A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. While Apollus was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior of the country and down to Ephesus where he found some disciples. He said to them, did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers? They answered, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. And he said, then, how are you baptized? They replied with the baptism of John.

Paul then said, John baptized with a baptism of repentance,

telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him,

that is in Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

When Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them,

and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Altogether, there were about 12 men.

He entered the synagogue, and for three months debated boldly

with persuasive arguments about the kingdom of God.

The Word of the Lord.

Sing to God, O word of the Lord. Sing to God, oh, kingdoms of the earth.

Sing to God, oh, kingdoms of the earth. God arises, his enemies are scattered, and those who hate him flee before him. As smoke is driven away, so are they driven, as wax melts before the fire.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, but the just rejoice and exalt before God. They are glad and rejoice. Sing to God,

chant praise to his name, whose name is the Lord. Sing to God, who kingdoms of the earth,

the father of orphans, and a defender of widows, he is God in his holy dwelling. God, who kingdoms of the earth, the father of orphans and a defender of widows,

he is God in his holy dwelling.

God gives a home to the forsaken.

He leads forth prisoners to prosperity.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

My brothers and sisters, may our Lord be with you.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John.

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