Cities of Refuge East of the Jordan

⁴¹ Then Moses ^(A)set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, ^42 (B)that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past, and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might live: ^43 (C)Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

Introduction to God’s Law

⁴⁴ Now this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. ⁴⁵ These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which Moses spoke to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt, ⁴⁶ on this side of the Jordan, ^(D)in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel ^(E)defeated^[a] after they came out of Egypt. ⁴⁷ And they took possession of his land and the land ^(F)of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, who were on this side of the Jordan, toward the ^[b]rising of the sun, ^48 (G)from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, even to Mount ^[c]Sion (that is, ^(H)Hermon), ⁴⁹ and all the plain on the east side of the Jordan as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the ^(I)slopes of Pisgah.

Sharing in All Things

³² Now the multitude of those who believed ^(A)were of one heart and one soul; ^(B)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. ³³ And with ^(C)great power the apostles gave ^(D)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And ^(E)great grace was upon them all. ³⁴ Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; ^(F)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, ^35 (G)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; ^(H)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

³⁶ And ^[a]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of ^[b]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, ^37 (I)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Lying to the Holy Spirit

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. ² And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ^3 (J)But Peter said, “Ananias, why has ^(K)Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

⁵ Then Ananias, hearing these words, ^(L)fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. ⁶ And the young men arose and ^(M)wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

⁷ Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”

She said, “Yes, for so much.”

⁹ Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together ^(N)to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” ^10 (O)Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. ^11 (P)So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

The Ten Commandments Reviewed^(A)

5 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them. ^2 (B)The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. ³ The Lord ^(C)did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. ^4 (D)The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. ^5 (E)I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for ^(F)you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain. He said:

Continuing Power in the Church

¹² And ^(A)through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. ^(B)And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. ¹³ Yet ^(C)none of the rest dared join them, ^(D)but the people esteemed them highly. ¹⁴ And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, ^(E)that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing ^(F)sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

^17 (G)Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with ^[a]indignation, ^18 (H)and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ But at night ^(I)an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ²⁰ “Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people ^(J)all the words of this life.”

²¹ And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. ^(K)But the high priest and those with him came and called the ^[b]council together, with all the ^[c]elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Apostles on Trial Again

²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing ^[d]outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when ^[e]the high priest, ^(L)the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵ So one came and told them, ^[f]saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, ^(M)for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, ^(N)“Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, ^(O)and intend to bring this Man’s ^(P)blood on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ^(Q)“We ought to obey God rather than men. ^30 (R)The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by ^(S)hanging on a tree. ^31 (T)Him God has exalted to His right hand to be ^(U)Prince and ^(V)Savior, ^(W)to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And ^(X)we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit ^(Y)whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

³³ When they heard this, they were ^(Z)furious^[g] and plotted to kill them. ³⁴ Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named ^(AA)Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. ³⁵ And he said to them: “Men of Israel, ^[h]take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. ³⁶ For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, ^[i]joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. ³⁸ And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; ^39 (AB)but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found ^(AC)to fight against God.”

⁴⁰ And they agreed with him, and when they had ^(AD)called for the apostles ^(AE)and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ So they departed from the presence of the council, ^(AF)rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for ^[j]His name. ⁴² And daily ^(AG)in the temple, and in every house, ^(AH)they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.