As the number of dis­ciples ­continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

When Paul came to Antioch in Pisidia, he said in the synagogue: “My brothers, children of the family of Abraham, and those others among you who are God-fearing, to us this word of salvation has been sent.

Hear me, O islands,/ listen, O distant peoples./ The Lord called me from birth,/ from my mother’s womb he gave me my name./ He made of me a sharp-edged sword/ and concealed me in the shadow of his arm./ He made me a polished arrow,/ in his quiver he hid me./ You are my servant, he said to me,/ Israel, through whom I show my glory.

Here is my servant whom I uphold,/ my chosen one with whom I am pleased,/ Upon whom I have put my Spirit;/ he shall bring forth justice to the nations,/ Not crying out, not shouting,/ not making his voice heard in the street./ A bruised reed he shall not break,/ and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,/ Until he ­establishes justice on the earth;/ the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,/ did not regard equality with God/ something to be grasped./ Rather, he emptied himself,/ taking the form of a slave,/ coming in human likeness;/ and found human in appearance,/ he humbled himself,/ becoming obedient to the point of death,/ even death on a cross./ Because of this, God greatly exalted him/ and bestowed on him the name/ which is above every name,/ that at the name of Jesus/ every knee should bend,/ of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,/ and every tongue ­confess that/ Jesus Christ is Lord,/ to the glory of God the Father.

The Lord God has given me/ a well-trained tongue,/ that I might know how to speak to the weary/ a word that will rouse them./ Morning after morning/ he opens my ear that I may hear;/ and I have not rebelled,/ have not turned back./ I gave my back to those who beat me,/ my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;/ my face I did not shield/ from buffets and spitting.

Thus says the Lord God: I will take the children of Israel from among the nations to which they have come, and gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land.

I hear the whisperings of many:/ “Terror on every side!/ Denounce!

When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him: “My covenant with you is this: you are to become the father of a host of nations.