Study Desk

When the local people saw the snake hanging from Paul's hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer! He didn't drown in the sea, but the goddess of justice will kill him anyway."

Three days after we got there, Paul called together some of the Jewish leaders and said: My friends, I have never done anything to hurt our people, and I have never gone against the customs of our ancestors. But in Jerusalem I was handed over as a prisoner to the Romans.

The Jewish leaders disagreed, so I asked to be tried by the Emperor. But I don't have anything to say against my own nation.

But we would like to hear what you have to say. We understand that people everywhere are against this new group."

Some of the leaders agreed with what Paul said, but others did not.

Since they could not agree among themselves, they started leaving. But Paul said, "The Holy Spirit said the right thing when he sent Isaiah the prophet

to tell our ancestors, ‘Go to these people and tell them: You will listen and listen, but never understand. You will look and look, but never see.

This good news is about his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ! As a human, he was from the family of David. But the Holy Spirit proved that Jesus is the powerful Son of God, because he was raised from death.

My friends, I want you to know that I have often planned to come for a visit. But something has always kept me from doing it. I want to win followers to Christ in Rome, as I have done in many other places.

The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, "The people God accepts because of their faith will live."

God's eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That's why those people don't have any excuse.

They know about God, but they don't honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark.

They claim to be wise, but they are fools.

They know God has said that anyone who acts this way deserves to die. But they keep on doing evil things, and they even encourage others to do them.

Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things.

But you are stubborn and refuse to turn to God. So you are making things even worse for yourselves on that day when he will show how angry he is and will judge the world with fairness.

But he will show how angry and furious he can be with every selfish person who rejects the truth and wants to do evil.

But all who do right will be rewarded with glory, honor, and peace, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

God accepts those who obey his Law, but not those who simply hear it.

But how can you teach others when you refuse to learn? You preach that it is wrong to steal. But do you steal?