Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹³ When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were unlearned men and lay people, they marvelled. And they knew them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And seeing also the man that was healed standing with them, they could not speak against it. ¹⁵ But they ordered them to go aside out of the council, and conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, What shall we do with these men? For a manifest sign has been done by them, and is openly known to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷ But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us threaten them, and charge them to speak to no one in this name from now on.

¹⁸ And they called them and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them and said, Whether it is right in the sight of God to obey you more than God, you judge. ²⁰ For we cannot but speak that which we have seen and heard.

²¹ So they threatened them and let them go, and found no way to punish them, because of the people. For all the people lauded God for the miracle that was done. ²² For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been shown.

²³ As soon as they were let go, they went to their companions and told them all that the high priests and elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they heard that, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, Lord, you are God who has made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, ²⁵ who by the mouth of your servant David has said: Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? ²⁶ The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers came together against the Lord and against his Christ. ²⁷ For of a truth, against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod and also Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, gathered themselves together, ²⁸ to do whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done. ²⁹ And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all confidence, ³⁰ and stretch forth your hand so that healing and signs and wonders may be done by the name of the holy child Jesus.

³¹ And as soon as they had prayed, the place moved where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God boldly.