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And when the day of Pentecost [a]was now come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them tongues [b]parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans? And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, 10 in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, saying, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day; 16 but this is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:

17 [c]And it shall be in the last days, saith God,
I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
18 Yea and on my [d]servants and on my [e]handmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above,
And signs on the earth beneath;
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the day of the Lord come,
That great and notable day:
21 And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by [f]mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; 23 him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of [g]lawless men did crucify and slay: 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25 For David saith concerning him,

[h]I beheld the Lord always before my face;
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
Moreover my flesh also shall [i]dwell in hope:
27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades,
Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
28 Thou madest known unto me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of gladness [j]with thy countenance.

29 Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins [k]he would set one upon his throne; 31 he foreseeing this spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus did God raise up, [l]whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore [m]by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. 34 For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself,

[n]The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

36 Let [o]all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. 40 And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 41 They then [p]that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and [q]fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles[r]. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. 46 And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [s]to them day by day those that [t]were saved.

Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength. And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11 And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the [u]porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this [v]man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his [w]Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 14 But ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, 15 and killed the [x]Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; [y]whereof we are witnesses. 16 And [z]by faith in his name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that he may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, even Jesus: 21 whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old. 22 Moses indeed said, [aa]A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, [ab]like unto me; to him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. 23 [ac]And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. 25 Ye are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God [ad]made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, [ae]And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his [af]Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

And as they spake unto the people, [ag]the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, [ah]by what means this man is made whole; 10 be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in [ai]him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 He is [aj]the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. 12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.

13 Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable [ak]miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye: 20 for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard. 21 And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this [al]miracle of healing was wrought.

23 And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. 24 And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O [am]Lord, [an]thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 [ao]who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,

[ap]Why did the [aq]Gentiles rage,
And the peoples [ar]imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his [as]Anointed:

27 for of a truth in this city against thy holy [at]Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the [au]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, 28 to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy [av]servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30 while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy [aw]Servant Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: [ax]and great grace was upon them all. 34 For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.

36 And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of [ay]exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to [az]lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. And the [ba]young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so much. But Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out. 10 And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people: and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s [bb]porch. 13 But of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; 14 [bc]and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women: 15 insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and [bd]couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. 16 And there also came together the multitude from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, 18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward. 19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said, 20 Go ye, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life. 21 And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought. 22 But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told, 23 saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. 25 And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people. 26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. 29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. 31 Him did God exalt [be]with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32 And we are witnesses [bf]of these [bg]things; [bh]and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were minded to slay them. 34 But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. 35 And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown: 39 but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. 42 And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to [bi]preach Jesus as the Christ.

Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the [bj]Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not [bk]fit that we should forsake the word of God, and [bl]serve tables. [bm]Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the [bn]Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, 13 and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: 14 for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. 15 And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

And the high priest said, Are these things so? And he said,

Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell: and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years. And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, 10 and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s race became manifest unto Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; 16 and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of [bo]Hamor in Shechem. 17 But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 till there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. 19 The same dealt craftily with our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that [bp]they should cast out their babes to the end they might not [bq]live. 20 At which season Moses was born, and was [br]exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father’s house: 21 and when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. 23 But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: 25 and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them [bs]deliverance; but they understood not. 26 And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Wouldest thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday? 29 And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. 30 And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31 And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came a voice of the Lord, 32 I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33 And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him hath God sent to be both a ruler and a [bt]deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 37 This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, [bu]A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, [bv]like unto me. 38 This is he that was in the [bw]church in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: 39 to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, 40 saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. 41 And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets,

[bx]Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices
Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of the god Rephan,
The figures which ye made to worship them:
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with [by]Joshua when they entered on the possession of the [bz]nations, that God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made with hands; as saith the prophet,

49 [ca]The heaven is my throne,
And the earth the footstool of my feet:
What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:
Or what is the place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these things?

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; 53 ye who received the law [cb]as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.

