18. For about forty years, God put up with them in the wilderness.
19. God conquered seven nations in the land of Canaan and gave the Israelites their land as an inheritance.
20. This happened over a period of about four hundred fifty years. “After this, he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel.
21. The Israelites requested a king, so God gave them Saul, Kish’s son, from the tribe of Benjamin, and he served as their king for forty years.
22. After God removed him, he raised up David to be their king. God testified concerning him, ‘I have found David, Jesse’s son, a man who shares my desires. Whatever my will is, he will do.’
23. From this man’s descendants, God brought to Israel a savior, Jesus, just as he promised.
24. Before Jesus’ appearance, John proclaimed to all the Israelites a baptism to show they were changing their hearts and lives.
25. As John was completing his mission, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I’m not the one you think I am, but he is coming after me. I’m not worthy to loosen his sandals.’
26. “Brothers, children of Abraham’s family, and you Gentile God-worshippers, the message about this salvation has been sent to us.
27. The people in Jerusalem and their leaders didn’t recognize Jesus. By condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.