ﺍﻋﻤﺎﻝ ﺍﻟﺮﺳﻞ 5
Arabic Bible: Easy-to-Read Version
حَنَانِيَّا وَسَفِّيرَة
5 وَكَانَ هُنَاكَ رَجُلٌ اسْمُهُ حَنَانِيَّا وَاسْمُ زَوْجَتِهِ سَفِّيرَةُ. بَاعَ هَذَا الرَّجُلُ أرْضًا مِنْ أمْلَاكِهِ. 2 وَبِمَعْرِفَةِ زَوْجَتِهِ احتَفَظَ بِجُزءٍ مِنْ ثَمَنِهَا، وَأحضَرَ البَاقِيَ وَسَلَّمَهُ إلَى الرُّسُلِ.
3 فَقَالَ لَهُ بُطرُسُ: «يَا حَنَانِيَّا، لِمَاذَا سَمَحتَ للشَّيطَانِ بِأنْ يَملأَ قَلْبَكَ، حَتَّى إنَّكَ كَذَبتَ عَلَى الرُّوحِ القُدُسِ، وَاحْتَفَظْتَ بِجُزءٍ مِنَ المَالِ الَّذِي بِعتَ بِهِ الأرْضَ؟ 4 أفَلَمْ تَكُنِ الأرْضُ لَكَ قَبْلَ أنْ تَبِيعَهَا؟ وَبَعْدَ أنْ بِعتَهَا، أمَا كُنْتَ حُرًّا فِي طَرِيقَةِ تَصَرُّفِكَ بِمَالِكَ؟ فَلِمَاذَا نَوَيتَ هَذَا الشِّيءَ فِي قَلْبِكَ؟ أنْتَ كَذَبتَ عَلَى اللهِ، لَا عَلَى البَشَرِ!»
5 فَمَا أنْ سَمِعَ حَنَانِيَّا هَذَا الكَلَامَ، حَتَّى وَقَعَ عَلَى الأرْضِ وَمَاتَ. فَخَافَ كُلُّ مَنْ سَمِعَ هَذَا خَوْفًا عَظِيمًا. 6 وَقَامَ بَعْضُ الشُّبَّانِ وَلَفُّوهُ، ثُمَّ حَمَلُوهُ إلَى الخَارِجِ وَدَفَنُوهُ.
7 وَبَعْدَ نَحوِ ثَلَاثِ سَاعَاتٍ، دَخَلَتْ زَوْجَتُهُ دُونَ أنْ يَكُونَ لَهَا عِلمٌ بِمَا حَصَلَ، 8 فَقَالَ لَهَا بُطرُسُ: «قُولِي لِي، هَلْ بِعتُمَا حَقلَكُمَا بِكَذَا؟» فَأجَابَتْ: «نَعَمْ، بِذَلِكَ المَبلَغِ.»
9 فَقَالَ لَهَا بُطرُسُ: «لِمَاذَا اتَّفَقْتُمَا عَلَى أنْ تَمْتَحِنَا رُوحَ الرَّبِّ؟ هَا هِيَ أقْدَامُ الَّذِينَ دَفَنُوا زَوْجَكِ عَلَى البَابِ، وَسَيَحْمِلُونَكِ أنْتِ أيْضًا خَارِجًا.» 10 وَفِي تِلْكَ اللَّحْظَةِ وَقَعَتْ عِنْدَ قَدَمَيهِ وَمَاتَتْ. فَدَخَلَ الشُّبَّانُ وَوَجَدُوهَا مَيِّتَةً، فَحَمَلُوهَا إلَى الخَارِجِ وَدَفَنُوهَا إلَى جَانِبِ زَوْجِهَا. 11 فَسَادَ خَوفٌ عَظِيمٌ عَلَى الكَنِيسَةِ كُلِّهَا وَعَلَى كُلِّ مَنْ سَمِعَ بِهَذِهِ الأُمُورِ.