54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

They therefore that were scattered abroad went about [cc]preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. [cd]For from many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the [ce]people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great. 11 And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great [cf]miracles wrought, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: 16 for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the [cg]Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this [ch]matter: for thy heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. 23 For I see that thou [ci]art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. 24 And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and [cj]preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

26 But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go [ck]toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this,

[cl]He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
So he openeth not his mouth:
33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:
His generation who shall declare?
For his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? 35 And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, [cm]preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?[cn] 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he [co]preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the [cp]voice, but beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; 12 and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a [cq]chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake. 17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.

And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus. 20 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. 21 And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. 22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

23 And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: 24 but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: 25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem, 29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the [cr]Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being [cs]edified; and, walking [ct]in the fear of the Lord and [cu]in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied. 32 And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied. 34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And straightway he arose. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called [cv]Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us. 39 And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

10 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the [cw]band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side. And when the angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: 10 and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; 11 and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: 12 wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. 15 And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. 16 And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.

17 Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. 19 And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20 But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them. 21 And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? 22 And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee. 23 So he called them in and lodged them.

And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the morrow [cx]they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. 25 And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and [cy]worshipped him. 26 But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together: 28 and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know [cz]how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: 29 wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me. 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, 31 and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. 33 Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord. 34 And Peter opened his mouth, and said,

