May 12, 2026

22The crowd joined in the attack on them, and the magistrates had them stripped and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison and instructed the jailer to guard them securely. 24When he received these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and secured their feet to a stake. 25Deliverance from Prison. About midnight, while Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God as the prisoners listened, 26there was suddenly such a severe earthquake that the foundations of the jail shook; all the doors flew open, and the chains of all were pulled loose. 27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew [his] sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted out in a loud voice, “Do no harm to yourself; we are all here.” 29He asked for a light and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you and your household will be saved.” 32So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. 33He took them in at that hour of the night and bathed their wounds; then he and all his family were baptized at once. 34He brought them up into his house and provided a meal and with his household rejoiced at having come to faith in God.

1Psalm 138 Hymn of a Grateful Heart - Of David. I - I thank you, Lord, with all my heart; in the presence of the angels to you I sing. 2I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise. 3On the day I cried out, you answered; you strengthened my spirit. 7Though I walk in the midst of dangers, you guard my life when my enemies rage. You stretch out your hand; your right hand saves me. 8The LORD is with me to the end. LORD, your mercy endures forever. Never forsake the work of your hands!

7But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 13But when he comes, the Spirit of truth, he will guide you to all truth. He will not speak on his own, but he will speak what he hears, and will declare to you the things that are coming.

5But now I am going to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6But because I told you this, grief has filled your hearts. 7But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation: 9sin, because they do not believe in me; 10righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see me; 11condemnation, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.