jordan, bumalik si Jesus na puspos ng Espiritu Santo. Dinala siya ng Espiritu sa ilang
2 at sa loob ng apatnapung araw ay tinukso siya ng diyablo. Hindi siya kumain ng anuman sa buong panahong iyon, kaya’t siya’y nagutom.
3 Sinabi sa kanya ng diyablo, “Kung ikaw nga ang Anak ng Diyos, iutos mong maging tinapay ang batong ito.”
4 Ngunit sinagot ito ni Jesus, “Nasusulat, ‘Hindi lamang sa tinapay nabubuhay ang tao [kundi sa bawat salitang nagmumula sa bibig ng Diyos].’”
5 Dinala siya ng diyablo sa isang mataas na lugar, at sa isang saglit ay ipinakita sa kanya ang lahat ng kaharian sa daigdig.
6 Sinabi ng diyablo, “Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang lahat ng kapangyarihan at kadakilaan ng mga ito. Ipinagkaloob ang lahat ng ito sa akin, at maaari kong ibigay kung kanino ko gusto.
7 Kaya’t kung ako’y sasambahin mo, magiging iyo na ang lahat ng ito.”
8 Sumagot si Jesus, “Nasusulat, ‘Ang Panginoon mong Diyos ang dapat mong sambahin,at siya lamang ang dapat mong paglingkuran.’”
9 Dinala siya ng diyablo sa taluktok ng Templo sa Jerusalem at sinabi sa kanya, “Kung ikaw nga ang Anak ng Diyos, magpatihulog ka
10 dahil nasusulat,‘Sa kanyang mga anghel, ika’y ipagbibilin, sila’y uutusan upang ikaw ay ingatan,’
11 at ‘Aalalayan ka ng kanilang mga kamay, nang sa mga bato, paa mo’y hindi masaktan.’”
12 Subalit sinagot siya ni Jesus, “Nasusulat, ‘Huwag mong subukin ang Panginoon mong Diyos!’”
13 Pagkatapos tuksuhin si Jesus sa lahat ng paraan, umalis na ang diyablo at naghintay ng ibang pagkakataon.

AWIT 91:11
11 Sa kanyang mga anghel, ika’y itatagubilin, saan mang dako maparoon, tiyak kang iingatan.

TINAWAG NI JESUS ANG MGA UNANG ALAGAD

JUAN 1:35-51
35 Kinabukasan, naroon muli si Juan kasama ang dalawa sa kanyang mga alagad.
36 Nang makita niya si Jesus na nagdaraan ay kanyang sinabi, “Tingnan ninyo, siya ang Kordero ng Diyos!”
37 Narinig ng dalawang alagad ang sinabi niya, kaya’t sumunod sila kay Jesus.
38 Lumingon si Jesus, at nang makita niyang sumusunod sa kanya ang mga ito, sila’y tinanong niya, “Ano ang kailangan ninyo?” Sumagot sila, “Saan po kayo nakatira, Rabi?” Ang kahulugan ng salitang ito’y Guro.
39 “Halikayo at tingnan ninyo,” sabi ni Jesus. Sumama sila kay Jesus at nakita nila ang kanyang tinitirhan; at tumuloy sila roon nang araw na iyon. Noo’y mag-aalas kuwatro na ng hapon.
40 Ang isa sa dalawang alagad na nakarinig kay Juan at sumunod kay Jesus ay si Andres na kapatid ni Simon Pedro.
41 Unang hinanap ni Andres ang kanyang kapatid na si Simon. Sinabi niya rito, “Nakita na namin ang Mesiyas!” Ang kahulugan ng salitang ito’y Cristo.
42 At isinama ni Andres si Simon kay Jesus. Tiningnan ni Jesus si Simon at sinabi sa kanya, “Ikaw ay si Simon na anak ni Juan. Ikaw ay tatawaging Cefas” (na ang katumbas ay Pedro).
43 Kinabukasan, minabuti ni Jesus na pumunta sa Galilea. Nakita niya roon si Felipe at sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya, “Sumunod ka sa akin.”
44 Si Felipe ay taga-Bethsaida, tulad nina Andres at Pedro.
45 Nakita ni Felipe si Nathanael at sinabi niya dito, “Natagpuan na namin ang tinutukoy ni Moises sa kanyang isinulat sa aklat ng Kautusan at gayundin ng mga propeta. Siya’y si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, na anak ni Jose.”
46 “May mabuti bang maaaring magmula sa Nazaret?” tanong ni Nathanael. Sumagot si Felipe, “Halika’t tingnan mo.”
47 Nang malapit na si Nathanael ay sinabi ni Jesus, “Masdan ninyo ang isang tunay na Israelita. Wala siyang anumang pagkukunwari.”
48 Tinanong siya ni Nathanael, “Paano ninyo ako nakilala?” Sumagot si Jesus, “Bago ka pa tawagin ni Felipe, nakita na kita nang ikaw ay nasa ilalim ng puno ng igos.”
49 Sumagot si Nathanael, “Rabi, kayo nga po ang Anak ng Diyos! Kayo ang Hari ng Israel!”
50 Sinabi ni Jesus, “Sumampalataya ka ba dahil sa sinabi ko sa iyong nakita kita sa ilalim ng puno ng igos? Higit pa riyan ang masasaksihan mo.”
51 At sinabi niya sa kanya, “Pakatandaan mo: makikita ninyong bukás ang langit, at ang mga anghel ng Diyos ay manhik-manaog sa kinaroroonan ng Anak ng Tao!”

ANG UNANG HIMALA NI JESUS

JUAN 2:1-11
1 Nang ikatlong araw, may kasalan sa Cana sa Galilea, at naroon ang ina ni Jesus.
2 Si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay inanyayahan din sa kasalan.
3 Naubos ang alak, kaya’t sinabi ng ina ni Jesus sa kanya, “Anak, wala na silang alak.”
4 Sinabi ni Jesus, “Ipaubaya na lang po ninyo ito sa akin, Ginang. Hindi pa ito ang aking tamang oras.”
5 Sinabi ng kanyang ina sa mga naglilingkod, “Gawin ninyo ang anumang sabihin niya sa inyo.”
6 May anim na banga doon, ang bawat isa’y naglalaman ng dalawampu hanggang tatlumpung galon. Ang mga ito ay nakalaan para sa paghuhugas ayon sa rituwal ng mga Judio.
7 Sinabi ni Jesus sa mga tumutulong doon, “Punuin ninyo ng tubig ang mga banga.”
At pinuno nga nila ang mga banga na halos mag-umapaw.
8 Pagkatapos, sinabi niya, “Kumuha kayo ng kaunti at dalhin ninyo sa namamahala ng handaan.” Dinalhan nga nila ang namamahala, at
9 tinikman nito ang tubig na naging alak. Hindi niya alam kung saan nanggaling iyon, subalit alam ng mga sumalok ng tubig. Kaya’t tinawag niya ang lalaking ikinasal
10 at sinabi, “Ang masarap na alak ay unang inihahain; kapag marami nang nainom ang mga tao, saka inihahain ang mababang uri. Ngunit sa huli ninyo inilabas ang masarap na alak!”
11 Ang nangyaring ito sa Cana sa Galilea ang unang himalang ginawa ni Jesus. Sa pamamagitan nito’y inihayag niya ang kanyang kaluwalhatian at naniwala sa kanya ang mga alagad niya.

ANG UNANG PANANATILI NI JESUS SA CAPERNAUM

JUAN 2:12
12 Pagkatapos nito, pumunta si Jesus sa Capernaum, kasama ang kanyang ina, mga kapatid, at mga alagad. Sila’y nanatili roon nang ilang araw.

ANG UNANG PAGLILINIS NI JESUS SA TEMPLO

JUAN 2:13-22
13 Malapit na ang Paskwa ng mga Judio kaya’t pumunta si Jesus sa Jerusalem.
14 Nakita niya sa Templo ang mga nagtitinda ng mga baka, tupa at kalapati, at ang mga namamalit ng salapi.
15 Kumuha siya ng lubid at ginawa iyong panghagupit, at ipinagtabuyan niyang palabas ang mga nagtitinda, pati na ang mga baka at tupa. Isinabog niya ang salapi ng mga namamalit ng pera at ipinagtataob ang kanilang mga mesa.
16 Pinagsabihan niya ang mga nagtitinda ng kalapati, “Alisin ninyo rito ang mga iyan! Huwag ninyong gawing palengke ang bahay ng aking Ama!”
17 Naalala ng kanyang mga alagad ang sinasabi sa kasulatan, “Ang malasakit ko sa iyong bahay ang tutupok sa akin.”
18 Dahil dito’y tinanong siya ng mga pinuno ng Judio, “Anong himala ang maipapakita mo upang patunayang may karapatan kang gawin ito?”
19 Sumagot si Jesus, “Gibain ninyo ang Templong ito, at sa loob ng tatlong araw ay muli ko itong itatayo.”
20 Sinabi ng mga Judio, “Apatnapu’t anim na taong ginawa ang Templong ito, at itatayo mo sa loob lamang ng tatlong araw?”
21 Ngunit ang templong tinutukoy ni Jesus ay ang kanyang katawan.
22 Kaya’t nang siya’y muling nabuhay, naalala ng kanyang mga alagad ang sinabi niyang ito, at sila’y naniwala sa kasulatan at sa sinabi ni Jesus.

AWIT 69:9
9 Ang malasakit ko sa iyong tahanan, matinding-matindi sa aking kalooban; ako ang nakaranas, paghamak sa iyong pangalan.

TINANGGAP SI JESUS SA JERUSALEM

JUAN 2:23-25
23 Nang Pista ng Paskwa ay nasa Jerusalem si Jesus. Marami ang naniwala sa kanya nang makita nila ang mga himalang ginagawa niya.
24 Subalit hindi ipinagkatiwala ni Jesus ang kanyang sarili sa kanila, sapagkat kilala niya ang lahat ng mga tao.
25 Hindi na kailangang may magsabi pa sa kanya tungkol sa kaninuman, sapagkat nalalaman niya ang nasa isip ng lahat ng tao.

ITINURO NI JESUS KAY NICODEMO ANG TUNGKOL SA IKALAWANG KAPANGANAKAN

JUAN 3:1-21
1 May isang Pariseo na nagngangalang Nicodemo na pinuno ng mga Judio.
2 Isang gabi, pumunta siya kay Jesus at sinabi, “Rabi, nalalaman po naming kayo’y isang tagapagturong mula sa Diyos, sapagkat walang makakagawa ng mga himalang ginagawa ninyo kung wala sa inyo ang Diyos.”
3 Sumagot si Jesus, “Tandaan mo ang sinasabi kong ito: malibang ipanganak na muli ang isang tao, hindi niya makikita ang paghahari ng Diyos.”
4 “Paanong maipapanganak pang muli ang isang taong matanda na? Makakapasok pa ba siya sa sinapupunan ng kanyang ina para muling ipanganak?” tanong ni Nicodemo.
5 Sagot naman ni Jesus, “Tandaan mo ang sinasabi kong ito: malibang ang isang tao ay ipanganak sa pamamagitan ng tubig at ng Espiritu, hindi siya makakapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos.
6 Ang taong ipinanganak sa laman ay laman, at ang ipinanganak sa Espiritu ay espiritu.
7 Huwag kang magtaka sa sinabi ko sa iyo, ‘kayong lahat ay kailangang ipanganak na muli.’
8 Umiihip ang hangin kung saan nito nais at naririnig mo ang ugong nito, ngunit hindi mo alam kung saan ito nanggagaling at kung saan pupunta. Ganoon din ang bawat ipinanganak sa Espiritu.”
9 “Paano po mangyayari iyon?” tanong ni Nicodemo.
10 Sumagot si Jesus, “Guro ka pa naman sa Israel, hindi mo nauunawaan ang mga bagay na ito?
11 Pakatandaan mo: ang sinasabi namin ay nalalaman namin, at ang pinapatotohanan namin ay nasaksihan namin, subalit hindi ninyo tinatanggap ang aming patotoo.
12 Kung hindi ninyo pinaniniwalaan ang mga sinasabi ko tungkol sa mga bagay dito sa mundo, paano pa ninyo mapapaniwalaan ang sasabihin ko tungkol sa mga bagay doon sa langit?
13 Wala pang sinumang umakyat sa langit kundi ang bumabâ mula sa langit, ang Anak ng Tao.”
14 At kung paanong itinaas ni Moises ang tansong ahas doon sa ilang, gayundin naman, kailangang itaas ang Anak ng Tao,
15 upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa kanya ay magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.
16 Sapagkat gayon na lamang ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa sangkatauhan, kaya’t ibinigay niya ang kanyang kaisa-isang Anak, upang ang sinumang sumampalataya sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak, kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan.
17 Isinugo ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak, hindi upang hatulan ng parusa ang sanlibutan, kundi upang iligtas ito sa pamamagitan niya.
18 Hindi hinahatulan ng parusa ang sumasampalataya sa Anak. Ngunit hinatulan na ang hindi sumasampalataya, sapagkat hindi siya sumampalataya sa kaisa-isang Anak ng Diyos.
19 Ganito ang paghatol ng Diyos: naparito sa sanlibutan ang ilaw, ngunit inibig pa ng mga tao ang dilim kaysa liwanag, sapagkat masasama ang kanilang mga gawa.
20 Kinasusuklaman ng mga gumagawa ng masama ang ilaw, ni hindi lumalapit dito upang hindi mahayag ang kanilang mga gawa.
21 Ngunit ang namumuhay ayon sa katotohanan ay lumalapit sa ilaw, upang maihayag na ang mga ginagawa niya ay pagsunod sa Diyos.

BILANG 21:8-9
8 at ganito ang sagot sa kanya ni Yahweh: “Gumawa ka ng isang ahas na tanso. Ilagay mo iyon sa dulo ng isang mahabang kahoy. Sinumang natuklaw ng ahas at tumingin doon ay hindi mamamatay.”
9 Ganoon nga ang ginawa ni Moises. Kaya lahat ng natuklaw ng ahas ay tumitingin sa ahas na tanso at hindi nga namamatay.

KASAMA NI JESUS SI JUAN

JUAN 3:22-30
22 Pagkatapos nito, si Jesus at ang kanyang mga alagad ay nagpunta sa lupain ng Judea. Nanatili siya roon nang kaunting panahon na kasama nila at nagbautismo ng mga tao.
23 Samantala, si Juan ay nagbabautismo naman sa Enon, malapit sa Salim, sapagkat maraming tubig doon. Pumupunta sa kanya ang mga tao at nagpapabautismo.
24 Hindi pa noon nabibilanggo si Juan.
25 Minsan, nagkaroon ng pagtatalo ang mga alagad ni Juan at ang isang Judio tungkol sa rituwal ng paglilinis.
26 Kaya’t pumunta sila kay Juan at sinabi sa kanya, “Guro, naaalala pa po ba ninyo ang lalaking kasama ninyo sa ibayo ng Jordan, na inyong pinatotohanan? Siya po ay nagbabautismo rin at nagpupuntahan sa kanya ang lahat!”
27 Sumagot si Juan, “Walang sinumang tatanggap ng anuman malibang ito’y ipagkaloob sa kanya ng Diyos.
28 Kayo mismo ang makakapagpatunay na sinabi kong hindi ako ang Cristo; isa lamang akong sugo na mauuna sa kanya.
29 Sa isang kasalan, ang babaing ikakasal ay para lamang sa lalaking ikakasal. Ang abay na naghihintay sa pagdating ng lalaking ikakasal ay lubos na nagagalak kapag narinig niya ang tinig nito. Gayundin naman, lubos na ang aking kagalakan ngayon.
30 Dapat siyang maitaas at ako nama’y maibaba.”

SI JESUS AY UMALIS PATUNGONG GALILEA

MATEO 4:12
12 Nang mabalitaan ni Jesus na ibinilanggo si Juan, bumalik siya sa Galilea.

MARCOS 1:14
14 Nang ibinilanggo si Juan, nagpunta si Jesus sa Galilea at ipinangaral doon ang Magandang Balitang mula sa Diyos.

LUCAS 4:14
14 Bumalik sa Galilea si Jesus taglay ang kapangyarihan ng Espiritu Santo. Napabalita sa mga karatig-bayan ang tungkol sa kanya.

JUAN 4:1-4
1 Nabalitaan ng mga Pariseo na si Jesus ay mas maraming nahihikayat na maging alagad at nababautismuhan kaysa kay Juan. Nalaman ito ng Panginoon
2 (bagaman hindi si Jesus mismo ang nagbabautismo, kundi ang kanyang mga alagad),
3 kaya umalis siya sa Judea at bumalik sa Galilea.
4 Kailangan dumaan siya sa Samaria.

NAKILALA NI JESUS ANG ISANG BABAENG SAMARITAN SA BALON NI JACOB

JUAN 4:5-42
5 Dumating siya sa isang bayan na tinatawag na Sicar. Malapit ito sa bukid na ibinigay ni Jacob sa kanyang anak na si Jose.
6 Dito matatagpuan ang balon ni Jacob. Dahil napagod si Jesus sa paglalakbay, umupo siya sa tabi ng balon. Halos katanghalian na noon.
7 May isang Samaritanang dumating upang umigib, at sinabi ni Jesus sa kanya, “Maaari bang makiinom?”
8 Wala noon ang kanyang mga alagad dahil sila’y bumibili ng pagkain sa bayan.
9 Sinabi sa kanya ng babae, “Ikaw ay Judio at Samaritana naman ako. Bakit ka humihingi sa akin ng inumin?” Sinabi niya iyon sapagkat hindi nakikihalubilo ang mga Judio sa mga Samaritano.[a]
10 Sumagot si Jesus, “Kung alam mo lamang ang kaloob ng Diyos, at kung sino itong humihingi sa iyo ng inumin, ikaw ang hihingi sa kanya at bibigyan ka niya ng tubig na nagbibigay-buhay.”
11 Nagsalita ang babae, “Ginoo, malalim ang balong ito at wala ka namang pansalok. Saan ka kukuha ng tubig na nagbibigay-buhay?
12 Ang balong ito ay pamana pa sa amin ng aming ninunong si Jacob. Dito siya uminom, gayundin ang kanyang mga anak at mga hayop. Higit ka pa ba sa kanya?”
13 Sumagot si Jesus, “Ang bawat uminom ng tubig na ito’y muling mauuhaw,
14 ngunit ang sinumang uminom ng tubig na ibibigay ko sa kanya ay hindi na muling mauuhaw kailanman. Ang tubig na ibibigay ko ay magiging batis sa loob niya, at patuloy na bubukal at magbibigay sa kanya ng buhay na walang hanggan.”
15 Sinabi ng babae, “Ginoo, bigyan po ninyo ako ng tubig na iyan upang hindi na ako mauhaw, ni pumarito pa upang sumalok muli.”
16 “Umuwi ka at isama mo rito ang iyong asawa,” wika ni Jesus.
17 “Wala akong asawa,” sagot ng babae. Sinabi ni Jesus, “Tama ang sinabi mong wala kang asawa
18 sapagkat lima na ang iyong naging asawa, at ang kinakasama mo ngayon ay hindi mo asawa. Totoo nga ang sinabi mo.”
19 Sinabi ng babae, “Ginoo, palagay ko ay isa kang propeta.
20 Dito sa bundok na ito sumamba sa Diyos ang aming mga ninuno, ngunit sinasabi ninyong mga Judio na sa Jerusalem lamang dapat sambahin ang Diyos.”
21 Sinabi naman ni Jesus, “Maniwala ka sa akin, darating ang panahon na sasambahin ninyo ang Ama hindi na sa bundok na ito o sa Jerusalem.
22 Hindi ninyo kilala ang inyong sinasamba, ngunit kilala namin ang aming sinasamba, sapagkat ang kaligtasan ay nagmumula sa mga Judio.
23 Subalit dumarating na ang panahon at ngayon na nga, na ang mga tunay na sumasamba sa Ama ay sasamba sa kanya sa espiritu at sa katotohanan. Sapagkat ganyan ang uri ng pagsambang ninanais ng Ama.
24 Ang Diyos ay Espiritu at ang mga sumasamba sa kanya ay dapat siyang sambahin sa espiritu at sa katotohanan.”
25 Sinabi ng babae, “Nalalaman ko pong darating ang Mesiyas, ang tinatawag na Cristo. Pagdating niya, siya ang magpapahayag sa amin ng lahat ng bagay.”
26 “Akong kausap mo ngayon ang iyong tinutukoy,” sabi ni Jesus.
27 Dumating ang kanyang mga alagad nang sandaling iyon, at nagtaka sila nang makita nilang nakikipag-usap si Jesus sa isang Samaritana. Ngunit isa man sa kanila’y walang nagtanong sa babae, “Ano ang kailangan ninyo?” Wala ring nagtanong kay Jesus, “Bakit ninyo siya kinakausap?”
28 Iniwan ng babae ang kanyang banga, bumalik sa bayan at sinabi sa mga tagaroon,
29 “Halikayo! Tingnan ninyo ang taong nagsabi sa akin ng lahat ng ginawa ko. Siya na kaya ang Cristo?”
30 Kaya’t lumabas ng bayan ang mga tao at nagpunta kay Jesus.
31 Samantala, makailang ulit na sinabi ng mga alagad kay Jesus, “Rabi, kumain na kayo.”
32 Ngunit sumagot siya, “Ako’y may pagkaing hindi ninyo nalalaman.”
33 Kaya’t nagtanung-tanungan ang mga alagad, “May nagdala kaya sa kanya ng pagkain?”
34 Sinabi sa kanila ni Jesus, “Ang pagkain ko’y ang tuparin ang kalooban ng nagsugo sa akin at tapusin ang ipinapagawa niya sa akin.
35 “Hindi ba sinasabi ninyo, ‘Apat na buwan pa at anihan na’? Sinasabi ko naman sa inyo, masdan ninyo ang mga bukid, hinog na ang trigo at handa nang anihin.
36 Ang umaani ay tumatanggap ng kabayaran at nagtitipon ng bunga para sa buhay na walang hanggan. Kaya’t magkasamang magagalak ang nagtatanim at ang umaani.
37 Dito nagkakatotoo ang kasabihang, ‘Iba ang nagtatanim at iba naman ang umaani.’
38 Isinugo ko kayo upang anihin ang hindi ninyo itinanim. Iba ang naghirap dito at kayo naman ang umani ng kanilang pinaghirapan.”
39 Maraming Samaritano sa bayang iyon ang naniwala kay Jesus dahil sa patotoo ng babae, “Sinabi niya sa akin ang lahat ng aking ginawa.”
40 Kaya’t pumunta sila kay Jesus at nakiusap na tumigil muna siya roon, at tumigil nga siya roon sa loob ng dalawang araw.
41 At marami pang sumampalataya nang mapakinggan siya.
42 Pagkatapos, sinabi nila sa babae, “Naniniwala kami ngayon, hindi na dahil sa sinabi mo kundi dahil sa narinig namin siya. Alam na naming siya nga ang Tagapagligtas ng sangkatauhan.”

JOSUE 24:32
32 Dinala ng bayang Israel ang mga buto ni Jose nang sila’y umalis sa Egipto. Ibinaon nila ito sa Shekem, sa lupaing binili ni Jacob sa mga anak ni Hamor, na ama ni Shekem, sa halagang sandaang pirasong pilak. Ang lupaing ito ay kasama sa naging bahagi ng mga anak ni Jose.

BUMALIK SI JESUS SA GALILEA

MARCOS 1:15
15 Sinabi niya, “Dumating na ang takdang panahon. Malapit nang maghari ang Diyos! Kaya magsisi na kayo’t talikuran ang inyong mga kasalanan. Paniwalaan ninyo ang Magandang Balita!”

LUCAS 4:15
15 Nagturo siya sa kanilang mga sinagoga at hinangaan siya ng lahat.

JUAN 4:43-45
43 Pagkaraan ng dalawang araw, bumalik si Jesus sa Galilea.
44 (Si Jesus na rin ang nagpatotoo na ang isang propeta’y hindi iginagalang sa sarili nitong bayan.)
45 Pagdating niya sa Galilea ay mabuti ang pagtanggap sa kanya ng mga tagaroon, sapagkat nasa Jerusalem din sila noong Pista ng Paskwa at nakita nila ang lahat ng kanyang ginawa roon.

MGA GAWA 13

MGA GAWA 13 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Dumarating ang mga pagkakataon sa mga taong abala sa paglilingkod sa Panginoon. Tinatawag ng Diyos ang mga taong naglalaan ng oras upang sumamba at maglingkod sa Panginoon. Kung gusto mo ng gabay ng Diyos, maging abala kung nasaan ka, at ipapakita Niya sa iyo ang susunod na hakbang.

Ang mga pagkakataon ay kadalasang nagbubunga ng pagsalungat (1 Corinto 16:9). Narito ang isa pang halimbawa ng talinghaga ng mga pangsirang damo (Mateo 13:24-30,36–43): Ang Diyos ay naghasik ng mabuting binhi (sina Paul at Bernabe), at si Satanas ay naghasik ng huwad.

Ang mga pagkakataon ay nagpapakita ng karakter. Nagpatuloy sina Pablo at Bernabe, ngunit umuwi si Juan Marcos. Hindi natin alam kung bakit, at hindi rin tayo dapat humatol (1 Corinto 10:12). Binawi ni Bernabe si Juan Marcos (Mga Gawa 15:36-41) at kalaunan ay tinanggap siya ni Pablo (2 Timoteo 4:11).

Ang mga pagkakataon ay bumuo ng pamumuno. Nagsimula ang paglalakbay kay “Bernabe at Saulo” (Mga Gawa 13:2), ngunit ito ay naging “Si Pablo at ang kanyang mga kasamahan” (Mga Gawa 13:13). Natuwa si Bernabe nang makita si Pablo na ginamit ng Diyos nang makapangyarihan (Roma 12:9–11). Isa itong pagsisikap ng pangkat, at ang mahalagang bagay ay ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos.

ANG KANYANG SALITA AY MANANATILI MAGPAKAILANMAN

Pansinin ang diin sa Mga Gawa 13 sa Salita ng Diyos (Mga Gawa 13:5, Mga Gawa 13:7, Mga Gawa 13:15, Mga Gawa 13:26, Mga Gawa 13:44, Mga Gawa 13:46, Mga Gawa 13:48-49). Sa kanyang pangangaral, sinipi ni Pablo ang Mga Gawa 13:1 Samuel, Isaias, Habakkuk, at Mga Awit. Ipinangaral niya ang kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay Jesucristo na binuhay ng Diyos mula sa mga patay (Mga Gawa 13:38–39). Ang ating mga salita ay hindi nagtatagal, ngunit ang Salita ng Panginoon ay nananatili magpakailanman.

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MGA GAWA 13 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG PAGKASUGO KINA BERNABE AT SAULO

1 May mga propeta at mga guro sa iglesya sa Antioquia. Kabilang dito sina Bernabe, Simeon na tinatawag ding Maitim, Lucio na taga-Cirene, Manaen na kababata ni Herodes na pinuno ng Galilea at Saulo.
2 Habang sila’y nag-aayuno at sumasamba sa Panginoon, sinabi sa kanila ng Espiritu Santo, “Ibukod ninyo sina Bernabe at Saulo. Sila’y pinili ko para sa tanging gawaing inilaan ko sa kanila.”
3 Pagkatapos nilang mag-ayuno at manalangin, ipinatong nila sa dalawa ang kanilang mga kamay at sila’y pinahayo na.

ANG PANGANGARAL SA CYPRUS

4 Dahil isinugo ng Espiritu Santo, sina Bernabe at Saulo ay nagpunta sa Seleucia at buhat doo’y sumakay sila sa isang barkong papunta sa Cyprus.
5 Nang dumating sila sa Salamina, ipinahayag nila ang salita ng Diyos sa mga sinagoga ng mga Judio roon. Katulong nila si Juan sa kanilang gawain.
6 Nilibot nila ang buong pulo hanggang sa Pafos. Natagpuan nila roon ang isang salamangkerong Judio na isang huwad na propeta; Bar-Jesus ang kanyang pangalan.
7 Kaibigan ito ni gobernador Sergio Paulo, isang lalaking matalino. Ipinatawag ng gobernador sina Bernabe at Saulo sapagkat nais niyang marinig ang salita ng Diyos.
8 Ngunit sinalungat sila ng salamangkerong si Elimas (ito ang pangalan ni Bar-Jesus sa wikang Griego) upang hadlangan ang gobernador sa pananampalataya.
9 Si Saulo, na tinatawag ring Pablo, na puspos ng Espiritu Santo ay tumitig kay Elimas
10 at nagsabi, “Ikaw na anak ng diyablo! Kaaway ka ng lahat ng mabuti! Punô ka ng pandaraya at kasamaan! Hindi ka ba titigil sa pagbaluktot sa matuwid na landas ng Panginoon?
11 Ngayon, paparusahan ka niya! Mabubulag ka at pansamantalang hindi ka makakakita ng liwanag.” Noon di’y naramdaman ni Elimas na parang tinakpan ng maitim na ulap ang kanyang mga mata, at siya’y naghanap ng taong aakay sa kanya.
12 Sumampalataya ang gobernador nang makita ang nangyari, at humanga siya sa katuruan tungkol sa Panginoon.

SA ANTIOQUIA SA PISIDIA

13 Mula sa Pafos, naglayag sina Pablo hanggang sa Perga sa Pamfilia; humiwalay naman sa kanila si Juan at nagbalik sa Jerusalem.
14 Mula sa Perga, nagpatuloy sila hanggang Antioquia sa Pisidia. Nang Araw ng Pamamahinga, pumasok sila sa sinagoga at naupo.
15 Matapos basahin ang ilang bahagi ng mga aklat ng Kautusan at ng mga Propeta, nagpasabi sa kanila ang mga tagapamahala ng sinagoga, “Mga kapatid, kung mayroon kayong mensaheng makapagpapalakas ng loob ng mga tao, maaari kayong magsalita.”
16 Kaya’t tumayo si Pablo at sinenyasan silang tumahimik, “Mga Israelita, at kayong lahat na may takot sa Diyos, makinig kayo! 17 Ang Diyos ng ating bansang Israel ang pumili sa ating mga ninuno. Sila’y ginawa niyang isang malaking bansa habang naninirahan pa sila sa lupain ng Egipto, at sila’y inilabas niya doon sa pamamagitan ng kanyang dakilang kapangyarihan.
18 Sa loob ng apatnapung taon, sila ay pinagtiisan niya sa ilang.
19 Nilipol niya ang pitong bansa sa lupain ng Canaan at ibinigay sa mga Israelita ang lupain bilang pamana.
20 Naganap ang lahat ng ito sa loob ng halos apatnaraan at limampung taon. “Pagkatapos, sila’y binigyan niya ng mga hukom, hanggang sa panahon ng propetang si Samuel.
21 Nang humingi sila ng hari, ibinigay sa kanila ng Diyos si Saul na anak ni Cis, isang lalaking mula sa lipi ni Benjamin. Naghari si Saul sa loob ng apatnapung taon.
22 At nang siya’y alisin ng Diyos, si David naman ang pinili ng Diyos upang maghari sa kanila. Sinabi ng Diyos tungkol sa kanya, ‘Si David, na anak ni Jesse, ay isang lalaking aking kinalulugdan, na handang sumunod sa lahat ng nais ko.’
23 “Sa angkan ng lalaking ito nagmula si Jesus, ang Tagapagligtas na ipinangako ng Diyos sa Israel.
24 Bago siya dumating, nangaral si Juan sa buong Israel na dapat nilang pagsisihan at talikuran ang kanilang mga kasalanan, at magpabautismo.
25 Nang matatapos na ni Juan ang kanyang gawain, sinabi niya sa mga tao, ‘Sino ba ako sa akala ninyo? Hindi ako ang Cristo. Ngunit siya’y darating na kasunod ko. At hindi ako karapat-dapat kahit magkalag man lamang ng kanyang sandalyas.’
26 “Mga kapatid kong mula sa lahi ni Abraham, at mga taong may takot sa Diyos, tayo ang pinadalhan ng balitang ito tungkol sa kaligtasan.
27 Hindi nakilala ng mga taga-Jerusalem at ng kanilang mga pinuno na si Jesus ang Tagapagligtas. Hindi rin nila naunawaan ang mga pahayag ng mga propeta, na binabasa nila tuwing Araw ng Pamamahinga. Ngunit sila na rin ang nagsakatuparan ng pahayag na iyon nang si Jesus ay hatulan nila ng kamatayan.
28 Kahit na wala silang sapat na dahilan upang siya’y ipapatay, hiniling pa rin nila kay Pilato na siya’y hatulan ng kamatayan.
29 At nang matupad na nila ang lahat ng nasusulat tungkol sa kanya, siya ay ibinabâ nila sa krus at inilibing.
30 “Subalit siya’y muling binuhay ng Diyos,
31 at sa loob ng maraming araw, siya ay nagpakita sa mga sumama sa kanya sa Jerusalem mula sa Galilea. Ngayon, sila ang mga saksi niya sa mga Israelita.
32 Ngayon ay dala namin sa inyo ang Magandang Balita, na ang pangako ng Diyos sa ating mga ninuno
33 ay tinupad niya sa atin na kanilang mga anak, sa pamamagitan ng muling pagbuhay kay Jesus. Gaya ng nakasulat sa ikalawang Awit, ‘Ikaw ang aking Anak, sa araw na ito ako’y naging iyong Ama.’
34 Tungkol naman sa kanyang muling pagkabuhay at di pagkabulok ng kanyang katawan ay sinabi ng Diyos,‘Ipagkakaloob ko sa inyo ang mga banal at maaasahang pagpapala gaya ng ipinangako ko kay David.’
35 At sinabi rin niya sa iba pang bahagi, ‘Hindi mo hahayaang makaranas ng pagkabulok ang iyong Banal.’
36 Nang maisagawa na ni David ang kalooban ng Diyos para sa kanyang kapanahunan, siya’y namatay at inilibing sa piling ng kanyang mga ninuno, at siya’y dumanas ng pagkabulok.
37 Subalit ang muling binuhay ng Diyos ay hindi dumanas ng pagkabulok.
38 Dapat ninyong malaman, mga kapatid, na sa pamamagitan ni Jesus ay ipinangangaral sa inyo ang kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan.
39 At ang lahat ng sumasampalataya sa kanya ay pinalalaya na sa lahat ng pagkakasala na mula sa mga ito ay hindi kayo kayang palayain ng Kautusan ni Moises.
40 Kaya’t mag-ingat kayo upang hindi mangyari sa inyo ang sinabi ng mga propeta,
41 ‘Tingnan ninyo, kayong mga nangungutya! Manggilalas kayo at mamatay! Sapagkat isasagawa ko sa inyong kapanahunan ang isang bagay na hindi ninyo paniniwalaan, kahit na may magpaliwanag pa nito sa inyo!’”
42 Nang sina Pablo at Bernabe ay palabas na sa sinagoga, inanyayahan sila ng mga tao na magsalita muli tungkol sa mga bagay na ito sa susunod na Araw ng Pamamahinga.
43 Pagkatapos ng pulong, sumunod kina Pablo at Bernabe ang maraming Judio at mga relihiyosong Hentil na nahikayat sa Judaismo. Nagsalita sa kanila ang mga apostol at pinangaralan silang magpatuloy sa pamumuhay nang nararapat ayon sa kagandahang-loob ng Diyos.
44 Nang sumunod na Araw ng Pamamahinga, halos lahat ng tao sa lungsod ay nagkatipon upang makinig sa salita ng Panginoon.
45 Inggit na inggit naman ang mga Judio nang makita nila ang napakaraming tao, kaya’t nilait nila at sinalungat si Pablo.
46 Ngunit buong tapang na sinabi nina Pablo at Bernabe, “Sa inyo muna sana dapat ipahayag ang salita ng Diyos. Ngunit dahil itinatakwil ninyo ito, hinahatulan ninyo ang inyong sarili na kayo’y hindi karapat-dapat sa buhay na walang hanggan, kaya’t sa mga Hentil na lang kami pupunta.
47 Ganito ang iniutos sa amin ng Panginoon, ‘Inilagay kitang liwanag sa mga Hentil upang magdala ng kaligtasan hanggang sa dulo ng daigdig.’”
48 Nang marinig ng mga Hentil ang mga salitang iyon, sila’y nagalak at nagpuri sa salita ng Panginoon, at sumampalataya ang lahat ng hinirang para sa buhay na walang hanggan.
49 Kaya’t lumaganap sa buong lupain ang salita ng Panginoon.
50 Ngunit ang mga pinuno ng lungsod at ang mga debotong babae na kilala sa lipunan ay sinulsulan ng mga Judio upang usigin sina Pablo at Bernabe at palayasin sa lupaing iyon.
51 Kaya’t ipinagpag ng dalawa ang alikabok sa kanilang mga paa bilang saksi laban sa mga tagaroon, at sila’y nagpunta sa Iconio.
52 Ang mga alagad naman sa Antioquia ay napuspos ng kagalakan at ng Espiritu Santo.

