Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

³³ When the judges heard this, they were very, very angry and wanted to kill them.

³⁴ Then a lawyer named Gamaliel stood up in the court. He was a Pharisee and all the people respected him. He asked that the apostles be taken out for a while.

³⁵ Then he said, `Men of Israel, you had better take care what you plan to do to these men.

³⁶ Before this time, there was a man named Theudas. He tried to make people believe that he was a great man. He had about four hundred followers. He was killed, and all of his followers were scattered, and the whole thing ended.

³⁷ Then after that, at tax time, another man named Judas from Galilee made trouble. Many people followed him. He also was killed and all of his followers were scattered. 38,

^38-39 o now, I say, do nothing to these men. Leave them alone. If this is the teaching or work of men, it will come to an end. But if it is of God, you cannot stop these men. You might even be fighting against God!'

⁴⁰ They agreed to do what he said. They called in the apostles and had them beaten. They told them not to speak in the name of Jesus. Then they let them go.

⁴¹ The apostles left the court. They were very glad to think that God let them be punished for the name of Jesus.

⁴² Every day, in the temple and in homes, they kept on teaching and talking about Jesus Christ.