Bible in a Year.

On the 330th day, Acts 9 recounts Saul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, transforming him from a persecutor into a fervent apostle. Romans 15-16 contains Paul's final instructions to the church in Rome, with greetings and exhortations to unity. Proverbs 27:18-20 reflects on diligence, responsibility, and the rewards of persistent and prudent actions.

1. And Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

2. And asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues: that if he found any men and wemen of this way, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3. And as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him.

4. And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5. Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

6. And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

7. And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man.

8. And Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus.

9. And he was there three days, without sight, and he did neither eat nor drink.

10. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord.

11. And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street that is called Stait, and seek in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth.

12. (And he saw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands upon him, that he might receive his sight.)

13. But Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem.

14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke thy name.

15. And the Lord said to him: Go thy way; for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.

16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest; that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up, he was baptized.

19. And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days.

20. And immediately he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21. And all that heard him, were astonished, and said: Is not this he who persecuted in Jerusalem those that called upon this name: and came hither for that intent, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests?

22. But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ.

23. And when many days were passed, the Jews consulted together to kill him.

24. But their laying in wait was made known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night, that they might kill him.

25. But the disciples taking him in the night, conveyed him away by the wall, letting him down in a basket.

26. And when he was come into Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples; and they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

27. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him; and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of Jesus.

28. And he was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem, and dealing confidently in the name of the Lord.

29. He spoke also to the Gentiles, and disputed with the Greeks; but they sought to kill him.

30. Which when the brethren had known, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus.

31. Now the church had peace throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria; and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost.

32. And it came to pass that Peter, as he passed through, visiting all, came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda.

33. And he found there a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed for eight years, who was ill of the palsy.

34. And Peter said to him: Eneas, the Lord Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And immediately he arose.

35. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron, saw him: who were converted to the Lord.

36. And in Joppe there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37. And it came to pass in those days that she was sick, and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppe, the disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not be slack to come unto them.

39. And Peter rising up, went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber. And all the widows stood about him weeping, and shewing him the coats and garments which Dorcas made them.

40. And they all being put forth, Peter kneeling down prayed, and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter, she sat up.

41. And giving her his hand, he lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive.

42. And it was made known throughout all Joppe; and many believed in the Lord.

43. And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppe, with one Simon a tanner.

Chapter 15

1. Now we that are stronger, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2. Let every one of you please his neighbour unto good, to edification.

3. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written: The reproaches of them that reproached thee, fell upon me.

4. For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.

5. Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ:

6. That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7. Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God.

8. For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.

9. But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.

10. And again he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.

11. And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and magnify him, all ye people.

12. And again Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope.

13. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.

14. And I myself also, my brethren, am assured of you, that you also are full of love, replenished with all knowledge, so that you are able to admonish one another.

15. But I have written to you, brethren, more boldly in some sort, as it were putting you in mind: because of the grace which is given me from God.

16. That I should be the minister of Christ Jesus among the Gentiles; sanctifying the gospel of God, that the oblation of the Gentiles may be made acceptable and sanctified in the Holy Ghost.

17. I have therefore glory in Christ Jesus towards God.

18. For I dare not to speak of any of those things which Christ worketh not by me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,

19. By the virtue of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Ghost, so that from Jerusalem round about as far as unto Illyricum, I have replenished the gospel of Christ.

20. And I have so preached this gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation.

21. But as it is written: They to whom he was not spoken of, shall see, and they that have not heard shall understand.

22. For which cause also I was hindered very much from coming to you, and have been kept away till now.

23. But now having no more place in these countries, and having a great desire these many years past to come unto you,

24. When I shall begin to take my journey into Spain, I hope that as I pass, I shall see you, and be brought on my way thither by you, if first, in part, I shall have enjoyed you:

25. But now I shall go to Jerusalem, to minister unto the saints.

26. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a contribution for the poor of the saints that are in Jerusalem.

27. For it hath pleased them; and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they ought also in carnal things to minister to them.

28. When therefore I shall have accomplished this, and consigned to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain.

29. And I know, that when I come to you, I shall come in the abundance of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30. I beseech you therefore, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the charity of the Holy Ghost, that you help me in your prayers for me to God,

31. That I may be delivered from the unbelievers that are in Judea, and that the oblation of my service may be acceptable in Jerusalem to the saints.

32. That I may come to you with joy, by the will of God, and may be refreshed with you.

33. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Chapter 16

1. And I commend to you Phebe, our sister, who is in the ministry of the church, that is in Cenchrae:

2. That you receive her in the Lord as becometh saints; and that you assist her in whatsoever business she shall have need of you. For she also hath assisted many, and myself also.

3. Salute Prisca and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus,

4. (Who have for my life laid down their own necks: to whom not I only give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles,)

5. And the church which is in their house. Salute Epenetus, my beloved: who is the firstfruits of Asia in Christ.

6. Salute Mary, who hath laboured much among you.

7. Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and fellow prisoners: who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8. Salute Ampliatus, most beloved to me in the Lord.

9. Salute Urbanus, our helper in Christ Jesus, and Stachys, my beloved.

10. Salute Apelles, approved in Christ.

11. Salute them that are of Aristobulus' household. Salute Herodian, my kinsman. Salute them that are of Narcissus' household, who are in the Lord.

12. Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute Persis, the dearly beloved, who hath much laboured in the Lord.

13. Salute Rufus, elect in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

14. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren that are with them.

15. Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympias; and all the saints that are with them.

16. Salute one another with an holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.

17. Now I beseech you, brethren, to mark them who make dissensions and offences contrary to the doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them.

18. For they that are such, serve not Christ our Lord, but their own belly; and by pleasing speeches and good words, seduce the hearts of the innocent.

19. For your obedience is published in every place. I rejoice therefore in you. But I would have you to be wise in good, and simple in evil.

20. And the God of peace crush Satan under your feet speedily. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21. Timothy, my fellow labourer, saluteth you, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.

23. Caius, my host, and the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, saluteth you, and Quartus, a brother.

24. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25. Now to him that is able to establish you, according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret from eternity,

26. (Which now is made manifest by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the precept of the eternal God, for the obedience of faith,) known among all nations;

27. To God the only wise, through Jesus Christ, to whom be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18. He that keepeth the fig tree, shall eat the fruit thereof: and he that is the keeper of his master, shall be glorified.

19. As the faces of them that look therein, shine in the water, so-the hearts of men are laid open to the wise.

20. Hell and destruction are never filled: so the eyes of men are never satisfied.