<t /><p class="bodytext">Now<n id="1" /> there was a man in Jerusalem<n id="2" /> named Simeon who was righteous<n id="3" /> and devout, looking for the restoration<n id="4" /> of Israel, and the Holy Spirit<n id="5" /> was upon him.

I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner<n id="1" /> who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people<n id="2" /> who have no need to repent.<n id="3" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Then<n id="1" /> they watched him carefully and sent spies who pretended to be sincere.<n id="2" /> They wanted to take advantage of what he might say<n id="3" /> so that they could deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction<n id="4" /> of the governor.

I can do nothing on my own initiative.<n id="1" /> Just as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just,<n id="2" /> because I do not seek my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.<n id="3" />p>

Which of the prophets did your ancestors<n id="1" /> not persecute?<n id="2" /> They<n id="3" /> killed those who foretold long ago the coming of the Righteous One,<n id="4" /> whose betrayers and murderers you have now become!<n id="5" />

Then he said, &#8216;The God of our ancestors<n id="1" /> has already chosen<n id="2" /> you to know his will, to see<n id="3" /> the Righteous One,<n id="4" /> and to hear a command<n id="5" /> from his mouth,

This was<n id="1" /> also to demonstrate<n id="2" /> his righteousness in the present time, so that he would be just<n id="3" /> and the justifier of the one who lives because of Jesus&#8217; faithfulness.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Finally, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day &#8211; and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on<n id="1" /> his appearing.p>

By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith<n id="1" /> he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith<n id="2" /> he still speaks, though he is dead.

not like Cain<n id="1" /> who was of the evil one and brutally<n id="2" /> murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his deeds were evil, but his brother&#8217;s were righteous.p>

<p class="poetry">because his judgments are true and just.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">For he has judged<n id="2" /> the great prostitutep> <p class="poetry">who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality,p> <p class="poetry">and has avenged the blood of his servants<n id="3" /> poured out by her own hands!&#8221;<n id="4" />p>

They said, &#8220;Cornelius the centurion,<n id="1" /> a righteous<n id="2" /> and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation,<n id="3" /> was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear a message<n id="4" /> from you.&#8221;

For<n id="1" /> it is right for me to think this about all of you, because I have you in my heart,<n id="2" /> since both in my imprisonment<n id="3" /> and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel all of you became partners in God&#8217;s grace<n id="4" /> together with me.

They<n id="1" /> sang the song of Moses the servant<n id="2" /> of God and the song of the Lamb:<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;Great and astounding are your deeds,p> <p class="poetry">Lord God, the All-Powerful!<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">Just<n id="5" /> and true are your ways,p> <p class="poetry">King over the nations!<n id="6" />p>