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“Behold, days are coming, says the L-rd, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Yisra᾽el, and with the house of Yehuda… but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisra᾽el after those days, says the L-rd; I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their G-d, and they shall be my people…”
-Jeremiah 31:31, 33
“Rabbi Elazar says: Be diligent in learning Torah, and know what to respond to one who denigrates the Torah. Know before Whom you labor–the Master of your work is trustworthy to pay you the wage for your activity.”
-Pirkei Avos 2:14
“While writing this commentary of the New Testament, I had no other goal, as I have said in the first volume, but to reconcile these two enemy sisters: The Church and the Synagogue… to show everyone that the New Testament only comes to show that the root of existence is in the unity of G–d (ahdut ha-Bore) … and also to strengthen the law of Moses (Torat Moshe)… I publish this commentary (to Matthew) in Hebrew for Jews, to introduce them to the New Testament who, until now, have not recognized its beauty (eynam makirim ’et yofya)… Notwithstanding the contrary misconception, the New Testament is in no manner contrary to the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) or to the Talmud.“
-Rabbi Eliyahu Tzvi Soloveitchik, Kol Kore
Waykeeper Principles #6 & #8
6. The Jewish writings called, “the New Testament,” are not equal, but are subordinate to the Torah given by G-d at Sinai (and therefore not a Halachic authority).
8. We do not yet have a kosher translation of the “New Testament,” but its general teachings align especially with Hasidic Judaism (e.g. serving G-d with and beyond ‘the letter’).
Based on the Weekly NT Schedule…
Sunday (1):
Acts 10:24 → Acts 10:43 (20)
24
And on the following day he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relatives and close friends.
Crossing a Boundary
25
And as Kefa entered, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet and bowed down.
26
But Kefa raised him, saying:
“Stand up—I myself am also a man.”
27
And speaking with him, he entered and finds many gathered.
28
And he said to them:
“You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to associate with or come near to one of another people—but G-d has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.
29
Therefore I came without objection when I was sent for. I ask then—for what reason did you send for me?”
Cornelius Recounts His Vision
30
And Cornelius said:
“Four days ago, at this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold—a man stood before me in shining clothing,
31
and said:
‘Cornelius—your prayer has been heard and your alms remembered before G-d.
32
Send therefore to Yafo and call Shim‘on, who is called Kefa; he is lodging in the house of Shimon a tanner by the sea.’
33
Therefore I sent for you at once, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all here before G-d to hear all that has been commanded to you by the L-rd.”
Kefa’s Teaching — No Partiality
34
And opening his mouth, Kefa said:
“In truth I understand that G-d is not one who shows partiality,
35
but in every nation, the one who fears Him and does righteousness is acceptable to Him.
Message to Israel First
36
The word which He sent to the sons of Israel—proclaiming good news of peace through Yeshua the Messiah—this one is Master of all—
37
you yourselves know the matter that took place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galil after the immersion that Yochanan proclaimed:
38
Yeshua from Nazareth—how G-d anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power—who went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Adversary, because G-d was with him.
39
And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the land of the Judeans and in Jerusalem—whom they also killed, hanging him upon a tree.
40
This one G-d raised on the third day and granted him to become visible,
41
not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen beforehand by G-d—to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42
And he commanded us to proclaim to the people and to testify that this is the one appointed by G-d as judge of the living and the dead.
43
To him all the Prophets bear witness—that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
Spirit Falls on the Nations
44
While Kefa was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those hearing the word.
45
And the believers from among the circumcision who had come with Kefa were astonished—because even upon the nations the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out.
“I bring Heaven and Earth to bear witness that the Holy Spirit may rest upon a Gentile and a Jew, a man and a woman, a slave and a maid—all depends on the deeds of that particular person.”
-Yalkut Shimoni, Nach 42:7
46
For they were hearing them speaking in languages and magnifying G-d.
Decision — Immersion of Gentiles
Then Kefa answered:
47
“Can anyone withhold water, that these should not be immersed—who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
48
And he commanded them to be immersed in the name of Yeshua the Messiah. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 10:44 → Acts 11:18 (23)
Acts — Chapter 11 (Deliberation in Jerusalem and Expansion to Antioch)
Report to Jerusalem — Question of Association
1
And the Shluchim and the brothers who were in Judea heard that even the Gentiles had received the word of G-d.
