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Acts 4-6
Darby Translation
Acts 4-6
Darby Translation
4 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,
2 being distressed on account of their teaching the people and preaching by Jesus the resurrection from among [the] dead;
3 and they laid hands on them, and put them in ward till the morrow; for it was already evening.
4 But many of those who had heard the word believed; and the number of the men had become [about] five thousand.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem,
6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of [the] high priestly family;
7 and having placed them in the midst they inquired, In what power or in what name have *ye* done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with [the] Holy Spirit, said to them, Rulers of the people and elders [of Israel],
9 if *we* this day are called upon to answer as to the good deed [done] to the infirm man, how *he* has been healed,
10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean, whom *ye* have crucified, whom God has raised from among [the] dead, by *him* this [man] stands here before you sound [in body].
11 *He* is the stone which has been set at nought by you the builders, which is become the corner stone.
12 And salvation is in none other, for neither is there another name under heaven which is given among men by which we must be saved.
13 But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered and uninstructed men, they wondered; and they recognised them that they were with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to reply;
15 but having commanded them to go out of the council they conferred with one another,
16 saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed an evident sign has come to pass through their means is manifest to all that inhabit Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it be not further spread among the people, let us threaten them severely no longer to speak to any man in this name.
18 And having called them, they charged [them] not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answering said to them, If it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge ye;
20 for as for us *we* cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard.
21 But they, having further threatened them, let them go, finding no way how they might punish them, on account of the people, because all glorified God for what had taken place;
22 for the man on whom this sign of healing had taken place was above forty years old.
23 And having been let go, they came to their own [company], and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.
24 And they, having heard [it], lifted up [their] voice with one accord to God, and said, Lord, *thou* art the God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them;
25 who hast said by the mouth of thy servant David, Why have [the] nations raged haughtily and [the] peoples meditated vain things?
26 The kings of the earth were there, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.
27 For in truth against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou hadst anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with [the] nations, and peoples of Israel, have been gathered together in this city
28 to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had determined before should come to pass.
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and give to thy bondmen with all boldness to speak thy word,
30 in that thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and that signs and wonders take place through the name of thy holy servant Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 And the heart and soul of the multitude of those that had believed were one, and not one said that anything of what he possessed was his own, but all things were common to them;
33 and with great power did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
34 For neither was there any one in want among them; for as many as were owners of lands or houses, selling them, brought the price of what was sold
35 and laid it at the feet of the apostles; and distribution was made to each according as any one might have need.
36 And Joseph, who had been surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which is, being interpreted, Son of consolation), a Levite, Cyprian by birth,
37 being possessed of land, having sold [it], brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
5 But a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 and put aside for himself part of the price, [his] wife also being privy to it; and having brought a certain part, laid it at the feet of the apostles.
3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit, and put aside for thyself a part of the price of the estate?
4 While it remained did it not remain to *thee*? and sold, was [it not] in thine own power? Why is it that thou hast purposed this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to God.
5 And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and expired. And great fear came upon all who heard [it].
6 And the young men, rising up, swathed him up for burial, and having carried him out, buried him.
7 And it came to pass about three hours afterwards, that his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
8 And Peter answered her, Tell me if ye gave the estate for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much.
9 And Peter said to her, Why [is it] that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of [the] Lord? Lo, the feet of those that have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and they shall carry thee out.
10 And she fell down immediately at his feet and expired. And when the young men came in they found her dead; and, having carried her out, they buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the assembly, and upon all who heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch,
13 but of the rest durst no man join them, but the people magnified them;
14 and believers were more than ever added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women;)
15 so that they brought out the sick into the streets and put [them] on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter, when he came, might overshadow some one of them.
16 And the multitude also of the cities round about came together to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons and persons beset by unclean spirits, who were all healed.
17 And the high priest rising up, and all they that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, were filled with wrath,
18 and laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.
19 But an angel of [the] Lord during the night opened the doors of the prison, and leading them out, said,
20 Go ye and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard it, they entered very early into the temple and taught. And when the high priest was come, and they that were with him, they called together the council and all the elderhood of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 And when the officers were come, they did not find them in the prison; and returned and reported
23 saying, We found the prison shut with all security, and the keepers standing at the doors; but when we had opened [them], within we found no one.
24 And when they heard these words, both the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests were in perplexity as to them, what this would come to.
25 And some one coming reported to them, Lo, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.
26 Then the captain, having gone with the officers, brought them, not with violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
27 And they bring them and set them in the council. And the high priest asked them,
28 saying, We strictly enjoined you not to teach in this name: and lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and purpose to bring upon us the blood of this man.
29 But Peter answering, and the apostles, said, God must be obeyed rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom *ye* have slain, having hanged on a cross.
31 Him has God exalted by his right hand as leader and saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins.
32 And *we* are [his] witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit also, which God has given to those that obey him.
33 But they, when they heard [these things], were cut to the heart, and took counsel to kill them.
34 But a certain [man], a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, held in honour of all the people, rose up in the council, and commanded to put the men out for a short while,
35 and said to them, Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as regards these men what ye are going to do;
36 for before these days Theudas rose up, alleging himself to be somebody, to whom a number of men, about four hundred, were joined; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed and came to nothing.
