⁴⁰ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”^(A)

⁴¹ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number^(A) that day.

¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(A) You be the judges!

²⁸ “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”^(A) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”^(B)

²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!^(A)

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing^(A) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.^(B)

²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me^(A) that prison and hardships are facing me.^(B)

³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials.^(A) For you know quite well that we are destined for them.^(B)

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy^(A) of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm^(B) in the one Spirit,^[a] striving together^(C) as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you^(D) on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer^(E) for him,

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego^(A) replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.