Acts 7:54-8:8

English Standard Version

The Stoning of Stephen

⁵⁴ Now when they heard these things ^(A)they were enraged, and they ^(B)ground their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But he, ^(C)full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw ^(D)the glory of God, and Jesus standing ^(E)at the right hand of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, “Behold, I see ^(F)the heavens opened, and ^(G)the Son of Man standing ^(H)at the right hand of God.” ⁵⁷ But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together^[a] at him. ⁵⁸ Then ^(I)they cast him out of the city and ^(J)stoned him. And ^(K)the witnesses laid down their garments ^(L)at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And as they were stoning Stephen, ^(M)he called out, “Lord Jesus, ^(N)receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ And ^(O)falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ^(P)“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, ^(Q)he fell asleep.

Saul Ravages the Church

8 And ^(R)Saul ^(S)approved of his execution.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and ^(T)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. ³ But ^(U)Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he ^(V)dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

⁴ Now ^(W)those who were scattered went about preaching the word. ^5 (X)Philip went down to the city^[b] of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. ^6 (Y)And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him ^(Z)and saw the signs that he did. ⁷ For ^(AA)unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So ^(AB)there was much joy in that city.