But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

25 For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

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.

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?

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.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

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.

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.

15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,

16 And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.

24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:

25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian yesterday?

29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him,

32 Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

33 Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

46 Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

47 But Solomon built him an house.

48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

50 Hath not my hand made all these things?

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.

26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32 Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God.

34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

11 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,

I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.

12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

14 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

And there they preached the gospel.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16 Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;(A) and you will be my witnesses(B) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,(C) and to the ends of the earth.”(D)

After he said this, he was taken up(E) before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white(F) stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,”(G) they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back(H) in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem(I) from the hill called the Mount of Olives,(J) a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room(K) where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.(L) 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer,(M) along with the women(N) and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.(O)

15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty) 16 and said, “Brothers and sisters,[b](P) the Scripture had to be fulfilled(Q) in which the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through David concerning Judas,(R) who served as guide for those who arrested Jesus. 17 He was one of our number(S) and shared in our ministry.”(T)

18 (With the payment(U) he received for his wickedness, Judas bought a field;(V) there he fell headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines spilled out. 19 Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this, so they called that field in their language(W) Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms:

“‘May his place be deserted;
    let there be no one to dwell in it,’[c](X)

and,

“‘May another take his place of leadership.’[d](Y)

21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism(Z) to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness(AA) with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed,(AB) “Lord, you know everyone’s heart.(AC) Show us(AD) which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.(AE)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost(AF) came, they were all together(AG) in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.(AH) They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit(AI) and began to speak in other tongues[e](AJ) as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing(AK) Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed,(AL) they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?(AM) Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,(AN) Pontus(AO) and Asia,[f](AP) 10 Phrygia(AQ) and Pamphylia,(AR) Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene;(AS) visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”(AT)

Peter Addresses the Crowd

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!(AU) 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.(AV)
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,(AW)
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.(AX)
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,(AY)
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood(AZ)
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord(BA) will be saved.’[g](BB)

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth(BC) was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs,(BD) which God did among you through him,(BE) as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge;(BF) and you, with the help of wicked men,[h] put him to death by nailing him to the cross.(BG) 24 But God raised him from the dead,(BH) freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.(BI) 25 David said about him:

“‘I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
    you will not let your holy one see decay.(BJ)
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence.’[i](BK)

29 “Fellow Israelites,(BL) I can tell you confidently that the patriarch(BM) David died and was buried,(BN) and his tomb is here(BO) to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.(BP) 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay.(BQ) 32 God has raised this Jesus to life,(BR) and we are all witnesses(BS) of it. 33 Exalted(BT) to the right hand of God,(BU) he has received from the Father(BV) the promised Holy Spirit(BW) and has poured out(BX) what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
    a footstool for your feet.”’[j](BY)

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord(BZ) and Messiah.”(CA)

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”(CB)

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized,(CC) every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.(CD) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(CE) 39 The promise is for you and your children(CF) and for all who are far off(CG)—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”(CH) 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number(CI) that day.

The Fellowship of the Believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching(CJ) and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread(CK) and to prayer.(CL) 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.(CM) 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.(CN) 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.(CO) 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.(CP) They broke bread(CQ) in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.(CR) And the Lord added to their number(CS) daily those who were being saved.

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

One day Peter and John(CT) were going up to the temple(CU) at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.(CV) Now a man who was lame from birth(CW) was being carried to the temple gate(CX) called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg(CY) from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(CZ) walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping,(DA) and praising God. When all the people(DB) saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful,(DC) and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Peter Speaks to the Onlookers

11 While the man held on to Peter and John,(DD) all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.(DE) 12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,(DF) the God of our fathers,(DG) has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over(DH) to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate,(DI) though he had decided to let him go.(DJ) 14 You disowned the Holy(DK) and Righteous One(DL) and asked that a murderer be released to you.(DM) 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.(DN) We are witnesses(DO) of this. 16 By faith in the name of Jesus,(DP) this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.

17 “Now, fellow Israelites,(DQ) I know that you acted in ignorance,(DR) as did your leaders.(DS) 18 But this is how God fulfilled(DT) what he had foretold(DU) through all the prophets,(DV) saying that his Messiah would suffer.(DW) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,(DX) that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Messiah,(DY) who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21 Heaven must receive him(DZ) until the time comes for God to restore everything,(EA) as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.(EB) 22 For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.(EC) 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people.’[k](ED)

24 “Indeed, beginning with Samuel, all the prophets(EE) who have spoken have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs(EF) of the prophets and of the covenant(EG) God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’[l](EH) 26 When God raised up(EI) his servant, he sent him first(EJ) to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin

The priests and the captain of the temple guard(EK) and the Sadducees(EL) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.(EM) They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail(EN) until the next day. But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew(EO) to about five thousand.

