1 T he first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

In the former account, O Theophilus, I made dealing with all the things which Jesus began to do and to teach

2 u ntil the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

Until the day when He ascended, after He through the Holy Spirit had instructed and commanded the apostles (special messengers) whom He had chosen.

3 T o these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom.

To them also He showed Himself alive after His passion (His suffering in the garden and on the cross) by many convincing demonstrations, appearing to them during forty days and talking about the things of the kingdom of God.

4 B eing assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me.

And while being in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which you have heard Me speak.

5 F or John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with ( placed in, introduced into) the Holy Spirit.

6 T herefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

So when they were assembled, they asked Him, Lord, is this the time when You will reestablish the kingdom and restore it to Israel?

7 H e said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority.

He said to them, It is not for you to become acquainted with and know what time brings or fixed years and seasons (their critical niche in time), which the Father has appointed (fixed and reserved) by His own choice and authority and personal power.

8 B ut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.

9 W hen he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

And when He had said this, even as they were looking, He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight.

10 W hile they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

And while they were gazing intently into heaven as He went, behold, two men in white robes suddenly stood beside them,

11 w ho also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

Who said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was caught away and lifted up from among you into heaven, will return in the same way in which you saw Him go into heaven.

12 T hen they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.

Then went back to Jerusalem from the hill called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey (three-quarters of a mile) away.

13 W hen they had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.

And when they had entered, they mounted to the upper room where they were '> indefinitely] staying—Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas of James.

14 A ll these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

All of these with their minds in full agreement devoted themselves steadfastly to prayer, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

15 I n these days, Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said,

Now on one of those days Peter arose among the brethren, the whole number of whom gathered together was about a hundred and twenty.

16 “ Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus.

Brethren, he said, it was necessary that the Scripture be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit foretold by the lips of David, about Judas who acted as guide to those who arrested Jesus.

17 F or he was numbered with us, and received his portion in this ministry.

For he was counted among us and received his portion in this ministry.

18 N ow this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out.

Now this man obtained a piece of land with the reward for his treachery and wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his intestines poured forth.

19 I t became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of blood.’

And all the residents of Jerusalem became acquainted with the facts, so that they called the piece of land in their own dialect—Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.

20 F or it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;’ and, ‘Let another take his office.’

For in the book of Psalms it is written, Let his place of residence become deserted and gloomy, and let there be no one to live in it; and, Let another take his position or overseership.

21 “ Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 b eginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

From the baptism of John at the outset until the day when He was taken up from among us—one of these men must join with us and become a witness to testify to His resurrection.

23 T hey put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.

And they accordingly proposed (nominated) two men, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 T hey prayed, and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen

And they prayed and said, You, Lord, Who know all hearts ( their thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, purposes, and endeavors), indicate to us which one of these two You have chosen

25 t o take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place.”

To take the place in this ministry and receive the position of an apostle, from which Judas fell away and went astray to go to his own place.

26 T hey drew lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

And they drew lots, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to and counted with the eleven apostles (special messengers).