15
After the usual readings from the books of Moses and the prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it.”
16
So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. “Men of Israel,” he said, “and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me.
17
“The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them multiply and grow strong during their stay in Egypt. Then with a powerful arm he led them out of their slavery.
18
He put up with them through forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
19
Then he destroyed seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel as an inheritance.
20
All this took about 450 years. “After that, God gave them judges to rule until the time of Samuel the prophet.
21
Then the people begged for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned for forty years.
22
But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’
23
“And it is one of King David’s descendants, Jesus, who is God’s promised Savior of Israel!
24
Before he came, John the Baptist preached that all the people of Israel needed to repent of their sins and turn to God and be baptized.
25
As John was finishing his ministry he asked, ‘Do you think I am the Messiah? No, I am not! But he is coming soon—and I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the sandals on his feet.’