2
And when Kefa went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him,
3
saying:
“You went in to men who are uncircumcised and ate with them!”
Kefa’s Account (Ordered Testimony)
4
But Kefa began and explained to them in order, saying:
5
“I was in the city of Yafo praying, and in a trance I saw a vision—something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by four corners, and it came to me.
6
Looking intently into it, I observed and saw the four-footed animals of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the sky.
7
And I also heard a voice saying to me:
‘Rise, Kefa—slaughter and eat.’
8
But I said:
‘By no means, master—for nothing common (ḥol) or unclean (ṭameh) has ever entered into my mouth.’
9
But the voice answered from heaven a second time:
‘What G-d has cleansed, you must not call common.’
10
And this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into heaven.
Divine Direction and Witnesses
11
And behold—immediately three men stood at the house in which we were, having been sent to me from Caesarea.
12
And the Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. And these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the man’s house.
13
And he reported to us how he saw the angel standing in his house and saying:
‘Send to Yafo and summon Shimon, who is called Kefa,
14
who will speak words to you by which you will be saved—you and all your household.’
Spirit as Decisive Proof
15
“And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as upon us at the beginning.
16
And I remembered the word of the Master, how He said:
‘Yochanan indeed immersed in water, but you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.’
17
If therefore G-d gave to them the same gift as also to us who believed in the Master Yeshua the Messiah—who was I that I could hinder G-d?”
Acceptance in Jerusalem
18
And hearing these things, they became silent—and they glorified G-d, saying:
“Then also to the Gentiles G-d has granted repentance (teshuvah) unto life.”
“It is in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Yehoshua, as it is taught in a baraita that Rabbi Eliezer says: It is written: “The wicked shall be turned back to the netherworld, all the nations that forget God” (Psalms 9:18). “The wicked shall be turned back to the netherworld”; these are the sinners of the Jewish people, as only the sinners are sentenced to the netherworld. “All the gentiles that forget God”; these are the sinners of the gentiles. From the fact that it is written: “All the gentiles,” it is apparent that none of the gentiles have a share in the World-to-Come. This is the statement of Rabbi Eliezer. Rabbi Yehoshua said to him: But is it stated in the verse that the sinners of the Jewish people will be like all of the gentiles? It is stated only: “All the gentiles that forget God.” Rather, the wicked shall be turned back to the netherworld, and who are they? They are all the gentiles that forget God. Gentiles who fear God do have a share in the World-to-Come.”
-Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 105a:11
Monday (2):
Acts 11:19 → Acts 12:4 (16)
Expansion After the Persecution
19
So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen passed through as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews alone.
20
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking also to the Greeks, proclaiming the good news of the Master Yeshua.
21
And the hand of the L-rd was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the L-rd.
Barnaba Sent to Antioch
22
And the report about them was heard in the ears of the assembly (kehilla) in Jerusalem, and they sent Yosef (Barnaba) as far as Antioch.
23
Who, arriving and seeing the grace of G-d, rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain with the L-rd with steadfast heart,
24
for he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and faith—and a considerable crowd was added to the L-rd.
Bringing Shaul
25
And he went out to Tarsus to search for Shaul,
26
and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass for a whole year that they gathered together in the assembly and taught a considerable crowd—and the disciples were first called “Christians” in Antioch.
Prophecy of Famine
27
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28
And one of them, named Agav, stood up and signified through the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the inhabited world—which indeed came to pass in the days of Claudius.
Tzedakah Sent to Judea
29
And the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief for service to the brothers dwelling in Judea,
30
which also they did, sending it to the elders through the hand of Barnaba and Shaul.
Acts — Chapter 12 (Persecution Under Herod and Deliverance)
Herod’s Action Against the Kehilla
1
Now at that time, Herod Agrippa I laid hands on some of those from the assembly (kehilla) to mistreat them.
2
And he killed Ya‘akov, the brother of Yochanan, with the sword.
3
And seeing that it was pleasing to the Judeans, he proceeded to arrest Kefa also—and these were the days of Unleavened Bread (Ḥag HaMatzot).
Kefa Imprisoned During the Festival
4
And seizing him, he placed him in prison, delivering him to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.
Acts 12:5 → Acts 12:25 (21)
5
So Kefa was being kept in the prison—but prayer was being made earnestly by the assembly to G-d on his behalf.
