Daily Bible CEV June 9 Verses

Peter and Others Pray for Courage

²³As soon as Peter and John had been set free, they went back and told the others everything that the chief priests and the leaders had said to them. ²⁴When the rest of the Lord's followers heard this, they prayed together and said:

Master, you created heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. ²⁵And by the Holy Spirit you spoke to our ancestor David. He was your servant, and you told him to say:

"Why are all the Gentiles so furious?

Why do people make foolish plans?

²⁶The kings of earth prepare for war,

and the rulers join together

against the Lord and his Messiah."

²⁷Here in Jerusalem, Herod and Pontius Pilate got together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel. Then they turned against your holy Servant Jesus, your chosen Messiah. ²⁸They did what you in your power and wisdom had already decided would happen.

²⁹Lord, listen to their threats! We are your servants. So make us brave enough to speak your message. ³⁰Show your mighty power, as we heal people and work miracles and wonders in the name of your holy Servant Jesus.

³¹After they had prayed, the meeting place shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and bravely spoke God's message.

Sharing Possessions

³²The group of followers all felt the same way about everything. None of them claimed that their possessions were their own, and they shared everything they had with each other. ³³In a powerful way the apostles told everyone that the Lord Jesus was now alive. God greatly blessed his followers, ³⁴and no one went in need of anything. Everyone who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money ³⁵to the apostles. Then they would give the money to anyone who needed it.

^36-37Joseph was one of the followers who had sold a piece of property and brought the money to the apostles. He was a Levite from Cyprus, and the apostles called him Barnabas, which means "one who encourages others."

These daily Bible readings from the Contemporary English Version (CEV) are published by BibleNetUSA. The web site and BibleCard® designs are by iCreative. BibleCard® images copyright iCreative. All rights reserved.