1 B ut a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

A man by the name of Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, sold some land.

2 a nd 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.

He kept back part of the money for himself. His wife knew it also. The other part he took to the missionaries.

3 B ut 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?

Peter said to Ananias, “Why did you let Satan fill your heart? He made you lie to the Holy Spirit. You kept back part of the money you got from your land.

4 W hiles 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.

Was not the land yours before you sold it? After it was sold, you could have done what you wanted to do with the money. Why did you allow your heart to do this? You have lied to God, not to men.”

5 A nd Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

When Ananias heard these words, he fell down dead. Much fear came on all those who heard what was done.

6 A nd the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

The young men got up and covered his body and carried him out and buried him.

7 A nd it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

About three hours later his wife came in. She did not know what had happened.

8 A nd Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for this amount of money?” She said, “Yes.”

9 T hen 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.

Then Peter said to her, “How could you two have talked together about lying to the Holy Spirit? See! Those who buried your husband are standing at the door and they will carry you out also.”

10 T hen 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.

At once she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came in, they found that she was dead. They took her out and buried her beside her husband.

11 A nd great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Much fear came on all the church and on all who heard it. The First Church Grows

12 A nd 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.

The missionaries did many powerful works among the people. They gathered together on Solomon’s Porch.

13 A nd of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

No one from outside their own group came in with them because they were afraid. But those outside the church had respect for the followers.

14 A nd believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

Many more men and women put their trust in Christ and were added to the group.

15 I nsomuch 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.

They brought the sick people and laid them on the streets hoping that if Peter walked by, his shadow would fall on some of them.

16 T here 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.

Many people went into Jerusalem from towns nearby. They took with them their sick people and all who were troubled with demons. All of them were healed. The Missionaries Are Put in Prison

17 T hen the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

The head religious leader heard this. Some of the religious group who believe no one will be raised from the dead also heard of the people being healed. They became very jealous.

18 a nd laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

They took hold of the missionaries and put them in prison.

19 B ut the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

An angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison in the night and let them out. The angel said to them,

20 G o, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

“Go, stand where you have been standing in the house of God. Keep on telling the people about this new life.”

21 A nd 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.

When Peter and John heard this, they went in the house of God early in the morning and began to teach. When the head religious leader and those with him had come, they gathered the men of the court and the leaders of the Jews together. Then they sent to have the missionaries brought to them from the prison.

22 B ut when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

When the soldiers got there, they did not find them in prison. They went back and told the court.

23 s aying, 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.

The soldiers said, “We found the door of the prison locked and the soldiers watching the doors. When we opened the door, we found no one inside.”

24 N ow 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.

When the religious leaders and the leader of the house of God heard this, they were much troubled as to what might happen.

25 T hen came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Then someone came and told them, “The men you put in prison are now standing in the house of God and teaching the people.”

26 T hen went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

The leader of the house of God took his men and got them. They did not hurt the missionaries because they were afraid the people would throw stones at them.

27 A nd when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

They brought the missionaries in and made them stand in front of the court. The head religious leader said,

28 s aying, 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.

“We told you not to teach about Christ! See! You are spreading this teaching over all Jerusalem. Now you are making it look as if we are guilty of killing this Man.” The Missionaries Speak the Truth

29 T hen Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Then Peter and the missionaries said, “We must obey God instead of men!

30 T he God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

The God of our early fathers raised up Jesus, the One you killed and nailed to a cross.

31 H im hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

God raised this Man to His own right side as a leader and as the One Who saves from the punishment of sin. He makes it possible for the Jews to be sorry for their sins. Then they can turn from them and be forgiven.

32 A nd we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

We have seen these things and are telling about them. The Holy Spirit makes these things known also. God gives His Spirit to those who obey Him.” Gamaliel Speaks in Court

33 W hen they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

The religious leaders became angry when they heard this. They planned to kill the missionaries.

34 T hen 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;

Gamaliel was a man of the religious leaders’ court. He was a proud religious law-keeper and a teacher of the Law. He was respected by all the people. He stood up and said that the missionaries should be sent outside for a short time.

35 a nd said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

Then Gamaliel said to the court, “Jewish men, be careful what you plan to do with these men.

36 F or 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.

Remember that many years ago a man called Theudas made himself out to be someone great. He had about 400 followers. He was killed. His followers were divided and nothing came of his teaching.

37 A fter 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.

After him, Judas of the country of Galilee gathered many followers. It was the time for every person to have his name written in the books of the nation. This Judas was killed also. All his followers were divided and went away.

38 A nd 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:

I say to you now, stay away from these men and leave them alone. If this teaching and work is from men, it will come to nothing.

39 b ut if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

If it is from God, you will not be able to stop it. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”

40 A nd 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.

The court agreed with Gamaliel. So they called the missionaries in and beat them. They told them they must not speak in the name of Jesus. Then they were sent away.

41 A nd they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

So the missionaries went away from the court happy that they could suffer shame because of His Name.

42 A nd daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Every day in the house of God and in the homes, they kept teaching and preaching about Jesus Christ.