MGA GAWA 14

MGA GAWA 14 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Si Paul ay isang taong gumagalaw ngunit hindi isang taong madaling makagalaw dahil sa kahirapan. “Ngunit wala sa mga bagay na ito ang kumikilos sa akin” ang kanyang patotoo sa pananampalataya (Mga Gawa 14:20:24), at ipinamuhay niya ito.

Nang siya at si Bernabe ay paalisin mula sa Antioquia sa Pisidia, pinagpag nila ang alabok ng kanilang mga paa at nagtungo sa Iconio (Mga Gawa 13:50–52; Lucas 10:11). Nang tangkaing batuhin sila ng mga tao doon, pumunta sila sa Listra kung saan sila ay tinuring na parang mga diyos! (Iyon ay isang mas malaking panganib kaysa sa pag-uusig.) Ang mga tao ay pabagu-bago: nagbago ang kanilang isip at binato si Pablo, ngunit siya ay tumayo lamang at pumunta sa Derbe.

Hindi lang iyon. Sina Pablo at Bernabe ay nagkaroon ng lakas ng loob na sundan ang kanilang mga hakbang upang matulungan at mapasigla nila ang mga bagong Kristiyano! At pag-uwi nila, sinabi nila sa simbahan kung ano ang ginawa ng Panginoon, hindi kung ano ang kanilang pinagdudusahan.

Inuna nina Pablo at Bernabe si Kristo, pangalawa ang iba, at huli sila. May trabaho silang dapat gawin, at determinado silang gawin ito ng biyaya ng Diyos. Gaano katagal ang kailangan para maalis ka sa kalooban ng Diyos?

“Ang pagnanais na magtiyaga ay kadalasan ang pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng kabiguan at tagumpay. ”

David Sarnoff

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MGA GAWA 14 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

SA ICONIO

1 Gayundin ang nangyari sa Iconio; sina Pablo at Bernabe ay pumasok sa sinagoga ng mga Judio. Napakahusay ng kanilang pangangaral kaya’t maraming Judio at Griego ang sumampalataya.
2 Gayunman, may ilang Judiong ayaw sumampalataya. Sinulsulan pa nila ang mga Hentil at nilason ang isip ng mga ito laban sa mga kapatid.
3 Nanatili roon nang matagal sina Pablo at Bernabe, at buong tapang silang nangaral tungkol sa Panginoon. Pinatunayan ng Panginoon na totoo ang pangangaral nila tungkol sa kanyang kagandahang-loob sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng kapangyarihang gumawa ng mga himala.
4 Kaya’t nahati ang mga tao sa lungsod; may pumanig sa mga Judio at may pumanig din sa mga apostol.
5 Binalak ng ilang mga Hentil at mga Judio, kasama ng kanilang mga pinuno, na saktan at pagbabatuhin ang mga apostol.
6 Subalit nang malaman iyon ng dalawa, sila’y tumakas papuntang Listra at Derbe na mga lungsod ng Licaonia, at sa mga karatig na lupain,
7 at doon sila nangaral ng Magandang Balita.

SA LISTRA

8 Sa Listra ay may isang lalaking hindi nakakalakad dahil lumpo na ito mula pa nang ito’y isilang.
9 Siya’y nakaupong nakikinig sa pangangaral ni Pablo. Nang makita ni Pablo na ang lumpo ay may pananampalatayang siya’y mapapagaling, tinitigan niya ang lumpo
10 at malakas na sinabi, “Tumayo ka nang tuwid!” Lumukso ang lalaki at nagsimulang lumakad.
11 Nang makita ng mga taong-bayan ang ginawa ni Pablo, sumigaw sila sa wikang Licaonia, “Nanaog sa atin ang mga diyos sa anyong tao!”
12 Tinawag nilang Zeus si Bernabe, at si Pablo nama’y Hermes, sapagkat siya ang pangunahing tagapagsalita.
13 Nasa bungad ng lungsod ang templo ni Zeus. Ang pari ni Zeus ay nagdala ng mga toro at mga kuwintas na bulaklak sa may pintuan ng lungsod. Nais ng pari at ng mga tao na maghandog sa mga apostol.
14 Nang malaman ito ng mga apostol na sina Bernabe at Pablo, pinunit nila ang kanilang mga damit at patakbong pumagitna sa mga tao. Sumigaw sila,
15 “Mga ginoo, huwag ninyong gawin iyan! Mga tao rin kaming tulad ninyo! Ipinapangaral namin sa inyo ang Magandang Balita upang talikuran ninyo ang mga walang kabuluhang bagay na iyan, at manumbalik kayo sa Diyos na buháy na lumikha ng langit, lupa, dagat, at lahat ng naroroon.
16 Sa mga panahong nakalipas, hinayaan niyang gawin ng lahat ng bansa anuman ang kani-kanilang maibigan.
17 Gayunman, nagbigay siya ng sapat na katibayan upang makilala ninyo siya sa pamamagitan ng kabutihang ginagawa niya sa inyo. Binibigyan niya kayo ng ulan mula sa langit at ng masaganang ani sa takdang panahon. Binubusog niya kayo ng pagkain at pinupuno ng kagalakan ang inyong mga puso.”
18 Sa kabila ng mga pananalitang ito, nahirapan pa rin sina Bernabe at Pablo na pigilan ang mga tao na sila’y alayan ng mga handog.
19 Ngunit may mga Judiong dumating doon mula sa Antioquia at Iconio. Sinulsulan nila ang mga taga-Listra laban kay Pablo, kaya’t siya’y pinagbabato nila. Pagkatapos, siya ay kinaladkad nila sa labas ng bayan, sa pag-aakalang siya’y patay na,
20 subalit nang dumating ang mga alagad at palibutan siya, tumayo si Pablo at pumasok sa lungsod. Kinabukasan, nagpunta sila ni Bernabe sa Derbe.

ANG PAGBABALIK SA ANTIOQUIA

21 Ang Magandang Balita ay ipinangaral nina Pablo at Bernabe sa Derbe, at marami silang nahikayat na maging alagad. Pagkatapos, nagbalik sila sa Listra, Iconio, at Antioquia ng Pisidia.
22 Pinalakas nila ang loob ng mga alagad at pinayuhang manatiling tapat sa pananampalataya. “Daranas muna tayo ng maraming kapighatian upang makapasok sa kaharian ng Diyos,” sabi nila sa mga alagad.
23 Sa bawat iglesya ay nagtalaga sila ng mga matatandang mamumuno, at matapos manalangin at mag-ayuno, ang mga ito’y itinagubilin nila sa Panginoon na kanilang pinagtitiwalaan.
24 Tinahak nila ang Pisidia at nakarating sila sa Pamfilia.
25 Ipinangaral nila sa Perga ang salita ng Diyos at pagkatapos ay tumuloy sila sa Atalia.
26 Mula roon, naglayag silang pabalik sa Antioquia. Dito sila ipinagkatiwala sa pagkalinga ng Diyos para sa gawaing kanilang natapos na.
27 Pagdating sa Antioquia tinipon nila ang mga kaanib sa iglesya at isinalaysay ang lahat ng ginawa ng Diyos sa pamamagitan nila, at kung paanong nagbukas siya ng pagkakataon sa mga Hentil upang ang mga ito’y sumampalataya rin.
28 At matagal silang nanatili roon kasama ng mga alagad.

MGA GAWA 15

MGA GAWA 15 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Kapag binuksan ng Diyos ang isang pinto (Mga Gawa 14:27), ang kaaway ay may handang magsasara nito. Sa kasong ito, binisita ng mga legalista mula sa Judea ang simbahan ng Antioch at itinuro na ang mga Gentil ay dapat na maging mga Hudyo bago sila maging Kristiyano. Ang kanilang pagtuturo ay isang pagkakait ng kaligtasan sa pamamagitan ng biyaya sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya (Mga Gawa 10:43; Efeso 2:8–9).

Mahirap para sa mga orthodox na Hudyo na makita na ang kanilang maluwalhating sistema ng relihiyon, na ibinigay ng Diyos, ay natupad na kay Kristo at ngayon ay luma na. (Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit isinulat ang aklat ng Mga Hebreo.) Sa halip na talikuran ito, sinubukan nilang ihalo ang lumang relihiyon sa bago (Mateo 9:14–17).

Kapag hindi sumasang-ayon ang mga taimtim na Kristiyano, dapat silang magsama-sama, tingnan kung ano ang ginagawa ng Diyos sa Kanyang simbahan, at alamin kung ano ang sinasabi ng Salita tungkol dito. Sinabi nina Pedro, Pablo, at Bernabe kung ano ang ginagawa ng Diyos sa mga Gentil, at iniugnay ito ni Santiago sa Salita (Amos 9:11–12).

Sa desisyon, walang kompromiso sa doktrina, ngunit may pagsasaalang-alang sa praktikal. Sa utos, hiniling ng simbahan sa mga Hentil na huwag sadyang masaktan ang mga Hudyo. Makikita mo ang pagpapalawak ng alituntuning ito, ang pangunahing alituntunin ng pag-ibig, sa Mga Taga Roma 14–15 at 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 8–10.

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MGA GAWA 15 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG PAGPUPULONG SA JERUSALEM

1 May dumating doon na ilang taong mula sa Judea at nagturo sa mga kapatid, “Kapag hindi kayo nagpatuli ayon sa kaugaliang itinuturo ni Moises, hindi kayo maliligtas.”
2 Mahigpit itong tinutulan nina Pablo at Bernabe at naging mainitan ang kanilang pagtatalo. Kaya’t napagpasyahang papuntahin sa Jerusalem sina Pablo at Bernabe at ilan pang kapatid na taga-Antioquia, upang ang suliraning ito ay isangguni sa mga apostol at sa matatandang pinuno ng iglesya.
3 Isinugo nga sila ng iglesya at pagdaan nila sa Fenicia at Samaria, ibinalita nila roon na marami nang mga Hentil ang nahikayat sa pananampalataya. Ito nama’y labis na ikinagalak ng mga kapatid.
4 Pagdating nila sa Jerusalem, malugod silang tinanggap ng mga apostol, ng mga matatandang pinuno, at ng buong iglesya. Isinalaysay nila ang lahat ng ginawa ng Diyos sa pamamagitan nila.
5 Ngunit tumayo naman ang ilang mananampalatayang kabilang sa pangkat ng mga Pariseo at kanilang sinabi, “Kailangang tuliin at utusang tumupad sa Kautusan ni Moises ang mga Hentil na sumasampalataya.”
6 Nagpulong ang mga apostol at ang matatandang namumuno sa iglesya upang pag-aralan ang suliraning ito.
7 Pagkatapos ng mahabang pagtatalo, tumayo si Pedro at nagsalita, “Mga kapatid, nalalaman ninyo na noong mga nakaraang araw, hinirang ako ng Diyos upang mangaral ng Magandang Balita sa mga Hentil, at sila naman ay sumampalataya.
8 Ang Diyos na nakakasaliksik ng puso ang nagpatotoo na sila’y tinatanggap niya nang ipagkaloob niya sa kanila ang Espiritu Santo tulad ng pagkakaloob niya sa atin.
9 Walang pagkakaiba ang pagtingin ng Diyos sa kanila at sa atin; nilinis din niya ang kanilang puso sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pananampalataya.
10 Bakit sinusubok ninyo ang Diyos? Bakit ninyo iniaatang sa mga mananampalataya ang isang pasaning hindi nakayang dalhin ng ating mga ninuno at hindi rin natin kayang pasanin?
11 Sumasampalataya tayo na tayo’y maliligtas sa pamamagitan ng kagandahang-loob ng Panginoong Jesus at gayundin sila.”
12 Tumahimik ang buong kapulungan at nakinig sila habang isinasalaysay nina Bernabe at Pablo ang mga himalang ginawa ng Diyos sa mga Hentil sa pamamagitan nila.
13 Pagkatapos, si Santiago naman ang nagsalita, “Mga kapatid, makinig kayo sa akin.
14 Katatapos pa lamang isalaysay ni Simon kung paano unang ipinamalas ng Diyos ang kanyang pagkalinga sa mga Hentil upang mula sa kanila ay may mga mapabilang sa kanyang bayan.
15 Ito ay sumasang-ayon sa ipinahayag ng mga propeta, tulad ng nasusulat,
16 ‘Pagkatapos nito ay babalik ako, at muli kong itatayo ang bumagsak na kaharian ni David. Muli ko itong ibabangon mula sa kanyang pagkaguho,
17 upang ang Panginoon ay hanapin ng iba pang mga tao, ng lahat ng mga Hentil na tinawag ko upang maging akin.
18 Ganoon ang sinabi ng Panginoon na nagpahayag ng mga bagay na ito mula pa noong una.’”
19 Nagpatuloy si Santiago, “Kaya’t ang pasya ko’y huwag nating pahirapan ang mga Hentil na lumalapit sa Diyos.
20 Sa halip, sulatan natin sila na huwag kumain ng anumang inihandog sa diyus-diyosan, huwag makikiapid, at huwag kakain ng hayop [na binigti] at ng dugo.
21 Sapagkat mula pa noong unang panahon, ang Kautusan ni Moises ay binabasa na sa mga sinagoga tuwing Araw ng Pamamahinga at ang aral niya ay itinuturo sa bawat bayan.”

ANG SULAT SA MGA HENTIL NA SUMASAMPALATAYA

22 Kaya’t minabuti ng mga apostol, ng matatandang pinuno ng iglesya, at ng buong iglesya na pumili ng ilan sa kanila upang suguin sa Antioquia, kasama nina Pablo at Bernabe. Ang mga napili nila ay si Judas na tinatawag na Barsabas at si Silas, na mga lalaking iginagalang ng mga kapatid.
23 Ipinadala nila sa kanila ang sulat na ganito ang nilalaman: “Kaming mga apostol at ang matatandang pinuno ng iglesya, inyong mga kapatid, ay bumabati sa mga kapatid naming Hentil na nasa Antioquia, sa Siria at sa Cilicia.
24 Nabalitaan naming ginugulo kayo ng ilang kasamahan naming galing dito, kahit na hindi namin sila inutusan. At binabagabag nila kayo sa pamamagitan ng kanilang itinuturo,
25 kaya’t napagkaisahan naming magpadala sa inyo ng mga sugo. Kasama sila ng ating minamahal na sina Bernabe at Pablo,
26 mga taong hindi nag-atubiling itaya ang kanilang buhay sa paglilingkod sa ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo.
27 Isinugo namin sa inyo sina Judas at Silas upang ipaliwanag ang sinasabi sa sulat na ito.
28 Sapagkat minabuti namin at ng Espiritu Santo na huwag na kayong atangan ng iba pang pasanin maliban sa mga bagay na ito na talagang kailangan:
29 huwag kayong kakain ng anumang inihandog sa mga diyus-diyosan, ng dugo at ng hayop na binigti, at huwag kayong makikiapid. Layuan ninyo ang mga iyan para sa ikabubuti ninyo. Paalam.”
30 At pinalakad nila ang mga sugo. Pagdating sa Antioquia, tinipon ng mga ito ang mga kapatid at ibinigay ang sulat.
31 Pagkabasa sa sulat, nagalak ang lahat dahil sa mensaheng nagpalakas ng kanilang loob.
32 Sina Judas at Silas, na mga propeta rin, ay maraming itinuro sa mga kapatid na nakapagpasigla at nakapagpatibay ng kanilang pananampalataya.
33 Ang dalawa’y tumigil doon nang kaunting panahon. Pagkatapos, sila’y pinabalik na taglay ang pagbati ng mga kapatid para sa mga nagsugo sa kanila.
[34 Ngunit minabuti ni Silas ang manatili doon.]
35 Subalit nanatili sina Pablo at Bernabe sa Antioquia, at kasama ng marami pang iba ay nagturo at nangaral ng salita ng Panginoon.

ANG PAGHIHIWALAY NINA PABLO AT BERNABE

36 Makalipas ang ilang araw, sinabi ni Pablo kay Bernabe, “Balikan natin at dalawin ang mga kapatid sa mga bayan kung saan tayo nangaral ng salita ng Panginoon at tingnan natin kung ano ang kalagayan nila.”
37 Nais ni Bernabe na isama si Juan na tinatawag ding Marcos.
38 Ngunit ayaw ni Pablo, sapagkat hindi ito nagpatuloy na sumama sa kanilang gawain, sa halip, ito’y humiwalay sa kanila sa Pamfilia.
39 Nagkaroon sila ng mainitang pagtatalo kaya’t naghiwalay sila. Isinama ni Bernabe si Marcos at naglayag sila papuntang Cyprus.
40 Isinama naman ni Pablo si Silas at sila’y umalis, matapos silang ipagkatiwala ng mga kapatid sa pag-iingat ng Panginoon.
41 Naglakbay sila sa Siria at Cilicia at pinatatag ang mga iglesya roon.

MGA GAWA 16

MGA GAWA 16 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Sumulat si Pablo, “Datapuwa’t sa lahat ng mga bagay ay ipinahahayag namin ang aming sarili bilang mga ministro ng Dios: sa buong pagtitiis” (2 Corinto 6:4). Tingnan ang pasensya ni Paul. . .

SA PAGHIHINTAY NG ISANG KATULONG (Mga Gawa 16:1–5)
Pinalitan ni Timoteo si Juan Marcos at naging isang tunay na anak sa pananampalataya kay Pablo. May tamang tao ang Diyos na nakahanda sa tamang panahon, kaya maging matiyaga.

SA PAGHAHANAP NG KALOOBAN NG DIYOS (Mga Gawa 16:6–10)
Siya ay isang apostol, ngunit hindi niya laging alam ang direksyon na nais ng Diyos na tahakin niya. Siya ay gumawa ng mga hakbang, ang Diyos ay nagsara ng mga pinto, kaya siya ay naghintay; at pagkatapos ay ipinakita sa kanya ng Diyos ang daan.

SA PAGLILINGKOD SA SALITA (Mga Gawa 16:11–15)
Naghintay sila ng “ilang araw” bago humanap ng lugar para magpatotoo, at inihanda ng Diyos ang lahat ng puso.

SA PAGTITIIS NG INIS (Mga Gawa 16:16–18)
Tiniis ni Paul ang demonyong promosyon hangga’t kaya niya at pagkatapos ay pinalayas ang demonyo. Alam ni Paul na ang kanyang pagkilos ay lilikha ng mga problema para sa kanya, at nangyari iyon.

SA PAGTITIIS NG PAGDURUSA (Mga Gawa 16:19–25)
Hindi ginamit ni Pablo ang kanyang pagkamamamayang Romano upang protektahan ang kanyang sarili mula sa sakit (Mga Gawa 22:22-29), ngunit kalaunan ay ginamit niya ito upang protektahan ang bagong simbahan (Mga Gawa 16:35-40). Kapag nasaktan ka, hilingin sa Diyos na bigyan ka ng mga awit sa gabi (Mga Awit 42:8).

SA PAGKAPANALO SA NAWAWALANG KALULUWA (Mga Gawa 16:26–34)
Ang mga mata ni Paul ay nasa tagabantay ng bilangguan at sa kagandahang-loob ay nakuha siya kay Kristo. Gaano tayo handa na magdusa para makuha ang isang tao para sa Panginoon, lalo na ang taong nanakit sa atin?

“Ang pasensya ay kapangyarihan. Sa oras at pasensya, ang dahon ng mulberry ay nagiging sutla. ”

Kawikaan ng Tsino

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MGA GAWA 16 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

SUMAMA SI TIMOTEO KINA PABLO AT SILAS

1 Nagpunta rin si Pablo sa Derbe at sa Listra. May isang alagad doon na ang pangala’y Timoteo. Ang kanyang ina ay isang mananampalatayang Judio at ang kanyang ama nama’y isang Griego.
2 Mataas ang pagtingin ng mga kapatid sa Listra at sa Iconio kay Timoteo.
3 Ibig isama ni Pablo si Timoteo kaya’t tinuli niya ito alang-alang sa mga Judio sa lungsod na iyon, dahil alam nilang lahat na ang kanyang ama ay isang Griego.
4 Sa bawat lungsod na kanilang dalawin, ipinaaalam nila sa mga kapatid ang pasya ng mga apostol at mga pinuno ng iglesya sa Jerusalem, at iniutos na sundin iyon.
5 Kaya’t tumibay sa pananampalataya ang mga kaanib ng mga iglesya, at araw-araw ay nadagdagan ang kanilang bilang.

ANG PANGITAIN NI PABLO SA TROAS

6 Sapagkat binawalan sila ng Espiritu Santo na mangaral sa lalawigan ng Asia, naglakbay sina Pablo sa lupain ng Frigia at Galacia.
7 Pagdating sa hangganan ng Misia, papasok na sana sila sa Bitinia, subalit hindi sila pinahintulutan ng Espiritu ni Jesus.
8 Kaya’t dumaan sila ng Misia at nagpunta sa Troas.
9 Kinagabihan, nagkaroon si Pablo ng isang pangitain; isang lalaking taga-Macedonia ang nakatayo at nakikiusap sa kanya, “Pumarito kayo sa Macedonia at tulungan ninyo kami.”
10 Pagkatapos ng pangitaing ito, gumayak agad kami sapagkat natiyak naming kami’y tinatawag ng Diyos upang ipangaral sa Macedonia ang Magandang Balita.

SUMAMPALATAYA SI LYDIA

11 Mula sa Troas, tuluy-tuloy kaming naglayag papuntang Samotracia, at kinabukasa’y sa Neapolis.
12 Mula naman roo’y nagpunta kami sa Filipos, isang pangunahing lungsod na sakop ng mga Romano sa dakong iyon ng Macedonia. Nanatili kami roon nang ilang araw.
13 At nang Araw ng Pamamahinga, lumabas kami ng lungsod at nagpunta sa tabing-ilog, sa pag-aakalang doon ay may pinagtitipunan ang mga Judio upang manalangin. Naupo kami at nakipag-usap sa mga babaing nagkakatipon doon.
14 Kabilang sa mga nakikinig ang isang sumasamba sa Diyos na nagngangalang Lydia na taga-Tiatira; siya’y isang negosyante na nagtitinda ng mamahaling telang kulay ube. Binuksan ng Panginoon ang kanyang isip upang kanyang pakinggan ang ipinapangaral ni Pablo.
15 Nagpabautismo siya at ang kanyang buong pamilya. Pagkatapos, sinabi niya, “Kung itinuturing po ninyo akong tunay na lingkod ng Panginoon, doon na kayo tumuloy sa amin.” Mahigpit ang kanyang anyaya kaya’t hindi namin napahindian.

SA BILANGGUAN SA FILIPOS

16 Isang araw, nang kami’y papunta sa pook-dalanginan, nasalubong namin ang isang batang babaing alipin. Sinasapian siya ng masamang espiritu kaya siya nakakapanghula. Malaki ang kinikita ng kanyang mga amo dahil sa kanyang panghuhula.
17 Sinundan-sundan niya kami nina Pablo, at sumisigaw ng ganito: “Ang mga taong ito’y lingkod ng Kataas-taasang Diyos! Ipinapahayag nila sa inyo kung paano kayo maliligtas!”
18 Marami nang araw na ginagawa niya iyon kaya’t nainis na si Pablo. Hinarap niya ang bata at sinabi sa espiritu, “Iniuutos ko sa iyo sa pangalan ni Jesu-Cristo, lumabas ka sa babaing iyan!” At noon di’y lumabas ang espiritu.
19 Nang makita ng mga amo ng bata na nawala na ang kanilang pinagkakakitaan, sinunggaban nila sina Pablo at Silas, kinaladkad sa liwasang-bayan at iniharap sa mga maykapangyarihan.
20 Iniharap sila sa mga pinuno ng lungsod at pinaratangan ng ganito: “Nanggugulo po sa lungsod ang mga Judiong ito.
21 Nagtuturo sila ng mga kaugaliang labag sa kautusan nating mga Romano. Hindi natin maaaring sundin ang mga itinuturo nila.”
22 Nakisali ang mga tao sa pananakit sa kanila, at pinahubaran sila ng mga pinuno at ipinahagupit.
23 Pagkatapos hampasin nang paulit-ulit, sila’y ipinabilanggo at pinabantayang mabuti.
24 Ipinasok sila ng bantay sa kaloob-looban ng bilangguan at inilagay ang kanilang mga paa sa pagitan ng dalawang mabibigat na kahoy.
25 Nang maghahatinggabi na, sina Pablo at Silas ay nananalangin at umaawit ng mga himno sa Diyos, at nakikinig naman ang ibang mga bilanggo.
26 Walang anu-ano’y lumindol nang malakas at nayanig pati ang mga pundasyon ng bilangguan. Biglang nabuksan ang mga pinto at nakalag ang mga tanikala ng lahat ng bilanggo.
27 Nagising ang bantay ng bilangguan, at nang makita niyang bukás ang mga pinto, inakala niyang nakatakas ang mga bilanggo. Dahil dito’y binunot niya ang kanyang tabak at magpapakamatay na sana.
28 Ngunit sumigaw si Pablo, “Huwag mong saktan ang iyong sarili! Narito kaming lahat!”
29 Humingi ng ilaw ang bantay, patakbong pumasok at nanginginig na nagpatirapa sa harapan nina Pablo at Silas.
30 Sila ay inilabas niya at sinabi, “Mga ginoo, ano po ang dapat kong gawin upang ako’y maligtas?”
31 Sumagot naman sila, “Sumampalataya ka sa Panginoong Jesus, at maliligtas ka, ikaw at ang iyong sambahayan.”
32 At ang salita ng Panginoon ay ipinahayag nila sa kanya at sa lahat ng nasa kanyang bahay.
33 Nang oras ding iyon, hinugasan ng bantay ang kanilang mga sugat at siya’y nagpabautismo, pati ang buo niyang sambahayan.
34 Pagkatapos, sila ay isinama niya sa kanyang tahanan at ipinaghanda ng pagkain. Masayang-masaya ang bantay at ang kanyang buong sambahayan, sapagkat sila’y sumampalataya sa Diyos.
35 Kinaumagahan, inutusan ng mga pinuno ng lungsod ang mga kawal na palayain sina Pablo at Silas.
36 Kaya’t sinabi ng bantay ng bilangguan kay Pablo, “Iniutos po ng mga pinuno na palayain na kayo. Lumabas na kayo at umalis nang mapayapa.”
37 Subalit sinabi ni Pablo sa mga kawal, “Ipinahagupit nila kami nang hayagan at ipinabilanggo nang hindi man lang nilitis gayong kami’y mga mamamayang Romano! At ngayo’y palihim nila kaming palalayain? Hindi maaari! Sila ang pumarito at magpalaya sa amin.”
38 Ipinaalam ng mga kawal sa mga pinuno ng lungsod ang sinabi ni Pablo, at natakot ang mga iyon nang malamang sina Pablo at Silas pala ay mamamayang Romano.
39 Kaya’t sila’y pumunta sa bilangguan at humingi ng paumanhin sa dalawa. Inilabas nila sina Pablo at Silas at pinakiusapang lisanin ang lungsod.
40 Pagkalabas ng bilangguan, sina Pablo at Silas ay nagtuloy sa bahay ni Lydia at dinatnan nila roon ang mga kapatid. Bago umalis ang dalawa, pinagbilinan nila ang mga kapatid na magpakatatag sa pananampalataya.

MGA GAWA 17

MGA GAWA 17 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

ANG PAGTANGGI SA BAGO (Mga Gawa 17:1–9)
Ang mga Hudyo sa Tesalonica ay hindi interesado sa bagong pananampalataya o sa “bagong hari” na ipinangaral ni Pablo, ngunit tinanggap ng mga Gentil na “naghahanap ng Diyos” ang ebanghelyo at naligtas. Basahin ang 1 Tesalonica 1 para makita ang pagbabagong naranasan nila.

PAGSISIYASAT SA BAGO (Mga Gawa 17:10–15)
Ang susunod na bayan ay kabaligtaran lamang! Ang mga Judio sa Berea ay nag-ukol ng panahon upang suriin ang katibayan at pag-aralan ang Kasulatan. May mga taong makatarungan ang pag-iisip sa bawat bansa, at alam ng Diyos kung sino sila.

NAGHAHANAP NG BAGO (Mga Gawa 17:16–34)
Ang mga tao sa Athens ay “ginugol ang kanilang oras sa walang iba kundi ang magsabi o makinig ng bagong bagay” (Mga Gawa 17:21). Katulad ng ating mundo ngayon! Ang paghahanap para sa bagong bagay ay sumasaklaw sa paghahanap ng katotohanan. Ang sermon ni Pablo ay isang obra maestra ng taktika at pagtuturo, at ilang tao ang napagbagong loob.

Inalok sila ni Pablo ng “bagong buhay” sa pamamagitan ng Pagkabuhay na Mag-uli (Roma 6:4), at tinanggihan nila ito.

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MGA GAWA 17 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

SA TESALONICA

1 Dumaan sina Pablo at Silas sa Amfipolis at Apolonia, hanggang sa makarating sa Tesalonica. Sa lungsod na ito’y may sinagoga ang mga Judio,
2 at ayon sa kinaugalian ni Pablo, siya’y pumasok doon. Sa loob ng tatlong magkakasunod na Araw ng Pamamahinga, siya ay nakipagpaliwanagan sa kanila. Mula sa Kasulatan
3 ipinaliwanag niya at pinatunayan na kinailangang magdusa ang Cristo at muling mabuhay. Sinabi niya, “Ang Jesus na ito, na ipinapahayag ko sa inyo, ay ang Cristo!”
4 Naniwala at nahikayat na sumama kina Pablo at Silas ang ilan sa kanila, gayundin ang maraming kababaihang kinikilala sa lungsod, at ang napakaraming debotong Griego.
5 Ngunit nainggit ang mga Judio, kaya’t tinipon nila ang mga palaboy sa lansangan at sila’y gumawa ng gulo sa lungsod. Nilusob nila ang bahay ni Jason at pilit na hinanap sina Pablo at Silas upang iharap sa bayan.
6 Nang hindi nila matagpuan ang dalawa, kinaladkad nila si Jason at ilan sa mga kapatid at iniharap sa mga pinuno ng lungsod. Ganito ang kanilang sigaw: “Ang ating lungsod ay napasok ng mga taong nanggugulo kahit saan makarating,
7 at sila’y pinatuloy ni Jason. Nilalabag nilang lahat ang mga batas ng Emperador. Sinasabi nilang may iba pang hari na ang pangala’y Jesus.”
8 Kaya’t nagulo ang taong-bayan at ang mga pinuno ng lungsod dahil sa sigawang ito.
9 Si Jason at ang kanyang mga kasama’y pinagmulta ng mga pinuno bago pinalaya.

SA BEREA

10 Nang gabi ring iyon ay pinapunta ng mga kapatid sina Pablo at Silas sa Berea. Pagdating doon, sila’y pumasok sa sinagoga ng mga Judio.
11 Mas bukás ang isipan ng mga Judiong tagaroon kaysa sa mga Judiong taga-Tesalonica. May pananabik silang nakinig sa mga paliwanag ni Pablo, at sinaliksik nila araw-araw ang mga Kasulatan upang tingnan kung totoo nga ang sinasabi niya.
12 Sumampalataya ang maraming Judio roon, gayundin ang mga Griego, pawang mga lalaki at mga babaing kilala sa lipunan.
13 Subalit nang mabalitaan ng mga Judio sa Tesalonica na ipinapangaral din ni Pablo sa Berea ang salita ng Diyos, sila’y nagpunta roon at sinulsulan ang taong-bayan upang gumawa ng gulo.
14 Kaya’t si Pablo’y dali-daling pinaalis ng mga kapatid at pinapunta sa tabing-dagat. Ngunit naiwan sina Silas at Timoteo.
15 Ang mga naghatid kay Pablo ay sumama sa kanya hanggang sa Atenas. Pagkatapos, nagbalik sila sa Berea taglay ang bilin ni Pablo kina Silas at Timoteo na sumunod sa kanya sa lalong madaling panahon.

SA ATENAS

16 Habang sina Silas at Timoteo’y hinihintay ni Pablo sa Atenas, napansin niyang puno ng mga diyus-diyosan ang lungsod kaya’t nabagabag ang kanyang espiritu.
17 Kaya’t nakipagpaliwanagan siya sa loob ng mga sinagoga roon, sa mga Judio at sa mga Hentil na sumasamba sa Diyos, at sa sinumang makatagpo niya sa liwasang-bayan araw-araw.
18 Nakipagtalo rin sa kanya ang ilang mga pilosopong Griego na mga Epicureo at Estoico. “Ano ba ang sinasabi sa atin ng nagmamarunong na iyan?” sabi ng ilan. Sabi naman ng iba, “Nangangaral yata tungkol sa ibang mga diyos.” Sinabi nila iyon dahil nangaral si Pablo tungkol kay Jesus at sa muling pagkabuhay.
19 Siya’y isinama nila at iniharap sa kapulungan ng Areopago at tinanong, “Maaari bang malaman namin kung ano itong bagong aral na itinuturo mo?
20 Bago sa aming pandinig ang sinasabi mo, kaya’t nais naming malaman ang kahulugan nito.”
21 Sapagkat walang ginagawa ang mga taga-Atenas at mga dayuhang naninirahan doon kundi ang mag-usap-usap at makinig tungkol sa mga bagong turo.
22 Tumayo si Pablo sa harap ng kapulungan ng Areopago at nagsalita, “Mga taga-Atenas, napapansin kong kayo’y lubos na napaka-relihiyoso sa maraming bagay.
23 Sapagkat sa paglalakad ko sa lungsod at pagmamasid sa inyong mga sinasamba, nakakita ako ng isang dambana na may nakasulat, ‘Sa Diyos na hindi kilala.’ Ang Diyos na inyong sinasamba kahit hindi ninyo nakikilala ang siya kong ipinapahayag sa inyo.
24 Ang Diyos na gumawa ng sanlibutan at lahat ng naririto ay ang Panginoon ng langit at ng lupa, at hindi naninirahan sa mga templong ginawa ng tao.
25 Hindi rin siya nangangailangan ng anumang tulong o paglilingkod ng tao, sapagkat siya mismo ang nagbibigay ng buhay, hininga at lahat ng bagay sa sangkatauhan.
26 Mula sa isang tao’y nilikha niya ang lahat ng lahi sa buong mundo. Itinakda niya sa simula’t simula pa ang kani-kanilang panahon at hangganan.
27 Ginawa niya iyon upang hanapin nila ang Diyos; baka sakaling sa kanilang paghahanap, siya ay matagpuan nila. Ang totoo, hindi naman siya talagang malayo sa bawat isa sa atin;
28 sapagkat, ‘Nakasalalay sa kanya ang ating buhay, pagkilos at pagkatao.’ Tulad ng sinabi ng ilan sa inyong mga makata,‘Tayo nga’y mga anak niya.’
29 Sapagkat tayo’y mga anak ng Diyos, huwag nating akalain na ang kanyang pagka-Diyos ay mailalarawan ng ginto, pilak, o bato na pawang likha ng isip at gawa ng kamay ng tao.
30 Sa mga nagdaang panahon ay pinalampas ng Diyos ang di pagkakilala sa kanya ng mga tao, ngunit ngayon ay iniuutos niya sa lahat ng tao sa bawat lugar na magsisi’t talikuran ang kanilang masamang pamumuhay.
31 Sapagkat itinakda na niya ang araw ng paghuhukom sa sanlibutan, at ito’y buong katarungan niyang gagawin sa pamamagitan ng isang tao na kanyang hinirang. Pinatunayan niya ito sa lahat nang muli niyang binuhay ang taong iyon.”
32 Nang marinig nila ang sinabi ni Pablo tungkol sa muling pagkabuhay, tinuya siya ng ilan. Sinabi naman ng iba, “Nais naming mapakinggan kang muli tungkol dito.”
33 At iniwan ni Pablo ang mga tao.
34 May ilang sumama sa kanya at sumampalataya sa Diyos. Kabilang dito sina Dionisio na kaanib ng kapulungan ng Areopago, isang babaing nagngangalang Damaris, at mga iba pa.

