27 使徒被带来后站在公会前,大祭司盘问他们,说: 28 “我们不是严禁你们奉耶稣的名去教导百姓吗?你们竟然在耶路撒冷各处传道,还想把杀那人的血债归到我们身上!”

29 彼得和其他使徒申辩说:“我们要服从的是上帝,而非人。 30 你们钉死在十字架上的耶稣,我们祖先的上帝已经使祂复活了。 31 上帝把祂提升到自己的右边,立祂为君王和救主,好赐给以色列人悔改的机会,使他们的罪得到赦免。 32 我们就是这些事的见证人,上帝赐给顺服祂之人的圣灵也同样做见证。”

33 他们听了,怒气冲天,打算杀掉使徒。 34 公会中有一位名叫迦玛列的法利赛人,是个德高望重的律法教师。他站起来,叫人把使徒暂且押到外面, 35 然后说:“以色列人啊,你们应当慎重处置这些人。 36 不久前,有个名叫杜达的人起来自立山头,吸引了差不多四百个跟随者,但他被杀之后,那些跟随者就各奔东西,销声匿迹了。 37 后来,又有个加利利人犹大在户口登记期间鼓动百姓跟随他造反。他被杀之后,那些跟随者也烟消云散了。 38 所以,像现在这种情形,我劝大家还是不要管他们,随他们去吧。他们的计划和行为如果是出于人意,终必失败; 39 但如果是出于上帝,你们不但无法阻止他们,恐怕反而是在抵挡上帝!”

40 公会采纳了他的意见,于是把使徒召回来打了一顿,再次警告他们不可奉耶稣的名传道,才放了他们。 41 使徒离开公会后,为自己有资格为主的名受辱而欢喜。 42 他们每天在圣殿里及各家各户教导人,传扬耶稣是基督。

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27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(A) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(B) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(C)

29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(D) 30 The God of our ancestors(E) raised Jesus from the dead(F)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(G) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(H) as Prince and Savior(I) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(J) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(K) and so is the Holy Spirit,(L) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 When they heard this, they were furious(M) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(N) a teacher of the law,(O) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census(P) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.(Q) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(R)

40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(S) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(T) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(U) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(V) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(W) that Jesus is the Messiah.(X)

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