Some time after these things God tested ¹  Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” Abraham ²  replied.

Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of ¹  Joseph and said, “Have sex with me.” ² 

The dream was repeated to Pharaoh ¹  because the matter has been decreed ²  by God, and God will make it happen soon. ³ 

After this the following episode took place. ¹  Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel adjacent to the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. ² 

Hezekiah and all the people were happy about what God had done ¹  for them, ²  for it had been done quickly. ³ 

¹ The following events happened ²  in the days of Ahasuerus. ³  (I am referring to ⁴  that Ahasuerus who used to rule over a hundred and twenty-seven provinces ⁵  extending all the way from India to Ethiopia. ⁶ )

I look, but there is no one, among them there is no one who serves as an adviser, that I might ask questions and receive answers.

Look, my earlier predictive oracles have come to pass; ¹  now I announce new events. Before they begin to occur, I reveal them to you.” ² 

who frustrates the omens of the empty talkers ¹  and humiliates ²  the omen readers, who overturns the counsel of the wise men ³  and makes their advice ⁴  seem foolish,

“I announced events beforehand, ¹  I issued the decrees and made the predictions; ²  suddenly I acted and they came to pass.

He changes times and seasons, deposing some kings and establishing others. ¹  He gives wisdom to the wise; he imparts knowledge to those with understanding; ² 

I heard, but I did not understand. So I said, “Sir, ¹  what will happen after these things?”

So ¹  it seemed good to me as well, ²  because I have followed ³  all things carefully from the beginning, to write an orderly account ⁴  for you, most excellent Theophilus,

So ¹  they asked him, ²  “Teacher, when will these things ³  happen? And what will be the sign that ⁴  these things are about to take place?”

There will be great earthquakes, and famines ¹  and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights ²  and great signs ³  from heaven.

This is the disciple who testifies about these things and has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

Even on my servants, ¹  both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. ² 

And we are witnesses of these events, ¹  and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey ²  him.”

These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

By faith we understand that the worlds ¹  were set in order at God’s command, ²  so that the visible has its origin in the invisible. ³