MGA GAWA 19

MGA GAWA 19 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Mababasa natin sa kabanatang ito na “ang salita ng Panginoon ay lumaking makapangyarihan at nanaig” (Mga Gawa 19:20). Kailan ito nangyayari?

KAPAG PINAGTITIBAY NATIN ANG ATING PANANAMPALATAYA (Mga Gawa 19:1–10)
Kapag naniniwala ka kay Jesu-Cristo, tinatanggap mo ang kaloob ng Banal na Espiritu (Mga Gawa 10:43-48; Roma 8:9). Maraming tao ang nag-iisip na sila ay nagbalik-loob ngunit walang patotoo ng Espiritu sa loob (1 Juan 5:9–13). Si Pablo ay hindi makapagtayo ng simbahan sa mga lalaking may hindi sapat na espirituwal na karanasan, gayundin tayo ngayon. Dapat tayong maging tapat sa Diyos.

KAPAG IPINAHAHAYAG NATIN ANG ATING MGA KASALANAN (Mga Gawa 19:11–20)
Ang diyablo ay isang mahusay na tagagaya, ngunit sa kasong ito, ang kanyang pagtatangka ay isang nakakahiyang kabiguan. Ginamit ito ng Panginoon para sa kabutihan, dahil ang mga mananampalataya ay nahatulan tungkol sa kanilang mga lihim na kasalanan at ipinagtapat ang mga ito. Pagkatapos ang Espiritu ay maaaring kumilos sa makapangyarihang kapangyarihan, at ang Salita ay lumago!

KAPAG NAKAHARAP NATIN ANG KAAWAY (Mga Gawa 19:21–41)
Hindi hayagang inatake ni Pablo ang kanilang idolatriya sa pamamagitan ng pagpiket sa templo ni Diana o pagpetisyon sa pamahalaan ng lungsod. Ibinahagi lamang niya ang Salita, at nabago ang mga buhay. Siyempre, ang tunay na isyu ay pera, hindi relihiyon. Si Paul ay matalino na hindi pumasok sa teatro, bagaman hinahangaan natin siya sa kanyang katapangan. Ngunit ang kaguluhan ay tumawag lamang ng pansin sa ebanghelyo at nagbigay sa mga mananampalataya mas maraming pagkakataong makasaksi.

Ang mga pangyayari na mukhang hadlang ay talagang mga pagkakataon kapag hinayaan mong kumilos ang Diyos.

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MGA GAWA 19 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

SI PABLO SA EFESO

1 Habang nasa Corinto si Apolos, tinahak naman ni Pablo ang iba’t ibang dako ng lalawigan hanggang sa siya’y makarating sa Efeso. May natagpuan siya roon na ilang alagad
2 at sila’y tinanong niya, “Tinanggap ba ninyo ang Espiritu Santo nang kayo’y sumampalataya?” “Hindi po, ni hindi namin narinig na may Espiritu Santo pala,” tugon nila.
3 “Kung gayon, anong uri ng bautismo ang tinanggap ninyo?” tanong niya. “Bautismo ni Juan,” tugon nila.
4 Kaya’t sinabi ni Pablo, “Binautismuhan ni Juan ang mga nagsisi at tumalikod sa kasalanan. Ipinangaral niya sa mga Israelita na sila’y sumampalataya kay Jesus, ang dumarating na kasunod niya.”
5 Nang marinig nila iyon, nagpabautismo sila sa pangalan ng Panginoong Jesus.
6 Nang ipatong ni Pablo ang kanyang kamay sa kanila, bumabâ sa kanila ang Espiritu Santo at sila’y nagsalita ng iba’t ibang wika at nagpahayag ng mensahe mula sa Diyos.
7 Humigit-kumulang sa labindalawang lalaki ang nagpabautismo.
8 Sa loob ng tatlong buwan, si Pablo’y pumapasok sa sinagoga at buong tapang na nagpapaliwanag sa mga naroon at hinihikayat sila tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos.
9 Ngunit may ilan sa kanila na nagmatigas at ayaw sumampalataya, at nagsalita pa ng masama laban sa Daan sa harap ng kapulungan. Kaya’t iniwan ni Pablo ang sinagoga kasama ang mga mananampalataya at nagpatuloy ng kanyang pangangaral araw-araw sa bulwagan ni Tirano.
10 Tumagal siya roon nang dalawang taon, kaya’t ang lahat ng naninirahan sa Asia, maging Judio o Griego ay nakarinig ng salita ng Panginoon.

ANG MGA ANAK NI ESCEVA

11 Gumawa ang Diyos ng mga pambihirang himala sa pamamagitan ni Pablo.
12 Kahit panyo o damit na kanyang ginamit ay dinala sa mga maysakit, at gumaling ang mga ito at lumayas ang masasamang espiritung nagpapahirap sa kanila.
13 May ilang Judio roon na naglilibot at nagpapalayas ng masasamang espiritu. Pinangahasan nilang gamitin ang pangalan ng Panginoong Jesus sa pagpapalayas ng masasamang espiritu sa mga sinasapian ng mga ito. Sinabi nila, “Sa pangalan ni Jesus na ipinapangaral ni Pablo, iniuutos ko sa inyo, lumayas kayo.”
14 Kabilang sa gumagawa nito ay ang pitong anak na lalaki ni Esceva, isang pinakapunong pari ng mga Judio.
15 Subalit sinagot sila ng masamang espiritu, “Kilala ko si Jesus at kilala ko rin si Pablo, ngunit sino kayo?”
16 At sila’y nilundag ng lalaking sinasapian ng masamang espiritu, tinalo silang lahat at malubhang sinaktan, anupa’t hubad at sugatan silang tumakas sa bahay na iyon.
17 Nabalitaan iyon ng lahat ng naninirahan sa Efeso, maging Judio o Hentil, kaya’t natakot silang lahat at pinuri ang pangalan ng Panginoong Jesus.
18 Marami sa mga sumampalataya ang dumating at nagpahayag ng mga dati nilang gawain.
19 Marami sa mga dating gumagamit ng mahika ang nagtipon ng kanilang mga aklat at sinunog ang mga ito sa harap ng madla. Sa kabuuan, ang halaga ng mga ito ay umabot sa limampung libong salaping pilak.
20 Sa ganitong makapangyarihang paraan ay lumaganap at nagtagumpay ang salita ng Panginoon.

ANG KAGULUHAN SA EFESO

21 Pagkatapos ng mga pangyayaring ito, sa patnubay ng Espiritu ay nagpasya si Pablo na maglakbay sa Macedonia at Acaya papuntang Jerusalem. “Kailangan ko ring pumunta sa Roma pagkagaling sa Jerusalem,” sabi niya.
22 Pinauna niya sa Macedonia sina Timoteo at Erasto, dalawa sa kanyang mga kamanggagawa, at siya’y tumigil sa Asia nang kaunti pang panahon.
23 Nang panahong iyon ay nagkaroon ng isang malaking kaguluhan dahil sa Daan ng Panginoon.
24 May isang panday-pilak na nagngangalang Demetrio, na gumagawa ng maliliit na templong pilak ng kanilang diyosang si Artemis, at ito’y pinagkakakitaan nang malaki.
25 Tinipon niya ang kanyang mga manggagawa at ang iba pang mga taong ganito rin ang hanapbuhay. Sinabi niya, “Mga kasama, alam ninyong sa gawaing ito nagmumula ang ating masaganang pamumuhay.
26 Nakikita ninyo’t naririnig kung ano ang ginagawa ng Pablong iyan. Sinasabi niyang ang mga diyos na ginawa ng kamay ng tao ay hindi raw diyos, at marami siyang napapaniwala, hindi lamang dito sa Efeso kundi sa buong Asia.
27 Nanganganib na magkaroon ng masamang pangalan ang ating hanapbuhay. Hindi lang iyon, nanganganib din na ang templo ng dakilang diyosang si Artemis ay mawalan ng kabuluhan, at ang dakilang diyosa na sinasamba ng Asia at ng buong daigdig ay hindi na igagalang.”
28 Pagkarinig nito, nagsiklab ang kanilang galit at sila’y nagsigawan, “Dakila si Artemis ng mga taga-Efeso!”
29 Kaya’t nagkagulo ang mga tao sa buong lungsod; sama-sama silang sumugod sa tanghalan at kinaladkad nila roon sina Gaius at Aristarco, mga taga-Macedoniang kasama ni Pablo sa paglalakbay.
30 Nais sana ni Pablong humarap sa madla, ngunit hindi siya pinayagan ng mga kapatid.
31 Nagpasugo rin sa kanya ang ilang kaibigang mga pinuno sa lalawigang Asia. Mahigpit siyang pinakiusapang huwag pumunta sa tanghalan.
32 Magulung-magulo ang kapulungan; may sumisigaw ng isang bagay, at ang iba’y iba naman. Hindi alam ng karamihan kung bakit sila nagkatipun-tipon doon.
33 Inakala ng ilang naroon na si Alejandro ang dahilan sapagkat siya ang ibinungad ng mga Judio sa madla. Sumenyas si Alejandro sa mga tao na tumahimik upang siya’y makapagpaliwanag.
34 Subalit nang makilala nilang siya’y isang Judio, sabay-sabay silang sumigaw sa loob ng dalawang oras, “Dakila si Artemis ng mga taga-Efeso!”
35 Sa wakas ang mga tao’y napatahimik ng isang opisyal ng lungsod. At kanyang sinabi, “Mga taga-Efeso! Sino ang hindi nakakaalam na ang lungsod ng Efeso ang siyang tagapag-ingat ng templo ng dakilang Artemis at ng banal na batong nahulog mula sa langit?
36 Hindi maaaring pabulaanan ninuman ang mga bagay na ito. Kaya’t huminahon kayo! Huwag kayong magpabigla-bigla.
37 Hindi naman nagnanakaw sa templo ang mga taong dinala ninyo rito. Hindi rin nila nilalait ang ating diyosa.
38 Kung si Demetrio at ang mga manggagawang kasama niya ay may reklamo laban sa kaninuman, bukás ang mga hukuman, at may mga pinuno tayo. Doon sila magsakdal.
39 Ngunit kung may iba pa kayong habol, maaaring pag-usapan iyan sa isang pagpupulong ng mga mamamayan na naaayon sa batas.
40 Dahil sa nangyari ngayong araw na ito, maaaring maparatangan tayo na nanggugulo sa bayan, at wala tayong maibibigay na dahilan o katuwiran sa kaguluhang ito.”
41 Pagkatapos, pinauwi na niya ang mga tao.

MGA GAWA 20

MGA GAWA 20 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Ang mga kaguluhan ay karaniwang humihinto, kaya maging matiyaga; ngunit siguraduhing maghanda para sa susunod na labanan.

Si Paul ay pupunta sa Jerusalem. Sa daan, nakipagkita siya sa mga mahal na kaibigan, nagministeryo ng Salita, at nasiyahan pa sa tahimik na paglalakbay at nakakapreskong paglalakad (Mga Gawa 20:13). Ang mga lingkod ng Diyos ay kailangang lumayo sa mga tao at magkaroon ng panahon na mag-isa para mag-isip, magbulay-bulay, at manalangin. Alam ni Pablo na nahaharap siya sa panganib sa Jerusalem (Mga Gawa 20:22–23), at gusto niyang maging handa sa espirituwal.

Sa kanyang pamamaalam na mensahe sa mga elder, nirepaso ni Pablo ang kanyang nakaraang ministeryo (Mga Gawa 20:18–21), ibinahagi ang kanyang kasalukuyang mga alalahanin (Mga Gawa 20:22–24), at inihayag ang mga panganib sa hinaharap (Mga Gawa 20:28–31). Kung gusto mong makuha ang puso ni Pablo, isaalang-alang ang kaniyang mga sinabi: “Ang paglilingkod sa Panginoon . . . Wala akong itinago. . . upang matapos ko ang aking takbuhan ng may kagalakan. . . . Mas mapalad ang magbigay kaysa tumanggap. ”

Isang araw, magwawakas ang buhay, at kailangan nating magbigay ng ating talumpati sa pamamaalam. Maaari ba tayong lumingon nang walang pagsisisi at tumingin sa unahan nang walang takot? Tatapusin ba natin ang ating karera nang may kagalakan kahit ang iba ay umiiyak?

MGA LIHAM NI PAUL

Habang nirepaso ni Pablo ang kanyang ministeryo sa Mga Gawa 20:24–26, nakita niya ang kanyang sarili bilang isang accountant (“nagbibilang ako ”), isang mananakbo (“maaari kong tapusin ang aking takbuhan ”), isang katiwala (“ang ministeryo na aking tinanggap ”), isang saksi (“upang magpatotoo ”), isang tagapagbalita (“pangangaral ng kaharian ”), at isang bantay (“walang sala sa dugo”). Anong laking pananagutan ang maging isang lingkod ng Diyos!

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MGA GAWA 20 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG PAGPUNTA SA MACEDONIA AT GRECIA

1 Nang tumigil na ang gulo, ipinatawag ni Pablo ang mga alagad at pinalakas ang kanilang loob. Pagkatapos, nagpaalam siya at nagpunta sa Macedonia.
2 Dinalaw niya ang mga bayan-bayan doon at pinalakas ang loob ng mga alagad sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pangangaral. Nagpatuloy siya hanggang sa dumating siya sa Grecia
3 at nanatili doon sa loob ng tatlong buwan. Aalis na sana siya papuntang Siria ngunit nabalitaan niyang may tangka ang mga Judio laban sa kanya, kaya’t ipinasya niyang sa Macedonia na uli magdaan sa kanyang pagbabalik.
4 Sumama sa kanya ang taga-Bereang si Sopater na anak ni Pirro, gayundin sina Aristarco at Segundo na mga taga-Tesalonica, si Gaius na taga-Derbe, si Timoteo, at sina Tiquico at Trofimo na mga taga-Asia.
5 Nauna sila at naghintay sa amin doon sa Troas.
6 Kami naman ay sumakay sa barko mula sa Filipos pagkaraan ng Pista ng Tinapay na Walang Pampaalsa, at dumating kami sa Troas nang ikalimang araw. Nanatili kami roon nang pitong araw.

HULING DALAW NI PABLO SA TROAS

7 Nang unang araw ng sanlinggo, kami’y nagkatipon upang magpira-piraso ng tinapay. Si Pablo’y nangaral sa kanila hanggang hatinggabi, sapagkat aalis na siya kinabukasan.
8 Maraming ilaw sa silid sa itaas na pinagtitipunan namin.
9 Nakaupo sa bintana ang isang binata na ang pangala’y Eutico. Dahil sa kahabaan ng pagsasalita ni Pablo, si Eutico ay inantok at nakatulog nang mahimbing. Nahulog siya mula sa ikatlong palapag na kanyang kinaroroonan, kaya’t patay na siya nang buhatin.
10 Nanaog si Pablo at niyakap ang binata. Sinabi niya, “Huwag kayong mabahala, buháy siya!”
11 Muling pumanhik si Pablo, nagpira-piraso ng tinapay at kumain. Pagkatapos, nakipag-usap pa siya sa kanila nang matagal hanggang mag-uumaga, at saka umalis.
12 Ang binata naman ay buháy na iniuwi, at ito’y nagdulot sa kanila ng malaking kaaliwan.

MULA SA TROAS HANGGANG SA MILETO

13 Sumakay kami sa barkong papuntang Asos. Doon kami magkikita ni Pablo ayon sa bilin niya sa amin, sapagkat nais niyang sa lupa magdaan papunta roon at hindi sa dagat.
14 Nang magkita kami sa Asos, sumakay siya sa barkong sinasakyan namin at sama-sama kaming pumunta sa Mitilene.
15 Mula roon, patuloy kaming naglakbay at kinabukasa’y dumating kami sa tapat ng Quio. Nang sumunod na araw, dumaan kami sa Samos, at makaraan ang isa pang araw ay dumating kami sa Mileto.
16 Ipinasya ni Pablong lampasan ang Efeso upang huwag siyang maantala sa Asia, sapagkat ibig niyang nasa Jerusalem na siya sa araw ng Pentecostes.

ANG PAMAMAALAM NI PABLO SA MGA PINUNO NG IGLESYA SA EFESO

17 Mula sa Mileto, ipinatawag ni Pablo ang mga matatandang pinuno ng iglesyang nasa Efeso.
18 Pagdating nila ay kanyang sinabi, “Nalalaman ninyo kung paano ko ginugol ang buong panahong ipinamalagi ko sa inyong piling, mula noong unang araw na ako’y tumuntong sa Asia.
19 Buong kapakumbabaan at lumuluhang naglingkod ako sa Panginoon, at nagtiis ng maraming pagsubok dahil sa mga pagtatangka ng mga Judio.
20 Sa aking pagtuturo at pangangaral sa inyo, maging sa harapan ng madla o sa bahay-bahay man, hindi ako nangiming magsabi sa inyo ng anumang ikabubuti ninyo.
21 Maging Judio o Griego man ay pinangaralan kong tumalikod sa kasalanan, manumbalik sa Diyos at manalig sa ating Panginoong Jesus.
22 Ngayon, bilang pagsunod sa Espiritu Santo, ako’y pupunta sa Jerusalem at hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayari sa akin doon.
23 Ang tanging nalalaman ko ay ito: binalaan ako ng Espiritu Santo na pagkabilanggo at kapighatian ang naghihintay sa akin sa bawat bayang dadaanan ko.
24 Subalit walang halaga sa akin ang aking buhay magawâ ko lamang ang aking tungkulin at matapos ang gawaing tinanggap ko mula sa Panginoong Jesus, ang pagpapahayag ng Magandang Balita tungkol sa kagandahang-loob ng Diyos para sa tao.
25 “Nakisalamuha ako sa inyo habang nangangaral tungkol sa Kaharian. Ngayon, alam kong hindi na ninyo ako makikitang muli.
26 Kaya’t sa araw na ito’y sinasabi ko, wala akong pananagutan kung mapahamak ang sinuman sa inyo,
27 sapagkat hindi ako nag-atubiling ipahayag sa inyo ang buong layunin ng Diyos.
28 Ingatan ninyo ang inyong sarili at ang buong kawan, na inilagay ng Espiritu Santo sa inyong pangangasiwa. Pangalagaan ninyo ang iglesya ng Diyos[b] na kanyang tinubos sa pamamagitan ng dugo ng kanyang Anak.[c]
29 Alam kong pagkaalis ko’y magsisipasok ang mababangis na asong-gubat at walang patawad nilang lalapain ang kawan.
30 Mula na rin sa inyo’y may lilitaw na mga taong magsasalita ng kasinungalingan upang mahikayat na sumunod sa kanila ang mga alagad.
31 Kaya’t mag-ingat kayo. Alalahanin ninyong tinuruan ko kayo araw at gabi sa loob ng tatlong taon, at maraming luha ang pinuhunan ko.
32 “At ngayo’y itinatagubilin ko kayo sa Diyos at sa kanyang salitang nagpapahayag ng kanyang kagandahang-loob. Ito ang makakapagpatibay sa inyo at makakapagbigay ng mga pagpapalang inilaan sa lahat ng kanyang ginawang banal.
33 Hindi ko hinangad ang ginto, pilak o pananamit ninuman.
34 Alam ninyong nagbanat ako ng buto upang kumita ng ikabubuhay naming magkakasama.
35 Sa lahat ng pagkakataon, ipinakita ko sa inyo na sa pamamagitan ng ganitong pagtatrabaho ay dapat ninyong tulungan ang mahihina. Alalahanin natin ang mga salita ng Panginoong Jesus, ‘Higit na pinagpala ang nagbibigay kaysa tumatanggap.’”
36 Pagkasabi nito, lumuhod si Pablo at nanalanging kasama nila.
37 Silang lahat ay umiiyak na yumakap at humalik kay Pablo.
38 Labis nilang ikinalungkot ang kanyang sinabing siya’y hindi na nila muling makikita. At siya’y inihatid nila sa barko.

MGA GAWA 22

MGA GAWA 22 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Ang simula ng pagtatanggol ni Pablo ay ang kanyang pagkakakilanlan sa mga Hudyo (Mga Gawa 1–16; 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 9:19–23). Ang kanyang kapanganakan, pagsasanay, at maagang ministeryo bilang isang rabbi ay mahigpit na orthodox. Iniugnay niya ang kanyang pagbabalik-loob kay Ananias, “isang taong matapat ayon sa kautusan” (Mga Gawa 22:12). Siya ay napaka-tactful, ngunit kailangan ng taktika upang makipag-ugnayan.

Ang pagbabagong punto ng pagtatanggol ni Pablo ay ang paggamit niya ng salitang Gentil (Mga Gawa 22:17). Kung hindi niya ginamit ang salitang iyon, maaaring pinalaya si Pablo; ngunit ang buong pasanin ng kanyang buhay ay maabot ang mga Gentil (Mga Taga Efeso 3:1–13). Inaresto si Paul dahil sa pagkapanatiko sa relihiyon; hindi napagtanto ng kanyang mga tao na ang Diyos ay gumagawa ng isang bagong bagay sa mundo.

Ang pagtatapos ay ang banta ng paghagupit, na iniiwasan ni Pablo sa pamamagitan ng paggigiit ng kanyang pagkamamamayang Romano (Mga Gawa 22:22–29). Mula noon, magkakasunod na pagdinig at pagkaantala ng dalawang taon sa Caesarea. Ngunit ginagawa ng Diyos ang Kanyang kalooban sa Kanyang panahon, at handang maghintay si Pablo.

“Ang Diyos ang master ng mga eksena; hindi natin dapat piliin kung anong bahagi ang ating gagawin; Nababahala lamang tayo na maging maingat na gawin natin ito nang maayos, na laging sinasabi, “Kung ito ay nakalulugod sa Diyos, mangyari nawa ito.’ ”

Jeremy Taylor

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MGA GAWA 22 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

1 “Mga magulang at mga kapatid, pakinggan ninyo ang sasabihin ko ngayon bilang pagtatanggol sa aking sarili.”
2 Nang siya’y marinig nilang nagsasalita sa wikang Hebreo, lalo silang tumahimik. Kaya’t nagpatuloy si Pablo,
3 “Ako’y isang Judiong ipinanganak sa Tarso, sa lalawigan ng Cilicia, ngunit lumaki rito sa Jerusalem. Ang aking guro ay si Gamaliel at buong higpit niya akong tinuruan sa Kautusan ng ating mga ninuno. Ako’y masugid na naglilingkod sa Diyos tulad ninyong lahat na naririto ngayon.
4 Inusig ko at ipinapatay ang mga sumusunod sa Daang ito. Ipinagapos ko sila’t ipinabilanggo, maging lalaki o maging babae.
5 Makakapagpatotoo tungkol dito ang pinakapunong pari at ang buong kapulungan ng mga matatandang pinuno ng bayan. Binigyan pa nga nila ako ng mga sulat para sa mga Judio sa Damasco, kaya’t pumunta ako roon upang dakpin ang mga kaanib ng Daang ito at dalhin sila dito sa Jerusalem nang nakagapos upang parusahan.”

ISINALAYSAY NI PABLO KUNG PAANO SIYA SUMAMPALATAYA

6 “Nang malapit na ako sa Damasco, magtatanghaling-tapat noon, may biglang kumislap sa aking paligid na isang matinding liwanag mula sa langit.
7 Bumagsak ako sa lupa at narinig ko ang isang tinig na nagsalita sa akin, ‘Saulo, Saulo! Bakit mo ako inuusig?’
8 Ako’y sumagot, ‘Sino po kayo, Panginoon?’ ‘Ako ang iyong pinag-uusig na si Jesus na taga-Nazaret,’ tugon ng tinig.
9 Nakita ng mga kasama ko ang liwanag, ngunit hindi nila narinig ang tinig na nagsasalita sa akin.
10 ‘Ano po ang gagawin ko, Panginoon?’ tanong ko. At tumugon ang Panginoon, ‘Tumayo ka at pumunta sa Damasco. Sasabihin sa iyo roon ang lahat ng itinakda na dapat mong gawin.’
11 Nabulag ako dahil sa matinding liwanag na iyon, kaya’t ako’y inakay na lamang ng mga kasama ko at dinala sa Damasco.
12 “Doon ay nakatira si Ananias. Siya ay tapat na sumusunod sa Kautusan at iginagalang ng mga Judiong naninirahan doon.
13 Pinuntahan niya ako, tumayo sa tabi ko at sinabi sa akin, ‘Kapatid na Saulo, makakita kang muli.’ Noon di’y nakakita akong muli at tumingin ako sa kanya,
14 at sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Pinili ka ng Diyos ng ating mga ninuno upang malaman mo ang kanyang kalooban, makita ang kanyang Matuwid na Lingkod at marinig ang kanyang tinig.
15 Sapagkat ikaw ay magiging saksi niya upang patotohanan sa lahat ng tao ang iyong nakita at narinig.
16 At ngayon, ano pa ang hinihintay mo? Tumayo ka na, magpabautismo at tumawag ka sa kanyang pangalan upang mapatawad ka sa iyong mga kasalanan.’”

ISINUGO SI PABLO SA MGA HENTIL

17 “Nagbalik ako rito sa Jerusalem, at habang ako’y nananalangin sa Templo, nagkaroon ako ng isang pangitain.
18 Nakita ko ang Panginoon na nagsasalita sa akin, ‘Madali ka! Lisanin mo agad ang Jerusalem sapagkat hindi tatanggapin ng mga tao rito ang iyong patotoo tungkol sa akin.’
19 Sabi ko naman, ‘Panginoon, alam na alam nilang isa-isa kong pinuntahan ang mga sinagoga upang ipabilanggo at ipahagupit ang mga nananalig sa iyo.
20 At nang patayin si Esteban na iyong saksi, ako ay naroon at sumang-ayon pa sa ginawa nila. Ako pa nga ang nagbantay sa mga balabal ng mga pumatay sa kanya.’
21 Ngunit sinabi sa akin ng Panginoon, ‘Humayo ka, sapagkat isusugo kita sa malayo, sa mga Hentil.’”
22 Hanggang sa mga sandaling iyon, ang mga tao’y nakikinig kay Pablo. Ngunit pagkarinig sa huli niyang sinabi, sila’y nagsigawan, “Patayin ang taong iyan! Hindi siya dapat mabuhay!”
23 Patuloy sila sa pagsigaw, sa pagsaboy ng alikabok sa hangin at sa paghahagis ng kanilang mga balabal.
24 Kaya’t iniutos ng pinuno ng mga sundalo na dalhin si Pablo sa himpilan at hagupitin upang malaman kung bakit ganoon na lamang ang sigawan ng mga Judio laban sa kanya.
25 Ngunit nang siya’y magapos na nila ng panaling balat, sinabi ni Pablo sa kapitang naroon, “Ipinapahintulot ba ng batas na hagupitin ang isang mamamayang Romano kahit wala pang hatol ang hukuman?”
26 Nang marinig ito ng kapitan, pumunta siya sa pinuno at sinabi, “Ano ang gagawin mong iyan? Mamamayang Romano ang taong iyon!”
27 Kaya’t lumapit kay Pablo ang pinuno ng mga sundalo at siya’y tinanong, “Ikaw nga ba’y Romano?” “Opo,” sagot niya.
28 Sinabi ng pinuno, “Malaki ang ibinayad ko para maging mamamayang Romano.” “Ngunit ako’y isinilang na mamamayang Romano,” sabi naman ni Pablo.
29 Kaagad lumayo ang mga magsisiyasat sa kanya. Natakot din ang pinuno ng mga sundalo sapagkat ipinagapos niya si Pablo, gayong ito pala ay isang Romano.

SI PABLO SA HARAP NG KATAAS-TAASANG KAPULUNGAN NG MGA JUDIO

30 Nais matiyak ng pinuno kung ano nga ang paratang ng mga Judio laban kay Pablo. Kaya’t kinabukasan, pinakalagan niya si Pablo, ipinatawag sa isang pulong ang mga punong pari at ang buong Kataas-taasang Kapulungan ng mga Judio, at iniharap si Pablo sa kanila.

MGA GAWA 26

MGA GAWA 26 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Nakita ni Paul ang liwanag. Sa halip na ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili, ginamit ni Pablo ang pagkakataong ipahayag ang ebanghelyo kay Haring Agripa at sa iba pang kasama niya (1 Pedro 3:13–17). Nang makilala ni Pablo si Jesus sa daan patungo sa Damascus, nakagawa siya ng ilang mahahalagang tuklas at nakapagpabago ng buhay: ang kanyang relihiyon ay luma na; ang kanyang kasigasigan para sa Diyos ay sinasaktan lamang ang Diyos; Si Jesus ay buhay; at si Jesus ay may trabaho para kay Pablo. Pag-usapan ang isang bastos na paggising!

Kailangan ng mga Hentil ang liwanag. Ang dakilang pagkatuto at kasigasigan ni Pablo ay iuukol sa pagpapalaganap ng ebanghelyo sa mga Gentil (Mga Gawa 26:17–18). Ang mga nawawalang makasalanan ay nasa espirituwal na kadiliman at si Kristo lamang ang makapagbibigay sa kanila ng liwanag.

Tinanggihan ni Agripa ang liwanag. Sinubukan niyang siraan ang mensahe sa pamamagitan ng pag-akusa kay Pablo na baliw, at sinubukan niyang bawasan ang kanyang sariling pananalig sa pamamagitan ng kanyang walang pakialam na tugon (Mga Gawa 26:28). Tinalikuran niya ang ilaw; siya ay “halos” kapag siya ay maaaring “kabuuan. ”

“Halos mahikayat na maging isang Kristiyano ay tulad ng tao na halos napatawad, ngunit siya ay ibinitin; Tulad ng lalaking muntik nang maligtas, pero nasunog sa loob ng bahay. Ang isang tao na halos maligtas ay namamatay. “

Charles Spurgeon

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MGA GAWA 26 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

NAGTANGGOL SI PABLO SA HARAPAN NI AGRIPA

1 Sinabi ni Agripa kay Pablo, “Maaari ka nang magsalita para sa iyong sarili.” Iniunat ni Pablo ang kanyang kamay at nagsalita bilang pagtatanggol sa sarili:
2 “Haring Agripa, itinuturing kong mapalad ako at sa harapan ninyo ako magtatanggol ng aking sarili laban sa lahat ng mga paratang ng mga Judio
3 sapagkat lubos ninyong nababatid ang mga kaugalian at pagtatalo ng mga Judio. Kaya’t hinihiling ko pong pagtiyagaan ninyo akong pakinggan.
4 “Alam ng lahat ng Judio kung paano ako namuhay mula pa sa aking kamusmusan sa aking sariling bayan at sa Jerusalem.
5 Matagal na nilang alam, at sila na ang makakapagpatotoo kung kanilang gugustuhin, na ako’y namuhay bilang kaanib ng pinakamahigpit na sekta ng aming relihiyon, ang sekta ng mga Pariseo.
6 At ngayo’y nililitis ako dahil sa aking pag-asa sa pangako ng Diyos sa aming mga ninuno.
7 Ang pangako ring iyan ang inaasahan ng aming labindalawang lipi kaya’t sila’y taimtim na sumasamba sa Diyos gabi’t araw. At dahil sa pag-asa ring ito, Haring Agripa, ako’y pinaparatangan ng mga Judio!
8 Bakit hindi mapaniwalaan ng mga naririto na maaaring muling buhayin ng Diyos ang mga patay?
9 “Akala ko rin noong una’y dapat kong gawin ang lahat ng aking magagawa laban sa pangalan ni Jesus na taga-Nazaret.
10 At ganoon nga ang ginawa ko sa Jerusalem. Maraming Cristiano ang aking ipinabilanggo batay sa kapangyarihang ibinigay sa akin ng mga punong pari ng mga Judio. Isa rin ako sa mga humatol ng kamatayan sa kanila.
11 Pinarusahan ko sila sa lahat ng mga sinagoga upang piliting talikuran ang kanilang pananampalataya. Sa tindi ng poot ko’y inusig ko sila kahit sa mga lungsod sa ibang bansa.”

ISINALAYSAY NI PABLO KUNG PAANO SIYA SUMAMPALATAYA

12 “Iyan ang layunin ng pagpunta ko sa Damasco, taglay ang kapangyarihan at pahintulot ng mga punong pari.
13 Nang katanghaliang-tapat, habang kami’y naglalakbay, nakita ko, Haring Agripa, ang isang nakakasilaw na liwanag mula sa langit, ito’y maliwanag pa kaysa sa araw. Totoong nakakasilaw ang liwanag sa paligid naming magkakasama.
14 Kaming lahat ay natumba sa lupa, at narinig ko ang isang tinig na nagsabi sa akin sa wikang Hebreo, ‘Saulo, Saulo, bakit mo ako pinag-uusig? Sinasaktan mo ang iyong sarili sa ginagawa mong iyan. Para mong sinisipa ang matulis na bagay.’
15 At itinanong ko, ‘Sino po kayo, Panginoon?’ At kanyang sinabi, ‘Ako’y si Jesus na iyong inuusig.
16 Tumayo ka! Nagpakita ako sa iyo upang italaga ka bilang aking lingkod at magpatotoo tungkol sa mga nakita mo ngayon at sa mga ipapakita ko pa sa iyo.
17 Ililigtas kita mula sa mga kababayan mong Judio at gayundin sa mga Hentil kung saan kita isusugo.
18 Imumulat mo ang kanilang mga mata, ibabalik sila sa kaliwanagan mula sa kadiliman, ililigtas sila sa kapangyarihan ni Satanas at ibabalik sa Diyos. At sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya nila sa akin, sila’y patatawarin sa kanilang mga kasalanan at mabibigyan ng lugar kasama ng mga taong ginawang banal ng Diyos.’”

ISINALAYSAY NI PABLO ANG KANYANG PAGLILINGKOD

19 “Dahil dito, Haring Agripa, hindi po ako sumuway sa pangitaing mula sa langit.
20 Nangaral ako, una sa Damasco, saka sa Jerusalem at sa buong lupain ng Judea, at gayundin sa mga Hentil. Ipinangaral kong dapat silang magsisi’t tumalikod sa kanilang mga kasalanan, lumapit sa Diyos, at ipakita ang kanilang pagsisisi sa pamamagitan ng mga gawa.
21 Dahil dito’y hinuli ako ng mga Judio habang ako’y nasa Templo, at pinagtangkaang patayin.
22 Ngunit hanggang ngayo’y tinutulungan ako ng Diyos, kaya’t nakatayo ako ngayon dito at nagpapatotoo tungkol sa kanya sa lahat ng tao, hamak man o dakila. Wala akong itinuturo kundi ang mga sinabi ng mga propeta at ni Moises,
23 na ang Cristo ay kailangang magdusa, at siya ang unang mabuhay na muli upang magpahayag ng liwanag sa mga Judio at sa mga Hentil.”
24 Habang nagsasalita pa si Pablo, malakas na sinabi ni Festo, “Nababaliw ka na, Pablo! Sa sobrang pag-aaral mo’y nasira na ang iyong ulo.”
25 Ngunit sumagot si Pablo, “Hindi ako nababaliw, Kagalang-galang na Festo! Ang sinasabi ko’y mga salita ng katinuan at pawang katotohanan.
26 Nalalaman po ninyo, Haring Agripa, ang tungkol sa mga bagay na ito, kaya malakas ang loob kong magsalita sa inyong harapan. Tiyak na hindi lingid sa inyo ang mga ito sapagkat hindi sa isang sulok lamang nangyari ito.
27 Haring Agripa, naniniwala ba kayo sa mga propeta? Alam kong naniniwala kayo!”
28 Sinabi ni Agripa kay Pablo, “Sa palagay mo ba’y mahihikayat mo akong maging Cristiano sa loob ng maikling panahon?”
29 Sumagot si Pablo, “Maging sa maikli o sa mahabang panahon, loobin nawa ng Diyos na hindi lamang kayo, kundi ang lahat ng nakakarinig sa akin ngayon ay maging kagaya ko, maliban sa mga tanikalang ito.”
30 Pagkatapos, tumayo ang hari, ang gobernador, si Bernice, at lahat ng kasama nila.
31 Lumabas sila at nag-usap-usap, “Ang taong ito’y walang ginawang anumang nararapat sa hatol na kamatayan o pagkabilanggo.”
32 At sinabi pa ni Agripa kay Festo, “Kung hindi lamang niya hiniling na dumulog sa Emperador, maaari na sana siyang palayain.”

