Book of Acts

The Acts: Book of Conversions (MLV)

Acts 5)

^5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,^5:2 and kept-back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it and brought a certain part, laid it at the apostles' feet.^5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep-back part of the price of the land?^5:4 While it remained, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your authority? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God.^5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down and breathed his last and great fear came upon all who heard it.^5:6 And the young men having arose, wrapped him and they carried him out and buried him.

^5:7 And it happened after an interval of about three hours also, his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.^5:8 And Peter answered to her, Tell me if you* sold the land for this much. And she said, Yes, for this much.^5:9 But Peter said to her, How is it that you* have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door and they will carry you out.^5:10 And she fell down instantly at his feet and breathed her last and the young men came in and found her dead and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.^5:11 And great fear came upon the whole congregation and upon all who heard these things.

^5:12 And by the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders happened among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.^5:13 But no one of the rest dared to join himself to them: but the people magnified them;^5:14 and believers were the more added to the Lord, crowds both of them and women;^5:15 so-that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.^5:16 And there also came together the crowds from the cities all around Jerusalem, bring sick folk and those who were vexed by unclean spirits and they were healed every one.

^5:17 But the high-priest rose up and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees) and they were filled with jealousy,^5:18 and laid hands on the apostles and placed them in the public jail.^5:19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors and brought them out and said,^5:20 You* go and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.^5:21 And when they heard this, they entered into the temple at dawn and taught. But the high-priest came and those who were with him and called the council together and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.^5:22 But the officers who came found them not in the prison. And they, having returned, reported,^5:23 saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety and the guards standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no one inside.^5:24 Now when the captain of the temple and the high-priests heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them and what this thing might be.^5:25 But a certain one having come, reported to them, Behold, the men whom you* placed in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.^5:26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought them, but without violence; for* they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.^5:27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high-priest asked them,^5:28 saying, Did we not command you* with a strict command not to teach in this name? And behold, you* have filled Jerusalem with your* teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.^5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.^5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you* slew, hanging him on a tree.^5:31 Jesus is who God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.^5:32 And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.

^5:33 But they, having heard this, were cut to the heart and took council to kill them.^5:34 But one in the council stood up there, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, honored by all the people and commanded them to make the apostles wait outside for a little while.^5:35 And he said to them, You* men of Israel, take-heed to yourselves in regard to these men and what you* are about to do.^5:36 For* before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was killed; and all, as many as obeyed him were dispersed and came to nothing.^5:37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him were scattered abroad.^5:38 And now I say to you*, Refrain from these men and allow them: because if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be torn-down:^5:39 but if it is of God, you* will not be able to tear- it down; lest you* be found even to be battling against God.^5:40 And they agreed with him and when they had called the apostles to them, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.^5:41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were deemed worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name of Jesus.^5:42 And they did not cease to every day, in the temple and at home, teach and to proclaim Jesus as the Christ every day in the temple and at home.