19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(A) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(B) about what we have seen and heard.”(C)

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(D) were praising God(E) 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.(F) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(G) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(H)

“‘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](I)

27 Indeed Herod(J) and Pontius Pilate(K) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(L) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(M) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(N)

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Footnotes

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

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,

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