بَرَاهِينُ مِنَ الله
12 وَجَرَتْ مُعْجِزَاتٌ وَعَجَائِبُ كَثِيرَةٌ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِوَاسِطَةِ الرُّسُلِ، وَكَانُوا يَجْتَمِعُونَ مَعًا فِي قَاعَةِ سُلَيْمَانَ. 13 وَلَمْ يَجْرُؤْ أحَدٌ مِنَ الآخَرِينَ أنْ يَنْضَمَّ إلَيْهِمْ. غَيْرَ أنَّ النَّاسَ كَانُوا يَمْدَحُونَهُمْ. 14 وَكَانَ الذِّينَ يُؤمِنُونَ بِالرَّبِّ، رِجَالًا وَنِسَاءً، يَتَزَايَدُونَ كَثِيرًا. 15 حَتَّى إنَّ النَّاسَ كَانُوا يَأتُونَ بِمَرضَاهُمْ إلَى الشَّوَارِعِ، وَيَضَعُونَهُمْ عَلَى أسِرَّةٍ وَحَصَائِرَ، حَتَّى إذَا مَرَّ بُطرُسُ، يَأتِي وَلَوْ ظِلُّهُ عَلَى بَعْضِهِمْ. 16 كَمَا جَاءَتْ جُمُوعٌ مِنَ البَلدَاتِ المُجَاوِرَةِ إلَى القُدْسِ، جَالِبِينَ مَعَهُمُ المَرْضَىْ وَالمُعَذَّبِينَ مِنْ أروَاحٍ نَجِسَةٍ، فَنَالُوا الشِّفَاءَ جَمِيعًا.
اليَهُودُ يُحَاوِلُونَ إيقَافَ الرُّسُل
17 فَثَارَ رَئِيسُ الكَهَنَةِ وَكُلُّ جَمَاعَتِهِ، أيْ حِزبِ الصَّدُوقِيِّينَ، وَمَلأهُمُ الحَسَدُ. 18 فَألقَوْا القَبضَ عَلَى الرُّسُلِ، وَوَضَعُوهُمْ فِي السِّجْنِ العَامِّ. 19 لَكِنْ جَاءَ مَلَاكٌ مِنْ عِندِ الرَّبِّ لَيْلًا وَفَتَحَ أبوَابَ السِّجْنِ، ثُمَّ قَادَهُمْ خَارِجَهُ وَقَالَ: 20 «اذْهَبُوا وَقِفُوا فِي سَاحَةِ الهَيْكَلِ وَكَلِّمُوا النَّاسَ بِجَمِيعِ كَلَامِ هَذِهِ الحَيَاةِ الجَدِيدَةِ.» 21 فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ الرُّسُلُ هَذَا، دَخَلُوا سَاحَةَ الهَيْكَلِ عِنْدَ الفَجرِ وَبَدَأُوا يُعَلِّمُونَ.
وَعِنْدَمَا وَصَلَ رَئيسُ الكَهَنَةِ وَجَمَاعَتُهُ، دَعُوا المَجلِسَ اليَهُودِيَّ وَكُلَّ شُيُوخِ بَنِي إسْرَائِيلَ مَعًا إلَى الاجْتِمَاعِ. ثُمَّ أرسَلُوا حُرَّاسًا إلَى السِّجْنِ لإحضَارِ الرُّسُلِ. 22 لَكِنْ لَمَّا وَصَلَ الحُرَّاسُ إلَى السِّجْنِ، لَمْ يَجِدُوا الرُّسُلَ فِي الدَّاخِلِ. فَعَادُوا وَخَبَّرُوا 23 وَقَالُوا: «وَجَدنَا السِّجْنَ مُقفَلًا بِإحكَامٍ. وَوَجَدنَا الحَرَسَ وَاقِفِينَ عَلَى الأبوَابِ. لَكِنْ حِينَ فَتَحنَاهَا لَمْ نَجِدْ أحَدًا فِي الدَّاخِلِ.» 24 فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ قَائِدُ حَرَسِ الهَيْكَلِ وَكِبَارُ الكَهَنَةِ هَذَا الكَلَامَ، تَحَيَّرُوا وَتَسَاءَلُوا مَا عَسَى أنْ يَحْدُثَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ.
25 ثُمَّ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ وَقَالَ لَهُمْ: «إنَّ الرِّجَالَ الَّذِينَ وَضَعتُمُوهُمْ فِي السِّجْنِ وَاقِفُونَ فِي سَاحَةِ الهَيْكَلِ يُعَلِّمُونَ النَّاسَ!» 26 فَانطَلَقَ رَئِيسُ الحُرَّاسِ مَعَ حُرَّاسِهِ وَأحضَرُوا الرُّسُلَ مِنْ دُونِ عُنفٍ، لِأنَّهُمْ خَافُوا أنْ يَرْجُمَهُمُ النَّاسُ.