The next day the rulers,(EP) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(EQ) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,(ER) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(ES) If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(ET) and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(EU) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(EV) that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
    which has become the cornerstone.’[m](EW)

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”(EX)

13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(EY) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(EZ) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(FA) 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin(FB) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(FC) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(FD) and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(FE) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(FF) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(FG) about what we have seen and heard.”(FH)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(FI) were praising God(FJ) for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(FK) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(FL) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(FM)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.[n][o](FN)

27 Indeed Herod(FO) and Pontius Pilate(FP) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(FQ) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(FR) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(FS) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(FT) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(FU)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(FV) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(FW) and spoke the word of God(FX) boldly.(FY)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(FZ) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(GA) to the resurrection(GB) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(GC) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(GD) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(GE) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(GF)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(GG) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(GH)

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,(GI) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(GJ)

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

When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(GQ) And great fear(GR) seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(GS) 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.”(GT)

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(GU) 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.(GV) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(GW) 11 Great fear(GX) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.

The Apostles Heal Many

12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(GY) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(GZ) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(HA) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(HB) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(HC) 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.(HD) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(HE)

The Apostles Persecuted

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

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(HM) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(HN)—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.(HO) 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(HP) 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(HQ) would stone them.

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

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

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

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

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

The Choosing of the Seven

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,(IP) the Hellenistic Jews[p](IQ) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows(IR) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.(IS) So the Twelve gathered all the disciples(IT) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God(IU) in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters,(IV) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(IW) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(IX) and will give our attention to prayer(IY) and the ministry of the word.”

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(IZ) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(JA) also Philip,(JB) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(JC) and laid their hands on them.(JD)

So the word of God spread.(JE) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,(JF) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Stephen Seized

Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(JG) among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(JH) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(JI) and Asia(JJ)—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.(JK)

11 Then they secretly(JL) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”(JM)

12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.(JN) 13 They produced false witnesses,(JO) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(JP) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(JQ) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(JR)

15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin(JS) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Stephen’s Speech to the Sanhedrin

Then the high priest asked Stephen, “Are these charges true?”

To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers,(JT) listen to me! The God of glory(JU) appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran.(JV) ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’[q](JW)

“So he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Harran. After the death of his father, God sent him to this land where you are now living.(JX) He gave him no inheritance here,(JY) not even enough ground to set his foot on. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land,(JZ) even though at that time Abraham had no child. God spoke to him in this way: ‘For four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated.(KA) But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’[r](KB) Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision.(KC) And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth.(KD) Later Isaac became the father of Jacob,(KE) and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs.(KF)

“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph,(KG) they sold him as a slave into Egypt.(KH) But God was with him(KI) 10 and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace.(KJ)

11 “Then a famine struck all Egypt and Canaan, bringing great suffering, and our ancestors could not find food.(KK) 12 When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our forefathers on their first visit.(KL) 13 On their second visit, Joseph told his brothers who he was,(KM) and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family.(KN) 14 After this, Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his whole family,(KO) seventy-five in all.(KP) 15 Then Jacob went down to Egypt, where he and our ancestors died.(KQ) 16 Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.(KR)

17 “As the time drew near for God to fulfill his promise to Abraham, the number of our people in Egypt had greatly increased.(KS) 18 Then ‘a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt.’[s](KT) 19 He dealt treacherously with our people and oppressed our ancestors by forcing them to throw out their newborn babies so that they would die.(KU)

20 “At that time Moses was born, and he was no ordinary child.[t] For three months he was cared for by his family.(KV) 21 When he was placed outside, Pharaoh’s daughter took him and brought him up as her own son.(KW) 22 Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians(KX) and was powerful in speech and action.

23 “When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. 25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. 26 The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?’

27 “But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us?(KY) 28 Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’[u] 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.(KZ)

30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai. 31 When he saw this, he was amazed at the sight. As he went over to get a closer look, he heard the Lord say:(LA) 32 ‘I am the God of your fathers,(LB) the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’[v] Moses trembled with fear and did not dare to look.(LC)

33 “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.(LD) 34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’[w](LE)

35 “This is the same Moses they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’(LF) He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 He led them out of Egypt(LG) and performed wonders and signs(LH) in Egypt, at the Red Sea(LI) and for forty years in the wilderness.(LJ)

37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’[x](LK) 38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel(LL) who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors;(LM) and he received living words(LN) to pass on to us.(LO)

39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.(LP) 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!’[y](LQ) 41 That was the time they made an idol in the form of a calf. They brought sacrifices to it and reveled in what their own hands had made.(LR) 42 But God turned away from them(LS) and gave them over to the worship of the sun, moon and stars.(LT) This agrees with what is written in the book of the prophets:

“‘Did you bring me sacrifices and offerings
    forty years in the wilderness, people of Israel?
43 You have taken up the tabernacle of Molek
    and the star of your god Rephan,
    the idols you made to worship.
Therefore I will send you into exile’[z](LU) beyond Babylon.

44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law(LV) with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.(LW) 45 After receiving the tabernacle, our ancestors under Joshua brought it with them when they took the land from the nations God drove out before them.(LX) It remained in the land until the time of David,(LY) 46 who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.[aa](LZ) 47 But it was Solomon who built a house for him.(MA)

48 “However, the Most High(MB) does not live in houses made by human hands.(MC) As the prophet says:

49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
    and the earth is my footstool.(MD)
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
    Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’[ab](ME)

51 “You stiff-necked people!(MF) Your hearts(MG) and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit! 52 Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute?(MH) They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him(MI) 53 you who have received the law that was given through angels(MJ) but have not obeyed it.”

