The Promise of the Holy Spirit
ACTS 1 [†]In the first book, O a Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began b to do and teach, 2[†]until the day when c he was taken up, after he d had given commands e through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3[†] f He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.
4[†]And while staying [1] with them g he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5[†]for h John baptized with water, h but you will be baptized i with [2] the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The Ascension
6[†]So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, j will you at this time k restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7[†]He said to them, l “It is not for you to know m times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8[†]But you will receive n power o when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and p you will be q my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and r Samaria, and s to the end of the earth.” 9[†]And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, t he was lifted up, and u a cloud took him out of their sight. 10[†]And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, v two w men stood by them in x white robes, 11[†]and said, y “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, z will a come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12[†]Then b they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13And when they had entered, they went up to c the upper room, where they were staying, d Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon e the Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14[†]All these f with one accord g were devoting themselves to prayer, together with h the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and i his brothers. [3]
15[†]In those days Peter stood up among j the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said, 16[†]“Brothers, k the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, l who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. 17For m he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in n this ministry.” 18[†](Now this man o acquired a field with p the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong [4] he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called q in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20[†]“For it is written in the Book of Psalms,
r “‘May his camp become desolate,
and let there be no one to dwell in it’;
and
s “‘Let another take his office.’
21So one of the men who have accompanied us during t all the time that the Lord Jesus u went in and out among us, 22 v beginning from the baptism of John until the day when w he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us x a witness to his resurrection.” 23[†]And they put forward two, Joseph called y Barsabbas, who was also called z Justus, and a Matthias. 24And b they prayed and said, “You, Lord, c who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen 25to take the place in d this ministry and e apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” 26[†]And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
The Coming of the Holy Spirit
ACTS 2 [†]When f the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2[†]And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like g a mighty rushing wind, and h it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3[†]And divided tongues i as of fire appeared to them and rested [1] on each one of them. 4[†]And they were all j filled with the Holy Spirit and began k to speak in other tongues l as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5[†]Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6[†]And m at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7And n they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking o Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9[†]Parthians and p Medes and q Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and r proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12And s all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others t mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost
14[†]But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, u since it is only the third hour of the day. [2] 16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17[†] v “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
w that I will pour out my Spirit x on all flesh,
and your sons and y your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18 even on my male servants [3] and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and z they shall prophesy.
19[†] And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20 a the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before b the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21 And it shall come to pass that c everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
22“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, d a man attested to you by God e with f mighty works and wonders and signs that g God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23[†]this Jesus, [4] h delivered up according to i the definite plan and j foreknowledge of God, k you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 l God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because m it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25[†]For David says concerning him,
n “‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;
26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
my flesh also will dwell o in hope.
27 For you will not abandon my soul to p Hades,
q or let your r Holy One s see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29[†]“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about t the patriarch David u that he both died and v was buried, and w his tomb is with us to this day. 30 x Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that y God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31[†]he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that z he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32This Jesus a God raised up, b and of that we all are witnesses. 33[†] c Being therefore d exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from e the Father f the promise of the Holy Spirit, g he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34[†]For h David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
i “‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that j God has made him k both Lord and Christ, this Jesus l whom you crucified.”
37Now when m they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, n what shall we do?” 38[†]And Peter said to them, o “Repent and p be baptized every one of you q in the name of Jesus Christ r for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive s the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39[†]For t the promise is for you and u for your children and for all v who are far off, everyone w whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40[†]And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, x “Save yourselves from this y crooked generation.” 41[†]So those who received his word were baptized, and z there were added that day about three thousand souls.
The Fellowship of the Believers
42[†]And a they devoted themselves to the apostles’ b teaching and the c fellowship, to d the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43[†]And awe [5] came upon every soul, and e many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44[†]And all who believed were together and f had all things in common. 45[†]And f they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, g attending the temple h together and i breaking bread in their homes, they received their food j with glad and generous hearts, 47[†]praising God and k having favor with all the people. And the Lord l added to their number m day by day those who n were being saved.
