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 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