The Stoning of Stephen

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious(MK) and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit,(ML) looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.(MM) 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open(MN) and the Son of Man(MO) standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city(MP) and began to stone him.(MQ) Meanwhile, the witnesses(MR) laid their coats(MS) at the feet of a young man named Saul.(MT)

59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”(MU) 60 Then he fell on his knees(MV) and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”(MW) When he had said this, he fell asleep.(MX)

And Saul(MY) approved of their killing him.

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered(MZ) throughout Judea and Samaria.(NA) Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul(NB) began to destroy the church.(NC) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

Philip in Samaria

Those who had been scattered(ND) preached the word wherever they went.(NE)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:12 That is, about 5/8 mile or about 1 kilometer
  2. Acts 1:16 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 6:3; 11:29; 12:17; 16:40; 18:18, 27; 21:7, 17; 28:14, 15.
  3. Acts 1:20 Psalm 69:25
  4. Acts 1:20 Psalm 109:8
  5. Acts 2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11
  6. Acts 2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name
  7. Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
  8. Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles)
  9. Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)
  10. Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1
  11. Acts 3:23 Deut. 18:15,18,19
  12. Acts 3:25 Gen. 22:18; 26:4
  13. Acts 4:11 Psalm 118:22
  14. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  15. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2
  16. Acts 6:1 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
  17. Acts 7:3 Gen. 12:1
  18. Acts 7:7 Gen. 15:13,14
  19. Acts 7:18 Exodus 1:8
  20. Acts 7:20 Or was fair in the sight of God
  21. Acts 7:28 Exodus 2:14
  22. Acts 7:32 Exodus 3:6
  23. Acts 7:34 Exodus 3:5,7,8,10
  24. Acts 7:37 Deut. 18:15
  25. Acts 7:40 Exodus 32:1
  26. Acts 7:43 Amos 5:25-27 (see Septuagint)
  27. Acts 7:46 Some early manuscripts the house of Jacob
  28. Acts 7:50 Isaiah 66:1,2

(A)But you shall receive power (B)when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and (C)you shall be [a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and (D)Samaria, and to the (E)end of the earth.”

Jesus Ascends to Heaven(F)

(G)Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, (H)He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them (I)in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, (J)will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

The Upper Room Prayer Meeting

12 (K)Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up (L)into the upper room where they were staying: (M)Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and (N)Simon the Zealot; and (O)Judas the son of James. 14 (P)These all continued with one [b]accord in prayer [c]and supplication, with (Q)the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with (R)His brothers.

Matthias Chosen(S)

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the [d]disciples (altogether the number (T)of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, (U)which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, (V)who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 for (W)he was numbered with us and obtained a part in (X)this ministry.”

18 (Y)(Now this man purchased a field with (Z)the [e]wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his [f]entrails gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

(AA)‘Let his dwelling place be [g]desolate,
And let no one live in it’;

and,

(AB)‘Let another take his [h]office.’

21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when (AC)He was taken up from us, one of these must (AD)become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

23 And they proposed two: Joseph called (AE)Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, (AF)who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen 25 (AG)to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” 26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Coming of the Holy Spirit

When (AH)the Day of Pentecost had fully come, (AI)they were all [i]with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and (AJ)it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them [j]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And (AK)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began (AL)to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Crowd’s Response

And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, (AM)devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the (AN)multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak (AO)Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own [k]language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and (AP)Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and [l]Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Peter’s Sermon(AQ)

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, (AR)since it is only [m]the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 ‘And(AS) it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
(AT)That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and (AU)your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
(AV)And they shall prophesy.
19 (AW)I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 (AX)The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.
21 And it shall come to pass
That (AY)whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you (AZ)by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, (BA)being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, (BB)you [n]have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 (BC)whom God raised up, having [o]loosed the [p]pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:

(BD)‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see (BE)corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you (BF)of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, (BG)and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, [q]according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, (BH)that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 (BI)This Jesus God has raised up, (BJ)of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore (BK)being exalted [r]to (BL)the right hand of God, and (BM)having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He (BN)poured out this which you now see and hear.

34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

(BO)‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

37 Now when they heard this, (BP)they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

38 Then Peter said to them, (BQ)“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [s]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and (BR)to your children, and (BS)to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

A Vital Church Grows

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this [t]perverse generation.” 41 Then those who [u]gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 (BT)And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [v]doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and (BU)many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and (BV)had all things in common, 45 and [w]sold their possessions and goods, and (BW)divided[x] them among all, as anyone had need.

46 (BX)So continuing daily with one accord (BY)in the temple, and (BZ)breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And (CA)the Lord added [y]to the church daily those who were being saved.

A Lame Man Healed

Now Peter and John went up together (CB)to the temple at the hour of prayer, (CC)the ninth hour. And (CD)a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, (CE)to [z]ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: (CF)In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, (CG)leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. (CH)And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who (CI)sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Preaching in Solomon’s Portico

11 Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch (CJ)which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. 12 So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13 (CK)The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, (CL)glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you (CM)delivered up and (CN)denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied (CO)the Holy One (CP)and the Just, and (CQ)asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the [aa]Prince of life, (CR)whom God raised from the dead, (CS)of which we are witnesses. 16 (CT)And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17 “Yet now, brethren, I know that (CU)you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But (CV)those things which God foretold (CW)by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 (CX)Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send [ab]Jesus Christ, who was [ac]preached to you before, 21 (CY)whom heaven must receive until the times of (CZ)restoration of all things, (DA)which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since [ad]the world began. 22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, (DB)‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 Yes, and (DC)all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also [ae]foretold these days. 25 (DD)You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, (DE)‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 To you (DF)first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, (DG)in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

Peter and John Arrested

Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the (DH)Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

Addressing the Sanhedrin

And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes, as well as (DI)Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, (DJ)“By what power or by what name have you done this?”

