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Actes 8:4-12:25
Louis Segond
Actes 8:4-12:25
Louis Segond
4 Ceux qui avaient été dispersés allaient de lieu en lieu, annonçant la bonne nouvelle de la parole.
5 Philippe, étant descendu dans la ville de Samarie, y prêcha le Christ.
6 Les foules tout entières étaient attentives à ce que disait Philippe, lorsqu'elles apprirent et virent les miracles qu'il faisait.
7 Car des esprits impurs sortirent de plusieurs démoniaques, en poussant de grands cris, et beaucoup de paralytiques et de boiteux furent guéris.
8 Et il y eut une grande joie dans cette ville.
9 Il y avait auparavant dans la ville un homme nommé Simon, qui, se donnant pour un personnage important, exerçait la magie et provoquait l'étonnement du peuple de la Samarie.
10 Tous, depuis le plus petit jusqu'au plus grand, l'écoutaient attentivement, et disaient: Celui-ci est la puissance de Dieu, celle qui s'appelle la grande.
11 Ils l'écoutaient attentivement, parce qu'il les avait longtemps étonnés par ses actes de magie.
12 Mais, quand ils eurent cru à Philippe, qui leur annonçait la bonne nouvelle du royaume de Dieu et du nom de Jésus Christ, hommes et femmes se firent baptiser.
13 Simon lui-même crut, et, après avoir été baptisé, il ne quittait plus Philippe, et il voyait avec étonnement les miracles et les grands prodiges qui s'opéraient.
14 Les apôtres, qui étaient à Jérusalem, ayant appris que la Samarie avait reçu la parole de Dieu, y envoyèrent Pierre et Jean.
15 Ceux-ci, arrivés chez les Samaritains, prièrent pour eux, afin qu'ils reçussent le Saint Esprit.
16 Car il n'était encore descendu sur aucun d'eux; ils avaient seulement été baptisés au nom du Seigneur Jésus.
17 Alors Pierre et Jean leur imposèrent les mains, et ils reçurent le Saint Esprit.
18 Lorsque Simon vit que le Saint Esprit était donné par l'imposition des mains des apôtres, il leur offrit de l'argent,
19 en disant: Accordez-moi aussi ce pouvoir, afin que celui à qui j'imposerai les mains reçoive le Saint Esprit.
20 Mais Pierre lui dit: Que ton argent périsse avec toi, puisque tu as cru que le don de Dieu s'acquérait à prix d'argent!
21 Il n'y a pour toi ni part ni lot dans cette affaire, car ton coeur n'est pas droit devant Dieu.
22 Repens-toi donc de ta méchanceté, et prie le Seigneur pour que la pensée de ton coeur te soit pardonnée, s'il est possible;
23 car je vois que tu es dans un fiel amer et dans les liens de l'iniquité.
24 Simon répondit: Priez vous-mêmes le Seigneur pour moi, afin qu'il ne m'arrive rien de ce que vous avez dit.
25 Après avoir rendu témoignage à la parole du Seigneur, et après l'avoir prêchée, Pierre et Jean retournèrent à Jérusalem, en annonçant la bonne nouvelle dans plusieurs villages des Samaritains.
26 Un ange du Seigneur, s'adressant à Philippe, lui dit: Lève-toi, et va du côté du midi, sur le chemin qui descend de Jérusalem à Gaza, celui qui est désert.
27 Il se leva, et partit. Et voici, un Éthiopien, un eunuque, ministre de Candace, reine d'Éthiopie, et surintendant de tous ses trésors, venu à Jérusalem pour adorer,
28 s'en retournait, assis sur son char, et lisait le prophète Ésaïe.
29 L'Esprit dit à Philippe: Avance, et approche-toi de ce char.
30 Philippe accourut, et entendit l'Éthiopien qui lisait le prophète Ésaïe. Il lui dit: Comprends-tu ce que tu lis?
31 Il répondit: Comment le pourrais-je, si quelqu'un ne me guide? Et il invita Philippe à monter et à s'asseoir avec lui.
32 Le passage de l'Écriture qu'il lisait était celui-ci: Il a été mené comme une brebis à la boucherie; Et, comme un agneau muet devant celui qui le tond, Il n'a point ouvert la bouche.
33 Dans son humiliation, son jugement a été levé. Et sa postérité, qui la dépeindra? Car sa vie a été retranchée de la terre.
34 L'eunuque dit à Philippe: Je te prie, de qui le prophète parle-t-il ainsi? Est-ce de lui-même, ou de quelque autre?
35 Alors Philippe, ouvrant la bouche et commençant par ce passage, lui annonça la bonne nouvelle de Jésus.
36 Comme ils continuaient leur chemin, ils rencontrèrent de l'eau. Et l'eunuque dit: Voici de l'eau; qu'est-ce qui empêche que je ne sois baptisé?
37 Philippe dit: Si tu crois de tout ton coeur, cela est possible. L'eunuque répondit: Je crois que Jésus Christ est le Fils de Dieu.
38 Il fit arrêter le char; Philippe et l'eunuque descendirent tous deux dans l'eau, et Philippe baptisa l'eunuque.
39 Quand ils furent sortis de l'eau, l'Esprit du Seigneur enleva Philippe, et l'eunuque ne le vit plus. Tandis que, joyeux, il poursuivait sa route,
40 Philippe se trouva dans Azot, d'où il alla jusqu'à Césarée, en évangélisant toutes les villes par lesquelles il passait.
