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Notes that are not verse specific
A story of two paths
The seven year law of release sounds really great, except for if you're the one doing the lending. Let's imagine you had a cottage at the bottom of your garden you weren't using for the moment, so you lend it to your friend, who has a grown up child with a young family in need of a "starter" home. This family stays in your home, free of charge, and despite you dropping hints that they ought to build a home of their own, remain there year after year. It is difficult to evict them, because they are your friend's family, and besides, you wouldn't want their young children to be homeless. In fact, the tenant reminds you of this each time you speak with him! Now the year of release draws near and as the 6th year draws to a close you become increasingly desperate. In just a month's time you will have to hand over your cottage to your friend's lazy son, who has had several years to build himself a small home in this pleasant Mediterranean climate, but has not done so. This doesn't sound like such a great law now does it?
Let's flip it round and think about your needs, rather than the needs of the lazy man. What have you been thinking about as the year of release approaches? You have been spending every waking hour plotting how to get rid of him off your land. You're getting consumed by angst. You're becoming stressed. Email me if you think you're different, because I'd like to meet you! Yes, we're almost all the same aren't we? When it comes to the crunch we're really in love with our goods. We can't stand to see it "taken" from us. We feel we're entitled to them, and it's no wonder, because you built that house, it's on your land, and you have good memories of living in that place when you were just married.
But that attitude will turn you into a stressed, depressed person, and the Bible is trying to tell us here that we actually have a choice in this situation. It is saying that the normal course is to hold on to the goods, to our own detriment. It is saying that the sensible course is instead to let go.
What might the story sound like of we had let go?
Having moved from the home of your youth and built a bigger place, you lend your empty property to a young family, and spend a wonderful few years in the company of young children whose playful sounds continually drift across on the breeze. When you work outside the children run up and try to join in, and you show them how to dig the soil and plant seeds. Their father seems disinterested in work but his wife and children turn out to be a huge help on the farm. Whenever you speak with the tenant you reassure him he can have it as long as he needs it. The year of release comes and goes in the time the family is still weaning children, but you feel no anxiety about that. You enjoy your own home all the more knowing that your second home is being used to the full. Your friendship with the man's dad grows from strength to strength. On feast days you all travel together to Jerusalem, and you are exceedingly glad of the safety in numbers of your group, and to know that the wife and children of your former tenant are back home keeping an eye on the place. One night disaster strikes. You are at home in bed when fire takes hold in the barn, adjoining the house. One of the children sees smoke and runs to alert you, getting you out of bed and out of the house. Nevertheless, the fire takes hold and completely burns down your house and kills your livestock. You sleep for the first time in forty years in the old cottage, in the bed of the man and woman you lent the house to, while they insist on sleeping on the floor downstairs. In the morning you wake up late and wander over to the shell of your house. To your astonishment, rather than a scene of devastation, you are greeted by your friend, his son, and seemingly the whole neighbourhood who have set about rebuilding it for you. A few weeks later you move back in, wondering what would have been if you had never forgiven you neighbour his debt.
Rob de Jongh [Mountsorrel (UK)] Comment added in 2013 Reply to Rob
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1. At the end <7093> of every seven <7651> years <8141> thou shalt make <6213>(8799) a release <8059>.
2. And this is the manner <1697> of the release <8059>: Every creditor <1167> <4874> <3027> that lendeth <5383>(8686) ought unto his neighbour <7453> shall release <8058>(8800) it; he shall not exact <5065>(8799) it of his neighbour <7453>, or of his brother <251>; because it is called <7121>(8804) the LORD'S <3068> release <8059>.
3. Of a foreigner <5237> thou mayest exact <5065>(8799) it again: but that which is thine with thy brother <251> thine hand <3027> shall release <8058>(8686);
4. Save <657> when there shall be no poor <34> among you; for the LORD <3068> shall greatly <1288>(8763) bless <1288>(8762) thee in the land <776> which the LORD <3068> thy God <430> giveth <5414>(8802) thee for an inheritance <5159> to possess <3423>(8800) it:
5. Only if thou carefully <8085>(8800) hearken <8085>(8799) unto the voice <6963> of the LORD <3068> thy God <430>, to observe <8104>(8800) to do <6213>(8800) all these commandments <4687> which I command <6680>(8764) thee this day <3117>.