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. 36 [da]The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching [db]good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)— 37 that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. 40 Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, 41 not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:1 Greek was being fulfilled.
  2. Acts 2:3 Or, parting among them. Or, distributing themselves
  3. Acts 2:17 Joel 2:28ff.
  4. Acts 2:18 Greek bondmen.
  5. Acts 2:18 Greek bondmaidens.
  6. Acts 2:22 Greek powers.
  7. Acts 2:23 Or, men without the law. See Rom. 2:12.
  8. Acts 2:25 Ps. 16:8ff.
  9. Acts 2:26 Or, tabernacle
  10. Acts 2:28 Or, in thy presence
  11. Acts 2:30 Or, one should sit
  12. Acts 2:32 Or, of whom
  13. Acts 2:33 Or, at
  14. Acts 2:34 Ps. 110:1.
  15. Acts 2:36 Or, every house
  16. Acts 2:41 Or, having received
  17. Acts 2:42 Or, in fellowship
  18. Acts 2:43 Many ancient authorities add in Jerusalem; and great fear was upon all
  19. Acts 2:47 Greek together.
  20. Acts 2:47 Or, were being saved
  21. Acts 3:11 Or, portico
  22. Acts 3:12 Or, thing
  23. Acts 3:13 Or, Child. See Mt. 12:18; Isa. 42:1; 52:13; 53:11.
  24. Acts 3:15 Or, Author
  25. Acts 3:15 Or, of whom
  26. Acts 3:16 Or, on the ground of
  27. Acts 3:22 Dt. 18:15.
  28. Acts 3:22 Or, as he raised up me
  29. Acts 3:23 Dt. 18:19.
  30. Acts 3:25 Greek covenanted.
  31. Acts 3:25 Gen. 12:3; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14.
  32. Acts 3:26 Or, Child. See Mt. 12:18; Isa. 42:1; 52:13; 53:11.
  33. Acts 4:1 Some ancient authorities read the chief priests.
  34. Acts 4:9 Or, in whom
  35. Acts 4:10 Or, this name
  36. Acts 4:11 Ps. 118:22.
  37. Acts 4:16 Greek sign.
  38. Acts 4:22 Greek sign.
  39. Acts 4:24 Greek Master.
  40. Acts 4:24 Or, thou art he that did make
  41. Acts 4:25 The Greek text in this clause is somewhat uncertain.
  42. Acts 4:25 Ps. 2:1, 2.
  43. Acts 4:25 Greek nations.
  44. Acts 4:25 Or, meditate
  45. Acts 4:26 Greek Christ.
  46. Acts 4:27 Or, Child. See marginal note on 3:13.
  47. Acts 4:27 Greek nations.
  48. Acts 4:29 Greek bondservants.
  49. Acts 4:30 Or, Child. See marginal note on 3:13.
  50. Acts 4:33 Some ancient authorities add Christ.
  51. Acts 4:36 Or, consolation. See Lk. 2:25; 9:31; 15:31; 2 Cor. 1:3–7 in the Greek.
  52. Acts 5:3 Or, deceive
  53. Acts 5:6 Greek younger.
  54. Acts 5:12 Or, portico
  55. Acts 5:14 Or, and there were the more added to them, believing on the Lord
  56. Acts 5:15 Or, pallets
  57. Acts 5:31 Or, at
  58. Acts 5:32 Some ancient authorities add in him.
  59. Acts 5:32 Greek sayings.
  60. Acts 5:32 Some ancient authorities read and God hath given the Holy Spirit to them that obey him.
  61. Acts 5:42 Greek bring good tidings of. See 13:32; 14:15.
  62. Acts 6:1 Greek Hellenists.
  63. Acts 6:2 Greek pleasing.
  64. Acts 6:2 Or, minister to tables
  65. Acts 6:3 Some ancient authorities read But, brethren, look ye out from among you.
  66. Acts 6:9 Or, Freedmen
  67. Acts 7:16 Greek Emmor.
  68. Acts 7:19 Or, he
  69. Acts 7:19 Greek be preserved alive.
  70. Acts 7:20 Or, fair unto God. Compare 2 Cor. 10:4.
  71. Acts 7:25 Or, salvation
  72. Acts 7:35 Greek redeemer.
  73. Acts 7:37 Dt. 18:15.
  74. Acts 7:37 Or, as he raised up me
  75. Acts 7:38 Or, congregation
  76. Acts 7:42 Am. 5:25ff.
  77. Acts 7:45 Greek Jesus. Compare Heb. 4:8.
  78. Acts 7:45 Or, Gentiles. Compare 4:25.
  79. Acts 7:49 Isa. 66:1f.
  80. Acts 7:53 Or, as the ordinance of angels. Greek unto ordinances of angels.
  81. Acts 8:4 Compare marginal note on 5:42.
  82. Acts 8:7 Or, For many of those that had unclean spirits that cried with a loud voice came forth
  83. Acts 8:9 Greek nation.
  84. Acts 8:13 Greek powers.
  85. Acts 8:18 Some ancient authorities omit Holy.
  86. Acts 8:21 Greek word.
  87. Acts 8:23 Or, wilt become gall (or a gall root) of bitterness and a bond of iniquity. Compare Dt. 29:18; Heb. 12:15.
  88. Acts 8:25 Greek brought good tidings. Compare 5:42.
  89. Acts 8:26 Or, at noon. Compare 22:6.
  90. Acts 8:32 Isa. 53:7f.
  91. Acts 8:35 See marginal note on 5:42.
  92. Acts 8:36 Some ancient authorities insert, wholly or in part, verse 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
  93. Acts 8:40 See marginal note on 5:42.
  94. Acts 9:7 Or, sound
  95. Acts 9:15 Greek vessel of election.
  96. Acts 9:29 Greek Hellenists.
  97. Acts 9:31 Greek builded up.
  98. Acts 9:31 Or, by
  99. Acts 9:31 Or, by
  100. Acts 9:36 That is, Gazelle.
  101. Acts 10:1 Or, cohort
  102. Acts 10:24 Some ancient authorities read he.
  103. Acts 10:25 The Greek word denotes an act of reverence, whether paid to a creature or to the Creator.
  104. Acts 10:28 Or, how unlawful it is for a man etc.
  105. Acts 10:36 Many ancient authorities read He sent the word unto.
  106. Acts 10:36 Or, the gospel

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost(A) came, they were all together(B) in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.(C) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit(D) and began to speak in other tongues[a](E) as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(F) Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed,(G) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(H) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,(I) Pontus(J) and Asia,[b](K) 10 Phrygia(L) and Pamphylia,(M) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(N) visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”(O)

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!(P) 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.(Q)
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,(R)
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.(S)
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,(T)
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood(U)
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord(V) will be saved.’[c](W)

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth(X) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,(Y) which God did among you through him,(Z) as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;(AA) and you, with the help of wicked men,[d] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.(AB) 24 But God raised him from the dead,(AC) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.(AD) 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.(AE)
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[e](AF)

29 “Fellow Israelites,(AG) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch(AH) David died and was buried,(AI) and his tomb is here(AJ) to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.(AK) 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.(AL) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life,(AM) and we are all witnesses(AN) of it. 33 Exalted(AO) to the right hand of God,(AP) he has received from the Father(AQ) the promised Holy Spirit(AR) and has poured out(AS) what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[f](AT)

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord(AU) and Messiah.”(AV)

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”(AW)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,(AX) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.(AY) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(AZ) 39 The promise is for you and your children(BA) and for all who are far off(BB)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”(BC) 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number(BD) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(BE) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(BF) and to prayer.(BG) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(BH) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(BI) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(BJ) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(BK) They broke bread(BL) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(BM) And the Lord added to their number(BN) daily those who were being saved.

