Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.

"God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was troubled within him when he saw that the city was full of idols.

So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with those who worshiped God, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.

When Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with preaching the message and solemnly testified to the Jews that the Messiah is Jesus.

Balaam said to him, "Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth."

I have indeed received [a command] to bless; since He has blessed, I cannot change it.

The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me, His word was on my tongue.

For I am full of words, and my spirit compels me [to speak].

I must speak so that I can find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

Then the LORD said to me: Do not say: I am [only] a youth, for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you.

"Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them.

They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you." [This is] the LORD's declaration.

My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in agony! Oh, the pain in my heart! My heart pounds; I cannot be silent. For you, my soul, have heard the sound of the ram's horn-- the shout of battle.

But I am full of the LORD's wrath; I am tired of holding it back. Pour [it] out on the children in the street, on the gang of young men as well. For both husband and wife will be captured, the old with the very old.

If I say: I won't mention Him or speak any longer in His name, His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.

Go to your people, the exiles, and speak to them. Tell them: This is what the Lord God says, whether they listen or refuse [to listen]."

So the Spirit lifted me up and took me away. I left in bitterness and in an angry spirit, and the LORD's hand was on me powerfully.

Now at the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me:

If I say to the wicked person: You will surely die, but you do not warn him-- you don't speak out to warn him about his wicked way in order to save his life-- that wicked person will die for his iniquity. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.

Now if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, and I put a stumbling block in front of him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die because of his sin and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. Yet I will hold you responsible for his blood.

But as for me, I am filled with power by the Spirit of the LORD, with justice and courage, to proclaim to Jacob his rebellion and to Israel his sin.

For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a stewardship.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us-- from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection."

And you killed the source of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this.

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."

We ourselves are witnesses of everything He did in both the Judean country and in Jerusalem; yet they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree.

not by all the people, but by us, witnesses appointed beforehand by God, who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead.

For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.

just as the original eyewitnesses and servants of the word handed them down to us.

how will we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was first spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.

At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions [of gifts] from the Holy Spirit according to His will.

What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed, and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life--

what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may have fellowship along with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.