ACTS 12

ACTS 12 OVERVIEW

The will of the Lord is always wise and good, but it is not always predictable. God spared Peter but allowed James to be killed. He did not deliver Peter from prison until the last minute. He allowed Herod to slay James, but He did not permit the king to act like a god. Is that how you would have done it?

Some Christians are like Job’s friends: they think they always know exactly what God is doing, will do, and wants done; but they may be wrong. Whenever you are tempted to “play God ” in somebody’s life, ponder Isaiah 55:8–9.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

It is always right to pray, even if your faith is so weak you are surprised when the answer comes! Keep knocking—God opens doors.

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ACTS 12 BIBLE CHAPTER

HEROD’S VIOLENCE TO THE CHURCH

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church.
2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

PETER FREED FROM PRISON

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison.
7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands.
8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”
9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.
10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.
14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.
15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
17 But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

HEROD’S VIOLENT DEATH

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.
21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them.
22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”
23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

BARNABAS AND SAUL APPOINTED

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

ACTS 13

ACTS 13 OVERVIEW

Opportunities come to people busy serving the Lord. God calls people who take time to worship and minister to the Lord. If you want God’s guidance, get busy where you are, and He will show you the next step.

Opportunities usually produce opposition (1 Corinthians 16:9). Here is another example of the parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30,36–43): God sowed the good seed (Paul and Barnabas),and Satan sowed a counterfeit.

Opportunities reveal character. Paul and Barnabas kept going, but John Mark returned home. We do not know why, nor should we pass judgment (1 Corinthians 10:12). Barnabas reclaimed John Mark (Acts 15:36-41) and Paul eventually accepted him (2 Timothy 4:11).

Opportunities develop leadership. The trip began with “Barnabas and Saul ” (Acts 13:2), but it became “Paul and his party ” (Acts 13:13). Barnabas rejoiced to see Paul being used so mightily of God (Romans 12:9–11). It was a team effort, and the vital thing was the glory of God.

HIS WORD ENDURES FOREVER

Note the emphasis in Acts 13 on the Word of God (Acts 13:5, Acts 13:7, Acts 13:15, Acts 13:26, Acts 13:44, Acts 13:46, Acts 13:48-49). In his preaching, Paul quoted from Acts 13:1 Samuel, Isaiah, Habakkuk, and Psalms. He preached salvation by faith in Jesus Christ whom God raised from the dead (Acts 13:38–39). Our words do not last, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.

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ACTS 13 BIBLE CHAPTER

PAUL AND BARNABAS ARE SENT TO THE GENTILES

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

PREACHING IN CYPRUS

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

AT ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.
15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.
18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.
19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’
23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—
24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.
27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.
28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.
29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.
30 But God raised Him from the dead.
31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.
33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

BLESSINGS AND CONFLICT AT ANTIOCH

42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

ACTS 14

ACTS 14 OVERVIEW

Paul was a man on the move but not a man easily moved because of difficulties. “But none of these things move me ” was his testimony of faith (Acts 14:20:24), and he lived it.

When he and Barnabas were expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, they shook off the dust of their feet and went to Iconium (Acts 13:50–52; Luke 10:11). When the people there tried to stone them, they went to Lystra where they were treated like gods! (That was a greater danger than persecution.) Crowds are fickle: they changed their minds and stoned Paul, but he just got up and went to Derbe.

That was not all. Paul and Barnabas had the courage to retrace their steps so they could help and encourage the new Christians! And when they returned home, they told the church what the Lord had done, not what they had suffered.

Paul and Barnabas put Christ first, others second, and themselves last. They had a job to do, and they were determined by God’s grace to do it. How much does it take to move you out of the will of God?

“The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success. ”

David Sarnoff

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ACTS 14 BIBLE CHAPTER

AT ICONIUM

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,
6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.
7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

IDOLATRY AT LYSTRA

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

STONING, ESCAPE TO DERBE

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

STRENGTHENING TO CONVERTS

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

ACTS 15

ACTS 15 OVERVIEW

When God opens a door (Acts 14:27), the enemy has somebody handy to try to close it. In this case, the legalists from Judea visited the Antioch church and taught that Gentiles must become Jews before they can be Christians. Their teaching was a denial of salvation by grace through faith (Acts 10:43; Ephesians 2:8–9).

It was difficult for the orthodox Jews to see that their glorious religious system, given by God, had been fulfilled in Christ and was now out-of-date. (That is why the book of Hebrews was written.) Rather than abandon it, they tried to blend the old religion with the new (Matthew 9:14–17).

When sincere Christians disagree, they must get together, see what God is doing in His church, and find out what the Word has to say about it. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas told what God was doing among the Gentiles, and James related it to the Word (Amos 9:11–12).

In the decision, there was no compromise doctrinally, but there was consideration practically. In the decree, the church asked the Gentiles not to deliberately offend the Jews. You will find the expansion of this principle, the basic principle of love, in Romans 14–15 and 1 Corinthians 8–10.

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ACTS 15 BIBLE CHAPTER

CONFLICT OVER CIRCUMCISION

1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the Lord who does all these things.’
18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

THE JERUSALEM DECREE

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

CONTINUING MINISTRY TO SYRIA

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

DIVISION OVER JOHN MARK

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

ACTS 16

ACTS 16 OVERVIEW

Paul wrote, “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience ” (2 Corinthians 6:4). See the patience of Paul . . .

IN WAITING FOR A HELPER (Acts 16:1–5). Timothy replaced John Mark and became a true son in the faith to Paul. God has the right person ready at the right time, so be patient.

IN SEEKING GOD’S WILL (Acts 16:6–10). He was an apostle, yet he did not always know the direction God wanted him to take. He took steps, God closed doors, so he waited; and then God showed him the way.

IN MINISTERING THE WORD (Acts 16:11–15). They waited “some days ” before seeking a place to witness, and God had hearts all prepared.

IN BEARING ANNOYANCE (Acts 16:16–18). Paul put up with the demonic promotion as long as he could and then cast out the demon. Paul knew that his action would create problems for him, and it did.

IN ENDURING THE SUFFERING (Acts 16:19–25). Paul did not use his Roman citizenship to protect himself from pain (Acts 22:22-29), but later he used it to protect the new church (Acts 16:35-40). When you hurt, ask God to give you songs in the night (Psalms 42:8).

IN WINNING A LOST SOUL (Acts 16:26–34). Paul had his eyes on the keeper of the prison and in kindness won him to Christ. How much are we willing to suffer to win someone to the Lord, especially someone who has hurt us?

“Patience is power. With time and patience, the mulberry leaf becomes silk. ”

Chinese Proverb

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ACTS 16 BIBLE CHAPTER

TIMOTHY JOINS PAUL AND SILAS

1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.
2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

THE MACEDONIAN CALL

6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

LYDIA BAPTIZED AT PHILIPPI

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.

PAUL AND SILAS IMPRISONED

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER SAVED

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

PAUL REFUSES TO DEPART SECRETLY

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”
36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

ACTS 17

ACTS 17 OVERVIEW

REJECTING THE NEW (Acts 17:1–9). The Jews in Thessalonica were not interested in the new faith or the “new king ” that Paul preached, but the Gentile “God seekers ” accepted the gospel and were saved. Read 1 Thessalonians 1 to see the change they experienced.

INVESTIGATING THE NEW (Acts 17:10–15). The next town was just the opposite! The Jews in Berea took time to examine the evidence and study the Scriptures. There are fair-minded people in every nation, and God knows who they are.

LOOKING FOR THE NEW (Acts 17:16–34). The people in Athens “spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing ” (Acts 17:21). How like our world today! The quest for novelty overshadows the search for reality. Paul’s sermon was a masterpiece of tact and teaching, and a few people were converted.

Paul offered them “newness of life ” through the Resurrection (Romans 6:4), and they rejected it.

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ACTS 17 BIBLE CHAPTER

PREACHING CHRIST AT THESSALONICA

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.

ASSAULT ON JASON’S HOUSE

5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.”
8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.
9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

MINISTERING AT BEREA

10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

THE PHILOSOPHERS AT ATHENS

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?”Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.”
21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

ADDRESSING THE AREOPAGUS

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

ACTS 19

ACTS 19 OVERVIEW

We read in this chapter that “the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed ” (Acts 19:20). When does this happen?

WHEN WE CONFIRM OUR FAITH (Acts 19:1–10). When you believe in Jesus Christ, you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:43-48; Romans 8:9). Many people think they are converted but do not have the Spirit’s witness within (1 John 5:9–13). Paul could not build a church on men with an inadequate spiritual experience, nor can we today. We must be honest with God.

WHEN WE CONFESS OUR SINS (Acts 19:11–20). The devil is a great imitator, but in this case, his attempt was a humiliating failure. The Lord used it for good, because the believers became convicted about their secret sins and confessed them. Then the Spirit could work in mighty power, and the Word increased!

WHEN WE CONFRONT THE ENEMY (Acts 19:21–41). Paul did not openly attack their idolatry by picketing the temple of Diana or petitioning the city government. He simply shared the Word, and lives were changed. Of course, the real issue was money, not religion. Paul was wise not to go into the theater, although we admire him for his courage. But the riot only called attention to the gospel and gave the believers more opportunity to witness.

Circumstances that look like obstacles are really opportunities when you let God work.

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ACTS 19 BIBLE CHAPTER

PAUL AT EPHESUS

1 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples
2 he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
4 Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
7 Now the men were about twelve in all.
8 And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God.
9 But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

MIRACLES GLORIFY CHRIST

11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.
19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

THE RIOT AT EPHESUS

21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.
23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.
25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.
26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.
27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”
28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.
30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
31 Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”
35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?
36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly.
37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another.
39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.”
41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

ACTS 20

ACTS 20 OVERVIEW

The uproars usually cease, so be patient; but be sure to get ready for the next battle.

Paul was going to Jerusalem. Along the way, he met with dear friends, ministered the Word, and even enjoyed a quiet voyage and a refreshing walk (Acts 20:13). God’s servants need to get away from people and have time alone to think, meditate, and pray. Paul knew he was facing danger in Jerusalem (Acts 20:22–23), and he wanted to be prepared spiritually.

In his farewell message to the elders, Paul reviewed his past ministry (Acts 20:18–21), shared his present concerns (Acts 20:22-24), and revealed future dangers (Acts 20:28–31). If you want to catch the heart of Paul, consider his statements: “Serving the Lord . . . I kept back nothing . . . that I may finish my race with joy. . . . It is more blessed to give than to receive. ”

One day, life will end, and we will have to give our farewell speech. Can we look back without regret and look ahead without fear? Will we finish our race with joy even while others are weeping?

PAUL’S ROLES

As Paul reviewed his ministry in Acts 20:24–26, he saw himself as an accountant (“I count ”), a runner (“I may finish my race ”), a steward (“the ministry which I received ”), a witness (“to testify ”), a herald (“preaching the kingdom ”), and a watchman (“innocent of the blood ”). What a responsibility it is to be a servant of God!

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ACTS 20 BIBLE CHAPTER

JOURNEYS IN GREECE

1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and departed to go to Macedonia.
2 Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to Greece
3 and stayed three months. And when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
4 And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
5 These men, going ahead, waited for us at Troas.
6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

MINISTERING IN TROAS

7 Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
8 There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together.
9 And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10 But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.”
11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.
12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

FROM TROAS TO MILETUS

13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.
14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene.
15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.

THE EPHESIAN ELDERS EXHORTED

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.
18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
20 how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
25 “And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.
32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.
34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
37 Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,
38 sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

ACTS 21

ACTS 21 OVERVIEW

THE TRAVELER (Acts 21:1–14). This farewell journey brought both joy and sorrow to Paul, but life is like that. He knew what lay ahead of him but kept going (Luke 9:51). Years before, the Lord had told him to get out of Jerusalem (Acts 22:18). Was he wrong in going back?

THE PEACEMAKER (Acts 21:15–25). Paul moved from “the will of the Lord be done ” (Acts 21:14) to “do what we tell you ” (Acts 21:23). So anxious was Paul to bring unity to the Jews and Gentiles in the church that he agreed to the plan. Was he following “wisdom from above ” or “earthly wisdom ” (James 3:13–18)? Not every decision we make turns out to bring peace.

THE PRISONER (Acts 21:26–40). The plan almost worked; on the last day, however, trouble started (Acts 21:27). Of course, their charges were absurd; yet the mob lives on “suppose ” and not fact. Paul had been careful not to cause any unrest in the city (Acts 24:10–13), but his efforts had been in vain. He would spend the next five years as a prisoner of Rome.

Sometimes our plans and good intentions seem to bring only trouble. But God is still in control! He used Paul’s trials to accomplish His purposes so that His servant got to Rome (Acts 23:11). He can do the same for His people today. Walk by faith!

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ACTS 21 BIBLE CHAPTER

WARNINGS ON THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”

PAUL URGED TO MAKE PEACE

15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.
16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.
24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

ARRESTED IN THE TEMPLE

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”

ADDRESSING THE JERUSALEM MOB

37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

ACTS 23

ACTS 23 OVERVIEW

Paul was in danger. If the Romans did not imprison him, the Jews would kill him (Acts 22:22). What means did God use to help Paul?

INTEGRITY (Acts 23:1–5). Paul had nothing to hide, and his conscience was clear. Ananias was out of line when he had Paul slapped; but Paul showed respect for the office,
not the man.

STRATEGY (Acts 23:6–10). This did not set Paul free, but it did divide the enemy camp and get the Romans to protect their prisoner better.

ADVOCACY (Acts 23:11). Paul had the best lawyer available! Christ had assured him when he was in Corinth (Acts 18:9-11), and He would assure him again (Acts 27:21-25; 2 Timothy 4:16-18). Paul knew that “if God is for us, who can be against us? ” (Romans 8:31).

OPPORTUNITY (Acts 23:12–22). Paul’s nephew lived in the city, and by the providence of God, he discovered the Jewish plot. Only the Lord could have worked that out. We never know what friend or relative God will use to help us.

AUTHORITY (Acts 23:23–35). Paul had the protection of 472 Roman soldiers, and the whole authority of the government was behind him. The Romans did not give Paul a fair hearing, but God still used them to protect Paul and get him to Rome.

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ACTS 23 BIBLE CHAPTER

THE JERUSALEM JEWS PLOT TO KILL PAUL

1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

THE PLOT AGAINST PAUL

11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”
19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”
22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”

SENT TO FELIX

23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;
24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.
33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

ACTS 24

ACTS 24 OVERVIEW

How do the unsaved go about opposing the Lord’s servants and their work?

TERTULLUS STARTED WITH FLATTERY (Acts 24:2–4), knowing that many people in high places are susceptible to it (Acts 12:20–24). Flattery appeals to our pride. If we did not flatter ourselves, others could not successfully flatter us. We really want to believe what they say!

THEN TERTULLUS USED SLANDER (Acts 24:5–8). Napoleon said, “He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander. ” As his last weapon, the lawyer called on false witnesses (Acts 24:9) who together supported Tertullus’s lies about Paul.

Paul’s defense was threefold: his life, his faith and his service to his nation. Although his enemies could not prove their accusations, Paul did not go free. The safest place for Paul was in that prison, for God had work for him to do in Rome.

You may not understand why God permits lies to triumph, but leave it all in His hands. He is in control, and the final judgment rests with Him.

DON’T DELAY

Actually, Felix was the prisoner, and Paul was the prosecutor. Felix knew he was guilty; but instead of accepting Christ, he delayed. The convenient time to be saved is now (2 Corinthians 6:1–2; see also Isaiah 55:6–7).

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ACTS 24 BIBLE CHAPTER

ACCUSED OF SEDITION

1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,
3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

THE DEFENSE BEFORE FELIX

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.
19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,
21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

FELIX PROCRASTINATES

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”
23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

ACTS 25

ACTS 25 OVERVIEW

Festus tried to use Paul as a political pawn to win favor with the Jews (Acts 25:3,9). If he had succeeded and sent Paul to Jerusalem, the apostle would have been killed. Paul did the wise thing: he used his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar. There are times when believers must use the law to protect themselves and the ministry.

But now Festus had a problem. How could he send Paul to Caesar when he had no charges against him that could be proved? God’s people sometimes are treated like the guilty even though they are innocent. Remember Joseph, David, Daniel, and Jeremiah, not to mention our Lord Jesus Christ.

In all that happened, God was fulfilling His promise to Paul that he would witness before rulers (Acts 9:15) and finally get to Rome (Acts 23:11). Being a prisoner and enduring the hearings were difficult for Paul, but he used his opportunities wisely. He believed Jesus’ words: “But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony ” (Luke 21:13).

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ACTS 25 BIBLE CHAPTER

PAUL APPEALS TO CAESAR

1 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him,
3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.
4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.
5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”
6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.
7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove,
8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”
9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.
11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA

13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.
16 To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’
17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,
19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.
26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”

ACTS 26

ACTS 26 OVERVIEW

Paul saw the light. Instead of defending himself, Paul used the opportunity to present the gospel to King Agrippa and others with him (1 Peter 3:13–17). When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he made some important and lifechanging discoveries: his religion was out-of-date; his zeal for God was only hurting God; Jesus was alive; and Jesus had a job for Paul to do. Talk about a rude awakening!

The Gentiles need the light. Paul’s great learning and zeal would be devoted to the spread of the gospel among the Gentiles (Acts 26:17–18). Lost sinners are in spiritual darkness and only Christ can give them light.

Agrippa rejected the light. He tried to discredit the message by accusing Paul of being mad, and he tried to minimize his own conviction by his nonchalant reply (Acts 26:28). He turned his back on the light; he was “almost ” when he might have been “altogether. ”

“Almost persuaded to be a Christian is like the man who was almost pardoned, but he was hanged; like the man who was almost rescued, but he was burned in the house. A man that is almost saved is damned. ”

Charles Spurgeon

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ACTS 26 BIBLE CHAPTER

PAUL’S EARLY LIFE

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

PAUL RECOUNTS HIS CONVERSION

12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

PAUL’S POST-CONVERSION LIFE

19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

AGRIPPA PARRIES PAUL’S CHALLENGE

24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them;
31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

ACTS 27

ACTS 27 OVERVIEW

REJECTING PAUL’S COUNSEL (Acts 27:1–13). What did a Jewish tentmaker know about sailing a ship? So, the advice of the experts (Acts 27:11) and the vote of the majority (Acts 27:12) carried the day. When you are impatient (Acts 27:7) and uncomfortable (Acts 27:12), and when the golden opportunity seems to come along (Acts 27:13), beware! A storm may be brewing!

HEARING PAUL’S ENCOURAGEMENT (Acts 27:14–26). Paul was right to say, “I told you so! ” But he followed it with a word of promise from the Lord and a word of encouragement from his believing heart. At a time like that, people needed promises,not preaching.

FOLLOWING PAUL’S EXAMPLE (Acts 27:27–38). Paul publicly gave thanks and directed their hearts to God, which encouraged everybody. The weary passengers needed strength for what lay ahead, and that meant taking time to eat. Paul was practical as well as perceptive.

Although Paul started the voyage as a prisoner and passenger, he ended it as the captain of the ship. The ship was lost; but by the grace of God, Paul’s presence saved all the passengers. Can the Lord depend on you to sail by faith when you face the storms? Can others depend on you?

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ACTS 27 BIBLE CHAPTER

THE VOYAGE TO ROME BEGINS

1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.
2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone.
8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.

PAUL’S WARNING IGNORED

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.

IN THE TEMPEST

13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.
15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.
17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.
28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.

SHIPWRECKED ON MALTA

39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.
40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.
41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.

MGA GAWA 27

MGA GAWA 27 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

ANG PAGTANGGI SA PAYO NI PABLO (Mga Gawa 27:1–13). Ano ang alam ng isang Judiong gumagawa ng tolda tungkol sa paglalayag ng barko? Kaya, ang payo ng mga eksperto (Mga Gawa 27:11) at ang boto ng nakararami (Mga Gawa 27:12) ang nagdala ng araw. Kapag ikaw ay naiinip (Mga Gawa 27:7) at hindi komportable (Mga Gawa 27:12), at kapag ang ginintuang pagkakataon ay tila darating (Mga Gawa 27:13), mag-ingat! Baka may bagyo!

PAKIKINIG SA PANGHIHIKAYAT NI PABLO (Mga Gawa 27:14–26). Tama ang sinabi ni Paul, “Sinabi ko na sa iyo! ” Ngunit sinundan niya ito ng isang salita ng pangako mula sa Panginoon at isang salita ng panghihikayat mula sa kanyang pusong naniniwala. Sa panahong iyon, ang mga tao ay nangangailangan ng mga pangako, hindi pangangaral.

PAGSUNOD SA HALIMBAWA NI PABLO (Mga Gawa 27:27–38). Si Pablo ay hayagang nagpasalamat at itinuro ang kanilang mga puso sa Diyos, na nagpasigla sa lahat. Ang pagod na mga pasahero ay nangangailangan ng lakas para sa kung ano ang naghihintay, at nangangahulugan iyon ng paglalaan ng oras upang kumain. Si Paul ay praktikal at mapang-unawa.

Bagama’t sinimulan ni Pablo ang paglalakbay bilang isang bilanggo at pasahero, tinapos niya ito bilang kapitan ng barko. Ang barko ay nawala; ngunit sa biyaya ng Diyos, ang presensya ni Pablo ay nagligtas sa lahat ng mga pasahero. Maaari bang umasa ang Panginoon sa iyo upang maglayag sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kapag nahaharap ka sa mga unos? Makakaasa ba ang iba sa iyo?

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MGA GAWA 27 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

NAGLAKBAY SI PABLO PAPUNTANG ROMA

1 Nang mapagpasyahang dapat kaming maglayag papuntang Italia, si Pablo at ang ilan pang bilanggo ay ipinailalim sa pamamahala ni Julio, isang kapitan ng hukbong Romano na tinatawag na “Batalyon ng Emperador.”
2 Sumakay kami sa isang barkong galing sa Adramicio, papunta sa lalawigan ng Asia, at naglakbay kami kasama si Aristarco, na isang taga-Macedonia na nagmula sa Tesalonica.
3 Kinabukasan, dumaong kami sa Sidon. Mabuti ang pakikitungo ni Julio kay Pablo; pinahintulutan niya itong makadalaw sa kanyang mga kaibigan upang matulungan siya sa kanyang mga pangangailangan.
4 Mula roon ay naglakbay kaming muli, at dahil sa pasalungat ang hangin, kami’y namaybay sa gawing silangan ng Cyprus upang kumubli.
5 Dumaan kami sa tapat ng Cilicia at Pamfilia, at kami’y dumating sa Mira, isang lungsod ng Licia.
6 Ang kapitan ng mga sundalo ay nakakita roon ng isang barkong mula sa Alejandria papuntang Italia, at inilipat niya kami roon.
7 Mabagal ang aming paglalakbay. Tumagal ito ng maraming araw, at nahirapan kami bago nakarating sa tapat ng Cinido. Buhat dito’y hindi namin matawid ang kalawakan ng dagat sapagkat pasalungat kami sa hangin. Kaya’t nagpunta kami sa panig ng Creta na kubli sa hangin, sa tapat ng Salmone.
8 Nahirapan kaming namaybay sa tabi hanggang sa marating namin ang pook na tinatawag na Mabuting Daungan na malapit sa bayan ng Lasea.
9 Mahabang panahon na kaming naglalakbay. Mapanganib na ang magpatuloy dahil nakaraan na ang Araw ng Pag-aayuno,[a] kaya’t pinayuhan sila ni Pablo.
10 Sabi niya, “Mga ginoo, sa tingin ko’y mapanganib na ang maglakbay mula ngayon, at mapipinsala ang mga kargamento at ang barko, at manganganib pati ang buhay natin.”
11 Ngunit higit na pinahalagahan ng kapitan ng mga sundalo ang salita ng may-ari at kapitan ng barko kaysa sa payo ni Pablo.
12 Dahil hindi mabuting tigilan ang daungang iyon kung panahon ng taglamig, minabuti ng nakararami na magpatuloy sila sa kanilang paglalakbay, sa pag-asang makarating sila sa Fenix at doon magpalipas ng taglamig. Ito’y isang daungan sa Creta, na nakaharap sa hilagang-kanluran at timog-kanluran.

ANG BAGYO SA DAGAT

13 Umihip nang marahan ang hangin buhat sa timog kaya’t inakala nilang maaari na silang umalis. Isinampa nila ang angkla at sila’y namaybay sa Creta.
14 Ngunit di nagtagal, bumugso mula sa pulo ang isang malakas na hangin na tinatawag na Hanging Hilagang-silangan.
15 Hinampas nito ang barko, at dahil hindi kami makasalungat, nagpatangay na lamang kami sa hangin.
16 Nang makakubli kami sa isang maliit na pulo na tinatawag na Cauda, naisampa namin ang bangka ng barko, ngunit nahirapan kami bago nagawa iyon.
17 Nang maisampa na ito, tinalian nila ng malalaking lubid ang barko. Ngunit natakot silang sumadsad sa buhanginan ng Sirte, kaya’t ibinabâ nila ang layag at kami’y nagpaanod na lamang.
18 Patuloy na lumakas ang bagyo; kaya’t kinabukasa’y sinimulan nilang itapon sa dagat ang mga kargamento.
19 At nang sumunod na araw, itinapon din nila ang mga kagamitan ng barko.
20 Matagal naming di nakita ang araw at ang mga bituin, at hindi rin humuhupa ang napakalakas na bagyo, kaya’t nawalan na kami ng pag-asang makakaligtas pa.
21 Dahil matagal nang hindi kumakain ang mga nasa barko, tumayo si Pablo at nagsalita, “Mga kasama, kung nakinig lamang kayo sa akin at di tayo umalis sa Creta, hindi sana natin inabot ang ganitong pinsala.
22 Ito ngayon ang payo ko, lakasan ninyo ang inyong loob sapagkat walang mamamatay isa man sa inyo! Kaya nga lamang, mawawasak ang barko.
23 Nagpakita sa akin kagabi ang isang anghel ng Diyos, ang Diyos na nagmamay-ari sa akin at siya kong pinaglilingkuran.
24 Sinabi niya sa akin, ‘Huwag kang matakot, Pablo! Dapat kang humarap sa Emperador. Alang-alang sa iyo’y ililigtas ng Diyos ang lahat ng mga kasama mong naglalakbay.’
25 Kaya, tibayan ninyo ang inyong loob, mga kasama! Nananalig ako sa Diyos na mangyayari ang lahat ayon sa sinabi niya sa akin. 26 Kaya lamang, mapapadpad tayo sa isang pulo.”
27 Ikalabing-apat na gabi na noon na kami’y napapadpad sa gitna ng Dagat Mediteraneo. Nang maghahatinggabi na, napuna ng mga mandaragat na nalalapit na kami sa pampang.
28 Gamit ang isang panaling may pabigat sa dulo, sinukat nila ang lalim ng tubig at nakitang may apatnapung metro ito. Pagsulong pa nila nang bahagya ay muli nilang sinukat, at nakitang may tatlumpung metro na lamang.
29 Sa takot na sumadsad kami sa batuhan, inihulog nila ang apat na angkla sa hulihan ng barko at ipinanalanging mag-umaga na sana.
30 Tinangka ng mga mandaragat na tumakas mula sa barko kaya’t ibinabâ nila sa tubig ang bangka, at kunwari’y maghuhulog ng angkla sa unahan ng barko.
31 Ngunit sinabi ni Pablo sa kapitan at sa mga sundalo, “Kapag hindi nanatili sa barko ang mga taong iyan, hindi kayo makakaligtas.”
32 Kaya’t nilagot ng mga kawal ang lubid ng bangka at hinayaan itong mahulog.
33 Nang mag-uumaga na, silang lahat ay hinimok ni Pablo upang kumain. “Labing-apat na araw na ngayong kayo’y hindi kumakain dahil sa pagkabalisa at paghihintay.
34 Kumain na kayo! Kailangan ninyo ito upang kayo’y makaligtas. Hindi mapapahamak ang sinuman sa inyo!”
35 At pagkasabi nito, kumuha siya ng tinapay, at sa harapan ng lahat ay nagpasalamat sa Diyos, pinagpira-piraso ang tinapay at kumain.
36 Lumakas ang loob ng lahat at sila’y kumain din.
37 Kaming lahat ay dalawang daan at pitumpu’t anim[b] na katao. 38 Nang mabusog sila, itinapon nila sa dagat ang kargang trigo upang gumaan ang barko.

ANG PAGKAWASAK NG BARKO

39 Nang mag-umaga na, nakatanaw sila ng lupa, ngunit hindi nila alam kung anong lugar iyon. Napansin nila ang isang look na may dalampasigan, at binalak nilang igawi doon ang barko kung maaari.
40 Kaya’t pinutol nila ang tali ng mga angkla at iniwanan ang mga ito sa dagat. Kinalag din nila ang mga tali ng timon at itinaas ang layag sa unahan upang ang barko’y itulak ng hangin papunta sa dalampasigan.
41 Ngunit nasadsad ang barko sa parteng mababaw. Bumaon ang unahan ng barko kaya’t hindi makaalis. Samantala, ang hulihan naman ay nawasak dahil sa kahahampas ng malalakas na alon.
42 Binalak ng mga kawal na patayin ang mga bilanggo upang walang makalangoy at makatakas.
43 Subalit nais ng kapitan ng mga kawal na iligtas si Pablo kaya pinagbawalan nito ang mga kawal. Sa halip, pinatalon niya sa tubig ang lahat ng marunong lumangoy upang makarating sa pampang.
44 Ang iba’y inutusan niyang sumunod na nakahawak sa mga tabla o piraso ng barko. At sa gayon, kaming lahat ay nakarating sa dalampasigan.

ACTS 28

ACTS 28 OVERVIEW

Does anything in this chapter surprise you?

THAT THE NATIVES WERE KIND (Acts 28:1–2, Acts 28:7-10)? The natives may have been superstitious, but even unsaved people can show concern for those in need. The pagan sailors worked hard to save Jonah before they threw him into the sea (Jonah 1:11–16).

THAT PAUL PICKED UP STICKS (Acts 28:3)? If you had saved 276 people from drowning, would you feel it necessary to do menial labor like picking up sticks? Certainly the grateful passengers would have relieved Paul of the task! But Paul was a servant, and he did the job that needed to be done (Philippians 2:1–11).

THAT PAUL WAS BITTEN (Acts 28:3–6)? Had he not already been through enough suffering? When Satan cannot win as the lion (1 Peter 5:8), then he comes as the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3). We must constantly be on guard and trust the Lord to care for us (Mark 16:18).

THAT PAUL WELCOMED ENCOURAGEMENT (Acts 28:11–16)? Even an apostle needs to be encouraged at times, and the saints who met Paul did just that. The group at Appii Forum traveled about ten miles farther than the other group. How far would you go to encourage a fellow believer?

THAT THE JEWISH LEADERS REJECTED THE WORD (Acts 28:17–31)? God’s chosen people should have known the Scriptures; yet when it was time to decide, the group was divided. But Paul kept witnessing and let God bless the Word as He pleased.

PAUL’S LAST YEARS

Paul was a prisoner in Rome from 61 to 63, and during that time wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. From 63 to 65, he was free to minister, and he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. Paul was imprisoned again in 66, wrote 2 Timothy, and was martyred at Rome in late 66 or early 67.

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ACTS 28 BIBLE CHAPTER

PAUL’S MINISTRY ON MALTA

1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
2 And 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.
3 But 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.
4 So 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.”
5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 However, 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.
7 In 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.
8 And 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.
9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

ARRIVAL AT ROME

11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
15 And 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.
16 Now 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.

PAUL’S MINISTRY AT ROME

17 And 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,
18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20 For 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.”
21 Then 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.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 So 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.
24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 So 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,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For 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!”
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.

MGA GAWA 28

GAWA 28 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

May nakakagulat ba sa iyo sa kabanatang ito?

NA ANG MGA KATUTUBO AY MABAIT (Mga Gawa 28:1–2, Mga Gawa 28:7-10)? Ang mga katutubo ay maaaring naging mapamahiin, ngunit kahit na ang mga hindi ligtas ay maaaring magpakita ng pagmamalasakit sa mga nangangailangan. Ang paganong mga mandaragat ay nagsikap na iligtas si Jonas bago nila siya itinapon sa dagat (Jonas 1:11–16).

NA SI PABLO AY NAMULOT NG MGA PATPAT (Mga Gawa 28:3)? Kung nailigtas mo ang 276 na tao mula sa pagkalunod, sa tingin mo ba ay kailangang gumawa ng mababang trabaho tulad ng pagpupulot ng mga patpat? Tiyak na ang nagpapasalamat na mga pasahero ay magpapagaan kay Paul sa gawain! Ngunit si Pablo ay isang lingkod, at ginawa niya ang gawaing kailangang gawin (Filipos 2:1–11).

NA SI PABLO AY NAKAGAT (Mga Gawa 28:3–6)? Hindi pa ba sapat ang paghihirap na naranasan niya? Kapag si Satanas ay hindi maaaring manalo bilang isang leon (1 Pedro 5:8), siya ay darating bilang ahas (2 Corinto 11:3). Dapat tayong palaging mag-ingat at magtiwala sa Panginoon na pangangalagaan tayo (Marcos 16:18).

NA MALUGOD NA TINANGGAP NI PABLO ANG PAMPATIBAY-LOOB (Mga Gawa 28:11–16)? Maging ang isang apostol ay kailangang pasiglahin paminsan-minsan, at ganoon din ang ginawa ng mga santo na nakatagpo ni Pablo. Ang grupo sa Appii Forum ay naglakbay nang halos sampung milya ang layo kaysa sa kabilang grupo. Hanggang saan ang gagawin mo para pasiglahin ang isang kapananampalataya?

NA TINAGGIHAN NG MGA PINUNONG JUDIO ANG SALITA (Mga Gawa 28:17–31)? Dapat na alam ng mga pinili ng Diyos ang Kasulatan; ngunit nang oras na upang magpasya, ang grupo ay nahati. Ngunit patuloy na nagpatotoo si Paul at hinayaan na pagpalain ng Diyos ang Salita ayon sa Kanyang kagustuhan.

MGA HULING TAON NI PAUL

Si Pablo ay isang bilanggo sa Roma mula 61 hanggang 63, at noong panahong iyon ay isinulat niya ang Efeso, Filipos, Colosas, at Filemon. Mula 63 hanggang 65, malaya siyang maglingkod, at isinulat niya ang 1 Timoteo at Tito. Si Pablo ay muling nabilanggo noong 66, isinulat ang 2 Timoteo, at naging martir sa Roma noong huling bahagi ng 66 o unang bahagi ng 67.

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MGA GAWA 28 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

SA MALTA

1 Nang makaligtas na kami, nalaman naming ang pulong iyon ay tinatawag na Malta.
2 Napakabuti ng ipinakita sa amin ng mga tagaroon, sapagkat nang bumagsak ang ulan at naging maginaw, nagsiga sila at inasikaso kaming mabuti.
3 Si Pablo nama’y namulot ng kahoy at nang mailagay ang mga iyon sa siga, mula roo’y lumabas ang isang ahas dahil sa init. Tinuklaw nito ang kamay ni Pablo.
4 Nang makita ng mga tagaroon ang ahas na nakabitin sa kamay ni Pablo, nasabi nila sa isa’t isa, “Tiyak na mamamatay-tao ang taong iyan. Nakaligtas nga siya sa dagat ngunit hindi naman ipinahintulot ng katarungan na siya’y mabuhay pa.”
5 Subalit ipinagpag lamang ni Pablo sa apoy ang ahas at hindi siya naano.
6 Hinintay nilang mamaga si Pablo, o kaya’y biglang mabuwal at mamatay. Nang matagal na silang naghihintay at wala namang masamang nangyayari sa kanya, nagbago sila ng palagay. “Siya’y isang diyos,” sabi nila.
7 Ang pinuno sa pulong iyon ay isang nagngangalang Publio, at malapit sa lugar na iyon ang kanyang lupain. Malugod niya kaming pinatuloy sa loob ng tatlong araw.
8 Ang ama ni Publio ay nagkataong nakaratay noon dahil sa lagnat at disenterya, kaya’t ito’y dinalaw ni Pablo. Pagkatapos manalangin, ipinatong ni Pablo ang kanyang kamay sa maysakit at ito’y gumaling.
9 Dahil sa nangyaring ito, nagdatingan ang mga tagaroong may karamdaman, at sila’y pinagaling din ni Pablo.
10 Binigyan nila kami ng maraming regalo, at nang paalis na kami ay binigyan pa nila kami ng aming mga kailangan sa paglalakbay.

