Old/New Testament

4 Peter and John were talking to the people. The priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them.

² They were angry at Peter and John because they taught the people. They were angry because they told them that Jesus was brought back from death.

³ They caught them and put them in prison until the next day, because it was already evening.

⁴ But many of the people who heard them speak the word of God, believed what they said. The number of men who believed was about five thousand.

⁵ The next day their rulers, leaders, and scribes met in Jerusalem.

⁶ Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all of the high priest's family were there also.

⁷ Peter and John were brought before them. They asked the apostles, `By what power or in what name have you done this?'

^8-9 hen Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, `Rulers of the people and leaders of Israel, have you brought us to court today because of the good thing that was done to the lame man? Do you want to find out how he was healed?

¹⁰ Well, let it be known by all the people of Israel. This man standing before you is healed by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. He has done this. You nailed him to a cross, but God raised him from death.

¹¹ Jesus Christ is the stone which you, the builders, would not use. But he is now the chief corner stone.

¹² No one else can save us. Of all the people in the world, God chose him to save us. It is by him we must be saved.'

¹³ They saw that Peter and John were not afraid to speak out. They knew that they were like any other men. They did not have much training. So the people were very much surprised. They knew that Peter and John had been with Jesus.

¹⁴ They saw the man who had been healed standing beside them. So they could say nothing against them.

¹⁵ They told Peter and John to leave the court. Then they talked the matter over among themselves.

¹⁶ They said, `What shall we do to these men? All the people who live in Jerusalem know about this big work they have done. And we cannot say they did not do it.

¹⁷ But we do not want any more people to hear about it. So let us say to these men, "Take care! Never speak to anyone in this name again." '

¹⁸ They called them in and said, `Never speak or teach in this name again.'

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, `How does God look at it? Is it right for us to obey you or to obey him? You judge that for yourselves.

²⁰ As for us, we must tell the things we have seen and heard.'

²¹ So the high priest and those with him told them again. Then they let them go. They could not punish them because of the people. They all praised God for what had been done.

²² The man who had been healed was more than forty years old.