Monday, June 29, 2026

¹Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.

²He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

³When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.

⁴When he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.

⁵Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.

⁶The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.

⁷And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, "Stand up quickly!" His chains fell off his hands.

⁸The angel said to him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." He did so. He said to him, "Put on your cloak and follow me."

⁹And he went out and followed him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.

¹⁰When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

¹¹When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting."

²I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise will always be in my mouth.

³My soul shall boast in the LORD. The humble shall hear of it and be glad.

⁴Oh magnify the LORD with me. Let's exalt his name together.

⁵I sought the LORD, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

⁶They looked to him, and were radiant. Their faces shall never be covered with shame.

⁷This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

⁸The LORD's angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.

⁹Oh taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

¹³Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

¹⁴They said, "Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

¹⁵He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"

¹⁶Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

¹⁷Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

¹⁸I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

¹⁹I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven."

⁶For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure has come.

⁷I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.

⁸From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing.

¹⁷But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

¹⁸And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.