6. For the LORD <3068> thy God <430> blesseth <1288>(8765) thee, as he promised <1696>(8765) thee: and thou shalt lend <5670>(8689) unto many <7227> nations <1471>, but thou shalt not borrow <5670>(8799); and thou shalt reign <4910>(8804) over many <7227> nations <1471>, but they shall not reign <4910>(8799) over thee.
7. If there be among you a poor man <34> of one <259> of thy brethren <251> within any <259> of thy gates <8179> in thy land <776> which the LORD <3068> thy God <430> giveth <5414>(8802) thee, thou shalt not harden <553>(8762) thine heart <3824>, nor shut <7092>(8799) thine hand <3027> from thy poor <34> brother <251>:
8. But thou shalt open <6605>(8799) thine hand <3027> wide <6605>(8800) unto him, and shalt surely <5670>(8687) lend <5670>(8686) him sufficient <1767> for his need <4270>, in that which he wanteth <2637>(8799).
9. Beware <8104>(8734) that there be not a thought <1697> in thy wicked <1100> heart <3824>, saying <559>(8800), The seventh <7651> year <8141>, the year <8141> of release <8059>, is at hand <7126>(8804); and thine eye <5869> be evil <7489>(8804) against thy poor <34> brother <251>, and thou givest <5414>(8799) him nought; and he cry <7121>(8804) unto the LORD <3068> against thee, and it be sin <2399> unto thee.
10. Thou shalt surely <5414>(8800) give <5414>(8799) him, and thine heart <3824> shall not be grieved <3415>(8799) when thou givest <5414>(8800) unto him: because <1558> that for this thing <1697> the LORD <3068> thy God <430> shall bless <1288>(8762) thee in all thy works <4639>, and in all that thou puttest <4916> thine hand <3027> unto.
11. For the poor <34> shall never cease <2308>(8799) out of <7130> the land <776>: therefore I command <6680>(8764) thee, saying <559>(8800), Thou shalt open <6605>(8799) thine hand <3027> wide <6605>(8800) unto thy brother <251>, to thy poor <6041>, and to thy needy <34>, in thy land <776>.
12. And if thy brother <251>, an Hebrew man <5680>, or an Hebrew woman <5680>, be sold <4376>(8735) unto thee, and serve <5647>(8804) thee six <8337> years <8141>; then in the seventh <7637> year <8141> thou shalt let him go <7971>(8762) free <2670> from thee.
13. And when thou sendest <7971>(8762) him out free <2670> from thee, thou shalt not let him go away <7971>(8762) empty <7387>:
14. Thou shalt furnish <6059>(8686) him liberally <6059>(8687) out of thy flock <6629>, and out of thy floor <1637>, and out of thy winepress <3342>: of that wherewith the LORD <3068> thy God <430> hath blessed <1288>(8765) thee thou shalt give <5414>(8799) unto him.
15. And thou shalt remember <2142>(8804) that thou wast a bondman <5650> in the land <776> of Egypt <4714>, and the LORD <3068> thy God <430> redeemed <6299>(8799) thee: therefore I command <6680>(8764) thee this thing <1697> to day <3117>.
16. And it shall be, if he say <559>(8799) unto thee, I will not go away <3318>(8799) from thee; because he loveth <157>(8804) thee and thine house <1004>, because he is well <2895>(8804) with thee;
17. Then thou shalt take <3947>(8804) an aul <4836>, and thrust <5414>(8804) it through his ear <241> unto the door <1817>, and he shall be thy servant <5650> for ever <5769>. And also unto thy maidservant <519> thou shalt do <6213>(8799) likewise.
18. It shall not seem hard <7185>(8799) unto thee <5869>, when thou sendest him away <7971>(8763) free <2670> from thee; for he hath been worth <7939> a double <4932> hired servant <7916> to thee, in serving <5647>(8804) thee six <8337> years <8141>: and the LORD <3068> thy God <430> shall bless <1288>(8765) thee in all that thou doest <6213>(8799).
