Healing the Beggar Who Was Unable to Walk

Now (A)Peter and John were going up to the temple at the [a]ninth hour, (B)the hour of prayer. And (C)a man who had been unable to walk from [b]birth was being carried, whom they (D)used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, (E)in order for him to beg for charitable gifts from those entering the temple grounds. When he saw (F)Peter and John about to go into the temple grounds, he began asking to receive a charitable gift. But Peter, along with John, (G)looked at him intently and said, “Look at us!” And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I do not have silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: (H)In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!” And grasping him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. And (I)leaping up, he stood and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And (J)all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they recognized him as being the very one who used to (K)sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg for charitable gifts, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter’s Second Sermon

11 While he was clinging to (L)Peter and John, all the people ran together to them at the [c](M)portico named Solomon’s, completely astonished. 12 But when Peter saw this, he replied to the people, “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this, or why are you staring at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 13 (N)The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, (O)the God of our fathers, has glorified His [d](P)servant Jesus, the one whom (Q)you handed over and disowned in the presence of (R)Pilate, when he had (S)decided to release Him. 14 But you disowned (T)the Holy and Righteous One, and (U)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 but put to death the [e](V)Prince of life, whom (W)God raised from the dead, [f]a fact to which we are (X)witnesses. 16 And on the basis of faith (Y)in His name, it is [g]the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know; and the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all.

17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted (Z)in ignorance, just as your (AA)rulers also did. 18 But the things which (AB)God previously announced by the mouths of all the prophets, (AC)that His [h]Christ would suffer, He has fulfilled in this way. 19 Therefore (AD)repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that (AE)times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the [i]Christ appointed for you, 21 (AF)whom heaven must receive until the [j]period of (AG)restoration of all things, about which (AH)God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times. 22 Moses said, ‘(AI)The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you. 23 (AJ)And it shall be that every (AK)soul that does not listen to that prophet (AL)shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, (AM)all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days. 25 It is you who are (AN)the sons of the prophets and of the (AO)covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘(AP)And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 God (AQ)raised up His [k]Servant for you (AR)first, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Arrested

As they were speaking to the people, the priests and (AS)the captain of the temple guard and (AT)the Sadducees (AU)came up to them, being greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming [l](AV)in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and (AW)put them in prison until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the [m]message believed; and (AX)the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

On the next day, their (AY)rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; and (AZ)Annas the high priest was there, and (BA)Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of high-priestly descent. When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” Then Peter, [n](BB)filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “[o](BC)Rulers and elders of the people, if we are [p]on trial today for (BD)a benefit done to a sick man, as to [q]how this man has been made well, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that [r](BE)by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom (BF)God raised from the dead—[s]by [t]this name this man stands here before you in good health. 11 [u](BG)He is the (BH)stone which was (BI)rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in (BJ)no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

Threat and Release

13 Now as they observed the (BK)confidence of (BL)Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and (BM)began to recognize them [v]as having been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they had ordered them to leave the [w](BN)Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, “(BO)What are we to do with these men? For the fact that a (BP)noteworthy [x]miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let’s warn them not to speak any longer to any person (BQ)in this name.” 18 And when they had summoned them, they (BR)commanded them not to speak or teach at all [y]in the name of Jesus. 19 But (BS)Peter and John answered and said to them, “(BT)Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your own judgment; 20 for (BU)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” 21 When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) (BV)on account of the people, because they were all (BW)glorifying God for what had happened; 22 for the man on whom this [z]miracle of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported everything that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they raised their voices to God with one mind and said, “[aa]Lord, it is You who (BX)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them, 25 who (BY)by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

(BZ)Why were the [ab]nations insolent,
And the peoples plotting in vain?
26 (CA)The kings of the earth [ac]took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His [ad](CB)Christ.’

27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy [ae](CC)servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both (CD)Herod and (CE)Pontius Pilate, along with (CF)the [af]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and (CG)purpose predestined to occur. 29 And [ag]now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant it to Your bond-servants to (CH)speak Your word with all (CI)confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and [ah](CJ)signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy [ai](CK)servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the (CL)place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all (CM)filled with the Holy Spirit and began to (CN)speak the word of God with (CO)boldness.

