A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

Wishing to determine the truth about why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander

freed him and ordered the chief priest and the whole Sanhedron to convene. Then he brought Paul down and made him stand before

them. Paul was aware that some were Sadducees and some Pharisees, so he called out before the Sanhedron.

My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees. I am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the

dead. When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the group became divided.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, while the Pharisees acknowledge all three.

A great uproar occurred, and some scribes belonged to the Pharisee party,

stood up and sharply argued. We find nothing wrong with this man. Suppose a spirit or an angel

has spoken to him. The dispute was so serious that the commander, afraid that Paul would be torn

to pieces by them, ordered his troops to go down and rescue Paul from their midst and take him to the compound.

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, take courage, for just as you have borne witness to my cause in Jerusalem, you so must do bear witness in Rome.

The word of the Lord.

Thanks to God.

Keep me safe, O God. You are my hope.

Keep me, O God, you are my hope.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, my Lord are you, O Lord, my allotted portion and my cup. You

it is who hold fast my lot.

You keep the same for God, you are my own.

I bless the Lord who counsels me, even in the night my heart extorts me. I set the

Lord ever before me, with him at my right hand, I shall be not to be disturbed.

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