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亚拿尼亚和撒非拉的鉴戒

有一个人名叫亚拿尼亚,同他妻子撒非拉,把田产卖了。 他私底下把钱留了一部分,妻子也知道这件事。他把其余的一部分带来,放在使徒的脚前。 彼得说:“亚拿尼亚,为甚么撒但充满了你的心,使你欺骗圣灵,私底下把卖地的钱留了一部分呢? 田地还没有卖,不是你自己的吗?既然卖了,所得的钱不是由你作主吗?你为甚么存心这样作呢?你这不是欺骗人,而是欺骗 神。” 亚拿尼亚一听见这话,就仆倒断了气。所有听见的人都十分害怕。 有几个青年人来把他包好,抬出去埋了。

大约三小时之后,亚拿尼亚的妻子进来,还不知道发生了甚么事。 彼得问她:“你告诉我,你们卖田地的钱,就是这么多吗?”她说:“是的,就是这么多。” 彼得说:“你们为甚么串同试探主的灵呢?你看,埋你丈夫的人的脚,已经到了门口,他们也要把你抬出去。” 10 她立刻就仆倒在彼得脚前,断了气。那些青年人进来,发现她死了,把她也抬出去,埋在她丈夫旁边。 11 全体会众和所有听见这事的人,都很害怕。

使徒行神迹奇事

12 主借着使徒的手,在民间行了许多神迹奇事。他们都同心聚集在所罗门廊下, 13 其余的人,没有一个敢接近他们,可是民众都很敬重他们。 14 信主的男男女女越来越多, 15 甚至有人把病人抬到街上,放在小床和褥子上,好让彼得经过时,至少他的身影可以落在一些人身上。 16 耶路撒冷周围城市的人,也带着病人和受污灵缠扰的,蜂拥而来,结果病人全都医好了。

使徒受迫害

17 大祭司和他的同党撒都该人都起来,满心忌恨, 18 于是下手拿住使徒,把他们押在公共拘留所里。 19 夜间有一位天使,打开监门,把他们领出来,说: 20 “你们去,站在殿里,把一切有关这生命的话,都讲给众民听。” 21 使徒听完了,就在黎明的时候,进到殿里去教导。大祭司和他的同党来到了,就召集了公议会和以色列人的众长老,派人到监牢去带使徒出来。 22 差役到了监里,找不到他们,回来报告说: 23 “我们发现监门紧闭,狱卒也守在门外;等到开了门,里面连一个人也找不到。” 24 圣殿的守卫长和祭司长听了这些话,觉得很困惑,不知道这件事将来会怎样。 25 忽然有人来报告说:“你们押在监里的那些人,正站在殿里教导众民呢!” 26 于是守卫长和差役去带使徒来,不过没有用暴力,因为怕众民用石头打他们。

27 既然带来了,就叫他们站在公议会前。大祭司问他们: 28 “我们严厉地吩咐过你们,不准再奉这名教导。看,你们却把你们的道理传遍了耶路撒冷,想要把流这人的血的责任推到我们身上。” 29 彼得和众使徒回答:“服从 神过于服从人,是应当的。 30 你们挂在木头上亲手杀害的耶稣,我们祖先的 神已经使他复活了。 31  神把他高举在自己的右边,作元首作救主,把悔改的心赐给了以色列人,使他们罪得赦免。 32 我们为这些事作证, 神赐给顺从的人的圣灵也为这些事作证。”

33 公议会的人听了,非常恼怒,就想要杀他们。 34 但有一个法利赛人,名叫迦玛列,是民众所尊敬的律法教师。他在公议会中站起来,吩咐人把使徒暂时带出去, 35 然后对大家说:“以色列人哪,你们应当小心处理这些人! 36 从前有个丢大,自命不凡,附从他的人约有四百。他一被杀,跟从他的人尽都星散,一败涂地。 37 这人之后,在户口登记的时候,又有一个加利利人犹大,拉拢人们来跟从他。后来他也丧命,跟从他的人也就烟消云散了。 38 至于目前的事,我劝你们不要管这些人,由他们吧!因为这计划或这行动,如果是出于人意,终必失败; 39 如果是出于 神,你们就不能破坏他们,恐怕你们是与 神作对了。”他们接受了他的劝告, 40 就传使徒进来,鞭打一顿,禁止他们奉耶稣的名传讲,就把他们释放了。 41 使徒欢欢喜喜从公议会里出来,因为他们算是配得为主的名受辱。 42 他们天天在殿里并在各人的家中,不断地教导,传讲耶稣是基督。

¶ Mas un varón llamado Ananías, con Safira su mujer, vendió una posesión,

y sustrajo del precio, sabiéndolo también su mujer; y trayendo una parte, la puso a los pies de los apóstoles.