Sharing among Believers

32 And the [aj]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them [ak]claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but (CP)all things were common property to them. 33 And (CQ)with great power the apostles were giving (CR)testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses (CS)would sell them and bring the [al]proceeds of the sales 35 and (CT)lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be (CU)distributed to each to the extent that any had need.

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of (CV)Cyprian birth, who was also called (CW)Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of [am](CX)Encouragement), 37 [an]owned a tract of land. So he sold it, and brought the money and (CY)laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Fate of Ananias and Sapphira

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and (CZ)kept back some of the [ao]proceeds for himself, with his wife’s [ap]full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he (DA)laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (DB)Satan filled your heart to lie (DC)to the Holy Spirit and to (DD)keep back some of the [aq]proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not [ar]under your control? Why is it that you have [as]conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but (DE)to God.” And as he heard these words, Ananias (DF)collapsed and [at]died; and (DG)great fear came over all who heard about it. The young men got up and (DH)covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.

Now an interval of about three hours elapsed, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land (DI)for [au]this price?” And she said, “Yes, for [av]that price.” Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to (DJ)put (DK)the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she (DL)collapsed at his feet and [aw]died; and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 And (DM)great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard about these things.

12 [ax]At the hands of the apostles many [ay](DN)signs and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all [az]together in (DO)Solomon’s [ba]portico. 13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, (DP)the people held them in high esteem. 14 And increasingly (DQ)believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being (DR)added to their number, 15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by (DS)at least his shadow might fall on any of them. 16 The [bb]people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick [bc]or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Imprisonment and Release

17 But the high priest stood up, along with all his associates (that is (DT)the sect of (DU)the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They laid hands on the apostles and (DV)put them in a public prison. 19 But during the night (DW)an angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and leading them out, he said, 20 “Go, stand and [bd]speak to the people in the temple area [be](DX)the whole message of this Life.” 21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple area (DY)about daybreak and began to teach.

Now when (DZ)the high priest and his associates came, they called (EA)the [bf]Council together, that is, all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison for them to be brought. 22 But (EB)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported, 23 saying, “We found the prison locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (EC)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what [bg]would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple area and teaching the people!” 26 Then (ED)the captain went along with (EE)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for (EF)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27 When they had brought them, they had them stand [bh]before (EG)the Council. The high priest interrogated them, 28 saying, “We gave you (EH)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and [bi]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and (EI)intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “(EJ)We must obey God rather than men. 30 (EK)The God of our fathers (EL)raised up Jesus, whom you (EM)put to death by hanging Him on [bj](EN)a cross. 31 (EO)He is the one whom God exalted [bk]to His right hand as a [bl](EP)Prince and a (EQ)Savior, to grant (ER)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are (ES)witnesses [bm]of these things; and (ET)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Counsel

33 But when they heard this, they became (EU)infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34 But a Pharisee named (EV)Gamaliel, a (EW)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in (EX)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36 For, some time ago Theudas appeared, (EY)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. [bn]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of (EZ)the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or [bo]movement (FA)is men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found (FB)fighting against God.”

40 They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they (FC)flogged them and ordered them not to [bp]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [bq](FD)Council, (FE)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame (FF)for His name. 42 (FG)And every day, in the temple and [br]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and (FH)preaching the good news of Jesus as the [bs]Christ.

Choosing of the Seven

Now [bt]at this time, as the (FI)disciples were (FJ)increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the [bu](FK)Hellenistic Jews against the native (FL)Hebrews, because their (FM)widows were being overlooked in (FN)the daily serving of food. So the twelve summoned the [bv]congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables. Instead, (FO)brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, (FP)full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. But we will (FQ)devote ourselves to prayer and to the [bw]ministry of the word.” The [bx]announcement found approval with the whole [by]congregation; and they chose (FR)Stephen, a man (FS)full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and (FT)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and [bz]Nicolas, a [ca](FU)proselyte from (FV)Antioch. And they brought these men before the apostles; and after (FW)praying, they (FX)laid their hands on them.

