¹⁵ Forsaking the right way, ^(A)they have gone astray. They have followed ^(B)the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved ^(C)gain from wrongdoing, ¹⁶ but was rebuked for his own transgression; ^(D)a speechless donkey spoke with human voice and restrained the prophet's madness.

^17 (E)These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. ^(F)For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.

I Never Knew You

^21 (A)“Not everyone who ^(B)says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will ^(C)enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who ^(D)does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ^22 (E)On that day ^(F)many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not ^(G)prophesy in your name, and cast out demons ^(H)in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ ^23 (I)And then will I declare to them, ‘I ^(J)never knew you; ^(K)depart from me, ^(L)you workers of lawlessness.’

Ananias and Sapphira

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and with his wife's knowledge ^(A)he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and ^(B)laid it at the apostles' feet. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^(C)Satan filled your heart to lie ^(D)to the Holy Spirit and ^(E)to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? ⁴ While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but ^(F)to God.” ⁵ When Ananias heard these words, he ^(G)fell down and breathed his last. And ^(H)great fear came upon all who heard of it. ⁶ The young men rose and ^(I)wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.

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

Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria

⁴ Now ^(A)those who were scattered went about preaching the word. ^5 (B)Philip went down to the city^[a] of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. ^6 (C)And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him ^(D)and saw the signs that he did. ⁷ For ^(E)unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. ⁸ So ^(F)there was much joy in that city.

Simon the Magician Believes

⁹ But there was a man named Simon, ^(G)who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, ^(H)saying that he himself was somebody great. ¹⁰ They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, ^(I)“This man is the power of God that is called ^(J)Great.” ¹¹ And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had ^(K)amazed them with his magic. ¹² But when ^(L)they believed Philip as he preached good news ^(M)about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, ^(N)they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And ^(O)seeing signs and ^(P)great miracles^[b] performed, ^(Q)he was amazed.

¹⁴ Now when ^(R)the apostles at Jerusalem heard that ^(S)Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, ¹⁵ who came down and prayed for them ^(T)that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ for ^(U)he had not yet ^(V)fallen on any of them, but ^(W)they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then ^(X)they laid their hands on them and ^(Y)they received 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 me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” ²⁰ But Peter said to him, ^(Z)“May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God ^(AA)with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for ^(AB)your heart is not right before God. ²² Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, ^(AC)if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are in ^(AD)the gall^[c] of bitterness and in ^(AE)the bond of iniquity.” ²⁴ And Simon answered, ^(AF)“Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

²⁵ Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, ^(AG)preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.