9 Cependant Saul, respirant encore la menace et le meurtre contre les disciples du Seigneur, se rendit chez le souverain sacrificateur,
2 et lui demanda des lettres pour les synagogues de Damas, afin que, s'il trouvait des partisans de la nouvelle doctrine, hommes ou femmes, il les amenât liés à Jérusalem.
3 Comme il était en chemin, et qu'il approchait de Damas, tout à coup une lumière venant du ciel resplendit autour de lui.
4 Il tomba par terre, et il entendit une voix qui lui disait: Saul, Saul, pourquoi me persécutes-tu?
5 Il répondit: Qui es-tu, Seigneur? Et le Seigneur dit: Je suis Jésus que tu persécutes. Il te serait dur de regimber contre les aiguillons.
6 Tremblant et saisi d'effroi, il dit: Seigneur, que veux-tu que je fasse? Et le Seigneur lui dit: Lève-toi, entre dans la ville, et on te dira ce que tu dois faire.
7 Les hommes qui l'accompagnaient demeurèrent stupéfaits; ils entendaient bien la voix, mais ils ne voyaient personne.
8 Saul se releva de terre, et, quoique ses yeux fussent ouverts, il ne voyait rien; on le prit par la main, et on le conduisit à Damas.
9 Il resta trois jours sans voir, et il ne mangea ni ne but.
10 Or, il y avait à Damas un disciple nommé Ananias. Le Seigneur lui dit dans une vision: Ananias! Il répondit: Me voici, Seigneur!
11 Et le Seigneur lui dit: Lève-toi, va dans la rue qu'on appelle la droite, et cherche, dans la maison de Judas, un nommé Saul de Tarse.
12 Car il prie, et il a vu en vision un homme du nom d'Ananias, qui entrait, et qui lui imposait les mains, afin qu'il recouvrât la vue. Ananias répondit:
13 Seigneur, j'ai appris de plusieurs personnes tous les maux que cet homme a faits à tes saints dans Jérusalem;
14 et il a ici des pouvoirs, de la part des principaux sacrificateurs, pour lier tous ceux qui invoquent ton nom.
15 Mais le Seigneur lui dit: Va, car cet homme est un instrument que j'ai choisi, pour porter mon nom devant les nations, devant les rois, et devant les fils d'Israël;
16 et je lui montrerai tout ce qu'il doit souffrir pour mon nom.
17 Ananias sortit; et, lorsqu'il fut arrivé dans la maison, il imposa les mains à Saul, en disant: Saul, mon frère, le Seigneur Jésus, qui t'est apparu sur le chemin par lequel tu venais, m'a envoyé pour que tu recouvres la vue et que tu sois rempli du Saint Esprit.
18 Au même instant, il tomba de ses yeux comme des écailles, et il recouvra la vue. Il se leva, et fut baptisé;
19 et, après qu'il eut pris de la nourriture, les forces lui revinrent. Saul resta quelques jours avec les disciples qui étaient à Damas.
20 Et aussitôt il prêcha dans les synagogues que Jésus est le Fils de Dieu.
21 Tous ceux qui l'entendaient étaient dans l'étonnement, et disaient: N'est-ce pas celui qui persécutait à Jérusalem ceux qui invoquent ce nom, et n'est-il pas venu ici pour les emmener liés devant les principaux sacrificateurs?
22 Cependant Saul se fortifiait de plus en plus, et il confondait les Juifs qui habitaient Damas, démontrant que Jésus est le Christ.
23 Au bout d'un certain temps, les Juifs se concertèrent pour le tuer,
24 et leur complot parvint à la connaissance de Saul. On gardait les portes jour et nuit, afin de lui ôter la vie.
25 Mais, pendant une nuit, les disciples le prirent, et le descendirent par la muraille, dans une corbeille.
26 Lorsqu'il se rendit à Jérusalem, Saul tâcha de se joindre à eux; mais tous le craignaient, ne croyant pas qu'il fût un disciple.
27 Alors Barnabas, l'ayant pris avec lui, le conduisit vers les apôtres, et leur raconta comment sur le chemin Saul avait vu le Seigneur, qui lui avait parlé, et comment à Damas il avait prêché franchement au nom de Jésus.
28 Il allait et venait avec eux dans Jérusalem, et s'exprimait en toute assurance au nom du Seigneur.
29 Il parlait aussi et disputait avec les Hellénistes; mais ceux-ci cherchaient à lui ôter la vie.
30 Les frères, l'ayant su, l'emmenèrent à Césarée, et le firent partir pour Tarse.
31 L'Église était en paix dans toute la Judée, la Galilée et la Samarie, s'édifiant et marchant dans la crainte du Seigneur, et elle s'accroissait par l'assistance du Saint Esprit.
32 Comme Pierre visitait tous les saints, il descendit aussi vers ceux qui demeuraient à Lydde.
33 Il y trouva un homme nommé Énée, couché sur un lit depuis huit ans, et paralytique.
34 Pierre lui dit: Énée, Jésus Christ te guérit; lève-toi, et arrange ton lit. Et aussitôt il se leva.
35 Tous les habitants de Lydde et du Saron le virent, et ils se convertirent au Seigneur.
36 Il y avait à Joppé, parmi les disciples, une femme nommée Tabitha, ce qui signifie Dorcas: elle faisait beaucoup de bonnes oeuvres et d'aumônes.