Night Before Trial — Divine Intervention
6
And when Herod was about to bring him out, that very night Kefa was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards before the door were keeping watch over the prison.
7
And behold—an angel of the L-rd stood by, and a light shone in the cell; and striking Kefa on the side, he woke him, saying:
“Rise quickly.”
And his chains fell from his hands.
8
And the angel said to him:
“Gird yourself and bind on your sandals.”
And he did so.
And he says to him:
“Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”
9
And going out, he followed, and he did not know that what was happening through the angel was real, but he thought he was seeing a vision.
10
And passing through the first and second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them by itself—and going out, they went along one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
Kefa Realizes the Deliverance
11
And Kefa, coming to himself, said:
“Now I truly know that the L-rd has sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the people of the Judeans.”
At the House Gathering
12
And realizing this, he came to the house of Miryam, the mother of Yochanan who is called Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.
13
And knocking at the door of the gate, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer.
14
And recognizing Kefa’s voice, from joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and reported that Kefa was standing at the gate.
15
But they said to her:
“You are out of your mind.”
But she insisted that it was so.
And they kept saying:
“It is his angel.”
16
But Kefa continued knocking, and opening, they saw him and were astonished.
17
And motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the L-rd had brought him out from the prison, and he said:
“Report these things to Ya‘akov and the brothers.”
And going out, he went to another place.
Aftermath in the Prison
18
Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers as to what had become of Kefa.
19
And Herod, having searched for him and not found him, examined the guards and commanded that they be led away to execution.
Herod’s Death
And going down from Judea to Caesarea, he was staying there.
20
Now he was in a state of hostility toward the people of Tyre and Sidon—but they came to him with one accord, and persuading Blastus, who was over the king’s chamber, they were seeking peace, because their country was nourished by the king’s region.
21
And on an appointed day, Herod Agrippa I, having put on royal apparel and sitting upon the tribunal, was addressing them.
22
And the people were shouting:
“The voice of a god and not of a man!”
23
And immediately an angel of the L-rd struck him, because he did not give glory to G-d—and becoming eaten by worms, he expired.
Growth Continues
24
But the word of G-d was growing and multiplying.
Return to Antioch
25
And Barnaba and Shaul returned from Jerusalem, having completed their service, taking with them Yochanan who is called Mark.
Tuesday (3):
Acts 13:1 → Acts 13:25 (25)
Acts — Chapter 13 (Antioch and the First Emissary Journey)
Leaders in Antioch
1
Now in Antioch, in the assembly (kehilla) there, were prophets and teachers, Barnaba, Shimon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Menachem (who had been brought up with Herod Antipas), and Shaul.
Sending of Barnaba and Sha’ul
2
And while they were serving the L-rd and fasting, the Holy Spirit said:
“Set apart for Me Barnaba and Sha’ul for the work to which I have called them.”
3
Then, after fasting and praying and laying hands upon them, they sent them away.
In Cyprus — Confrontation with Bar-Yeshua
4
So they, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there sailed to Cyprus.
5
And arriving in Salamis, they were proclaiming the word of G-d in the synagogues of the Jews—and they also had Yochanan (Mark) as an assistant.
6
And passing through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man—a magician, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Yeshua,
7
who was with the proconsul Sergius Paul, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnaba and Shaul and sought to hear the word of G-d.
8
But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9
But Shaul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him,
10
and said:
“O full of all deceit and all villainy, son of the Adversary, enemy of all righteousness—will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the L-rd?
11
And now, behold, the hand of the L-rd is upon you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and going about, he sought those to lead him by the hand.
12
Then the proconsul, seeing what had happened, believed—being astonished at the teaching of the L-rd.
Arrival in Pisidian Antioch
13
And setting sail from Paphos, Paul and those with him came to Perga in Pamphylia—and Yochanan departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
14
But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering the synagogue on the day of Shabbat, they sat down.
Synagogue Reading and Invitation
15
And after the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying:
“Men, brothers—if there is any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”
Paul’s Synagogue Address
16
And Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, said:
“Men of Israel, and you who fear G-d—listen:
Historical Retelling — From Egypt to David
17
The G-d of this people Israel chose our Fathers and exalted the people during their sojourn in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out from it.
18
And for about forty years He bore with them in the wilderness.
19
And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave their land as an inheritance.
