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Acts 4:23-37
New Life Version
Acts 4:23-37
New Life Version
The Prayer of the Young Church
23 As soon as the missionaries were free to go, they went back to their own group. They told them everything the religious leaders had said. 24 When they heard it, they all prayed to God, saying, “Lord God, You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them. 25 You said through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of our father David, ‘Why are the nations so shaken up and the people planning foolish things? 26 The kings of the earth stood in a line ready to fight, and the leaders were all against the Lord and against His Christ.’ (A) 27 You know that Herod and Pilate and the Jews and the people who are not Jews gathered together here against Jesus. He was Your Holy Son and the One You had chosen 28 to do everything You planned and said would happen. 29 And now, Lord, listen to their sharp words. Make it easy for your servants to preach Your Word with power. 30 May You heal and do powerful works and special things to see through the name of Jesus, Your Holy Son!”
The Christians Are Filled with the Holy Spirit
31 When they had finished praying, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. It was easy for them to speak the Word of God.
The New Way of Life
32 The many followers acted and thought the same way. None of them said that any of their things were their own, but they shared all things. 33 The missionaries told with much power how Jesus was raised from the dead. God’s favor was on them all. 34 No one was in need. All who owned houses or pieces of land sold them and brought the money from what was sold. 35 They gave it to the missionaries. It was divided to each one as he had need.
36 Joseph was among them. The missionaries called him Barnabas. His name means Son of Comfort. He was from the family group of Levi and from the country of Cyprus. 37 He had some land which he sold and brought the money to the missionaries.
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Acts 4:23-37
New International Version
Acts 4:23-37
New International Version
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.(A) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(B) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(C)
“‘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.[a]’[b](D)
27 Indeed Herod(E) and Pontius Pilate(F) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(G) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(H) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(I) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(J) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(K)
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(L) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(M) and spoke the word of God(N) boldly.(O)
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.(P) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(Q) to the resurrection(R) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(S) 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,(T) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(U) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(V)
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(W) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(X)
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