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Acts 8-13
New King James Version
Acts 8-13
New King James Version
Saul Persecutes the Church
8 Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and (A)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and (B)made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, (C)he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Christ Is Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore (D)those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then (E)Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For (F)unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously (G)practiced [b]sorcery in the city and (H)astonished the [c]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 [d]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things (I)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 (J)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 (K)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For (L)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. (M)They had only been baptized in (N)the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (O)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 (P)you thought that (Q)the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your (R)heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God (S)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (T)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, (U)“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(V)
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to (W)Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [e]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, (X)a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and (Y)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:
(Z)“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
(AA)So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His (AB)justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is (AC)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, (AD)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. (AE)What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 [f]Then Philip said, (AF)“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, (AG)“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, (AH)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 [g]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to (AI)Caesarea.
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(AJ)
9 Then (AK)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked (AL)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.
3 (AM)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (AN)why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [h]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 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.”
7 And (AO)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 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. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (AP)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 (AQ)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, (AR)how much [i]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (AS)who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (AT)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (AU)Gentiles, (AV)kings, and the (AW)children[j] of Israel. 16 For (AX)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (AY)name’s sake.”
17 (AZ)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (BA)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [k]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (BB)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. (BC)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached [l]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, (BD)“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, (BE)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, (BF)the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 (BG)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 (BH)let him down through the wall in a large basket.
Saul at Jerusalem
26 And (BI)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 (BJ)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, (BK)and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So (BL)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 (BM)Hellenists,[m] (BN)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 (BO)Then the [n]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were (BP)edified.[o] And walking in the (BQ)fear of the Lord and in the (BR)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were (BS)multiplied.
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went (BT)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, (BU)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and (BV)Sharon saw him and (BW)turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [p]Tabitha, which is translated [q]Dorcas. This woman was full (BX)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 (BY)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 (BZ)put them all out, and (CA)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he (CB)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, (CC)and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with (CD)Simon, a tanner.
Cornelius Sends a Delegation
10 There was a certain man in (CE)Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [r]Regiment, 2 (CF)a devout man and one who (CG)feared God with all his household, who gave [s]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About [t]the ninth hour of the day (CH)he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 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. 5 Now (CI)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with (CJ)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (CK)He[u] will tell you what you must do.” 7 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. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, (CL)Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [v]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 (CM)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! (CN)For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, (CO)“What God has [w]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 [x]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, (CP)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 (CQ)Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men [y]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 (CR)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, (CS)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, (CT)“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 (CU)unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But (CV)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, [z]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, (CW)a man stood before me (CX)in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (CY)your prayer has been heard, and (CZ)your [aa]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. [ab]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: (DA)“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But (DB)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is (DC)accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [ac]children of Israel, (DD)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—(DE)He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and (DF)began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how (DG)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who (DH)went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, (DI)for God was with Him. 39 And we are (DJ)witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [ad]they (DK)killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him (DL)God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 (DM)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us (DN)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And (DO)He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify (DP)that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge (DQ)of the living and the dead. 43 (DR)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, (DS)whoever believes in Him will receive (DT)remission[ae] of sins.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (DU)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 (DV)And [af]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, (DW)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 (DX)just as we have?” 48 (DY)And he commanded them to be baptized (DZ)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. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, (EA)those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, (EB)“You went in to uncircumcised men (EC)and ate with them!”
4 But Peter explained it to them (ED)in order from the beginning, saying: 5 (EE)“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. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 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 (EF)the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover (EG)these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 (EH)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, (EI)as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, (EJ)‘John indeed baptized with water, but (EK)you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 (EL)If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (EM)who was I that I could withstand God?”
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, (EN)“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
19 (EO)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 (EP)the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And (EQ)the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and (ER)turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out (ES)Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and (ET)encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, (EU)full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. (EV)And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for (EW)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 (EX)prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named (EY)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 (EZ)Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send (FA)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 (FB)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. 2 Then he killed James (FC)the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during (FD)the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So (FE)when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [ag]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter Freed from Prison
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [ah]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 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 [ai]keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, (FF)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. 8 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.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and (FG)did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought (FH)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, (FI)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 (FJ)the Lord has sent His angel, and (FK)has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12 So, when he had considered this, (FL)he came to the house of Mary, the mother of (FM)John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together (FN)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, (FO)“It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But (FP)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 [aj]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 (FQ)Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus [ak]the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because (FR)their country was [al]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 (FS)struck him, because (FT)he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and [am]died.
