Chapter 26<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Agrippa said to Paul, \"You may speak for yourself.\" Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> \"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews,<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> \"Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem;<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> \"I most assuredly thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> \"Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests,<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> at noon, O King, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.'<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you persecute.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> But arise, and stand on your feet, for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you;<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you,<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> \"Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come,<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> how the Christ must suffer, and how he first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles.\"<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, \"Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!\"<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> But he said, \"I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but speak forth words of truth and soberness.<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner.<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.\"<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> Agrippa said to Paul, \"With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?\"<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> Paul said, \"I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.\"<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> The king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them.<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, \"This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.\"<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> Agrippa said to Festus, \"This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#9: David Pretends To Be Mad (1 Samuel 21:10-15)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 21<\/h4>

10<\/small><\/span> David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> The servants of Achish said to him, \"Isn't this David the king of the land? Didn't they sing one to another about him in dances, saying, 'Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands?'\"<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> David laid up these words in his heart, and was very afraid of Achish the king of Gath.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> He changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down on his beard.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> Then said Achish to his servants, Look, you see the man is mad; why then have you brought him to me?<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#8: Saul Tries To Kill David (1 Samuel 18:1-11)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 18<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> It happened, when he had made an end of speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him, and gave it to David, and his clothing, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his sash.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> David went out wherever Saul sent him, [and] behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and it was good in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> The women sang one to another as they played, and said, Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom?<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> Saul eyed David from that day and forward.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> It happened on the next day, that an evil spirit from God came mightily on Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand;<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> and Saul cast the spear; for he said, I will strike David even to the wall. David avoided out of his presence twice.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#7: Israel Routs The Philistines (1 Samuel 14:15-23)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 14<\/h4>

15<\/small><\/span> There was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people; the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled; and the earth quaked: so there was an exceeding great trembling.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> The watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went [here] and there.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> Then said Saul to the people who were with him, Number now, and see who is gone from us. When they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not there.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> Saul said to Ahijah, Bring here the ark of God. For the ark of God was [there] at that time with the children of Israel.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> It happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the tumult that was in the camp of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said to the priest, Withdraw your hand.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> Saul and all the people who were with him were gathered together, and came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, [and there was] a very great confusion.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> Now the Hebrews who were with the Philistines as before, and who went up with them into the camp, [from the country] round about, even they also [turned] to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> Likewise all the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, when they heard that the Philistines fled, even they also followed hard after them in the battle.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> So Yahweh saved Israel that day: and the battle passed over by Beth-aven.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#6: Midianite Solders Turn on Themselves (Judges 7:1-25)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 7<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, rose up early, and encamped beside the spring of Harod: and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> Yahweh said to Gideon, The people who are with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, My own hand has saved me.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead. There returned of the people twenty-two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Yahweh said to Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down to the water, and I will try them for you there: and it shall be, that of whom I tell you, This shall go with you, the same shall go with you; and of whoever I tell you, This shall not go with you, the same shall not go.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> So he brought down the people to the water: and Yahweh said to Gideon, Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, him shall you set by himself; likewise everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> The number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> Yahweh said to Gideon, By the three hundred men who lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand; and let all the people go every man to his place.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets; and he sent all the men of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the three hundred men: and the camp of Midian was beneath him in the valley.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> It happened the same night, that Yahweh said to him, Arise, get you down into the camp; for I have delivered it into your hand.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> But if you fear to go down, go you with Purah your servant down to the camp:<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> and you shall hear what they say; and afterward shall your hands be strengthened to go down into the camp. Then went he down with Purah his servant to the outermost part of the armed men who were in the camp.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand which is on the sea-shore for multitude.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> When Gideon had come, behold, there was a man telling a dream to his fellow; and he said, Behold, I dreamed a dream; and, behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian, and came to the tent, and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> His fellow answered, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: into his hand God has delivered Midian, and all the host.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> It was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation of it, that he worshipped; and he returned into the camp of Israel, and said, Arise; for Yahweh has delivered into your hand the host of Midian.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> He divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put into the hands of all of them trumpets, and empty pitchers, with torches within the pitchers.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> He said to them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outermost part of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall you do.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow you the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, For Yahweh and for Gideon.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> So Gideon, and the hundred men who were with him, came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch, when they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> The three companies blew the trumpets, and broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands with which to blow; and they cried, The sword of Yahweh and of Gideon.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> They stood every man in his place round about the camp; and all the host ran; and they shouted, and put [them] to flight.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> They blew the three hundred trumpets, and Yahweh set every man's sword against his fellow, and against all the host; and the host fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> The men of Israel were gathered together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after Midian.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying, Come down against Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan. So all the men of Ephraim were gathered together, and took the waters as far as Beth-barah, even the Jordan.<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> They took the two princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb; and they killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian: and they brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon beyond the Jordan.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Top 10 Times Of Madness\u00a0Honorable Mentions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

