These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee;

Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "Your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas." (This is the same as Peter and means "a rock.")

James, Peter, and John, who seemed to be the leaders, recognized that God had given me this special task; so they shook hands with Barnabas and me, as a sign that we were all partners. We agreed that Barnabas and I would work among the Gentiles and they among the Jews.

This, now, is what the Sovereign LORD says: "I am placing in Zion a foundation that is firm and strong. In it I am putting a solid cornerstone on which are written the words, 'Faith that is firm is also patient.'

Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build.

For God has already placed Jesus Christ as the one and only foundation, and no other foundation can be laid.

So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now citizens together with God's people and members of the family of God.

He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord.

The city's wall was built on twelve foundation stones, on which were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Tell him that the LORD Almighty says, 'The man who is called The Branch will flourish where he is and rebuild the LORD's Temple.

He is the one who will build it and receive the honor due a king, and he will rule his people. A priest will stand by his throne, and they will work together in peace and harmony.'

For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building.

A man who builds a house receives more honor than the house itself. In the same way Jesus is worthy of much greater honor than Moses.

Every house, of course, is built by someone---and God is the one who has built all things.

And if he will not listen to them, then tell the whole thing to the church. Finally, if he will not listen to the church, treat him as though he were a pagan or a tax collector.

praising God, and enjoying the good will of all the people. And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.

And Saul approved of his murder. That very day the church in Jerusalem began to suffer cruel persecution. All the believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the provinces of Judea and Samaria.

in order that at the present time, by means of the church, the angelic rulers and powers in the heavenly world might learn of his wisdom in all its different forms.

Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.

in order to present the church to himself in all its beauty---pure and faultless, without spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection.

He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things.

For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God?

But if I delay, this letter will let you know how we should conduct ourselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

I promise that I will give you as many descendants as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the seashore. Your descendants will conquer their enemies.

"I will do whatever you think best," the king answered. Then he stood by the side of the gate as his men marched out in units of a thousand and of a hundred.

Has anyone ever shown you the gates that guard the dark world of the dead?

Be merciful to me, O LORD! See the sufferings my enemies cause me! Rescue me from death, O LORD,

They talk about me in the streets, and drunkards make up songs about me.

they couldn't stand the sight of food and were close to death.

Happy is the man who has many such arrows. He will never be defeated when he meets his enemies in the place of judgment.

Wise sayings are too deep for stupid people to understand. They have nothing to say when important matters are being discussed.

He will give a sense of justice to those who serve as judges, and courage to those who defend the city gates from attack.

I thought that in the prime of life I was going to the world of the dead, Never to live out my life.

"Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?"

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which can never be shaken, never be moved.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, now and forever.

But no weapon will be able to hurt you; you will have an answer for all who accuse you. I will defend my servants and give them victory." The LORD has spoken.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

What my Father has given me is greater than everything, and no one can snatch them away from the Father's care.

Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty!

Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death?

No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!

neither the world above nor the world below---there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us be thankful, then, because we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let us be grateful and worship God in a way that will please him, with reverence and awe;

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The power to rule over the world belongs now to our Lord and his Messiah, and he will rule forever and ever!"

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth disappeared, and the sea vanished.

I heard a loud voice speaking from the throne: "Now God's home is with people! He will live with them, and they shall be his people. God himself will be with them, and he will be their God.