BUT
a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira
his wife, sold a possession,
2 And kept
back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and
brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 But
Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part
of the price of the land?
4 Whiles
it remained, was it not thine own? and
after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine
heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the
ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6 And the
young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7 And it
was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in.
8 And
Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she
said, Yea, for so much.
9 Then
Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit
of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have
buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 Then
fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young
men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her
forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And
great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
12 And by
the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;
(and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 And of
the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the
people magnified them.
14 And
believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch
that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds
and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow
some of them.
16 There
came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem,
bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they
were healed every one.
17 Then
the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of
the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And
laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
19 But
the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth,
and said,
20 Go,
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And
when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning,
and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called
the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel
and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But
when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and
told,
23 Saying,
The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing
without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now
when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard
these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then
came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are
standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then
went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they
feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And
when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the
high priest asked them,
28 Saying,
Did not we straitly command you that ye should not
teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem
with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then
Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We
ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The
God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be
a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel,
and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we
are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom
God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When
they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to
slay them.
34 Then
stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel,
a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to
put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And
said unto them, Ye men of Israel,
take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For
before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself
to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves:
who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After
this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much
people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him,
were dispersed.
38 And
now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this
counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if
it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight
against God.
40 And to
him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them,
they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them
go.
41 And
they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And
daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach
Jesus Christ.