Acts 4:13-37

New American Standard Bible 1995

Threat and Release

¹³ Now as they observed the ^(A)confidence of ^(B)Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and ^(C)began to recognize them ^[a]as having been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. ¹⁵ But when they had ordered them to leave the ^[b](D)Council, they began to confer with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “^(E)What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a ^(F)noteworthy ^[c]miracle has taken place through them is apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man ^(G)in this name.” ¹⁸ And when they had summoned them, they ^(H)commanded them not to speak or teach at all ^[d]in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But ^(I)Peter and John answered and said to them, “^(J)Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; ²⁰ for ^(K)we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ²¹ When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) ^(L)on account of the people, because they were all ^(M)glorifying God for what had happened; ²² for the man was more than forty years old on whom this ^[e]miracle of healing had been performed.

²³ When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O ^[f]Lord, it is You who ^(N)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who ^(O)by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said,

²⁷ For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy ^[j](S)servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both ^(T)Herod and ^(U)Pontius Pilate, along with ^(V)the ^[k]Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and ^(W)Your purpose predestined to occur. ²⁹ And ^[l]now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may ^(X)speak Your word with all ^(Y)confidence, ³⁰ while You extend Your hand to heal, and ^[m](Z)signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy ^[n](AA)servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when they had prayed, the ^(AB)place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all ^(AC)filled with the Holy Spirit and began to ^(AD)speak the word of God with ^(AE)boldness.

Sharing among Believers

³² And the ^[o]congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them ^[p]claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but ^(AF)all things were common property to them. ³³ And ^(AG)with great power the apostles were giving ^(AH)testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. ³⁴ For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses ^(AI)would sell them and bring the ^[q]proceeds of the sales ³⁵ and ^(AJ)lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be ^(AK)distributed to each as any had need.

³⁶ Now Joseph, a Levite of ^(AL)Cyprian birth, who was also called ^(AM)Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of ^[r](AN)Encouragement), ³⁷ and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and ^(AO)laid it at the apostles’ feet.