Bible in a Year.

On day 329, Acts 8 describes the spread of the gospel through Philip and the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch. Romans 13-14 instructs on submission to authority and love for one's neighbor as the fulfillment of the law. Proverbs 27:15-17 emphasizes how fellowship and relationships strengthen character, comparing sincere friendship to iron that sharpens iron.

1. And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.

2. And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral, and made great mourning over him.

3. But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.

4. They therefore that were dispersed, went about preaching the word of God.

5. And Philip going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.

6. And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did.

7. For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out.

8. And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.

9. There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:

10. To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.

11. And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.

12. But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13. Then Simon himself believed also; and being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.

14. Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

15. Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

16. For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18. And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19. Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:

20. Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21. Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22. Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.

23. For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity.

24. Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord, that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.

25. And they indeed having testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many countries of the Samaritans.

26. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert.

27. And rising up, he went. And behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.

28. And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet.

29. And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30. And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?

31. Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32. And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.

33. In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?

34. And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man?

35. Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.

36. And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what doth hinder me from being baptized?

37. And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38. And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.

39. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.

40. But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Chapter 13

1. Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God.

2. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist, purchase to themselves damnation.

3. For princes are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good: and thou shalt have praise from the same.

4. For he is God's minister to thee, for good. But if thou do that which is evil, fear: for he beareth not the sword in vain. For he is God's minister: an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil.

5. Wherefore be subject of necessity, not only for wrath, but also for conscience' sake.

6. For therefore also you pay tribute. For they are the ministers of God, serving unto this purpose.

7. Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honour, to whom honour.

8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another. For he that loveth his neighbour, hath fulfilled the law.

9. For Thou shalt not commit adultery: Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness: Thou shalt not covet: and if there be any other commandment, it is comprised in this word, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

10. The love of our neighbour worketh no evil. Love therefore is the fulfilling of the law.

11. And that knowing the season; that it is now the hour for us to rise from sleep. For now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.

12. The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light.

13. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy:

14. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscences.

Chapter 14

1. Now him that is weak in faith, take unto you: not in disputes about thoughts.

2. For one believeth that he may eat all things: but he that is weak, let him eat herbs.

3. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not: and he that eateth not, let him not judge him that eateth. For God hath taken him to him.

4. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own lord he standeth or falleth. And he shall stand: for God is able to make him stand.

5. For one judgeth between day and day: and another judgeth every day: let every man abound in his own sense.

6. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord. And he that eateth, eateth to the Lord: for he giveth thanks to God. And he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth thanks to God.

7. For none of us liveth to himself; and no man dieth to himself.

8. For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; or whether we die, we die unto the Lord. Therefore, whether we live, or whether we die, we are the Lord's.

9. For to this end Christ died and rose again; that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

10. But thou, why judgest thou thy brother? or thou, why dost thou despise thy brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

11. For it is written: As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12. Therefore every one of us shall render account to God for himself.

13. Let us not therefore judge one another any more. But judge this rather, that you put not a stumblingblock or a scandal in your brother's way.

14. I know, and am confident in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself; but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15. For if, because of thy meat, thy brother be grieved, thou walkest not now according to charity. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

16. Let not then our good be evil spoken of.

17. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but justice, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18. For he that in this serveth Christ, pleaseth God, and is approved of men.

19. Therefore let us follow after the things that are of peace; and keep the things that are of edification one towards another.

20. Destroy not the work of God for meat. All things indeed are clean: but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

21. It is good not to eat flesh, and not to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother is offended, or scandalized, or made weak.

22. Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Blessed is he that condemneth not himself in that which he alloweth.

23. But he that discerneth, if he eat, is condemned; because not of faith. For all that is not of faith is sin.

15. Roofs dropping through in a cold day, and a contentious woman are alike.

16. He that retaineth her, is as he that would hold the wind, and shall call in the oil of his right hand.

17. Iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.