(DK)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, (DL)that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, (DM)whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the (DN)‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 (DO)Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

The Name of Jesus Forbidden

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, (DP)and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed (DQ)standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, (DR)“What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a [af]notable miracle has been done through them is (DS)evident[ag] to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.”

18 (DT)So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, (DU)“Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 (DV)For we cannot but speak the things which (DW)we have seen and heard.” 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way of punishing them, (DX)because of the people, since they all (DY)glorified God for (DZ)what had been done. 22 For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed.

Prayer for Boldness(EA)

23 And being let go, (EB)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, (EC)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [ah]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

(ED)‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

27 “For (EE)truly against (EF)Your holy Servant Jesus, (EG)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 (EH)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants (EI)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, (EJ)and that signs and wonders may be done (EK)through the name of (EL)Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, (EM)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (EN)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Sharing in All Things

32 Now the multitude of those who believed (EO)were of one heart and one soul; (EP)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with (EQ)great power the apostles gave (ER)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And (ES)great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; (ET)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 (EU)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; (EV)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 And [ai]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [aj]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 (EW)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 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. (EX)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has (EY)Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 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.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, (EZ)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and (FA)wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together (FB)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 (FC)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 (FD)So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

Continuing Power in the Church

12 And (FE)through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. (FF)And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet (FG)none of the rest dared join them, (FH)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, (FI)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 (FJ)sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 (FK)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 [ak]indignation, 18 (FL)and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night (FM)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 (FN)all the words of this life.”

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. (FO)But the high priest and those with him came and called the [al]council together, with all the [am]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 [an]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24 Now when [ao]the high priest, (FP)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, [ap]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, (FQ)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, (FR)“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, (FS)and intend to bring this Man’s (FT)blood on us!”

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: (FU)“We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 (FV)The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by (FW)hanging on a tree. 31 (FX)Him God has exalted to His right hand to be (FY)Prince and (FZ)Savior, (GA)to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And (GB)we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit (GC)whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

33 When they heard this, they were (GD)furious[aq] and plotted to kill them. 34 Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named (GE)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, [ar]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, [as]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 (GF)but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found (GG)to fight against God.”

40 And they agreed with him, and when they had (GH)called for the apostles (GI)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, (GJ)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for [at]His name. 42 And daily (GK)in the temple, and in every house, (GL)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Seven Chosen to Serve

Now in those days, (GM)when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the (GN)Hellenists,[au] because their widows were neglected (GO)in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, (GP)“It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, (GQ)seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this (GR)business; but we (GS)will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, (GT)a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and (GU)Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and (GV)Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and (GW)when they had prayed, (GX)they laid hands on them.

Then (GY)the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many (GZ)of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Stephen Accused of Blasphemy

And Stephen, full of [av]faith and power, did great (HA)wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. 10 And (HB)they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11 (HC)Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. 13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak [aw]blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; 14 (HD)for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Stephen’s Address: The Call of Abraham

Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?”

And he said, (HE)“Brethren and fathers, listen: The (HF)God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in (HG)Haran, and said to him, (HH)‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ Then (HI)he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was (HJ)dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell. And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, (HK)He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him. But God spoke in this way: (HL)that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into (HM)bondage and oppress them four hundred years. (HN)‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will (HO)judge,’ said God, (HP)‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’ (HQ)Then He gave him the covenant of circumcision; (HR)and so Abraham begot Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day; (HS)and Isaac begot Jacob, and (HT)Jacob begot the twelve patriarchs.

The Patriarchs in Egypt

(HU)“And the patriarchs, becoming envious, (HV)sold Joseph into Egypt. (HW)But God was with him 10 and delivered him out of all his troubles, (HX)and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11 (HY)Now a famine and great [ax]trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. 12 (HZ)But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. 13 And the (IA)second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. 14 (IB)Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and (IC)all his relatives to him, [ay]seventy-five people. 15 (ID)So Jacob went down to Egypt; (IE)and he died, he and our fathers. 16 And (IF)they were carried back to Shechem and laid in (IG)the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

God Delivers Israel by Moses

17 “But when (IH)the time of the promise drew near which God had sworn to Abraham, (II)the people grew and multiplied in Egypt 18 till another king (IJ)arose who did not know Joseph. 19 This man dealt treacherously with our people, and oppressed our forefathers, (IK)making them expose their babies, so that they might not live. 20 (IL)At this time Moses was born, and (IM)was well pleasing to God; and he was brought up in his father’s house for three months. 21 But (IN)when he was set out, (IO)Pharaoh’s daughter took him away and brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was (IP)mighty in words and deeds.

