SIMON’S SIN

14 When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.j 15 After they went down there, they prayed for them so that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them. 16 (They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.k) 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the SpiritC was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!l 21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.m 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven. 23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by wickedness.”n