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18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit had been bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone 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 supposed you could (A)obtain the gift of God with money! 21 You have (B)no part or portion in this [a]matter, for your heart is not (C)right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray earnestly to the Lord that, (D)if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in (E)the [b]bondage of unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “(F)Pray earnestly to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

25 So, when they had solemnly (G)borne witness and spoken (H)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were (I)proclaiming the gospel to many villages of the (J)Samaritans.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 8:21 Or teaching; lit word
  2. Acts 8:23 Lit bond

18 When Simon perceived that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. 19 He said, “Give me this authority too so that anyone on whom I lay my hands will receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter responded, “May your money be condemned to hell along with you because you believed you could buy God’s gift with money! 21 You can have no part or share in God’s word because your heart isn’t right with God. 22 Therefore, change your heart and life! Turn from your wickedness! Plead with the Lord in the hope that your wicked intent can be forgiven, 23 for I see that your bitterness has poisoned you and evil has you in chains.”

24 Simon replied, “All of you, please, plead to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said will happen to me!” 25 After the apostles had testified and proclaimed the Lord’s word, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news to many Samaritan villages along the way.

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