Acts 2
Expanded Bible
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 When the day of Pentecost [C a harvest festival fifty days after Passover, celebrating the firstfruits of the crops (while on this day the firstfruits of the Spirit); Ex. 34:22; Deut. 16:10, 16] ·came [arrived], they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a ·noise [roar] like a ·strong [violent], ·blowing [rushing] wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw something like ·flames [L tongues] of fire ·that were separated [that were divided; or that spread out] and ·stood [came to rest] over each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak ·different [other; or foreign] ·languages [L tongues] by the power the Holy Spirit was giving them [C reversing the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel; Gen. 11:1–9].
5 There were some ·religious [devout; God-fearing] Jews ·staying [living] in Jerusalem who were from every ·country [nation] ·in the world [L under heaven]. 6 When they heard this noise, a crowd came together. They were all ·surprised [or confused; bewildered], because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were ·completely [L astounded and] amazed at this. They said, “Look! Aren’t all these people that we hear speaking ·from Galilee [L Galileans]? 8 Then how is it possible that we each hear them in our own [native] languages? We are: 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia [C a Roman province, in present-day Turkey], 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near Cyrene, [visitors from] Rome 11 (both Jews and ·those who had become Jews [proselytes]), Crete, and Arabia. But we hear them telling in our own ·languages [tongues] about the ·great things [mighty acts] God has done!” 12 They were all amazed and confused, asking each other, “What does this mean?”
13 But others ·were making fun of them [sneered], saying, “They have had too much [sweet; new] wine [C they accuse them of being intoxicated and speaking nonsense].”
Peter Speaks to the People
14 But Peter stood up with the eleven apostles, and in a loud voice he ·spoke to [addressed] the crowd: “·My fellow Jews [or Judeans], and all of you who ·are [are living/staying] in Jerusalem, ·listen to me [L let this be known to you]. Pay attention to what I have to say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you think; it is only ·nine o’clock in the morning [L the third hour of the day]! 16 But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today:
17 ‘God says: In the last days
I will pour out my Spirit on all ·kinds of people [people; humanity; T flesh].
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 At that time I will pour out my Spirit
also on my male ·slaves [servants] and female ·slaves [servants],
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show ·miracles [wonders; marvels]
in the ·sky [or heaven] above
and ·signs [miracles] on the earth below:
blood, fire, and ·thick [L a cloud/billow of] smoke.
20 The sun will ·become dark [L be turned to darkness],
the moon ·red as blood [L to blood],
before the ·overwhelming [great] and glorious day of the Lord will come.
21 Then anyone who calls on [L the name of] the Lord will be saved [Joel 2:28–32].’
22 “·People of Israel [L Men, Israelites], ·listen to [hear] these words: Jesus ·from Nazareth [or the Nazarene] was a very special man. God clearly ·showed [attested; pointed out] this to you by the ·miracles [mighty deeds], wonders, and signs he did through Jesus. You all know this, because it happened ·right here among you [L in your midst]. 23 Jesus was ·given [handed over] to you, and ·with the help [L by the hands] of ·those who don’t know the law [or lawless ones; wicked people; C a reference to the Gentiles/Romans who crucified Jesus], you put him to death by nailing him to a cross. But this was ·God’s plan which he had made long ago [L according to God’s predetermined plan]; ·he knew all this would happen [L …and his foreknowledge]. 24 God raised Jesus from the dead and set him free from the ·pain [agony; birthpains] of death, because death could not hold him. 25 For David said this about him:
‘I ·keep [L saw] the Lord before me always.
Because he is ·close by my side [L at my right hand; C a soldier’s shieldbearer would stand at his right side to protect him],
[L so that] I will not be ·hurt [L shaken].
26 So ·I am [L my heart was] glad, and ·I rejoice [L my tongue rejoiced].
Even my body ·has [L will live in; or will rest in] hope,
27 because you will not ·leave [abandon] ·me [L my soul/life] in ·the grave [L Hades; C the underworld].
You will not let your Holy One [experience; L see] decay.
28 You ·will teach me [L have made known to me] ·how to live a holy life [L the way/path of life].
·Being with you [Your presence; L Your face] will fill me with joy [Ps. 16:8–11].”
