In Damascus, the governor<n id="1" /> under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus<n id="2" /> in order to arrest<n id="3" /> me,

I beg you, brothers and sisters,<n id="1" /> become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!p>

for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.p>

<p class="bodytext">You know that everyone in the province of Asia<n id="1" /> deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me &#8211; may they not be held accountable for it.

<t /><p class="bodytext">When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.

But John<n id="1" /> tried to prevent<n id="2" /> him, saying, &#8220;I need to be baptized by you, and yet you come to me?&#8221;

But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.p>

Peter<n id="1" /> said to him,<n id="2" /> &#8220;Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water.&#8221;

Then his lord called the first slave<n id="1" /> and said to him, &#8216;Evil slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me!

For I tell you, you will not see me from now until you say, &#8216;<b><i>Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!i>b>&#8217;&#8221;<n id="1" />p>

He<n id="1" /> answered, &#8220;The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me<n id="2" /> will betray me.

Jesus said to him, &#8220;I tell you the truth,<n id="1" /> on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.&#8221;

Peter said to him, &#8220;Even if I must die with you, I will never deny you.&#8221; And all the disciples said the same thing.p>

Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: &#8220;Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.&#8221; And he went outside and wept bitterly.<n id="1" />p>

Then Jesus said to them, &#8220;Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. They will see me there.&#8221;p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Now<n id="1" /> a leper<n id="2" /> came to him and fell to his knees, asking for help. &#8220;If<n id="3" /> you are willing, you can make me clean,&#8221; he said.

He asked them, &#8220;But who do you say that I am?&#8221; Peter answered him,<n id="1" /> &#8220;You are the Christ.&#8221;<n id="2" />

He answered them,<n id="1" /> &#8220;You<n id="2" /> unbelieving<n id="3" /> generation! How much longer<n id="4" /> must I be with you? How much longer must I endure<n id="5" /> you?<n id="6" /> Bring him to me.&#8221;

When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to shout,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Jesus, Son of David,<n id="2" /> have mercy<n id="3" /> on me!&#8221;