Acts 4-6 (English Standard Version)

Acts 4

Peter and John Before the Council

 ¹And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and^(A) the captain of the temple and^(B) the Sadducees came upon them, ²greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming^(C) in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³And they arrested them and^(D) put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. ⁴But many of those who had heard the word believed, and^(E) the number of the men came to about five thousand.

 ⁵On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ⁶with^(F) Annas the high priest and^(G) Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. ⁷And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired,^(H) "By what power or^(I) by what name did you do this?" ⁸Then Peter,^(J) filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹if we are being examined today^(K) concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, ¹⁰let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that^(L) by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified,^(M) whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. ^11(N) This Jesus^[a] is the stone that was^(O) rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.^{[b] 12}And there is^(P) salvation^(Q) in no one else, for^(R) there is no other^(S) name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

 ^13(T) Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴But seeing the man who was healed^(U) standing beside them,^(V) they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, ¹⁶saying,^(W) "What shall we do with these men? For that^(X) a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them^(Y) to speak no more to anyone in this name." ¹⁸So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John answered them,^(Z) "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰for^(AA) we cannot but speak of what^(AB) we have seen and heard." ²¹And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them,^(AC) because of the people, for all were praising God^(AD) for what had happened. ²²For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

 ²³When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴And when they heard it, they lifted their voices^(AE) together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord,^(AF) who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, ²⁵who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,^[c] said by the Holy Spirit,

   ^(AG) "'Why did the Gentiles rage,
   and the peoples plot in vain?
²⁶The kings of the earth set themselves,
   and^(AH) the rulers were gathered together,
   against the Lord and against his^(AI) Anointed'^[d]—

 ²⁷for truly in this city there were gathered together against your^(AJ) holy servant Jesus,^(AK) whom you anointed, both^(AL) Herod and^(AM) Pontius Pilate, along^(AN) with the Gentiles and^(AO) the peoples of Israel, ^28(AP) to do whatever your hand and^(AQ) your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹And now, Lord,^(AR) look upon their threats and grant to your servants^[e] to continue to speak your word with all^(AS) boldness, ³⁰while^(AT) you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed^(AU) through the name of your^(AV) holy servant Jesus." ³¹And when they had prayed,^(AW) the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and^(AX) they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and^(AY) continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

They Had Everything in Common

 ³²Now the full number of those who believed were of^(AZ) one heart and^(BA) soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but^(BB) they had everything in common. ³³And with great^(BC) power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and^(BD) great grace was upon them all. ^34(BE) There was not a needy person among them, for^(BF) as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold ³⁵and^(BG) laid it at the apostles’ feet, and^(BH) it was distributed to each as any had need. ³⁶Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means^(BI) son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, ³⁷sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and^(BJ) laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5

Ananias and Sapphira

 ¹But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ²and with his wife’s knowledge^(BK) he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and^(BL) laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³But Peter said, "Ananias, why has^(BM) Satan filled your heart to lie^(BN) to the Holy Spirit and^(BO) to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but^(BP) to God." ⁵When Ananias heard these words, he^(BQ) fell down and breathed his last. And^(BR) great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶The young men rose and^(BS) wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

 ⁷After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸And Peter said to her, "Tell me whether you^[f] sold the land for so much." And she said, "Yes, for so much." ⁹But Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together^(BT) to test^(BU) the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." ¹⁰Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹And^(BV) great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.

Many Signs and Wonders Done

 ¹²Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people^(BW) by the hands of the apostles. And they were all^(BX) together in^(BY) Solomon’s Portico. ¹³None of the rest dared join them, but^(BZ) the people held them in high esteem. ¹⁴And^(CA) more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ^15(CB) so that they even^(CC) carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by^(CD) at least his shadow might fall on some of them. ¹⁶The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem,^(CE) bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

 ¹⁷But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of^(CF) the Sadducees), and filled with^(CG) jealousy ¹⁸they arrested the apostles and^(CH) put them in the public prison. ¹⁹But during the night^(CI) an angel of the Lord^(CJ) opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰"Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all^(CK) the words of^(CL) this^(CM) Life." ²¹And when they heard this,^(CN) they entered the temple^(CO) at daybreak and began to teach.

   

   Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council and all the senate of the people of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²²But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, ²³"We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside." ²⁴Now when^(CP) the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. ²⁵And someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison^(CQ) are standing in the temple and teaching the people." ²⁶Then^(CR) the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for^(CS) they were afraid of being stoned by the people.

 ²⁷And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, ²⁸saying,^(CT) "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you^(CU) intend to bring this man’s blood upon us." ²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered,^(CV) "We must obey God rather than men. ^30(CW) The God of our fathers^(CX) raised Jesus,^(CY) whom you killed by hanging him on^(CZ) a tree. ³¹God exalted^(DA) him at his right hand as^(DB) Leader and^(DC) Savior,^(DD) to give^(DE) repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³²And^(DF) we are witnesses to these things, and^(DG) so is the Holy Spirit,^(DH) whom God has given to those who obey him."

 ³³When they heard this, they^(DI) were enraged and wanted to kill them. ³⁴But a Pharisee in the council named^(DJ) Gamaliel,^(DK) a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. ³⁵And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. ³⁶For^(DL) before these days Theudas rose up,^(DM) claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of^(DN) the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for^(DO) if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; ³⁹but^(DP) if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You^(DQ) might even be found opposing God!" So they took his advice, ⁴⁰and^(DR) when they had called in the apostles,^(DS) they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹Then they left the presence of the council,^(DT) rejoicing that they were counted worthy^(DU) to suffer dishonor for^(DV) the name. ⁴²And every day,^(DW) in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and^(DX) preaching^(DY) Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 6

Seven Chosen to Serve

 ¹Now in these days^(DZ) when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists^[g] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in^(EA) the daily distribution. ²And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. ^3(EB) Therefore, brothers,^[h] pick out from among you seven men^(EC) of good repute,^(ED) full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. ⁴But^(EE) we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." ⁵And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen,^(EF) a man full of faith and^(EG) of the Holy Spirit, and^(EH) Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus,^(EI) a proselyte of Antioch. ⁶These they set before the apostles, and^(EJ) they prayed and^(EK) laid their hands on them.

 ⁷And^(EL) the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests^(EM) became obedient to^(EN) the faith.

Stephen Is Seized

 ⁸And Stephen, full of grace and^(EO) power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. ¹⁰But^(EP) they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. ¹¹Then^(EQ) they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." ¹²And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, ¹³and they^(ER) set up false^(ES) witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against^(ET) this holy place and the law, ¹⁴for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth^(EU) will destroy this place and will^(EV) change^(EW) the customs that Moses delivered to us." ¹⁵And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face^(EX) was like the face of an angel.