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Acts 4:13-31
Modern English Version
Acts 4:13-31
Modern English Version
13 When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were illiterate and uneducated men, they marveled. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. 15 So when they had commanded them to go outside of the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that an acknowledged miracle has been done through them is revealed to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But lest it spread further among the people, let us threaten them that they no longer speak to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot help but declare what we have seen and heard.”
21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people. For all glorified God for what was done, 22 for the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was over forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23 On being released, they went to their own people and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they lifted their voices in unity to God and prayed, “Lord, You are God, who has made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 and who by the mouth of Your servant David said:
‘Why did the nations rage,
and the people devise vain things?
26 The kings of the earth came,
and the rulers were assembled together
against the Lord
and against His Christ.’[a]
27 Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were assembled together against Your holy Son Jesus whom You have anointed, 28 to do what Your hand and Your counsel had foreordained to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats and grant that Your servants may speak Your word with great boldness, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal and that signs and wonders may be performed in the name of Your holy Son Jesus.”
31 When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
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Acts 4:13-31
New International Version
Acts 4:13-31
New International Version
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(A) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(B) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(C) 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(D) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(E) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(F) 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.(G) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(H) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(I) about what we have seen and heard.”(J)
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(K) were praising God(L) 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.(M) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(N) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(O)
“‘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](P)
27 Indeed Herod(Q) and Pontius Pilate(R) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(S) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(T) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(U) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(V) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(W)
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(X) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(Y) and spoke the word of God(Z) boldly.(AA)
Modern English Version (MEV)
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.
New International Version (NIV) 
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