(FY)The word of God kept spreading; and (FZ)the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to (GA)the faith.

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great (GB)wonders and [cb]signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both (GC)Cyrenians and (GD)Alexandrians, and some from (GE)Cilicia and [cc](GF)Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. 10 But they were unable to [cd]cope with his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and they (GG)came up to him and dragged him away, and brought him [ce]before (GH)the [cf]Council. 13 They put forward (GI)false witnesses who said, “This man does not stop [cg]speaking against this (GJ)holy place and the Law; 14 for we have heard him say that (GK)this Nazarene, Jesus, will destroy this place and change (GL)the customs which Moses handed down to us.” 15 And all who were sitting in the [ch](GM)Council stared at him, and they saw his face, which was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s Defense

Now the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

And [ci]Stephen said, “Listen to me, (GN)[cj]brothers and fathers! (GO)The God of glory (GP)appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in [ck]Haran, and He said to him, ‘(GQ)Go from your country and your relatives, and come to the land which I will show you.’ (GR)Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in [cl]Haran. And (GS)from there, after his father died, God had him move to this country in which you are now living. But He gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, (GT)He promised that He would give it to him as a possession, and to his descendants after him, even though he had no child. But (GU)God spoke to this effect, that his descendants would be strangers in a land that was not theirs, and [cm]they would enslave and mistreat them for four hundred years. And whatever nation to which they are enslaved I Myself will judge,’ said God, ‘and (GV)after that they will come out and [cn]serve Me in this place.’ And He (GW)gave him [co]the covenant of circumcision; and so (GX)Abraham fathered Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and (GY)Isaac fathered Jacob, and (GZ)Jacob, the twelve (HA)patriarchs.

“The patriarchs (HB)became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt. Yet God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and (HC)granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he made him governor over Egypt and his entire household.

11 “Now (HD)a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction with it, and our fathers [cp]could find no food. 12 But (HE)when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13 And on the second visit, (HF)Joseph [cq]made himself known to his brothers, and (HG)Joseph’s family was revealed to Pharaoh. 14 Then (HH)Joseph sent word and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives to come to him, (HI)seventy-five [cr](HJ)people in all. 15 And (HK)Jacob went down to Egypt, and he and our fathers died there. 16 And they were brought back from there to [cs](HL)Shechem and laid in the tomb which Abraham had purchased for a sum of money from the sons of [ct]Hamor in [cu]Shechem.

17 “But as the (HM)time of the promise which God had assured to Abraham was approaching, (HN)the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until (HO)another king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. 19 It was he who (HP)shrewdly took advantage of our nation and mistreated our fathers in order that they would (HQ)abandon their infants in the Nile, so that they would not survive. 20 At this time (HR)Moses was born; and he was beautiful to God. He was nurtured for three months in his father’s home. 21 And after he had been put outside, (HS)Pharaoh’s daughter [cv]took him away and nurtured him as her own son. 22 Moses was educated in all (HT)the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was proficient in [cw]speaking and action. 23 But when he was approaching the age of forty, (HU)it entered his [cx]mind to visit his countrymen, the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one of them being treated unjustly, he defended and took vengeance for the oppressed man by fatally striking the Egyptian. 25 And he thought that his brothers understood that God was granting them [cy]deliverance [cz]through him; but they did not understand. 26 (HV)And on the following day he appeared to them as they were fighting each other, and he tried to reconcile them to peace, by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers, why are you injuring each other?’ 27 But the one who was injuring his neighbor pushed him away, saying, ‘(HW)Who made you a ruler and judge over us? 28 (HX)You do not intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?’ 29 At this remark, (HY)Moses fled and became a stranger in the land of [da]Midian, where he (HZ)fathered two sons.

