Acts 5:33-39

New International Reader's Version

³³ When the leaders heard this, they became very angry. They wanted to put the apostles to death. ³⁴ But a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in the Sanhedrin. He was a teacher of the law. He was honored by all the people. He ordered the apostles to be taken outside for a little while. ³⁵ Then Gamaliel spoke to the Sanhedrin. “Men of Israel,” he said, “think carefully about what you plan to do to these men. ³⁶ Some time ago Theudas appeared. He claimed he was really somebody. About 400 people followed him. But he was killed. All his followers were scattered. So they accomplished nothing. ³⁷ After this, Judas from Galilee came along. This was in the days when the Romans made a list of all the people. Judas led a gang of men against the Romans. He too was killed. All his followers were scattered. ³⁸ So let me give you some advice. Leave these men alone! Let them go! If their plans and actions only come from people, they will fail. ³⁹ But if their plans come from God, you won’t be able to stop these men. You will only find yourselves fighting against God.”