37 Elle tomba malade en ce temps-là, et mourut. Après l'avoir lavée, on la déposa dans une chambre haute.
38 Comme Lydde est près de Joppé, les disciples, ayant appris que Pierre s'y trouvait, envoyèrent deux hommes vers lui, pour le prier de venir chez eux sans tarder.
39 Pierre se leva, et partit avec ces hommes. Lorsqu'il fut arrivé, on le conduisit dans la chambre haute. Toutes les veuves l'entourèrent en pleurant, et lui montrèrent les tuniques et les vêtements que faisait Dorcas pendant qu'elle était avec elles.
40 Pierre fit sortir tout le monde, se mit à genoux, et pria; puis, se tournant vers le corps, il dit: Tabitha, lève-toi! Elle ouvrit les yeux, et ayant vu Pierre, elle s'assit.
41 Il lui donna la main, et la fit lever. Il appela ensuite les saints et les veuves, et la leur présenta vivante.
42 Cela fut connu de tout Joppé, et beaucoup crurent au Seigneur.
43 Pierre demeura quelque temps à Joppé, chez un corroyeur nommé Simon.
10 Il y avait à Césarée un homme nommé Corneille, centenier dans la cohorte dite italienne.
2 Cet homme était pieux et craignait Dieu, avec toute sa maison; il faisait beaucoup d'aumônes au peuple, et priait Dieu continuellement.
3 Vers la neuvième heure du jour, il vit clairement dans une vision un ange de Dieu qui entra chez lui, et qui lui dit: Corneille!
4 Les regards fixés sur lui, et saisi d'effroi, il répondit: Qu'est-ce, Seigneur? Et l'ange lui dit: Tes prières et tes aumônes sont montées devant Dieu, et il s'en est souvenu.
5 Envoie maintenant des hommes à Joppé, et fais venir Simon, surnommé Pierre;
6 il est logé chez un certain Simon, corroyeur, dont la maison est près de la mer.
7 Dès que l'ange qui lui avait parlé fut parti, Corneille appela deux de ses serviteurs, et un soldat pieux d'entre ceux qui étaient attachés à sa personne;
8 et, après leur avoir tout raconté, il les envoya à Joppé.
9 Le lendemain, comme ils étaient en route, et qu'ils approchaient de la ville, Pierre monta sur le toit, vers la sixième heure, pour prier.
10 Il eut faim, et il voulut manger. Pendant qu'on lui préparait à manger, il tomba en extase.
11 Il vit le ciel ouvert, et un objet semblable à une grande nappe attachée par les quatre coins, qui descendait et s'abaissait vers la terre,
12 et où se trouvaient tous les quadrupèdes et les reptiles de la terre et les oiseaux du ciel.
13 Et une voix lui dit: Lève-toi, Pierre, tue et mange.
14 Mais Pierre dit: Non, Seigneur, car je n'ai jamais rien mangé de souillé ni d'impur.
15 Et pour la seconde fois la voix se fit encore entendre à lui: Ce que Dieu a déclaré pur, ne le regarde pas comme souillé.
16 Cela arriva jusqu'à trois fois; et aussitôt après, l'objet fut retiré dans le ciel.
17 Tandis que Pierre ne savait en lui-même que penser du sens de la vision qu'il avait eue, voici, les hommes envoyés par Corneille, s'étant informés de la maison de Simon, se présentèrent à la porte,
18 et demandèrent à haute voix si c'était là que logeait Simon, surnommé Pierre.
19 Et comme Pierre était à réfléchir sur la vision, l'Esprit lui dit: Voici, trois hommes te demandent;
20 lève-toi, descends, et pars avec eux sans hésiter, car c'est moi qui les ai envoyés.
21 Pierre donc descendit, et il dit à ces hommes: Voici, je suis celui que vous cherchez; quel est le motif qui vous amène?
22 Ils répondirent: Corneille, centenier, homme juste et craignant Dieu, et de qui toute la nation des Juifs rend un bon témoignage, a été divinement averti par un saint ange de te faire venir dans sa maison et d'entendre tes paroles.
23 Pierre donc les fit entrer, et les logea. Le lendemain, il se leva, et partit avec eux. Quelques-uns des frères de Joppé l'accompagnèrent.
24 Ils arrivèrent à Césarée le jour suivant. Corneille les attendait, et avait invité ses parents et ses amis intimes.
25 Lorsque Pierre entra, Corneille, qui était allé au-devant de lui, tomba à ses pieds et se prosterna.
26 Mais Pierre le releva, en disant: Lève-toi; moi aussi, je suis un homme.
27 Et conversant avec lui, il entra, et trouva beaucoup de personnes réunies.
28 Vous savez, leur dit-il, qu'il est défendu à un Juif de se lier avec un étranger ou d'entrer chez lui; mais Dieu m'a appris à ne regarder aucun homme comme souillé et impur.
29 C'est pourquoi je n'ai pas eu d'objection à venir, puisque vous m'avez appelé; je vous demande donc pour quel motif vous m'avez envoyé chercher.
