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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 saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

24 “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”

25 After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News.

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