29 “·Brothers and sisters [L Men, brothers], I can tell you ·truly [or with confidence] that David, ·our ancestor [L the patriarch], died and was buried. His ·grave [tomb] is still here with us today. 30 [But because] He was a prophet and knew God had ·promised him [sworn with an oath] that he would ·make a person from David’s family a king just as he was [L put one of his descendants on his throne; C a reference to the Davidic covenant; 2 Sam. 7:13; Ps. 132:11]. 31 ·Knowing this before it happened [L Foreseeing this], David talked about the ·Christ [Messiah] rising from the dead. He said:
‘He was not ·left [abandoned] in ·the grave [Hades].
His ·body [flesh] did not ·rot [L see/experience decay; 2:27].’
32 So Jesus is the One whom God raised from the dead. And we are all witnesses to this. 33 Jesus was ·lifted up to heaven and is now at [L exalted to] God’s right ·side [L hand; C a position of highest honor beside the king]. The Father has given the Holy Spirit to Jesus as he promised. So Jesus has poured out that Spirit, and this is what you now see and hear. 34 David was not the one who ·was lifted up [went up; ascended] to heaven, but he said:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit by me at my right ·side [L hand; v. 33],
35 until I ·put your enemies under your control [L make your enemies a footstool for your feet; Ps. 110:1].”’
36 “·So [Therefore], all the ·people [L house] of Israel should know this ·truly [with certainty]: God has made Jesus—the man you ·nailed to the cross [crucified]—both Lord and ·Christ [Messiah].”
37 When the people heard this, they ·felt guilty [were deeply distressed; L were cut/pierced to the heart] and asked Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do, ·brothers [L men, brothers]?”
38 Peter said to them, “·Change your hearts and lives [Repent] and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 [L For] This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away [C both in space and time; may refer to Gentiles and/or Jews scattered outside the land of Israel]. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself [Joel 2:32].”
40 Peter ·warned [testified to] them with many other ·words [arguments]. He ·begged [pleaded with; exhorted; urged] them, “Save yourselves from ·the evil of today’s people [L this corrupt/crooked/perverse generation]!” 41 Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptized. About three thousand ·people [souls] were added to the number of believers that day. 42 They ·spent [devoted] their time learning the apostles’ teaching, ·sharing [fellowship], breaking bread [C this may refer to a meal as in v. 46, or to the Lord’s Supper; Luke 22:14–20], and praying together.
The Believers Share
43 The apostles were doing many miracles and signs, and ·everyone [every soul] felt great ·respect [fear; awe; Prov. 1:7] for God. 44 All the believers were ·together [in one place; or in close fellowship] and ·shared everything [L had/held all things in common]. 45 They would sell their land and the things they owned and then divide ·the money [the proceeds; L them] and give it to anyone who needed it. 46 The believers met together in the Temple [C not the Temple building where only priests went, but the outer courts] every day. They ate together ·in their homes [or from home to home], sharing their food with joyful and ·sincere [or generous; or humble; or simple] hearts. 47 They praised God and were ·liked by [looked upon favorably by] all the people. Every day the Lord added those who were being saved to the group of believers.
Acts 2
International Children’s Bible
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a noise came from heaven. It sounded like a strong wind blowing. This noise filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw something that looked like flames of fire. The flames were separated and stood over each person there. 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages. The Holy Spirit was giving them the power to speak these languages.
5 There were some religious Jews staying in Jerusalem who were from every country in the world. 6 When they heard this noise, a crowd came together. They were all surprised, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were completely amazed at this. They said, “Look! Aren’t all these men that we hear speaking from Galilee?[a] 8 But each of us hears them in his own language. How is this possible? We are from different places: 9 Parthia, Media, Elam, Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the areas of Libya near Cyrene, Rome 11 (both Jews and those who had become Jews), Crete and Arabia. But we hear these men telling in our own languages about the great things God has done!” 12 They were all amazed and confused. They asked each other, “What does this mean?”
13 But others were making fun of them, saying, “They have had too much wine.”
Peter Speaks to the People
14 But Peter stood up with the 11 apostles. In a loud voice he spoke to the crowd: “My fellow Jews, and all of you who are in Jerusalem, listen to me. Pay attention to what I have to say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you think; it is only nine o’clock in the morning! 16 But Joel the prophet wrote about what is happening here today:
17 ‘God says: In the last days
I will give my Spirit freely to all kinds of people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams.