Y dijo Pedro: Ananías, ¿por qué ha llenado Satanás tu corazón a que mintieras al Espíritu Santo, y sustrajeras del precio de la heredad?

Reteniéndola, ¿no se te quedaba a ti? Y vendida, ¿no estaba en tu potestad? ¿Por qué pusiste esto en tu corazón? No has mentido a los hombres, sino a Dios.

Entonces Ananías, oyendo estas palabras, cayó y expiró. Y vino un gran temor sobre todos los que lo oyeron.

Y levantándose los jóvenes, le envolvieron, y sacándolo, lo sepultaron.

Y pasado espacio como de tres horas, sucedió que entró su mujer, no sabiendo lo que había acontecido.

Entonces Pedro le contestó: Dime, ¿vendisteis en tanto la heredad? Y ella dijo: Sí, en tanto.

Y Pedro le dijo: ¿Por qué os concertasteis para tentar al Espíritu del Señor? He aquí a la puerta los pies de los que han sepultado a tu marido, y te sacarán.

10 Y luego cayó a los pies de él, y expiró; y entrados los jóvenes, la hallaron muerta; y la sacaron, y la sepultaron junto a su marido.

11 Y vino gran temor sobre toda la Iglesia, y sobre todos los que oyeron estas cosas.

12 ¶ Y por la mano de los apóstoles eran hechos muchos milagros y prodigios en el pueblo. (Y estaban todos unánimes en el pórtico de Salomón.

13 Y de los otros, ninguno osaba juntarse con ellos; con todo eso el pueblo los alababa grandemente.

14 Y los que creían en el Señor se aumentaban más, gran número así de hombres como de mujeres.)

15 Tanto que echaban los enfermos por las calles, y los ponían en camas y en lechos, para que viniendo Pedro, a lo menos su sombra tocara a alguno de ellos.

16 Y aun de las ciudades vecinas concurría multitud a Jerusalén, trayendo enfermos y atormentados de espíritus inmundos; los cuales todos eran curados.

17 ¶ Entonces levantándose el príncipe de los sacerdotes, y todos los que estaban con él, (que es la secta de los saduceos,) se llenaron de celo;

18 y echaron mano a los apóstoles, y los pusieron en la cárcel pública.

19 Mas el ángel del Señor, abriendo de noche las puertas de la cárcel, y sacándolos, dijo:

20 Id, y estando en el Templo, hablad al pueblo todas las palabras de esta vida.

21 Y cuando hubieron oído esto, entraron de mañana en el Templo, y enseñaban. Entre tanto, viniendo el príncipe de los sacerdotes, y los que estaban con él, convocaron el concilio, y a todos los ancianos de los hijos de Israel, y enviaron a la cárcel para que fueran traídos.

22 Pero cuando llegaron los alguaciles, y no los hallaron en la cárcel, volvieron, y dieron aviso,

23 diciendo: Por cierto, la cárcel hemos hallado cerrada con toda seguridad, y los guardas que estaban delante de las puertas; mas cuando abrimos, a nadie hallamos dentro.

24 Y cuando oyeron estas palabras el sumo sacerdote y el capitán del Templo y los príncipes de los sacerdotes, dudaban en qué vendría a parar aquello.

25 Pero viniendo uno, les dio esta noticia: He aquí, los varones que echasteis en la cárcel, están en el Templo, y enseñan al pueblo.

26 ¶ Entonces fue el capitán con los alguaciles, y los trajo sin violencia; porque temían del pueblo ser apedreados.

27 Y cuando los trajeron, los presentaron en el concilio; y el príncipe de los sacerdotes les preguntó,

28 diciendo: ¿No os denunciamos estrechamente, que no enseñarais en este nombre? Y he aquí, habéis llenado a Jerusalén de vuestra doctrina, y queréis echar sobre nosotros la sangre de este hombre.

29 Y respondiendo Pedro y los apóstoles, dijeron: Es necesario persuadir a Dios antes que a los hombres.

30 El Dios de nuestros padres levantó a Jesús, al cual vosotros matasteis colgándole en el madero.

31 A éste Dios ha ensalzado con su diestra por Príncipe y Salvador, para dar a Israel arrepentimiento y remisión de pecados.

32 Y nosotros somos testigos suyos de estas cosas, y también el Espíritu Santo, el cual ha dado Dios a los que le persuaden.

