Bible in a Year.

On day 337, we follow Paul and Silas in Acts 16, including their arrest and miraculous release. In 1 Corinthians 13-14, Paul reminds us that love is the guiding principle of all the gifts and practices of the Church, highlighting prophecy and edification. Proverbs 28:13-15 emphasizes the importance of repentance, confession, and the practice of correction in community.

1. And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman that believed; but his father was a Gentile.

2. To this man the brethren that were in Lystra and Iconium, gave a good testimony.

3. Him Paul would have to go along with him: and taking him he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile.

4. And as they passed through the cities, they delivered unto them the decrees for to keep, that were decreed by the apostles and ancients who were at Jerusalem.

5. And the churches were confirmed in faith, and increased in number daily.

6. And when they had passed through Phrygia, and the country of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.

7. And when they were come into Mysia, they attempted to go into Bythynia, and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not.

8. And when they had passed through Mysia, they went down to Troas.

9. And a vision was shewed to Paul in the night, which was a man of Macedonia standing and beseeching him, and saying: Pass over into Macedonia, and help us.

10. And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, being assured that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

11. And sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis;

12. And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city some days conferring together.

13. And upon the sabbath day, we went forth without the gate by a river side, where it seemed that there was prayer; and sitting down, we spoke to the women that were assembled.

14. And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul.

15. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl, having a pythonical spirit, met us, who brought to her masters much gain by divining.

17. This same following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, who preach unto you the way of salvation.

18. And this she did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned, and said to the spirit: I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to go out from her. And he went out the same hour.

19. But her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, brought them into the marketplace to the rulers.

20. And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: These men disturb our city, being Jews;

21. And preach a fashion which it is not lawful for us to receive nor observe, being Romans.

22. And the people ran together against them; and the magistrates rending off their clothes, commanded them to be beaten with rods.

23. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the gaoler to keep them diligently.

24. Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25. And at midnight, Paul and Silas praying, praised God. And they that were in prison, heard them.

26. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bands of all were loosed.

27. And the keeper of the prison, awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing his sword, would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: Do thyself no harm, for we all are here.

29. Then calling for a light, he went in, and trembling, fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas.

30. And bringing them out, he said: Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved?

31. But they said: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32. And they preached the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house.

33. And he, taking them the same hour of the night, washed their stripes, and himself was baptized, and all his house immediately.

34. And when he had brought them into his own house, he laid the table for them, and rejoiced with all his house, believing God.

35. And when the day was come, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.

36. And the keeper of the prison told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore depart, and go in peace.

37. But Paul said to them: They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now do they thrust us out privately? Not so; but let them come,

38. And let us out themselves. And the serjeants told these words to the magistrates. And they were afraid, hearing that they were Romans.

39. And coming, they besought them; and bringing them out, they desired them to depart out of the city.

40. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia; and having seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Chapter 13

1. If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely; is not puffed up;

5. Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil;

6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth;

7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.

9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.

11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child.

12. We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know I part; but then I shall know even as I am known.

13. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.

Chapter 14

1. Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather that you may prophesy.

2. For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.

3. But he that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

4. He that speaketh in a tongue, edifieth himself: but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church.

5. And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive edification.

6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation, or in knowledge, or in prophecy, or in doctrine?

7. Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped ?

8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle ?

9. So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how shall it be known what is said ? For you shall be speaking into the air.

10. There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world; and none is without voice.

11. If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to whom I speak a barbarian; and he that speaketh, a barbarian to me.

12. So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.

13. And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he may interpret.

14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is without fruit.

15. What is it then ? I will pray with the spirit, I will pray also with the understanding; I will sing with the spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.

16. Else if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to thy blessing ? because he knoweth not what thou sayest.

17. For thou indeed givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18. I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.

19. But in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also; than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20. Brethren, do not become children in sense: but in malice be children, and in sense be perfect.

21. In the law it is written: In other tongues and other lips I will speak to this people; and neither so will they hear me, saith the Lord.

22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers, but to unbelievers; but prophecies not to unbelievers, but to believers.

23. If therefore the whole church come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you are mad ?

24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or an unlearned person, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all.

25. The secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so, falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that God is among you indeed.

26. How is it then, brethren ? When you come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all things be done to edification.

27. If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and in course, and let one interpret.

28. But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his peace in the church, and speak to himself and to God.

29. And let the prophets speak, two or three; and let the rest judge.

30. But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let the first hold his peace.

31. For you may all prophesy one by one; that all may learn, and all may be exhorted:

32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.

33. For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace: as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.

34. Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted them to speak, but to be subject, as also the law saith.

35. But if they would learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.

36. Or did the word of God come out from you ? Or came it only unto you ?

37. If any seem to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him know the things that I write to you, that they are the commandments of the Lord.

38. But if any man know not, he shall not be known.

39. Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy; and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40. But let all things be done decently, and according to order.

13. He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.

14. Blessed is the man that is always fearful: but he that is hardened in mind, shall fall into evil.

15. As a roaring lion, and a hungry bear, so is a wicked prince over the poor people.