New Testament in a Year
22 But (A)the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back, 23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.” 24 Now when (B)the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what [a]would come of this. 25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!” 26 Then (C)the captain went along with (D)the officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for (E)they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).
27 When they had brought them, they stood them [b]before (F)the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you (G)strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and [c]yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and (H)intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “(I)We must obey God rather than men. 30 (J)The God of our fathers (K)raised up Jesus, [d]whom you had (L)put to death by hanging Him on a [e]cross. 31 (M)He is the one whom God exalted [f]to His right hand as a [g](N)Prince and a (O)Savior, to grant (P)repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are (Q)witnesses [h]of these things; and (R)so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”
Gamaliel’s Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they were (S)cut [i]to the quick and intended to kill them. 34 But a Pharisee named (T)Gamaliel, a (U)teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in (V)the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas rose up, (W)claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined up with him. [j]But he was killed, and all who [k]followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of (X)the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished, and all those who [l]followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or [m]action (Y)is of men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found (Z)fighting against God.”
40 They [n]took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they (AA)flogged them and ordered them not to [o]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [p](AB)Council, (AC)rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame (AD)for His name. 42 (AE)And every day, in the temple and [q]from house to house, they [r]kept right on teaching and [s](AF)preaching Jesus as the [t]Christ.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.