MULA SA MALTA PAPUNTANG ROMA

11 Tatlong buwan ang nagdaan bago kami nakaalis doon, sakay ng isang barkong nagpalipas din ng taglamig sa pulo. “Kambal na Diyos” ang pangalan ng barkong ito na nagmula sa Alejandria.
12 Dumaong kami sa Siracusa at tumigil doon nang tatlong araw.
13 Nagpatuloy kami ng paglalakbay at dumating sa Regio. Kinabukasa’y umihip ang hangin mula sa timog, at nakarating kami sa Puteoli sa loob lamang ng dalawang araw.
14 May natagpuan kami roong mga kapatid at inanyayahan nila kaming tumigil doon nang isang linggo. Mula roo’y ipinagpatuloy namin ang huling bahagi ng aming paglalakbay hanggang makarating kami sa Roma.
15 Nabalitaan ng mga kapatid sa Roma ang tungkol sa amin, kaya’t pumunta sila sa Liwasang Apio at sa Tatlong Bahay-panuluyan upang kami’y salubungin. Nang makita sila ni Pablo, nagpasalamat siya sa Diyos, at lumakas ang kanyang loob.

SA ROMA

16 Pagdating namin sa Roma, si Pablo’y pinahintulutang manirahan sa isang bahay kasama ang isang kawal na magbabantay sa kanya.
17 Makaraan ang tatlong araw, inanyayahan ni Pablo sa isang pulong ang mga pangunahing Judio sa lungsod. Nang magtipon na sila, sinabi niya, “Mga kapatid, kahit na ako’y walang ginawa laban sa ating bansa o sa mga kaugalian ng ating mga ninuno, hinuli ako sa Jerusalem at isinakdal sa pamahalaang Romano.
18 Matapos akong litisin, ako sana’y palalayain na, sapagkat wala naman akong ginawang dapat parusahan ng kamatayan.
19 Ngunit tumutol ang mga Judio kaya’t napilitan akong dumulog sa Emperador. Gayunman, wala akong paratang laban sa aking mga kababayan.
20 Nakagapos ako sa tanikalang ito dahil kay Jesus na siyang pag-asa ng Israel. Iyan ang dahilan kung bakit hiniling kong makausap kayo.”
21 Sagot nila, “Wala kaming natatanggap na sulat buhat sa Judea tungkol sa iyo. At sa kababayan man nating naparito ay walang nagbabalita o nagsasalita ng anuman laban sa iyo.
22 Gayunman, nais naming mapakinggan kung ano ang masasabi mo, sapagkat alam naming kahit saan ay marami ang sinasabi ng mga tao laban sa sektang ito.”
23 Kaya’t nagtakda sila ng araw. Marami ngang pumunta sa tinitirhan ni Pablo pagsapit ng araw na iyon. Maghapon siyang nagpaliwanag sa kanila at nagpatotoo tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos. Sa pamamagitan ng Kautusan ni Moises at ng mga sinulat ng mga propeta, sinikap niyang hikayatin sila tungkol kay Jesus.
24 May naniwala at mayroon din namang hindi naniwala sa kanyang sinabi.
25 Kaya’t nang hindi sila magkaisa, sila’y umalis matapos sabihin ni Pablo ang ganitong pangungusap, “Tama ang sinabi ng Espiritu Santo sa inyong mga ninuno sa pamamagitan ni Propeta Isaias,
26 ‘Pumunta ka sa mga taong ito at sabihin mo sa kanila, Makikinig kayo nang makikinig ngunit hindi kayo makakaunawa, at titingin kayo nang titingin ngunit hindi kayo makakakita.
27 Sapagkat naging mapurol ang isip ng mga taong ito, tinakpan ang kanilang mga tainga, at ipinikit nila ang kanilang mga mata.
Kung hindi, makakakita sana ang kanilang mga mata, makakarinig ang kanilang mga tainga, at makakaunawa ang kanilang mga pag-iisip. at magbabalik-loob sila sa akin, at sila’y aking pagagalingin, sabi ng Panginoon.’”
28 Idinagdag pa ni Pablo, “Sinasabi ko sa inyo, ipinahayag na sa mga Hentil ang kaligtasang ito na mula sa Diyos, at diringgin nila ito!”
[29 Matapos niyang sabihin ito, ang mga Judio’y umalis at mahigpit na nagtalu-talo.]
30 Nanirahan si Pablo sa Roma nang dalawang taon, sa bahay na kanyang inupahan, at tinanggap niya ang lahat ng pumupunta sa kanya.
31 Siya’y buong tapang at malayang nangaral tungkol sa kaharian ng Diyos at sa Panginoong Jesu-Cristo.

MGA GAWA 11

MGA GAWA 11 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

May mga taong gumagawa ng mga bagay-bagay. Si Pedro ay magagamit ng Panginoon, at ginamit siya ng Diyos upang opisyal na dalhin ang mga mananampalatayang hentil sa simbahan. Ang pader sa pagitan ng mga Hudyo at mga Hentil ay nasira (Efeso 2:11)! Ang balita ay kamangha-mangha sa mga Judiong mananampalataya, dahil naisip nila na ang mga Gentil ay dapat munang maging mga proselita ng mga Judio bago sila maging mga Kristiyano. Salamat sa Diyos na si Pedro ang uri ng tao na gumagawa ng mga bagay-bagay!

Ang ilang mga tao ay nakakarinig na ang mga bagay ay nangyayari. Maaaring kabilang sa kategoryang ito ang karamihan sa atin, ngunit paano ka tutugon kapag narinig mong may ginawang bago ang Diyos? Taos-puso ka bang nagsisikap na makuha ang mga katotohanan, o umaasa ka ba sa sabi-sabi? Dapat nating “subukan ang lahat
bagay; panghawakang mahigpit ang mabuti” (1 Tesalonica 5:22).

May mga taong sumasalungat sa mga nangyayari. Sinalakay ng legalistikong mga miyembro ng Jerusalem assembly si Pedro dahil sa pagkain kasama ng mga Gentil, kaya ipinaliwanag niya kung paano pinangunahan ng Diyos. Pinatunayan niya mula sa Kasulatan (Mga Gawa 11:16; Mga Gawa 1:5) na ang nangyari ay kalooban ng Diyos, at ang kanyang paliwanag ay nagpatahimik sa kanyang mga kritiko sa panahong iyon. Gayunpaman, ang legalistikong elemento sa simbahan ay muling babangon (Mga Gawa 15) at hahanapin na limitahan ang kalayaan ng ebanghelyo.

Ang ilang mga tao ay tumutulong sa ibang mga tao na mangyari ang mga bagay. Inilista ni Bernabe si Saulo (Mga Gawa 11:25–26) at pinatrabaho siya sa simbahan ng Antioch, na humantong sa kanilang pagsama-sama sa mga Gentil na may mensahe ng kaligtasan. Tinupad ni Bernabe ang kaniyang pangalan na “anak ng pampatibay-loob. ”

NAGTRABAHO SIYA PARA SA DAKILANG DOKTOR

Sinabihan siya ng manggagamot ni John Calvin na huminto sa pagtatrabaho kung hindi ay mamatay siya, at sumagot si Calvin, “Gusto mo bang dumating ang aking Guro at matagpuan akong naliligo? ”

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GAWA 11 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG ULAT NI PEDRO SA IGLESYA SA JERUSALEM

1 Nabalitaan ng mga apostol at ng mga kapatid sa buong Judea na may mga Hentil na tumanggap na rin sa salita ng Diyos.
2 Kaya’t nang si Pedro’y pumunta sa Jerusalem, tinuligsa siya ng mga kapatid na naniniwalang dapat tuliin ang mga Hentil.
3 “Bakit ka pumasok sa bahay ng mga di-tuling Hentil at nakisalo pa sa kanila?” tanong nila.
4 Kaya’t isinalaysay sa kanila ni Pedro ang buong pangyayari.
5 “Ako’y nasa lungsod ng Joppa at nananalangin nang magkaroon ako ng isang pangitain. Mula sa langit ay ibinabâ sa kinaroroonan ko ang isang tila malaking kumot na nakabitin sa apat na sulok.
6 Pinagmasdan ko itong mabuti at nakita ko roon ang iba’t ibang uri ng hayop, lumalakad at gumagapang sa lupa, mababangis, at mga lumilipad.
7 Pagkatapos ay narinig ko ang isang tinig na nag-utos, ‘Pedro, tumayo ka. Magkatay ka at kumain!’
8 Subalit sumagot ako, ‘Hindi ko magagawa iyan, Panginoon. Hindi ako kumakain ng anumang marumi o di karapat-dapat kainin.’
9 Muli kong narinig ang tinig mula sa langit, ‘Huwag mong ituring na marumi ang nilinis na ng Diyos!’
10 Tatlong ulit na nangyari iyon, at pagkatapos ay hinila na pataas sa langit ang lahat ng iyon.
11 “Nang sandali ring iyon, dumating sa bahay na tinutuluyan ko ang tatlong lalaking sinugo sa akin buhat sa Cesarea.
12 Sinabi sa akin ng Espiritu na sumama ako sa kanila kahit sila’y mga Hentil. Sumama rin sa akin ang anim na kapatid na ito at pumasok kami sa bahay ni Cornelio.
13 Isinalaysay niya sa amin na nakakita siya ng isang anghel na nakatayo sa loob ng kanyang bahay at sinabi raw sa kanya, ‘Magpadala ka ng mga sugo sa Joppa at ipasundo mo si Simon na tinatawag ding Pedro.
14 Ipapahayag niya sa iyo ang mga salita na kinakailangan mo upang ikaw at ang iyong sambahayan ay maligtas.’
15 “Nagsisimula pa lamang akong magsalita ay bumabâ na sa kanila ang Espiritu Santo gaya ng nangyari sa atin noong una.
16 At naalala ko ang sinabi ng Panginoon, ‘Si Juan ay nagbabautismo sa tubig, ngunit babautismuhan kayo sa Espiritu Santo.’
17 Kung binigyan sila ng Diyos ng kaloob na tulad ng ibinigay niya sa atin noong tayo’y manalig sa Panginoong Jesu-Cristo, sino ako para hadlangan ang Diyos?”
18 Nang marinig nila ito, tumigil na sila ng pagtuligsa at sa halip ay nagpuri sa Diyos. Sabi nila, “Kung gayon, ang mga Hentil man ay binigyan din ng Diyos ng pagkakataong magsisi at tumalikod sa mga kasalanan upang mabuhay!”

ANG IGLESYA SA ANTIOQUIA

19 May mga mananampalatayang nagkahiwa-hiwalay dahil sa pag-uusig na nagsimula noong patayin si Esteban, na nakarating sa Fenicia, sa Cyprus at sa Antioquia. Ipinapangaral nila ang salita, ngunit sa mga Judio lamang.
20 Subalit may kasama silang ilang mga taga-Cyprus at mga taga-Cirene na pagdating sa Antioquia ay ipinangaral din sa mga Griego ang Magandang Balita tungkol sa Panginoong Jesus.
21 Nasa kanila ang kapangyarihan ng Panginoon, at maraming naniwala at sumunod sa Panginoong Jesus.
22 Nang mabalitaan ito ng iglesya sa Jerusalem, isinugo nila sa Antioquia si Bernabe.
23 Nang dumating siya roon at makita ang pagpapala ng Diyos sa kanila, siya’y nagalak at pinagpayuhan silang lahat na manatiling tapat sa Panginoon nang buong puso.
24 Mabuting tao si Bernabe, puspos ng Espiritu Santo at ng pananampalataya sa Diyos. At marami pang tao ang sumampalataya sa Panginoon.
25 Nagpunta si Bernabe sa Tarso upang hanapin si Saulo,
26 at nang kanyang matagpuan ay isinama niya ito sa Antioquia. Isang taon silang nanatili roon na kasa-kasama ng iglesya, at nagtuturo sa maraming tao. Doon sa Antioquia unang tinawag na Cristiano ang mga tagasunod ni Jesus.
27 Nang panahong iyon, dumating sa Antioquia ang ilang propeta mula sa Jerusalem.
28 Tumayo ang isa sa kanila na ang pangala’y Agabo, at sa kapangyarihan ng Espiritu ay nagpahayag na magkakaroon ng matinding taggutom sa buong daigdig. Nangyari nga iyon noong kapanahunan ni Emperador Claudio.
29 Napagpasyahan ng mga alagad na magpadala ng tulong sa mga kapatid na naninirahan sa Judea, ayon sa kakayanan ng bawat isa.
30 Ganoon nga ang ginawa nila; ipinadala nila ang kanilang tulong sa mga matatandang namumuno sa iglesya sa pamamagitan nina Bernabe at Saulo.

ACTS 11

ACTS 11 OVERVIEW

Some people make things happen. Peter was available to the Lord, and God used him to officially bring gentile believers into the church. The wall between Jews and Gentiles had been broken down (Ephesians 2:11)! The news was astounding to the Jewish believers, for they thought the Gentiles must first become Jewish proselytes before they could become Christians. Thank God that Peter was the kind of person who makes things happen!

Some people hear that things happen. This category may include most of us, but how do you respond when you hear that God has done something new? Do you sincerely try to get the facts, or do you depend on hearsay? We are to “test all
things; hold fast what is good ” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Some people oppose things happening. The legalistic members of the Jerusalem assembly attacked Peter for eating with the Gentiles, so he explained how God had led. He proved from Scripture (Acts 11:16; Acts 1:5) that what happened was the will of God, and his explanation silenced his critics for the time. However, the legalistic element in the church would rise again (Acts 15) and seek to limit the freedom of the gospel.

Some people help other people make things happen. Barnabas enlisted Saul (Acts 11:25–26) and put him to work in the Antioch church, which led to their going together to the Gentiles with the message of salvation. Barnabas lived up to his name of “son of encouragement. ”

HE WORKED FOR THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

John Calvin’s physician told him to stop working or he would die, and Calvin replied, “Would you have my Master come and find me loitering? ”

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ACTS 11 BIBLE CHAPTER

PETER DEFENDS GOD’S GRACE

1 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
4 But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying:
5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me.
6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’
8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’
10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea.
12 Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter,
14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning.
16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

BARNABAS AND SAUL AT ANTIOCH

19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

RELIEF TO JUDEA

27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

MGA GAWA 10

GAWA 10 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Ginamit ni Pedro ang “mga susi” sa ikatlo at huling pagkakataon habang binubuksan niya ang pinto ng pananampalataya sa mga Gentil. Napakaganda ng probidensya ng Diyos! Si Pablo, ang apostol sa mga Hentil, ay inihahanda para sa kanyang gawain sa buhay; at si Pedro ay malapit nang sirain ang mga sinaunang hadlang sa pagitan ng mga Hudyo at mga Hentil: “Nalalaman ng Diyos mula sa kawalang-hanggan ang lahat ng Kanyang mga gawa ” (Mga Gawa 15:18).

Ngunit kinailangan ng Diyos na ihanda kapwa sina Pedro at Cornelio. Kinausap niya si Cornelio habang siya ay nananalangin at si Pedro habang siya ay nagpapahinga. Maging alisto sa tinig ng Diyos; hindi mo alam kung kailan Siya maaaring magkaroon ng isang salita para sa iyo.

“Hindi po, Panginoon! Sapagkat hindi ko kailanman. . . ” (Mga Gawa 10:14) ang tugon na humahantong sa pagkatalo. Malapit nang gumawa ng bagong bagay ang Diyos, at nais ni Pedro na hawakan ang luma. Tinatawag Niya Siyang Panginoon ngunit ayaw sumunod sa Kanya! Subalit magiliw na inutusan ng Diyos si Pedro, at ang apostol ay sumuko sa Kanyang kalooban.

Hindi natapos ni Pedro ang kanyang sermon. Nang sabihin niyang, “Ang sinumang sumampalataya sa Kanya ay tatanggap ng kapatawaran ng mga kasalanan” (Mga Gawa 10:43), naniwala sila at naligtas. Napakagandang paraan para ihinto ang isang sermon!

“Maaari mong sabihing “Panginoon,’ at masasabi mong “Hindi gayon,’ ngunit hindi mo masasabing, “Hindi gayon, Panginoon.’ ”

W. Graham Scroggie

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GAWA 10 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG PANGITAIN NI PEDRO

1 Sa Cesarea ay may isang lalaking nagngangalang Cornelio. Isa siyang kapitan sa “Batalyong Italiano” ng hukbong Romano.
2 Siya ay isang taong sumasamba at may takot sa Diyos, gayundin ang kanyang buong pamilya. Siya’y matulungin sa mga dukha at laging nananalangin sa Diyos.
3 Minsan, nang bandang alas tres ng hapon, nagkaroon siya ng isang pangitain; kitang-kita niyang pumasok ang isang anghel ng Diyos at siya’y tinawag, “Cornelio.”
4 Tumingin siya at takot na takot na nagtanong, “Ano po iyon?” Sumagot ang anghel, “Nasiyahan ang Diyos sa iyong mga dalangin at pagtulong mo sa mga dukha.
5 Magsugo ka ngayon din ng ilang tao sa Joppa upang sunduin ang isang taong nagngangalang Simon, na tinatawag ding Pedro.
6 Siya’y nanunuluyan sa bahay ni Simon na tagapagbilad ng balat ng hayop. Siya ay nakatira sa may tabing-dagat.”
7 Pagkaalis ng anghel, tumawag si Cornelio ng dalawang utusan at isang debotong kawal, isa sa mga naglilingkod sa kanya.
8 Isinalaysay niya sa kanila ang pangyayari; at pagkatapos, pinapunta sila sa Joppa.
9 Kinabukasan, samantalang naglalakbay at malapit na sa Joppa ang mga inutusan ni Cornelio, si Pedro nama’y umakyat sa bubungan[a] upang manalangin. Bandang tanghali na noon.
10 Siya’y nagutom at gusto na niyang kumain. Ngunit habang naghihintay siyang maihanda ang pagkain, nagkaroon siya ng isang pangitain.
11 Nabuksan ang langit at nakita niyang ibinababâ sa lupa ang isang parang malaking kumot na nakabitin sa apat na sulok.
12 Naroon sa kumot ang lahat ng uri ng hayop, mga lumalakad, gumagapang, at lumilipad.
13 Narinig niya ang isang tinig, “Pedro! Tumindig ka, magkatay ka at kumain.”
14 Ngunit sumagot si Pedro, “Hindi ko po magagawa iyan, Panginoon! Kailanma’y hindi ako kumain ng anumang marumi o di karapat-dapat kainin.”
15 Muli niyang narinig ang tinig, “Huwag mong ituring na marumi ang nilinis na ng Diyos.”
16 Tatlong ulit na nangyari ito, at pagkatapos ay kaagad na iniakyat sa langit ang kumot na iyon.
17 Habang pinag-iisipan ni Pedro kung ano ang kahulugan ng pangitaing iyon, dumating naman ang mga isinugo ni Cornelio. Ipinagtanong nila ang bahay ni Simon at noon ay nasa may pintuan na sila.

ANG KAHULUGAN NG PANGITAIN

18 Itinanong nila kung doon nga nanunuluyan si Simon na tinatawag ding Pedro.
19 Pinag-iisipan pa ni Pedro ang kahulugan ng pangitain nang sabihin sa kanya ng Espiritu, “Tingnan mo, may tatlong lalaking naghahanap sa iyo sa ibaba.
20 Bumabâ ka’t huwag mag-atubiling sumama sa kanila dahil ako ang nagsugo sa kanila.”
21 Nanaog nga si Pedro at sinabi sa mga tao, “Ako ang hinahanap ninyo. Ano ba ang sadya ninyo?”
22 Sumagot ang mga lalaki, “Pinapunta po kami dito ni Cornelio, isang kapitan ng hukbo. Siya’y isang mabuting tao, may takot sa Diyos, at iginagalang ng mga Judio. Sinabi sa kanya ng isang anghel na ipasundo kayo upang marinig niya ang sasabihin ninyo.”
23 Pinatuloy sila ni Pedro at doon pinatulog nang gabing iyon. Kinabukasan, siya’y sumama sa kanila, gayundin ang ilang kapatid na taga-Joppa.
24 Nang sumunod na araw, dumating sila sa Cesarea. Doo’y naghihintay na sa kanila si Cornelio, pati ang mga kamag-anak at malalapit na kaibigan na kanyang inanyayahan.
25 Sinalubong ni Cornelio si Pedro, nagpatirapa sa harap nito at sinamba.
26 Ngunit sinabi ni Pedro, “Tumayo ka, ako’y tao ring tulad mo.”
27 Patuloy silang nag-uusap habang pumapasok sa bahay, at nakita ni Pedro na maraming taong natitipon doon.
28 Sinabi niya, “Alam naman ninyo na bawal sa isang Judio ang makihalubilo o dumalaw sa isang hindi Judio. Subalit ipinakita sa akin ng Diyos na hindi ko dapat ituring na marumi at di karapat-dapat pakitunguhan ang sinuman.
29 Kaya’t nang ipasundo ninyo ako, hindi ako nag-atubiling sumama. Nais kong malaman kung bakit ninyo ako ipinasundo.”
30 Sumagot si Cornelio, “May apat na araw na ngayon ang nakakalipas, bandang alas tres din ng hapon, habang ako’y nananalangin dito sa aking bahay, biglang tumayo sa harap ko ang isang lalaking nakakasilaw ang kasuotan.
31 “Sinabi niya, ‘Cornelio, nakarating sa Diyos ang iyong mga panalangin at nakita niya ang pagtulong mo sa dukha.
32 Ipasundo mo sa Joppa si Simon Pedro. Nanunuluyan siya sa bahay ni Simon na tagapagbilad ng balat ng hayop. Siya ay nakatira sa tabing-dagat.’
33 Kaya’t kaagad akong nagsugo sa inyo ng ilang tao, at sa inyong kagandahang-loob ay pumarito kayo. Ngayon ay naririto kaming lahat sa harap ng Diyos upang pakinggan ang lahat ng ipinapasabi ng Panginoon.”

NANGARAL SI PEDRO

34 At nagsalita si Pedro, “Ngayon ko lubusang nauunawaan na walang itinatangi ang Diyos.
35 Nalulugod siya sa sinumang may takot sa kanya at gumagawa ng matuwid, kahit tagasaan mang bansa.
36 Ibinigay ng Diyos ang kanyang salita sa mga Israelita. Ipinahayag niya sa kanila ang Magandang Balita ng kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ni Jesu-Cristo, na siyang Panginoon ng lahat!
37 Alam ninyo ang pangyayaring naganap sa buong lupain ng mga Judio, na nagsimula sa Galilea pagkatapos na ipangaral ni Juan ang mensahe tungkol sa bautismo.
38 Alam ninyo ang tungkol kay Jesus na taga-Nazaret at kung paanong pinili siya ng Diyos at pinuspos ng Espiritu Santo at ng kapangyarihan. Alam din ninyo na pumunta siya sa iba’t ibang dako upang gumawa ng kabutihan sa mga tao at pagalingin ang lahat ng pinapahirapan ng diyablo. Nagawa niya ang mga ito sapagkat kasama niya ang Diyos.
39 “Saksi kami sa lahat ng ginawa niya sa lupain ng mga Judio at sa Jerusalem. Siya’y pinatay nila; siya ay ipinako nila sa krus.
40 Ngunit siya’y muling binuhay ng Diyos sa ikatlong araw at hinayaang ipakita ang sarili,
41 hindi sa lahat ng tao, kundi sa amin na mga pinili ng Diyos bilang mga saksi na nakasama niyang kumain at uminom pagkatapos na siya’y muling mabuhay.
42 Inatasan niya kaming mangaral sa mga tao at magpatotoo na siya ang itinalaga ng Diyos na maging hukom ng mga buháy at mga patay.
43 Siya ang tinutukoy ng mga propeta nang kanilang ipahayag na ang bawat sumampalataya sa kanya ay tatanggap ng kapatawaran sa kanilang mga kasalanan sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pangalan.”

IPINAGKALOOB ANG ESPIRITU SANTO SA MGA HENTIL

44 Nagsasalita pa si Pedro, nang bumabâ ang Espiritu Santo sa lahat ng mga nakikinig.
45 Namangha ang mga mananampalatayang Judio na kasama ni Pedro sapagkat ibinigay din sa mga Hentil ang kaloob ng Espiritu Santo.
46 Narinig nila ang mga ito na nagsasalita sa iba’t ibang wika at nagpupuri sa Diyos. Kaya’t sinabi ni Pedro,
47 “Tulad natin, sila’y pinagkalooban din ng Espiritu Santo. Sino ang makakapagbawal na bautismuhan sila sa tubig?”
48 At iniutos niyang bautismuhan sila sa pangalan ni Jesu-Cristo. Pagkatapos, hiniling nila kay Pedro na manatili pa roon nang ilang araw.

ACTS 10

ACTS 10 OVERVIEW

Peter uses the “keys ” for the third and last time as he opens the door of faith to the Gentiles. How wonderful is the providence of God! Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, was being prepared for his life’s work; and Peter was about to break down the ancient barriers between Jews and Gentiles: “Known to God from eternity are all His works ” (Acts 15:18).

But God had to prepare both Peter and Cornelius. He spoke to Cornelius while he was praying and to Peter while he was relaxing. Be alert to the voice of God; you never know when He may have a word for you.

“Not so, Lord! For I have never . . . ” (Acts 10:14) is the response that leads to defeat. God was about to do a new thing, and Peter wanted to hold on to the old. He calls Him Lord but refuses to obey Him! Yet God tenderly instructed Peter, and the apostle surrendered to His will.

Peter did not get to finish his sermon. When he said, “Whosoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins ” (Acts 10:43), they believed and were saved. What a great way to stop a sermon!

“You can say “Lord,’ and you can say “Not so,’ but you cannot say, “Not so, Lord.”

W. Graham Scroggie

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ACTS 10 BIBLE CHAPTER

CORNELIUS SENDS A DELEGATION

1 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always.
3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.
5 Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.
6 He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do.”
7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.
8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

PETER’S VISION

9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour.
10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
11 and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth.
12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air.
13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.”
16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

SUMMONED TO CAESAREA

17 Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.
18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19 While Peter thought about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you.
20 Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.”
23 Then he invited them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter went away with them, and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

PETER MEETS CORNELIUS

24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him.
26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together.
28 Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
30 So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God.
32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

PREACHING TO CORNELIUS’ HOUSEHOLD

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.
40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.
42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.
43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

THE HOLY SPIRIT FALLS ON THE GENTILES

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

MGA GAWA 9

MGA GAWA 9 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Ang pagbabagong loob ni Saul ng Tarsus ay isang pagbabago sa kasaysayan ng simbahan, at ginamit ng Diyos ang ilang tao para hawakan ang kanyang buhay. Naaalala natin si Paul at madaling makalimutan ang mga taong tumulong sa kanya na makapagsimula.

Ang patotoo ni Esteban ay mahalaga (Mga Gawa 22:20) gayundin ang mga patotoo at panalangin ng mga taong pinag-usig ni Saulo (Mateo 5:44). Bininyagan siya ni Ananias at pinasigla siya, at iniligtas ng mga disipulo sa Damasco ang kanyang buhay. Nang ang simbahan sa Jerusalem ay natakot na tanggapin si Saulo sa kanilang pagsasama, si Bernabe (“anak ng pampatibay-loob ”) ang nagtayo ng tulay. Nang maglaon ay hinikayat ni Bernabe si Saul na maglingkod sa simbahan ng Antioch (Mga Gawa 11:25-26) at naglakbay kasama niya sa ministeryong pang-ebanghelyo sa mga Hentil (Mga Gawa 13:1–3).

Maaaring hindi ka tinawag sa isang kilalang gawain tulad ni Saul, ngunit magagawa mo ang trabaho na tinawag ng Diyos na gawin mo at maging pampatibay-loob sa iba. Hindi natin alam ang mga pangalan ng magigiting na lalaki na nagpuslit kay Saul palabas ng Damascus (Mga Gawa 9:25), ngunit ang paghawak ng mga lubid ay isang mahalagang trabaho!

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GAWA 9 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG PAGTAWAG KAY SAULO

1 Samantala, patuloy ang pagbabanta ni Saulo na maipapatay ang mga alagad ng Panginoon. Lumapit siya sa Pinakapunong Pari ng mga Judio
2 at humingi ng mga sulat para sa mga sinagoga sa Damasco upang madakip niya at madala sa Jerusalem ang sinumang lalaki o babae na matagpuan niya roong kaanib sa Daan ng Panginoon.
3 Naglakbay si Saulo papuntang Damasco, at nang siya’y malapit na sa lungsod, biglang kumislap sa paligid niya ang isang nakakasilaw na liwanag mula sa langit.
4 Natumba siya sa lupa at narinig niya ang isang tinig na nagsasabi, “Saulo, Saulo! Bakit mo ako inuusig?”
5 “Sino kayo, Panginoon?” tanong niya. “Ako si Jesus, ang iyong inuusig,” tugon ng tinig sa kanya.
6 “Tumayo ka’t pumasok sa lungsod, at doo’y sasabihin sa iyo kung ano ang dapat mong gawin.”
7 Natigilan at hindi makapagsalita ang mga kasama ni Saulo nang marinig nila ang tinig ngunit wala naman silang makitang nagsasalita.
8 Tumayo si Saulo at pagmulat niya ay hindi siya makakita, kaya’t siya’y inakay ng mga kasama niya at dinala sa Damasco.
9 Hindi siya nakakita sa loob ng tatlong araw at hindi rin siya kumain ni uminom.
10 Sa Damasco ay may isang alagad na ang pangala’y Ananias. Tinawag siya ng Panginoon sa pamamagitan ng isang pangitain, “Ananias!” “Ano po iyon, Panginoon,” tugon niya.
11 Sinabi ng Panginoon, “Pumunta ka sa kalyeng tinatawag na Tuwid, sa bahay ni Judas, at ipagtanong mo ang isang lalaking taga-Tarso na ang pangala’y Saulo. Siya’y nananalangin ngayon.
12 [Sa isang pangitain],nakita ka niyang pumasok sa kinaroroonan niya at pinatungan mo siya ng kamay upang siya’y makakitang muli.”
13 Sumagot si Ananias, “Panginoon, marami na po akong nabalitaan tungkol sa taong ito at sa mga kasamaang ginawa niya sa inyong mga hinirang sa Jerusalem.
14 At naparito siya sa Damasco, taglay ang kapangyarihang galing sa mga punong pari ng mga Judio, upang dakpin ang lahat ng tumatawag sa iyong pangalan.”
15 Ngunit sinabi sa kanya ng Panginoon, “Pumunta ka roon, sapagkat siya’y pinili ko upang ipakilala ang aking pangalan sa mga Hentil, sa mga hari, at sa mga anak ng Israel.
16 Ipapakita ko sa kanya ang lahat ng dapat niyang tiisin alang-alang sa akin.”
17 Pumunta nga si Ananias sa naturang bahay at pumasok dito. Ipinatong niya ang kanyang mga kamay kay Saulo at sinabi niya, “Kapatid na Saulo, pinapunta ako rito ng Panginoong Jesus na nagpakita sa iyo sa daan nang ikaw ay papunta rito. Isinugo niya ako upang muli kang makakita at upang mapuspos ka ng Espiritu Santo.”
18 Noon di’y may nalaglag na tila mga kaliskis mula sa mga mata ni Saulo at nakakita siyang muli. Tumayo siya at nagpabautismo.
19 Kumain siya at nagbalik ang kanyang lakas.

NANGARAL SI SAULO SA DAMASCO

Si Saulo’y ilang araw na kasa-kasama ng mga alagad sa Damasco.
20 At agad siyang nangaral sa mga sinagoga na si Jesus ang Anak ng Diyos.
21 Nagtaka ang lahat ng nakarinig sa kanya. “Hindi ba ito ang dating umuusig doon sa Jerusalem sa mga tumatawag sa pangalan ni Jesus?” tanong nila. “Hindi ba’t naparito nga siya upang sila’y dakpin at dalhing nakagapos sa mga punong pari?”
22 Ngunit lalong naging makapangyarihan ang pangangaral ni Saulo at walang maisagot ang mga Judiong naninirahan sa Damasco sa kanyang pagpapatunay na si Jesus ang Cristo.
23 Pagkaraan ng maraming araw, nagkaisa ang mga Judio na patayin si Saulo.
24 Araw at gabi ay inaabangan nila si Saulo sa mga pintuang-bayan para patayin, ngunit nalaman niya ito.
25 Kaya’t isang gabi, inilagay siya ng kanyang mga alagad sa isang basket at ibinabâ sa kabila ng pader.

SI SAULO SA JERUSALEM

26 Pagdating ni Saulo sa Jerusalem, sinikap niyang mapabilang sa mga alagad doon. Ngunit silang lahat ay takot sa kanya dahil hindi sila makapaniwalang isa na siyang alagad.
27 Subalit dinala siya ni Bernabe sa mga apostol at isinalaysay nito sa kanila kung paano nagpakita at nakipag-usap ang Panginoon kay Saulo nang ito’y nasa daan papunta sa Damasco. Sinabi rin ni Bernabe na buong tapang na nangaral sa Damasco si Saulo sa pangalan ni Jesus.
28 Kaya mula noon, si Saulo’y kasa-kasama na nila sa buong Jerusalem, at buong tapang na nangangaral doon sa pangalan ng Panginoon.
29 Nakipag-usap din siya at nakipagtalo sa mga Helenista, kaya’t tinangka nilang patayin siya.
30 Nalaman ito ng mga kapatid kaya’t inihatid nila si Saulo sa Cesarea at pinauwi sa Tarso.
31 Kaya’t ang iglesya sa buong Judea, Galilea at Samaria ay naging mapayapa at matatag. At patuloy silang namuhay na may takot sa Panginoon, at sa tulong ng Espiritu Santo ay lumago sila.

NAGPUNTA SI PEDRO SA LIDA AT SA JOPPA

32 Naglalakbay noon si Pedro sa mga bayan-bayan upang dalawin ang mga hinirang ng Panginoon. Pagdating niya sa Lida,
33 natagpuan niya roon ang isang lalaking nagngangalang Eneas. Ito’y isang paralitiko at walong taon nang nakaratay.
34 Sinabi ni Pedro sa kanya, “Eneas, pinapagaling ka ni Jesu-Cristo. Tumayo ka’t iligpit mo ang iyong higaan!”nAt agad siyang tumayo.
35 Nakita siya ng lahat ng naninirahan sa Lida at Saron, at sila’y sumunod sa Panginoon.
36 Sa Joppa naman ay may isang alagad na babae na ang pangalan ay Tabita. Sa wikang Griego, ang kanyang pangalan ay Dorcas. Ginugol niya ang kanyang panahon sa paggawa ng kabutihan at pagkakawanggawa.
37 Nang mga araw na iyon, nagkasakit siya at namatay. Nilinis ang kanyang bangkay at ibinurol ito sa silid sa itaas.
38 Malapit lang sa Joppa ang Lida. Kaya’t nang mabalitaan ng mga alagad na si Pedro ay nasa Lida, nagsugo sila ng dalawang lalaki upang siya’y pakiusapang pumunta agad sa Joppa.
39 Sumama naman sa kanila si Pedro, at pagdating doon, dinala siya sa silid sa itaas. Kaagad lumapit sa kanya ang lahat ng mga biyuda; umiiyak sila at ipinapakita ang mga damit at mga balabal na ginawa ni Dorcas para sa kanila noong ito’y nabubuhay pa.
40 Pinalabas ni Pedro ang lahat at siya’y lumuhod at nanalangin. Pagkatapos, humarap siya sa bangkay at sinabi, “Tabita, bumangon ka!” Dumilat si Tabita at naupo nang makita nito si Pedro.
41 Hinawakan ni Pedro ang kanyang kamay at tinulungang bumangon. Pagkatapos, tinawag niya ang mga hinirang ng Panginoon at ang mga biyuda, at iniharap sa kanila si Dorcas na buháy na.
42 Ang pangyayaring ito’y nabalita sa buong Joppa kaya’t marami ang sumampalataya sa Panginoon.
43 Maraming araw ding nanatili si Pedro sa Joppa, sa bahay ng isang tagapagbilad ng balat ng hayop na nagngangalang Simon.

