²⁹ At that time many who were seeking righteousness and justice went down to the wilderness to live there, ³⁰ they, their sons, their wives, and their livestock, because troubles pressed heavily upon them.^{(A) 31} And it was reported to the king’s officers and to the troops in Jerusalem the city of David that those who had rejected the king’s command had gone down to the hiding places in the wilderness.^{(B) 32} Many pursued them and overtook them; they encamped opposite them and prepared for battle against them on the Sabbath day. ³³ They said to them, “Enough of this! Come out and do what the king commands, and you will live.” ³⁴ But they said, “We will not come out, nor will we do what the king commands and so profane the Sabbath day.”^{(C) 35} Then the enemy^[a] quickly attacked them. ³⁶ But they did not answer them or hurl a stone at them or block up their hiding places, ³⁷ for they said, “Let us all die in our innocence; heaven and earth testify for us that you are killing us unjustly.” ³⁸ So they attacked them on the Sabbath, and they died, with their wives and children and livestock, to the number of a thousand persons.^(D)

³⁹ When Mattathias and his friends learned of it, they mourned for them deeply. ⁴⁰ And all said to their neighbors: “If we all do as our kindred have done and refuse to fight with the nations for our lives and for our ordinances, they will quickly destroy us from the earth.” ⁴¹ So they made this decision that day: “Let us fight against anyone who comes to attack us on the Sabbath day; let us not all die as our kindred died in their hiding places.”^(E)

Counter-Attack

⁴² Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law.^{(F) 43} And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. ⁴⁴ They organized an army and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the nations for safety.^{(G) 45} And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars; ⁴⁶ they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys whom they found within the borders of Israel. ⁴⁷ They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. ⁴⁸ They rescued the law out of the hands of the nations and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.

⁵ The next day their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,^{(A) 6} with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John,^[a] and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.^{(B) 7} When they had made the prisoners^[b] stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders,^{(C) 9} if we are being questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are being asked how this man has been healed,^{[c] 10} let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,^[d] whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead.^{(D) 11} This Jesus^[e] is

¹² “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”^(F)

¹³ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and ordinary men, they were amazed and recognized them as companions of Jesus.^{(G) 14} When they saw the man who had been cured standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. ¹⁵ So they ordered them to leave the council while they discussed the matter with one another.^{(H) 16} They said, “What will we do with them? For it is obvious to all who live in Jerusalem that a notable sign has been done through them; we cannot deny it.^{(I) 17} But to keep it from spreading further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” ¹⁸ So they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.^{(J) 19} But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge;^{(K) 20} for we cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.”^{(L) 21} After threatening them again, they let them go, finding no way to punish them because of the people, for all of them praised God for what had happened.^{(M) 22} For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

²³ After they were released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard it, they raised their voices together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth, the sea, and everything in them,^{(N) 25} it is you who said by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:^[g]

²⁷ “For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant^[i] Jesus, whom you anointed,^{(Q) 28} to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,^{(R) 30} while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant^[j] Jesus.”^{(S) 31} When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.^(T)

The Last Words of Mattathias

⁴⁹ Now the days drew near for Mattathias to die, and he said to his sons: “Arrogance and scorn have now become strong; it is a time of ruin and furious anger. ⁵⁰ Now, my children, show zeal for the law and give your lives for the covenant of our ancestors.

⁵¹ “Remember the deeds of the ancestors, which they did in their generations, and you will receive great honor and an everlasting name.^{(A) 52} Was not Abraham found faithful when tested, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness?^{(B) 53} Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment and became lord of Egypt.^{(C) 54} Phinehas our ancestor, because he was deeply zealous, received the covenant of everlasting priesthood.^{(D) 55} Joshua, because he fulfilled the command, became a judge in Israel.^{(E) 56} Caleb, because he testified in the assembly, received an inheritance in the land.^{(F) 57} David, because he was merciful, inherited the throne of the kingdom forever.^{(G) 58} Elijah, because of great zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven.^{(H) 59} Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael believed and were saved from the flame.^{(I) 60} Daniel, because of his innocence, was delivered from the mouth of the lions.^(J)

⁶¹ “And so observe, from generation to generation, that none of those who put their trust in him will lack strength.^{(K) 62} Do not fear the words of sinners, for their splendor will turn into dung and worms.^{(L) 63} Today they will be exalted, but tomorrow they will not be found, for they will have returned to the dust, and their plans will have perished. ⁶⁴ My children, be courageous and grow strong in the law, for by it you will gain honor.^(M)

⁶⁵ “Here is your brother Simeon, who I know is wise in counsel; always listen to him; he shall be your father.^{(N) 66} Judas Maccabeus has been a mighty warrior from his youth; he shall command the army for you and fight the battle against the peoples.^{[a](O) 67} You shall rally around you all who observe the law and avenge the wrong done to your people. ⁶⁸ Pay back the nations in full, and obey the commands of the law.”

⁶⁹ Then he blessed them and was gathered to his ancestors. ⁷⁰ He died in the one hundred forty-sixth year and was buried in the tomb of his ancestors at Modein. And all Israel mourned for him with great lamentation.^(P)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

³² Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.^{(A) 33} With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.^{(B) 34} There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold.^{(C) 35} They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.^{(D) 36} There was a Levite from Cyprus, Joseph, to whom the apostles gave the name Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). ³⁷ He sold a field that belonged to him, then brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.^(E)

Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with the consent of his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property; ² with his wife’s knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.^{(F) 3} “Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?^{(G) 4} While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, were not the proceeds at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You did not lie to us^[a] but to God!” ⁵ Now when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men came and wrapped up his body, then carried him out and buried him.^(H)

⁷ After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you and your husband sold the land for such and such a price.” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” ⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”^{(I) 10} Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in they found her dead, so they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ And great fear seized the whole church and all who heard of these things.^(J)