19. All the firstling <1060> males <2145> that come <3205>(8735) of thy herd <1241> and of thy flock <6629> thou shalt sanctify <6942>(8686) unto the LORD <3068> thy God <430>: thou shalt do no work <5647>(8799) with the firstling <1060> of thy bullock <7794>, nor shear <1494>(8799) the firstling <1060> of thy sheep <6629>.
20. Thou shalt eat <398>(8799) it before <6440> the LORD <3068> thy God <430> year <8141> by year <8141> in the place <4725> which the LORD <3068> shall choose <977>(8799), thou and thy household <1004>.
21. And if there be any blemish <3971> therein, as if it be lame <6455>, or blind <5787>, or have any ill <7451> blemish <3971>, thou shalt not sacrifice <2076>(8799) it unto the LORD <3068> thy God <430>.
22. Thou shalt eat <398>(8799) it within thy gates <8179>: the unclean <2931> and the clean <2889> person shall eat it alike <3162>, as the roebuck <6643>, and as the hart <354>.
23. Only thou shalt not eat <398>(8799) the blood <1818> thereof; thou shalt pour <8210>(8799) it upon the ground <776> as water <4325>.
Notes that are not verse specific
The preacher seems morbid in his view of life and death. But life is a serious business. Without the ability and willingness of the LORD to change humankind’s miserable situation, all are headed for oblivion. Fortunately, in His mercy, the LORD has provided a way of salvation, through the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:12). Without Him, there is no hope (Eph 2:12; Titus 1:2). The prospect of life or death should, therefore, lend gravity to the thinking, caring person. James expresses this (James 4:8-10). Fools will follow every path of frivolity in search of present enjoyment. Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die is their mantra. But those who trust in the LORD will see a better day (Psa 37:34).
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2008 Reply to Michael
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1. A good name <8034> is better <2896> than precious <2896> ointment <8081>; and the day <3117> of death <4194> than the day <3117> of one's birth <3205>(8736).
2. It is better <2896> to go <3212>(8800) to the house <1004> of mourning <60>, than to go <3212>(8800) to the house <1004> of feasting <4960>: for <834> that is the end <5490> of all men <120>; and the living <2416> will lay <5414>(8799) it to his heart <3820>.
3. Sorrow <3708> is better <2896> than laughter <7814>: for by the sadness <7455> of the countenance <6440> the heart <3820> is made better <3190>(8799).
4. The heart <3820> of the wise <2450> is in the house <1004> of mourning <60>; but the heart <3820> of fools <3684> is in the house <1004> of mirth <8057>.
5. It is better <2896> to hear <8085>(8800) the rebuke <1606> of the wise <2450>, than for a man <376> to hear <8085>(8802) the song <7892> of fools <3684>.
6. For as the crackling <6963> of thorns <5518> under a pot <5518>, so is the laughter <7814> of the fool <3684>: this also is vanity <1892>.
7. Surely oppression <6233> maketh a wise man <2450> mad <1984>(8779); and a gift <4979> destroyeth <6>(8762) the heart <3820>.
8. Better <2896> is the end <319> of a thing <1697> than the beginning <7225> thereof: and the patient <750> in spirit <7307> is better <2896> than the proud <1362> in spirit <7307>.
9. Be not hasty <926>(8762) in thy spirit <7307> to be angry <3707>(8800): for anger <3708> resteth <5117>(8799) in the bosom <2436> of fools <3684>.
10. Say <559>(8799) not thou, What is the cause that the former <7223> days <3117> were better <2896> than these? for thou dost not enquire <7592>(8804) wisely <2451> concerning this.
11. Wisdom <2451> is good <2896> with an inheritance <5159>: and by it there is profit <3148> to them that see <7200>(8802) the sun <8121>.
12. For wisdom <2451> is a defence <6738>, and money <3701> is a defence <6738>: but the excellency <3504> of knowledge <1847> is, that wisdom <2451> giveth life <2421>(8762) to them that have <1167> it.
13. Consider <7200>(8798) the work <4639> of God <430>: for who can <3201>(8799) make that straight <8626>(8763), which he hath made crooked <5791>(8765)?