LISTAHAN NG MGA KABANATA NG AKLAT NG MGA GAWA

MAIKLING BUOD NG BAWAT KABANATA NG AKLAT NG MGA GAWA

MGA GAWA 1
Sinabi ni Jesus, “Tatanggapin ninyo ang Espiritu at kayo’y magiging mga saksi ko.”
Dinala Si Hesus sa isang ulap.
Ang mga mananampalataya ay nagsapalaran upang palitan si Judas.

MGA GAWA 2
Sa Pentecostes sila ay napuspos ng Espiritu.
Sinabi ni Pedro sa mga tao, “Ipinako ninyo sa krus si Jesus ngunit ginawa siyang Panginoon ng Diyos.”
3,000 ang naniwala.

MGA GAWA 3
Pinagaling nina Pedro at Juan ang isang pilay sa templo.
Sinabi ni Pedro sa mga tao, “Ang pananampalataya kay Jesus ang nagpagaling sa taong ito. Magsisi ka sa iyong mga kasalanan.”

MGA GAWA 4
Dinala sila sa harap ng mga pinuno.
Sinabi nina Pedro at Juan, “Hindi namin mapipigilan ang pag-uusap tungkol kay Jesus.”
Ang mga mananampalataya ay nanalangin para sa katapangan.

MGA GAWA 5
Nagsinungaling sina Ananias at Safira at namatay sila.
Pinalaya ng isang anghel ang mga apostol mula sa bilangguan.
Sinabi ni Gamaliel, “Pabayaan mo ang mga lalaking ito.”

MGA GAWA 6
Pinili ng mga alagad ang pitong lalaki na mamahagi ng pagkain.
Ang ilan sa sinagoga ay nakipagtalo kay Esteban.
Dinala nila siya sa harap ng kapulungan.

MGA GAWA 7
Sinabi ni Esteban, “Mga kapatid, tinawag ng Diyos si Abraham at nagpakita kay Moises. Pinatay mo ang matuwid.”
Nagalit sila at binato siya.

MGA GAWA 8
Iginpahayag ni Felipe si Kristo sa Samaria.
Isang salamangkero ang nag-alok ng pera para sa kaloob ng Espiritu.
Bininyagan ni Felipe ang isang opisyal ng Etiopia.

MGA GAWA 9
Dinakip ni Saul ang mga mananampalataya. Sinabi ni Jesus, “Bakit ninyo ako inuusig?”
Si Saul ay bininyagan at nagsimulang mangaral.
Itinaas ni Pedro si Dorcas.

MGA GAWA 10
Ipinatawag ni Cornelio si Pedro. Sinabi ng Panginoon kay Pedro, “Huwag mo silang tawaging marumi.”
Nangaral si Pedro sa mga Hentil at bumagsak ang Espiritu.

MGA GAWA 11
Ang ilan sa Jerusalem ay pumuna kay Pedro.
Sinabi niya, “Sinabi sa akin ng Espiritu na pumunta.” Marami sa Antioquia ang sumampalataya.
Sina Bernabe at Saulo ay nagturo doon.

MGA GAWA 12
Pinatay ni Herodes si Santiago at inaresto si Pedro.
Taimtim na nanalangin ang simbahan. Isang anghel ang nag-akay kay Pedro palabas ng bilangguan.
Pinatay ng isang anghel si Herodes.

MGA GAWA 13
Sina Pablo at Bernabe ay nagpahayag ng Salita. Sinabi ni Pablo, “Nagpadala ang Diyos ng isang Tagapagligtas, si Jesus, gaya ng ipinangako niya.”
Ang mga Judio ay nagbunsod ng pag-uusig.

MGA GAWA 14
Marami ang naniniwala sa Iconium.
Ang mga tao sa Listra ay gustong sumamba kay Pablo, at pagkatapos ay binato nila siya.
Sina Pablo at Bernabe ay bumalik sa Antioquia.

MGA GAWA 15
May mga taong nagturo ng pagtutuli para sa mga Hentil.
Sinabi ni Pedro, “Ibinigay ng Diyos ang Espiritu na walang pagkakaiba.”
Naghiwalay sina Pablo at Bernabe.

MGA GAWA 16
Isinama ni Pablo si Timoteo. Bininyagan namin si Lydia sa Filipos.
Si Pablo ay nabilanggo at nagkaroon ng lindol.
Bininyagan ang tagapagbantay.

MGA GAWA 17
Nagturo sila sa Tesalonica at Berea.
Sa Atenas sinabi ni Pablo, “Ipinapahayag ko ang Diyos na nagbibigay buhay sa lahat. Hahatulan niya ang sanlibutan.”

MGA GAWA 18
Nagturo si Pablo sa Corinto sa loob ng isa’t kalahating taon.
Pumunta siya sa Efeso kasama sina Priscila at Aquila. Sina Priscila at Aquila ang nagturo kay Apolos.

MGA GAWA 19
Ipinatong ni Pablo ang kanyang mga kamay sa mga alagad sa Efeso upang tanggapin ang Banal na Espiritu.
Si Demetrius, isang panday-pilak, ay nagsimula ng kaguluhan sa lunsod.

MGA GAWA 20
Sumakay kami sa Troas.
Binuhay ni Pablo si Eutico mula sa mga patay matapos siyang mahulog mula sa bintana.
Gindasig ni Pablo an mga tigurang ha Efeso nga magmangno ha panon han panon.

MGA GAWA 21
Binalaan si Pablo na huwag pumunta sa Jerusalem. Sabi niya, “Handa na akong mamatay.”
Pumunta kami doon at nakita si James. Si Pablo ay inaresto sa templo.

MGA GAWA 22
Sinabi ni Pablo, “Si Jesus ay nagpakita sa akin at ipinadala ako sa mga Hentil.” Naghagis ng alikabok ang mga tao.
Sinabi ni Pablo sa tribune, “Ako’y mamamayang Romano.”

MGA GAWA 23
Nagdulot si Pablo ng pagtatalo sa pagitan ng mga Pariseo at mga Saduceo. Nagbalak ang mga Judio na siya’y patayin.
Ipinadala siya ng tribune kay Gobernador Felix.

MGA GAWA 24
Inakusahan ni Tertulo si Pablo sa harap ni Felix. Sinabi ni Pablo, “Nagpunta lang ako upang sumamba sa templo.”
Ikinulong ni Felix si Pablo sa bilangguan sa loob ng dalawang taon.

MGA GAWA 25
Dumating si Festo at tinawag si Pablo. Sinabi ni Pablo, “Nakikiusap ako kay Cesar.”
Dinala ni Festo si Pablo sa harap ni Haring Agripa upang pagpasyahan ang mga paratang.

MGA GAWA 26
Sinabi ni Pablo, “Sinalungat ko ang pangalan ni Jesus. Nagpakita siya sa akin at ginawa akong saksi.”
At sinabi ni Agripa, Ang taong ito’y makalalaya sana.

MGA GAWA 27
Sumakay na kami ng jeep papuntang Roma. Isang bagyo ang dumating at nawala ang lahat ng pag-asa. Sinabi ni Pablo, “Lakasan mo ang iyong loob, kailangan nating tumakbo sa lupa.”
Narating ng lahat ang lupain.

MGA GAWA 28
Sa Malta pinagaling ni Pablo ang lahat ng may sakit. Dumating kami sa Roma.
Si Pablo ay nakatira sa ilalim ng house arrest. Ipinahayag niya ang kaharian ng Diyos sa lahat.

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MGA GAWA 28

LIST OF CHAPTERS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

SHORT SUMMARY OF EACH CHAPTER OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

ACTS 1
Jesus said, “You will receive the Spirit and be my witnesses.”
He was taken up in a cloud.
The believers cast lots to replace Judas.

ACTS 2
At Pentecost they were filled with the Spirit.
Peter told the crowd, “You crucified Jesus but God has made him Lord.”
3,000 believed.

ACTS 3
Peter and John healed a lame man at the temple.
Peter told the people, “Faith in Jesus has healed this man. Repent of your sins.”

ACTS 4
They were taken before the rulers.
Peter and John said, “We cannot stop speaking about Jesus.”
The believers prayed for boldness.

ACTS 5
Ananias and Sapphira told a lie and fell dead.
An angel released the apostles from prison.
Gamaliel advised, “Leave these men alone.”

ACTS 6
The disciples chose seven men to distribute food.
Some from the synagogue disputed with Stephen.
They took him before the council.

ACTS 7
Stephen said, “Brothers, God called Abraham and appeared to Moses. You killed the Righteous One.”
They were enraged and stoned him.

ACTS 8
Philip proclaimed Christ in Samaria.
A magician offered money for the gift of the Spirit.
Philip baptised an Ethiopian official.

ACTS 9
Saul went to arrest the believers. Jesus said, “Why do you persecute me?”
Saul was baptised and began preaching.
Peter raised Dorcas.

ACTS 10
Cornelius sent for Peter. The Lord said to Peter, “Do not call them unclean.”
Peter preached to the Gentiles and the Spirit fell.

ACTS 11
Some in Jerusalem criticised Peter.
He said, “The Spirit told me to go.” Many in Antioch believed.
Barnabas and Saul taught there.

ACTS 12
Herod killed James and arrested Peter.
The church prayed earnestly. An angel led Peter out of prison.
An angel struck Herod down.

ACTS 13
Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the word. Paul said, “God has sent a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.”
The Jews stirred up persecution.

ACTS 14
Many believed at Iconium.
The crowd at Lystra wanted to worship Paul, then they stoned him.
Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch.

ACTS 15
Some men taught circumcision for the Gentiles.
Peter said, “God gave the Spirit with no distinction.”
Paul and Barnabas separated.

ACTS 16
Paul took Timothy with him. We baptized Lydia in Philippi.
Paul was imprisoned and there was an earthquake.
The jailer was baptized.

ACTS 17
They taught in Thessalonica and Berea.
In Athens Paul said, “I proclaim the God who gives life to all. He will judge the world.”

ACTS 18
Paul taught in Corinth for a year and a half.
He went to Ephesus with Priscilla and Aquila. Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos.

ACTS 19
Paul laid his hands on the disciples at Ephesus to receive the Holy Spirit.
Demetrius, a silversmith, started a riot in the city.

ACTS 20
We sailed to Troas.
Paul raised Eutychus from the dead after he fell from the window.
Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to care for the flock.

ACTS 21
Paul was warned not to go to Jerusalem. He said, “I am ready to die.”
We went there and saw James. Paul was arrested in the temple.

ACTS 22
Paul said, “Jesus appeared to me and sent me to the Gentiles.” The crowd threw dust.
Paul told the tribune, “I am a Roman citizen.”

ACTS 23
Paul caused a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Jews plotted to kill him.
The tribune sent him to governor Felix.

ACTS 24
Tertullus accused Paul before Felix. Paul said, “I simply went to worship in the temple.”
Felix kept Paul in prison for two years.

ACTS 25
Festus arrived and summoned Paul. Paul said, “I appeal to Caesar.”
Festus brought Paul before King Agrippa to decide the charges.

ACTS 26
Paul said, “I opposed the name of Jesus. He appeared to me and made me a witness.”
Agrippa said, “This man could have been freed.”

ACTS 27
We set sail for Rome. A storm struck and all hope was lost. Paul said, “Take heart, we must run aground.”
Everyone reached land.

ACTS 28
On Malta Paul healed all who had diseases. We came to Rome.
Paul lived under house arrest. He proclaimed the kingdom of God to all.

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ACTS 8

ACTS 8 OVERVIEW

The death of Stephen seemed to be a defeat for the church, but it resulted in some great victories for the Lord. Wherever the believers went, they shared the gospel and many trusted the Savior (Acts 8:1–7; Acts 11:19). Stephen’s witness made a tremendous impression on Saul and was instrumental in his conversion (Acts 22:20). Never give up when the enemy seems to be winning. It may be your finest hour of victory.

Like Stephen, Philip was a deacon who was also an evangelist; and God led him to witness in Samaria to people hostile to the Jews (John 4:9). The coming of Peter and John and the giving of the Holy Spirit linked the Samaritan believers to the saints in Jerusalem and the ancient division was healed. The way to turn enemies into friends is to make them brothers.

In times of great blessing, wherever God sows true seed, the devil sows a counterfeit (Matthew 13:24–30,36–43). Like Peter, we must be alert and exercise discernment.

Philip left a great harvest to talk to one man, but that is the mark of a true servant of the Lord. We must go where God sends us, do what God tells us, and leave the results with Him.

“I live for souls and for eternity, I want to win some soul to Christ. If you want this and work for it, eternity alone can tell the result. ”

D. L. Moody

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ACTS 8 BIBLE CHAPTER

SAUL PERSECUTES THE CHURCH

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

CHRIST IS PREACHED IN SAMARIA

4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.
6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.

THE SORCERER’S PROFESSION OF FAITH

9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great,
10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”
11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.
13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

THE SORCERER’S SIN

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!
21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

CHRIST IS PREACHED TO AN ETHIOPIAN

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert.
27 So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His justice was taken away, And who will declare His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.”
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?”
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

MGA GAWA 7

GAWA 7 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Ang pangunahing layunin ng mensahe ni Esteban ay ang Israel ay laging lumalaban sa katotohanan at tinanggihan ang mga tagapagligtas na ipinadala ng Diyos sa kanila. Sinalansang nila si Moises at paulit-ulit nilang gustong bumalik sa Ehipto. Nilabanan nila si Joseph, at kalaunan ay naging kanilang tagapagligtas! Tinanggihan nila ang maraming propetang ipinadala ng Diyos upang balaan sila at tawagin sila pabalik sa Kanyang daan. Sa wakas, tinanggihan nila ang kanilang sariling Mesiyas at ipinako Siya sa krus.

Ang kasaysayan ng Israel ay nagpapakita ng pagtitiis ng Diyos at ang katigasan ng puso ng tao. Ngunit nagpapakita rin ito ng sinag ng pag-asa: Tinanggihan ng Israel ang kanilang mga tagapagligtas sa unang pagkakataon ngunit tinanggap sila sa pangalawang pagkakataon. Iyan ay totoo kina Moises at Jose, at ito ay magiging totoo kay Jesus sa Kanyang pagbabalik (Zacarias 12:10).

Ang kamatayan ni Esteban ay ang ikatlong pagpatay sa kasaysayan ng Israel at isang pagbabago sa pakikitungo ng Diyos sa bansa. Tinanggihan nila ang Ama noong pinahintulutan nilang patayin si Juan Bautista; tinanggihan nila ang Anak nang hilingin nilang ipako sa krus si Jesus; at ngayon ay tinanggihan nila ang Banal na Espiritu. Wala nang kapatawaran (Mateo 2:31–32). Ang linya ay nalampasan, at ang ebanghelyo ay lumipat sa Judea at Samaria.

STEPHEN

Ang pangalang Esteban ay nangangahulugang “isang korona,” at natamo niya ang korona ng buhay dahil siya ay tapat hanggang kamatayan (Apocalipsis 2:10).

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GAWA 7 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG TALUMPATI NI ESTEBAN

1 Si Esteban ay tinanong ng pinakapunong pari, “Totoo ba ang lahat ng ito?”
2 Sumagot si Esteban, “Mga kapatid at mga magulang, pakinggan ninyo ang sasabihin ko. Ang dakila at makapangyarihang Diyos ay nagpakita sa ating ninunong si Abraham nang siya’y nasa Mesopotamia pa, bago siya nanirahan sa Haran.
3 Sinabi sa kanya ng Diyos, ‘Iwan mo ang iyong lupain at mga kamag-anak at pumunta ka sa lupaing ituturo ko sa iyo.’
4 “Kaya’t umalis siya sa lupain ng mga Caldeo at nanirahan sa Haran. Pagkamatay ng kanyang ama, siya’y pinalipat ng Diyos sa lupaing ito na inyong tinitirhan ngayon.
5 Gayunman, hindi pa siya binigyan dito ng Diyos ng kahit na kapirasong lupa, ngunit ipinangako sa kanya na ang lupaing ito ay magiging pag-aari niya at ng magiging lahi niya, kahit na wala pa siyang anak noon.
6 Ganito ang sinabi sa kanya ng Diyos, ‘Makikitira sa ibang lupain ang iyong magiging lahi. Aalipinin sila roon at pahihirapan sa loob ng apatnaraang taon,
7 ngunit paparusahan ko ang bansang aalipin sa kanila. Aalis sila roon at sasamba sa akin sa lugar na ito.’
8 At iniutos ng Diyos kay Abraham ang pagtutuli bilang palatandaan ng kanilang kasunduan. Kaya’t nang isilang si Isaac, tinuli niya ito sa ikawalong araw. Ganoon din ang ginawa ni Isaac sa anak niyang si Jacob, at ginawa naman ni Jacob sa labindalawa niyang anak na lalaki, na naging mga ninuno ng ating lahi.

ANG MGA PATRIARKA SA EGYPT

9 “Ang mga ninuno nating ito ay nainggit kay Jose, kaya’t siya’y ipinagbili nila upang maging alipin sa Egipto. Ngunit kasama niya ang Diyos,
10 at hinango siya ng Diyos sa lahat ng kanyang kahirapan. Pinagpala siya ng Diyos at pinagkalooban ng karunungan nang humarap siya sa Faraon, ang hari ng Egipto. Siya’y ginawa nitong gobernador ng Egipto at tagapamahala ng buong sambahayan ng hari.
11 “Nagkaroon ng taggutom at matinding paghihirap sa buong Egipto at Canaan. Maging ang ating mga ninuno ay walang makunan ng pagkain.
12 Kaya’t nang mabalitaan ni Jacob na may trigo sa Egipto, pinapunta niya roon ang ating mga ninuno sa unang pagkakataon.
13 Sa ikalawang pagpunta nila, nagpakilala si Jose sa kanyang mga kapatid, at nalaman naman ng Faraon ang tungkol sa kanyang pamilya.
14 Dahil dito’y ipinasundo ni Jose ang kanyang amang si Jacob at ang buong pamilya nito, pitumpu’t limang katao silang lahat.
15 Pumunta nga si Jacob sa Egipto at doon siya namatay, gayundin ang ating mga ninuno.
16 Ang kanilang mga labî ay dinala sa Shekem at inilagay sa libingang binili ni Abraham sa mga anak ni Hamor.

INILIGTAS NG DIYOS ANG ISRAEL SA PAMAMAGITAN NI MOISES

17 “Nang sumapit ang panahon para tuparin ng Diyos ang kanyang pangako kay Abraham, maraming-marami na ang mga Israelita sa Egipto.
18 Sa panahong iyon, hindi na kilala ng hari [ng Egipto]si Jose.
19 Dinaya at pinahirapan ng hari ang ating mga ninuno at sapilitan niyang ipinatapon ang kanilang mga sanggol upang mamatay.
20 Noon ipinanganak si Moises, isang batang kinalulugdan ng Diyos. Tatlong buwan siyang inalagaan sa kanilang tahanan,
21 at nang siya’y itapon, inampon siya ng anak na babae ng Faraon, at pinalaking parang sariling anak.
22 Tinuruan siya sa lahat ng karunungan ng mga Egipcio, at siya’y naging dakila sa salita at sa gawa.
23 “Nang si Moises ay apatnapung taon na, naisipan niyang dalawin ang kanyang mga kababayang Israelita upang tingnan ang kanilang kalagayan.
24 Nakita niyang inaapi ng isang Egipcio ang isa sa kanila, kaya’t ipinagtanggol niya ito, at napatay niya ang Egipciong iyon.
25 Akala ni Moises ay mauunawaan ng kanyang mga kababayan na sila’y ililigtas ng Diyos sa pamamagitan niya. Ngunit hindi nila ito naunawaan.
26 Kinabukasan, may nakita siyang dalawang Israelitang nag-aaway, at sinikap niyang sila’y pagkasunduin. Sabi niya, ‘Mga kaibigan, pareho kayong Israelita. Bakit kayo nag-aaway?’
27 Subalit tinabig siya ng lalaking nananakit at pinagsabihan ng ganito: ‘Sino ang naglagay sa iyo upang maging pinuno at hukom namin?
28 Nais mo rin ba akong patayin gaya ng ginawa mo kahapon doon sa Egipcio?’
29 Nang marinig ito ni Moises, siya’y tumakas at nanirahan sa lupain ng Midian. Doon ay nagkaroon siya ng dalawang anak na lalaki.
30 “Makalipas ang apatnapung taon, samantalang si Moises ay nasa ilang na di-kalayuan sa Bundok ng Sinai, nagpakita sa kanya ang isang anghel sa isang nagliliyab na mababang punongkahoy.
31 Namangha si Moises sa kanyang nakita, at nang lapitan niya ito upang tingnang mabuti, narinig niya ang tinig ng Panginoon,
32 ‘Ako ang Diyos ng iyong mga ninuno, ang Diyos nina Abraham, Isaac at Jacob.’ Nanginig sa takot si Moises at hindi makatingin.
33 Sinabi sa kanya ng Panginoon, ‘Alisin mo ang iyong sandalyas sapagkat banal ang lupang kinatatayuan mo.
34 Nakita ko ang paghihirap ng aking bayan sa Egipto; narinig ko ang kanilang daing, at bumabâ ako upang sila’y iligtas. Halika’t isusugo kita sa Egipto.’
35 “Itinakwil nila ang Moises na ito nang kanilang sabihin, ‘Sino ang naglagay sa iyo upang maging pinuno at hukom namin?’ Ngunit ang Moises ding iyon ang isinugo ng Diyos upang mamuno at magligtas sa kanila, sa tulong ng anghel na nagpakita sa kanya sa mababang punongkahoy.
36 Sila ay inilabas niya mula sa Egipto sa pamamagitan ng mga himalang ginawa niya roon, sa Dagat na Pula, at sa ilang sa loob ng apatnapung taon.

NAGHIMAGSIK ANG ISRAEL LABAN SA DIYOS

37 Siya rin ang Moises na nagsabi sa mga Israelita, ‘Ang Diyos ay pipili ng isa sa inyo at gagawing propetang tulad ko.’
38 Siya ang kasama sa kapulungan ng mga Israelita sa ilang at ng anghel na nagsalita sa kanya at sa ating mga ninuno sa Bundok ng Sinai. Siya ang tumanggap ng mga salitang nagbibigay-buhay mula sa Diyos upang ibigay sa atin.
39 “Ngunit hindi siya sinunod ng ating mga ninuno. Sa halip, siya’y kanilang itinakwil, at mas gusto pa nilang magbalik sa Egipto.
40 Sinabi pa nila kay Aaron, ‘Igawa mo kami ng mga diyos na mangunguna sa amin, sapagkat hindi namin alam kung ano na ang nangyari sa Moises na iyan na naglabas sa amin mula sa lupain ng Egipto.’
41 At gumawa nga sila ng isang diyus-diyosan na may anyong guyang baka. Nag-alay sila ng handog at ipinagpista ang diyus-diyosang hinugis ng kanilang mga kamay.
42 Dahil diyan, itinakwil sila ng Diyos at hinayaang sumamba sa mga bituin sa langit, ayon sa nakasulat sa aklat ng mga propeta: ‘Bayang Israel, hindi naman talaga ako ang tunay na hinandugan ninyo ng mga alay at mga hayop na pinatay sa loob ng apatnapung taong kayo’y nasa ilang.
43 Sa halip, ang inyong dala-dala ay ang santuwaryo ni Molec, at ang bituin ng inyong diyos na si Refan.
Dahil ginawa ninyo ang mga rebultong ito upang sambahin,dadalhin ko kayong mga bihag sa kabila pa ng Babilonia.’

ANG TUNAY NA TABERNAKULO NG DIYOS

44 “Kasama ng ating mga ninuno sa ilang ang Toldang Tipanan na ipinagawa ng Diyos kay Moises ayon sa anyong ipinakita sa kanya.
45 Minana ito ng kanilang mga anak at dinala-dala habang sinasakop nila ang lupain ng mga bansang ipinalupig sa kanila ng Diyos sa pangunguna ni Josue. Ito’y nanatili roon hanggang sa kapanahunan ni David.
46 Kinalugdan ng Diyos si David, at humingi ito ng pahintulot na magtayo ng tahanan para sa Diyos ng Israel.
47 Ngunit si Solomon na ang nagtayo ng tahanang iyon.
48 “Gayunman, ang Kataas-taasang Diyos ay hindi naninirahan sa mga bahay na ginawa ng tao. Sabi nga ng propeta,
49 ‘Ang langit ang aking trono,’ sabi ng Panginoon,‘at ang lupa ang aking tuntungan. Anong uri ng bahay ang itatayo ninyo para sa akin,o anong lugar ang pagpapahingahan ko?
50 Hindi ba’t ako ang gumawa ng lahat ng ito?’

TINANGGIHAN NG ISRAEL ANG BANAL NA ESPIRITU

51 “Napakatigas ng ulo ninyo! Ang mga puso at tainga ninyo ay parang sa mga pagano! Kung ano ang ginawa ng inyong mga ninuno, iyon din ang ginagawa ninyo ngayon. Lagi ninyong nilalabanan ang Espiritu Santo.
52 Sinong propeta ang hindi inusig ng inyong mga ninuno? Pinatay nila ang mga nagpahayag tungkol sa pagparito ng Matuwid na Lingkod na inyo namang ipinagkanulo at ipinapatay.
53 Tumanggap kayo ng kautusang ibinigay ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng mga anghel, ngunit hindi naman ninyo ito sinunod.”

ANG PAGBATO KAY ESTEBAN

54 Nagngitngit sa matinding galit kay Esteban ang buong Kataas-taasang Kapulungan ng mga Judio nang marinig ang mga ito.
55 Ngunit si Esteban, na puspos ng Espiritu Santo, ay tumingala sa langit, at nakita niya ang kaluwalhatian ng Diyos at si Jesus na nakatayo sa kanan ng Diyos.
56 Kaya’t sinabi niya, “Tingnan ninyo! Nakikita kong bukás ang kalangitan, at ang Anak ng Tao na nakatayo sa kanan ng Diyos.”
57 Tinakpan nila ang kanilang mga tainga at nagsigawan. Pagkatapos, sabay-sabay nilang sinugod si Esteban
58 at kinaladkad siya palabas ng lungsod upang batuhin. Inilagay ng mga saksi ang kanilang mga balabal sa paanan ng isang binatang nagngangalang Saulo.
59 At habang binabato nila si Esteban, nanalangin siya ng ganito: “Panginoong Jesus, tanggapin mo po ang aking espiritu.”
60 Lumuhod si Esteban at sumigaw nang malakas, “Panginoon, huwag mo po silang pananagutin sa kasalanang ito!” At pagkasabi nito, siya’y namatay.

ACTS 7

ACTS 7 OVERVIEW

The main thrust of Stephen’s message is that Israel always resisted the truth and rejected the deliverers God sent to them. They opposed Moses and repeatedly wanted to return to Egypt. They opposed Joseph, and he later became their re-
deemer! They rejected the many prophets God sent to warn them and call them back to His way. Finally, they rejected their own Messiah and crucified Him.

Israel’s history reveals the patience of God and the hardness of man’s heart. But it also reveals a ray of hope: Israel rejected their deliverers the first time but accepted them the second time. That was true of Moses and Joseph, and it will be true of Jesus when He returns (Zechariah 12:10).

Stephen’s death was the third murder in Israel’s history and a turning point in God’s dealings with the nation. They had rejected the Father when they allowed John the Baptist to be slain; they had rejected the Son when they asked for Jesus to be crucified; and now they had rejected the Holy Spirit. There could be no more forgiveness (Matthew 2:31–32). The line had been crossed, and the gospel moved out to Judea and Samaria.

STEPHEN

The name Stephen means “a crown, ” and he won the crown of life because he was faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

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ACTS 7 BIBLE CHAPTER

STEPHEN’S ADDRESS: THE CALL OF ABRAHAM

1 Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?”
2 And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
3 and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’
4 Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.
5 And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him.
6 But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years.
7 ‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’
8 Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

THE PATRIARCHS IN EGYPT

9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him
10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
11 Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance.
12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
13 And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh.
14 Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people.
15 So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers.
16 And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

GOD DELIVERS ISRAEL BY MOSES

17 “But when the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt
18 till another king arose who did not know Joseph.
19 This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, making them expose their babies, so that they might not live.
20 At this time Moses was born, and was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months.
21 But when he was set out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son.
22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.
23 “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel.
24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian.
25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand.
26 And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’
27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
28 Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’
29 Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.
30 “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai.
31 When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, 32 saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look.
33 ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
34 I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’
35 “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush.
36 He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

ISRAEL REBELS AGAINST GOD

37 “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear.’
38 “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,
39 whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt,
40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’
41 And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
42 Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:
‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of your god Remphan, Images which you made to worship;
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’

GOD’S TRUE TABERNACLE

44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen,
45 which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David,
46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob.
47 But Solomon built Him a house.
48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:
49 ‘Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the Lord, Or what is the place of My rest?
50 Has My hand not made all these things?’

ISRAEL RESISTS THE HOLY SPIRIT

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,
53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

STEPHEN THE MARTYR

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;
58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

MGA GAWA 6

MGA GAWA 6 PANGKALAHATANG-IDEYA

Kapag ibinigay mo ang iyong sarili na gawin ang kalooban ng Diyos, hindi mo alam kung anong mga hamon ang iyong haharapin.

MGA MESA NG PAGLILINGKOD (MGA GAWA 6:1-7)
Walang ministeryo ang hindi mahalaga para sa isang tulad-Kristong lingkod, dahil sinabi ni Jesus, “Ako ay nasa gitna ninyo bilang Isa na naglilingkod” (Lucas 22:27). Sa paghahatid ng mga mesa, pinakawalan ng mga lalaki ang mga apostol para sa kanilang ministeryo ng panalangin at ng Salita; at ang resulta ay ang pagdami ng mga pagbabagong loob (Mga Gawa 6:7). Ang mga taong puspos ng Espiritu ay hindi nakakakita ng maliliit na trabaho o malalaking lugar. Nakikita lamang nila ang kanilang Guro at ang pagkakataong luwalhatiin Siya.

PAGGAWA NG MGA KABABALAGHAN (MGA GAWA 6:8)
Mula sa paghahatid ng mga mesa hanggang sa paggawa ng mga himala! Inabot ni Esteban ang naligaw at hinangad na maipanalo sila kay Kristo. Kung tapat ka sa kakaunting bagay, maaaring bigyan ka ng Panginoon ng maraming bagay (Mateo 25:21).

PAGHAHARAP SA MGA KAAWAY (MGA GAWA 6:9–15)
Tinatrato ng mga hindi mananampalataya si Esteban sa paraan ng pagtrato ng Sanhedrin kay Jesus: inaresto nila siya sa mga gawa-gawang paratang at umupa ng mga huwad na saksi upang tumestigo. Naranasan ni Esteban ang “pagsasama ng Kanyang mga pagdurusa” (Filipos 3:10), at gayundin ang mararanasan mo kung ang iyong saksi ay uuwi (Mateo 5:11-12). Sinabi nila na sinasalungat ni Esteban si Moises, ngunit siya ay may nagniningning na mukha tulad ni Moises (Exodo 34)!

TRADISYON O KATOTOHANAN

Inakusahan nila si Esteban na hindi karaniwan sa kanyang mga paniniwala (Gawa 6:13); ngunit ang orthodoxy kahapon ay naging maling pananampalataya ngayon, at ang konseho ay nasa likod ng mga panahon! Ang Kautusan ay ipinako sa krus (Colosas 2:14), at ang tabing ng templo ay napunit sa dalawa. Sa loob ng ilang taon, ang lunsod at ang templo ay mawawala na, at Oseas 3:4
ay matutupad. Sinusunod mo ba ang tradisyon ng tao o ang katotohanan ng Diyos?

“Marami sa atin ang handang gumawa ng mga dakilang bagay para sa Panginoon; ngunit kakaunti sa atin ang handang gumawa ng maliliit na bagay. ”

D. L. Moody

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MGA GAWA 6 KABANATA SA BIBLIYA

ANG PAGPILI SA PITONG TAGAPAGLINGKOD

1 Habang patuloy na dumarami ang mga alagad, nagkaroon ng reklamo laban sa mga Hebreo ang mga Helenista. Sinabi nilang ang mga biyuda sa pangkat nila ay napapabayaan sa pang-araw-araw na pamamahagi ng ikabubuhay.
2 Kaya’t tinipon ng Labindalawa ang buong kapulungan ng mga mananampalataya at sinabi sa kanila, “Hindi namin dapat pabayaan ang pangangaral ng salita ng Diyos upang mangasiwa sa pamamahagi ng ikabubuhay.
3 Kaya, mga kapatid, pumili kayo sa mga kasamahan ninyo ng pitong lalaking iginagalang, puspos ng Espiritu, at matatalino upang ilagay namin sila sa tungkuling ito.
4 Samantala, iuukol naman namin ang aming panahon sa pananalangin at sa pangangaral ng salita.”
5 Nalugod ang buong kapulungan sa panukalang ito, kaya’t pinili nila si Esteban, isang lalaking lubos ang pananampalataya sa Diyos at puspos ng Espiritu Santo, at sina Felipe, Procoro, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, at si Nicolas na taga-Antioquia, isang Hentil na nahikayat sa pananampalatayang Judio.
6 Nang iharap sila sa mga apostol, sila’y ipinanalangin at pinatungan ng kamay.
7 Patuloy na lumaganap ang salita ng Diyos at dumami ang mga alagad sa Jerusalem. At maraming paring Judio ang naniwala sa Magandang Balita.

ANG PAGDAKIP KAY ESTEBAN

8 Pinagpala ng Diyos si Esteban at pinagkalooban ng kapangyarihan, kaya’t nakakagawa siya ng maraming kababalaghan at himala sa harapan ng madla.
9 Minsan, nakipagtalo sa kanya ang ilang kasapi sa sinagoga ng mga Pinalaya, na binubuo ng mga Judiong taga-Cirene, Alejandria, Cilicia, at Asia.
10 Ngunit hindi nila kayang salungatin ang karunungang kaloob ng Espiritu kay Esteban.
11 Kaya’t lihim nilang sinulsulan ang ilang lalaki na magpatotoo laban sa kanya ng ganito, “Narinig naming nilalait niya si Moises at ang Diyos.”
12 Sa gayon, naudyukan nilang magalit kay Esteban ang mga tao, ang mga pinuno ng bayan at ang mga tagapagturo ng Kautusan. Siya’y sinunggaban nila at dinala sa Kataas-taasang Kapulungan ng mga Judio.
13 Nagharap sila ng mga sinungaling na saksi laban kay Esteban. Sinabi ng mga ito, “Ang taong ito ay walang tigil ng pagsasalita laban sa banal na Templo at sa Kautusan ni Moises.
14 Narinig naming sinasabi niya na ang Templo raw ay gigibain nitong si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, at papalitan ang mga kaugaliang ipinamana sa atin ni Moises.”
15 Si Esteban ay pinagmasdang mabuti ng lahat ng nakaupo sa Kapulungan, at nakita nila na ang kanyang mukha ay parang mukha ng anghel.

THE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIPSCRIPTURE REFERENCES CHAPTER ONE

spirit-of-leadershipDownload

PAGE 39

Genesis 1:3
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

Genesis 1:24
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so.

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

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PAGE 45

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

DAY 11-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 30:25-31:55
JACOB’S AGREEMENT WITH LABAN

25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country.
26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you.”
27 And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.”
28 Then he said, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.”
29 So Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me.
30 For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?”
31 So he said, “What shall I give you?” And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks:
32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.
33 So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”
34 And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!”
35 So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
36 Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods.
38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink.
39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.
40 Then Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the streaked and all the brown in the flock of Laban; but he put his own flocks by themselves and did not put them with Laban’s flock.
41 And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
42 But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.
43 Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

GENESIS 31
JACOB FLEES FROM LABAN

1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.”
2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”
4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock,
5 and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.
8 If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked.
9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
10 “And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.
11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’
12 And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ”
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money.
16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”
17 Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
18 And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s.
20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.
21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.

