Acts 8
New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised
8 1 And Saul approved of their killing him.
Saul Persecutes the Church
That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.
Philip Preaches in Samaria
4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. 5 Philip went down to the city[a] of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah[b] to them. 6 The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, 7 for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralysed or lame were cured. 8 So there was great joy in that city.
9 Now a certain man named Simon had previously practised magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. 10 All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, ‘This man is the power of God that is called Great.’ 11 And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit 16 (for as yet the Spirit had not come[c] upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). 17 Then Peter and John[d] laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, ‘Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ 20 But Peter said to him, ‘May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness.’ 24 Simon answered, ‘Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you[e] have said may happen to me.’
25 Now after Peter and John[f] had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Get up and go towards the south[g] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go over to this chariot and join it.’ 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ 31 He replied, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this:
‘Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter,
and like a lamb silent before its shearer,
so he does not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.’
34 The eunuch asked Philip, ‘About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?’ 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus. 36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’[h] 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip[i] baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:5 Other ancient authorities read a city
- Acts 8:5 Or the Christ
- Acts 8:16 Gk fallen
- Acts 8:17 Gk they
- Acts 8:24 The Greek word for you and the verb pray are plural
- Acts 8:25 Gk after they
- Acts 8:26 Or go at noon
- Acts 8:36 Other ancient authorities add all or most of verse 37, And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he replied, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’
- Acts 8:38 Gk he
Acts 8
New King James Version
Saul Persecutes the Church
8 Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and (A)they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and (B)made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, (C)he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
Christ Is Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore (D)those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then (E)Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For (F)unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously (G)practiced [b]sorcery in the city and (H)astonished the [c]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [d]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things (I)concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
The Sorcerer’s Sin
14 Now when the (J)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 (K)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For (L)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. (M)They had only been baptized in (N)the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (O)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 (P)you thought that (Q)the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your (R)heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God (S)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (T)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, (U)“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.
Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian(V)
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to (W)Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [e]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, (X)a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and (Y)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
(Z)“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
(AA)So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His (AB)justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is (AC)taken from the earth.”
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, (AD)and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. (AE)What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 [f]Then Philip said, (AF)“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, (AG)“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, (AH)the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at [g]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to (AI)Caesarea.
Apostlagärningarna 8
Swedish New Living Bible (Nya Levande Bibeln)
Svår förföljelse tvingar de troende på flykt
8 Paulus var helt och hållet med på att Stefanos skulle dödas. Samma dag bröt en stor förföljelsevåg ut mot de troende. Den drabbade hela församlingen i Jerusalem, och alla utom apostlarna flydde till Judeen och Samarien.
2 Men några fromma män kom och begravde Stefanos under djup sorg.
3 Saul var våldsam i sin förföljelse av de troende. Han gjorde allt för att utrota dem. Han bröt sig till och med in i deras hem och släpade ut män och kvinnor och satte dem i fängelse.
4 Men de troende, som hade flytt från Jerusalem, vandrade omkring och predikade de goda nyheterna om Jesus överallt dit de kom.
5 Filippos, till exempel, gick till staden Samaria och berättade för människorna där om Kristus.
6 Folket lyssnade uppmärksamt till vad han hade att säga när de såg de märkliga under han gjorde.
7 Många onda andar drevs ut och lämnade sina offer under högljudda rop, och många som hade varit förlamade eller handikappade på annat sätt blev botade.
8 Därför blev det stor glädje i den staden.
Filippos och trollkarlen Simon
9-11 En man som hette Simon hade sysslat med svart magi i många år. Han var en mycket inflytelserik och självsäker man, eftersom han kunde göra häpnadsväckande saker - faktum är att samarierna ofta talade om honom som Messias.
12 Men nu trodde de på Filippos budskap om Guds rike och att Jesus var Messias. Många män och kvinnor döptes,
13 och Simon själv kom till tro och blev döpt. Sedan följde han Filippos vart han gick, och han häpnade över de under Filippos gjorde.
14 När apostlarna i Jerusalem fick höra att folket i Samarien hade tagit emot Guds ord, sände de Petrus och Johannes till dem.
15 Så snart de två kom dit började de be för alla de nyomvända att de skulle få ta emot den helige Ande.
16 Anden hade nämligen inte ännu kommit över någon av dem. De hade bara döpts i Herren Jesu namn.
17 Petrus och Johannes lade därför sina händer på de troende, och de tog då emot den helige Ande.
18 När Simon såg att den helige Ande förmedlades genom att apostlarna lade händerna på människors huvuden, erbjöd han dem pengar för att få samma förmåga.
19 Låt mig också få denna makt, utbrast han, så att människor får den helige Ande när jag lägger mina händer på dem.
20 Men Petrus svarade: Dina pengar liksom du själv kommer att gå förlorade för alltid. Tror du att Guds gåva kan köpas!
21 Du kan inte ha någon del i detta, för ditt hjärta är inte rent inför Gud.
22 Vänd om från din stora ondska och be till Gud. Kanske kommer han ändå att förlåta dig för dina onda tankar.
23 Jag ser att det finns avundsjuka och synd i ditt hjärta.
24 Be för mig, ropade Simon, så att inte detta fruktansvärda händer mig!
25 Sedan de vittnat och predikat Ordet i Samarien återvände Petrus och Johannes till Jerusalem. På vägen stannade de i flera byar i landskapet för att också där predika de goda nyheterna.
Filippos och den etiopiske ministern
26 Men en Herrens ängel visade sig för Filippos och sa till honom: Gå ut på vägen som går från Jerusalem genom Gazaöknen och som ligger öde och se till att du kommer dit mitt på dagen.
27 Han gjorde det, och där på vägen kom ingen mindre än Etiopiens finansminister, en man med stort inflytande hos Kandake, den etiopiska drottningen. Han hade rest till Jerusalem för att be i templet,
28 och nu var han på väg tillbaka i sin vagn och satt och läste högt ur profeten Jesajas bok.
29 Den helige Ande sa till Filippos: Gå fram till vagnen och gå bredvid den!
30 Filippos rusade fram och hörde vad mannen läste och frågade: Förstår du det du läser?
31 Hur skulle jag kunna göra det, när det inte finns någon som undervisar mig? svarade mannen. Och han bad Filippos stiga upp i vagnen och sätta sig bredvid honom.
32 Det ställe i Skriften han hade läst var detta:Han leddes bort som ett får för att slaktas, och var som ett lamm som är tyst inför den som klipper det, så öppnade han inte sin mun.
33 I sin förnedring blev han nekad rättvisa, och vem kan beskriva den stora ondska som fanns i människorna omkring honom? För hans liv rycktes bort från jorden.
34 Mannen frågade Filippos: Talade Jesaja om sig själv eller om någon annan?
35 Filippos började då med utgångspunkt från detta profetord att predika de goda nyheterna om Jesus Kristus.
36 Medan de reste vägen fram kom de till en vattendamm. Då sa mannen: Titta där, där finns vatten! Skulle jag inte kunna bli döpt här?
37 Visst kan du det, svarade Filippos, om du tror av hela ditt hjärta.Och mannen svarade: Jag tror att Jesus Kristus är Guds Son.
38 Han stannade vagnen, och tillsammans steg de ner i vattnet, och Filippos döpte honom.
39 När de kom upp ur vattnet förde Herrens Ande bort Filippos, och mannen såg honom aldrig mer, men han fortsatte sin resa full av glädje.
40 Filippos sågs därefter i Ashdod och i stad efter stad på vägen till Caesarea förkunnade han de goda nyheterna.
New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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