23 (IQ)“Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. 25 For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ 27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, (IR)‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 (IS)Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he (IT)had two sons.

30 (IU)“And when forty years had passed, an Angel [az]of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. 31 When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, 32 saying, (IV)‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. 33 (IW)‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. 34 I have surely (IX)seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will (IY)send you to Egypt.” ’

35 “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, (IZ)‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer (JA)by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 (JB)He brought them out, after he had (JC)shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, (JD)and in the Red Sea, (JE)and in the wilderness forty years.

Israel Rebels Against God

37 “This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, (JF)‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. (JG)Him[ba] you shall hear.’

38 (JH)“This is he who was in the [bb]congregation in the wilderness with (JI)the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, (JJ)the one who received the living (JK)oracles[bc] to give to us, 39 whom our fathers (JL)would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt, 40 (JM)saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41 (JN)And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and (JO)rejoiced in the works of their own hands. 42 Then (JP)God turned and gave them up to worship (JQ)the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets:

(JR)‘Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness,
O house of Israel?
43 You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of your god Remphan,
Images which you made to worship;
And (JS)I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’

God’s True Tabernacle

44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses (JT)to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, 45 (JU)which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, (JV)whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the (JW)days of David, 46 (JX)who found favor before God and (JY)asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. 47 (JZ)But Solomon built Him a house.

48 “However, (KA)the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

49 ‘Heaven(KB) is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
What house will you build for Me? says the Lord,
Or what is the place of My rest?
50 Has My hand not (KC)made all these things?’

Israel Resists the Holy Spirit

51 You (KD)stiff-necked[bd] and (KE)uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 (KF)Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of (KG)the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 (KH)who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.

Stephen the Martyr

54 (KI)When they heard these things they were [be]cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, (KJ)being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the (KK)glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! (KL)I see the heavens opened and the (KM)Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And (KN)the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, (KO)receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, (KP)“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul Persecutes the Church

Now Saul was consenting to his death.

At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and (KQ)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and (KR)made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, (KS)he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

Christ Is Preached in Samaria

Therefore (KT)those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then (KU)Philip went down to [bf]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For (KV)unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith

But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously (KW)practiced [bg]sorcery in the city and (KX)astonished the [bh]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [bi]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things (KY)concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

The Sorcerer’s Sin

14 Now when the (KZ)apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them (LA)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For (LB)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. (LC)They had only been baptized in (LD)the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (LE)they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because (LF)you thought that (LG)the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your (LH)heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God (LI)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (LJ)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said, (LK)“Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian(LL)

26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to (LM)Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [bj]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, (LN)a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and (LO)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:

(LP)“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
(LQ)So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His (LR)justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is (LS)taken from the earth.”

34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, (LT)and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. (LU)What hinders me from being baptized?”

37 [bk]Then Philip said, (LV)“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”

And he answered and said, (LW)“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, (LX)the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at [bl]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to (LY)Caesarea.

The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(LZ)

Then (MA)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked (MB)letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

(MC)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (MD)why are you persecuting Me?”

And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [bm]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

And (ME)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (MF)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (MG)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (MH)how much [bn]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (MI)who call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (MJ)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (MK)Gentiles, (ML)kings, and the (MM)children[bo] of Israel. 16 For (MN)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (MO)name’s sake.”

17 (MP)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (MQ)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [bp]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (MR)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. (MS)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Saul Preaches Christ

20 Immediately he preached [bq]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, (MT)“Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, (MU)and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Saul Escapes Death

23 Now after many days were past, (MV)the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 (MW)But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and (MX)let him down through the wall in a large basket.

Saul at Jerusalem

26 And (MY)when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 (MZ)But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, (NA)and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So (NB)he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the (NC)Hellenists,[br] (ND)but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

The Church Prospers

31 (NE)Then the [bs]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were (NF)edified.[bt] And walking in the (NG)fear of the Lord and in the (NH)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were (NI)multiplied.

Aeneas Healed

32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went (NJ)through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (NK)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and (NL)Sharon saw him and (NM)turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [bu]Tabitha, which is translated [bv]Dorcas. This woman was full (NN)of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in (NO)an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (NP)put them all out, and (NQ)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he (NR)said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, (NS)and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with (NT)Simon, a tanner.

Cornelius Sends a Delegation

10 There was a certain man in (NU)Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [bw]Regiment, (NV)a devout man and one who (NW)feared God with all his household, who gave [bx]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. About [by]the ninth hour of the day (NX)he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”

And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”

So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. Now (NY)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with (NZ)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (OA)He[bz] will tell you what you must do.” And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Peter’s Vision

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, (OB)Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [ca]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and (OC)saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! (OD)For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, (OE)“What God has [cb]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.

Summoned to Caesarea

17 Now while Peter [cc]wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

19 While Peter thought about the vision, (OF)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 (OG)Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”

21 Then Peter went down to the men [cd]who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”

22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and (OH)has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them.