14. In the day <3117> of prosperity <2896> be joyful <2896>, but in the day <3117> of adversity <7451> consider <7200>(8798): God <430> also hath set <6213>(8804) the one over against <5980> the other, to the end <1700> that man <120> should find <4672>(8799) nothing <3972> after <310> him.
15. All things have I seen <7200>(8804) in the days <3117> of my vanity <1892>: there is <3426> a just <6662> man that perisheth <6>(8802) in his righteousness <6664>, and there is a wicked <7563> man that prolongeth <748>(8688) his life in his wickedness <7451>.
16. Be not righteous <6662> over much <7235>(8687); neither make thyself over <3148> wise <2449>(8691): why shouldest thou destroy <8074>(8709) thyself?
17. Be not over much <7235>(8687) wicked <7561>(8799), neither be thou foolish <5530>: why shouldest thou die <4191>(8799) before thy time <6256>?
18. It is good <2896> that thou shouldest take hold <270>(8799) of this; yea, also from this <2088> withdraw <3240>(8686) not thine hand <3027>: for he that feareth <3373> God <430> shall come forth <3318>(8799) of them all.
19. Wisdom <2451> strengtheneth <5810>(8799) the wise <2450> more than ten <6235> mighty <7989> men which are in the city <5892>.
20. For there is not a just <6662> man <120> upon earth <776>, that doeth <6213>(8799) good <2896>, and sinneth <2398>(8799) not.
21. Also take <5414>(8799) no heed <3820> unto all words <1697> that are spoken <1696>(8762); lest thou hear <8085>(8799) thy servant <5650> curse <7043>(8764) thee:
22. For oftentimes <6471> <7227> also thine own heart <3820> knoweth <3045>(8804) that thou thyself likewise hast cursed <7043>(8765) others <312>.
23. All this <2090> have I proved <5254>(8765) by wisdom <2451>: I said <559>(8804), I will be wise <2449>(8799); but it was far <7350> from me.
24. That which is far off <7350>, and exceeding deep <6013>, who can find it out <4672>(8799)?
25. I applied <5437>(8804) mine heart <3820> to know <3045>(8800), and to search <8446>(8800), and to seek out <1245>(8763) wisdom <2451>, and the reason <2808> of things, and to know <3045>(8800) the wickedness <7562> of folly <3689>, even of foolishness <5531> and madness <1947>:
26. And I find <4672>(8802) more bitter <4751> than death <4194> the woman <802>, whose heart <3820> is snares <4685> and nets <2764>, and her hands <3027> as bands <612>: whoso pleaseth <2896> <6440> God <430> shall escape <4422>(8735) from her; but the sinner <2398>(8802) shall be taken <3920>(8735) by her.
27. Behold <7200>(8798), this have I found <4672>(8804), saith <559>(8804) the preacher <6953>, counting one <259> by one <259>, to find out <4672>(8800) the account <2808>:
28. Which yet my soul <5315> seeketh <1245>(8765), but I find <4672>(8804) not: one <259> man <120> among a thousand <505> have I found <4672>(8804); but a woman <802> among all those have I not found <4672>(8804).
29. Lo <7200>(8798), this only <905> have I found <4672>(8804), that God <430> hath made <6213>(8804) man <120> upright <3477>; but they have sought out <1245>(8765) many <7227> inventions <2810>.
Notes that are not verse specific
Holding back service from the LORD does not seem to have the immediate and severe consequences that it did for Ananias and Sapphira. Their judgement was momentous and dramatic. Nevertheless, the LORD is taking stock of our progress which will be revealed in the day of judgement. He has no pleasure in those who do not keep their promises (Ecc 5:4,5).
Michael Parry [Montreal (Can)] Comment added in 2005 Reply to Michael
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1. But <1161> a certain <5100> man <435> named <3686> Ananias <367>, with <4862> Sapphira <4551> his <848> wife <1135>, sold <4453>(5656) a possession <2933>,
2. And <2532> kept back <3557>(5668) part of <575> the price <5092>, his <846> wife <1135> also <2532> being privy <4894>(5761) to it, and <2532> brought <5342>(5660) a certain <5100> part <3313>, and laid <5087>(5656) it at <3844> the apostles <652>' feet <4228>.
