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 ^[a]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when ^[b]the high priest, ^(A)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, ^[c]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, ^(B)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, ^(C)“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, ^(D)and intend to bring this Man’s ^(E)blood on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ^(F)“We ought to obey God rather than men. ^30 (G)The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by ^(H)hanging on a tree. ^31 (I)Him God has exalted to His right hand to be ^(J)Prince and ^(K)Savior, ^(L)to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And ^(M)we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit ^(N)whom God has given to those who obey Him.”