18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!(A) 21 You have no part or share(B) in this ministry, because your heart is not right(C) before God. 22 Repent(D) of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me(E) so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord(F) and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.(G)

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18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me this power too, so that when I lay my hands on someone, he will receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter told him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s free gift with money! 21 You have no part or share in what we’re saying, because your heart isn’t right with God. 22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you’re being poisoned by bitterness and you’re a prisoner of wickedness!”

24 Simon answered, “Both of you pray[a] to the Lord for me that none of the things you have said will happen to me.”

25 After they had given their testimony and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, continuing to proclaim the good news in many Samaritan villages.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 8:24 Lit. Pray (pl.)