27 فَأدخَلُوا الرُّسُلَ وَأوقَفُوهُمْ أمَامَ المَجْمَعِ. ثُمَّ استَجْوَبَهُمْ رَئيسُ الكَهَنَةِ فَقَالَ: 28 «أعطَينَاكُمْ أوَامِرَ مُشَدَّدَةً ألَّا تُعَلِّمُوا عَنْ هَذَا الاسْمِ، لَكِنَّكُمْ مَلأتُمْ مَدِينَةَ القُدْسِ كُلِّهَا بِتَعْلِيمِكُمْ. وَأنْتُمْ تُرِيدُونَ أنْ تُحَمِّلُونَا ذَنبَ مَوْتِ هَذَا الرَّجُلِ!»
29 فَأجَابَ بُطرُسُ وَالرُّسُلُ: «عَلَيْنَا أنْ نُطِيعَ اللهَ لَا النَّاسَ. 30 إنَّ إلَهَ آبَائِنَا أقَامَ مِنَ المَوْتِ يَسُوعَ الَّذِي قَتَلْتُمُوهُ بِأنْ عَلَّقتُمُوهُ عَلَى خَشَبَةٍ. 31 وَقَدْ مَجَّدَهُ اللهُ وَأجلَسَهُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ قَائِدًا وَمُخَلِّصًا، لِكَي يُعطِيَ بَنِي إسْرَائِيلَ التَّوبَةَ وَمَغفِرَةَ الخَطَايَا. 32 وَنَحْنُ شُهُودٌ لِهَذِهِ الأُمُورِ، وَكَذَلِكَ يَشْهَدُ الرُّوحُ القُدُسُ الَّذِي أعطَاهُ اللهُ لِأُولَئِكَ الَّذِينَ يُطِيعُونَهُ.»
33 فَلَمَّا سَمِعَ أعضَاءُ المَجْمَعِ هَذَا، اشتَعَلَ غَضَبُهُمْ، وَأرَادُوا أنْ يَقْتُلُوهُمْ. 34 لَكِنَّ وَاحِدًا مِنْ أعضَاءِ المَجْمَعِ يَحْتَرِمُهُ كُلُّ النَّاسِ وَقَفَ وَأمَرَ بِإخرَاجِ الرُّسُلِ بَعْضَ الوَقْتِ. وَكَانَ اسْمُهُ غَمَالَائِيلَ، وَهُوَ فِرِّيسِيٌّ، وَمُعَلِّمٌ لِلشَّرِيعَةِ. 35 وَقَالَ لَهُمْ: «يَا رِجَالَ إسْرَائِيلَ، انتَبِهُوا إلَىْ مَا تُوشِكُونَ أنْ تَفْعَلُوهُ بِهَؤُلَاءِ الرِّجَالِ. 36 فَقَبْلَ مُدَّةٍ ظَهَرَ ثِوُدَاسُ، مُدَّعِيًا بِأنَّهُ رَجُلٌ عَظِيمٌ. فَانضَمَّ إلَيْهِ نَحْوَ أرْبَعِ مِئَةِ رَجُلٍ. لَكِنَّهُ قُتِلَ وَتَشَتَّتَ أتبَاعُهُ. وَلَمْ تُسفِرْ حَرَكَتُهُمْ عَنْ شَيءٍ، 37 وَبَعدَهُ ظَهَرَ يَهُوذَا الجَلِيلِيُّ أثْنَاءَ وَقْتِ إحصَاءِ السُّكَّانِ. وَجَذَبَ وَرَاءَهُ بَعْضَ الأتبَاعِ. لَكِنَّهُ أيْضًا قُتِلَ، وَتَشَتَّتَ كُلُّ أتبَاعِهِ. 38 أمَّا بِالنِّسبَةِ لِلقَضِيَّةِ الحَالِيَّةِ، فَإنِّي أنصَحُكُمْ بِأنْ تَبْتَعِدُوا عَنْ هَؤُلَاءِ الرِّجَالِ. دَعُوهُمْ وَشَأنَهُمْ. فَإنْ كَانَتْ خُطَّتُهُمْ أوْ عَمَلُهُمْ هَذَا صَادِرًا عَنْ بَشَرٍ، فَسَيَنْتَهِي إلَى الفَشَلِ. 39 أمَّا إذَا كَانَ مِنَ اللهِ، فَلَنْ تَقْدِرُوا أنْ تُوقِفُوهُمْ. وَرُبَّمَا تَجِدُونَ أنْفُسَكُمْ تُحَارِبُونَ اللهَ!»