24 But (FU)the word of God grew and multiplied.
Barnabas and Saul Appointed
25 And (FV)Barnabas and Saul returned [an]from Jerusalem when they had (FW)fulfilled their ministry, and they also (FX)took with them (FY)John whose surname was Mark.
Paul and Barnabas Are Sent to the Gentiles
13 Now (FZ)in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: (GA)Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, (GB)Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, (GC)“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work (GD)to which I have called them.” 3 Then, (GE)having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Preaching in Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to (GF)Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, (GG)they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had (GH)John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through [ao]the island to Paphos, they found (GI)a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 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. 8 But (GJ)Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) [ap]withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, (GK)filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, (GL)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, (GM)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 (GN)John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and (GO)went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And (GP)after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have (GQ)any word of [aq]exhortation for the people, say on.”
16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and (GR)you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people [ar]Israel (GS)chose our fathers, and exalted the people (GT)when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with [as]an uplifted arm He (GU)brought them out of it. 18 Now (GV)for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed (GW)seven nations in the land of Canaan, (GX)He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20 “After that (GY)He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, (GZ)until Samuel the prophet. 21 (HA)And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them (HB)Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And (HC)when He had removed him, (HD)He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, (HE)‘I have found David the son of Jesse, (HF)a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 (HG)From this man’s seed, according (HH)to the promise, God raised up for Israel (HI)a[at] Savior—Jesus— 24 (HJ)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, (HK)‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, (HL)there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26 “Men and brethren, sons of the [au]family of Abraham, and (HM)those among you who fear God, (HN)to you the [av]word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, (HO)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 (HP)And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 (HQ)Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, (HR)they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 (HS)But God raised Him from the dead. 31 (HT)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—(HU)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:
(HV)‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’
34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to [aw]corruption, He has spoken thus:
35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
(HX)‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36 “For David, after he had served [ay]his own generation by the will of God, (HY)fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and [az]saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up [ba]saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that (HZ)through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and (IA)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,(IB) 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 [bb]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, (IC)persuaded them to continue in (ID)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 (IE)opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, (IF)“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but (IG)since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, (IH)we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:
(II)‘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. (IJ)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, (IK)raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51 (IL)But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52 And the disciples (IM)were filled with joy and (IN)with the Holy Spirit.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:5 Or a
- Acts 8:9 magic
- Acts 8:9 Or nation
- Acts 8:11 magic arts
- Acts 8:26 Or a deserted place
- Acts 8:37 NU, M omit v. 37. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
- Acts 8:40 Same as Heb. Ashdod
- Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
- Acts 9:13 bad things
- Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
- Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
- Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
- Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
- Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
- Acts 9:31 built up
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
- Acts 10:1 Cohort
- Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
- Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
- Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
- Acts 10:9 Noon
- Acts 10:15 Declared clean
- Acts 10:17 was perplexed
- Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
- Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
- Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
- Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
- Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
- Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
- Acts 10:43 forgiveness
- Acts 10:45 The Jews
- Acts 12:4 Gr. tetrads, squads of four
- Acts 12:5 NU constantly or earnestly
- Acts 12:6 guarding
- Acts 12:18 disturbance
- Acts 12:20 who was in charge of the king’s bedchamber
- Acts 12:20 Lit. nourished
- Acts 12:23 breathed his last
- Acts 12:25 NU, M to
- Acts 13:6 NU the whole island
- Acts 13:8 opposed
- Acts 13:15 encouragement
- Acts 13:17 M omits Israel
- Acts 13:17 Mighty power
- Acts 13:23 M salvation, after
- Acts 13:26 stock
- Acts 13:26 message
- Acts 13:34 the state of decay
- Acts 13:34 blessings
- Acts 13:36 in his
- Acts 13:36 underwent decay
- Acts 13:37 underwent no decay
- Acts 13:42 Or And when they went out of the synagogue of the Jews; NU And when they went out, they begged
Acts 8-13
New International Version
Acts 8-13
New International Version
8 And Saul(A) 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(B) throughout Judea and Samaria.(C) 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul(D) began to destroy the church.(E) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered(F) preached the word wherever they went.(G) 5 Philip(H) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many,(I) and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.(J) 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Simon the Sorcerer
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery(K) in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,(L) 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”(M) 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God(N) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,(O) both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles(P) he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria(Q) had accepted the word of God,(R) they sent Peter and John(S) to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,(T) 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them;(U) they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(V) 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them,(W) and they received the Holy Spirit.(X)