30 Corneille dit: Il y a quatre jours, à cette heure-ci, je priais dans ma maison à la neuvième heure; et voici, un homme vêtu d'un habit éclatant se présenta devant moi, et dit:
31 Corneille, ta prière a été exaucée, et Dieu s'est souvenu de tes aumônes.
32 Envoie donc à Joppé, et fais venir Simon, surnommé Pierre; il est logé dans la maison de Simon, corroyeur, près de la mer.
33 Aussitôt j'ai envoyé vers toi, et tu as bien fait de venir. Maintenant donc nous sommes tous devant Dieu, pour entendre tout ce que le Seigneur t'a ordonné de nous dire.
34 Alors Pierre, ouvrant la bouche, dit: En vérité, je reconnais que Dieu ne fait point acception de personnes,
35 mais qu'en toute nation celui qui le craint et qui pratique la justice lui est agréable.
36 Il a envoyé la parole aux fils d'Israël, en leur annonçant la paix par Jésus Christ, qui est le Seigneur de tous.
37 Vous savez ce qui est arrivé dans toute la Judée, après avoir commencé en Galilée, à la suite du baptême que Jean a prêché;
38 vous savez comment Dieu a oint du Saint Esprit et de force Jésus de Nazareth, qui allait de lieu en lieu faisant du bien et guérissant tous ceux qui étaient sous l'empire du diable, car Dieu était avec lui.
39 Nous sommes témoins de tout ce qu'il a fait dans le pays des Juifs et à Jérusalem. Ils l'ont tué, en le pendant au bois.
40 Dieu l'a ressuscité le troisième jour, et il a permis qu'il apparût,
41 non à tout le peuple, mais aux témoins choisis d'avance par Dieu, à nous qui avons mangé et bu avec lui, après qu'il fut ressuscité des morts.
42 Et Jésus nous a ordonné de prêcher au peuple et d'attester que c'est lui qui a été établi par Dieu juge des vivants et des morts.
43 Tous les prophètes rendent de lui le témoignage que quiconque croit en lui reçoit par son nom le pardon des péchés.
44 Comme Pierre prononçait encore ces mots, le Saint Esprit descendit sur tous ceux qui écoutaient la parole.
45 Tous les fidèles circoncis qui étaient venus avec Pierre furent étonnés de ce que le don du Saint Esprit était aussi répandu sur les païens.
46 Car ils les entendaient parler en langues et glorifier Dieu.
47 Alors Pierre dit: Peut-on refuser l'eau du baptême à ceux qui ont reçu le Saint Esprit aussi bien que nous?
48 Et il ordonna qu'ils fussent baptisés au nom du Seigneur. Sur quoi ils le prièrent de rester quelques jours auprès d'eux.
11 Les apôtres et les frères qui étaient dans la Judée apprirent que les païens avaient aussi reçu la parole de Dieu.
2 Et lorsque Pierre fut monté à Jérusalem, les fidèles circoncis lui adressèrent des reproches,
3 en disant: Tu es entré chez des incirconcis, et tu as mangé avec eux.
4 Pierre se mit à leur exposer d'une manière suivie ce qui s'était passé.
5 Il dit: J'étais dans la ville de Joppé, et, pendant que je priais, je tombai en extase et j'eus une vision: un objet, semblable à une grande nappe attachée par les quatre coins, descendait du ciel et vint jusqu'à moi.
6 Les regards fixés sur cette nappe, j'examinai, et je vis les quadrupèdes de la terre, les bêtes sauvages, les reptiles, et les oiseaux du ciel.
7 Et j'entendis une voix qui me disait: Lève-toi, Pierre, tue et mange.
8 Mais je dis: Non, Seigneur, car jamais rien de souillé ni d'impur n'est entré dans ma bouche.
9 Et pour la seconde fois la voix se fit entendre du ciel: Ce que Dieu a déclaré pur, ne le regarde pas comme souillé.
10 Cela arriva jusqu'à trois fois; puis tout fut retiré dans le ciel.
11 Et voici, aussitôt trois hommes envoyés de Césarée vers moi se présentèrent devant la porte de la maison où j'étais.
12 L'Esprit me dit de partir avec eux sans hésiter. Les six hommes que voici m'accompagnèrent, et nous entrâmes dans la maison de Corneille.
13 Cet homme nous raconta comment il avait vu dans sa maison l'ange se présentant à lui et disant: Envoie à Joppé, et fais venir Simon, surnommé Pierre,
14 qui te dira des choses par lesquelles tu seras sauvé, toi et toute ta maison.
15 Lorsque je me fus mis à parler, le Saint Esprit descendit sur eux, comme sur nous au commencement.
16 Et je me souvins de cette parole du Seigneur: Jean a baptisé d'eau, mais vous, vous serez baptisés du Saint Esprit.
17 Or, puisque Dieu leur a accordé le même don qu'à nous qui avons cru au Seigneur Jésus Christ, pouvais-je, moi, m'opposer à Dieu?
18 Après avoir entendu cela, ils se calmèrent, et ils glorifièrent Dieu, en disant: Dieu a donc accordé la repentance aussi aux païens, afin qu'ils aient la vie.
19 Ceux qui avaient été dispersés par la persécution survenue à l'occasion d'Étienne allèrent jusqu'en Phénicie, dans l'île de Chypre, et à Antioche, annonçant la parole seulement aux Juifs.
