Acts 8:4-25

New American Standard Bible

Philip in Samaria

⁴ Therefore, those ^(A)who had been scattered went through places ^[a](B)preaching the word. ^5 (C)Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming the ^[b]Christ to them. ⁶ The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what was being said by Philip, as they heard and saw the ^[c]signs which he was performing. ⁷ For in the case of many who had ^(D)unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been ^(E)paralyzed or limped on crutches were healed. ⁸ So there was ^(F)much rejoicing in that city.

⁹ Now a man named Simon had previously been practicing ^(G)magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, ^(H)claiming to be someone great; ¹⁰ and all the people, from small to great, were paying attention to him, saying, “^(I)This man is the Power of God that is called Great.” ¹¹ And they were paying attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his ^(J)magic arts. ¹² But when they believed Philip ^(K)as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being ^(L)baptized. ¹³ Now even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed ^(M)signs and ^(N)great miracles taking place, he was repeatedly amazed.

¹⁴ Now when ^(O)the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them ^(P)Peter and John, ¹⁵ who came down and prayed for them ^(Q)that they would receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ (For He had ^(R)not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been ^(S)baptized ^[d]in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then they ^(T)began laying their hands on them, and they were ^(U)receiving 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, ¹⁹ saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” ²⁰ But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could ^(V)acquire the gift of God with money! ²¹ You have ^(W)no part or share in this ^[e]matter, for your heart is not ^(X)right before God. ²² Therefore, repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, ^(Y)if possible, the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are ^[f]in the gall of bitterness and in ^(Z)the ^[g]bondage of unrighteousness.” ²⁴ But Simon answered and said, “^(AA)Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

An Ethiopian Receives Christ

²⁵ So, when they had solemnly ^(AB)testified and spoken ^(AC)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were ^(AD)preaching the gospel to many villages of the ^(AE)Samaritans.