Your young men will see visions.
18 At that time I will give my Spirit
even to my servants, both men and women.
And they will prophesy.
19 I will show miracles
in the sky and on the earth:
blood, fire and thick smoke.
20 The sun will become dark.
The moon will become red as blood.
And then the great and glorious day of the Lord will come.
21 Then anyone who asks the Lord for help
will be saved.’ Joel 2:28-32
22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus from Nazareth was a very special man. God clearly showed this to you by the miracles, wonders, and signs God did through him. You all know this, because it happened right here among you. 23 Jesus was given to you, and you killed him. With the help of evil men you nailed him to a cross. But God knew all this would happen. This was God’s plan which he had made long ago. 24 God raised Jesus from death. God set him free from the pain of death. Death could not hold him. 25 For David said this about him:
‘I keep the Lord before me always.
Because he is close by my side,
I will not be hurt.
26 So I am glad, and I rejoice.
Even my body has hope.
27 This is because you will not leave me in the grave.
You will not let your Holy One rot.
28 You will teach me God’s way to live.
Being with you will fill me with joy.’ Psalm 16:8-11
29 “Brothers, I can tell you truly about David, our ancestor. He died and was buried. His grave is still here with us today. 30 David was a prophet and knew what God had said. God had promised David that he would make a person from David’s family a king just as he was.[b] 31 David knew this before it happened. That is why he said:
‘He was not left in the grave.
His body did not rot.’
David was talking about the Christ rising from death. 32 So Jesus is the One who God raised from death! And we are all witnesses to this. 33 Jesus was lifted up to heaven and is now at God’s right side. The Father has given the Holy Spirit to Jesus as he promised. So now Jesus has poured out that Spirit. This is what you see and hear. 34 David was not the one who was lifted up to heaven. But he said:
‘The Lord said to my Lord:
Sit by me at my right side,
35 until I put your enemies under your control.’[c] Psalm 110:1
36 “So, all the people of Israel should know this truly: God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. He is the man you nailed to the cross!”
37 When the people heard this, they were sick at heart. They asked Peter and the other apostles, “What shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Change your hearts and lives and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is for you. It is also for your children and for all who are far away. It is for everyone the Lord our God calls to himself.”
40 Peter warned them with many other words. He begged them, “Save yourselves from the evil of today’s people!” 41 Then those people who accepted what Peter said were baptized. About 3,000 people were added to the number of believers that day. 42 They spent their time learning the apostles’ teaching. And they continued to share, to break bread,[d] and to pray together.
The Believers Share
43 The apostles were doing many miracles and signs. And everyone felt great respect for God. 44 All the believers stayed together. They shared everything. 45 They sold their land and the things they owned. Then they divided the money and gave it to those people who needed it. 46 The believers met together in the Temple every day. They all had the same purpose. They broke bread in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts. 47 They praised God, and all the people liked them. More and more people were being saved every day; the Lord was adding those people to the group of believers.
Footnotes
- 2:7 from Galilee The people thought men from Galilee could speak only their own language.
- 2:30 God . . . was. See 2 Samuel 7:13; Psalm 132:11.
- 2:35 until . . . control Literally, “until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”
- 2:42 break bread This may mean a meal as in verse 46, or the Lord’s Supper, the special meal Jesus told his followers to eat to remember him (Luke 22:14–20).
