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who won God's favor. David asked that he might provide a permanent place for the family of Jacob.
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But Solomon was the one who built a house for God.
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"However, the Most High doesn't live in a house built by humans, as the prophet says:
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'The Lord says, "Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. What kind of house are you going to build for me? Where will I rest?
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Didn't I make all these things?"'
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"How stubborn can you be? How can you be so heartless and disobedient? You're just like your ancestors. They always opposed the Holy Spirit, and so do you!
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Was there ever a prophet your ancestors didn't persecute? They killed those who predicted that a man with God's approval would come. You have now become the people who betrayed and murdered that man.
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You are the people who received Moses' Teachings, which were put into effect by angels. But you haven't obeyed those teachings."
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As council members listened to Stephen, they became noticeably furious.
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But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked into heaven, saw God's glory, and Jesus in the position of authority that God gives.
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So Stephen said, "Look, I see heaven opened and the Son of Man in the position of authority that God has given him!"