Psalms 29; Psalms 30; Acts 23:1-15

1 You, divine beings! Give to the LORD— give to the LORD glory and power!

2 Give to the LORD the glory due his name! Bow down to the LORD in holy splendor!

3 The LORD's voice is over the waters; the glorious God thunders; the LORD is over the mighty waters.

4 The LORD's voice is strong; the LORD's voice is majestic.

5 The LORD's voice breaks cedar trees— yes, the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon jump around like a young bull, makes Sirion jump around like a young wild ox.

7 The LORD's voice unleashes fiery flames;

8 the LORD's voice shakes the wilderness— yes, the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The LORD's voice convulses the oaks, strips the forests bare, but in his temple everyone shouts, "Glory!"

10 The LORD sits enthroned over the floodwaters; the LORD sits enthroned—king forever!

11 Let the LORD give strength to his people! Let the LORD bless his people with peace!

1 I exalt you, LORD, because you pulled me up; you didn't let my enemies celebrate over me.

2 LORD, my God, I cried out to you for help, and you healed me.

3 LORD, you brought me up from the grave, brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.

4 You who are faithful to the LORD, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name!

5 His anger lasts for only a second, but his favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!

6 When I was comfortable, I said, "I will never stumble."

7 Because it pleased you, LORD, you made me a strong mountain. But then you hid your presence. I was terrified.

8 I cried out to you, LORD. I begged my Lord for mercy:

9 "What is to be gained by my spilled blood, by my going down into the pit? Does dust thank you? Does it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 LORD, listen and have mercy on me! LORD, be my helper!"

11 You changed my mourning into dancing. You took off my funeral clothes and dressed me up in joy

12 so that my whole being might sing praises to you and never stop. LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

1 Paul stared at the council and said, "Brothers, I have lived my life with an altogether clear conscience right up to this very day."

2 The high priest Ananias ordered those standing beside Paul to strike him in the mouth.

3 Then Paul said to him, "God is about to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit and judge me according to the Law, yet disobey the Law by ordering that I be struck."

4 Those standing near him asked, "You dare to insult God's high priest?"

5 Paul replied, "Brothers, I wasn't aware that he was the high priest. It is written, You will not speak evil about a ruler of your people."

6 Knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, Paul exclaimed in the council, "Brothers, I'm a Pharisee and a descendant of Pharisees. I am on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead!"

7 These words aroused a dispute between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.

8 This is because Sadducees say that there's no resurrection, angel, or spirit, but Pharisees affirm them all.

9 Council members were shouting loudly. Some Pharisees who were legal experts stood up and insisted forcefully, "We find nothing wrong with this man! What if a spirit or angel has spoken to him?"

10 The dispute became so heated that the commander feared they might tear Paul to pieces. He ordered soldiers to go down and remove him by force from their midst. Then they took him back to the military headquarters.

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Be encouraged! Just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so too you must testify in Rome."

12 The next morning some Jewish leaders formulated a plot and solemnly promised that they wouldn't eat or drink until they had killed Paul.

13 More than forty people were involved in the conspiracy.

14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have solemnly promised to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 You and the council must explain to the commander that you need Paul brought down to you. Pretend that you want to examine his case more closely. We're prepared to kill him before he arrives."