On the next day Peter went away with them, (OI)and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

Peter Meets Cornelius

24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (OJ)“Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how (OK)unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But (OL)God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”

30 So Cornelius said, [ce]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, (OM)a man stood before me (ON)in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (OO)your prayer has been heard, and (OP)your [cf]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [cg]When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

Preaching to Cornelius’ Household

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: (OQ)“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But (OR)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is (OS)accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [ch]children of Israel, (OT)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—(OU)He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and (OV)began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how (OW)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who (OX)went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, (OY)for God was with Him. 39 And we are (OZ)witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [ci]they (PA)killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him (PB)God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 (PC)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us (PD)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And (PE)He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify (PF)that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge (PG)of the living and the dead. 43 (PH)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, (PI)whoever believes in Him will receive (PJ)remission[cj] of sins.”

The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (PK)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 (PL)And [ck]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, (PM)because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit (PN)just as we have? 48 (PO)And he commanded them to be baptized (PP)in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Peter Defends God’s Grace

11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, (PQ)those of the circumcision contended with him, saying, (PR)“You went in to uncircumcised men (PS)and ate with them!”

But Peter explained it to them (PT)in order from the beginning, saying: (PU)“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then (PV)the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover (PW)these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 (PX)And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, (PY)as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, (PZ)‘John indeed baptized with water, but (QA)you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 (QB)If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (QC)who was I that I could withstand God?”

18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, (QD)“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Barnabas and Saul at Antioch

19 (QE)Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to (QF)the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And (QG)the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and (QH)turned to the Lord.

22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out (QI)Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and (QJ)encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, (QK)full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. (QL)And a great many people were added to the Lord.

25 Then Barnabas departed for (QM)Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Relief to Judea

27 And in these days (QN)prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named (QO)Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of (QP)Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send (QQ)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 (QR)This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Herod’s Violence to the Church

12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he killed James (QS)the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during (QT)the Days of Unleavened Bread. So (QU)when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [cl]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.

Peter Freed from Prison

Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [cm]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [cn]keeping the prison. Now behold, (QV)an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and (QW)did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought (QX)he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, (QY)which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that (QZ)the Lord has sent His angel, and (RA)has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

12 So, when he had considered this, (RB)he came to the house of Mary, the mother of (RC)John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together (RD)praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, (RE)“It is his angel.”

16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But (RF)motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small [co]stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

Herod’s Violent Death

20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of (RG)Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus [cp]the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because (RH)their country was [cq]supplied with food by the king’s country.

21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord (RI)struck him, because (RJ)he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and [cr]died.

24 But (RK)the word of God grew and multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul Appointed

25 And (RL)Barnabas and Saul returned [cs]from Jerusalem when they had (RM)fulfilled their ministry, and they also (RN)took with them (RO)John whose surname was Mark.

Paul and Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles

13 Now (RP)in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: (RQ)Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, (RR)Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, (RS)“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work (RT)to which I have called them.” Then, (RU)having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

Preaching in Cyprus

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to (RV)Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, (RW)they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had (RX)John as their assistant.

Now when they had gone through [ct]the island to Paphos, they found (RY)a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But (RZ)Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) [cu]withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, (SA)filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, (SB)you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, (SC)the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

At Antioch in Pisidia

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and (SD)John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and (SE)went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And (SF)after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have (SG)any word of [cv]exhortation for the people, say on.”

16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and (SH)you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people [cw]Israel (SI)chose our fathers, and exalted the people (SJ)when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with [cx]an uplifted arm He (SK)brought them out of it. 18 Now (SL)for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed (SM)seven nations in the land of Canaan, (SN)He distributed their land to them by allotment.

20 “After that (SO)He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, (SP)until Samuel the prophet. 21 (SQ)And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them (SR)Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And (SS)when He had removed him, (ST)He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, (SU)‘I have found David the son of Jesse, (SV)a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 (SW)From this man’s seed, according (SX)to the promise, God raised up for Israel (SY)a[cy] Savior—Jesus— 24 (SZ)after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, (TA)‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, (TB)there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’

26 “Men and brethren, sons of the [cz]family of Abraham, and (TC)those among you who fear God, (TD)to you the [da]word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, (TE)because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 (TF)And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 (TG)Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, (TH)they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 (TI)But God raised Him from the dead. 31 (TJ)He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—(TK)that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

(TL)‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to [db]corruption, He has spoken thus:

(TM)‘I will give you the sure [dc]mercies of David.’

35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

(TN)‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

36 “For David, after he had served [dd]his own generation by the will of God, (TO)fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and [de]saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up [df]saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that (TP)through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and (TQ)by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

41 ‘Behold,(TR) you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’

Blessing and Conflict at Antioch

42 [dg]So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, (TS)persuaded them to continue in (TT)the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they (TU)opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, (TV)“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but (TW)since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, (TX)we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

(TY)‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’

48 Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. (TZ)And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, (UA)raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 (UB)But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples (UC)were filled with joy and (UD)with the Holy Spirit.

At Iconium

14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the (UE)Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and [dh]poisoned their [di]minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, (UF)who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and (UG)wonders to be done by their hands.

But the multitude of the city was (UH)divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the (UI)apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, (UJ)to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and (UK)fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.