20 Il y eut cependant parmi eux quelques hommes de Chypre et de Cyrène, qui, étant venus à Antioche, s'adressèrent aussi aux Grecs, et leur annoncèrent la bonne nouvelle du Seigneur Jésus.
21 La main du Seigneur était avec eux, et un grand nombre de personnes crurent et se convertirent au Seigneur.
22 Le bruit en parvint aux oreilles des membres de l'Église de Jérusalem, et ils envoyèrent Barnabas jusqu'à Antioche.
23 Lorsqu'il fut arrivé, et qu'il eut vu la grâce de Dieu, il s'en réjouit, et il les exhorta tous à rester d'un coeur ferme attachés au Seigneur.
24 Car c'était un homme de bien, plein d'Esprit Saint et de foi. Et une foule assez nombreuse se joignit au Seigneur.
25 Barnabas se rendit ensuite à Tarse, pour chercher Saul;
26 et, l'ayant trouvé, il l'amena à Antioche. Pendant toute une année, ils se réunirent aux assemblées de l'Église, et ils enseignèrent beaucoup de personnes. Ce fut à Antioche que, pour la première fois, les disciples furent appelés chrétiens.
27 En ce temps-là, des prophètes descendirent de Jérusalem à Antioche.
28 L'un deux, nommé Agabus, se leva, et annonça par l'Esprit qu'il y aurait une grande famine sur toute la terre. Elle arriva, en effet, sous Claude.
29 Les disciples résolurent d'envoyer, chacun selon ses moyens, un secours aux frères qui habitaient la Judée.
30 Ils le firent parvenir aux anciens par les mains de Barnabas et de Saul.
12 Vers le même temps, le roi Hérode se mit à maltraiter quelques membres de l'Église,
2 et il fit mourir par l'épée Jacques, frère de Jean.
3 Voyant que cela était agréable aux Juifs, il fit encore arrêter Pierre. -C'était pendant les jours des pains sans levain. -
4 Après l'avoir saisi et jeté en prison, il le mit sous la garde de quatre escouades de quatre soldats chacune, avec l'intention de le faire comparaître devant le peuple après la Pâque.
5 Pierre donc était gardé dans la prison; et l'Église ne cessait d'adresser pour lui des prières à Dieu.
6 La nuit qui précéda le jour où Hérode allait le faire comparaître, Pierre, lié de deux chaînes, dormait entre deux soldats; et des sentinelles devant la porte gardaient la prison.
7 Et voici, un ange du Seigneur survint, et une lumière brilla dans la prison. L'ange réveilla Pierre, en le frappant au côté, et en disant: Lève-toi promptement! Les chaînes tombèrent de ses mains.
8 Et l'ange lui dit: Mets ta ceinture et tes sandales. Et il fit ainsi. L'ange lui dit encore: Enveloppe-toi de ton manteau, et suis-moi.
9 Pierre sortit, et le suivit, ne sachant pas que ce qui se faisait par l'ange fût réel, et s'imaginant avoir une vision.
10 Lorsqu'ils eurent passé la première garde, puis la seconde, ils arrivèrent à la porte de fer qui mène à la ville, et qui s'ouvrit d'elle-même devant eux; ils sortirent, et s'avancèrent dans une rue. Aussitôt l'ange quitta Pierre.
11 Revenu à lui-même, Pierre dit: Je vois maintenant d'une manière certaine que le Seigneur a envoyé son ange, et qu'il m'a délivré de la main d'Hérode et de tout ce que le peuple juif attendait.
12 Après avoir réfléchi, il se dirigea vers la maison de Marie, mère de Jean, surnommé Marc, où beaucoup de personnes étaient réunies et priaient.
13 Il frappa à la porte du vestibule, et une servante, nommée Rhode, s'approcha pour écouter.
14 Elle reconnut la voix de Pierre; et, dans sa joie, au lieu d'ouvrir, elle courut annoncer que Pierre était devant la porte.
15 Ils lui dirent: Tu es folle. Mais elle affirma que la chose était ainsi.
16 Et ils dirent: C'est son ange. Cependant Pierre continuait à frapper. Ils ouvrirent, et furent étonnés de le voir.
17 Pierre, leur ayant de la main fait signe de se taire, leur raconta comment le Seigneur l'avait tiré de la prison, et il dit: Annoncez-le à Jacques et aux frères. Puis il sortit, et s'en alla dans un autre lieu.
18 Quand il fit jour, les soldats furent dans une grande agitation, pour savoir ce que Pierre était devenu.
19 Hérode, s'étant mis à sa recherche et ne l'ayant pas trouvé, interrogea les gardes, et donna l'ordre de les mener au supplice. Ensuite il descendit de la Judée à Césarée, pour y séjourner.
20 Hérode avait des dispositions hostiles à l'égard des Tyriens et des Sidoniens. Mais ils vinrent le trouver d'un commun accord; et, après avoir gagné Blaste, son chambellan, ils sollicitèrent la paix, parce que leur pays tirait sa subsistance de celui du roi.
21 A un jour fixé, Hérode, revêtu de ses habits royaux, et assis sur son trône, les harangua publiquement.
22 Le peuple s'écria: Voix d'un dieu, et non d'un homme!
23 Au même instant, un ange du Seigneur le frappa, parce qu'il n'avait pas donné gloire à Dieu. Et il expira, rongé des vers.
