While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,(A) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work(B) to which I have called them.”(C) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them(D) and sent them off.(E)

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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.

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15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin(A) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(B) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(C) 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.(D) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(E) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(F) about what we have seen and heard.”(G)

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

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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.(J) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(K) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(L)

“‘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.[a][b](M)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  2. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2

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.

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