The Sorcerer’s Sin

¹⁴ Now when the ^(A)apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them ^(B)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For ^(C)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. ^(D)They had only been baptized in ^(E)the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then ^(F)they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because ^(G)you thought that ^(H)the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your ^(I)heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God ^(J)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are ^(K)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

²⁴ Then Simon answered and said, ^(L)“Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

²⁵ So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.