Bible in a Year.

On day 347, Paul presents his testimony in Acts 26, explaining his conversion and mission. Ephesians 1-3 reveals to us God's grace and the mysteries of His plan for the church, while Proverbs 29:18-21 encourages us to seek insight, instruction, and discernment in our daily choices.

1. Then Agrippa said to Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching forth his hand, began to make his answer.

2. I think myself happy, O king Agrippa, that I am to answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews.

3. Especially as thou knowest all, both customs and questions that are among the Jews: Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

4. And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:

5. Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6. And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:

7. Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.

8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible, that God should raise the dead?

9. And I indeed did formerly think, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10. Which also I did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests: and when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.

11. And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

12. Whereupon when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,

13. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me, and them that were in company with me.

14. And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

15. And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16. But rise up, and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister, and a witness of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things wherein I will appear to thee,

17. Delivering thee from the people, and from the nations, unto which now I send thee:

18. To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me.

19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision:

20. But to them first that are at Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and unto all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they should do penance, and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.

21. For this cause the Jews, when I was in the temple, having apprehended me, went about to kill me.

22. But being aided by the help of God, I stand unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing than those which the prophets, and Moses did say should come to pass:

23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

24. As he spoke these things, and made his answer, Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee mad.

25. And Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and soberness.

26. For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with confidence. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him. For neither was any of these things done in a corner.

27. Believest thou the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that thou believest.

28. And Agrippa said to Paul: In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian.

29. And Paul said: I would to God, that both in a little and in much, not only thou, but also all that hear me, this day, should become such as I also am, except these bands.

30. And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them.

31. And when they were gone aside, they spoke among themselves, saying: This man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bands.

32. And Agrippa said to Festus: This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Chapter 1

1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus.

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

3. Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ:

4. As he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and unspotted in his sight in charity.

5. Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children through Jesus Christ unto himself: according to the purpose of his will:

6. Unto the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he hath graced us in his beloved son.

7. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace,

8. Which hath superabounded in us in all wisdom and prudence,

9. That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him,

10. In the dispensation of the fulness of times, to re-establish all things in Christ, that are in heaven and on earth, in him.

11. In whom we also are called by lot, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will.

12. That we may be unto the praise of his glory, we who before hoped Christ:

13. In whom you also, after you had heard the word of truth, (the gospel of your salvation;) in whom also believing, you were signed with the holy Spirit of promise,

14. Who is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of acquisition, unto the praise of his glory.

15. Wherefore I also, hearing of your faith that is in the Lord Jesus, and of your love towards all the saints,

16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making commemoration of you in my prayers,

17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of him:

18. The eyes of your heart enlightened, that you may know what the hope is of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power towards us, who believe according to the operation of the might of his power,

20. Which he wrought in Christ, raising him up from the dead, and setting him on his right hand in the heavenly places.

21. Above all principality, and power, and virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

22. And he hath subjected all things under his feet, and hath made him head over all the church,

23. Which is his body, and the fulness of him who is filled all in all.

Chapter 2

1. And you, when you were dead in your offences, and sins,

2. Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of this air, of the spirit that now worketh on the children of unbelief:

3. In which also we all conversed in time past, in the desires of our flesh, fulfilling the will of the flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest:

4. But God, (who is rich in mercy,) for his exceeding charity wherewith he loved us,

5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together in Christ, (by whose grace you are saved,)

6. And hath raised us up together, and hath made us sit together in the heavenly places, through Christ Jesus.

7. That he might shew in the ages to come the abundant riches of his grace, in his bounty towards us in Christ Jesus.

8. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God;

9. Not of works, that no man may glory.

10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God hath prepared that we should walk in them.

11. For which cause be mindful that you, being heretofore Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh, made by hands;

12. That you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the conversation of Israel, and strangers to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and without God in this world.

13. But now in Christ Jesus, you, who some time were afar off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, the enmities in his flesh:

15. Making void the law of commandments contained in decrees; that he might make the two in himself into one new man, making peace;

16. And might reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, killing the enmities in himself.

17. And coming, he preached peace to you that were afar off, and peace to them that were nigh.

18. For by him we have access both in one Spirit to the Father.

19. Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners; but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God,

20. Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone:

21. In whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord.

22. In whom you also are built together into an habitation of God in the Spirit.

Chapter 3

1. For this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, for you Gentiles;

2. If yet you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me towards you:

3. How that, according to revelation, the mystery has been made known to me, as I have written above in a few words;

4. As you reading, may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ,

5. Which in other generations was not known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit:

6. That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and co-partners of his promise in Christ Jesus, by the gospel:

7. Of which I am made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, which is given to me according to the operation of his power:

8. To me, the least of all the saints, is given this grace, to preach among the Gentiles, the unsearchable riches of Christ,

9. And to enlighten all men, that they may see what is the dispensation of the mystery which hath been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things:

10. That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the church,

11. According to the eternal purpose, which he made, in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

13. Wherefore I pray you not to faint at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

14. For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15. Of whom all paternity in heaven and earth is named,

16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened by his Spirit with might unto the inward man,

17. That Christ may dwell by faith in your hearts; that being rooted and founded in charity,

18. You may be able to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth:

19. To know also the charity of Christ, which surpasseth all knowledge, that you may be filled unto all the fulness of God.

20. Now to him who is able to do all things more abundantly than we desire or understand, according to the power that worketh in us;

21. To him be glory in the church, and in Christ Jesus unto all generations, world without end. Amen.

18. When prophecy shall fail, the people shall be scattered abroad: but he that keepeth the law is blessed.

19. A slave will not be corrected by words: because he understandeth what thou sayest, and will not answer.

20. Hast thou seen a man hasty to speak? folly is rather to be looked for, than his amendment.

21. He that nourisheth his servant delicately from his childhood, afterwards shall find him stubborn.