The Lame Beggar Healed
ACTS 3 [†]Now Peter and John were o going up to the temple at p the hour of prayer, q the ninth hour. [1] 2[†]And a man r lame from birth was being carried, s whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate t to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6[†]But Peter said, u “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. v In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” 7And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8[†]And w leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9And x all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico
11[†] y While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in z the portico called Solomon’s. 12And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk? 13[†] a The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, b the God of our fathers, c glorified his servant [2] Jesus, whom d you delivered over and e denied in the presence of Pilate, f when he had decided to release him. 14[†]But you denied g the Holy and h Righteous One, and i asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15[†]and you killed j the Author of life, k whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16[†]And l his name—by m faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is n through Jesus [3] has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
17[†]“And now, brothers, I know that o you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18[†]But what God p foretold q by the mouth of all the prophets, that r his Christ would s suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19[†] t Repent therefore, and u turn back, that v your sins may be blotted out, 20[†]that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ w appointed for you, Jesus, 21[†] x whom heaven must receive until the time for y restoring all the things about which z God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. 22[†]Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen b to him in whatever he tells you. 23And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet c shall be destroyed from the people.’ 24[†]And d all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days. 25[†] e You are the sons of the prophets and of f the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, g ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ 26 h God, i having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, j to bless you k by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
Peter and John Before the Council
ACTS 4 [†]And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and l the captain of the temple and m the Sadducees came upon them, 2[†]greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming n in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3[†]And they arrested them and o put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4[†]But many of those who had heard the word believed, and p the number of the men came to about five thousand.
5[†]On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6[†]with q Annas the high priest and r Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, s “By what power or t by what name did you do this?” 8[†]Then Peter, u filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9if we are being examined today v concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10[†]let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that w by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, x whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11[†] y This Jesus [1] is the stone that was z rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. [2] 12[†]And there is a salvation b in no one else, for c there is no other d name under heaven given among men [3] by which we must be saved.”
13[†] e Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14But seeing the man who was healed f standing beside them, g they had nothing to say in opposition. 15But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16[†]saying, h “What shall we do with these men? For that i a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17[†]But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them j to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18[†]So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered them, k “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20for l we cannot but speak of what m we have seen and heard.” 21And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, n because of the people, for all were praising God o for what had happened. 22For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.
The Believers Pray for Boldness
23[†]When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24[†]And when they heard it, they lifted their voices p together to God and said, “Sovereign Lord, q who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25[†]who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, [4] said by the Holy Spirit,
r “‘Why did the Gentiles rage,
and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth set themselves,
and s the rulers were gathered together,
against the Lord and against his t Anointed’ [5]—
27[†]for truly in this city there were gathered together against your u holy servant Jesus, v whom you anointed, both w Herod and x Pontius Pilate, along y with the Gentiles and z the peoples of Israel, 28[†] a to do whatever your hand and b your plan had predestined to take place. 29[†]And now, Lord, c look upon their threats and grant to your servants [6] to continue to speak your word with all d boldness, 30[†]while e you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed f through the name of your g holy servant Jesus.” 31[†]And when they had prayed, h the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and i they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and j continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
They Had Everything in Common
32[†]Now the full number of those who believed were of k one heart and l soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but m they had everything in common. 33And with great n power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and o great grace was upon them all. 34[†] p There was not a needy person among them, for q as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35and r laid it at the apostles’ feet, and s it was distributed to each as any had need. 36[†]Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means t son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and u laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Ananias and Sapphira
ACTS 5 [†]But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, 2[†]and with his wife’s knowledge v he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and w laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3[†]But Peter said, “Ananias, why has x Satan filled your heart to lie y to the Holy Spirit and z to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? 4[†]While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but a to God.” 5[†]When Ananias heard these words, he b fell down and breathed his last. And c great fear came upon all who heard of it. 6The young men rose and d wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.
7After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8[†]And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you [1] sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” 9[†]But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together e to test f the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10[†]Immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. When the young men came in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And g great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.
Many Signs and Wonders Done
12[†]Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people h by the hands of the apostles. And they were all i together in j Solomon’s Portico. 13[†]None of the rest dared join them, but k the people held them in high esteem. 14And l more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15[†] m so that they even n carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by o at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, p bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.
The Apostles Arrested and Freed
17[†]But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of q the Sadducees), and filled with r jealousy 18they arrested the apostles and s put them in the public prison. 19But during the night t an angel of the Lord u opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20[†]“Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all v the words of w this x Life.” 21[†]And when they heard this, y they entered the temple z at daybreak and began to teach.
Now when the high priest came, and those who were with him, they called together the council, all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison, so they returned and reported, 23“We found the prison securely locked and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened them we found no one inside.” 24Now when a the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to. 25And someone came and told them, “Look! The men whom you put in prison b are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26Then c the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for d they were afraid of being stoned by the people.
