¹⁷ But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

^18 (A)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and said to them, ^(B)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. ^20 (C)For we cannot but speak the things which ^(D)we have seen and heard.”

²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, ^(A)“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, ^(B)and intend to bring this Man’s ^(C)blood on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ^(D)“We ought to obey God rather than men.

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had ^(A)called for the apostles ^(B)and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, ^(C)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for ^[a]His name. ⁴² And daily ^(D)in the temple, and in every house, ^(E)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.