3. But <1161> Peter <4074> said <2036>(5627), Ananias <367>, why <1302> hath Satan <4567> filled <4137>(5656) thine <4675> heart <2588> <4571> to lie <5574>(5664) to the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, and <2532> to keep back <3557>(5670) part of <575> the price <5092> of the land <5564>?
4. Whiles it remained <3306>(5723), was it not <3780> thine own <4671> <3306>(5707)? and <2532> after it was sold <4097>(5685), was it not <5225>(5707) in <1722> thine own <4674> power <1849>? why <5101> <3754> hast thou conceived <5087>(5639) this <5124> thing <4229> in <1722> thine <4675> heart <2588>? thou hast <5574> <0> not <3756> lied <5574>(5662) unto men <444>, but <235> unto God <2316>.
5. And <1161> Ananias <367> hearing <191>(5723) these <5128> words <3056> fell down <4098>(5631), and gave up the ghost <1634>(5656): and <2532> great <3173> fear <5401> came <1096>(5633) on <1909> all <3956> them that heard <191>(5723) these things <5023>.
6. And <1161> the young men <3501> arose <450>(5631), wound <4958> <0> him <846> up <4958>(5656), and <2532> carried him out <1627>(5660), and buried <2290>(5656) him.
7. And <1161> it was <1096>(5633) about <5613> the space <1292> <0> of three <5140> hours <5610> after <1292>, when <2532> his <846> wife <1135>, not <3361> knowing <1492>(5761) what was done <1096>(5756), came in <1525>(5627).
8. And <1161> Peter <4074> answered <611>(5662) unto her <846>, Tell <2036>(5628) me <3427> whether <1487> ye sold <591>(5639) the land <5564> for so much <5118>? And <1161> she said <2036>(5627), Yea <3483>, for so much <5118>.
9. Then <1161> Peter <4074> said <2036>(5627) unto <4314> her <846>, How <5101> is it that <3754> ye <5213> have agreed together <4856>(5681) to tempt <3985>(5658) the Spirit <4151> of the Lord <2962>? behold <2400>(5628), the feet <4228> of them which have buried <2290>(5660) thy <4675> husband <435> are at <1909> the door <2374>, and <2532> shall carry <1627> <0> thee <4571> out <1627>(5692).
10. Then <1161> fell she down <4098>(5627) straightway <3916> at <3844> his <846> feet <4228>, and <2532> yielded up the ghost <1634>(5656): and <1161> the young men <3495> came in <1525>(5631), and found <2147>(5627) her <846> dead <3498>, and <2532>, carrying her forth <1627>(5660), buried <2290>(5656) her by <4314> her <846> husband <435>.
11. And <2532> great <3173> fear <5401> came <1096>(5633) upon <1909> all <3650> the church <1577>, and <2532> upon <1909> as many as <3956> heard <191>(5723) these things <5023>.
12. And <1161> by <1223> the hands <5495> of the apostles <652> were <1096> <0> many <4183> signs <4592> and <2532> wonders <5059> wrought <1096>(5633)(5625) <1096>(5711) among <1722> the people <2992>; (and <2532> they were <2258>(5713) all <537> with one accord <3661> in <1722> Solomon's <4672> porch <4745>.
13. And <1161> of the rest <3062> durst <5111>(5707) no man <3762> join himself <2853>(5745) to them <846>: but <235> the people <2992> magnified <3170>(5707) them <846>.
14. And <1161> believers <4100>(5723) were <4369> <0> the more <3123> added <4369>(5712) to the Lord <2962>, multitudes <4128> both <5037> of men <435> and <2532> women <1135>.)
15. Insomuch <5620> that they brought forth <1627>(5721) the sick <772> into <2596> the streets <4113>, and <2532> laid <5087>(5721) them on <1909> beds <2825> and <2532> couches <2895>, that <2443> at the least <2579> the shadow <4639> of Peter <4074> passing by <2064>(5740) might overshadow <1982>(5661) some <5100> of them <846>.
16. <1161> There came <4905>(5711) also <2532> a multitude <4128> out of the cities <4172> round about <4038> unto <1519> Jerusalem <2419>, bringing <5342>(5723) sick <772> folks, and <2532> them which were vexed <3791>(5746) with <5259> unclean <169> spirits <4151>: and they <3748> were healed <2323>(5712) every one <537>.
