⁷ So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, ^(A)“Did you not hate me, and expel me from my father’s house? Why have you come to me now when you are in ^[a]distress?”

^8 (B)And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, “That is why we have ^(C)turned^[b] again to you now, that you may go with us and fight against the people of Ammon, and be ^(D)our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.”

⁹ So Jephthah said to the elders of Gilead, “If you take me back home to fight against the people of Ammon, and the Lord delivers them to me, shall I be your head?”

¹⁰ And the elders of Gilead said to Jephthah, ^(E)“The Lord will be a witness between us, if we do not do according to your words.” ¹¹ Then Jephthah went with the elders of Gilead, and the people made him ^(F)head and commander over them; and Jephthah spoke all his words ^(G)before the Lord in Mizpah.

¹² Now Jephthah sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, saying, ^(H)“What do you have against me, that you have come to fight against me in my land?”

¹³ And the king of the people of Ammon answered the messengers of Jephthah, ^(I)“Because Israel took away my land when they came up out of Egypt, from ^(J)the Arnon as far as ^(K)the Jabbok, and to the Jordan. Now therefore, restore those lands peaceably.”

¹⁴ So Jephthah again sent messengers to the king of the people of Ammon, ¹⁵ and said to him, “Thus says Jephthah: ^(L)‘Israel did not take away the land of Moab, nor the land of the people of Ammon;

^7 (A)As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? ^(B)A reed shaken by the wind? ⁸ But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. ⁹ But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, ^(C)and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ For this is he of whom it is written:

¹¹ “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ^12 (E)And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. ^13 (F)For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to receive it, he is ^(G)Elijah who is to come. ^15 (H)He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

^16 (I)“But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, ¹⁷ and saying:

¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a ^[b]winebibber, ^(J)a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ ^(K)But wisdom is justified by her ^[c]children.”

Sharing in All Things

³² Now the multitude of those who believed ^(A)were of one heart and one soul; ^(B)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. ³³ And with ^(C)great power the apostles gave ^(D)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And ^(E)great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; ^(F)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, ^35 (G)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; ^(H)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

³⁶ And ^[a]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of ^[b]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, ^37 (I)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. ² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ^3 (J)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^(K)Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, ^(L)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. ⁶ And the young men arose and ^(M)wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

⁷ Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together ^(N)to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ^10 (O)Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. ^11 (P)So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.