Acts

8 And Saul was taking pleasure with them in his death. Moreover there arose in that day a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem; [and] all were scattered abroad throughout the countries of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 Howbeit reverent men assisted at the burial of Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.

3 But Saul went on to lay waste the assembly, along the houses going in, and dragging off both men and women was delivering them up into prison.

4 They indeed therefore who were scattered abroad passed through, telling the good-news of the word;

5 and Philip going down unto the city of Samaria proclaimed unto them the Christ.

6 And the multitudes began to give heed unto the things that were being spoken by Philip with one accord, when they heard him and saw the signs which he was working.

7 For from many who had impure spirits shouting with a loud voice they were going out, and many that were paralysed and lame were cured.

8 And there came to be great joy in that city.

9 But a certain man named Simon was already in the city practising magical arts, and astonishing the nation of Samaria,—saying that himself was someone great:

10 unto whom all were giving heed, from small even to great, saying—This is the Power of God which is called Great.

11 And they were giving heed to him because that for a considerable time with his magical arts he had astonished them.

12 But when they believed Philip telling the good news concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ they proceeded to be immersed both men and women.

13 And Simon himself also believed; and having been immersed was in constant attendance on Philip,—and beholding signs and great works of power coming to pass was astonished.

14 And the Apostles who were in Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had welcomed the word of God sent out unto them Peter and John;

15 who indeed going down, prayed for them that they might receive Holy Spirit;—

16 for not yet had it upon any one of them fallen, but only to begin with they had been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then proceeded they to lay their hands upon them, and they were receiving Holy Spirit.

18 But Simon seeing that through means of the laying on of the hands of the Apostles the Spirit was being given offered unto them money,

19 saying—Give unto me also this authority,—In order that on whomsoever I may lay my hands he may receive Holy Spirit.

20 And Peter said unto him—Thy silver with thee go to destruction! Because the free-gift of God thou didst suppose could with money be obtained!

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; For thy heart is not upright before God.

22 Repent therefore from this thy baseness, And entreat of the Lord—Whether after all the purpose of thy heart shall be forgiven thee;

23 For I see that thou servest as A gall-root of bitterness And a bond of unrighteousness.

24 And Simon answering said—Entreat ye in my behalf unto the Lord; That nothing may come upon me Of the things whereof ye have spoken!

25 They therefore having fully borne witness and spoken the word of the Lord began their return unto Jerusalem, and unto many villages of the Samaritans were they telling the glad tidings.

26 And a messenger of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying—Arise and be journeying along southward, unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza,—the same is desert.

27 And arising he journeyed. And lo! a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, one in power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure [who] had come to worship in Jerusalem;

28 and was returning, and sitting in his chariot and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

29 And the Spirit said unto Philip—Go near and join thyself unto this chariot!

30 And running near Philip heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said—Dost thou then understand what thou art reading?

31 And he said—How indeed should I be able—unless someone shall guide me? And he called upon Philip to come up and sit with him.

32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:—As a sheep unto slaughter was he led, And as a lamb before him that sheareth it is dumb So he openeth not his mouth.

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away,—His generation who shall describe? Because his life is taken away from the earth.

34 And the eunuch making answer unto Philip, said—I pray thee! Of whom is the prophet saying this? Of himself or of some different person?

35 And Philip opening his mouth and beginning from this scripture told him the glad tidings of Jesus.

36 And as they were journeying along the way they came unto a certain water,—and the eunuch saith—Lo! water! What doth hinder my being immersed?

37 []

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch,—and he immersed him.

39 But when they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more; for he was going on his way rejoicing.

40 Now Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through he was telling the glad tidings unto all the cities until he came unto Caesarea.