33 Ellos, oyendo esto, regañaban, y consultaban para matarlos.

34 Entonces levantándose en el concilio un fariseo llamado Gamaliel, doctor de la ley, venerable a todo el pueblo, mandó que sacaran fuera un poco a los apóstoles.

35 Y les dijo: Varones israelitas, mirad por vosotros acerca de estos hombres en lo que habéis de hacer.

36 Porque antes de estos días se levantó Teudas, diciendo que era alguien; al que se agregó un número de hombres como cuatrocientos, el cual fue muerto; y todos los que le creyeron fueron dispersos, y reducidos a nada.

37 Después de éste, se levantó Judas el galileo en los días del empadronamiento, y llevó mucho pueblo tras sí. Pereció también aquel; y todos los que consintieron con él, fueron dispersados.

38 Y ahora os digo: Dejaos de estos hombres, y dejadlos; porque si este consejo o esta obra es de los hombres, se desvanecerá;

39 mas si es de Dios, no la podréis deshacer; no seáis tal vez hallados resistiendo a Dios.

40 Y convinieron con él; y llamando a los apóstoles, después de azotados, les intimaron que no hablaran en el nombre de Jesús, y los soltaron.

41 Y ellos partieron de delante del concilio, gozosos de que fueran tenidos por dignos de padecer afrenta por el Nombre de Jesús.

42 Y todos los días no cesaban, en el Templo y por las casas, enseñando y predicando el Evangelio de Jesús, el Cristo.

But there was a man named Hananyah who, with his wife Shappirah, sold some property and, with his wife’s knowledge, withheld some of the proceeds for himself; although he did bring the rest to the emissaries. Then Kefa said, “Why has the Adversary so filled your heart that you lie to the Ruach HaKodesh and keep back some of the money you received for the land? Before you sold it, the property was yours; and after you sold it, the money was yours to use as you pleased. So what made you decide to do such a thing? You have lied not to human beings but to God!”

On hearing these words, Hananyah fell down dead; and everyone who heard about it was terrified. The young men got up, wrapped his body in a shroud, carried him out and buried him.

Some three hours later, his wife came in, unaware of what had happened. Kefa challenged her: “Tell me, is it true that you sold the land for such-and-such a price?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is what we were paid for it.” But Kefa came back at her, “Then why did you people plot to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The men who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too!” 10 Instantly she collapsed at his feet and died. The young men entered, found her there dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11 As a result of this, great fear came over the whole Messianic community, and indeed over everyone who heard about it.

12 Meanwhile, through the emissaries many signs and miracles continued to be done among the people. United in mind and purpose, the believers met in Shlomo’s Colonnade; 13 and no one else dared to join them. Nevertheless, the people continued to regard them highly; 14 and throngs of believers were added to the Lord, both men and women. 15 They went so far as to bring the sick into the streets and lay them on mattresses and stretchers, so that at least Kefa’s shadow might fall on them as he passed by. 16 Crowds also gathered from the towns around Yerushalayim, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits; and every one of them was healed.

17 But the cohen hagadol and his associates, who were members of the party of the Tz’dukim, were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the emissaries and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night, an angel of Adonai opened the doors of the prison, led them out and said, 20 “Go, stand in the Temple court and keep telling the people all about this new life!” 21 After hearing that, they entered the Temple area about dawn and began to teach.

Now the cohen hagadol and his associates came and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin (that is, of Isra’el’s whole assembly of elders) and sent to the jail to have them brought. 22 But the officers who went did not find them in the prison. So they returned and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked and the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened it, we found no one inside!” 24 When the captain of the Temple police and the head cohanim heard these things, they were puzzled and wondered what would happen next.

25 Then someone came and reported to them, “Listen! The men you ordered put in prison are standing in the Temple court, teaching the people!” 26 The captain and his officers went and brought them, but not with force; because they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 27 They conducted them to the Sanhedrin, where the cohen hagadol demanded of them, 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name! Look here! you have filled Yerushalayim with your teaching; moreover, you are determined to make us responsible for this man’s death!”

29 Kefa and the other emissaries answered, “We must obey God, not men. 30 The God of our fathers[a] raised up Yeshua, whereas you men killed him by having him hanged on a stake.[b] 31 God has exalted this man at his right hand[c] as Ruler and Savior, in order to enable Isra’el to do t’shuvah and have her sins forgiven. 32 We are witnesses to these things; so is the Ruach HaKodesh, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

33 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death. 34 But one of the members of the Sanhedrin rose to his feet, a Parush named Gamli’el, a teacher of the Torah highly respected by all the people. He ordered the men put outside for a little while 35 and then addressed the court: “Men of Isra’el, take care what you do to these people. 36 Some time ago, there was a rebellion under Todah, who claimed to be somebody special; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, rallied behind him. But upon his being put to death, his whole following was broken up and came to nothing. 37 After this, Y’hudah HaG’lili led another uprising, back at the time of the enrollment for the Roman tax; and he got some people to defect to him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you might even find yourselves fighting God!”

