461 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes,
though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 3 though its waters roar and are troubled,
though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams of which make the city of God glad,
the holy place of the tents of the Most High. 5 God is in her midst. She shall not be moved.
God will help her at dawn.
6 The nations raged. The kingdoms were moved.
He lifted his voice, and the earth melted. 7 Yahweh of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, see Yahweh’s works,
what desolations he has made in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear.
He burns the chariots in the fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the earth.” 11 Yahweh of Armies is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
471 Oh clap your hands, all you nations.
Shout to God with the voice of triumph! 2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome.
He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He subdues nations under us,
and peoples under our feet. 4 He chooses our inheritance for us,
the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5 God has gone up with a shout,
Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praise to God, sing praises.
Sing praises to our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth.
Sing praises with understanding. 8 God reigns over the nations.
God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples are gathered together,
the people of the God of Abraham.
For the shields of the earth belong to God.
He is greatly exalted!
481 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised,
in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion, on the north sides,
the city of the great King. 3 God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge. 4 For, behold, the kings assembled themselves,
they passed by together. 5 They saw it, then they were amazed.
They were dismayed.
They hurried away. 6 Trembling took hold of them there,
pain, as of a woman in travail. 7 With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish.
8 As we have heard, so we have seen,
in the city of Yahweh of Armies, in the city of our God.
God will establish it forever. Selah. 9 We have thought about your loving kindness, God,
in the midst of your temple. 10 As is your name, God,
so is your praise to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is full of righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice,
Because of your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, and go around her.
Number its towers. 13 Mark well her bulwarks.
Consider her palaces,
that you may tell it to the next generation. 14 For this God is our God forever and ever.
He will be our guide even to death.
281 When we had escaped, then they [1] learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live.” 5 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn’t harmed. 6 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. 9 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured. 10 They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed.
11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was “The Twin Brothers.” 12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brothers, [2] and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome. 15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17 It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” 21 They said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people, and say,
in hearing, you will hear,
but will in no way understand.
In seeing, you will see,
but will in no way perceive. 27 For this people’s heart has grown callous.
Their ears are dull of hearing.
Their eyes they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and would turn again,
and I would heal them.’ [3] 28 “Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen.” 29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him, 31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