27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, 28saying, e “We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you f intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29But Peter and the apostles answered, g “We must obey God rather than men. 30[†] h The God of our fathers i raised Jesus, j whom you killed by hanging him on k a tree. 31God exalted l him at his right hand as m Leader and n Savior, o to give p repentance to Israel and o forgiveness of sins. 32And q we are witnesses to these things, and r so is the Holy Spirit, s whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33[†]When they heard this, they t were enraged and wanted to kill them. 34[†]But a Pharisee in the council named u Gamaliel, v a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. 35And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. 36[†]For w before these days Theudas rose up, x claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of y the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. 38So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for z if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39but a if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You b might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, 40[†]and c when they had called in the apostles, d they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41[†]Then they left the presence of the council, e rejoicing that they were counted worthy f to suffer dishonor for g the name. 42And every day, h in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and i preaching j that the Christ is Jesus.
Seven Chosen to Serve
ACTS 6 [†]Now in these days k when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists [1] arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in l the daily distribution. 2And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 m Therefore, brothers, [2] pick out from among you seven men n of good repute, o full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. 4[†]But p we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5[†]And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, q a man full of faith and r of the Holy Spirit, and s Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, t a proselyte of Antioch. 6[†]These they set before the apostles, and u they prayed and v laid their hands on them.
7[†]And w the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests x became obedient to y the faith.
Stephen Is Seized
8[†]And Stephen, full of grace and z power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. 9[†]Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. 10But a they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. 11[†]Then b they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, 13[†]and they c set up false d witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against e this holy place and the law, 14[†]for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth f will destroy this place and will g change h the customs that Moses delivered to us.” 15[†]And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face i was like the face of an angel.
Stephen’s Speech
ACTS 7 [†]And the high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2And Stephen said:
j “Brothers and fathers, hear me. k The God l of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, m before he lived in Haran, 3and said to him, n ‘Go out from your land and from your kindred and go into the land that I will show you.’ 4[†] m Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and lived in Haran. And o after his father died, p God removed him from there into this land in which you are now living. 5[†]Yet he gave him no inheritance in it, not even a foot’s length, but promised q to give it to him as a possession and to his offspring after him, r though he had no child. 6[†]And God spoke to this effect—that s his offspring would t be sojourners in a land belonging to others, who would enslave them and afflict them u four hundred years. 7[†]‘But v I will judge the nation that they serve,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out w and worship me in this place.’ 8And x he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And y so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and z circumcised him on the eighth day, and a Isaac became the father of Jacob, and b Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
9[†]“And the patriarchs, c jealous of Joseph, d sold him into Egypt; but e God was with him 10and rescued him out of all his afflictions and f gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, g who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household. 11Now h there came a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers could find no food. 12 i But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers on their first visit. 13And j on the second visit k Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and l Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. 14[†]And m Joseph sent and summoned Jacob his father and all his kindred, n seventy-five persons in all. 15[†]And o Jacob went down into Egypt, and p he died, he q and our fathers, 16[†]and r they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that s Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
17“But t as the time of the promise drew near, which God had granted to Abraham, u the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18until there arose over Egypt another king v who did not know Joseph. 19 w He dealt shrewdly with our race and forced our fathers to expose their infants, x so that they would not be kept alive. 20[†] y At this time Moses was born; and he was beautiful in God’s sight. And he was brought up for three months in his father’s house, 21and z when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted him and brought him up as her own son. 22[†]And Moses a was instructed in b all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was c mighty in his words and deeds.
23[†]“When he was forty years old, it came into his heart d to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian. 25He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 e And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’ 27But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, f ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 28Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29At this retort g Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, h where he became the father of two sons.
30[†]“Now when forty years had passed, i an angel appeared to him j in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 31When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight, and as he drew near to look, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 k ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. 33Then the Lord said to him, l ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 m I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and n have heard their groaning, and o I have come down to deliver them. p And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’
35[†]“This Moses, whom they rejected, q saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—this man God sent as both ruler and redeemer r by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 s This man led them out, performing t wonders and signs u in Egypt and v at the Red Sea and w in the wilderness for x forty years. 37[†]This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you y a prophet like me from your brothers.’ 38[†]This is the one z who was in the congregation in the wilderness with a the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. b He received c living d oracles to give to us. 39Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and e in their hearts they turned to Egypt, 40[†]saying to Aaron, f ‘Make for us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ 41And g they made a calf in those days, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and h were rejoicing in i the works of their hands. 42[†]But j God turned away and k gave them over to worship l the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:
m “‘Did you bring to me slain beasts and sacrifices,
n during the forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43 You took up the tent of o Moloch
and the star of your god Rephan,
the images that you made to worship;
and I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’
44[†]“Our fathers had p the tent of witness in the wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses q directed him to make it, according to the pattern that he had seen. 45Our fathers in turn r brought it in with Joshua when they s dispossessed the nations t that God drove out before our fathers. So it was u until the days of David, 46 v who found favor in the sight of God and w asked to find a dwelling place for x the God of Jacob. [1] 47But it was y Solomon who built a house for him. 48[†] z Yet the Most High does not dwell a in houses made by hands, as the prophet says,
49 b “‘Heaven is my throne,
c and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord,
or what is the place of my rest?