Idolatry at Lystra

(UL)And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. [dj]Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, (UM)“Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, (UN)“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called [dk]Zeus, and Paul, [dl]Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, (UO)intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, (UP)they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, (UQ)why are you doing these things? (UR)We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from (US)these useless things (UT)to the living God, (UU)who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 (UV)who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 (UW)Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, (UX)gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with (UY)food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

Stoning, Escape to Derbe

19 (UZ)Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, (VA)they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be (VB)dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Strengthening the Converts

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city (VC)and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, (VD)exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, (VE)“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had (VF)appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, (VG)they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had (VH)opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Conflict over Circumcision

15 And (VI)certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, (VJ)“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that (VK)Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

So, (VL)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, (VM)describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

The Jerusalem Council

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: (VN)“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, (VO)who knows the heart, [dm]acknowledged them by (VP)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, (VQ)and made no distinction between us and them, (VR)purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God (VS)by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But (VT)we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus [dn]Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had (VU)worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had [do]become silent, (VV)James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 (VW)Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After(VX) this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the [dp]Lord who does all these things.’

18 [dq]“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore (VY)I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who (VZ)are turning to God, 20 but that we (WA)write to them to abstain (WB)from things polluted by idols, (WC)from [dr]sexual immorality, (WD)from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, (WE)being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Jerusalem Decree

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named (WF)Barsabas,[ds] and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (WG)some who went out from us have troubled you with words, (WH)unsettling your souls, [dt]saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one [du]accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (WI)men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 (WJ)that you abstain from things offered to idols, (WK)from blood, from things strangled, and from (WL)sexual[dv] immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being (WM)prophets also, (WN)exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were (WO)sent back with greetings from the brethren to [dw]the apostles.

34 [dx]However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 (WP)Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Division over John Mark

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas [dy]was determined to take with them (WQ)John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them (WR)the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to (WS)Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (WT)being [dz]commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (WU)strengthening the churches.

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Then he came to (WV)Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, (WW)named Timothy, (WX)the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he (WY)took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the (WZ)decrees to keep, (XA)which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. (XB)So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

The Macedonian Call

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of (XC)Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in [ea]Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the [eb]Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they (XD)came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A (XE)man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go (XF)to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Lydia Baptized at Philippi

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to (XG)Philippi, which is the [ec]foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of (XH)Thyatira, who worshiped God. (XI)The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So (XJ)she persuaded us.

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl (XK)possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters (XL)much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.

But Paul, (XM)greatly [ed]annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (XN)And he came out that very hour. 19 But (XO)when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and (XP)dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, (XQ)exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes (XR)and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Saved

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 (XS)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately (XT)all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, (XU)“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, (XV)“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, (XW)he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Paul Refuses to Depart Secretly

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the [ee]officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned (XX)Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and (XY)asked them to depart from the city. 40 So they went out of the prison (XZ)and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Preaching Christ at Thessalonica

17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to (YA)Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, (YB)went in to them, and for three Sabbaths (YC)reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating (YD)that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (YE)And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and (YF)Silas.

Assault on Jason’s House

But the Jews [ef]who were not persuaded, [eg]becoming (YG)envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of (YH)Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, (YI)“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has [eh]harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, (YJ)saying there is another king—Jesus.” And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Ministering at Berea

10 Then (YK)the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more [ei]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and (YL)searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 (YM)Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and (YN)receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

The Philosophers at Athens

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, (YO)his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was [ej]given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 [ek]Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this [el]babbler want to say?”

Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them (YP)Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him to the [em]Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

Addressing the Areopagus

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the [en]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 (YQ)God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is (YR)Lord of heaven and earth, (YS)does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He (YT)gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one [eo]blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and (YU)the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 (YV)so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, (YW)though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for (YX)in Him we live and move and have our being, (YY)as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, (YZ)we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, (ZA)these times of ignorance God overlooked, but (ZB)now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which (ZC)He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by (ZD)raising Him from the dead.”

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter. 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Ministering at Corinth

18 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named (ZE)Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them (ZF)and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. (ZG)And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

