Prayer for Boldness(A)

23 And being let go, (B)they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, (C)You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who [a]by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

(D)‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
26 The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’

27 “For (E)truly against (F)Your holy Servant Jesus, (G)whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 (H)to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants (I)that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, (J)and that signs and wonders may be done (K)through the name of (L)Your holy Servant Jesus.”

31 And when they had prayed, (M)the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (N)and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Sharing in All Things

32 Now the multitude of those who believed (O)were of one heart and one soul; (P)neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with (Q)great power the apostles gave (R)witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And (S)great grace was upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; (T)for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 (U)and laid them at the apostles’ feet; (V)and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

36 And [b]Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of [c]Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37 (W)having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:25 NU through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father, Your servant David,
  2. Acts 4:36 NU Joseph
  3. Acts 4:36 Or Consolation

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.(A) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(B) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(C)

“‘Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
26 The kings of the earth rise up
    and the rulers band together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.[a][b](D)

27 Indeed Herod(E) and Pontius Pilate(F) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(G) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(H) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(I) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(J) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(K)

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(L) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(M) and spoke the word of God(N) boldly.(O)

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.(P) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(Q) to the resurrection(R) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(S) was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,(T) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(U) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(V)

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(W) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(X)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 4:26 That is, Messiah or Christ
  2. Acts 4:26 Psalm 2:1,2