16
Paul stood up and motioned with his hand. Then he said, "Men of Israel, and you non-Jews who worship God, listen to me!
17
The God of Israel chose our people who lived long ago. He blessed them greatly while they were in Egypt. With his mighty power he led them out of that country.
18
He put up with them for about 40 years in the desert.
19
He destroyed seven nations in Canaan. Then he gave the land to his people as their rightful share.
20
All of this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.
21
Then the people asked for a king. He gave them Saul, son of Kish. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. He ruled for 40 years.
22
God removed him and made David their king. Here is God's witness about him. 'David, son of Jesse, is a man dear to my heart,' he said. 'He will do everything I want him to do.'
23
"From this man's family line God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus. This is what he had promised.
24
Before Jesus came, John preached that we should turn away from our sins and be baptized. He preached this to all Israel.
25
John was coming to the end of his work. 'Who do you think I am?' he said. 'I am not the one you are looking for. No, he is coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.'
26
"Listen, brothers, you children of Abraham! Listen, you non-Jews who worship God! This message of salvation has been sent to us.
27
The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus. By finding him guilty, they made the prophets' words come true. These are read every Sabbath day.
28
The people and their rulers had no reason at all for sentencing Jesus to death. But they asked Pilate to have him killed.
29
They did everything that had been written about Jesus. Then they took him down from the cross. They laid him in a tomb.
30
But God raised him from the dead.
31
For many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they are his witnesses to our people.
32
"We are telling you the good news. What God promised our people long ago
33
he has done for us, their children. He has raised up Jesus. This is what is written in the second Psalm. It says, " 'You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.' (Psalm 2:7)
34
God raised Jesus from the dead. He will never rot in the grave. This is what is written in Scripture. It says, " 'Holy and sure blessings were promised to David. I will give them to you.' (Isaiah 55:3)
35
In another place it says, " 'You will not let your Holy One rot away.' (Psalm 16:10)
36
"David carried out God's purpose while he lived. Then he died. He was buried with his people. His body rotted away.
37
But the One whom God raised from the dead did not rot away.
38
"My brothers, here is what I want you to know. I announce to you that your sins can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done.
39
Through him everyone who believes is made right with God. Moses' law could not make you right in God's eyes.
40
Be careful! Don't let what the prophets spoke about happen to you. They said,
41
" 'Look, you who make fun of the truth! Wonder and die! I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe. You wouldn't believe it even if someone told you.' " (Habakkuk 1:5)