²⁹ Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!^{(A) 30} The God of our ancestors^(B) raised Jesus from the dead^(C)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.^{(D) 31} God exalted him to his own right hand^(E) as Prince and Savior^(F) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.^{(G) 32} We are witnesses of these things,^(H) and so is the Holy Spirit,^(I) whom God has given to those who obey him.”

³³ When they heard this, they were furious^(J) and wanted to put them to death. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,^(K) a teacher of the law,^(L) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. ³⁷ After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census^(M) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. ³⁸ Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.^{(N) 39} But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”^(O)

⁴⁰ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.^(P) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing^(Q) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.^{(R) 42} Day after day, in the temple courts^(S) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news^(T) that Jesus is the Messiah.^(U)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man^(A)

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers^(B) that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man,^(C) carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”^(D)

⁶ Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ⁷ “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(E)

⁸ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? ⁹ Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? ¹⁰ But I want you to know that the Son of Man^(F) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the man, ¹¹ “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” ¹² He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God,^(G) saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”^(H)