Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John^(A) were going up to the temple^(B) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.^{(C) 2} Now a man who was lame from birth^(D) was being carried to the temple gate^(E) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg^(F) from those going into the temple courts. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴ Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”

¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?^(A) You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking^(B) about what we have seen and heard.”^(C)

²¹ After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people^(D) were praising God^(E) 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.^(F) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.^{(G) 25} You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:^(H)

²⁷ Indeed Herod^(J) and Pontius Pilate^(K) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,^(L) whom you anointed. ²⁸ They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.^{(M) 29} Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^{(N) 30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(O) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(P)

³¹ After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.^(Q) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit^(R) and spoke the word of God^(S) boldly.^(T)