50 Did not my hand make all these things?’
51[†] d “You stiff-necked people, e uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. f As your fathers did, so do you. 52[†] g Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of h the Righteous One, i whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53[†]you who received the law j as delivered by angels and k did not keep it.”
The Stoning of Stephen
54[†]Now when they heard these things l they were enraged, and they m ground their teeth at him. 55But he, n full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw o the glory of God, and Jesus standing p at the right hand of God. 56[†]And he said, “Behold, I see q the heavens opened, and r the Son of Man standing p at the right hand of God.” 57But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together [2] at him. 58[†]Then s they cast him out of the city and t stoned him. And u the witnesses laid down their garments v at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59And as they were stoning Stephen, w he called out, “Lord Jesus, x receive my spirit.” 60[†]And y falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, z “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, a he fell asleep.
Saul Ravages the Church
ACTS 8 [†]And b Saul c approved of his execution.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and d they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3[†]But e Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he f dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
Philip Proclaims Christ in Samaria
4[†]Now g those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5[†] h Philip went down to the city [1] of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6[†] i And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him j and saw the signs that he did. 7For k unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8So l there was much joy in that city.
Simon the Magician Believes
9[†]But there was a man named Simon, m who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, n saying that he himself was somebody great. 10They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, o “This man is the power of God that is called p Great.” 11And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had q amazed them with his magic. 12But when r they believed Philip as he preached good news s about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, r they were baptized, both men and women. 13[†]Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And t seeing signs and u great miracles [2] performed, v he was amazed.
14[†]Now when w the apostles at Jerusalem heard that x Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them y that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16for z he had not yet a fallen on any of them, but b they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17[†]Then c they laid their hands on them and d they received the Holy Spirit. 18[†]Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20But Peter said to him, e “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God f with money! 21[†]You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for g your heart is not right before God. 22Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, h if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in i the gall [3] of bitterness and in j the bond of iniquity.” 24[†]And Simon answered, k “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”
25[†]Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, l preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.
Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
26[†]Now m an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south [4] to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27And he rose and went. And there was an n Ethiopian, a o eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, p who was in charge of all her treasure. q He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30[†]So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31And he said, r “How can I, unless someone s guides me?” And t he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this:
u “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter
and like a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he opens not his mouth.
33 In his v humiliation justice was denied him.
Who can describe his generation?
For his life is taken away from the earth.”
34And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and w beginning with this Scripture x he told him the good news about Jesus. 36[†]And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! y What prevents me from being baptized?” [5] 38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39[†]And when they came up out of the water, z the Spirit of the Lord a carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40[†]But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.
The Conversion of Saul
ACTS 9 [†]But Saul, b still c breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to d the high priest 2and asked him for letters e to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to f the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3[†] g Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4[†]And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting h me?” 5[†]And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, h whom you are persecuting. 6But i rise and enter the city, and you will be told j what you are to do.” 7[†] k The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, l hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, m he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9[†]And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10[†]Now there was a disciple at Damascus named n Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, o “Here I am, Lord.” 11[†]And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man p of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and q lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, r how much evil he has done to s your t saints at Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from u the chief priests to bind all who v call on your name.” 15[†]But the Lord said to him, “Go, for w he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name x before the Gentiles and y kings and the children of Israel. 16For z I will show him how much a he must suffer b for the sake of my name.” 17[†]So c Ananias departed and entered the house. And d laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and e be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18[†]And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and f he regained his sight. Then g he rose and was baptized; 19and h taking food, he was strengthened.
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For i some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, j “He is the Son of God.” 21And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who k made havoc l in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22But Saul m increased all the more in strength, and n confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving o that Jesus was the Christ.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23[†] p When many days had passed, the Jews [1] plotted to kill him, 24[†]but their q plot became known to Saul. r They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25[†]but his disciples took him by night and s let him down through an opening in the wall, [2] lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26And t when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27[†]But u Barnabas took him and v brought him to the apostles and declared to them w how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and x how at Damascus he had y preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28So he went z in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29[†]And he spoke and disputed against a the Hellenists. [3] But b they were seeking to kill him. 30[†]And when c the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off d to Tarsus.
31[†]So e the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And f walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, g it multiplied.
The Healing of Aeneas
32[†]Now h as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33[†]There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34[†]And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, i Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35[†] j And all the residents of Lydda and k Sharon saw him, and l they turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36[†]Now there was in m Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. [4] She was full of n good works and acts of charity. 37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in o an upper room. 38[†]Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, p “Please come to us without delay.” 39So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to q the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics [5] and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40[†]But Peter r put them all outside, and s knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body t he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41[†]And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42[†]And it became known throughout all Joppa, and u many believed in the Lord. 43[†]And he stayed in Joppa for many days v with one Simon, a tanner.
Peter and Cornelius
ACTS 10 [†]At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of w what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2[†]a devout man x who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3[†] y About the ninth hour of the day [1] z he saw clearly in a vision a an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4[†]And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms b have ascended c as a memorial before God. 5[†]And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6He is lodging d with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7[†]When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
Peter’s Vision
9[†]The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, e Peter went up f on the housetop about g the sixth hour [2] to pray. 10And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into h a trance 11and saw i the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12[†]In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13[†]And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; j for I have never eaten anything that is k common or l unclean.” 15And the voice came to him again a second time, m “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.
17Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what n the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, o the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19And while Peter was pondering n the vision, p the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20Rise and go down and q accompany them without hesitation, [3] for I have sent them.” 21And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and r God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by s a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and t to hear what you have to say.” 23So he invited them in to be his guests.
The next day he rose and went away with them, and u some of v the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and w fell down at his feet and x worshiped him. 26[†]But Peter lifted him up, saying, y “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28[†]And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew z to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but a God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
30And Cornelius said, b “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at c the ninth hour, [4] and behold, d a man stood before me in bright clothing 31and said, ‘Cornelius, e your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
Gentiles Hear the Good News
34[†]So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that f God g shows no partiality, 35[†]but f in every nation anyone who fears him and h does what is right is acceptable to him. 36[†]As for i the word that he sent to Israel, j preaching good news of k peace through Jesus Christ ( l he is Lord of all), 37you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, m beginning n from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38[†]how o God anointed Jesus of Nazareth p with the Holy Spirit and with q power. He went about doing good and healing all r who were oppressed by the devil, s for God was with him. 39[†]And t we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. u They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40but v God raised him on w the third day and made him to x appear, 41[†] y not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as z witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42And a he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify b that he is the one appointed by God to be judge c of the living and the dead. 43[†] d To him e all the prophets bear witness that f everyone who believes in him receives g forgiveness of sins h through his name.”
The Holy Spirit Falls on the Gentiles
44[†]While Peter was still saying these things, i the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45And the believers from among j the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because k the gift of the Holy Spirit l was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46[†]For they were hearing them m speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47[†] n “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit o just as we have?” 48[†]And he p commanded them q to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Peter Reports to the Church
ACTS 11 [†]Now the apostles and r the brothers [1] who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, s the circumcision party [2] criticized him, saying, 3[†] t “You went to uncircumcised men and u ate with them.” 4But Peter began and explained it to them in order: 5 v “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. 6Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. 7And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ 10This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. 11And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea. 12[†]And the Spirit told me to go with them, w making no distinction. x These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 13And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; 14[†] y he will declare to you a message by which z you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15[†]As I began to speak, a the Holy Spirit fell on them b just as on us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, c ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17[†]If then d God gave e the same gift to them as he gave to us f when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, g who was I h that I could stand in God’s way?” 18[†]When they heard these things they fell silent. And they i glorified God, saying, j “Then to the Gentiles also God has k granted l repentance that leads to life.”
The Church in Antioch
19[†] m Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20[†]But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists [3] also, n preaching the Lord Jesus. 21[†]And o the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed p turned to the Lord. 22[†]The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he came and saw q the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord r with steadfast purpose, 24[†]for he was a good man, s full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people t were added to the Lord. 25So Barnabas went to u Tarsus to look for Saul, 26[†]and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called v Christians.
27[†]Now in these days w prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28[†]And one of them named x Agabus stood up and foretold y by the Spirit that there would be a great z famine over all the world (this took place in the days of a Claudius). 29So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, b to send relief to c the brothers [4] living in Judea. 30[†] d And they did so, sending it to e the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
James Killed and Peter Imprisoned
ACTS 12 [†]About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2[†]He killed f James the brother of John g with the sword, 3[†]and when he saw h that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during i the days of Unleavened Bread. 4[†]And when he had seized him, he put him j in prison, delivering him over to four k squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5[†]So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest l prayer for him was made to God by the church.
Peter Is Rescued
6[†]Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, m bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7And behold, n an angel of the Lord o stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. p He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And q the chains fell off his hands. 8And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and r put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but s thought he was seeing a vision. 10When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. t It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11When Peter u came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that v the Lord has sent his angel and w rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
12[†]When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of x John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and y were praying. 13[†]And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, z a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14Recognizing Peter’s voice, a in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is b his angel!” 16But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17[†]But c motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to d James and to e the brothers.” [1] Then he departed and went to another place.
18[†]Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and f ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.
The Death of Herod
20[†]Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and g having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, [2] they asked for peace, because h their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21[†]On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23[†]Immediately i an angel of the Lord struck him down, because j he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.
24[†]But k the word of God increased and multiplied.
25[†] l And Barnabas and Saul returned from [3] Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them m John, whose other name was Mark.
Barnabas and Saul Sent Off
ACTS 13 [†]Now there were in the church at Antioch n prophets and n teachers, o Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, [1] Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of p Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2[†]While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, q the Holy Spirit said, r “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul s for the work to which I have called them.” 3[†]Then after fasting and t praying they laid their hands on them and u sent them off.
Barnabas and Saul on Cyprus
4[†]So, being sent out v by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5[†]When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God w in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had x John to y assist them. 6[†]When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain z magician, a a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7[†]He was with b the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8[†]But Elymas the z magician (for that is the meaning of his name) c opposed them, seeking to turn d the proconsul away from the faith. 9[†]But Saul, who was also called Paul, e filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, “You f son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and g villainy, will you not stop h making crooked i the straight paths of the Lord? 11[†]And now, behold, j the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking k people to lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at l the teaching of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
13[†]Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And m John left them and returned n to Jerusalem, 14[†]but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And o on the Sabbath day p they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15[†]After q the reading from r the Law and the Prophets, s the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any t word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16[†]So Paul stood up, and u motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and v you who fear God, listen. 17[†] w The God of this people Israel x chose our fathers and y made the people great z during their stay in the land of Egypt, and a with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18And for about b forty years c he put up with [2] them in the wilderness. 19And d after destroying e seven nations in the land of Canaan, f he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20[†]All this took about 450 years. And after that g he gave them judges until h Samuel the prophet. 21Then i they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul j the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And k when he had removed him, l he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, m ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse n a man after my heart, o who will do all my will.’ 23 p Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel q a Savior, Jesus, r as he promised. 24Before his coming, s John had proclaimed t a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his course, u he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you v who fear God, to us has been sent w the message of x this salvation. 27For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because y they did not recognize him nor understand z the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, a fulfilled them by condemning him. 28And b though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, c they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29And when d they had carried out all that was written of him, e they took him down from f the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But g God raised him from the dead, 31[†]and for many days h he appeared to those i who had come up with him j from Galilee to Jerusalem, k who are now l his witnesses to the people. 32And we bring you the good news m that what God promised to the fathers, 33 n this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
o “‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, p q no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you r the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35Therefore he says also in another psalm,
s “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36[†]For David, after he had t served the purpose of God in his own generation, u fell asleep and v was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37but he whom w God raised up did not see corruption. 38[†]Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, x that through this man y forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him z everyone who believes is freed [3] from everything a from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 b “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
42[†]As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43[†]And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and c devout d converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them e to continue in f the grace of God.
44[†]The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 g But h when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with i jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, j reviling him. 46[†]And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God k be spoken first to you. l Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves m unworthy of eternal life, behold, we n are turning to the Gentiles. 47 o For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
p “‘I have made you q a light for the Gentiles,
that you may r bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48[†]And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and s glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 t But the Jews [4] incited the devout u women of high standing and the leading men of the city, v stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and w drove them out of their district. 51[†]But they x shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled y with joy and z with the Holy Spirit.