8Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people. 9But certain ones, from the synagogue of the so-called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those who were from Cilicia and Asia rose up and were disputing with Stephen. 10But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.
4For you are my strength and my refuge; and for the sake of your name, you will lead me and nourish me. 5You will lead me out of this snare, which they have hidden for me. For you are my protector. 6Into your hands, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth. 7You have hated those who practice emptiness to no purpose. But I have hoped in the Lord. 8I will exult and rejoice in your mercy. For you have looked upon my humility; you have saved my soul from needfulness. 9And you have not enclosed me in the hands of the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place. 10Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am troubled. My eye has been disturbed by wrath, along with my soul and my gut. 11For my life has fallen into sorrow, and my years into sighing. My virtue has been weakened in poverty, and my bones have been disturbed. 12I have become a disgrace among all my enemies, and even more so to my neighbors, and a dread to my acquaintances. Those who catch sight of me, flee away from me. 13I have become forgotten, like one dead to the heart. I have become like a damaged utensil. 14For I have heard the harsh criticism of many who linger in the area. While assembled together against me in that place, they deliberated on how to take away my life. 15But I have hoped in you, O Lord. I said, “You are my God.” 16My fate is in your hands. Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who are persecuting me. 17Shine your face upon your servant. Save me in your mercy.
1Alleluia. Confess to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy is forever.
17But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. 18And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19But when they hand you over, do not choose to think about how or what to speak. For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour. 20For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you. 21And brother will hand over brother to death, and father will hand over son. And children will rise up against parents and bring about their deaths. 22And you will be hated by all for the sake of my name. But whoever will have persevered, even to the end, the same shall be saved.