Book of Acts

The Acts: Book of Conversions (MLV)

Acts 4)

^4:1 And as they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees stood up against them,^4:2 being pained, because they taught the people and proclaimed the resurrection from the dead in Jesus.^4:3 And they laid hands on them and placed them in jail FOR the next day: for* it was already evening.^4:4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men happened to be about five thousand.

^4:5 And it happened on the next day, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem;^4:6 and Annas the high-priest was there and Caiaphas and John and Alexander and as many as were of the race of the high-priest.^4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power or in what name, have you* done this?^4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, You* rulers of the people and elders,^4:9 if we this day are examined on account of a good-work done to a sick man and by what means this man is cured.^4:10 Let it be known to you* all and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you* crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him does this man stand here before you* healthy.^4:11 He is the stone despised by you* the builders, which has become the head of the corner.^4:12 And there is salvation in none other: for* neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, in which we must be saved.

^4:13 Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, they marveled, having perceived that they were illiterate and unskilled men; and they recognized them, that they had been with Jesus.^4:14 And seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they had nothing to speak against it.^4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside, outside the council, they pondered these things with one another,^4:16 saying, What should we do to these men? For* that indeed a known sign has happened through them and is manifest to all who dwell in Jerusalem; and we are not able to deny it.^4:17 But let us threaten them, that it may spread no further among the people. They are to no longer speak to any man in this name.^4:18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.^4:19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, You* judge: whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you* rather than to God.^4:20 For* we are not able to speak but the things which we saw and heard.^4:21 And they, when they had further threatened them, released them, finding nothing as to how they might punish them, because of the people; because all glorified God for what had happened.^4:22 For* the man was more than forty years old, on whom this sign of healing has happened.

^4:23 And being released, they came to their own company and reported all that the high-priests and the elders had said to them.^4:24 And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, O Lord, you who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them:^4:25 who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your manservant, said, Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples imagine vain things?^4:26 The kings of the earth set themselves in array and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed. {Ps. 2:1-2}^4:27 For* of a truth in this city against your holy manservant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together,^4:28 to do whatever your hand and your council predetermined to happen.^4:29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your bondservants to speak your word with all boldness,^4:30 while you stretch forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may happen through the name of your holy manservant Jesus.^4:31 And when they had make supplication, the place was shaken in which they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

^4:32 And the crowd of those who believed were of one heart and soul and not one of them said that anything of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.^4:33 And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus and great grace was upon them all.^4:34 For* neither was there any among them who lacked. For* as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold,^4:35 and laid them at the apostles' feet and distributed to each, just-as anyone had need.

^4:36 And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being translated, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,^4:37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.