In our service we read from the New Revised Standard Version and from The Message, a modern interpretation by Eugene Peterson. We read both with the hope that our understanding will be enriched.

This is from The Message:
1When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. 3Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, 4and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. 5There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. 6When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. 7They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? 8How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? 9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; 11Even Cretans and Arabs! "They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!" 12Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?" 13Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."14That's when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: "Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. 15These people aren't drunk as some of you suspect. They haven't had time to get drunk—it's only nine o'clock in the morning. 16This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen: 17"In the Last Days," God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. 18When the time comes, I'll pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women both, and they'll prophesy. 19I'll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billowing smoke, 20the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, before the Day of the Lord arrives, the day tremendous and marvelous; 21And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved."

The New Revised Standard Version can be found here.

Milagro Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)