使徒行传 2
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
五旬節聖靈降臨
2 五旬節到了，他們都聚集在一起。 2 忽然有一陣好像強風吹過的響聲，從天而來，充滿了他們坐在裡面的整間屋子。 3 又有火燄般的舌頭顯現出來，分別落在他們各人身上。 4 他們都被聖靈充滿，就照著聖靈所賜給他們的口才，用別種語言說出話來。
5 那時住在耶路撒冷的，有從天下各國來的虔誠的猶太人。 6 這聲音一響，許多人都聚了來，人人都聽見門徒講出聽眾各人本鄉的話，就莫名其妙。 7 他們又驚訝、又驚奇，說：“你看，這些說話的，不都是加利利人嗎？ 8 我們各人怎麼聽見他們講我們從小所用的本鄉話呢？ 9 我們帕提亞人、瑪代人、以攔人和住在美索不達米亞、猶太、加帕多家、本都、亞西亞、 10 弗呂家、旁非利亞、埃及，並靠近古利奈的利比亞一帶地方的人，客居羅馬的猶太人和歸信猶太教的人， 11 克里特人以及阿拉伯人，都聽見他們用我們的語言，講說 神的大作為。” 12 眾人還在驚訝迷惘的時候，彼此說：“這是甚麼意思？” 13 另有些人譏笑說：“他們是給新酒灌醉了。”
彼得在五旬節的講道
14 彼得和十一使徒站起來，他高聲對眾人說：“猶太人和所有住在耶路撒冷的人哪，你們應當明白這件事，也應該留心聽我的話。 15 這些人並不是照你們所想的喝醉了，現在不過是上午九點鐘罷了。 16 這正是約珥先知所說的：
17 ‘ 神說：在末後的日子，
我要把我的靈澆灌所有的人，
你們的兒女要說預言，
你們的青年人要見異象，
你們的老年人要作異夢。
18 在那些日子，
我也要把我的靈澆灌我的僕人和使女，他們就要說預言。
19 我要在天上顯出奇事，
在地上顯出神蹟，
有血、有火、有煙霧；
20 太陽將變為黑暗，
月亮將變為血紅，
在主偉大顯赫的日子臨到以前，這一切都要發生。
21 那時，凡求告主名的，都必得救。’
22 “以色列人哪，請聽聽這幾句話：正如你們所知道的， 神已經藉著拿撒勒人耶穌在你們中間施行了大能、奇事、神蹟，向你們證明他是 神所立的。 23 他照著 神的定旨和預知被交了出去，你們就藉不法之徒的手，把他釘死了。 24 神卻把死的痛苦解除，使他復活了，因為他不能被死亡拘禁。 25 大衛指著他說：
‘我時常看見主在我面前，
因他在我右邊，我必不會動搖。
26 為此我的心快樂，我的口舌歡呼，
我的肉身也要安居在盼望中。
27 因你必不把我的靈魂撇在陰間，
也必不容你的聖者見朽壞。
28 你已經把生命之路指示了我，
必使我在你面前有滿足的喜樂。’
29 “弟兄們，關於祖先大衛的事，我不妨坦白告訴你們，他死了，葬了，直到今日他的墳墓還在我們這裡。 30 他是先知，既然知道 神向他起過誓，要從他的後裔中立一位，坐在他的寶座上， 31 又預先看見了這事，就講論基督的復活說：
‘他不會被撇在陰間，
他的肉身也不見朽壞。’
32 這位耶穌， 神已經使他復活了，我們都是這事的見證人。 33 他既然被高舉到 神的右邊，從父領受了所應許的聖靈，就把他澆灌下來，這就是你們所看見所聽見的。 34 大衛並沒有升到天上，他卻說：
‘主對我主說：
你坐在我的右邊，
35 等我使你的仇敵作你的腳凳。’
36 因此，以色列全家應當確實知道，你們釘在十字架上的這位耶穌， 神已經立他為主為基督了。”
37 他們聽了以後，覺得扎心，就對彼得和其餘的使徒說：“弟兄們，我們應當作甚麼呢？” 38 彼得說：“你們應當悔改，並且每一個人都要奉耶穌基督的名受洗，使你們的罪得赦，就必領受聖靈，那白白的恩典。 39 這應許原是給你們和你們的兒女，以及所有在遠方的人，就是給凡是我們主 神召來歸他的人。” 40 彼得還用許多別的話，鄭重作證，並且勸勉他們，說：“你們應當救自己脫離這彎曲的世代！” 41 於是接受他話的人都受了洗，那一天門徒增加了約三千人。 42 他們恆心遵守使徒的教訓，彼此相通、擘餅和祈禱。
信徒的團契生活
43 使徒行了許多奇事神蹟，眾人就都懼怕。 44 所有信的人都在一起，凡物公用， 45 並且變賣產業和財物，按照各人的需要分給他們。 46 他們天天同心在殿裡恆切地聚集，一家一家地擘餅，存著歡樂和誠懇的心用飯， 47 又讚美 神，並且得到全民的喜愛。主將得救的人，天天加給教會。
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