LABAN PURSUES JACOB

22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.
24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”
25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?
27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?
28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing.
29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’
30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”
31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’
32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the [e]household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.
35 And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the household idols.
36 Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me?
37 Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both!
38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock.
39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
40 There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.
41 Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

LABAN’S COVENANT WITH JACOB

43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?
44 Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap.
47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed,
49 also Mizpah,because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.
50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!”
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.
55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

DAY 11-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 30:25-31:55
JACOB’S AGREEMENT WITH LABAN

25 And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country.
26 Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you.”
27 And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.”
28 Then he said, “Name me your wages, and I will give it.”
29 So Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you and how your livestock has been with me.
30 For what you had before I came was little, and it has increased to a great amount; the Lord has blessed you since my coming. And now, when shall I also provide for my own house?”
31 So he said, “What shall I give you?” And Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep your flocks:
32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.
33 So my righteousness will answer for me in time to come, when the subject of my wages comes before you: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the lambs, will be considered stolen, if it is with me.”
34 And Laban said, “Oh, that it were according to your word!”
35 So he removed that day the male goats that were speckled and spotted, all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had some white in it, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
36 Then he put three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods.
38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink.
39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.
40 Then Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the streaked and all the brown in the flock of Laban; but he put his own flocks by themselves and did not put them with Laban’s flock.
41 And it came to pass, whenever the stronger livestock conceived, that Jacob placed the rods before the eyes of the livestock in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
42 But when the flocks were feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s.
43 Thus the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks, female and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

GENESIS 31
JACOB FLEES FROM LABAN

1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.”
2 And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.
3 Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.”
4 So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock,
5 and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
6 And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
7 Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.
8 If he said thus: ‘The speckled shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: ‘The streaked shall be your wages,’ then all the flocks bore streaked.
9 So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
10 “And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.
11 Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, ‘Jacob.’ And I said, ‘Here I am.’
12 And He said, ‘Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ”
14 Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house?
15 Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money.
16 For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children’s; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it.”
17 Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
18 And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s.
20 And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.
21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.

LABAN PURSUES JACOB

22 And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.
24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”
25 So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead.
26 And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?
27 Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?
28 And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing.
29 It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’
30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?”
31 Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid, for I said, ‘Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.’
32 With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
33 And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.
34 Now Rachel had taken the [e]household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.
35 And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the household idols.
36 Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me?
37 Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both!
38 These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock.
39 That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
40 There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.
41 Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
42 Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night.”

LABAN’S COVENANT WITH JACOB

43 And Laban answered and said to Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?
44 Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”
45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
46 Then Jacob said to his brethren, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap.
47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48 And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed,
49 also Mizpah,because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.
50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us—see, God is witness between you and me!”
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
52 This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
53 The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.
55 And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

DAY 12-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 32:1-35:27
ESAU COMES TO MEET JACOB

GENESIS 32

1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3 Then Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4 And he commanded them, saying, “Speak thus to my lord Esau, ‘Thus your servant Jacob says: “I have dwelt with Laban and stayed there until now.
5 I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”
6 Then the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and he also is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.”
7 So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.
8 And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the other company which is left will escape.”
9 Then Jacob said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you’:
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant; for I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies.
11 Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children.
12 For You said, ‘I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’ ”
13 So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother:
14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams,
15 thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals.
16 Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.”
17 And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’
18 then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ ”
19 So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, “In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him;
20 and also say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’ ” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.”
21 So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.

WRESTLING WITH GOD

22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok.
23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had.

24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.”
28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”
31 Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip.
32 Therefore to this day the children of Israel do not eat the muscle that shrank, which is on the hip socket, because He touched the socket of Jacob’s hip in the muscle that shrank.

GENESIS 33
JACOB AND ESAU MEET

1 Now Jacob lifted his eyes and looked, and there, Esau was coming, and with him were four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants.
2 And he put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children behind, and Rachel and Joseph last.
3 Then he crossed over before them and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.
4 But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.
5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, “Who are these with you?” So he said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
6 Then the maidservants came near, they and their children, and bowed down.
7 And Leah also came near with her children, and they bowed down. Afterward Joseph and Rachel came near, and they bowed down.
8 Then Esau said, “What do you mean by all this company which I met?” And he said, “These are to find favor in the sight of my lord.”
9 But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”
10 And Jacob said, “No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.
11 Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.” So he urged him, and he took it.
12 Then Esau said, “Let us take our journey; let us go, and I will go before you.”
13 But Jacob said to him, “My lord knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flock will die.
14 Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.”
15 And Esau said, “Now let me leave with you some of the people who are with me.” But he said, “What need is there? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord.”
16 So Esau returned that day on his way to Seir.
17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, built himself a house, and made booths for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.

JACOB COMES TO CANAAN

18 Then Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came from Padan Aram; and he pitched his tent before the city.
19 And he bought the parcel of land, where he had pitched his tent, from the children of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for one hundred pieces of money.
20 Then he erected an altar there and called it El Elohe Israel.

GENESIS 34
THE DINAH INCIDENT

1 Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.
2 And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her.
3 His soul was strongly attracted to Dinah the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young woman and spoke kindly to the young woman.
4 So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor, saying, “Get me this young woman as a wife.”
5 And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter. Now his sons were with his livestock in the field; so Jacob held[v] his peace until they came.
6 Then Hamor the father of Shechem went out to Jacob to speak with him.
7 And the sons of Jacob came in from the field when they heard it; and the men were grieved and very angry, because he had done a disgraceful thing in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter, a thing which ought not to be done.
8 But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as a wife.
9 And make marriages with us; give your daughters to us, and take our daughters to yourselves.
10 So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.”
11 Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give.
12 Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.”
13 But the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father, and spoke deceitfully, because he had defiled Dinah their sister.
14 And they said to them, “We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one who is uncircumcised, for that would be a reproach to us.
15 But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised,
16 then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us; and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
17 But if you will not heed us and be circumcised, then we will take our daughter and be gone.”
18 And their words pleased Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son.
19 So the young man did not delay to do the thing, because he delighted in Jacob’s daughter. He was more honorable than all the household of his father.
20 And Hamor and Shechem his son came to the gate of their city, and spoke with the men of their city, saying:
21 “These men are at peace with us. Therefore let them dwell in the land and trade in it. For indeed the land is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters to us as wives, and let us give them our daughters.
22 Only on this condition will the men consent to dwell with us, to be one people: if every male among us is circumcised as they are circumcised.
23 Will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours? Only let us consent to them, and they will dwell with us.”
24 And all who went out of the gate of his city heeded Hamor and Shechem his son; every male was circumcised, all who went out of the gate of his city.
25 Now it came to pass on the third day, when they were in pain, that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brothers, each took his sword and came boldly upon the city and killed all the males.
26 And they killed Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah from Shechem’s house, and went out.
27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and plundered the city, because their sister had been defiled.
28 They took their sheep, their oxen, and their donkeys, what was in the city and what was in the field,
29 and all their wealth. All their little ones and their wives they took captive; and they plundered even all that was in the houses.
30 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites; and since I am few in number, they will gather themselves together against me and kill me. I shall be destroyed, my household and I.”
31 But they said, “Should he treat our sister like a harlot?”

GENESIS 35
JACOB’S RETURN TO BETHEL

1 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”
2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments.
3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.”
4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.
5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.
6 So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him.
7 And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.
8 Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth.
9 Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.
10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name.” So He called his name Israel.
11 Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.
12 The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.”
13 Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him.
14 So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it.
15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.

DEATH OF ISRAEL

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor.
17 Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, “Do not fear; you will have this son also.”
18 And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni; but his father called him Benjamin.
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
20 And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.
21 Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
22 And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it.

JACOB’S TWELVE SONS

Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:

23 the sons of Leah were Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun;
24 the sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin;
25 the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s maidservant, were Dan and Naphtali;
26 and the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant, were Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Padan Aram.

DEATH OF ISAAC

27 Then Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, or Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had dwelt.

DAY 12-TAGALOG

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 32:1-35:27
HUMANDA SI JACOB NA SALUBINGIN SI ESAU

GENESIS 32

1 Nagpatuloy si Jacob sa paglalakbay at sinalubong siya ng mga anghel ng Diyos.
2 Kaya’t sinabi niya, “Ito ang hukbo ng Diyos,” kaya tinawag niyang Mahanaim ang lugar na iyon.
3 Nagpadala siya ng mga sugo sa kapatid niyang si Esau sa lupain ng Seir, sa lupain ng Edom.
4 Ganito ang kanyang ipinasabi: “Ako si Jacob na abang lingkod mo. Matagal akong nanirahan sa Tiyo Laban at ngayon lamang ako uuwi.
5 Marami akong mga baka, asno, tupa, kambing at mga alipin. Pinauna ko ang mga sugong ito upang ipakiusap sa iyo na magkasundo na tayo.”
6 Pagbalik ng mga sugo, sinabi nila, “Nakausap po namin si Esau at ngayon po’y nasa daan na siya at may kasamang apatnaraang lalaki upang salubungin kayo.”
7 Natakot si Jacob at lubhang nabahala. Kaya’t pinagdalawa niyang pangkat ang kanyang mga tauhan pati mga hayop
8 upang, kung salakayin sila ni Esau, ang isang pangkat ay makakatakas.
9 At nanalangin si Jacob, “Diyos ni Abraham at ni Isaac, tulungan po ninyo ako! Sinabi po ninyong ako’y bumalik sa aming lupain at mga kamag-anak, at hindi ninyo ako pababayaan.
10 Hindi po ako karapat-dapat sa lahat ng kagandahang-loob ninyo sa akin. Nang tumawid po ako sa Jordan, wala akong dala kundi tungkod, ngunit ngayon sa aking pagbabalik, dalawang pangkat na ang aking kasama.
11 Iligtas ninyo ako sa kamay ng aking kapatid na si Esau. Nangangamba po akong sa pagkikita nami’y patayin niya kami pati mga babae at mga bata.
12 Nangako po kayong hindi ninyo ako pababayaan. Sinabi ninyong pararamihin ninyo ang aking lahi, sindami ng mga buhangin sa dagat.”
13 Kinabukasan, si Jacob ay naghanda ng regalo para kay Esau. Pumili siya ng
14 dalawampung barako at dalawandaang inahing kambing, dalawandaang inahing tupa at dalawampung barako,
15 tatlumpung gatasang kamelyo na may mga anak, apatnapung inahing baka at sampung toro, at dalawampung inahing asno at sampung lalaking asno.
16 Bawat kawan ay ipinagkatiwala niya sa isang alipin. Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Mauna kayo sa akin, ngunit huwag kayong magsasabay-sabay; lagyan ninyo ng pagitan ang bawat kawan.”
17 Sinabi niya sa naunang alipin, “Kung masalubong mo ang aking kapatid at tanungin ka, ‘Sino ang iyong panginoon? Saan ka pupunta? Kaninong mga hayop ito?’
18 Sabihin mong, ‘Ito po’y galing sa inyong lingkod na si Jacob. Regalo po niya ito sa panginoon niyang si Esau.’ Sabihin mo ring kasunod na ninyo ako.”
19 Ganito rin ang iniutos niya sa pangalawa, pangatlo at sa lahat ng aliping kasama ng kawan.
20 Ipinasabi rin niya sa mga ito na siya’y kasunod nila. Inisip ni Jacob na sa ganitong paraa’y patatawarin siya ni Esau, kung sila’y magtagpo, dahil sa mga regalong padala niya.
21 Ang mga regalong ito’y nauna sa kanya; nagpahinga muna siya sa kanyang kampo nang gabing iyon.

NAKIPAGBUNO SI JACOB SA PENIEL

22 Nang gabi ring iyon, gumising si Jacob at itinawid sa Ilog Jabok ang dalawa niyang asawa, labing-isang anak at dalawang asawang-lingkod.
23 Pagkatapos maitawid ang lahat niyang ari-arian,
24 naiwang mag-isa si Jacob. Doon, nakipagbuno sa kanya ang isang lalaki hanggang sa pagbubukang-liwayway.
25 Nang maramdaman ng lalaki na hindi niya madadaig si Jacob, hinampas niya ito sa balakang at ang buto nito’y nalinsad.
26 Sinabi ng lalaki, “Bitiwan mo na ako at magbubukang-liwayway na!” “Hindi kita bibitiwan hangga’t hindi mo ako binabasbasan,” wika ni Jacob.
27 Tinanong ng lalaki kung sino siya, at sinabi niyang siya’y si Jacob.
28 Sinabi sa kanya ng lalaki, “Mula ngayo’y Israel[b] na ang itatawag sa iyo, at hindi na Jacob, sapagkat nakipagbuno ka sa Diyos at sa mga tao, at ikaw ay nagtagumpay.”
29 “Ano namang pangalan ninyo?” tanong ni Jacob. “Bakit gusto mo pang malaman?” sagot naman ng lalaki. At binasbasan niya si Jacob.
30 Sinabi ni Jacob, “Nakita ko ang mukha ng Diyos, gayunma’y buháy pa rin ako.” At tinawag niyang Peniel ang lugar na iyon.
31 Sumisikat na ang araw nang umalis siya roon at papilay-pilay na lumakad.
32 Iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hanggang ngayo’y hindi kinakain ng mga Israelita ang litid ng pigi ng hayop, sapagkat iyon ang bahaging napilay kay Jacob.

GENESIS 33
NAGKITA SINA JACOB AT ESAU

1 Natanaw ni Jacob na dumarating si Esau kasama ang apatnaraan niyang tauhan. Kaya’t pinasama niya ang mga bata sa kani-kanilang ina.
2 Nasa unahan ang dalawang asawang-lingkod at ang kanilang mga anak, kasunod si Lea at ang kanyang mga anak, at sa hulihan si Raquel at ang anak nitong si Jose.
3 Umuna si Jacob sa kanilang lahat at pitong ulit na yumukod hanggang sa makarating sa harapan ng kapatid.
4 Siya’y patakbong sinalubong ni Esau, niyakap nang mahigpit at hinagkan. Nag-iyakan ang magkapatid.
5 Nang makita ni Esau ang mga babae at mga bata, itinanong niya kung sino sila.
“Iyan ang mga anak na kaloob sa akin ng Diyos,” tugon ni Jacob.
6 Nagsilapit ang mga asawang-lingkod na kasama ang mga bata at yumukod;
7 sumunod si Lea at ang kasamang mga bata, at sa katapus-tapusa’y si Jose at si Raquel. Yumukod silang lahat at nagbigay-galang kay Esau.
8 “Ano naman ang mga kawan na nasalubong ko?” tanong ni Esau. “Iyon ay mga pasalubong ko sa iyo,” sagot niya.
9 Ngunit sinabi ni Esau, “Sapat na ang kabuhayan ko. Sa iyo na lang iyan.”
10 Sinabi ni Jacob, “Hindi! Para sa iyo talaga ang mga iyan; tanggapin mo na kung talagang ako’y pinapatawad mo. Pagkakita ko sa mukha mo at madama ang magandang pagtanggap mo sa akin, para ko na ring nakita ang Diyos!
11 Kaya, tanggapin mo na ang regalo ko sa iyo. Naging mabuti sa akin ang Diyos; hindi ako kinapos sa anumang bagay.” At hindi niya tinigilan si Esau hanggang sa tanggapin nito ang kanyang kaloob.
12 “Sige, umalis na tayo, at ako na ang mauuna sa inyo,” sabi ni Esau.
13 Sinabi ni Jacob, “Ang mga bata’y mahina pa. Inaalaala ko rin ang mga tupa at bakang may bisiro. Kung tayo’y magmadali para makatipid ng isang araw, baka naman mamatay ang mga ito.
14 Mabuti pa, mauna ka na at kami’y susunod sa inyo. Sisikapin ko namang bilis-bilisan ang lakad hanggang kaya ng mga hayop at bata, at mag-aabot din tayo sa Seir.”
15 “Kung gayon, pasasamahan ko kayo sa ilang tauhan ko,” sabi ni Esau. “Hindi na kailangan. Labis-labis na ang iyong kagandahang-loob sa akin,” sabi naman ni Jacob.
16 Nang araw na iyon ay umuna na si Esau papuntang Seir.
17 Pumunta naman si Jacob sa Sucot at nagtayo roon ng kanyang toldang tirahan at kulungan ng mga hayop. Kaya, tinawag na Sucot ang lugar na iyon.
18 Mula sa Sucot, si Jacob ay tumawid sa Shekem at nagtayo ng kanyang tolda sa isang parang sa tapat ng lunsod. Nagbalik siya sa Canaan matapos manirahan nang matagal sa Mesopotamia.
19 Ang parang na pinagtayuan niya ng tolda ay binili niya sa tagapagmana ni Hamor na ama ni Shekem sa halagang sandaang pirasong pilak.
20 Doon siya nagtayo ng altar at tinawag niyang El-Elohe-Israel, na ang kahulugan ay si El ang Diyos ng Israel.

GENESIS 34
GINAHASA SI DINA

1 Minsan, si Dina, ang anak na dalaga ni Jacob kay Lea, ay dumalaw sa ilang kababaihan sa lupaing iyon.
2 Nakita siya ni Shekem, anak na binata ni Hamor na isang Hivita at pinuno sa lupaing iyon. Sapilitan siyang isinama nito at ginahasa.
3 Ngunit napamahal na nang husto kay Shekem si Dina at sinikap niyang suyuin ito.
4 Sinabi ni Shekem sa kanyang ama na lakaring mapangasawa niya ang dalaga.
5 Nalaman ni Jacob na pinagsamantalahan ni Shekem ang kanyang anak, ngunit hindi muna siya kumibo sapagkat nagpapastol noon ng baka ang kanyang mga anak na lalaki.
6 Nagpunta naman si Hamor kay Jacob upang makipag-usap.
7 Siya namang pagdating ng mga anak na lalaki ni Jacob mula sa kaparangan. Nabigla sila nang mabalitaan ang nangyari sa kapatid, at gayon na lamang ang kanilang galit dahil sa ginawa ni Shekem. Ito’y itinuring nilang isang paglapastangan sa buong angkan ni Jacob.
8 Sinabi ni Hamor, “Yaman din lamang na iniibig ni Shekem si Dina, bakit hindi pa natin sila ipakasal?
9 Magkaisa na tayo! Hayaan nating mapangasawa ng aming mga binata ang inyong mga dalaga, at ng aming mga dalaga ang inyong mga binata.
10 Sa gayo’y maaari na kayong manatili dito sa aming lupain. Maaari kayong tumira kung saan ninyo gusto; maaari kayong maghanapbuhay at magkaroon ng ari-arian.”
11 Nakiusap ding mabuti si Shekem sa ama at mga kapatid ni Dina. Sinabi niya, “Pagbigyan na po ninyo ang aking hangarin, at humiling naman kayo ng kahit anong gusto ninyo.
12 Sabihin po ninyo kung ano ang dote na dapat kong ibigay at kung magkano pa ang kailangan kong ipagkaloob sa inyo, makasal lamang kami.”
13 Dahil sa paglapastangan kay Dina, mapanlinlang ang pagsagot ng mga anak na lalaki ni Jacob sa mag-amang Hamor at Shekem.
14 Sinabi nila, “Malaking kahihiyan namin kung hindi tuli ang mapapangasawa ng aming kapatid.
15 Papayag lamang kami kung ikaw at ang lahat ng mga lalaking nasasakupan ninyo ay magpapatuli.
16 Pagkatapos, maaari na ninyong mapangasawa ang aming mga dalaga at ang inyo nama’y mapapangasawa namin. Magiging magkababayan na tayo at mamumuhay tayong magkakasama.
17 Kung di kayo sasang-ayon, isasama na namin si Dina at aalis na kami.”
18 Pumayag naman ang mag-amang Hamor at Shekem.
19 Hindi na sila nag-aksaya ng panahon sapagkat napakalaki ng pag-ibig ni Shekem kay Dina. Si Shekem ay iginagalang ng lahat sa kanilang sambahayan.
20 Sa may pintuan ng lunsod, tinipon ng mag-ama ang lahat ng lalaki sa Shekem. Sinabi nila,
21 “Napakabuting makisama ng mga dayuhang dumating dito sa atin. Dito na natin sila patirahin, maluwang din lamang ang ating lupain. Pakasalan natin ang kanilang mga dalaga at sila nama’y gayon din.
22 Ngunit mangyayari lamang ito kung ang ating mga kalalakihan ay patutuli na tulad nila.
23 Sa gayon, ang kanilang ari-arian, mga kawan at bakahan ay mapapasaatin. Sumang-ayon na tayong mamuhay silang kasama natin.”
24 Sumang-ayon naman sa panukalang ito ang mga lalaki, at silang lahat ay nagpatuli.
25 Nang ikatlong araw na matindi pa ang kirot ng sugat ng mga tinuli, kinuha nina Simeon at Levi na mga kapatid ni Dina, ang kanilang tabak at pinagpapatay ang mga lalaki roon na walang kamalay-malay.
26 Pinatay nila pati ang mag-amang Hamor at Shekem, at itinakas si Dina.
27 Pagkatapos ng pagpatay sinamsam naman ng ibang mga anak ni Jacob ang mahahalagang ari-arian doon. Ginawa nila ito dahil sa panghahalay sa kanilang kapatid na babae.
28 Sinamsam nila pati mga kawan, mga baka, mga asno at lahat ng mapapakinabangan sa bayan at sa bukid.
29 Dinala nilang lahat ang mga kayamanan, binihag ang mga babae’t mga bata, at walang itinirang anuman.
30 Sinabi ni Jacob kina Simeon at Levi, “Binigyan ninyo ako ng napakalaking suliranin. Ngayon, kamumuhian ako ng mga Cananeo at Perezeo. Kapag nagkaisa silang salakayin tayo, wala tayong sapat na tauhang magtatanggol; maaari nilang lipulin ang aking sambahayan.”
31 Ngunit sila’y sumagot, “Hindi po kami makakapayag na ituring na isang masamang babae ang aming kapatid.”

GENESIS 35
BINASBASAN NG DIYOS SI JACOB SA BETHEL

1 Sinabi ng Diyos kay Jacob, “Pumunta ka sa Bethel at doon ka manirahan. Ipagtayo mo roon ng altar ang Diyos na nagpakita sa iyo noong tumatakas ka sa iyong kapatid na si Esau.”
2 Kaya’t sinabi ni Jacob sa kanyang sambahayan at sa lahat ng kasama niya, “Itapon ninyong lahat ang diyus-diyosang taglay ninyo, maglinis kayo ng inyong katawan, at magbihis kayo.
3 Aalis tayo rito at pupunta sa Bethel. Magtatayo ako roon ng altar para sa Diyos na kasama ko saanman at laging tumutulong sa akin sa panahon ng kagipitan.”
4 Ibinigay nila kay Jacob ang kanilang mga diyus-diyosan at ang suot nilang mga hikaw. Ang lahat ng ito’y ibinaon ni Jacob sa tabi ng malaking punong malapit sa Shekem.
5 Ang mga tao sa mga karatig-bayan ay natakot kay Jacob at sa kanyang mga anak na lalaki, kaya’t walang nangahas humabol sa kanila nang sila’y umalis.
6 Nang dumating sila sa Luz, sa lupain ng Canaan,
7 gumawa siya ng altar at tinawag niyang El-Bethel ang lugar na iyon, sapagkat doon nagpakita sa kanya ang Diyos nang siya’y tumakas mula sa kanyang kapatid.
8 Namatay si Debora, ang nag-alaga kay Rebeca, at inilibing sa tabi ng malaking puno sa gawing timog ng Bethel. At ang dakong iyo’y tinawag na “Roble ng Pagluha.”
9 Pagbalik ni Jacob mula sa Mesopotamia, muling nagpakita sa kanya ang Diyos at siya’y binasbasan,
10 “Jacob ang pangalan mo, ngunit mula ngayon, Israel na ang itatawag sa iyo.”
11 Sinabi pa sa kanya, “Ako ang Makapangyarihang Diyos; magkakaroon ka ng maraming anak. Darami ang iyong mga lahi at sa kanila’y may mga magiging hari. Magmumula sa lahi mo ang maraming bansa. 12 Ang mga lupaing aking ipinangako kay Abraham at kay Isaac ay ibibigay ko sa iyo at sa iyong mga anak.”
13 At iniwan siya ng Diyos.
14 Naglagay si Jacob ng batong palatandaan sa lugar na pinagtagpuan nila. Binuhusan niya ito ng langis at alak bilang tanda na ito’y ukol sa Diyos.
15 Tinawag niyang Bethel ang lugar na iyon.

NAMATAY SI RAQUEL

16 Umalis sila sa Bethel. Nang sila’y malapit na sa Efrata, naramdaman ni Raquel na manganganak na siya at napakatindi ng kanyang hirap.
17 Sinabi sa kanya ng hilot, “Huwag kang matakot, lalaki na naman ang isisilang mo.”
18 Nasa bingit na siya ng kamatayan, at bago siya nalagutan ng hininga, ang sanggol ay tinawag niyang Benoni, ngunit Benjamin naman ang ipinangalan ni Jacob.
19 Namatay si Raquel at inilibing sa tabi ng daang patungo sa Efrata na ngayon ay Bethlehem.
20 Ang puntod ay nilagyan ni Jacob ng batong pananda at hanggang ngayo’y makikita pa rin ang panandang iyon sa puntod ni Raquel.
21 Nagpatuloy ng paglalakbay si Israel at nagkampo sa kabilang panig ng tore ng Eder.

ANG MGA ANAK NI JACOB

22 Samantalang sina Israel ay nasa lupaing iyon, sumiping si Ruben kay Bilha na isa sa mga asawang-lingkod ng kanyang ama. Nalaman ito ni Israel. Labindalawa ang mga anak na lalaki ni Jacob:
23 kay Lea, ang naging anak niya’y sina Ruben, Simeon, Levi, Juda, Isacar at Zebulun;
24 kay Raquel, si Jose at si Benjamin;
25 kay Bilha na alipin ni Raquel, si Dan at si Neftali;
26 kay Zilpa naman na alipin ni Lea, ang naging anak niya’y sina Gad at Asher. Sa Mesopotamia ipinanganak ang lahat ng ito.

NAMATAY SI ISAAC

27 Dumalaw si Jacob sa kanyang amang si Isaac sa Mamre, na tinatawag ding Lunsod ng Arba o Hebron. Dito rin tumira si Abraham.

DAY 11-TAGALOG

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 30:25-31:55
ANG KASUNDUAN NI JACOB AT NI LABAN

25 Nang maipanganak si Jose, sinabi ni Jacob kay Laban, “Pahintulutan na po ninyo akong makauwi.
26 Isasama ko na po ang aking mga asawa at mga anak. Marahil po nama’y sapat na ang aking ipinaglingkod sa inyo dahil sa kanila.”
27 Sinabi ni Laban, “Kung mamarapatin mo’y ito ang sasabihin ko: Batay sa karanasan ko sa panghuhula, tunay na pinagpala ako ni Yahweh dahil sa iyo.
28 Sabihin mo kung magkano ang dapat kong ibayad sa iyo at babayaran kita.”
29 Sumagot si Jacob, “Alam naman ninyo kung paano ako naglingkod sa inyo at kung paano dumami ang inyong kawan sa aking pangangasiwa.
30 Ang kaunti ninyong kabuhayan bago ako dumating ay maunlad na ngayon, sapagkat pinagpala kayo ni Yahweh dahil sa akin. Kaya, dapat namang iukol ko na ngayon ang aking panahon sa aking sambahayan.”
31 “Ano ang gusto mong ibayad ko sa iyo?” tanong ni Laban. Sumagot si Jacob, “Hindi ko po kailangang ako’y bayaran pa ninyo. Patuloy kong aalagaan ang inyong kawan, kung sasang-ayon kayo sa isang kondisyon.
32 Pupunta ako sa inyong kawan ngayon din at ibubukod ko ang mga tupang itim, gayon din ang mga batang kambing na may tagping puti. Iyon na po ang para sa akin.
33 Sa darating na panahon, madali ninyong malalaman kung ako’y tapat sa inyo o hindi. Tuwing titingnan ninyo ang mga hayop na naging kabayaran ninyo sa akin, at mayroon kayong makitang hindi itim na tupa o kaya’y kambing na walang tagpi, masasabi ninyong ninakaw ko iyon sa inyo.”
34 “Mabuti! Iyan ang ating gagawin,” tugon ni Laban.
35 Ngunit nang araw ring iyon, ibinukod ni Laban ang lahat ng kambing na may tagpi maging barako o inahin, gayundin ang mga tupang itim at ito’y pinaalagaan niya sa kanyang mga anak na lalaki.
36 Iniwan niya kay Jacob ang natira sa kawan at silang mag-aama’y lumayo nang may tatlong araw na paglalakbay, dala ang alaga nilang kawan.
37 Pumutol naman si Jacob ng mga sariwang sanga ng alamo, almendra at platano, at binalatan niya ang ibang parte upang magmukhang may batik.
38 Inilagay niya ito sa painuman upang makita ng mga hayop tuwing iinom. Sa ganoong pagkakataon nag-aasawahan ang mga hayop.
39 Napaglihian ang mga batik-batik na sanga, kaya naging batik-batik ang kanilang bisiro.
40 Ibinukod niya ang mga hayop na tagpian at itim sa kawan ni Laban upang ang mga ito ang laging natatanaw ng mga tupang puti. Sa gayon, parami nang parami ang sarili niyang kawan at ito’y hindi niya inihahalo sa kawan ni Laban.
41 Ang batik-batik na sanga ng kahoy ay inilalagay lamang ni Jacob sa painuman kung malulusog na hayop ang nag-aasawahan.
42 Ngunit hindi niya ito ginagawa kung ang mga hayop na nag-aasawahan ay hindi malulusog. Kaya’t malulusog ang kanyang mga hayop samantalang ang kay Laban ay hindi.
43 Kaya’t lalong yumaman si Jacob; lumaki ang kanyang kawan at dumami ang kanyang alipin, at mga kamelyo at asno.

NILAYASAN NI JACOB SI LABAN

1 Nabalitaan ni Jacob na laging sinasabi ng kanyang mga bayaw na kinamkam na niyang lahat ang ari-arian ng kanilang ama at galing dito ang lahat niyang kayamanan.
2 Napuna rin niyang nagbago na ang pakikitungo sa kanya ni Laban.
3 Kaya sinabi sa kanya ni Yahweh, “Magbalik ka na sa lupain ng iyong mga magulang at mga kamag-anak at sasamahan kita.”
4 Pinasabihan ni Jacob si Raquel at si Lea na tagpuin siya sa parang na kinaroroonan ng kanyang mga kawan.
5 Sinabi niya sa kanila, “Napansin kong iba na ang pagtingin sa akin ng inyong ama, hindi na tulad ng dati. Subalit hindi ako pinabayaan ng Diyos ng aking mga magulang.
6 Alam ninyong ginugol ko ang aking buong lakas sa paglilingkod sa inyong ama.
7 Sa kabila noon, dinadaya pa rin niya ako. Sampung beses na niyang binabago ang kabayaran sa akin ngunit hindi ipinahintulot ng Diyos na ako’y maapi.
8 Kapag sinabi ni Laban na ang ibabayad sa akin ay ang batik-batik, ang buong kawan ay nanganganak nang ganoon.
9 Ang Diyos ang may kaloob na mapasaakin ang kawan ng inyong ama.
10 “Sa panahon ng pag-aasawahan ng mga hayop, ako’y nanaginip. Nakita ko na pawang batik-batik ang lahat ng barakong kambing.
11 Sa aking panaginip, tinawag ako ng anghel ng Diyos at ako nama’y sumagot.
12 Ang sabi sa akin, ‘Jacob, masdan mo ang lahat ng mga barakong kambing, silang lahat ay may batik. Ginawa ko ito sapagkat alam kong dinadaya ka ni Laban.
13 Ako ang Diyos na nagpakita sa iyo sa Bethel na kung saan ay binuhusan mo ng langis ang isang bato bilang alaala. Doon ay gumawa ka rin ng isang panata sa akin. Maghanda ka na at umalis ka sa lupaing ito; umuwi ka na sa iyong lupang sinilangan.’”
14 Sinabi naman nina Raquel at Lea, “Wala na kaming mamanahin sa aming ama.
15 Dayuhan na ang turing niya sa amin. Ipinagbili niya kami, at nilustay ang lahat ng pinagbilhan sa amin.
16 Kaya, ang lahat ng kayamanang inalis ng Diyos sa aming ama ay sa amin at sa aming mga anak. Gawin mo ang sinasabi sa iyo ng Diyos.”
17 Isinakay niya sa kamelyo ang kanyang mga asawa’t mga anak.
18 Dinala niya ang kanyang mga kawan at lahat ng kayamanang naipon niya sa Mesopotamia at bumalik sa Canaan, sa lupain ng kanyang amang si Isaac.
19 Wala noon si Laban sapagkat naggugupit ito ng balahibo ng mga tupa. Sinamantala iyon ni Raquel upang kunin ang mga diyus-diyosan sa tolda ng kanyang ama.
20 Nilinlang ni Jacob si Laban na Arameo; hindi niya ipinaalam ang kanyang pag-alis.
21 Tinawid niya ang Ilog Eufrates papunta sa bulubundukin ng Gilead, dala ang lahat niyang ari-arian.

HINABOL NI LABAN SI JACOB

22 Makaraan ang tatlong araw, nalaman ni Laban ang pag-alis nina Jacob.
23 Isinama niya ang kanyang mga tauhan at hinabol nila si Jacob. Inabot nila ito sa bulubundukin ng Gilead pagkaraan ng pitong araw.
24 Nang gabing iyon, si Laban ay kinausap ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng panaginip. Sinabi sa kanyang huwag pagbabantaan ng anuman si Jacob.
25 Nang dumating si Laban, si Jacob ay nakapagtayo na ng kanyang tolda sa kaburulan. Nagtayo rin ng tolda si Laban sa kaburulang iyon ng Gilead.
26 Tinanong ni Laban si Jacob, “Bakit mo ako nilinlang at itinakas mo pa ang aking mga anak na parang mga bihag?
27 Bakit mo inilihim sa akin ang iyong pag-alis? Sana’y inihatid ko kayo na may tugtugan at awitan sa saliw ng tamburin at alpa.
28 Hindi mo man lamang ako binigyan ng pagkakataong mahagkan ang aking mga anak at mga apo bago sila umalis. Napakalaking kahangalan ang ginawa mong ito!
29 Kung sabagay, kaya kitang saktan, ngunit hindi ko iyon gagawin sapagkat kagabi’y sinabi sa akin ng Diyos ng iyong ama na huwag kitang pagbantaan sa anumang paraan.
30 Alam kong ginawa mo ito dahil sabik na sabik ka nang umuwi sa inyo. Subalit bakit mo naman ninakaw ang aking mga diyos?”
31 Sumagot si Jacob, “Natakot po ako na baka hindi ninyo pasamahin sa akin ang inyong mga anak.
32 Ngayon, kung makita ninyo ang inyong mga diyos sa sinuman sa amin, dapat siyang mamatay. Saksi ang naritong mga kamag-anak natin; tingnan ninyo kung mayroon kayong anumang ari-arian dito at kunin ninyo.” Hindi alam ni Jacob na si Raquel ang kumuha ng mga diyus-diyosan ni Laban.
33 Hinalughog ni Laban ang tolda ni Jacob, ang kay Lea, at gayon din ang sa dalawang aliping babae, ngunit hindi niya nakita ang kanyang mga diyos. Pumasok din siya sa tolda ni Raquel,
34 ngunit naitago na nito ang mga diyus-diyosan sa upuang nasa likod ng kamelyo at iyon ay kanyang inuupuan. Hinalughog na mabuti ni Laban ang buong tolda, ngunit wala siyang nakita.
35 Sinabi ni Raquel sa kanyang ama, “Huwag po kayong magagalit sa akin kung sa harapan ninyo’y hindi ako makatayo, sapagkat ako po’y mayroon ngayon.” Patuloy na naghanap si Laban, ngunit hindi rin niya nakita ang kanyang mga diyus-diyosan.
36 Nagalit nang husto si Jacob at tinanong niya si Laban, “Ano bang pagkakasala ang ginawa ko sa inyo? May batas ba akong nilabag at gayon na lamang ang paghahalughog ninyo?
37 Kung may nakuha kayong ari-arian sa sinuman sa amin, ilabas ninyo at hayaan ninyong hatulan tayo ng ating mga kasamahan!
38 Dalawampung taon tayong nagkasama. Patuloy ang pagdami ng inyong mga tupa’t kambing, at ni isang tupang barako sa kawan ninyo’y di ko pinangahasang kainin.
39 Kung may tupang sinila ng mababangis na hayop, hindi ko na ipinapakita sa inyo. Pinapalitan ko agad. Pinipilit ninyo akong magbayad ng anumang nawawala, maging iyo’y ninakaw sa gabi o sa araw.
40 Mahabang panahon akong nagtiis ng matinding init ng araw, at lamig ng gabi. Kulang na kulang ako sa tulog.
41 Iyan ang naranasan ko sa loob ng dalawampung taóng kasama ninyo. Labing-apat na taon akong naglingkod sa inyo dahil sa dalawa ninyong anak na babae, at anim na taon pa para sa inyong mga kawan. Sa kabila noon, sampung beses ninyong binago ang ating partihan.
42 Mabuti na lamang at kasama ko ang Diyos ng aking mga magulang, ang Diyos ni Abraham na sinamba ni Isaac. Kung hindi, marahil ay pinalayas ninyo ako nang walang kadala-dala. Alam ng Diyos ang aking hirap at pagod, kaya, kagabi’y pinagsabihan niya kayo.”

