For you have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion: how that, beyond measure, I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.†14 And I made progress in the Jews’ religion above many of my equals in my own nation, being more abundantly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.15 But when it pleased him, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,†16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, immediately I condescended not to flesh and blood.†17 Neither went I to Jerusalem, to the apostles who were before me: but I went into Arabia, and again I returned to Damascus.18 Then, after three years, I went to Jerusalem, to see Peter, and I tarried with him fifteen days.†19 But other of the apostles I saw none, saving James the brother of the Lord.†20 Now the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I lie not.†21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea, which were in Christ:†23 But they had heard only: He, who persecuted us in times past, doth now preach the faith which once he impugned:24 And they glorified God in me.
Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrim of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned: but as for those who seemed the most equitable of the citizens, and such as were the most uneasy at the breach of the laws, they disliked what was done; they also sent to the king [Agrippa], desiring him to send to Ananus that he should act so no more, for that what he had already done was not to be justified; nay, some of them went also to meet Albinus, as he was upon his journey from Alexandria, and informed him that it was not lawful for Ananus to assemble a sanhedrim without his consent.
Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me:2 Thou hast know my sitting down, and my rising up.3 Thou hast understood my thoughts afar off: my path and my line thou hast searched out.13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast protected me from my mother’s womb.14 I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well.14 I will praise thee, for thou art fearfully magnified: wonderful are thy works, and my soul knoweth right well.15 My bone is not hidden from thee, which thou hast made in secret: and my substance in the lower parts of the earth.
Since, therefore, all things are seen and heard, let us fear him and abandon the abominable lusts that spawn evil works, in order that we may be shielded by his mercy from the coming judgments. For where can any of us escape from his mighty hand? For the Scripture says somewhere, "Where shall I go, and where shall I be hidden from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I depart to the ends of the earth, there is your right hand; if I take my bed in the depths, there is your Spirit." Where, then, can one go, or where can one flee from him who embraces the universe?
Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord’s feet, heard his word.40 But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me.41 And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things:42 But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.†
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)