December 26, 2014

Reading

The Acts of the Apostles 6: 8-10, 7: 54-59

6:8	Then Stephen, filled with grace and fortitude, wrought great signs and miracles among the people.
6:9	But 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.
6:10	But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.

7:54	Tada, išgirdęs šiuos dalykus, jie buvo giliai sužeisti savo širdyse, ir jie griežė prieš jį dantimis.
7:55	Bet jis, pripildytas Šventosios Dvasios, ir įdėmiai žvelgdamas į dangų, matė Dievo šlovę ir Jėzų stovintį Dievo dešinėje. Ir jis pasakė, “Štai, Matau atsivėrusį dangų, ir Žmogaus Sūnus, stovintis Dievo dešinėje“.
7:56	Tada jie, šaukdamas garsiu balsu, užkimšo jiems ausis ir, vienu sutarimu, žiauriai puolė prie jo.
7:57	Ir išvaro jį lauk, už miesto, jie užmėtė jį akmenimis. Ir liudininkai pasidėjo savo drabužius prie jaunuolio kojų, kurį vadino Sauliumi.
7:58	Ir jiems užmėtant akmenimis Steponą, jis pašaukė ir pasakė, „Viešpatie Jėzau, priimk mano dvasią“.
7:59	Tada, priklaupęs ant kelių, – sušuko jis garsiu balsu, sakydamas, „Viešpatie, nelaikyk jiems šios nuodėmės“. Ir kai jis tai pasakė, jis užmigo Viešpatyje. Ir Saulius sutiko su jo nužudymu.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Matthew 10: 17-22

10:17	But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues.
10:18	And you shall be led before both rulers and kings for my sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
10:19	But 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.
10:20	For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you.
10:21	And 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.
10:22	And 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.