They heeded his advice. 40 After summoning the emissaries and flogging them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Yeshua, and let them go. 41 The emissaries left the Sanhedrin overjoyed at having been considered worthy of suffering disgrace on account of him. 42 And not for a single day, either in the Temple court or in private homes, did they stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Yeshua is the Messiah.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:30 Exodus 3:15
  2. Acts 5:30 Deuteronomy 21:22–23
  3. Acts 5:31 Psalm 110:1

Anania şi Safira

Dar un om numit Anania a vândut o moşioară, cu nevastă-sa Safira, şi(A) a oprit o parte din preţ cu ştirea nevestei lui, apoi a adus partea cealaltă şi a pus-o la picioarele apostolilor. Petru(B) i-a zis: „Anania, pentru ce ţi-a(C) umplut Satana inima ca să minţi pe Duhul Sfânt şi să ascunzi o parte din preţul moşioarei? Dacă n-o vindeai, nu rămânea ea a ta? Şi, după ce ai vândut-o, nu puteai să faci ce vrei cu preţul ei? Cum s-a putut naşte un astfel de gând în inima ta? N-ai minţit pe oameni, ci pe Dumnezeu.” Anania, când a auzit cuvintele acestea, a căzut(D) jos şi şi-a dat sufletul. O mare frică a apucat pe toţi cei ce ascultau aceste lucruri. Flăcăii s-au sculat, l-au(E) învelit, l-au scos afară şi l-au îngropat. Cam după trei ceasuri, a intrat şi nevastă-sa, fără să ştie ce se întâmplase. Petru i-a zis: „Spune-mi, cu atât aţi vândut moşioara?” „Da”, a răspuns ea, „cu atâta”. Atunci, Petru i-a zis: „Cum de v-aţi înţeles între voi să(F) ispitiţi pe Duhul Domnului? Iată picioarele celor ce au îngropat pe bărbatul tău sunt la uşă şi te vor lua şi pe tine.” 10 Ea(G) a căzut îndată la picioarele lui şi şi-a dat sufletul. Când au intrat flăcăii, au găsit-o moartă; au scos-o afară şi au îngropat-o lângă bărbatul ei. 11 O(H) mare frică a cuprins toată adunarea şi pe toţi cei ce au auzit aceste lucruri.

Izbânda apostolilor

12 Prin(I) mâinile apostolilor se făceau multe semne şi minuni în norod. Toţi(J) stăteau împreună în pridvorul lui Solomon 13 şi(K) niciunul din ceilalţi nu cuteza să se lipească de ei, dar(L) norodul îi lăuda în gura mare. 14 Numărul celor ce credeau în Domnul, bărbaţi şi femei, se mărea tot mai mult, 15 până acolo că scoteau pe bolnavi chiar pe uliţe şi îi puneau pe paturi şi pe aşternuturi, pentru ca, atunci când(M) va trece Petru, măcar umbra lui să treacă peste vreunul din ei. 16 Mulţimea, de asemenea, alerga la Ierusalim, din cetăţile vecine, şi aducea pe cei bolnavi şi pe cei(N) chinuiţi de duhuri necurate: şi toţi se vindecau.

