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 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 thought you could (A)acquire the gift of God with money! 21 You have (B)no part or share in this [a]matter, for your heart is not (C)right before God. 22 Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, (D)if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are [b]in the gall of bitterness and in (E)the [c]bondage of unrighteousness.” 24 But Simon answered and said, “(F)Pray 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)testified and spoken (H)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were (I)preaching 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 Or doomed to the
  3. Acts 8:23 Lit bond

18 Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the [a]Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this [b]matter: for thy heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. 23 For I see that thou [c]art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. 24 And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and [d]preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 8:18 Some ancient authorities omit Holy.
  2. Acts 8:21 Greek word.
  3. Acts 8:23 Or, wilt become gall (or a gall root) of bitterness and a bond of iniquity. Compare Dt. 29:18; Heb. 12:15.
  4. Acts 8:25 Greek brought good tidings. Compare 5:42.