1 A nd when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

The followers of Jesus were all together in one place fifty days after the special religious gathering to remember how the Jews left Egypt.

2 A nd suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

All at once there was a sound from heaven like a powerful wind. It filled the house where they were sitting.

3 A nd there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Then they saw tongues which were divided that looked like fire. These came down on each one of them.

4 A nd they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they began to speak in other languages which the Holy Spirit made them able to speak.

5 A nd there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

There were many religious Jews staying in Jerusalem. They were from every country of the world.

6 N ow when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

When they heard this strange sound, they gathered together. They all listened! It was hard for them to believe they were hearing words in their own language.

7 A nd they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

They were surprised and wondered about it. They said to each other, “Are not these Galileans who are speaking?

8 A nd how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

How is it that each one of us can hear his own language?

9 P arthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

We are Parthians and Medes, Elamites and from the countries of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and in the countries of Asia,

10 P hrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene. Some have come from the city of Rome. Some are Jews by birth and others have become Jews.

11 C retes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Some are also men of the countries of Crete and Arabia. They are speaking of the powerful works of God to all of us in our own language!”

12 A nd they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

They were all surprised and wondered about this. They said to each other, “What can this mean?”

13 O thers mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

But others laughed and made fun, saying, “These men are full of new wine.” Peter Preaches—What Joel Said Would Happen Has Happened

14 B ut Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

Then Peter stood up with the eleven missionaries and spoke with a loud voice, “Men of the country of Judea and all of you who are living in Jerusalem, I want you to know what is happening. So listen to what I am going to say.

15 F or these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

These men are not drunk as you think. It is only nine o’clock in the morning.

16 B ut this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;

The early preacher Joel said this would happen.

17 A nd it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

God says, ‘In the last days I will send My Spirit on all men. Then your sons and daughters will speak God’s Word. Your young men will see what God has given them to see. Your old men will dream dreams.

18 A nd on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Yes, on those I own, both men and women, I will send My Spirit in those days. They will speak God’s Word.

19 A nd I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

I will show powerful works in the sky above. There will be things to see in the earth below like blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

20 T he sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:

The sun will turn dark and the moon will turn to blood before the day of the Lord. His coming will be a great and special day.

21 A nd it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

It will be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from the punishment of sin.’ Peter Preaches—Jesus Shows Who He Is by What He Did

22 Y e men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

“Jewish men, listen to what I have to say! You knew Jesus of the town of Nazareth by the powerful works He did. God worked through Jesus while He was with you. You all know this.

23 H im, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

Jesus was handed over to sinful men. God knew this and planned for it to happen. You had sinful men take Him and nail Him to a cross.

24 W hom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

But God raised Him up. He allowed Him to be set free from the pain of death. Death could not hold its power over Him. Peter Preaches—Jesus Shows Who He Is by What He Said

25 F or David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

“David said this about Him, ‘I can see the Lord before me all the time. He is at my right side so that I do not need to be troubled.

26 T herefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

I am glad and my tongue is full of joy. My body rests in hope.

27 B ecause thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

You will not leave my soul in death. You will not allow Your Holy One to be destroyed.

28 T hou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

You have shown me the ways of life. I will be full of joy when I see Your face.’

29 M en and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

“Brothers, I can tell you in plain words that our early father David not only died but was buried. We know where his grave is today.

30 T herefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

He was one who spoke for God. He knew God had made a promise to him. From his family Christ would come and take His place as King.

31 H e seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

He knew this before and spoke of Christ being raised from the dead. Christ’s soul would not be left in hell. His body would not be destroyed.

32 T his Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

Jesus is this One! God has raised Him up and we have all seen Him.

33 T herefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

“This Jesus has been lifted up to God’s right side. The Holy Spirit was promised by the Father. God has given Him to us. That is what you are seeing and hearing now!

34 F or David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

It was not David who was taken up to heaven, because he said, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right side,

35 U ntil I make thy foes thy footstool.

for those who hate You will be a place to rest Your feet.”’

36 T herefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

The whole Jewish nation must know for sure that God has made this Jesus, both Lord and Christ. He is the One you nailed to a cross!” They Ask Peter What They Should Do

37 N ow when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

When the Jews heard this, their hearts were troubled. They said to Peter and to the other missionaries, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 T hen Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Peter said to them, “Be sorry for your sins and turn from them and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 F or the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

This promise is to you and your children. It is to all people everywhere. It is to as many as the Lord our God will call.”

40 A nd with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

He said many other things. He helped them understand that they should keep themselves from the sinful people of this day.

41 T hen they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Those who believed what he said were baptized. There were about 3, 000 more followers added that day. The First Church

42 A nd they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

They were faithful in listening to the teaching of the missionaries. They worshiped and prayed and ate the Lord’s supper together.

43 A nd fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

Many powerful works were done by the missionaries. Surprise and fear came on them all.

44 A nd all that believed were together, and had all things common;

All those who put their trust in Christ were together and shared what they owned.

45 A nd sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

As anyone had need, they sold what they owned and shared with everyone.

46 A nd they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Day after day they went to the house of God together. In their houses they ate their food together. Their hearts were happy.

47 P raising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

They gave thanks to God and all the people respected them. The Lord added to the group each day those who were being saved from the punishment of sin.