Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

⁹ And there was a certain man called Simon, who had previously practiced witchcraft and magic in that same city, and had bewitched the people of Samaria, saying that he was a man who could do great things. ¹⁰ They regarded him highly, from the least to the greatest, saying, This fellow is the great power of God! ¹¹ And they set much store by him, because for a long time he had taken them in with magic.

¹² But as soon as they believed Philip’s preaching of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed also, and was baptized, and continued with Philip; and he marvelled, seeing the miracles and signs that were shown.

¹⁴ When the 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 arrived, prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet he had come on none of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

¹⁸ 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 also this power, so that whomever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.

²⁰ Then Peter said to him, May your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God might be obtained with money. ²¹ You have neither part nor fellowship in this work, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God that the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I perceive that you are full of bitter gall, and wrapped in iniquity.

²⁴ Then Simon answered and said, Pray to the Lord for me that none of these things that you have spoken will fall on me.

²⁵ And when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned toward Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.