6. So when they met together,
they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the
kingdom to Israel?"
7. He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates
the Father has set by his own authority.
8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to
the ends of the earth."
11. I long to see you so that
I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong--
12. that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's
faith.
13. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times
to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order
that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other
Gentiles.
12. I plead with you, brothers,
become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.
13. As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the
gospel to you.
14. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with
contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God,
as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
15. What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could
have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
16. Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?