30 “After forty years had passed, (IA)an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning thorn bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was astonished at the sight; and as he approached to look more closely, the voice of the Lord came: 32 (IB)I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob.’ Moses shook with fear and did not dare to look closely. 33 (IC)But the Lord said to him, ‘[db](ID)Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. 34 (IE)I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them; and (IF)now come, I will send you to Egypt.’

35 “This Moses whom they (IG)disowned, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one whom God [dc]sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the [dd]help of the angel who appeared to him in the thorn bush. 36 (IH)This man led them out, performing (II)wonders and [de]signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea, and in the (IJ)wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘(IK)God will raise up for you a prophet [df]like me from your countrymen.’ 38 This is the one who was in (IL)the [dg]assembly in the wilderness together with (IM)the angel who spoke to him at length on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received (IN)living (IO)words to pass on to you. 39 Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him; on the contrary they (IP)rejected him and turned back to Egypt in their hearts, 40 (IQ)saying to Aaron, ‘Make us [dh]a god who will go before us; for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egyptwe do not know what happened to him.’ 41 [di]At that time (IR)they made a [dj]calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in (IS)the works of their hands. 42 But God (IT)turned away and gave them over to [dk]serve the heavenly [dl]lights; as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘(IU)You did not offer Me victims and sacrifices (IV)for forty years in the wilderness, did you, house of Israel? 43 (IW)You also took along the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god [dm]Rompha, the images which you made to worship. I also will deport you beyond Babylon.’

44 “Our fathers had (IX)the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He who spoke to Moses directed him to make it (IY)according to the pattern which he had seen. 45 Our fathers in turn received it, and they also (IZ)brought it in with Joshua upon dispossessing the [dn]nations that God drove out from our fathers, until the time of David. 46 [do](JA)David found favor in God’s sight, and (JB)asked that he might [dp]find a dwelling place for the [dq]house of Jacob. 47 But it was (JC)Solomon who built a house for Him. 48 However, (JD)the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

49 (JE)Heaven is My throne,
And the earth is the footstool of My feet;
What kind of house will you build for Me?’ says the Lord,
Or what place is there for My rest?
50 (JF)Was it not My hand that made all these things?’

51 “You men who are (JG)stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 (JH)Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of (JI)the Righteous One, and (JJ)you have now become betrayers and murderers of Him; 53 you who received the Law as (JK)ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

Stephen Put to Death

54 Now when they heard this, they were (JL)infuriated, and they began gnashing their teeth at him. 55 But he, being (JM)full of the Holy Spirit, (JN)looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing (JO)at the right hand of God; 56 and he said, “Behold, I see the (JP)heavens opened and (JQ)the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 But they shouted with loud voices, and covered their ears and rushed at him with one [dr]mind. 58 When they had (JR)driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and (JS)the witnesses (JT)laid aside their cloaks at the feet of (JU)a young man named Saul. 59 They went on stoning Stephen as he (JV)called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” 60 Then he (JW)fell on his knees and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, (JX)do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he [ds](JY)fell asleep.

Saul Persecutes the Church

(JZ)Now Saul approved of putting [dt]Stephen to death.

And on that day a great persecution [du]began against (KA)the church in Jerusalem, and they were all (KB)scattered throughout the regions of Judea and (KC)Samaria, except for the apostles. Some devout men buried Stephen, and mourned loudly for him. But (KD)Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and he would (KE)drag away men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

Therefore, those (KF)who had been scattered went through places [dv](KG)preaching the word. (KH)Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the [dw]Christ to them. The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the [dx]signs which he was performing. For in the case of many who had (KI)unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been (KJ)paralyzed or limped on crutches were healed. So there was (KK)much rejoicing in that city.

Now a man named Simon had previously been practicing (KL)magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, (KM)claiming to be someone great; 10 and all the people, from small to great, were paying attention to him, saying, “(KN)This man is the Power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his (KO)magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip (KP)as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being (KQ)baptized. 13 Now even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed (KR)signs and (KS)great miracles taking place, he was repeatedly amazed.

