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New Testament Reading - The choice of Matthias

¹⁵This prayer meeting went on for several days. During this time, on a day when about 120 people were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows:

¹⁶“Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to come true concerning Judas, who betrayed Jesus by guiding the mob to him, for this was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David. ¹⁷Judas was one of us, chosen to be an apostle just as we were. ¹⁸He bought a field with the money he received for his treachery and falling headlong there, he burst open, spilling out his bowels. ¹⁹The news of his death spread rapidly among all the people of Jerusalem, and they named the place ‘The Field of Blood.’ ²⁰King David’s prediction of this appears in the Book of Psalms, where he says, ‘Let his home become desolate with no one living in it.’ And again, ‘Let his work be given to someone else to do.’

^21-22“So now we must choose someone else to take Judas’ place and to join us as witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection. Let us select someone who has been with us constantly from our first association with the Lord — from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven.”

²³The assembly nominated two men: Joseph Justus (also called Barsabbas) and Matthias. ^24-25Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen. “O Lord,” they said, “you know every heart; show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor, who has gone on to his proper place.”

²⁶Then they drew straws,^a and in this manner Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven.

1. Literally, “cast lots,” or “threw dice.”