Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

⁹ But there was a man named Simon, who had lived in the town for some while and who practiced magic. He used to astonish the Samaritan people, giving out that he was some great personage. ¹⁰ Everyone, small and great alike, paid attention to him, and said, “This man is the one called ‘God’s Great Power’!” ¹¹ They had been under his spell for some time, since they were amazed at the magic he could perform. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he was announcing to them the message about God’s kingdom and the Name of Jesus the Messiah, they were baptized, men and women alike. ¹³ Simon too believed and was baptized, paying close attention to Philip. When he saw signs, and great and powerful deeds, it was his turn to be astonished.

¹⁴ When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received God’s word, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵ When they arrived, they prayed for them, asking that they would receive the holy spirit, ¹⁶ since up to that point the spirit had come upon none of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the holy spirit.

¹⁸ When Simon saw that the spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.

¹⁹ “Give me this power too,” he said, “so that anyone I lay my hands on will receive the holy spirit.”

²⁰ “You and your silver belong in hell!” retorted Peter. “Did you really think that God’s gift could be bought with money? ²¹ You have no part or share in this word! Your heart is not straight before God. ²² So repent from this wickedness, and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive the scheme you had in your heart. ²³ I can see that you are still stuck in the bitter poison and chains of unrighteousness.”

²⁴ “Pray to the Lord for me,” said Simon in reply, “that none of what you’ve said will happen to me.”

²⁵ After Peter and John had finished bearing witness and speaking the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, announcing the good news to many Samaritan villages.