37 After him rose Judas the Galilean in the days of the census, and drew away [a number of] people after him; and *he* perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.
38 And now I say to you, Withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work have its origin from men, it will be destroyed;
39 but if it be from God, ye will not be able to put them down, lest ye be found also fighters against God.
40 And they listened to his advice; and having called the apostles, they beat them, and enjoined them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and dismissed them.
41 They therefore went their way from [the] presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonoured for the name.
42 And every day, in the temple and in the houses, they ceased not teaching and announcing the glad tidings that Jesus [was] the Christ.
6 But in those days, the disciples multiplying in number, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration.
2 And the twelve, having called the multitude of the disciples to [them], said, It is not right that we, leaving the word of God, should serve tables.
3 Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of [the] [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business:
4 but *we* will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and [the] Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte of Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles; and, having prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.
8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, wrought wonders and great signs among the people.
9 And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen, and of Cyrenians, and of Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke.
11 Then they suborned men, saying, We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.
12 And they roused the people, and the elders, and the scribes. And coming upon [him] they seized him and brought [him] to the council.
13 And they set false witnesses, saying, This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law;
14 for we have heard him saying, This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses taught us.
15 And all who sat in the council, looking fixedly on him, saw his face as [the] face of an angel.
Acts 4-6
New International Version
Acts 4-6
New International Version
Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin
4 The priests and the captain of the temple guard(A) and the Sadducees(B) came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. 2 They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.(C) 3 They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail(D) until the next day. 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew(E) to about five thousand.
5 The next day the rulers,(F) the elders and the teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. 6 Annas the high priest was there, and so were Caiaphas,(G) John, Alexander and others of the high priest’s family. 7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,(H) said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!(I) 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame(J) and are being asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,(K) whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,(L) that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is
12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”(N)
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John(O) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,(P) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.(Q) 14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say. 15 So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin(R) and then conferred together. 16 “What are we going to do with these men?”(S) they asked. “Everyone living in Jerusalem knows they have performed a notable sign,(T) and we cannot deny it. 17 But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”
18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.(U) 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?(V) You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speaking(W) about what we have seen and heard.”(X)
21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people(Y) were praising God(Z) for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.
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.(AA) “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.(AB) 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:(AC)
“‘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.[b]’[c](AD)
27 Indeed Herod(AE) and Pontius Pilate(AF) met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,(AG) whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.(AH) 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.(AI) 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders(AJ) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”(AK)
31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.(AL) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit(AM) and spoke the word of God(AN) boldly.(AO)
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.(AP) 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify(AQ) to the resurrection(AR) of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace(AS) 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,(AT) brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet,(AU) and it was distributed to anyone who had need.(AV)
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas(AW) (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.(AX)
Ananias and Sapphira
5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(AY) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(AZ)
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(BA) has so filled your heart(BB) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(BC) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(BD) 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(BE) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(BF)
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died.(BG) And great fear(BH) seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body,(BI) and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”(BJ)
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?(BK) Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died.(BL) Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.(BM) 11 Great fear(BN) seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The Apostles Heal Many
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders(BO) among the people. And all the believers used to meet together(BP) in Solomon’s Colonnade.(BQ) 13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.(BR) 14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.(BS) 15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.(BT) 16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.(BU)
The Apostles Persecuted
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party(BV) of the Sadducees,(BW) were filled with jealousy. 18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.(BX) 19 But during the night an angel(BY) of the Lord opened the doors of the jail(BZ) and brought them out.(CA) 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”(CB)
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.
When the high priest and his associates(CC) arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin(CD)—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles. 22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there.(CE) So they went back and reported, 23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.” 24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests(CF) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.” 26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people(CG) would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin(CH) to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”(CI) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”(CJ)
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!(CK) 30 The God of our ancestors(CL) raised Jesus from the dead(CM)—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.(CN) 31 God exalted him to his own right hand(CO) as Prince and Savior(CP) that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.(CQ) 32 We are witnesses of these things,(CR) and so is the Holy Spirit,(CS) whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious(CT) and wanted to put them to death. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel,(CU) a teacher of the law,(CV) who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census(CW) and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.(CX) 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(CY)
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.(CZ) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing(DA) because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.(DB) 42 Day after day, in the temple courts(DC) and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news(DD) that Jesus is the Messiah.(DE)
The Choosing of the Seven
6 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing,(DF) the Hellenistic Jews[d](DG) among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows(DH) were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.(DI) 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples(DJ) together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God(DK) in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters,(DL) choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit(DM) and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them(DN) 4 and will give our attention to prayer(DO) and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen,(DP) a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;(DQ) also Philip,(DR) Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed(DS) and laid their hands on them.(DT)
7 So the word of God spread.(DU) The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly,(DV) and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
Stephen Seized
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs(DW) among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene(DX) and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia(DY) and Asia(DZ)—who began to argue with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.(EA)
11 Then they secretly(EB) persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.”(EC)
12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin.(ED) 13 They produced false witnesses,(EE) who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place(EF) and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place(EG) and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”(EH)
15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin(EI) looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
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