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!(Y) 21 You have no part or share(Z) in this ministry, because your heart is not right(AA) before God. 22 Repent(AB) of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me(AC) so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord(AD) and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.(AE)
Philip and the Ethiopian
26 Now an angel(AF) of the Lord said to Philip,(AG) “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a](AH) eunuch,(AI) an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,(AJ) 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told(AK) Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”[b](AL)
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began(AM) with that very passage of Scripture(AN) and told him the good news(AO) about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”(AP) [37] [c] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away,(AQ) and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns(AR) until he reached Caesarea.(AS)
Saul’s Conversion(AT)
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(AU) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(AV) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(AW) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(AX) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice(AY) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(AZ)
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(BA) but did not see anyone.(BB) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(BC) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(BD) “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(BE) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(BF) him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(BG) in Jerusalem.(BH) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(BI) to arrest all who call on your name.”(BJ)
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(BK) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(BL) and their kings(BM) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(BN)
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(BO) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(BP) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(BQ) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples(BR) in Damascus.(BS) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(BT) that Jesus is the Son of God.(BU) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(BV) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(BW) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(BX)
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(BY) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(BZ) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(CA)
26 When he came to Jerusalem,(CB) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(CC) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(CD) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(CE) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[d](CF) but they tried to kill him.(CG) 30 When the believers(CH) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(CI) and sent him off to Tarsus.(CJ)
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(CK) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(CL)
Aeneas and Dorcas
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(CM) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(CN) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(CO) saw him and turned to the Lord.(CP)
36 In Joppa(CQ) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(CR) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(CS) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(CT) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(CU) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(CV) then he got down on his knees(CW) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(CX) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(CY) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(CZ)
Cornelius Calls for Peter
10 At Caesarea(DA) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(DB) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon(DC) he had a vision.(DD) He distinctly saw an angel(DE) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(DF) before God.(DG) 5 Now send men to Joppa(DH) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner,(DI) whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(DJ)
Peter’s Vision(DK)
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(DL) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(DM) 11 He saw heaven opened(DN) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!”(DO) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(DP)
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”(DQ)
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,(DR) the men sent by Cornelius(DS) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,(DT) the Spirit said(DU) to him, “Simon, three[e] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(DV)
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,(DW) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”(DX) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers(DY) from Joppa went along.(DZ) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(EA) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”(EB)
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(EC) 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.(ED) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(EE) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes(EF) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism(EG) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(EH) 36 You know the message(EI) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(EJ) of peace(EK) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(EL) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(EM) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(EN) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(EO)
39 “We are witnesses(EP) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(EQ) 40 but God raised him from the dead(ER) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(ES) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(ET) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(EU) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(EV) 43 All the prophets testify about him(EW) that everyone(EX) who believes(EY) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(EZ)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on(FA) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter(FB) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out(FC) even on Gentiles.(FD) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[f](FE) and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.(FF) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”(FG) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(FH) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Peter Explains His Actions
11 The apostles and the believers(FI) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.(FJ) 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers(FK) criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”(FL)
4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.(FM) I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’(FN) 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.
11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea(FO) stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told(FP) me to have no hesitation about going with them.(FQ) These six brothers(FR) also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel(FS) appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message(FT) through which you and all your household(FU) will be saved.’