24 Cependant la parole de Dieu se répandait de plus en plus, et le nombre des disciples augmentait.
25 Barnabas et Saul, après s'être acquittés de leur message, s'en retournèrent de Jérusalem, emmenant avec eux Jean, surnommé Marc.
Acts 8:4-12:25
New International Version
Acts 8:4-12:25
New International Version
Philip in Samaria
4 Those who had been scattered(A) preached the word wherever they went.(B) 5 Philip(C) went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many,(D) and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.(E) 8 So there was great joy in that city.
Simon the Sorcerer
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery(F) in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great,(G) 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.”(H) 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. 12 But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God(I) and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized,(J) both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles(K) he saw.
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria(L) had accepted the word of God,(M) they sent Peter and John(N) to Samaria. 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit,(O) 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them;(P) they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(Q) 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them,(R) and they received the Holy Spirit.(S)
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!(T) 21 You have no part or share(U) in this ministry, because your heart is not right(V) before God. 22 Repent(W) 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(X) so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
25 After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord(Y) and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.(Z)
Philip and the Ethiopian
26 Now an angel(AA) of the Lord said to Philip,(AB) “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian[a](AC) eunuch,(AD) an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship,(AE) 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told(AF) Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”[b](AG)
34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began(AH) with that very passage of Scripture(AI) and told him the good news(AJ) about Jesus.
36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”(AK) [37] [c] 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away,(AL) and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns(AM) until he reached Caesarea.(AN)
Saul’s Conversion(AO)
9 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples.(AP) He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus,(AQ) so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,(AR) whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.(AS) 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice(AT) say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”(AU)
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound(AV) but did not see anyone.(AW) 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.(AX) So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision,(AY) “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus(AZ) named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on(BA) him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people(BB) in Jerusalem.(BC) 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests(BD) to arrest all who call on your name.”(BE)
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument(BF) to proclaim my name to the Gentiles(BG) and their kings(BH) and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”(BI)
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on(BJ) Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(BK) 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,(BL) 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples(BM) in Damascus.(BN) 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues(BO) that Jesus is the Son of God.(BP) 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?(BQ) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(BR) 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.(BS)
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,(BT) 24 but Saul learned of their plan.(BU) Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.(BV)
26 When he came to Jerusalem,(BW) he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas(BX) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,(BY) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.(BZ) 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[d](CA) but they tried to kill him.(CB) 30 When the believers(CC) learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea(CD) and sent him off to Tarsus.(CE)
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria(CF) enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.(CG)
Aeneas and Dorcas
32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people(CH) who lived in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you.(CI) Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon(CJ) saw him and turned to the Lord.(CK)
36 In Joppa(CL) there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good(CM) and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.(CN) 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples(CO) heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows(CP) stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room;(CQ) then he got down on his knees(CR) and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.”(CS) She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.(CT) 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.(CU)
Cornelius Calls for Peter
10 At Caesarea(CV) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2 He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(CW) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3 One day at about three in the afternoon(CX) he had a vision.(CY) He distinctly saw an angel(CZ) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”
4 Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.
The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(DA) before God.(DB) 5 Now send men to Joppa(DC) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is staying with Simon the tanner,(DD) whose house is by the sea.”
7 When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8 He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(DE)
Peter’s Vision(DF)
9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(DG) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(DH) 11 He saw heaven opened(DI) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
14 “Surely not, Lord!”(DJ) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(DK)
15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”(DL)
16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.
17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,(DM) the men sent by Cornelius(DN) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,(DO) the Spirit said(DP) to him, “Simon, three[e] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(DQ)
21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,(DR) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”(DS) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.
Peter at Cornelius’s House
The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers(DT) from Joppa went along.(DU) 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea.(DV) Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”(DW)
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.(DX) 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile.(DY) But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean.(DZ) 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes(EA) stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism(EB) 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.(EC) 36 You know the message(ED) God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news(EE) of peace(EF) through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.(EG) 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed(EH) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing(EI) all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.(EJ)
39 “We are witnesses(EK) of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross,(EL) 40 but God raised him from the dead(EM) on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people,(EN) but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate(EO) and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people(EP) and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.(EQ) 43 All the prophets testify about him(ER) that everyone(ES) who believes(ET) in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”(EU)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on(EV) all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter(EW) were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out(EX) even on Gentiles.(EY) 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues[f](EZ) and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.(FA) They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”(FB) 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.(FC) Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Peter Explains His Actions
11 The apostles and the believers(FD) throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.(FE) 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers(FF) criticized him 3 and said, “You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them.”(FG)
4 Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story: 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision.(FH) I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles and birds. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
8 “I replied, ‘Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’
9 “The voice spoke from heaven a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.’(FI) 10 This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.
11 “Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea(FJ) stopped at the house where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told(FK) me to have no hesitation about going with them.(FL) These six brothers(FM) also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He told us how he had seen an angel(FN) appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. 14 He will bring you a message(FO) through which you and all your household(FP) will be saved.’
15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on(FQ) them as he had come on us at the beginning.(FR) 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with[g] water,(FS) but you will be baptized with[h] the Holy Spirit.’(FT) 17 So if God gave them the same gift(FU) he gave us(FV) who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?”