We hope it doesn\u2019t make you mad to learn this, but Jesus is involved in his own moments of madness in the Bible. In fact, we thought they deserve special recognition on our list of the Top Ten Times Of Madness In The Bible.<\/p>\n

Jesus Heals A Demon-Possessed Man (Mark 5:1-20)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 5<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> When he had come out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> who had his dwelling in the tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains,<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the strength to tame him.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him,<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> and crying out with a loud voice, he said, \"What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don't torment me.\"<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> For he said to him, \"Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!\"<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> He asked him, \"What is your name?\" He said to him, \"My name is Legion, for we are many.\"<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> He begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Now there was there on the mountainside a great herd of pigs feeding.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> All the demons begged him, saying, \"Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.\"<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out, and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> Those who fed them fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> They came to Jesus, and saw him who was possessed by demons sitting, clothed and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> Those who saw it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> They began to beg him to depart from their borders.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> He didn't allow him, but said to him, \"Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them how the Lord has done great things for you, and how he had mercy on you.\"<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus And The Chief Priests (Matthew 21:12-17)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 21<\/h4>

12<\/small><\/span> Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money-changers' tables, and the seats of those who sold the doves.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> He said to them, \"It is written, 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers!\"<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, \"Hosanna to the son of David!\" they were moved with indignation,<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> and said to him, \"Do you hear what these are saying?\" Jesus said to them, \"Yes. Did you never read, 'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing babies you have perfected praise?'\"<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> He left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus Drives The Money Changers Out Of The Temple (John 2:13-17)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 2<\/h4>

13<\/small><\/span> The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers' money, and overthrew their tables.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> To those who sold the doves, he said, \"Take these things out of here! Don't make my Father's house a marketplace!\"<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> His disciples remembered that it was written, \"Zeal for your house will eat me up.\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

The Healing Of A Boy With An Evil Spirit (Mark 9:14-29)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 9<\/h4>

14<\/small><\/span> Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him greeted him.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> He asked the scribes, \"What are you asking them?\"<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> One of the multitude answered, \"Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> and wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren't able.\"<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> He answered them, \"Unbelieving generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him to me.\"<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> He asked his father, \"How long has it been since this has come to him?\" He said, \"From childhood.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.\"<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> Jesus said to him, \"If you can believe? All things are possible to him who believes.\"<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, \"I believe. Help my unbelief!\"<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, \"You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and enter no more into him!\"<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> Having cried out, and convulsed him greatly, it came out. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, \"He is dead.\"<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, \"Why couldn't we cast it out?\"<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> He said to them, \"This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting.\"<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#5: The People Of Ephesus Riot Over The God Artemis (Acts 19:23-41)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 19<\/h4>

23<\/small><\/span> About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen,<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, \"Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands.<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.\"<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> When they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, \"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!\"<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn't allow him.<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn't know why they had come together.<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, \"Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!\"<\/p>

35<\/small><\/span> When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, \"You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?<\/p>

36<\/small><\/span> Seeing then that these things can't be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.<\/p>

37<\/small><\/span> For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.<\/p>

38<\/small><\/span> If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him, have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.<\/p>

39<\/small><\/span> But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly.<\/p>

40<\/small><\/span> For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn't be able to give an account of this commotion.\"<\/p>

41<\/small><\/span> When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation:\u00a0World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#4: The Religious Leaders Stone Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 6<\/h4>

8<\/small><\/span> Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> But some of those who were of the synagogue called \"The Libertines,\" and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> They weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Then they secretly induced men who said, \"We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.\"<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came on him and seized him, and brought him in to the council,<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> and set up false witnesses who said, \"This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.\"<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.<\/p><\/div>\n

Chapter 7<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> The high priest said, \"Are these things so?\"<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> He said, \"Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran,<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> and said to him, 'Get out of your land, and from your relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.'<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> Then he came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there, when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are now living.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when he still had no child.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> God spoke thus, that his seed would live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> 'I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,' said God, 'and after that will they come out, and serve me in this place.'<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> \"The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him,<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> On the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's race was revealed to Pharaoh.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> Joseph sent, and called Jacob, his father, to him, and all his relatives, seventy-five souls.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, himself and our fathers,<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the sons of Hamor of Shechem.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> \"But as the time of the promise came close which God swore to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> until there arose a different king, who didn't know Joseph.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> The same dealt slyly with our race, and mistreated our fathers, that they should throw out their babies, so that they wouldn't stay alive.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father's house.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> When he was thrown out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and reared him as her own son.<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn't understand.<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, 'Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one to another?'<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> Moses fled at this saying, and became an alien in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> \"When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him,<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> 'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Moses trembled, and dared not look.<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> The Lord said to him, 'Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.'<\/p>

