December 26, 2028

8Accusation Against Stephen. Now Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. 9Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and debated with Stephen, 10but they could not withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 54Stephen’s Martyrdom. When they heard this, they were infuriated, and they ground their teeth at him. 55But he, filled with the holy Spirit, looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56and he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out in a loud voice, covered their ears, and rushed upon him together. 58They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

3incline your ear to me; make haste to rescue me! Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to save me. 4For you are my rock and my fortress; for your name’s sake lead me and guide me. 6Into your hands I commend my spirit; you will redeem me, LORD, God of truth. 8I will rejoice and be glad in your mercy, once you have seen my misery, [and] gotten to know the distress of my soul. 16My destiny is in your hands; rescue me from my enemies, from the hands of my pursuers. 17Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your mercy.

26VI - Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the house of the LORD. 27The LORD is God and has enlightened us. Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar.

17But beware of people, for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues, 18and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake as a witness before them and the pagans. 19When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. 20For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. 22You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved.