Acts 1-3 (English Standard Version)

Acts 1

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

 ¹In the first book, O^(A) Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began^(B) to do and teach, ²until the day when^(C) he was taken up, after he^(D) had given commands^(E) through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. ^3(F) He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

 ⁴And while staying^[a] with them^(G) he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; ⁵for^(H) John baptized with water,^(I) but you will be baptized with^[b] the Holy Spirit not many days from now."

The Ascension

 ⁶So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord,^(J) will you at this time^(K) restore the kingdom to Israel?" ⁷He said to them, ^(L) "It is not for you to know^(M) times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. ⁸But you will receive^(N) power^(O) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and^(P) you will be^(Q) my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and^(R) Samaria, and^(S) to the end of the earth." ⁹And when he had said these things, as they were looking on,^(T) he was lifted up, and^(U) a cloud took him out of their sight. ¹⁰And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold,^(V) two^(W) men stood by them in^(X) white robes, ¹¹and said,^(Y) "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven,^(Z) will^(AA) come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

 ¹²Then^(AB) they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³And when they had entered, they went up to^(AC) the upper room, where they were staying,^(AD) Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon^(AE) the Zealot and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴All these^(AF) with one accord^(AG) were devoting themselves to prayer, together with^(AH) the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and^(AI) his brothers.^[c]

 ¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among^(AJ) the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, ¹⁶"Brothers,^(AK) the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas,^(AL) who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷For^(AM) he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in^(AN) this ministry." ¹⁸(Now this man^(AO) acquired a field with^(AP) the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong^[d] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. ¹⁹And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called^(AQ) in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰"For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

   ^(AR) "'May his camp become desolate,
   and let there be no one to dwell in it';

   

   and

   ^(AS) "'Let another take his office.'

 ²¹So one of the men who have accompanied us during^(AT) all the time that the Lord Jesus^(AU) went in and out among us, ^22(AV) beginning from the baptism of John until the day when^(AW) he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us^(AX) a witness to his resurrection." ²³And they put forward two, Joseph called^(AY) Barsabbas, who was also called^(AZ) Justus, and^(BA) Matthias. ²⁴And^(BB) they prayed and said, "You, Lord,^(BC) who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵to take the place in^(BD) this ministry and^(BE) apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." ²⁶And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Acts 2

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

 ¹When^(BF) the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like^(BG) a mighty rushing wind, and^(BH) it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³And divided tongues^(BI) as of fire appeared to them and rested^[e] on each one of them. ⁴And they were all^(BJ) filled with the Holy Spirit and began^(BK) to speak in other tongues^(BL) as the Spirit gave them utterance.

 ⁵Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶And^(BM) at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷And^(BN) they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking^(BO) Galileans? ⁸And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹Parthians and^(BP) Medes and^(BQ) Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹both Jews and^(BR) proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." ¹²And^(BS) all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" ¹³But others^(BT) mocking said, "They are filled with new wine."

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

 ¹⁴But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵For these people are not drunk, as you suppose,^(BU) since it is only the third hour of the day.^{[f] 16}But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
 ^17(BV) "'And in the last days it shall be, God declares,^(BW) that I will pour out my Spirit^(BX) on all flesh,and your sons and^(BY) your daughters shall prophesy,
   and your young men shall see visions,
   and your old men shall dream dreams;
¹⁸even on my male servants^[g] and female servants
   in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and^(BZ) they shall prophesy.
¹⁹And I will show wonders in the heavens above
   and signs on the earth below,
   blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
^20(CA) the sun shall be turned to darkness
   and the moon to blood,
   before^(CB) the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
²¹And it shall come to pass that^(CC) everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

 ²²"Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth,^(CD) a man attested to you by God^(CE) with^(CF) mighty works and wonders and signs that^(CG) God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— ²³this Jesus,^(CH) delivered up according to^(CI) the definite plan and^(CJ) foreknowledge of God,^(CK) you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. ^24(CL) God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because^(CM) it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵For David says concerning him,