35<\/small><\/span> \"This Moses, whom they refused, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' -- God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.<\/p>

36<\/small><\/span> This man led them forth, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.<\/p>

37<\/small><\/span> This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, 'The Lord God will raise up a prophet to you from among your brothers, like me.'<\/p>

38<\/small><\/span> This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,<\/p>

39<\/small><\/span> to whom our fathers wouldn't be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,<\/p>

40<\/small><\/span> saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.'<\/p>

41<\/small><\/span> They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.<\/p>

42<\/small><\/span> But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?<\/p>

43<\/small><\/span> You took up the tent of Moloch, The star of your god Rephan, The figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.'<\/p>

44<\/small><\/span> \"Our fathers had the tent of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses appointed, that he should make it according to the pattern that he had seen.<\/p>

45<\/small><\/span> Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,<\/p>

46<\/small><\/span> who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.<\/p>

47<\/small><\/span> But Solomon built him a house.<\/p>

48<\/small><\/span> However, the Most High doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,<\/p>

49<\/small><\/span> 'heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet. What kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord; 'Or what is the place of my rest?<\/p>

50<\/small><\/span> Didn't my hand make all these things?'<\/p>

51<\/small><\/span> \"You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.<\/p>

52<\/small><\/span> Which of the prophets didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.<\/p>

53<\/small><\/span> You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn't keep it!\"<\/p>

54<\/small><\/span> Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.<\/p>

55<\/small><\/span> But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,<\/p>

56<\/small><\/span> and said, \"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God!\"<\/p>

57<\/small><\/span> But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.<\/p>

58<\/small><\/span> They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.<\/p>

59<\/small><\/span> They stoned Stephen, as he called on the Lord, saying, \"Lord Jesus, receive my Spirit!\"<\/p>

60<\/small><\/span> He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, \"Lord, don't hold this sin against them!\" When he had said this, he fell asleep.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#3: The People of Lystra, Antioch and Iconium Stone Paul (Acts 14:8-20)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 14<\/h4>

8<\/small><\/span> At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> said with a loud voice, \"Stand upright on your feet!\" He leaped up and walked.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, \"The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!\"<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> They called Barnabas \"Jupiter,\" and Paul \"Mercury,\" because he was the chief speaker.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice with the multitudes.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> \"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.\"<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#2: God\u2019s Anger Burns Against The Israelites (Exodus 32:1-35)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 32<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, \"Come, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.\"<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> Aaron said to them, \"Take off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to me.\"<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> All the people took off the golden rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> He received what they handed him, and fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it a molten calf; and they said, \"These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.\"<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation, and said, \"Tomorrow shall be a feast to Yahweh.\"<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> They rose up early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace-offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> Yahweh spoke to Moses, \"Go, get down; for your people, who you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves!<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, 'These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.'\"<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> Yahweh said to Moses, \"I have seen these people, and, behold, they are a stiff-necked people.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> Now therefore leave me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them, and that I may consume them; and I will make of you a great nation.\"<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> Moses begged Yahweh his God, and said, \"Yahweh, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, 'He brought them forth for evil, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the surface of the earth?' Turn from your fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against your people.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your seed as the stars of the sky, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your seed, and they shall inherit it forever.'\"<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> Yahweh repented of the evil which he said he would do to his people.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other they were written.<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tables.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, \"There is the noise of war in the camp.\"<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> He said, \"It isn't the voice of those who shout for victory, neither is it the voice of those who cry for being overcome; but the noise of those who sing that I hear.\"<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> It happened, as soon as he came near to the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing: and Moses' anger grew hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mountain.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> He took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> Moses said to Aaron, \"What did this people to you, that you have brought a great sin on them?\"<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> Aaron said, \"Don't let the anger of my lord grow hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> For they said to me, 'Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.'<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let them take it off:' so they gave it me; and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.\"<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> When Moses saw that the people had broken loose, (for Aaron had let them loose for a derision among their enemies,)<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, \"Whoever is on Yahweh's side, come to me!\" All the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> He said to them, \"Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, 'Every man put his sword on his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and every man kill his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.\"<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> The sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> Moses said, \"Consecrate yourselves today to Yahweh, yes, every man against his son, and against his brother; that he may bestow on you a blessing this day.\"<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> It happened on the next day, that Moses said to the people, \"You have sinned a great sin. Now I will go up to Yahweh. Perhaps I shall make atonement for your sin.\"<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, \"Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold.<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> Yet now, if you will, forgive their sin-- and if not, please blot me out of your book which you have written.\"<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> Yahweh said to Moses, \"Whoever has sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> Now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.\"<\/p>

35<\/small><\/span> Yahweh struck the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#1: King Nebuchadnezzar Goes Mad (Daniel 4:1-37)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chapter 4<\/h4>