(ZH)When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was (ZI)compelled [ep]by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But (ZJ)when they opposed him and blasphemed, (ZK)he shook his garments and said to them, (ZL)“Your blood be upon your own heads; (ZM)I am clean. (ZN)From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named [eq]Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. (ZO)Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Now (ZP)the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 (ZQ)for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 1:8 NU My witnesses
  2. Acts 1:14 purpose or mind
  3. Acts 1:14 NU omits and supplication
  4. Acts 1:15 NU brethren
  5. Acts 1:18 reward of unrighteousness
  6. Acts 1:18 intestines
  7. Acts 1:20 deserted
  8. Acts 1:20 Gr. episkopen, position of overseer
  9. Acts 2:1 NU together
  10. Acts 2:3 Or tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each
  11. Acts 2:8 dialect
  12. Acts 2:11 Arabians
  13. Acts 2:15 9 a.m.
  14. Acts 2:23 NU omits have taken
  15. Acts 2:24 destroyed or abolished
  16. Acts 2:24 Lit. birth pangs
  17. Acts 2:30 NU He would seat one on his throne,
  18. Acts 2:33 Possibly by
  19. Acts 2:38 forgiveness
  20. Acts 2:40 crooked
  21. Acts 2:41 NU omits gladly
  22. Acts 2:42 teaching
  23. Acts 2:45 would sell
  24. Acts 2:45 distributed
  25. Acts 2:47 NU omits to the church
  26. Acts 3:2 Beg
  27. Acts 3:15 Or Originator
  28. Acts 3:20 NU, M Christ Jesus
  29. Acts 3:20 NU, M ordained for you before
  30. Acts 3:21 Or time
  31. Acts 3:24 NU, M proclaimed
  32. Acts 4:16 remarkable sign
  33. Acts 4:16 well known
  34. Acts 4:25 NU through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father, Your servant David,
  35. Acts 4:36 NU Joseph
  36. Acts 4:36 Or Consolation
  37. Acts 5:17 jealousy
  38. Acts 5:21 Sanhedrin
  39. Acts 5:21 council of elders or senate
  40. Acts 5:23 NU, M omit outside
  41. Acts 5:24 NU omits the high priest
  42. Acts 5:25 NU, M omit saying
  43. Acts 5:33 cut to the quick
  44. Acts 5:35 be careful
  45. Acts 5:36 followed
  46. Acts 5:41 NU the name; M the name of Jesus
  47. Acts 6:1 Greek-speaking Jews
  48. Acts 6:8 NU grace
  49. Acts 6:13 NU omits blasphemous
  50. Acts 7:11 affliction
  51. Acts 7:14 Or seventy, Ex. 1:5
  52. Acts 7:30 NU omits of the Lord
  53. Acts 7:37 NU, M omit Him you shall hear
  54. Acts 7:38 Gr. ekklesia, assembly or church
  55. Acts 7:38 sayings
  56. Acts 7:51 stubborn
  57. Acts 7:54 furious
  58. Acts 8:5 Or a
  59. Acts 8:9 magic
  60. Acts 8:9 Or nation
  61. Acts 8:11 magic arts
  62. Acts 8:26 Or a deserted place
  63. Acts 8:37 NU, M omit v. 37. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
  64. Acts 8:40 Same as Heb. Ashdod
  65. Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
  66. Acts 9:13 bad things
  67. Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
  68. Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
  69. Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
  70. Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
  71. Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
  72. Acts 9:31 built up
  73. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
  74. Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
  75. Acts 10:1 Cohort
  76. Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
  77. Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
  78. Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
  79. Acts 10:9 Noon
  80. Acts 10:15 Declared clean
  81. Acts 10:17 was perplexed
  82. Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
  83. Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
  84. Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
  85. Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
  86. Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
  87. Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
  88. Acts 10:43 forgiveness
  89. Acts 10:45 The Jews
  90. Acts 12:4 Gr. tetrads, squads of four
  91. Acts 12:5 NU constantly or earnestly
  92. Acts 12:6 guarding
  93. Acts 12:18 disturbance
  94. Acts 12:20 who was in charge of the king’s bedchamber
  95. Acts 12:20 Lit. nourished
  96. Acts 12:23 breathed his last
  97. Acts 12:25 NU, M to
  98. Acts 13:6 NU the whole island
  99. Acts 13:8 opposed
  100. Acts 13:15 encouragement
  101. Acts 13:17 M omits Israel
  102. Acts 13:17 Mighty power
  103. Acts 13:23 M salvation, after
  104. Acts 13:26 stock
  105. Acts 13:26 message
  106. Acts 13:34 the state of decay
  107. Acts 13:34 blessings
  108. Acts 13:36 in his
  109. Acts 13:36 underwent decay
  110. Acts 13:37 underwent no decay
  111. Acts 13:42 Or And when they went out of the synagogue of the Jews; NU And when they went out, they begged
  112. Acts 14:2 embittered
  113. Acts 14:2 Lit. souls
  114. Acts 14:9 Lit. Who
  115. Acts 14:12 Jupiter
  116. Acts 14:12 Mercury
  117. Acts 15:8 bore witness to
  118. Acts 15:11 NU, M omit Christ
  119. Acts 15:13 stopped speaking
  120. Acts 15:17 NU Lord, who makes these things
  121. Acts 15:18 NU (continuing v. 17) known from eternity (of old).
  122. Acts 15:20 Or fornication
  123. Acts 15:22 NU, M Barsabbas
  124. Acts 15:24 NU omits saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”
  125. Acts 15:25 purpose or mind
  126. Acts 15:29 Or fornication
  127. Acts 15:33 NU those who had sent them
  128. Acts 15:34 NU, M omit v. 34.
  129. Acts 15:37 resolved
  130. Acts 15:40 committed
  131. Acts 16:6 The Roman province of Asia
  132. Acts 16:7 NU adds of Jesus
  133. Acts 16:12 Lit. first
  134. Acts 16:18 distressed
  135. Acts 16:35 lictors, lit. rod bearers
  136. Acts 17:5 NU omits who were not persuaded
  137. Acts 17:5 M omits becoming envious
  138. Acts 17:7 welcomed
  139. Acts 17:11 Lit. noble
  140. Acts 17:16 full of idols
  141. Acts 17:18 NU, M add also
  142. Acts 17:18 Lit. seed picker, an idler who makes a living picking up scraps
  143. Acts 17:19 Lit. Hill of Ares, or Mars’ Hill
  144. Acts 17:22 Lit. Hill of Ares, or Mars’ Hill
  145. Acts 17:26 NU omits blood
  146. Acts 18:5 Or in his spirit or in the Spirit
  147. Acts 18:7 NU Titius Justus