17. Then <1161> the high priest <749> rose up <450>(5631), and <2532> all they <3956> that were with <4862> him <846>, (which <3588> is <5607>(5752) the sect <139> of the Sadducees <4523>,) and were filled <4130>(5681) with indignation <2205>,
18. And <2532> laid <1911>(5627) their <848> hands <5495> on <1909> the apostles <652>, and <2532> put <5087>(5639) them <846> in <1722> the common <1219> prison <5084>.
19. But <1161> the angel <32> of the Lord <2962> by <1223> night <3571> opened <455>(5656) the prison <5438> doors <2374>, and <5037> brought <1806> <0> them <846> forth <1806>(5631), and said <2036>(5627),
20. Go <4198>(5737), stand <2476>(5685) and <2532> speak <2980>(5720) in <1722> the temple <2411> to the people <2992> all <3956> the words <4487> of this <5026> life <2222>.
21. And <1161> when they heard <191>(5660) that, they entered <1525>(5627) into <1519> the temple <2411> early in the morning <5259> <3722>, and <2532> taught <1321>(5707). But <1161> the high priest <749> came <3854>(5637), and <2532> they that were with <4862> him <846>, and called <4779> <0> the council <4892> together <4779>(5656), and <2532> all <3956> the senate <1087> of the children <5207> of Israel <2474>, and <2532> sent <649>(5656) to <1519> the prison <1201> to have <71> <0> them <846> brought <71>(5683).
22. But <1161> when the officers <5257> came <3854>(5637), and found <2147>(5627) them <846> not <3756> in <1722> the prison <5438>, they returned <390>(5660), and <1161> told <518>(5656),
23. Saying <3004>(5723), <3754> The prison <1201> truly <3303> found we <2147>(5627) shut <2808>(5772) with <1722> all <3956> safety <803>, and <2532> the keepers <5441> standing <2476>(5761) without <1854> before <4253> the doors <2374>: but <1161> when we had opened <455>(5660), we found <2147>(5627) no man <3762> within <2080>.
24. Now <1161> when <5613> <5037> the high priest <2409> and <2532> the captain <4755> of the temple <2411> and <2532> the chief priests <749> heard <191>(5656) these <5128> things <3056>, they doubted <1280>(5707) of <4012> them <846> whereunto <5101> <302> this <5124> would grow <1096>(5636).
25. Then came <3854>(5637) one <5100> and <1161> told <518>(5656) them <846>, saying <3004>(5723), <3754> Behold <2400>(5628), the men <435> whom <3739> ye put <5087>(5639) in <1722> prison <5438> are <1526>(5748) standing <2476>(5761) in <1722> the temple <2411>, and <2532> teaching <1321>(5723) the people <2992>.
26. Then <5119> went <565>(5631) the captain <4755> with <4862> the officers <5257>, and brought <71>(5627) them <846> without <3756> <3326> violence <970>: for <1063> they feared <5399>(5711) the people <2992>, lest <3363> they should have been stoned <3034>(5686).
27. And <1161> when they had brought <71>(5631) them <846>, they set <2476>(5627) them before <1722> the council <4892>: and <2532> the high priest <749> asked <1905>(5656) them <846>,
28. Saying <3004>(5723), Did <3853> <0> not <3756> we straitly <3852> command <3853>(5656) you <5213> that ye should <1321> <0> not <3361> teach <1321>(5721) in <1909> this <5129> name <3686>? and <2532>, behold <2400>(5628), ye have filled <4137>(5758) Jerusalem <2419> with your <5216> doctrine <1322>, and <2532> intend <1014>(5736) to bring <1863>(5629) this <5127> man's <444> blood <129> upon <1909> us <2248>.
29. Then <1161> Peter <4074> and <2532> the other apostles <652> answered <611>(5679) and said <2036>(5627), We ought <1163>(5748) to obey <3980>(5721) God <2316> rather <3123> than <2228> men <444>.
30. The God <2316> of our <2257> fathers <3962> raised up <1453>(5656) Jesus <2424>, whom <3739> ye <5210> slew <1315>(5668) and hanged <2910>(5660) on <1909> a tree <3586>.