1<\/small><\/span> Nebuchadnezzar the king, to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.<\/p>

2<\/small><\/span> It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me.<\/p>

3<\/small><\/span> How great are his signs! and how mighty are his wonders! his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.<\/p>

4<\/small><\/span> I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.<\/p>

5<\/small><\/span> I saw a dream which made me afraid; and the thoughts on my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.<\/p>

6<\/small><\/span> Therefore made I a decree to bring in all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream.<\/p>

7<\/small><\/span> Then came in the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers; and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known to me the interpretation of it.<\/p>

8<\/small><\/span> But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and I told the dream before him, [saying],<\/p>

9<\/small><\/span> Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and no secret troubles you, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation of it.<\/p>

10<\/small><\/span> Thus were the visions of my head on my bed: I saw, and, behold, a tree in the midst of the earth; and the height of it was great.<\/p>

11<\/small><\/span> The tree grew, and was strong, and the height of it reached to the sky, and the sight of it to the end of all the earth.<\/p>

12<\/small><\/span> The leaves of it were beautiful, and the fruit of it much, and in it was food for all: the animals of the field had shadow under it, and the birds of the sky lived in the branches of it, and all flesh was fed from it.<\/p>

13<\/small><\/span> I saw in the visions of my head on my bed, and, behold, a watcher and a holy one came down from the sky.<\/p>

14<\/small><\/span> He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off its branches, shake off its leaves, and scatter its fruit: let the animals get away from under it, and the fowls from its branches.<\/p>

15<\/small><\/span> Nevertheless leave the stump of its roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals in the grass of the earth:<\/p>

16<\/small><\/span> let his heart be changed from man's, and let a animal's heart be given to him; and let seven times pass over him.<\/p>

17<\/small><\/span> The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones; to the intent that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever he will, and sets up over it the lowest of men.<\/p>

18<\/small><\/span> This dream I, king Nebuchadnezzar, have seen; and you, Belteshazzar, declare the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able; for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.<\/p>

19<\/small><\/span> Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don't let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and the interpretation of it to your adversaries.<\/p>

20<\/small><\/span> The tree that you saw, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached to the sky, and the sight of it to all the earth;<\/p>

21<\/small><\/span> whose leaves were beautiful, and the fruit of it much, and in it was food for all; under which the animals of the field lived, and on whose branches the birds of the sky had their habitation:<\/p>

22<\/small><\/span> it is you, O king, that are grown and become strong; for your greatness is grown, and reaches to the sky, and your dominion to the end of the earth.<\/p>

23<\/small><\/span> Whereas the king saw a watcher and a holy one coming down from the sky, and saying, Hew down the tree, and destroy it; nevertheless leave the stump of the roots of it in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field, and let it be wet with the dew of the sky: and let his portion be with the animals of the field, until seven times pass over him;<\/p>

24<\/small><\/span> this is the interpretation, O king, and it is the decree of the Most High, which is come on my lord the king:<\/p>

25<\/small><\/span> that you shall be driven from men, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass as oxen, and shall be wet with the dew of the sky, and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever he will.<\/p>

26<\/small><\/span> Whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the roots of the tree; your kingdom shall be sure to you, after that you shall have known that the heavens do rule.<\/p>

27<\/small><\/span> Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you, and break off your sins by righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if there may be a lengthening of your tranquillity.<\/p>

28<\/small><\/span> All this came on the king Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>

29<\/small><\/span> At the end of twelve months he was walking in the royal palace of Babylon.<\/p>

30<\/small><\/span> The king spoke and said, Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?<\/p>

31<\/small><\/span> While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, [saying], O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom is departed from you:<\/p>

32<\/small><\/span> and you shall be driven from men; and they dwelling shall be with the animals of the field; you shall be made to eat grass as oxen; and seven times shall pass over you; until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whoever he will.<\/p>

33<\/small><\/span> The same hour was the thing fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and ate grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of the sky, until his hair was grown like eagles' [feathers], and his nails like birds' [claws].<\/p>

34<\/small><\/span> At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted up my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and I praised and honored him who lives forever; for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom from generation to generation.<\/p>

35<\/small><\/span> All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or tell him, What do you?<\/p>

36<\/small><\/span> At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.<\/p>

37<\/small><\/span> Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven; for all his works are truth, and his ways justice; and those who walk in pride he is able to abase.<\/p><\/div>\n

Translation: World English Bible<\/em><\/p>\n

Downloads<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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One of the reasons the Bible is so compelling is that it shows both the good and bad of humanity. For every story of the wisdom of Solomon or of people joining together for good, there are contrasting stories of madmen whose hearts are set on doing evil, or crazed people turning on one another. …<\/p>\n

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