14 Now when (KT)the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them (KU)Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them (KV)that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 16 (For He had (KW)not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been (KX)baptized [dy]in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then they (KY)began laying their hands on them, and they were (KZ)receiving the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could (LA)acquire the gift of God with money! 21 You have (LB)no part or share in this [dz]matter, for your heart is not (LC)right before God. 22 Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, (LD)if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are [ea]in the gall of bitterness and in (LE)the [eb]bondage of unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “(LF)Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

25 So, when they had solemnly (LG)testified and spoken (LH)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were (LI)preaching the gospel to many villages of the (LJ)Samaritans.

26 But (LK)an angel of the Lord spoke to (LL)Philip, saying, “Get ready and go [ec]south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to (LM)Gaza.” ([ed]This is a desert road.) 27 So he got ready and went; and [ee](LN)there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of [ef]Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he (LO)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his [eg]chariot, and was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then (LP)the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this [eh]chariot.” 30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:

(LQ)He was led like a sheep to slaughter;
And like a lamb that is silent before its shearer,
So He does not open His mouth.
33 (LR)In humiliation His justice was taken away;
Who will [ei]describe His [ej]generation?
For His life is taken away from the earth.”

34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip (LS)opened his mouth, and (LT)beginning from this Scripture he (LU)preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! (LV)What prevents me from being baptized?”[ek] 38 And he ordered that the [el]chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, (LW)the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, [em]but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip [en]found himself at [eo](LX)Azotus, and as he passed through he (LY)kept preaching the gospel to all the cities, until he came to (LZ)Caesarea.

The Conversion of Saul

(MA)Now [ep]Saul, still (MB)breathing [eq]threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for (MC)letters from him to (MD)the synagogues in (ME)Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to [er](MF)the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them in shackles to Jerusalem. Now as he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and (MG)suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and (MH)he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and (MI)it will be told to you what you must do.” The men who traveled with him (MJ)stood speechless, (MK)hearing the [es]voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and (ML)though his eyes were open, he [et]could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into (MM)Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple in (MN)Damascus named (MO)Ananias; and the Lord said to him in (MP)a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from (MQ)Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen [eu]in a vision a man named Ananias come in and (MR)lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, (MS)how much harm he did to (MT)Your [ev]saints in Jerusalem; 14 and here he (MU)has authority from the chief priests to [ew]arrest all who (MV)call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (MW)he is a chosen [ex]instrument of Mine, to bear My name before (MX)the Gentiles and (MY)kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for (MZ)I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after (NA)laying his hands on him said, “(NB)Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be (NC)filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.

Saul Begins to Preach Christ

Now (ND)for several days he was with (NE)the disciples who were in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus (NF)in the synagogues, [ey]saying, “He is (NG)the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not the one who in Jerusalem (NH)destroyed those who (NI)called on this name, and had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the [ez]Christ.

23 When (NJ)many days had elapsed, (NK)the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but (NL)their plot became known to Saul. (NM)They were also closely watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 (NN)When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But (NO)Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had (NP)seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how (NQ)he had (NR)spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. 28 And he was with them, [fa]moving about freely in Jerusalem, (NS)speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the [fb](NT)Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 Now when (NU)the [fc]brothers learned of it, they brought him down to (NV)Caesarea and (NW)sent him away to (NX)Tarsus.

31 So (NY)the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria [fd]enjoyed peace, as it was being built up; and as it [fe]continued in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it kept increasing.

Peter’s Ministry

32 Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he also came down to (NZ)the [ff]saints who lived at [fg](OA)Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas who had been bedridden for eight years, [fh]because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your own bed.” Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at [fi](OB)Lydda and (OC)Sharon saw him, and they (OD)turned to the Lord.