31. Him <5126> hath God <2316> exalted <5312>(5656) with his <848> right hand <1188> to be a Prince <747> and <2532> a Saviour <4990>, for to give <1325>(5629) repentance <3341> to Israel <2474>, and <2532> forgiveness <859> of sins <266>.
32. And <2532> we <2249> are <2070>(5748) his <846> witnesses <3144> of these <5130> things <4487>; and <2532> so is also <1161> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, whom <3739> God <2316> hath given <1325>(5656) to them that obey <3980>(5723) him <846>.
33. When <1161> they heard <191>(5660) that, they were cut <1282>(5712) to the heart, and <2532> took counsel <1011>(5711) to slay <337>(5629) them <846>.
34. Then <1161> stood there up <450>(5631) one <5100> in <1722> the council <4892>, a Pharisee <5330>, named <3686> Gamaliel <1059>, a doctor of the law <3547>, had in reputation <5093> among all <3956> the people <2992>, and commanded <2753>(5656) to put <4160>(5658) the apostles <652> forth <1854> a <5100> little space <1024>;
35. And <5037> said <2036>(5627) unto <4314> them <846>, Ye men <435> of Israel <2475>, take heed <4337>(5720) to yourselves <1438> what <5101> ye intend <3195>(5719) to do <4238>(5721) as touching <1909> these <5125> men <444>.
36. For <1063> before <4253> these <5130> days <2250> rose up <450>(5627) Theudas <2333>, boasting <3004>(5723) himself <1438> to be <1511>(5750) somebody <5100>; to whom <3739> a number <706> of men <435>, about <5616> four hundred <5071>, joined themselves <4347>(5681): who <3739> was slain <337>(5681); and <2532> all <3956>, as many as <3745> obeyed <3982>(5712) him <846>, were scattered <1262>(5681), and <2532> brought <1096>(5633) to <1519> nought <3762>.
37. After <3326> this man <5126> rose up <450>(5627) Judas <2455> of Galilee <1057> in <1722> the days <2250> of the taxing <582>, and <2532> drew away <868>(5656) much <2425> people <2992> after <3694> him <848>: he also <2548> perished <622>(5639); and <2532> all <3956>, even as many as <3745> obeyed <3982>(5712) him <846>, were dispersed <1287>(5681).
38. And <2532> now <3569> I say <3004>(5719) unto you <5213>, Refrain <868>(5628) from <575> these <5130> men <444>, and <2532> let <1439> <0> them <846> alone <1439>(5657): for <3754> if <1437> this <3778> counsel <1012> or <2228> this <5124> work <2041> be <5600>(5753) of <1537> men <444>, it will come to nought <2647>(5701):
39. But <1161> if <1487> it be <2076>(5748) of <1537> God <2316>, ye cannot <3756> <1410>(5736) overthrow <2647>(5658) it <846>; lest haply <3379> ye be found <2147>(5686) even <2532> to fight against God <2314>.
40. And <1161> to him <846> they agreed <3982>(5681): and <2532> when they had called <4341>(5666) the apostles <652>, and beaten <1194>(5660) them, they commanded <3853>(5656) that they should <2980> <0> not <3361> speak <2980>(5721) in <1909> the name <3686> of Jesus <2424>, and <2532> let <630> <0> them <846> go <630>(5656).
41. And <3767> they departed <4198>(5711) <3303> from <575> the presence <4383> of the council <4892>, rejoicing <5463>(5723) that <3754> they were counted worthy <2661>(5681) to suffer shame <818>(5683) for <5228> his <846> name <3686>.
42. And <5037> daily <2250> <3956> in <1722> the temple <2411>, and <2532> in every <2596> house <3624>, they ceased <3973>(5710) not <3756> to teach <1321>(5723) and <2532> preach <2097>(5734) Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>.
1. And <1161> in <1722> those <5025> days <2250>, when the number <4129> <0> of the disciples <3101> was multiplied <4129>(5723), there arose <1096>(5633) a murmuring <1112> of the Grecians <1675> against <4314> the Hebrews <1445>, because <3754> their <846> widows <5503> were neglected <3865>(5712) in <1722> the daily <2522> ministration <1248>.
