God Gives Good Gifts to Everyone

The Last Half Hour: When Waiting Becomes Glory

Pawprints & Prayers: Devotions for Dog Lovers

Living With a Strong-Willed Child

The Journey of Yes

A Brighter Future: A 5-Day Devotional

When God Says No!

Dog Dad Devotions on Leadership, Loyalty and Love

See God’s Peace: 3 Days of Visio Divina

Acts Reading Plan

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkACT">
 <div class="chapter ch27" data-usfm="ACT.27">
 <div class="label">27</div><div class="s1">Paul Sails for Rome</div><div class="p"> 1When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. 2We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us.</div><div class="p"> 3The next day we landed at Sidon; and Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs. 4From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 8We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.</div><div class="p"> 9Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.#27:9 That is, Yom Kippur So Paul warned them, 10&#8220;Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.&#8221; 11But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.</div><div class="s1">The Storm</div><div class="p"> 13When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure, 17so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor#27:17 Or the sails and let the ship be driven along. 18We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19On the third day, they threw the ship&#8217;s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.</div><div class="p"> 21After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: &#8220;Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, &#8216;Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.&#8217; 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.&#8221;</div><div class="s1">The Shipwreck</div><div class="p"> 27On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic#27:27 In ancient times the name referred to an area extending well south of Italy. Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet#27:28 Or about 37 meters deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet#27:28 Or about 27 meters deep. 29Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, &#8220;Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.&#8221; 32So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.</div><div class="p"> 33Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. &#8220;For the last fourteen days,&#8221; he said, &#8220;you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food&#8212;you haven&#8217;t eaten anything. 34Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.&#8221; 35After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.</div><div class="p"> 39When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.</div><div class="p"> 42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43But the centurion wanted to spare Paul&#8217;s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.</div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkACT">
 <div class="chapter ch28" data-usfm="ACT.28">
 <div class="label">28</div><div class="s1">Paul Ashore on Malta</div><div class="p"> 1Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, &#8220;This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.&#8221; 5But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.</div><div class="p"> 7There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.</div><div class="s1">Paul&#8217;s Arrival at Rome</div><div class="p"> 11After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island&#8212;it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.</div><div class="s1">Paul Preaches at Rome Under Guard</div><div class="p"> 17Three days later he called together the local Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: &#8220;My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. 18They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. 19The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. 20For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 21They replied, &#8220;We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. 22But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.&#8221;</div><div class="p"> 23They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: &#8220;The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:</div><div class="q1"> 26&#8220;&#8198;&#8216;Go to this people and say,</div><div class="q1">&#8220;You will be ever hearing but never understanding;</div><div class="q2">you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.&#8221;</div><div class="q1"> 27For this people&#8217;s heart has become calloused;</div><div class="q2">they hardly hear with their ears,</div><div class="q2">and they have closed their eyes.</div><div class="q1">Otherwise they might see with their eyes,</div><div class="q2">hear with their ears,</div><div class="q2">understand with their hearts</div><div class="q1">and turn, and I would heal them.&#8217;#28:27 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)</div><div class="p"> 28&#8220;Therefore I want you to know that God&#8217;s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!&#8221; [29]#28:29 Some manuscripts include here After he said this, the Jews left, arguing vigorously among themselves.</div><div class="p"> 30For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ&#8212;with all boldness and without hindrance!</div>
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<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
 <div class="book bkPRO">
 <div class="chapter ch31" data-usfm="PRO.31">
 <div class="label">31</div><div class="ms1">Sayings of King Lemuel</div><div class="p"> 1The sayings of King Lemuel&#8212;an inspired utterance his mother taught him.</div><div class="q1"> 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!</div><div class="q2">Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!</div><div class="q1"> 3Do not spend your strength#31:3 Or wealth on women,</div><div class="q2">your vigor on those who ruin kings.</div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"> 4It is not for kings, Lemuel&#8212;</div><div class="q2">it is not for kings to drink wine,</div><div class="q2">not for rulers to crave beer,</div><div class="q1"> 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,</div><div class="q2">and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.</div><div class="q1"> 6Let beer be for those who are perishing,</div><div class="q2">wine for those who are in anguish!</div><div class="q1"> 7Let them drink and forget their poverty</div><div class="q2">and remember their misery no more.</div><div class="b"></div><div class="q1"> 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,</div><div class="q2">for the rights of all who are destitute.</div><div class="q1"> 9Speak up and judge fairly;</div><div class="q2">defend the rights of the poor and needy.</div><div class="ms1">Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character</div><div class="q1"> 10 # 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. A wife of noble character who can find?</div><div class="q2">She is worth far more than rubies.</div><div class="q1"> 11Her husband has full confidence in her</div><div class="q2">and lacks nothing of value.</div><div class="q1"> 12She brings him good, not harm,</div><div class="q2">all the days of her life.</div><div class="q1"> 13She selects wool and flax</div><div class="q2">and works with eager hands.</div><div class="q1"> 14She is like the merchant ships,</div><div class="q2">bringing her food from afar.</div><div class="q1"> 15She gets up while it is still night;</div><div class="q2">she provides food for her family</div><div class="q2">and portions for her female servants.</div><div class="q1"> 16She considers a field and buys it;</div><div class="q2">out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.</div><div class="q1"> 17She sets about her work vigorously;</div><div class="q2">her arms are strong for her tasks.</div><div class="q1"> 18She sees that her trading is profitable,</div><div class="q2">and her lamp does not go out at night.</div><div class="q1"> 19In her hand she holds the distaff</div><div class="q2">and grasps the spindle with her fingers.</div><div class="q1"> 20She opens her arms to the poor</div><div class="q2">and extends her hands to the needy.</div><div class="q1"> 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household;</div><div class="q2">for all of them are clothed in scarlet.</div><div class="q1"> 22She makes coverings for her bed;</div><div class="q2">she is clothed in fine linen and purple.</div><div class="q1"> 23Her husband is respected at the city gate,</div><div class="q2">where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.</div><div class="q1"> 24She makes linen garments and sells them,</div><div class="q2">and supplies the merchants with sashes.</div><div class="q1"> 25She is clothed with strength and dignity;</div><div class="q2">she can laugh at the days to come.</div><div class="q1"> 26She speaks with wisdom,</div><div class="q2">and faithful instruction is on her tongue.</div><div class="q1"> 27She watches over the affairs of her household</div><div class="q2">and does not eat the bread of idleness.</div><div class="q1"> 28Her children arise and call her blessed;</div><div class="q2">her husband also, and he praises her:</div><div class="q1"> 29&#8220;Many women do noble things,</div><div class="q2">but you surpass them all.&#8221;</div><div class="q1"> 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;</div><div class="q2">but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.</div><div class="q1"> 31Honor her for all that her hands have done,</div><div class="q2">and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.</div>
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