20
All this took about four hundred and fifty years. And after these things He gave judges until Shmuel the Prophet.
21
And then they asked for a king, and G-d gave them Shaul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Binyamin, for forty years.
22
And removing him, He raised up David as king, to whom also He bore witness and said:
‘I have found David son of Yishai, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’
From David to Messiah
23
From this one’s seed, according to promise, G-d brought to Israel a Savior—Yeshua.
24
Before his coming, Yochanan had proclaimed an immersion of repentance (teshuvah) to all the People of Israel.
25
And as Yochanan was completing his course, he said:
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he—but behold, one is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
Acts 13:26 → Acts 13:43 (18)
Address to Jews and God-Fearers
26
“Men, brothers—sons of the family of Avraham, and those among you who fear G-d—to us the word of this salvation has been sent.
Rejection in Jerusalem
27
For those dwelling in Jerusalem and their rulers, not recognizing him nor the voices of the Prophets which are read every Shabbat, fulfilled them by condemning him.
28
And though they found no cause worthy of death, they asked Pilate that he be executed.
29
And when they had carried out all that was written concerning him, taking him down from the tree, they laid him in a tomb.
30
But G-d raised him from the dead,
31
and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galil to Jerusalem—who are now his witnesses to the people.
Good News as Fulfillment of Promise
32
“And we proclaim to you the good news—the promise made to the fathers—
33
that G-d has fulfilled this to us, their children, by raising up Yeshua, as also it is written in the second Psalm:
‘You are My son; today I have begotten you.’
34
And that He raised him from the dead, no longer to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:
‘I will give you the faithful mercies of David.’
35
Therefore also in another place He says:
‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
Argument from David’s Death
36
For David, after serving the purpose of G-d in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption;
37
but he whom G-d raised did not see corruption.
Declaration — Forgiveness and Justification
38
“Let it therefore be known to you, men, brothers—that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
39
and from all things from which you were not able to be justified by the Torah of Moshe—in him everyone who believes is justified.
Warning from the Prophets (Ḥavakuk)
40
Beware, therefore, lest what is spoken in the Prophets come upon you:
41
‘Look, you scoffers, and marvel and perish—
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work which you would not believe if one declared it to you.’”
Reaction in the Synagogue
42
And as they were going out, they were asking that these words might be spoken to them on the next Shabbat.
43
And after the synagogue gathering was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnaba, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of G-d.
Wednesday (4):
Acts 13:44 → Acts 14:7 (16)
Next Shabbat — Division
44
And on the next Shabbat, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of the L-rd.
45
But seeing the crowds, some Jews were filled with zeal and began contradicting what was spoken by Paul, reviling.
Turning to the Nations
46
And speaking boldly, Paul and Barnaba said:
“It was necessary that the word of G-d be spoken first to you—but since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold—we turn to the Gentiles.
47
For thus the L-rd has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the nations,
that you may be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Response of the Nations
48
And hearing this, the Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the L-rd—and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
49
And the word of the L-rd was being spread throughout the whole region.
Expulsion
50
But those Jews stirred up the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnaba, and expelled them from their region.
51
But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, went to Iconium.
52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts — Chapter 14 (Expansion, Signs, and Mixed Reception)
Iconium — Division in the Synagogue
1
And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in such a way that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed.
2
But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
3
Therefore they remained for a considerable time, speaking boldly in the L-rd, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done through their hands.
4
But the population of the city was divided—some with those Jews, and some with the Shluchim.
Attempted Violence
5
And when an attempt was made by both those Gentiles and Jews, together with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,
6
they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia—Lystra and Derbe—and the surrounding region,
7
and there they continued proclaiming the good news.
Acts 14:8 → Acts 14:28 (21)
Lystra — Healing of a Lame Man
8
And in Lystra a certain man was sitting, powerless in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
9
This one was listening to Paul speaking; who, fixing his gaze upon him and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10
said with a loud voice:
“Stand upright on your feet!”
And he leaped up and began walking.
Misidentification as Gods
11
And the crowds, seeing what Paul had done, lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian language, saying:
“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12
And they were calling Barnaba Zeus, and Paul Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13
And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was before the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
Rejection of Idolatry
14
But hearing this, the Shluchim Barnaba and Paul tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
15
and saying:
“Men—why are you doing these things? We also are men of like nature with you, bringing you good news—to turn from these vain things to the living G-d, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them,
16
who in past generations allowed all the Gentiles to walk in their own ways.