40 فَاقتَنَعُوا بِكَلَامِهِ، وَنَادَوْا عَلَى الرُّسُلِ لِلدُّخُولِ وَأمَرُوا بِجَلدِهِمْ. وَأمَرُوهُمْ ألَّا يَتَكَلَّمُوا عَنِ اسْمِ يَسُوعَ، ثُمَّ أخلَوْا سَبِيلَهُمْ. 41 فَانطَلَقَ الرُّسُلُ مِنْ أمَامِ المَجْمَعِ وَهُمْ مُبتَهِجُونَ، لِأنَّهُمُ اعتُبِرُوا جَدِيرِينَ بِتَلَقِّي الإهَانَةِ مِنْ أجْلِ اسْمِ يَسُوعَ. 42 وَلَمْ يَتَوَقَّفُوا قَطُّ عَنِ التَّعلِيمِ وَالتَبشيرِ بِأنَّ يَسُوعَ هُوَ المَسِيحُ. كَانُوا يَفْعَلُونَ هَذَا فِي سَاحَةِ الهَيْكَلِ، وَيَنْتَقِلُونَ مِنْ بَيْتٍ إلَى آخَرَ.
Atti 5
La Bibbia della Gioia
5 Ci fu invece un uomo di nome Ananìa che, dʼaccordo con sua moglie Saffira, vendette una proprietà, 2 ma portò soltanto una parte del denaro agli apostoli, facendola passare per lʼintero ricavato. (Sua moglie, naturalmente, era dʼaccordo con lui).
3 Ma Pietro gli disse: «Ananìa, come mai Satana si è impadronito a tal punto del tuo cuore, che cerchi di ingannare perfino lo Spirito Santo? 4 La proprietà era tua, potevi venderla o tenertela, come ti pareva; e anche dopo averla venduta, stava a te decidere quanto dare. Come hai potuto fare una cosa simile? Tu non hai mentito a noi, ma a Dio!»
5-6 Non appena udì queste parole, Ananìa cadde a terra morto stecchito. Una gran paura sʼimpadronì di tutti. I più giovani lo avvolsero in un lenzuolo e lo portarono via per seppellirlo.
7 Circa tre ore dopo, ecco che entrò sua moglie, completamente allʼoscuro dellʼaccaduto. 8 Allora Pietro le chiese: «Dimmi, è vero che avete venduto la vostra terra al tal prezzo?» «Sì proprio a quel prezzo!» rispose la donna.
9 E Pietro a lei: «Come avete potuto, tu e tuo marito, mettervi dʼaccordo per sfidare lo Spirito del Signore? Senti?… Ecco i passi di quelli che hanno appena seppellito tuo marito. Vengono per portar via anche te!»
10 E allʼistante Saffira cadde a terra, morta. I giovani entrarono e, vedendola morta, la portarono fuori e la seppellirono accanto a suo marito. 11 Una gran paura sʼimpossessò di tutta la Chiesa e di tutti gli altri che venivano a conoscenza di ciò che era successo.
12 Gli apostoli sʼincontravano regolarmente al tempio, in quella parte conosciuta come portico di Salomone, e facevano molti miracoli e cose straordinarie fra la gente. 13 Gli altri credenti non osavano unirsi a loro, ma il popolo li teneva in grande considerazione. 14 Ogni giorno aumentava sempre più il numero di uomini e donne che credevano nel Signore, 15 al punto che i malati venivano portati per le strade su barelle e su stuoie, affinché, quando Pietro passava, li potesse sfiorare almeno con la sua ombra. 16 La gente accorreva a frotte anche dalle città vicine a Gerusalemme, per portare i malati e gli indemoniati; e tutti quanti venivano guariti.
Secondo arresto degli apostoli
17 Il sommo sacerdote e i suoi seguaci, vale a dire il partito dei Sadducei, reagirono con violenta gelosia. 18 Arrestarono gli apostoli e li gettarono nella prigione pubblica. 19 Ma, di notte, un angelo del Signore aprì le porte della prigione e, dopo aver condotto fuori gli apostoli, ordinò loro: 20 «Andate al tempio e predicate al popolo le parole di vita eterna!»
21 Gli apostoli giunsero al tempio che era quasi lʼalba, e subito cominciarono a predicare. Quella mattina, più tardi, il sommo sacerdote e i suoi uomini convocarono i capi e gli anziani del popolo, poi mandarono a prendere gli apostoli per il processo. 22 Ma, quando le guardie giunsero alla prigione, non trovarono nessuno. Allora tornarono indietro e dissero:
23 «Le porte della prigione erano sbarrate e le guardie stavano al loro posto a sorvegliare, ma, quando abbiamo aperto, dentro non cʼera nessuno!»
