Bible in a Year.

On day 349, Paul arrives in Rome in Acts 28, continuing his ministry and sharing the gospel. Philippians 1-2 reinforces joy, humility, and perseverance in faith, while Proverbs 29:25-27 guides us on courage, protection, and wisdom in our actions.

1. And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.

2. For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present rain, and of the cold.

3. And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks, and had laid them on the fire, a viper coming out of the heat, fastened on his hand.

4. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.

5. And he indeed shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm.

6. But they supposed that he would begin to swell up, and that he would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long, and seeing that there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said, that he was a god.

7. Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the island, named Publius, who receiving us, for three days entertained us courteously.

8. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in; and when he had prayed, and laid his hands on him, he healed him.

9. Which being done, all that had diseases in the island, came and were healed:

10. Who also honoured us with many honours, and when we were to set sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11. And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.

12. And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.

13. From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli;

14. Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went to Rome.

15. And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to God, and took courage.

16. And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kept him.

17. And after the third day, he called together the chief of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people, or the custom of our fathers, was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans;

18. Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that there was no cause of death in me;

19. But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had any thing to accuse my nation of.

20. For this cause therefore I desired to see you, and to speak to you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.

21. But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, neither did any of the brethren that came hither, relate or speak any evil of thee.

22. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest; for as concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.

23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to him unto his lodgings; to whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening.

24. And some believed the things that were said; but some believed not.

25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by Isaias the prophet,

26. Saying: Go to this people, and say to them: With the ear you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive.

27. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears have they heard heavily, and their eyes they have shut; lest perhaps they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28. Be it known therefore to you, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

29. And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him, having much reasoning among themselves.

30. And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging; and he received all that came in to him,

31. Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.

Chapter 1

1. Paul and Timothy, the servants of Jesus Christ; to all the saints in Christ Jesus, who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.

2. Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. I give thanks to my God in every remembrance of you,

4. Always in all my prayers making supplication for you all, with joy;

5. For your communication in the gospel of Christ from the first day until now.

6. Being confident of this very thing, that he, who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.

7. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that in my bands, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy.

8. For God is my witness, how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9. And this I pray, that your charity may more and more abound in knowledge, and in all understanding:

10. That you may approve the better things, that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ,

11. Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

12. Now, brethren, I desire you should know, that the things which have happened to me, have fallen out rather to the furtherance of the gospel:

13. So that my bands are made manifest in Christ, in all the court, and in all other places;

14. And many of the brethren in the Lord, growing confident by my bands, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear.

15. Some indeed, even out of envy and contention; but some also for good will preach Christ.

16. Some out of charity, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

17. And some out of contention preach Christ not sincerely: supposing that they raise affliction to my bands.

18. But what then? So that by all means, whether by occasion, or by truth, Christ be preached: in this also I rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19. For I know that this shall fall out to me unto salvation, through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20. According to my expectation and hope; that in nothing I shall be confounded, but with all confidence, as always, so now also shall Christ be magnified in my body, wither it be by life, or by death.

21. For to me, to live is Christ; and to die is gain.

22. And if to live in the flesh, that is to me the fruit of labour, and what I shall choose I know not.

23. But I am straitened between two: having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.

24. But to abide still in the flesh, is needful for you.

25. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, and continue with you all, for your furtherance and joy of faith:

26. That your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus for me, by my coming to you again.

27. Only let your conversation be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you, or, being absent, may hear of you, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind labouring together for the faith of the gospel.

28. And in nothing be ye terrified by the adversaries: which to them is a cause of perdition, but to you of salvation, and this from God:

29. For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.

30. Having the same conflict as that which you have seen in me, and now have heard of me.

Chapter 2

1. If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of charity, if any society of the spirit, if any bowels of commiseration:

2. Fulfil ye my joy, that you may be of one mind, having the same charity, being of one accord, agreeing in sentiment.

3. Let nothing be done through contention, neither by vain glory: but in humility, let each esteem others better than themselves:

4. Each one not considering the things that are his own, but those that are other men's.

5. For let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6. Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7. But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man.

8. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.

9. For which cause God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a name which is above all names:

10. That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth:

11. And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

12. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.

13. For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.

14. And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations;

15. That you may be blameless, and sincere children of God, without reproof, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; among whom you shine as lights in the world.

16. Holding forth the word of life to my glory in the day of Christ, because I have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain.

17. Yea, and if I be made a victim upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and congratulate with you all.

18. And for the selfsame thing do you also rejoice, and congratulate with me.

19. And I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy unto you shortly, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know the things concerning you.

20. For I have no man so of the same mind, who with sincere affection is solicitous for you.

21. For all seek the things that are their own; not the things that are Jesus Christ's.

22. Now know ye the proof of him, that as a son with the father, so hath he served with me in the gospel.

23. Him therefore I hope to send unto you immediately, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.

24. And I trust in the Lord, that I myself also shall come to you shortly.

25. But I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow labourer, and fellow soldier, but your apostle, and he that hath ministered to my wants.

26. For indeed he longed after you all: and was sad, for that you had heard that he was sick.

27. For indeed he was sick, nigh unto death; but God had mercy on him; and not only on him, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

28. Therefore I sent him the more speedily: that seeing him again, you may rejoice, and I may be without sorrow.

29. Receive him therefore with all joy in the Lord; and treat with honour such as he is.

30. Because for the work of Christ he came to the point of death: delivering his life, that he might fulfil that which on your part was wanting towards my service.

25. He that feareth man, shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.

26. Many seek the face of the prince: but the judgment of every one cometh forth from the Lord.

27. The just abhor the wicked man: and the wicked loathe them that are in the right way. The son that keepeth the word, shall be free from destruction.