18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.”(FW)
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed(FX) traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch,(FY) spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus(FZ) and Cyrene,(GA) went to Antioch(GB) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news(GC) about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them,(GD) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.(GE)
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas(GF) to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,(GG) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.(GH) 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit(GI) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.(GJ)
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus(GK) to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples(GL) were called Christians first(GM) at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets(GN) came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus,(GO) stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.(GP) (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)(GQ) 29 The disciples,(GR) as each one was able, decided to provide help(GS) for the brothers and sisters(GT) living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders(GU) by Barnabas(GV) and Saul.(GW)
Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison
12 It was about this time that King Herod(GX) arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2 He had James, the brother of John,(GY) put to death with the sword.(GZ) 3 When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews,(HA) he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.(HB) 4 After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover.(HC)
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.(HD)
6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains,(HE) and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel(HF) of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.(HG)
8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.(HH) 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself,(HI) and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.
11 Then Peter came to himself(HJ) and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me(HK) from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark,(HL) where many people had gathered and were praying.(HM) 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.(HN) 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed(HO) she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”(HP)
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand(HQ) for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James(HR) and the other brothers and sisters(HS) about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
18 In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be executed.(HT)
Herod’s Death
Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea(HU) and stayed there. 20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon;(HV) they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.(HW)
21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel(HX) of the Lord struck him down,(HY) and he was eaten by worms and died.
24 But the word of God(HZ) continued to spread and flourish.(IA)
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
25 When Barnabas(IB) and Saul had finished their mission,(IC) they returned from[i] Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark.(ID)
Footnotes
- Acts 8:27 That is, from the southern Nile region
- Acts 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 8:37 Some manuscripts include here Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The eunuch answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
- Acts 9:29 That is, Jews who had adopted the Greek language and culture
- Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.
- Acts 10:46 Or other languages
- Acts 11:16 Or in
- Acts 11:16 Or in
- Acts 12:25 Some manuscripts to
Acts 8:4-12:25
New King James Version
Acts 8:4-12:25
New King James Version
Christ Is Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore (A)those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. 5 Then (B)Philip went down to [a]the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For (C)unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously (D)practiced [b]sorcery in the city and (E)astonished the [c]people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his [d]sorceries for a long time. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things (F)concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.
The Sorcerer’s Sin
14 Now when the (G)apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them (H)that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For (I)as yet He had fallen upon none of them. (J)They had only been baptized in (K)the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then (L)they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because (M)you thought that (N)the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your (O)heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God (P)if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are (Q)poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
24 Then Simon answered and said, (R)“Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
25 So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
Christ Is Preached to an Ethiopian(S)
26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to (T)Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is [e]desert. 27 So he arose and went. And behold, (U)a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and (V)had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28 was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 The place in the Scripture which he read was this:
(W)“He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
(X)So He opened not His mouth.
33 In His humiliation His (Y)justice was taken away,
And who will declare His generation?
For His life is (Z)taken from the earth.”
34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, (AA)and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. (AB)What hinders me from being baptized?”
37 [f]Then Philip said, (AC)“If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, (AD)“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, (AE)the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at [g]Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to (AF)Caesarea.
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted(AG)
9 Then (AH)Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked (AI)letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 (AJ)As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, (AK)why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [h]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And (AL)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (AM)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (AN)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (AO)how much [i]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (AP)who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for (AQ)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (AR)Gentiles, (AS)kings, and the (AT)children[j] of Israel. 16 For (AU)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (AV)name’s sake.”
17 (AW)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (AX)laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord [k]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (AY)be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. (AZ)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20 Immediately he preached [l]the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, (BA)“Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, (BB)and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Saul Escapes Death
23 Now after many days were past, (BC)the Jews plotted to kill him. 24 (BD)But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25 Then the disciples took him by night and (BE)let him down through the wall in a large basket.
Saul at Jerusalem
26 And (BF)when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 (BG)But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, (BH)and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So (BI)he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the (BJ)Hellenists,[m] (BK)but they attempted to kill him. 30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
The Church Prospers
31 (BL)Then the [n]churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were (BM)edified.[o] And walking in the (BN)fear of the Lord and in the (BO)comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were (BP)multiplied.
Aeneas Healed
32 Now it came to pass, as Peter went (BQ)through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, (BR)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35 So all who dwelt at Lydda and (BS)Sharon saw him and (BT)turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [p]Tabitha, which is translated [q]Dorcas. This woman was full (BU)of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in (BV)an upper room. 38 And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter (BW)put them all out, and (BX)knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he (BY)said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41 Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, (BZ)and many believed on the Lord. 43 So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with (CA)Simon, a tanner.
Cornelius Sends a Delegation
10 There was a certain man in (CB)Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [r]Regiment, 2 (CC)a devout man and one who (CD)feared God with all his household, who gave [s]alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. 3 About [t]the ninth hour of the day (CE)he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4 And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?”
So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God. 5 Now (CF)send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6 He is lodging with (CG)Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. (CH)He[u] will tell you what you must do.” 7 And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8 So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9 The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, (CI)Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about [v]the sixth hour. 10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 11 and (CJ)saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! (CK)For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, (CL)“What God has [w]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
Summoned to Caesarea
17 Now while Peter [x]wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate. 18 And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.