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

One day Peter and John(BO) were going up to the temple(BP) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.(BQ) Now a man who was lame from birth(BR) was being carried to the temple gate(BS) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg(BT) from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(BU) walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,(BV) and praising God. When all the people(BW) saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,(BX) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John,(BY) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.(BZ) 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,(CA) the God of our fathers,(CB) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over(CC) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,(CD) though he had decided to let him go.(CE) 14 You disowned the Holy(CF) and Righteous One(CG) and asked that a murderer be released to you.(CH) 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.(CI) We are witnesses(CJ) of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus,(CK) this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites,(CL) I know that you acted in ignorance,(CM) as did your leaders.(CN) 18 But this is how God fulfilled(CO) what he had foretold(CP) through all the prophets,(CQ) saying that his Messiah would suffer.(CR) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,(CS) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,(CT) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him(CU) until the time comes for God to restore everything,(CV) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.(CW) 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.(CX) 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[g](CY)

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets(CZ) who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs(DA) of the prophets and of the covenant(DB) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[h](DC) 26 When God raised up(DD) his servant, he sent him first(DE) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The priests and the captain of the temple guard(DF) and the Sadducees(DG) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.(DH) They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail(DI) until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew(DJ) to about five thousand.

The next day the rulers,(DK) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(DL) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,(DM) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(DN) If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(DO) and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(DP) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(DQ) that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[i](DR)

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”(DS)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(DT) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(DU) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(DV) 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin(DW) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(DX) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(DY) and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(DZ) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(EA) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(EB) about what we have seen and heard.”(EC)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(ED) were praising God(EE) for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(EF) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(EG) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(EH)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.[j][k](EI)

27 Indeed Herod(EJ) and Pontius Pilate(EK) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(EL) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(EM) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(EN) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(EO) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(EP)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(EQ) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(ER) and spoke the word of God(ES) boldly.(ET)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(EU) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(EV) to the resurrection(EW) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(EX) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(EY) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(EZ) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(FA)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(FB) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(FC)

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(FD) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(FE)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(FF) has so filled your heart(FG) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(FH) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(FI) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(FJ) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(FK)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(FL) And great fear(FM) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(FN) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(FO)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(FP) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(FQ) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(FR) 11 Great fear(FS) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(FT) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(FU) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(FV) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(FW) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(FX) 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.(FY) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(FZ)

The Apostles Persecuted

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(GA) of the Sadducees,(GB) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(GC) 19 But during the night an angel(GD) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(GE) and brought them out.(GF) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(GG)

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates(GH) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(GI)—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.(GJ) So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests(GK) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people(GL) would stone them.

27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(GM) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(GN) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(GO)

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(GP) 30 The God of our ancestors(GQ) raised Jesus from the dead(GR)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(GS) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(GT) as Prince and Savior(GU) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(GV) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(GW) and so is the Holy Spirit,(GX) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious(GY) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(GZ) a teacher of the law,(HA) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census(HB) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.(HC) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(HD)

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(HE) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(HF) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(HG) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(HH) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(HI) that Jesus is the Messiah.(HJ)

The Choosing of the Seven

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,(HK) the Hellenistic Jews[l](HL) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows(HM) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.(HN) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples(HO) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God(HP) in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters,(HQ) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(HR) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(HS) and will give our attention to prayer(HT) and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(HU) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(HV) also Philip,(HW) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(HX) and laid their hands on them.(HY)

So the word of God spread.(HZ) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,(IA) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(IB) among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(IC) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(ID) and Asia(IE)—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.(IF)