Apostolii închişi şi izbăviţi

17 Însă(O) marele preot şi toţi cei ce erau împreună cu el, adică partida saducheilor, s-au sculat plini de pizmă, 18 au(P) pus mâinile pe apostoli şi i-au aruncat în temniţa de obşte. 19 Dar un înger(Q) al Domnului a deschis uşile temniţei, noaptea, i-a scos afară şi le-a zis: 20 „Duceţi-vă, staţi în Templu şi vestiţi norodului toate(R) cuvintele vieţii acesteia”. 21 Când au auzit ei aceste vorbe, au intrat dis-de-dimineaţă în Templu şi au început să înveţe pe norod. Marele(S) preot şi cei ce erau cu el au venit pe neaşteptate, au adunat soborul şi pe toată bătrânimea fiilor lui Israel şi au trimis la temniţă să aducă pe apostoli. 22 Aprozii, la venirea lor, nu i-au găsit în temniţă. S-au întors şi au spus astfel: 23 „Temniţa am găsit-o încuiată cu toată grija, şi pe păzitori stând în picioare la uşi, dar, când am deschis, n-am găsit pe nimeni înăuntru”. 24 Când au auzit aceste vorbe, căpitanul(T) Templului şi preoţii cei mai de seamă au rămas înmărmuriţi şi nu ştiau ce să creadă despre apostoli şi despre urmările acestei întâmplări. 25 Cineva a venit şi le-a spus: „Iată că oamenii pe care i-aţi băgat în temniţă stau în Templu şi învaţă pe norod”. 26 Atunci, căpitanul Templului a plecat cu aprozii şi i-au adus, dar nu cu sila, căci(U) se temeau să nu fie ucişi cu pietre de norod. 27 După ce i-au adus, i-au pus înaintea soborului. Şi marele preot i-a întrebat astfel: 28 „Nu(V) v-am poruncit noi cu tot dinadinsul să nu învăţaţi pe norod în Numele acesta? Şi voi iată că aţi umplut Ierusalimul cu învăţătura voastră şi căutaţi(W) să aruncaţi asupra noastră sângele(X) acelui om.” 29 Petru şi apostolii ceilalţi, drept răspuns, i-au zis: „Trebuie(Y) să ascultăm mai mult de Dumnezeu decât de oameni! 30 Dumnezeul(Z) părinţilor noştri a înviat pe Isus, pe care voi L-aţi omorât, atârnându-L(AA) pe lemn. 31 Pe acest(AB) Isus, Dumnezeu L-a înălţat cu puterea Lui, şi L-a făcut Domn(AC) şi Mântuitor(AD), ca să(AE) dea lui Israel pocăinţa şi iertarea păcatelor. 32 Noi(AF) suntem martori ai acestor lucruri, ca şi Duhul Sfânt, pe(AG) care L-a dat Dumnezeu celor ce ascultă de El.”

Apostolilor li se dă drumul

33 Când(AH) au auzit ei aceste vorbe, îi tăia la inimă şi s-au sfătuit să-i omoare. 34 Dar un fariseu numit Gamaliel(AI), un învăţător al Legii, preţuit de tot norodul, s-a sculat în picioare în sobor şi a poruncit să scoată puţin afară pe apostoli. 35 Apoi le-a zis: „Bărbaţi israeliţi, luaţi seama bine ce aveţi de gând să faceţi oamenilor acestora. 36 Căci nu de mult s-a ivit Teuda, care zicea că el este ceva şi la care s-au alipit aproape patru sute de bărbaţi. El a fost omorât, şi toţi cei ce îl urmaseră au fost risipiţi şi nimiciţi. 37 După el s-a ivit Iuda Galileeanul, pe vremea înscrierii, şi a tras mult norod de partea lui: a pierit şi el, şi toţi cei ce-l urmaseră au fost risipiţi. 38 Şi acum, eu vă spun: Nu mai necăjiţi pe oamenii aceştia şi lăsaţi-i în pace! Dacă(AJ) încercarea sau lucrarea aceasta este de la oameni, se va nimici; 39 dar(AK), dacă este de la Dumnezeu, n-o veţi putea nimici. Să nu vă pomeniţi că luptaţi(AL) împotriva lui Dumnezeu.” 40 Ei au ascultat de el. Şi, după ce au chemat(AM) pe apostoli, au pus să-i bată(AN) cu nuiele, i-au oprit să vorbească în Numele lui Isus şi le-au dat drumul. 41 Ei au plecat dinaintea soborului şi s-au bucurat(AO) că au fost învredniciţi să fie batjocoriţi pentru Numele Lui. 42 Şi în fiecare zi, în(AP) Templu şi acasă, nu încetau(AQ) să înveţe pe oameni şi să vestească Evanghelia lui Isus Hristos.

Ananias and Sapphira

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(A) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(B)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(C) has so filled your heart(D) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(E) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(F) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(G) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(H)

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(I) And great fear(J) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(K) and carried him out and buried him.

About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”

“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(L)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(M) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(N) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(O) 11 Great fear(P) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(Q) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(R) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(S) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(T) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(U) 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.(V) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(W)

The Apostles Persecuted

17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(X) of the Sadducees,(Y) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(Z) 19 But during the night an angel(AA) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(AB) and brought them out.(AC) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(AD)

21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.

When the high priest and his associates(AE) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(AF)—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.(AG) So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests(AH) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people(AI) would stone them.

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

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

33 When they heard this, they were furious(AV) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(AW) a teacher of the law,(AX) 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(AY) 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.(AZ) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(BA)

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

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