2. Then <1161> the twelve <1427> called <4341>(5666) the multitude <4128> of the disciples <3101> unto them, and said <2036>(5627), It is <2076>(5748) not <3756> reason <701> that we <2248> should leave <2641>(5660) the word <3056> of God <2316>, and serve <1247>(5721) tables <5132>.
3. Wherefore <3767>, brethren <80>, look ye out <1980>(5663) among <1537> you <5216> seven <2033> men <435> of honest report <3140>(5746), full <4134> of the Holy <40> Ghost <4151> and <2532> wisdom <4678>, whom <3739> we may appoint <2525>(5692) over <1909> this <5026> business <5532>.
4. But <1161> we <2249> will give ourselves continually <4342>(5692) to prayer <4335>, and <2532> to the ministry <1248> of the word <3056>.
5. And <2532> the saying <3056> pleased <700>(5656) <1799> the whole <3956> multitude <4128>: and <2532> they chose <1586>(5668) Stephen <4736>, a man <435> full <4134> of faith <4102> and <2532> of the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, and <2532> Philip <5376>, and <2532> Prochorus <4402>, and <2532> Nicanor <3527>, and <2532> Timon <5096>, and <2532> Parmenas <3937>, and <2532> Nicolas <3532> a proselyte <4339> of Antioch <491>:
6. Whom <3739> they set <2476>(5627) before <1799> the apostles <652>: and <2532> when they had prayed <4336>(5666), they laid <2007> <0> their hands <5495> on <2007>(5656) them <846>.
7. And <2532> the word <3056> of God <2316> increased <837>(5707); and <2532> the number <706> of the disciples <3101> multiplied <4129>(5712) in <1722> Jerusalem <2419> greatly <4970>; and <5037> a great <4183> company <3793> of the priests <2409> were obedient <5219>(5707) to the faith <4102>.
8. And <1161> Stephen <4736>, full <4134> of faith <4102> and <2532> power <1411>, did <4160>(5707) great <3173> wonders <5059> and <2532> miracles <4592> among <1722> the people <2992>.
9. Then <1161> there arose <450>(5656) certain <5100> of <1537> the synagogue <4864>, which <3588> is called <3004>(5746) the synagogue of the Libertines <3032>, and <2532> Cyrenians <2956>, and <2532> Alexandrians <221>, and <2532> of them of <575> Cilicia <2791> and <2532> of Asia <773>, disputing <4802>(5723) with Stephen <4736>.
10. And <2532> they were <2480> <0> not <3756> able <2480>(5707) to resist <436>(5629) the wisdom <4678> and <2532> the spirit <4151> by which <3739> he spake <2980>(5707).
11. Then <5119> they suborned <5260>(5627) men <435>, which said <3004>(5723), <3754> We have heard <191>(5754) him <846> speak <2980>(5723) blasphemous <989> words <4487> against <1519> Moses <3475>, and <2532> against God <2316>.
12. And <5037> they stirred up <4787>(5656) the people <2992>, and <2532> the elders <4245>, and <2532> the scribes <1122>, and <2532> came upon <2186>(5631) him, and caught <4884>(5656) him <846>, and <2532> brought <71>(5627) him to <1519> the council <4892>,
13. And <5037> set up <2476>(5627) false <5571> witnesses <3144>, which said <3004>(5723), This <5127> man <444> ceaseth <3973>(5731) not <3756> to speak <2980>(5723) blasphemous <989> words <4487> against <2596> this <3778> holy <40> place <5117>, and <2532> the law <3551>:
14. For <1063> we have heard <191>(5754) him <846> say <3004>(5723), that <3754> this <5126> Jesus <2424> of Nazareth <3480> shall destroy <2647>(5692) this <3778> place <5117>, and <2532> shall change <236>(5692) the customs <1485> which <3739> Moses <3475> delivered <3860>(5656) us <2254>.
15. And <2532> all <537> that sat <2516>(5740) in <1722> the council <4892>, looking stedfastly <816>(5660) on <1519> him <846>, saw <1492>(5627) his <846> face <4383> as it had been <5616> the face <4383> of an angel <32>.