   ^(CN) "'I saw the Lord always before me,
   for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
²⁶therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
   my flesh also will dwell^(CO) in hope.
²⁷For you will not abandon my soul to^(CP) Hades,
   ^(CQ) or let your^(CR) Holy One^(CS) see corruption.
²⁸You have made known to me the paths of life;
   you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

 ²⁹"Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about^(CT) the patriarch David^(CU) that he both died and^(CV) was buried, and^(CW) his tomb is with us to this day. ^30(CX) Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that^(CY) God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, ³¹he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that^(CZ) he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³²This Jesus^(DA) God raised up,^(DB) and of that we all are witnesses. ^33(DC) Being therefore^(DD) exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from^(DE) the Father^(DF) the promise of the Holy Spirit,^(DG) he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. ³⁴For^(DH) David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

   ^(DI) "'The Lord said to my Lord,Sit at my right hand,
 ³⁵until I make your enemies your footstool.'

 ³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that^(DJ) God has made him^(DK) both Lord and Christ, this Jesus^(DL) whom you crucified."

 ³⁷Now when^(DM) they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers,^(DN) what shall we do?" ³⁸And Peter said to them,^(DO) "Repent and^(DP) be baptized every one of you^(DQ) in the name of Jesus Christ^(DR) for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive^(DS) the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For^(DT) the promise is for you and^(DU) for your children and for all^(DV) who are far off, everyone^(DW) whom the Lord our God calls to himself." ⁴⁰And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying,^(DX) "Save yourselves from this^(DY) crooked generation." ⁴¹So those who received his word were baptized, and^(DZ) there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The Fellowship of the Believers

 ⁴²And^(EA) they devoted themselves to the apostles’^(EB) teaching and the^(EC) fellowship, to^(ED) the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³And awe^[h] came upon every soul, and^(EE) many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all who believed were together and^(EF) had all things in common. ⁴⁵And^(EG) they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶And day by day,^(EH) attending the temple^(EI) together and^(EJ) breaking bread in their homes, they received their food^(EK) with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and^(EL) having favor with all the people. And the Lord^(EM) added to their number^(EN) day by day those who^(EO) were being saved.

Acts 3

The Lame Beggar Healed

 ¹Now Peter and John were^(EP) going up to the temple at^(EQ) the hour of prayer,^(ER) the ninth hour.^{[i] 2}And a man^(ES) lame from birth was being carried,^(ET) whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate^(EU) to ask alms of those entering the temple. ³Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. ⁴And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." ⁵And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶But Peter said,^(EV) "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you.^(EW) In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" ⁷And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸And^(EX) leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹And^(EY) all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico

 ^11(EZ) While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in^(FA) the portico called Solomon’s. ¹²And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? ^13(FB) The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,^(FC) the God of our fathers,^(FD) glorified his servant^[j] Jesus, whom^(FE) you delivered over and^(FF) denied in the presence of Pilate,^(FG) when he had decided to release him. ¹⁴But you denied^(FH) the Holy and^(FI) Righteous One, and^(FJ) asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵and you killed^(FK) the Author of life,^(FL) whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. ¹⁶And^(FM) his name—by^(FN) faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is^(FO) through Jesus^[k] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

 ¹⁷"And now, brothers, I know that^(FP) you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸But what God^(FQ) foretold^(FR) by the mouth of all the prophets, that^(FS) his Christ would^(FT) suffer, he thus fulfilled. ^19(FU) Repent therefore, and^(FV) turn again, that^(FW) your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ^(FX) appointed for you, Jesus, ^21(FY) whom heaven must receive until the time for^(FZ) restoring all the things about which^(GA) God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. ²²Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you^(GB) a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen^(GC) to him in whatever he tells you. ²³And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet^(GD) shall be destroyed from the people.' ²⁴And^(GE) all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. ^25(GF) You are the sons of the prophets and of^(GG) the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham,^(GH) 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.' ^26(GI) God,^(GJ) having raised up his servant, sent him to you first,^(GK) to bless you^(GL) by turning every one of you from your wickedness."