The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices (A)together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, (B)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,[a] said by the Holy Spirit,

(C)“‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and (D)the rulers were gathered together,
    against the Lord and against his (E)Anointed’[b]

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your (F)holy servant Jesus, (G)whom you anointed, both (H)Herod and (I)Pontius Pilate, along (J)with the Gentiles and (K)the peoples of Israel, 28 (L)to do whatever your hand and (M)your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, (N)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all (O)boldness, 30 while (P)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed (Q)through the name of your (R)holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, (S)the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and (T)they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and (U)continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:25 Or child; also verses 27, 30
  2. Acts 4:26 Or Christ

The believers pray

23 After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said. 24 They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, “Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 25 You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant:

Why did the Gentiles rage,
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand
    and the rulers gathered together as one
    against the Lord and against his Christ.[a]

27 Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen. 29 Now, Lord, take note of their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with complete confidence. 30 Stretch out your hand to bring healing and enable signs and wonders to be performed through the name of Jesus, your holy servant.” 31 After they prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking God’s word with confidence.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:26 Or anointed one; Ps 2:1-2