19 While Peter thought about the vision, (CM)the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 (CN)Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them.”
21 Then Peter went down to the men [y]who had been sent to him from Cornelius, and said, “Yes, I am he whom you seek. For what reason have you come?”
22 And they said, “Cornelius the centurion, a just man, one who fears God and (CO)has a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to summon you to his house, and to hear words from you.” 23 Then he invited them in and lodged them.
On the next day Peter went away with them, (CP)and some brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
Peter Meets Cornelius
24 And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, (CQ)“Stand up; I myself am also a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 Then he said to them, “You know how (CR)unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But (CS)God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?”
30 So Cornelius said, [z]“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, (CT)a man stood before me (CU)in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, (CV)your prayer has been heard, and (CW)your [aa]alms are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. [ab]When he comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”
Preaching to Cornelius’ Household
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: (CX)“In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But (CY)in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is (CZ)accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the [ac]children of Israel, (DA)preaching peace through Jesus Christ—(DB)He is Lord of all— 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and (DC)began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how (DD)God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who (DE)went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, (DF)for God was with Him. 39 And we are (DG)witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom [ad]they (DH)killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him (DI)God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 (DJ)not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us (DK)who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And (DL)He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify (DM)that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge (DN)of the living and the dead. 43 (DO)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, (DP)whoever believes in Him will receive (DQ)remission[ae] of sins.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, (DR)the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 (DS)And [af]those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, (DT)because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit (DU)just as we have?” 48 (DV)And he commanded them to be baptized (DW)in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
Peter Defends God’s Grace
11 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, (DX)those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, (DY)“You went in to uncircumcised men (DZ)and ate with them!”
4 But Peter explained it to them (EA)in order from the beginning, saying: 5 (EB)“I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. 6 When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’ 10 Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 Then (EC)the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover (ED)these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 (EE)And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, 14 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, (EF)as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, (EG)‘John indeed baptized with water, but (EH)you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 (EI)If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, (EJ)who was I that I could withstand God?”
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, (EK)“Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
19 (EL)Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to (EM)the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And (EN)the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and (EO)turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out (EP)Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and (EQ)encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, (ER)full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. (ES)And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for (ET)Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Relief to Judea
27 And in these days (EU)prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named (EV)Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of (EW)Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send (EX)relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 (EY)This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Herod’s Violence to the Church
12 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James (EZ)the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during (FA)the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 So (FB)when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [ag]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter Freed from Prison
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [ah]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were [ai]keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, (FC)an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and (FD)did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought (FE)he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, (FF)which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that (FG)the Lord has sent His angel, and (FH)has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
12 So, when he had considered this, (FI)he came to the house of Mary, the mother of (FJ)John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together (FK)praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. 15 But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, (FL)“It is his angel.”
16 Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But (FM)motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.
18 Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small [aj]stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. 19 But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.
And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
Herod’s Violent Death
20 Now Herod had been very angry with the people of (FN)Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord, and having made Blastus [ak]the king’s personal aide their friend, they asked for peace, because (FO)their country was [al]supplied with food by the king’s country.
21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord (FP)struck him, because (FQ)he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and [am]died.
24 But (FR)the word of God grew and multiplied.
Barnabas and Saul Appointed
25 And (FS)Barnabas and Saul returned [an]from Jerusalem when they had (FT)fulfilled their ministry, and they also (FU)took with them (FV)John whose surname was Mark.
Footnotes
- Acts 8:5 Or a
- Acts 8:9 magic
- Acts 8:9 Or nation
- Acts 8:11 magic arts
- Acts 8:26 Or a deserted place
- Acts 8:37 NU, M omit v. 37. It is found in Western texts, including the Latin tradition.
- Acts 8:40 Same as Heb. Ashdod
- Acts 9:5 NU, M omit the rest of v. 5 and begin v. 6 with But arise and go
- Acts 9:13 bad things
- Acts 9:15 Lit. sons
- Acts 9:17 M omits Jesus
- Acts 9:20 NU Jesus
- Acts 9:29 Greek-speaking Jews
- Acts 9:31 NU church . . . was
- Acts 9:31 built up
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Aram., Gazelle
- Acts 9:36 Lit., in Gr., Gazelle
- Acts 10:1 Cohort
- Acts 10:2 charitable gifts
- Acts 10:3 3 p.m.
- Acts 10:6 NU, M omit the rest of v. 6.
- Acts 10:9 Noon
- Acts 10:15 Declared clean
- Acts 10:17 was perplexed
- Acts 10:21 NU, M omit who had been sent to him from Cornelius
- Acts 10:30 NU Four days ago to this hour, at the ninth hour
- Acts 10:31 charitable gifts
- Acts 10:32 NU omits the rest of v. 32.
- Acts 10:36 Lit. sons
- Acts 10:39 NU, M they also
- Acts 10:43 forgiveness
- Acts 10:45 The Jews
- Acts 12:4 Gr. tetrads, squads of four
- Acts 12:5 NU constantly or earnestly
- Acts 12:6 guarding
- Acts 12:18 disturbance
- Acts 12:20 who was in charge of the king’s bedchamber
- Acts 12:20 Lit. nourished
- Acts 12:23 breathed his last
- Acts 12:25 NU, M to
Louis Segond (LSG)
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.