24 A questo punto il comandante delle guardie e i capi sacerdoti non sapevano che cosa pensare e si domandavano come sarebbe finito questo affare. 25 In quel momento capitò un tale che disse: «Gli uomini che avevate messo in prigione ora se ne stanno al tempio a predicare alla gente!»
26-27 Allora il comandante delle guardie si precipitò subito con i suoi uomini ad arrestare gli apostoli, senza violenza, però, perché avevano paura di essere presi a sassate dal popolo se li avessero maltrattati. Li portarono quindi davanti al tribunale ebraico.
28 «Non vi avevamo proibito assolutamente di predicare nel nome di Gesù?» disse loro il sommo sacerdote. «Voi, invece, avete riempito tutta Gerusalemme della vostra dottrina, e volete far ricadere su di noi la colpa della morte di quellʼuomo!»
29 «È a Dio che dobbiamo ubbidire, non agli uomini!» risposero Pietro e gli apostoli. 30 «Il Dio dei nostri antenati ha resuscitato Gesù, quello che voi avete ucciso inchiodandolo ad una croce. 31 Dio ha innalzato Gesù con grande potenza, come nostro capo e Salvatore, per dare al popolo dʼIsraele lʼoccasione di pentirsi e di ricevere il perdono dei peccati. 32 Noi siamo testimoni di queste verità, noi e lo Spirito Santo, che Dio ha dato a tutti quelli che gli ubbidiscono».
33 A questa risposta, gli altri fremevano di rabbia e decisero di ucciderli. 34 Ma uno di loro, un fariseo di nome Gamaliele, esperto in leggi religiose, che godeva di una certa stima presso il popolo, si alzò e ordinò che gli apostoli fossero portati fuori dalla camera di consiglio, mentre parlava.
35 Poi Gamaliele si rivolse ai colleghi: «Israeliti, badate bene a quello che state facendo a questi uomini! 36 Tempo fa, cʼera quel tale Teuda, che si faceva passare per grandʼuomo. A lui si erano uniti altri quattrocento uomini, ma, dopo che fu ucciso, tutti i suoi seguaci furono dispersi, ridotti a nulla.
37 Dopo di lui, al tempo del censimento, ci fu un certo Giuda di Galilea, che si trascinò dietro dei discepoli, ma anche lui morì, e tutti i suoi simpatizzanti furono dispersi.
38 Perciò questo è il mio consiglio: lasciate perdere questi uomini. Se ciò che insegnano è farina del loro sacco, non durerà molto. 39 Se invece, viene da Dio, non sarete certo voi in grado di fermarli, e correte il rischio di trovarvi a combattere contro Dio stesso».
40 Il consiglio di Gamaliele fu accettato. Fecero chiamare gli apostoli, li fecero battere e, dopo aver intimato loro di nuovo di non parlare mai più nel nome di Gesù, finalmente, li lasciarono andare. 41 Gli apostoli uscirono dal tribunale tutti contenti, perché il Signore li aveva considerati degni di essere maltrattati per amore di Gesù. 42 E ogni giorno, nel tempio e per le case, continuavano ad insegnare e a predicare che Gesù è il Messia.
Acts 5
King James Version
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
Acts 5
New King James Version
Lying to the Holy Spirit
5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 (A)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (B)Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, (C)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and (D)wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (E)to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 (F)Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. 11 (G)So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Continuing Power in the Church
12 And (H)through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. (I)And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet (J)none of the rest dared join them, (K)but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, (L)that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing (M)sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
Imprisoned Apostles Freed
17 (N)Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with [a]indignation, 18 (O)and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night (P)an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people (Q)all the words of this life.”
21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. (R)But the high priest and those with him came and called the [b]council together, with all the [c]elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
Apostles on Trial Again
22 But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, 23 saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing [d]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when [e]the high priest, (S)the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. 25 So one came and told them, [f]saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, (T)for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, (U)“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, (V)and intend to bring this Man’s (W)blood on us!”
29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: (X)“We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 (Y)The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by (Z)hanging on a tree. 31 (AA)Him God has exalted to His right hand to be (AB)Prince and (AC)Savior, (AD)to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And (AE)we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit (AF)whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Advice
33 When they heard this, they were (AG)furious[g] and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named (AH)Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: “Men of Israel, [h]take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, [i]joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 39 (AI)but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found (AJ)to fight against God.”
40 And they agreed with him, and when they had (AK)called for the apostles (AL)and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 So they departed from the presence of the council, (AM)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for [j]His name. 42 And daily (AN)in the temple, and in every house, (AO)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
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La Bibbia della Gioia Copyright © 1997, 2006 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