ANG KASUNDUAN NI JACOB AT NI LABAN

43 Sinabi ni Laban kay Jacob, “Ang lahat ng dala mo’y akin: aking mga anak, aking mga apo at aking mga kawan. Ngunit ano pa ang magagawa ko?
44 Ang mabuti’y gumawa tayo ng kasunduan. Magbunton tayo ng bato na siyang magpapaalaala ng ating kasunduan.”
45 Naglagay si Jacob ng isang bato bilang isang alaala.
46 Sinabi niya sa kanyang mga tauhan na maglagay rin doon ng bato. Pagkatapos, kumain sila sa tabi ng bunton ng mga bato.
47 Ito’y tinawag ni Laban na Jegar-sahaduta, at Gal-ed naman ang itinawag doon ni Jacob,
48 sapagkat sinabi ni Laban, “Ang buntong ito ng mga bato ang tagapagpaalala ng kasunduan nating dalawa.”
49 Tinawag ding Mizpa ang lugar na iyon sapagkat sinabi ni Laban, “Bantayan nawa tayo ni Yahweh samantalang tayo’y magkalayo.
50 Kapag inapi mo ang aking mga anak, o nag-asawa ka ng iba, alalahanin mo na wala man ako roon, ang Diyos ang saksi sa ating kasunduan.”
51 Pagkatapos, sinabi pa ni Laban, “Narito sa pagitan natin ang mga batong ibinunton ko, at narito rin ang batong inilagay mo.
52 Ang mga ito ang ating palatandaan. Ito rin ang magiging hanggahan natin upang maiwasan ang paglusob sa isa’t isa.
53 Ang Diyos ni Abraham at ang Diyos ni Nahor ang hahatol sa atin.” At sa pangalan ng Diyos na sinamba ng ama niyang si Isaac ay sumumpa si Jacob na tutupad siya sa kasunduang ito.
54 Pagkatapos, nagpatay siya ng isang hayop at ito’y inihandog doon sa bundok. Nagsalu-salo sila at doon na rin nagpalipas ng gabi.
55 Kinaumagahan, umuwi na si Laban matapos hagkan ang kanyang mga anak at mga apo.

DAY 10-ENGLISH

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 28:6-30:24

ESAU MARRIES MAHALATH

6 Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Padan Aram to take himself a wife from there, and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,”
7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Padan Aram.
8 Also Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan did not please his father Isaac.
9 So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had.

JACOB’S VOW AT BETHEL

10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran.
11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.
12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
13 And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.
14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”
17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”
18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on,
21 so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God.
22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

GENESIS 29
JACOB MEETS RACHEL

1 So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East.
2 And he looked, and saw a well in the field; and behold, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks. A large stone was on the well’s mouth.
3 Now all the flocks would be gathered there; and they would roll the stone from the well’s mouth, water the sheep, and put the stone back in its place on the well’s mouth.
4 And Jacob said to them, “My brethren, where are you from?” And they said, “We are from Haran.”
5 Then he said to them, “Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?” And they said, “We know him.”
6 So he said to them, “Is he well?” And they said, “He is well. And look, his daughter Rachel is coming with the sheep.”
7 Then he said, “Look, it is still high day; it is not time for the cattle to be gathered together. Water the sheep, and go and feed them.”
8 But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”
9 Now while he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherdess.
10 And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother’s brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother’s brother, that Jacob went near and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother’s brother.
11 Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice and wept.
12 And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father’s relative and that he was Rebekah’s son. So she ran and told her father.
13 Then it came to pass, when Laban heard the report about Jacob his sister’s son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him and kissed him, and brought him to his house. So he told Laban all these things.
14 And Laban said to him, “Surely you are my bone and my flesh.” And he stayed with him for a month.

JACOB MARRIES LEAH AND RACHEL

15 Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?”
16 Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.
18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”
19 And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”
20 So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.
21 Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”
22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place and made a feast.
23 Now it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter and brought her to Jacob; and he went in to her.
24 And Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah as a maid.
25 So it came to pass in the morning, that behold, it was Leah. And he said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Was it not for Rachel that I served you? Why then have you deceived me?”
26 And Laban said, “It must not be done so in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
27 Fulfill her week, and we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years.”
28 Then Jacob did so and fulfilled her week. So he gave him his daughter Rachel as wife also.
29 And Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as a maid.
30 Then Jacob also went in to Rachel, and he also loved Rachel more than Leah. And he served with Laban still another seven years.

THE CHILDREN OF JACOB

31 When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.
32 So Leah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Reuben; for she said, “The Lord has surely looked on my affliction. Now therefore, my husband will love me.”
33 Then she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Because the Lord has heard that I am unloved, He has therefore given me this son also.” And she called his name Simeon.
34 She conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now this time my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi.
35 And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, “Now I will praise the Lord.” Therefore she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.

GENESIS 30
JACOB’S CHILDREN

1 Now when Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister, and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die!”
2 And Jacob’s anger was aroused against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”
3 So she said, “Here is my maid Bilhah; go in to her, and she will bear a child on my knees, that I also may [m]have children by her.”
4 Then she gave him Bilhah her maid as wife, and Jacob went in to her.
5 And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son.
6 Then Rachel said, “God has judged my case; and He has also heard my voice and given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan.
7 And Rachel’s maid Bilhah conceived again and bore Jacob a second son.
8 Then Rachel said, “With great wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister, and indeed I have prevailed.” So she called his name Naphtali.
9 When Leah saw that she had stopped bearing, she took Zilpah her maid and gave her to Jacob as wife.
10 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a son.
11 Then Leah said, “A troop comes!” So she called his name Gad.
12 And Leah’s maid Zilpah bore Jacob a second son.
13 Then Leah said, “I am happy, for the daughters will call me blessed.” So she called his name Asher.
14 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?” And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”
16 When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.
17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.
18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.
19 Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son.
20 And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.
21 Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”
24 So she called his name Joseph, and said, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”

DAY 10- TAGALOG

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 28:6-30:24

NAG-ASAWA SI ESAU NG ISA PA

6 Nalaman ni Esau na pinapunta ni Isaac si Jacob sa Mesopotamia upang doon mag-asawa. Nalaman din niya na pagkatapos basbasan si Jacob ay pinagbawalan itong mag-asawa ng babaing taga-Canaan.
7 Nalaman din niyang sinunod ni Jacob ang kanyang ama’t ina at nagpunta nga sa Mesopotamia.
8 Nang mabatid ni Esau na ayaw ng kanyang ama sa babaing Cananea,
9 nagpunta siya sa kanyang Tiyo Ismael na anak din ng kanyang Lolo Abraham. Nag-asawa siya ng isa pa, ang pinsan niyang si Mahalat na kapatid ni Nebayot at anak ni Ismael.

NANAGINIP SI JACOB SA BETHEL

10 Umalis nga si Jacob sa Beer-seba at nagpunta sa Haran.
11 Inabot siya nang paglubog ng araw sa isang lugar at minabuti niyang doon na magpalipas ng gabi. Isang bato ang inunan niya sa kanyang pagtulog.
12 Nang gabing iyon, siya’y nanaginip. May nakita siyang hagdan na abot sa langit at nagmamanhik-manaog doon ang mga anghel ng Diyos.
13 Walang anu-ano’y nakita niya si Yahweh sa tabi niya. Wika sa kanya, “Ako si Yahweh, ang Diyos ni Abraham at ni Isaac. Ang lupang ito na iyong hinihigan ay ibibigay ko sa iyo at sa iyong lahi.
14 Darami sila na parang alikabok sa lupa at lalaganap sila sa apat na sulok ng daigdig. Sa pamamagitan mo at ng iyong lahi ay pagpapalain ang lahat ng bansa.
15 Tandaan mo, susubaybayan kita at ipagtatanggol saan ka man magpunta, at ibabalik kita sa lupaing ito. Hindi kita iiwan hanggang sa matupad ang lahat ng sinabi ko sa iyo.”
16 Nagising si Jacob at ang sabi, “Hindi ko alam na narito pala si Yahweh!
17 Nakakapangilabot ang lugar na ito! Tiyak na ito ang tahanan ng Diyos at ang pintuan ng kalangitan.”
18 Maagang gumising si Jacob nang umagang iyon. Kinuha niya ang inunang bato at itinayo bilang isang alaala. Binuhusan niya ito ng langis at itinalaga sa Diyos.
19 Tinawag niyang Bethel[b] ang lugar na iyon na dati’y tinatawag na Luz.
20 Nangako si Jacob nang ganito: “O Yahweh, kung ako’y sasamahan ninyo at iingatan sa paglalakbay na ito, pakakainin at dadamitan,
21 at makakabalik na muli sa bahay ng aking ama, kayo po ang aking magiging Diyos.
22 Sasambahin kayo sa lugar na ito na pinagtayuan ko ng batong alaalang ito, at ibabalik ko sa inyo ang ikasampung bahagi ng lahat ng ipinagkakaloob ninyo sa akin.”

GENESIS 29
DUMATING SI JACOB KINA LABAN

1 Nagpatuloy si Jacob sa kanyang paglalakbay hanggang sa dumating siya sa lupain ng mga taga-Silangan.
2 May nakita siyang isang balon ng tubig sa kaparangan. Sa paligid nito’y may tatlong kawan ng mga tupang nagpapahinga, sapagkat doon pinapainom ang mga ito. Ang balon ay may takip na malaking bato,
3 at binubuksan lamang ito kapag papainumin na ang mga tinipong kawan. Matapos painumin ang mga ito, muli nilang tinatakpan ang balon.
4 Tinanong ni Jacob ang mga pastol na naroon, “Tagasaan kayo, mga kaibigan?” “Taga-Haran,” tugon nila.
5 “Kilala ba ninyo si Laban na apo ni Nahor?” tanong niyang muli. “Oo,” sagot naman nila.
6 “Kumusta na siya?” tanong pa niya. “Mabuti,” sabi naman nila. “Hayun at dumarating si Raquel, ang anak niyang dalaga! Kasama niya ang kawan ng kanyang ama.”
7 “Maaga pa naman,” sabi ni Jacob, “bakit hindi ninyo painumin ang mga tupa at dalhin muna sa pastulan bago ikulong?”
8 “Aba, hindi maaari!” sagot ng mga pastol. “Ang lahat ng pastol ay kailangang narito bago buksan ang balon; saka pa lamang kami maaaring magpainom.”
9 Nakikipag-usap pa si Jacob nang dumating si Raquel na kasama ang kawan ng kanyang ama.
10 Nang makita ni Jacob si Raquel na kasama ang kawan ni Laban, binuksan ni Jacob ang balon at pinainom ang mga tupa.
11 Pagkatapos, nilapitan niya ang dalaga at hinagkan; napaiyak siya sa tuwa.
12 Sinabi niya, “Ako’y pamangkin ng iyong ama, anak ng iyong Tiya Rebeca!” Patakbong umuwi si Raquel at ibinalita ito sa ama.
13 Sinalubong naman agad ni Laban ang kanyang pamangkin. Niyakap niya ito at hinagkan, saka isinama sa kanila. Nang maisalaysay ni Jacob ang lahat,
14 sinabi sa kanya ni Laban, “Tunay na ikaw ay laman ng aking laman at dugo ng aking dugo!” At doon na siya tumira sa loob ng isang buwan.

NAGLINGKOD SI JACOB DAHIL KINA RAQUEL AT LEA

15 Pagkalipas ng isang buwan, sinabi ni Laban kay Jacob, “Hindi dahil magkamag-anak tayo ay pagtatrabahuhin kita nang walang bayad; magkano bang dapat kong isweldo sa iyo?”
16 Si Laban ay may dalawang anak na dalaga. Si Lea ang nakatatanda at si Raquel naman ang nakababata.
17 Mapupungay ang mga mata ni Lea, ngunit mas maganda at kaakit-akit si Raquel.
18 Nabighani si Jacob kay Raquel, kaya’t ang sabi niya kay Laban, “Paglilingkuran ko kayo nang pitong taon para kay Raquel.”
19 Sinabi ni Laban, “Mas gusto ko ngang ikaw ang mapangasawa niya kaysa iba. Sige, dumito ka na.” 20 Pitong taóng naglingkod si Jacob upang mapasakanya si Raquel, ngunit iyon ay parang katumbas lamang ng ilang araw dahil sa laki ng kanyang pag-ibig dito.
21 Sinabi ni Jacob kay Laban, “Dumating na po ang panahong dapat kaming makasal ng inyong anak.”
22 Naghanda nang malaki si Laban at inanyayahan ang lahat ng tagaroon.
23 Ngunit nang gabing iyon, hindi alam ni Jacob na ang pinasiping sa kanya ay si Lea, sa halip na si Raquel.
24 Ibinigay naman ni Laban kay Lea ang alipin nitong si Zilpa.
25 Kinaumagahan, nakita ni Jacob na si Lea pala ang kanyang kasiping. Kaya sinabi niya kay Laban, “Bakit ninyo ito ginawa sa akin? Bakit ninyo ako nilinlang? Naglingkod ako sa inyo para kay Raquel, hindi po ba?”
26 Sumagot si Laban, “Hindi kaugalian dito sa amin na mauna pang mag-asawa ang nakababatang kapatid.
27 Patapusin mo muna ang sanlinggong pagdiriwang na ito at pagkatapos ay ibibigay ko sa iyo si Raquel kung maglilingkod ka sa akin ng pitong taon pa.”
28 Sumang-ayon naman si Jacob at nang matapos ang pagdiriwang, ibinigay nga sa kanya ni Laban si Raquel bilang asawa.
29 Ibinigay rin ni Laban kay Raquel ang alipin nitong si Bilha.
30 Sa wakas, naangkin ni Jacob si Raquel; mas mahal niya ito kaysa kay Lea. Kaya’t naglingkod pa si Jacob kay Laban nang pitong taon pa.

ANG MGA ANAK NI JACOB

31 Alam ni Yahweh na si Lea ay di gaanong mahal ni Jacob, kaya’t niloob niyang magkaanak na ito, samantalang si Raquel ay baog.
32 Lalaki ang unang anak ni Lea. Ang sabi niya, “Nakita ni Yahweh ang aking suliranin. Ngayon, tiyak na mamahalin ako ng aking asawa.” Kaya’t Ruben ang ipinangalan niya rito.
33 Nagdalang-tao siyang muli at lalaki na naman ang kanyang naging anak. Kanyang sinabi, “Kaloob din ito sa akin ni Yahweh, dahil narinig niyang ako’y hindi mahal ng aking asawa.” Kaya’t tinawag naman niya itong Simeon.
34 Muling nagdalang-tao si Lea at lalaki uli ang naging anak. Sinabi niya, “Lalo akong mapapalapit sa aking asawa, sapagkat tatlong lalaki na ang aming anak.” At tinawag niya itong Levi.
35 Nagdalang-tao siyang muli at lalaki pa rin ang kanyang anak. Sinabi niya, “Ngayo’y pupurihin ko si Yahweh.” Kaya’t tinawag niya itong Juda. Pagkatapos noo’y hindi na siya nagkaanak.

GENESIS 30

1 Nainggit si Raquel sa kanyang kapatid sapagkat hindi siya magkaanak. Sinabi niya kay Jacob, “Mamamatay ako kapag hindi pa tayo nagkaanak.”
2 Nagalit si Jacob at sinabi kay Raquel, “Bakit, Diyos ba ako na pumipigil sa iyong panganganak?”
3 Kaya’t sinabi ni Raquel, “Kung gayon, sipingan mo ang alipin kong si Bilha upang magkaanak ako sa pamamagitan niya.”
4 At pinasiping niya kay Jacob ang kanyang aliping si Bilha.
5 Nagdalang-tao ito at nanganak ng lalaki.
6 “Panig sa akin ang hatol ng Diyos,” sabi ni Raquel. “Dininig niya ang aking dalangin at pinagkalooban ako ng anak na lalaki.” Kaya Dan ang ipinangalan niya rito.
7 Muling nagdalang-tao si Bilha at nanganak ng isa pang lalaki.
8 Sinabi ni Raquel, “Naging mahigpit ang labanan naming magkapatid, ngunit ako ang nagtagumpay.” Kaya, tinawag niyang Neftali ang bata.
9 Nang mapag-isip-isip ni Lea na hindi na siya nanganganak, ibinigay naman niya kay Jacob si Zilpa,
10 at nagkaanak ito ng lalaki.
11 “Mapalad ako,” sabi ni Lea, “kaya, Gad ang ipapangalan ko sa kanya.”
12 Si Zilpa’y muling nagdalang-tao at nagkaanak ng isa pang lalaki.
13 Sinabi ni Lea, “Masayang-masaya ako! Masaya ang itatawag sa akin ng mga babae.” Kaya’t tinawag niyang Asher ang bata.
14 Anihan na noon ng trigo. Samantalang naglalakad sa kaparangan, si Ruben ay nakakita ng bunga ng mondragora at dinala niya ito kay Lea na kanyang ina. “Bigyan mo naman ako ng mondragorang dala ng iyong anak,” pakiusap ni Raquel kay Lea.
15 Sinagot siya ni Lea, “Hindi ka pa ba nasisiyahang nakuha mo ang aking asawa, at ngayo’y gusto mo pang kunin pati mondragora ng aking anak?” Sinabi ni Raquel, “Bigyan mo ako ng mondragora, sa iyo na si Jacob ngayong gabi.”
16 Gabi na nang dumating noon si Jacob galing sa kaparangan. Sinalubong agad siya ni Lea at sinabi, “Sa akin ka sisiping ngayong gabi; si Raquel ay binigyan ko ng mondragorang dala ng aking anak para sa karapatang ito.” Nagsiping nga sila nang gabing iyon,
17 at dininig ng Diyos ang dalangin ni Lea. Nagdalang-tao siya at ito ang panlimang anak nila ni Jacob.
18 Kaya’t sinabi ni Lea, “Ginantimpalaan ako ng Diyos sapagkat ipinagkaloob ko sa aking asawa ang aking alipin;” at pinangalanan niyang Isacar ang kanyang anak.
19 Muling nagdalang-tao si Lea, at ito ang pang-anim niyang anak.
20 Kaya’t ang sabi niya, “Napakainam itong kaloob sa akin ng Diyos! Ngayo’y pahahalagahan na ako ng aking asawa, sapagkat anim na ang aming anak.” Ang anak niyang ito’y tinawag naman niyang Zebulun.
21 Di nagtagal, nagkaanak naman siya ng babae, at ito’y tinawag niyang Dina.
22 Sa wakas, nahabag din ang Diyos kay Raquel at dininig ang kanyang dalangin.
23 Nagdalang-tao siya at nagkaanak ng isang lalaki. Kaya’t sinabi niya, “Tinubos din ako ng Diyos sa aking kahihiyan at niloob na ako’y magkaanak.”
24 At tinawag niyang Jose ang kanyang anak sapagkat sinabi niyang “Sana’y bigyan ako ni Yahweh ng isa pa.”

DAY 9 (TAGALOG)

CHRONOLOGICAL BIBLE ONE YEAR READING PLAN

GENESIS 25:27-28:5
IPINAGBILI NI ESAU ANG KANYANG KARAPATAN

27 Lumaki ang mga bata. Naging mahusay na mangangaso si Esau at sa kaparangan na halos tumitira. Si Jacob naman ay tahimik at lagi sa bahay.
28 Higit ang pagtingin ni Isaac kay Esau, palibhasa’y kinawiwilihan niyang kainin ang mga nahuhuli nito sa pangangaso, samantalang si Jacob naman ang mas mahal ni Rebeca.
29 Minsan, si Jacob ay nagluluto ng sinabawang pulang patani; siya namang pagdating ni Esau mula sa pangangaso.
30 Sinabi niya, “Gutom na gutom na ako, bigyan mo naman ako niyang mapulang niluluto mo.” At dahil dito’y tinawag siyang Edom.
31 Sumagot si Jacob, “Ibigay mo muna sa akin ang iyong karapatan bilang panganay.”
32 “Payag na ako,” sabi ni Esau, “aanhin ko pa ang pagiging panganay kung mamamatay naman ako sa gutom?”
33 “Kung gayon,” sabi ni Jacob, “sumumpa ka muna.” Sumumpa nga si Esau, at ibinigay kay Jacob ang karapatan ng pagiging panganay.
34 Ibinigay naman ni Jacob kay Esau ang niluto niyang gulay at binigyan pa ito ng tinapay. Matapos kumai’t uminom, umalis na agad si Esau. Iyon lamang ang halaga sa kanya ng kanyang karapatan bilang panganay.

SI ISAAC SA GERAR AT SA BEER-SEBA

26 Tulad ng nangyari nang panahon ni Abraham, nagkaroon muli ng taggutom sa lupain ng Canaan, kaya’t nakarating si Isaac sa Gerar, sakop ni Abimelec na hari ng mga Filisteo.
2 Nagpakita si Yahweh kay Isaac at nagsabi, “Huwag kang pupunta sa Egipto; manirahan ka sa lupaing ituturo ko sa iyo.
3 Dito ka muna; sasamahan kita at pagpapalain. Ibibigay ko sa iyo at sa iyong lahi ang buong lupaing ito, tulad ng aking ipinangako sa iyong amang si Abraham.
4 Pararamihin kong gaya ng mga bituin sa kalangitan ang iyong lahi, at lahat ng lupaing ito’y ibibigay ko sa kanila. At hihilingin sa akin ng lahat ng bansa sa daigdig na sila’y pagpalain ko tulad ng ginagawa ko sa iyong lahi.
5 Pagpapalain kita dahil kay Abraham, sapagkat sinunod niya ako at tinupad ang aking mga utos.”
6 Doon nga tumira si Isaac sa Gerar.
7 Kung tinatanong siya ng mga tagaroon tungkol kay Rebeca, sinasabi niyang ito’y kanyang kapatid. Inililihim niyang mag-asawa sila sa takot na siya’y patayin para makuha si Rebeca, sapagkat ito’y maganda.
8 Hindi pa sila nagtatagal sa lugar na iyon, nadungawan minsan ni Abimelec sina Isaac at Rebeca na naglalambingan.
9 Ipinatawag agad ni Abimelec si Isaac at ang sabi’y, “Tiyak na asawa mo ang babaing iyon, hindi ba? Bakit ang sabi mo’y kapatid mo?” “Natatakot po ako na baka ako’y patayin kung sabihin kong asawa ko siya,” tugon ni Isaac.
10 “Bakit mo ito ginawa sa amin?” wika ni Abimelec. “Kung siya’y ginalaw ng isa sa mga tauhan ko, isinubo mo pa kami sa kapahamakan!”
11 At sinabi ni Abimelec sa kanyang nasasakupan, “Papatayin ang sinumang umapi sa mag-asawang ito.”
12 Nang taóng iyon, si Isaac ay nagsaka sa lupain ng Gerar at makasandaang ibayo ang kanyang inani kaysa kanyang itinanim. Pinagpala siya ni Yahweh.
13 Patuloy na lumago ang kanyang kabuhayan, at siya’y naging napakayaman.
14 Nainggit sa kanya ang mga Filisteo sapagkat marami siyang alipin at mga kawan ng tupa at baka.
15 Kaya’t tinabunan nila ang mga balong ginawa ng mga alipin ni Abraham noong ito’y nabubuhay pa.
16 Sinabi ni Abimelec, “Umalis ka na, Isaac; mas makapangyarihan ka pa ngayon kaysa amin.”
17 Kaya, umalis si Isaac at nanirahan muna sa libis ng Gerar.
18 Ipinahukay niyang muli ang mga balon ni Abraham na tinabunan ng mga Filisteo. At ang mga balong iyon ay tinawag ni Isaac sa dating tawag dito ng kanyang ama.
19 Ang mga tauhan ni Isaac ay nakahukay ng isang malakas na bukal sa libis,
20 ngunit nakipag-away ang mga pastol na taga-Gerar at inangkin ang bukal ng tubig na iyon. Kaya’t ang balong iyon ay tinawag ni Isaac na “Balon ng Away” sapagkat sila’y inaway ng mga tagaroon.
21 Nang makahukay muli sila, nakipagtalo na naman sa kanila ang mga taga-Gerar, kaya’t tinawag naman itong “Balon ng Pagtatalo.”
22 Lumayo sila roon at humukay ng ibang balon. Wala nang umangkin nito, kaya’t tinawag niyang “Balon ng Kalayaan.” Ang sabi niya, “Uunlad tayo sa lupaing ito, sapagkat binigyan tayo ni Yahweh ng kalayaang mamuhay sa lupaing ito.”
23 Umalis si Isaac at nagpunta sa Beer-seba. 24 Nang gabing iyon, nagpakita sa kanya si Yahweh, at ang sabi,

“Ako ang Diyos ng iyong amang si Abraham,
huwag kang matakot, sapagkat sasamahan kita;
pagpapalain kita, at pararamihin ko ang iyong lahi
alang-alang kay Abraham na tapat kong alipin.”

25 Nagtayo si Isaac ng altar doon at sinamba si Yahweh. Tumigil sila sa lugar na iyon at humukay muli ng balon ang kanyang mga alipin.

ANG KASUNDUAN NI ISAAC AT ABIMELEC

26 Dumating si Abimelec buhat sa Gerar kasama si Ahuzat na kanyang tagapayo at si Picol na pinuno ng kanyang hukbo.
27 Tinanong siya ni Isaac, “Bakit mo ako dinalaw? Hindi ba’t galit ka sa akin at ako’y pinaalis mo sa iyong bayan?”
28 Ito ang sagot nila: “Naniniwala na kami ngayon na kasama mo ang Diyos; nais naming makipagkasundo sa iyo. Ipangako mo sanang 29 hindi mo kami pipinsalain, sapagkat hindi ka rin naman namin pininsala. Pinakitaan ka namin ng mabuti at hindi ka ginambala sa iyong pag-alis. Ikaw ngayon ang pinagpapala ni Yahweh.”
30 Naghanda si Isaac ng malaking salu-salo at sila’y nagkainan at nag-inuman.
31 Kinaumagahan, sila’y nagsumpaang magiging magkaibigan, at saka mapayapang naghiwalay.
32 Nang araw ring iyon, ibinalita ng mga alipin ni Isaac na sila’y nakahukay na ng tubig.
33 Tinawag niyang “Balon ng Panata” ang balong iyon. Kaya, hanggang ngayon ay Beer-seba ang tawag sa lunsod na itinayo roon.

NAG-ASAWA NG MGA DAYUHAN SI ESAU

34 Apatnapung taon si Esau nang siya’y mag-asawa; si Judit na anak ng Heteong si Beeri ang napangasawa niya. Naging asawa rin niya si Basemat, anak naman ni Elon, isa ring Heteo.
35 Ang dalawang ito ang naging dahilan ng malaking sama ng loob nina Isaac at Rebeca.

NAKUHA NI JACOB ANG PAGPAPALA

27 Si Isaac ay matanda na at halos hindi na makakita, kaya ipinatawag niya si Esau, ang anak niyang panganay.
2 Sinabi niya rito, “Anak, matanda na ako at malapit nang mamatay.
3 Pumunta ka sa parang at mangaso. Ihuli mo ako ng hayop
4 at lutuin ang putahing gusto ko. Pagkakain ko’y igagawad ko sa iyo ang aking basbas bago ako mamatay.”
5 Nakikinig pala si Rebeca samantalang kinakausap ni Isaac si Esau. Kaya’t nang umalis ito upang sundin ang bilin ng ama,
6 tinawag ni Rebeca si Jacob at sinabi, “Narinig ko ang sinabi ng iyong ama kay Esau:
7 ‘Ihuli mo ako ng hayop at lutuin mo para sa akin. Pagkakain ko, babasbasan kita sa harapan ni Yahweh bago ako mamatay.’
8 Kaya’t ganito ang gawin mo, anak:
9 Kumuha ka agad ng dalawang kambing na mataba at iluluto ko para sa iyong ama. Ipaghahanda ko siya ng pagkaing gustung-gusto niya,
10 at ipakain mo sa kanya upang ikaw ang mabigyan ng basbas bago siya mamatay!”
11 Ngunit sumagot si Jacob sa kanyang ina, “Balbon po si Esau, samantalang ako’y hindi.
12 Malalaman ng aking ama na nililinlang ko siya kapag ako’y kanyang nahipo; susumpain niya ako sa halip na basbasan.”
13 Sumagot ang ina, “Hayaan mong sa akin tumalab ang anumang sumpa niya. Basta’t sumunod ka, anak; ako na ang bahala. Kumuha ka na ng kambing.”
14 Kumuha nga si Jacob ng kambing, at iniluto ng kanyang ina ang putahing gustung-gusto ng kanyang ama.
15 Binihisan ni Rebeca si Jacob ng pinakamagarang damit ni Esau na nakatabi sa bahay.
16 Ang mga braso at leeg ni Jacob na walang balahibo’y binalutan niya ng balat ng kambing.
17 Pagkatapos, ipinadala sa anak ang putahe na may kasama pang tinapay na niluto rin niya.
18 Lumapit si Jacob kay Isaac. “Ama!” sabi niya. “Sino ka ba?” tanong nito.
19 “Ako po si Esau,” sagot ni Jacob. “Nagawa ko na po ang inyong iniuutos sa akin. Narito na po ang gusto ninyong pagkain; bumangon na kayo at kainin na ninyo ito nang ako’y mabasbasan na ninyo pagkatapos.”
20 “Napakadali mo naman yatang nakahuli?” tanong ni Isaac. “Tinulungan po ako ni Yahweh na inyong Diyos,” sagot ni Jacob.
21 Nagtanong muli si Isaac, “Ikaw ba talaga si Esau? Lumapit ka nga rito nang matiyak ko kung ikaw nga.”
22 Lumapit naman si Jacob at siya’y hinawakan ng ama. “Kay Jacob ang tinig ngunit ang bisig ay parang kay Esau!” wika ni Isaac. 23 Hindi niya nakilala si Jacob, sapagkat ang mga bisig nito’y mabalahibo ring tulad ng kay Esau. Babasbasan na sana ni Isaac si Jacob,
24 ngunit muli pang nagtanong, “Ikaw nga ba si Esau?” “Ako nga po,” tugon ni Jacob.
25 Kaya’t sinabi ni Isaac, “Kung gayon, akin na ang pagkain at pagkakain ko’y babasbasan kita.” Iniabot ni Jacob ang pagkain at binigyan din niya ng alak.
26 “Halika anak, at hagkan mo ako,” sabi ng ama.
27 Nang lumapit si Jacob upang hagkan ang ama, naamoy nito ang kanyang kasuotan, kaya’t siya’y binasbasan:
“Ang masamyong halimuyak ng anak ko,
ang katulad ay samyo ng kabukirang si Yahweh ang nagbasbas;
28 Bigyan ka nawa ng Diyos, ng hamog buhat sa itaas,
upang tumaba ang lupa mo’t ikaw nama’y makaranas
ng saganang pag-aani at katas ng ubas.
29 Hayaan ang mga bansa’y gumalang at paalipin;
bilang pinuno, ikaw ay kilalanin.
Igagalang ka ng mga kapatid mo,
mga anak ng iyong ina ay yuyuko sa iyo.
Sila nawang sumusumpa sa iyo ay sumpain din,
ngunit ang nagpapala sa iyo ay pagpalain.”
30 Matapos igawad ni Isaac ang kanyang basbas, umalis si Jacob. Siya namang pagdating ni Esau na may dalang usa.
31 Niluto niya ito nang masarap at dinala sa ama. Sinabi niya, “Maupo kayo, ama, at kainin ninyo ang dala kong pagkain upang ako’y inyong mabasbasan.”
32 “Sino ka ba?” tanong ni Isaac. “Si Esau po, ang inyong panganay,” tugon naman niya.
33 Nanginig ang buong katawan ni Isaac. Sabi niya, “Kung gayo’y sino ang naunang nagdala sa akin ng pagkain? Katatapos ko lang kumain nang ika’y dumating. Binasbasan ko na siya at tataglayin niya iyon magpakailanman.”
34 Humagulgol ng iyak si Esau nang marinig ito at nagmamakaawa, “Basbasan din po ninyo ako, ama!”
35 Ngunit sinabi ni Isaac, “Nilinlang ako ng iyong kapatid kaya nakuha niya ang basbas ko para sa iyo.”
36 Nagsalita si Esau, “Dalawang beses na niya akong dinaya, kaya pala Jacob[c] ang kanyang pangalan! Kinuha na niya ang aking karapatan bilang panganay, at ngayo’y inagaw niya pati ang basbas na ukol sa akin! Wala na ba kayong nalalabing basbas para sa akin?”
37 “Wala na akong magagawa, anak,” sagot ni Isaac. “Siya’y panginoon mo na ngayon; ginawa ko nang alipin niya ang kanyang mga kamag-anak. Ibinigay ko na sa kanya ang kasaganaan sa pagkain at inumin, kaya wala nang nalalabi para sa iyo.”
38 Ngunit patuloy na nagmamakaawa sa kanyang ama si Esau, “Talaga bang iisa lang ang inyong basbas, ama? Basbasan na rin ninyo ako.” At patuloy siyang nanangis.
39 Sinabi ni Isaac sa kanya,
“Ang magiging tahanan mo’y malayo sa kasaganaan,
pati hamog mula sa langit, ika’y pagkakaitan.
40 Tabak mo ang iyong ikabubuhay,
kapatid mo’y iyong paglilingkuran;
upang kalayaa’y iyong makamit,
kailangang ikaw ay maghimagsik.”
41 Namuhi si Esau kay Jacob sapagkat ito ang binasbasan ng kanyang ama. Kaya’t ganito ang nabuo sa kanyang isipan: “Pagkamatay ng aking ama, at ito’y hindi na magtatagal, papatayin ko si Jacob!”
42 May nakapagsabi kay Rebeca tungkol sa balak ni Esau, kaya’t ipinagbigay-alam niya agad ito kay Jacob. Sinabi niya, “Anak, binabalak ng iyong kapatid na patayin ka upang makapaghiganti siya.
43 Makinig ka sa akin, anak. Umalis ka kaagad! Pumunta ka sa Haran at doon ka muna tumira sa aking kapatid na si Laban.
44 Doon ka muna hanggang hindi humuhupa ang galit ng iyong kapatid;
45 malilimutan din niya ang ginawa mo sa kanya. Hayaan mo’t pababalitaan kita kung maaari ka nang bumalik. Masakit man sa loob ko ang malayo ka sa akin, lalong hindi ko matitiis ang kayo’y parehong mawala sa akin.”

PINAPUNTA NI ISAAC SI JACOB KAY LABAN

46 Sinabi ni Rebeca kay Isaac, “Hirap na hirap na ang loob ko sa mga dayuhang asawa ni Esau. Kapag Hetea ring tulad nila ang napangasawa ni Jacob, mabuti pang mamatay na ako.”

28 Kaya tinawag ni Isaac si Jacob at matapos basbasan ay pinagbilinan, “Huwag kang mag-aasawa ng Cananea.
2 Pumunta ka sa Mesopotamia, sa bayan ng iyong Lolo Bethuel. Doon ka pumili ng mapapangasawa sa mga pinsan mo, sa mga anak ng iyong Tiyo Laban.
3 Sa iyong pag-aasawa, pagpalain ka ng Makapangyarihang Diyos, at nawa’y magkaroon ka ng maraming anak upang ikaw ay maging ama ng maraming bansa.
4 Pagpalain ka nawa niya, gayundin ang iyong lahi, tulad ng ginawa niya kay Abraham. Mapasaiyo nawa ang lupaing ito na iyong tinitirhan, ang lupang ipinangako ng Diyos kay Abraham.”
5 Pinapunta nga ni Isaac si Jacob sa Mesopotamia, sa kanyang Tiyo Laban na anak ni Bethuel na taga-Aram. Si Laban ay kapatid ni Rebeca na ina nina Jacob at Esau.