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on(FV) them as he had come on us at the beginning.(FW) 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[g] water,(FX) but you will be baptized with[h] the Holy Spirit.’(FY) 17 So if God gave them the same gift(FZ) he gave us(GA) who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(GB)
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed(GC) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,(GD) spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus(GE) and Cyrene,(GF) went to Antioch(GG) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news(GH) about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,(GI) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.(GJ)
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas(GK) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,(GL) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.(GM) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(GN) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(GO)
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus(GP) to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples(GQ) were called Christians first(GR) at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets(GS) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,(GT) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.(GU) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)(GV) 29 The disciples,(GW) as each one was able, decided to provide help(GX) for the brothers and sisters(GY) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(GZ) by Barnabas(HA) and Saul.(HB)
Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison
12 It was about this time that King Herod(HC) arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John,(HD) put to death with the sword.(HE) 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,(HF) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.(HG) 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.(HH)
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.(HI)
6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains,(HJ) and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel(HK) of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.(HL)
8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.(HM) 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself,(HN) and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
11 Then Peter came to himself(HO) and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me(HP) from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,(HQ) where many people had gathered and were praying.(HR) 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.(HS) 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed(HT) she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”(HU)
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand(HV) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James(HW) and the other brothers and sisters(HX) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(HY)
Herod’s Death
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(HZ) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(IA) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.(IB)
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel(IC) of the Lord struck him down,(ID) and he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God(IE) continued to spread and flourish.(IF)
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
25 When Barnabas(IG) and Saul had finished their mission,(IH) they returned from[i] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.(II) 13 1 Now in the church at Antioch(IJ) there were prophets(IK) and teachers:(IL) Barnabas,(IM) Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,(IN) Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod(IO) the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,(IP) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work(IQ) to which I have called them.”(IR) 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them(IS) and sent them off.(IT)
On Cyprus
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,(IU) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.(IV) 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God(IW) in the Jewish synagogues.(IX) John(IY) was with them as their helper.
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer(IZ) and false prophet(JA) named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul,(JB) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer(JC) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul(JD) from the faith.(JE) 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,(JF) looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil(JG) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?(JH) 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.(JI) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”(JJ)
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul(JK) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
In Pisidian Antioch
13 From Paphos,(JL) Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,(JM) where John(JN) left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch.(JO) On the Sabbath(JP) they entered the synagogue(JQ) and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law(JR) and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand(JS) and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country;(JT) 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct[j](JU) in the wilderness;(JV) 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan,(JW) giving their land to his people(JX) as their inheritance.(JY) 20 All this took about 450 years.
“After this, God gave them judges(JZ) until the time of Samuel the prophet.(KA) 21 Then the people asked for a king,(KB) and he gave them Saul(KC) son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin,(KD) who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul,(KE) he made David their king.(KF) God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;(KG) he will do everything I want him to do.’(KH)
23 “From this man’s descendants(KI) God has brought to Israel the Savior(KJ) Jesus,(KK) as he promised.(KL) 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.(KM) 25 As John was completing his work,(KN) he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for.(KO) But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’(KP)
26 “Fellow children of Abraham(KQ) and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation(KR) has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus,(KS) yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets(KT) that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.(KU) 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him,(KV) they took him down from the cross(KW) and laid him in a tomb.(KX) 30 But God raised him from the dead,(KY) 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.(KZ) They are now his witnesses(LA) to our people.
32 “We tell you the good news:(LB) What God promised our ancestors(LC) 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.(LD) As it is written in the second Psalm:
34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,
35 So it is also stated elsewhere:
36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;(LH) he was buried with his ancestors(LI) and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead(LJ) did not see decay.
38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.(LK) 39 Through him everyone who believes(LL) is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.(LM) 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe,
even if someone told you.’[n]”(LN)
42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue,(LO) the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.(LP)
44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying(LQ) and heaped abuse(LR) on him.
46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.(LS) Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.(LT) 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“‘I have made you[o] a light for the Gentiles,(LU)
that you[p] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’[q]”(LV)
48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;(LW) and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49 The word of the Lord(LX) spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.(LY) 51 So they shook the dust off their feet(LZ) as a warning to them and went to Iconium.(MA) 52 And the disciples(MB) were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.(MC)
Footnotes
- Acts 8:27 That is, from the southern Nile region
- Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include here Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
- Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
- Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
- Acts 10:46 Or other languages
- Acts 11:16 Or in
- Acts 11:16 Or in
- Acts 12:25 Some manuscripts to
- Acts 13:18 Some manuscripts he cared for them
- Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7
- Acts 13:34 Isaiah 55:3
- Acts 13:35 Psalm 16:10 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 13:41 Hab. 1:5
- Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
- Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
- Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.