The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and {that} all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and {that which was} written {was} upright, {even} words of truth. {acceptable...: Heb. words of delight}