17
Yet He did not leave Himself without witness, doing good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”
18
And saying these things, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
Paul Stoned
19
But some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and persuading the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, supposing him to be dead.
20
But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered into the city—and on the next day he went out with Barnaba to Derbe.
Strengthening the Communities
21
And after proclaiming the good news in that city and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
22
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith, and saying:
“Through many afflictions it is necessary for us to enter into the Kingdom of G-d.”
Appointment of Elders
23
And appointing for them elders (zekenim) in each assembly (kehilla), with prayer and fasting, they entrusted them to the Master in whom they had believed.
Return Journey
24
And passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia,
25
and speaking the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,
26
and from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been entrusted to the grace of G-d for the work which they had now completed.
Report to Antioch
27
And arriving and gathering the assembly, they reported all that G-d had done with them, and that He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
28
And they remained not a little time with the disciples.
Thursday (5):
Acts 15:1 → Acts 15:21 (21)
Acts — Chapter 15 (The Jerusalem Council — A Halakhic Deliberation)
The Dispute Over Circumcision
1
And certain men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers:
“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moshe, you cannot be saved.”
2
And when no small dissension and debate arose between Paul and Barnaba and them, they appointed Paul and Barnaba and some others from among them to go up to Jerusalem to the Shluchim and elders concerning this question.
Journey to Jerusalem
3
So, being sent on their way by the assembly (kehilla), they passed through Phoenicia and Shomron, recounting in detail the turning of the Gentiles—and they caused great joy to all the brothers.
4
And arriving in Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the Shluchim and the elders, and they reported all that G-d had done with them.
Position of Some from the Perushim (Pharisees)
5
But some of those from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying:
“It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Torah of Moshe.”
Deliberation of the Council
6
And the Shluchim and the elders gathered together to examine this matter.
7
And after much debate had taken place, Kefa stood up and said to them:
“Now the chief of the Sanhedrin, his name was Shimon Kepha and why was he called Kepha? Because he stood on the stone on which Ezekiel had prophesied at the river Kebar, and on that stone it was that Shimon heard a voice from heaven.“
-Toldot Yeshu
Kefa’s Argument — Divine Precedent
“Men, brothers—you know that from early days G-d chose among you that through my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the good news and believe.
8
And G-d, the knower of hearts, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as also to us,
9
and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10
Now therefore why do you test G-d by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11
But through the grace of the Master Yeshua we believe to be saved, in the same manner as they also.”
Barnaba and Paul Report Signs
12
And all the multitude fell silent, and they listened to Barnaba and Paul recounting what signs and wonders G-d had done among the Gentiles through them.
Ya‘akov’s Ruling
13
And after they became silent, Ya‘akov answered, saying:
“Men, brothers—listen to me.
14
Shimon has recounted how G-d first visited the Gentles to take from them a people for His name.
15
And with this agree the words of the Prophets, just as it is written:
16
‘After these things I will return
and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David,
and its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17
so that the remnant of men may seek the L-rd—
and all the nations upon whom My name has been called,
says the L-rd who does these things
18
known from of old.’
Decision
19
“Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the nations who are turning to G-d,
20
but to write to them to abstain from the defilements of idols, sexual immorality, what is strangled, and blood.
21
For Moshe from ancient generations has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Shabbat.”
Acts 15:22 → Acts 16:5 (25)
The Letter Sent to the Nations
22
Then it seemed good to the Shluchim and the elders, together with the whole assembly, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnaba: Yehudah called Barsabba, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.
23
And they sent this letter through them:
The Letter
“The shluchim and the elders, brothers—
to the brothers from the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: greetings.
24
Since we have heard that some who went out from us troubled you with words, unsettling your souls—though we gave them no such instruction—
25
it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnaba and Paul,
26
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah.
27
We have therefore sent Yehudah and Silas, who themselves will report the same things by word.
28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden except these necessary things:
29
that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, blood, what is strangled, and sexual immorality.
If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
Reception in Antioch
30
So they, being sent off, came down to Antioch, and gathering the multitude, they delivered the letter.
31
And reading it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
32
And Yehudah and Silas, themselves also being prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
33
And after spending some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
(Some manuscripts add that Silas remained.)