36 Now in (OE)Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means [fj]Dorcas); this woman was [fk]excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually. 37 But it happened [fl]at that time that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an (OF)upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near (OG)Joppa, (OH)the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Do not delay in coming to us.” 39 So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the (OI)room upstairs; and all the (OJ)widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the [fm]tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. 40 But Peter (OK)sent them all out and (OL)knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “(OM)Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling (ON)the [fn]saints and (OO)widows, he presented her alive. 42 It became known all over (OP)Joppa, and (OQ)many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed in (OR)Joppa many days with (OS)a tanner named Simon.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 3:1 I.e., 3 p.m.
  2. Acts 3:2 Lit his mother’s womb
  3. Acts 3:11 Or colonnade
  4. Acts 3:13 Or Son
  5. Acts 3:15 Or Originator
  6. Acts 3:15 Or of whom we
  7. Acts 3:16 Lit His name
  8. Acts 3:18 I.e., Messiah
  9. Acts 3:20 I.e., Messiah
  10. Acts 3:21 Lit periods, times
  11. Acts 3:26 Or Son
  12. Acts 4:2 Or in the case of
  13. Acts 4:4 Lit word
  14. Acts 4:8 Or having just been filled
  15. Acts 4:8 Lit Rulers of the people and elders
  16. Acts 4:9 Lit answering
  17. Acts 4:9 Or by what; or by whom
  18. Acts 4:10 Or in
  19. Acts 4:10 Or in
  20. Acts 4:10 Or Him
  21. Acts 4:11 Lit This One
  22. Acts 4:13 Lit that they had been
  23. Acts 4:15 Or Sanhedrin
  24. Acts 4:16 Or sign
  25. Acts 4:18 Or on the basis of
  26. Acts 4:22 Or sign
  27. Acts 4:24 Or Master
  28. Acts 4:25 Or Gentiles
  29. Acts 4:26 Or approached
  30. Acts 4:26 I.e., Messiah
  31. Acts 4:27 Or Son
  32. Acts 4:27 Or nations
  33. Acts 4:29 Or as for the present situation
  34. Acts 4:30 I.e., confirming miracles
  35. Acts 4:30 Or Son
  36. Acts 4:32 Or community; lit multitude
  37. Acts 4:32 Lit was saying
  38. Acts 4:34 Lit the prices of the things being sold
  39. Acts 4:36 Or Exhortation; or Consolation
  40. Acts 4:37 Lit a tract...belonging to him, he sold...
  41. Acts 5:2 Lit price
  42. Acts 5:2 Or collusion
  43. Acts 5:3 Lit price
  44. Acts 5:4 Or in your authority
  45. Acts 5:4 Lit placed
  46. Acts 5:5 Lit expired
  47. Acts 5:8 Lit so much
  48. Acts 5:8 Lit so much
  49. Acts 5:10 Lit expired
  50. Acts 5:12 Lit Through
  51. Acts 5:12 I.e., confirming miracles
  52. Acts 5:12 Or of one mind
  53. Acts 5:12 Or colonnade
  54. Acts 5:16 Lit multitude
  55. Acts 5:16 Lit and
  56. Acts 5:20 Or continue to speak
  57. Acts 5:20 Lit all the words
  58. Acts 5:21 Or Sanhedrin
  59. Acts 5:24 Lit this would become
  60. Acts 5:27 Lit among
  61. Acts 5:28 Lit behold
  62. Acts 5:30 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  63. Acts 5:31 Or by
  64. Acts 5:31 Or Leader
  65. Acts 5:32 One early ms adds in Him
  66. Acts 5:36 Lit Who was killed
  67. Acts 5:38 Lit work
  68. Acts 5:40 Lit be speaking
  69. Acts 5:41 Or Sanhedrin
  70. Acts 5:42 Or in the various private homes
  71. Acts 5:42 I.e., Messiah
  72. Acts 6:1 Lit in these days
  73. Acts 6:1 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  74. Acts 6:2 Lit multitude
  75. Acts 6:4 Or service