11 Then they secretly(IG) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”(IH)

12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.(II) 13 They produced false witnesses,(IJ) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(IK) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(IL) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(IM)

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin(IN) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers,(IO) listen to me! The God of glory(IP) appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.(IQ) ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’[m](IR)

“So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.(IS) He gave him no inheritance here,(IT) not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land,(IU) even though at that time Abraham had no child. God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated.(IV) But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’[n](IW) Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision.(IX) And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth.(IY) Later Isaac became the father of Jacob,(IZ) and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.(JA)

“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,(JB) they sold him as a slave into Egypt.(JC) But God was with him(JD) 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.(JE)

11 “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food.(JF) 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit.(JG) 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was,(JH) and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family.(JI) 14 After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family,(JJ) seventy-five in all.(JK) 15 Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died.(JL) 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.(JM)

17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.(JN) 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’[o](JO) 19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.(JP)

20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child.[p] For three months he was cared for by his family.(JQ) 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.(JR) 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians(JS) and was powerful in speech and action.

23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

27 “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?(JT) 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’[q] 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.(JU)

30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:(JV) 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers,(JW) the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’[r] Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.(JX)

33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.(JY) 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’[s](JZ)

35 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’(KA) He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of Egypt(KB) and performed wonders and signs(KC) in Egypt, at the Red Sea(KD) and for forty years in the wilderness.(KE)

37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’[t](KF) 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel(KG) who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors;(KH) and he received living words(KI) to pass on to us.(KJ)

39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.(KK) 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’[u](KL) 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.(KM) 42 But God turned away from them(KN) and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.(KO) This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:

“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
    forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek
    and the star of your god Rephan,
    the idols you made to worship.
Therefore I will send you into exile’[v](KP) beyond Babylon.

44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law(KQ) with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.(KR) 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them.(KS) It remained in the land until the time of David,(KT) 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.[w](KU) 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.(KV)

48 “However, the Most High(KW) does not live in houses made by human hands.(KX) As the prophet says:

49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.(KY)
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[x](KZ)

51 “You stiff-necked people!(LA) Your hearts(LB) and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?(LC) They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him(LD) 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels(LE) but have not obeyed it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious(LF) and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,(LG) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.(LH) 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open(LI) and the Son of Man(LJ) standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city(LK) and began to stone him.(LL) Meanwhile, the witnesses(LM) laid their coats(LN) at the feet of a young man named Saul.(LO)

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(LP) 60 Then he fell on his knees(LQ) and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”(LR) When he had said this, he fell asleep.(LS)

And Saul(LT) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered(LU) throughout Judea and Samaria.(LV) Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul(LW) began to destroy the church.(LX) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

Those who had been scattered(LY) preached the word wherever they went.(LZ) Philip(MA) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many,(MB) and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.(MC) So there was great joy in that city.

Simon the Sorcerer

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery(MD) in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,(ME) 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”(MF) 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God(MG) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,(MH) both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles(MI) he saw.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria(MJ) had accepted the word of God,(MK) they sent Peter and John(ML) to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,(MM) 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them;(MN) they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(MO) 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them,(MP) and they received the Holy Spirit.(MQ)

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!(MR) 21 You have no part or share(MS) in this ministry, because your heart is not right(MT) before God. 22 Repent(MU) of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

Footnotes

  1. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  2. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
  3. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  4. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  5. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
  6. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1
  7. Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
  8. Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4
  9. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
  10. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  11. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2
  12. Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
  13. Acts 7:3 Gen. 12:1
  14. Acts 7:7 Gen. 15:13,14
  15. Acts 7:18 Exodus 1:8
  16. Acts 7:20 Or was fair in the sight of God
  17. Acts 7:28 Exodus 2:14
  18. Acts 7:32 Exodus 3:6
  19. Acts 7:34 Exodus 3:5,7,8,10
  20. Acts 7:37 Deut. 18:15
  21. Acts 7:40 Exodus 32:1
  22. Acts 7:43 Amos 5:25-27 (see Septuagint)
  23. Acts 7:46 Some early manuscripts the house of Jacob
  24. Acts 7:50 Isaiah 66:1,2