Continued Teaching
35
But Paul and Barnaba remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming, with many others also, the word of the L-rd.
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnaba
36
And after some days, Paul said to Barnaba:
“Let us return and visit the brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the L-rd, and see how they are.”
37
And Barnaba wanted to take along Yochanan, called Mark.
38
But Paul thought it not fitting to take along the one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
39
And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from one another—and Barnaba, taking Mark, sailed away to Cyprus,
40
but Paul, choosing Silas, went out, being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the L-rd.
41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
Acts — Chapter 16 (From Asia Minor to Macedonia)
Timothy — Lineage and Circumcision
1
And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra—and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but of a Greek father.
2
He was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium.
3
Paul wanted this one to go out with him—and taking him, he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
Delivery of the Jerusalem Ruling
4
And as they were going through the cities, they were delivering to them the decisions that had been determined by the Shluchim and elders in Jerusalem, to keep.
5
So the assemblies (kehillot) were being strengthened in the faith and increasing in number daily.
Friday (6):
Acts 16:6 → Acts 16:24 (19)
Restriction and Redirection
6
And they passed through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia.
7
And coming toward Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Yeshua did not permit them.
8
And passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.
Vision of Macedonia
9
And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: a man of Macedonia was standing, urging him and saying:
“Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
10
And when he saw the vision, immediately we sought to go out into Macedonia, concluding that G-d had called us to proclaim the good news to them.
Arrival in Philippi
11
So setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis,
12
and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia, a Roman colony—and we were staying in this city for some days.
At the Place of Prayer
13
And on the day of Shabbat, we went outside the gate by a river, where we supposed there was a place of prayer—and sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered.
Lydia — A G-d-Fearer
14
And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, one who worships G-d, was listening—whose heart the L-rd opened to give attention to what was spoken by Paul.
15
And when she was immersed, and her household, she urged us, saying:
“If you have judged me to be faithful to the L-rd, come into my house and remain.”
And she prevailed upon us.
Spirit of Divination
16
And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain servant girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17
This one followed Paul and us, crying out, saying:
“These men are servants of the Most High G-d, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
18
And this she did for many days. But Paul, being greatly troubled, turned and said to the spirit:
“I command you in the name of Yeshua the Messiah to come out from her.”
And it came out at that very hour.
Arrest and Accusation
19
But her masters, seeing that their hope of profit had gone, seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
20
And bringing them to the magistrates, they said:
“These men, being Jews, are disturbing our city,
21
and they proclaim customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or practice, being Romans.”
Beating and Imprisonment
22
And the crowd rose together against them, and the magistrates, tearing off their garments, commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23
And after inflicting many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely,
24
who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Acts 16:25 → Acts 17:9 (25)
Midnight Prayer and Earthquake
25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to G-d—and the prisoners were listening to them.
26
And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken—and immediately all the doors were opened and the chains of all were loosed.
The Jailer
27
And the jailer, awakening and seeing the prison doors opened, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28
But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying:
“Do not harm yourself—for we are all here!”
29
And asking for lights, he rushed in and, trembling with fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,
30
and bringing them outside, he said:
“Masters—what must I do to be saved?”
Response and Immersion
31
And they said:
“Believe in the Master Yeshua—and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32
And they spoke the word of the L-rd to him together with all those in his house.
33
And taking them in that hour of the night, he washed their wounds—and immediately he was immersed, he and all his household.
34
And bringing them up into his house, he set a table before them—and he rejoiced with all his household, having believed in G-d.
Legal Appeal — Roman Citizenship
35
And when it became day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying:
“Release those men.”
36
And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying:
“The magistrates have sent that you be released—now therefore go out and go in peace.”
37
But Paul said to them:
“They have beaten us publicly without trial—men who are Romans—and have thrown us into prison; and now do they cast us out secretly? No—but let them come themselves and lead us out.”
38
And the officers reported these words to the magistrates—and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
39
And coming, they urged them, and leading them out, they asked them to depart from the city.
Return to the Community
40
And going out from the prison, they came to Lydia’s house—and seeing the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.
Acts — Chapter 17 (From Synagogue Debate to the Areopagus)
Thessalonica — Synagogue Proclamation
1
And passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2
And according to his custom, Paul went in to them, and for three Shabbats reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3
opening and setting forth that it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead—and saying:
“This Yeshua, whom I proclaim to you, is the Messiah.”
