Acts

5 But a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife sold a possession,

2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it; and bringing a certain part at the feet of the Apostles he laid it.

3 But Peter said—Ananias! wherefore did Satan fill thy heart, that thou shouldst deal falsely with the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the field?

4 While it remained was it not as thine own it remained? and when sold was it not in thine own authority that it still continued? Why was it that thou didst contrive in thy heart this deed? Thou hast not dealt falsely with men but with God.

5 And as Ananias heard these words he fell and expired. And there came great fear upon all that heard;

6 but the young men rising up wrapped him about, and bearing him forth buried him.

7 And it came to pass after about three hours interval that his wife not knowing what had happened came in.

8 And Peter began to say unto her—Tell me! was it for so much ye gave up the field? And she said—Yea! for so much.

9 And Peter [said] unto her—Why was it agreed by you to put to the proof the Spirit of the Lord? Lo! the feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall bear thee forth.

10 And she fell instantly at his feet, and expired. And the young men coming in found her dead; and bearing her forth they buried her with her husband.

11 And there came great fear upon the whole assembly, and upon all them that heard these things.

12 And through the hands of the Apostles were coming to pass many signs and wonders among the people; and they were all with one accord in the portico of Solomon;—

13 howbeit of the rest no one durst join himself unto them,—nevertheless the people continued to magnify them;

14 and the more were being added when they believed in the Lord throngs both of men and women;—

15 so that even into the broad-ways were they bringing forth the sick and laying them on small couches and beds, in order that if Peter were coming along even perchance his shadow might overshadow some one of them.

16 Moreover even the throng of the cities all round Jerusalem was coming together, bearing sick folk and such as were harassed by impure spirits,—who indeed were being cured one and all.

17 But the High-priest arising and all who were with him,—being the sect of the Sadducees,—were filled with jealousy

18 and thrust their hands upon the Apostles, and put them in a public ward.

19 But a messenger of the Lord by night opened the doors of the prison; and leading them out said—

20 Be going your way, and taking your stand be speaking in the temple unto the people all the declarations of this Life.

21 Now when they heard this they entered under the dawn into the temple, and began teaching. And the High-priest and they who were with him arriving called together the high-council and all the senate of the sons of Israel; and sent off unto the prison to have them brought.

22 And the officers who came to the place found them not in the prison; and returning brought tidings,

23 saying—The prison found we locked with all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors; but when we had opened the prison inside found we no one.

24 Now when both the captain of the temple and the High-priests heard these words they were utterly at a loss concerning them—what perhaps this might come to.

25 But some one entering brought tidings unto them—Lo! the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people!

26 Then the captain with the officers departing brought them—not with violence,—for they were afraid of the people, lest they should be stoned;

27 but leading them in set them in the high-council. And the High-priest questioned them,

28 saying—Strictly did we charge you not to be teaching upon this name; and lo! ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are minded to bring down upon us the blood of this man.

29 But Peter and the Apostles answering said—It is needful to be yielding obedience unto God rather than unto men:—

30 The God of our fathers hath raised up Jesus,—whom ye got into your hands, suspending him upon a tree:—

31 Him as Princely-leader and Saviour hath God exalted unto his right hand,—to give repentance unto Israel and remission of sins.

32 And we are witnesses of these things,—also the Holy Spirit which God hath given unto them who are yielding obedience unto him.

33 And they when they heard this, were cut to the heart and were making up their minds to slay them.

34 But a certain man, rising up in the high-council, by name Gamaliel, a law-teacher honoured by all the people, gave orders to put the men outside for a little,—

35 and said unto them—Men of Israel! Be taking heed unto yourselves what ye are about to inflict upon these men.

36 For before these days there rose up one Theudas affirming himself to be somebody,—unto whom was inclined a number of men, about four hundred; who was slain, and all as many as had been trusting in him were disbanded and came to nothing.

37 After him rose up Judas the Galilaean, in the days of the enrolling, and drew a people into revolt after him; and he perished, and all as many as had trusted in him were scattered.

38 Now therefore I say unto you—Stand aloof from these men, and let them alone; because if of men be this project or this work it will be overthrown,—

39 but if it is of God ye will not be able to overthrow them: lest once even fighters against God ye be found.

40 And they were persuaded by him; and calling unto them the Apostles they with beating charged them not be speaking upon the name of Jesus; and let them go.

41 They therefore went rejoicing from the presence of the high-council; in that they had been accounted worthy in behalf of The Name to suffer dishonour.

42 And every day in the temple and at home they ceased not to be teaching and telling the good news as to the Anointed Jesus.