  76. Acts 6:5 Lit word
  77. Acts 6:5 Lit multitude
  78. Acts 6:5 Gr Nikolaos
  79. Acts 6:5 I.e., a Gentile convert to Judaism
  80. Acts 6:8 I.e., confirming miracles
  81. Acts 6:9 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
  82. Acts 6:10 Lit oppose
  83. Acts 6:12 Lit into
  84. Acts 6:12 Or Sanhedrin
  85. Acts 6:13 Lit speaking words
  86. Acts 6:15 Or Sanhedrin
  87. Acts 7:2 Lit he
  88. Acts 7:2 Lit men, brothers
  89. Acts 7:2 Gr Charran
  90. Acts 7:4 Gr Charran
  91. Acts 7:6 I.e., the people of the land (Egypt)
  92. Acts 7:7 Or worship
  93. Acts 7:8 Or a
  94. Acts 7:11 Lit were not finding
  95. Acts 7:13 Or was made known
  96. Acts 7:14 Lit souls
  97. Acts 7:16 Gr Sychem
  98. Acts 7:16 Gr Emmor
  99. Acts 7:16 Gr Sychem
  100. Acts 7:21 Or adopted him
  101. Acts 7:22 Lit his words and actions
  102. Acts 7:23 Lit heart
  103. Acts 7:25 Or salvation
  104. Acts 7:25 Lit through his hand
  105. Acts 7:29 Gr Madiam
  106. Acts 7:33 Lit Untie the sandal of your
  107. Acts 7:35 Lit has sent
  108. Acts 7:35 Lit hand
  109. Acts 7:36 I.e., confirming miracles
  110. Acts 7:37 Or as He raised up me
  111. Acts 7:38 Gr ekklesia
  112. Acts 7:40 Lit gods, plural, but prob. refers to a singular deity
  113. Acts 7:41 Lit in those days
  114. Acts 7:41 Or young bull
  115. Acts 7:42 Or worship
  116. Acts 7:42 Lit host
  117. Acts 7:43 Other mss spell it: Romphan, Rempham, Raiphan; or Rephan
  118. Acts 7:45 Or Gentiles
  119. Acts 7:46 Lit He who
  120. Acts 7:46 I.e., build the temple
  121. Acts 7:46 I.e., the people of Israel
  122. Acts 7:57 Or purpose
  123. Acts 7:60 I.e., died
  124. Acts 8:1 Lit him
  125. Acts 8:1 Lit occurred
  126. Acts 8:4 Or bringing the good news of
  127. Acts 8:5 I.e., Messiah
  128. Acts 8:6 I.e., confirming miracles
  129. Acts 8:16 Lit into
  130. Acts 8:21 Or teaching; lit word
  131. Acts 8:23 Or doomed to the
  132. Acts 8:23 Lit bond
  133. Acts 8:26 Or at about noon to
  134. Acts 8:26 Or This city is deserted
  135. Acts 8:27 Lit behold, an Ethiopian
  136. Acts 8:27 Possibly an Ethiopian title: the Candace
  137. Acts 8:28 Or carriage
  138. Acts 8:29 Or carriage
  139. Acts 8:33 Or relate
  140. Acts 8:33 Or family history
  141. Acts 8:36 Late mss add as v 37: And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
  142. Acts 8:38 Or carriage
  143. Acts 8:39 Lit for he was going
  144. Acts 8:40 Or was found
  145. Acts 8:40 OT: Ashdod
  146. Acts 9:1 Later called Paul
  147. Acts 9:1 Lit threat
  148. Acts 9:2 See John 14:6
  149. Acts 9:7 Or sound
  150. Acts 9:8 Lit was seeing
  151. Acts 9:12 A few early mss do not contain in a vision
  152. Acts 9:13 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  153. Acts 9:14 Lit bind
  154. Acts 9:15 Or vessel
  155. Acts 9:20 Lit that
  156. Acts 9:22 I.e., Messiah
  157. Acts 9:28 Lit going in and going out
  158. Acts 9:29 Jews who adopted the Gr language and much of Gr culture through acculturation
  159. Acts 9:30 I.e., disciples
  160. Acts 9:31 Lit was having
  161. Acts 9:31 Lit went
  162. Acts 9:32 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  163. Acts 9:32 OT: Lod
  164. Acts 9:33 Lit who was
  165. Acts 9:35 OT: Lod
  166. Acts 9:36 I.e., Gr for Gazelle
  167. Acts 9:36 Lit full of
  168. Acts 9:37 Lit in those days
  169. Acts 9:39 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  170. Acts 9:41 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

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