4
And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great multitude of the G-d-fearing Greeks, and not a few of the leading women.
Opposition and Accusation
5
But some Jews, becoming zealous, took along some wicked men from the marketplace, formed a mob, and set the city in an uproar—and attacking the house of Jason, they were seeking to bring them out to the people.
6
But not finding them, they dragged Jason and some brothers before the city authorities, crying out:
“These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
7
and Jason has received them—and all these act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king—Yeshua.”
8
And they troubled the crowd and the city authorities hearing these things.
9
And after taking security from Jason and the rest, they released them.
Shabbat (7):
Acts 17:10 → Acts 17:34 (25)
Berea — Noble Examination
10
And the brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea—who, arriving, went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, receiving the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
12
Therefore many of them believed, and not a few of the prominent Greek women and men.
Further Opposition
13
But when Jews from Thessalonica learned that also in Berea the word of G-d was proclaimed by Paul, they came there also, agitating and stirring up the crowds.
14
Then immediately the brothers sent Paul away to go as far as the sea—but Silas and Timothy remained there.
15
And those escorting Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.
Athens — Provoked by Idolatry
16
Now while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he observed the city full of idols.
17
So he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the G-d-fearers, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be present.
Encounter with Philosophers
18
And some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were conversing with him. And some were saying:
“What would this babbler wish to say?”
Others:
“He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities.” (This was because he was telling the good news about Yeshua and the resurrection.)”
At the Areopagus
19
And taking hold of him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying:
“May we know what this new teaching is that you are speaking?
20
For you bring certain strange things to our ears—we wish therefore to know what these things mean.”
21
(Now all the Athenians and the foreigners residing there would spend their time in nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)
Paul’s Address — From Creation to Judgment
22
And Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said:
“Men of Athens—I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
23
For passing through and observing your objects of worship, I also found an altar on which had been inscribed: ‘To an unknown god.’
What therefore you worship in ignorance—this I proclaim to you.
Creation Theology
24
The G-d who made the world and all things in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made by hands,
25
nor is He served by human hands as though needing anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things.
Unity of Humanity
26
And He made from one every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined appointed times and the boundaries of their dwelling,
27
so that they should seek G-d—if perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him—though indeed He is not far from each one of us.
Quotation from Greek Sources
28
“For in Him we live and move and have our being,” as also some of your own poets have said:
“For we are also His offspring.”
Call to Repentance
29
“Being therefore offspring of G-d, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.
30
Therefore, overlooking the times of ignorance, G-d now commands all men everywhere to repent (do teshuvah),
31
because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He has appointed—having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Mixed Response
32
And hearing of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked—but others said:
“We will hear you again concerning this.”
33
So Paul went out from among them.
34
But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysios the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
Acts 18:1 → Acts 18:17 (17)
Acts — Chapter 18 (Corinth, Ephesus, and Ongoing Synagogue Engagement)
Arrival in Corinth — Jewish Diaspora Network
1
After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth.
2
And finding a certain Jew named Onkelos, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with Priscilla his wife—because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome—he came to them,
3
and because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked—for they were tentmakers by trade.
Synagogue Reasoning Each Shabbat
4
And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Shabbat, persuading both Jews and Greeks.
5
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied fully with the word, testifying to the Jews that Yeshua is the Messiah.
Opposition and Turning to the Nations
6
But as they were opposing and reviling, he shook out his garments and said to them:
“Your blood be upon your own head—I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
7
And departing from there, he went into the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, one who worships G-d, whose house was next to the synagogue.
Crispus and Many Believe
8
And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Master together with his whole household—and many of the Corinthians, hearing, were believing and being immersed.
Divine Encouragement
9
And the L-rd said to Paul in the night through a vision:
“Do not be afraid—but speak and do not be silent,
10
for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you—for I have many people in this city.”
11
And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of G-d among them.
Before the Roman Authority
12
But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him to the tribunal,
13
saying:
“This man persuades people to worship G-d contrary to the law.”
14
But as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to those Jews:
“If indeed it were some wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would rightly bear with you.
15
But if it is questions about words and names and your own law—see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.”
16
And he drove them from the tribunal.
Aftermath
17
And then all the Greeks seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and were beating him before the tribunal—and none of these things concerned Gallio.
Eye To Zion 