Acts 8:4–9:43

4  Those then that had been scattered went through the countries announcing the glad tidings of the word. 5  And Philip, going down to a city of Samaria, preached the Christ to them; 6  and the crowds with one accord gave heed to the things spoken by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs which he wrought. 7  For from many who had unclean spirits they went out, crying with a loud voice; and many that were paralysed and lame were healed. 8  And there was great joy in that city. 9  But a certain man, by name Simon, had been before in the city, using magic arts, and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying that himself was some great one. 10  To whom they had all given heed, from small to great, saying, This is the power of God which is called great. 11  And they gave heed to him, because that for a long time he had astonished them by his magic arts. 12  But when they believed Philip announcing the glad tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. 13  And Simon also himself believed; and, having been baptised, continued constantly with Philip; and, beholding the signs and great works of power which took place, was astonished.

14  And the apostles who were in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John; 15  who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16  for he was not yet fallen upon any of them, only they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus. 17  Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18  But Simon, having seen that by the laying on of the hands of the apostles the Holy Spirit was given, offered them money, 19  saying, Give to me also this power, in order that on whomsoever I may lay hands he may receive the Holy Spirit. 20  And Peter said to him, Thy money go with thee to destruction, because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money. 21  Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not upright before God. 22  Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and supplicate the Lord, if indeed the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee; 23  for I see thee to be in the gall of bitterness, and bond of unrighteousness. 24  And Simon answering said, Supplicate ye for me to the Lord, so that nothing may come upon me of the things of which ye have spoken. 25  They therefore, having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and announced the glad tidings to many villages of the Samaritans.

26  But the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Rise up and go southward on the way which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza: the same is desert. 27  And he rose up and went. And lo, an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a man in power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship at Jerusalem, 28  was returning and sitting in his chariot: and he was reading the prophet Esaias. 29  And the Spirit said to Philip, Approach and join this chariot. 30  And Philip, running up, heard him reading the prophet Esaias, and said, Dost thou then know what thou art reading of? 31  And he said, How should I then be able unless some one guide me? And he begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32  And the passage of the scripture which he read was this: He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb is dumb in presence of him that shears him, thus he opens not his mouth. 33  In his humiliation his judgment has been taken away, and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34  And the eunuch answering Philip said, I pray thee, concerning whom does the prophet say this? of himself or of some other? 35  And Philip, opening his mouth and beginning from that scripture, announced the glad tidings of Jesus to him. 36  And as they went along the way, they came upon a certain water, and the eunuch says, Behold water; what hinders my being baptised? 37   38  And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they went down both to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptised him. 39  But when they came up out of the water the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no longer, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40  And Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through he announced the glad tidings to all the cities till he came to Caesarea.

Chapter 9

1  But Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest 2  and asked of him letters to Damascus, to the synagogues, so that if he found any who were of the way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3  But as he was journeying, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven, 4  and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? 5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. 6  But rise up and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7  But the men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but beholding no one. 8  And Saul rose up from the earth, and his eyes being opened he saw no one. But leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus. 9  And he was three days without seeing, and neither ate nor drank.

10  And there was a certain disciple in Damascus by name Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, here am I, Lord. 11  And the Lord said to him, Rise up and go into the street which is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas one by name Saul, he is of Tarsus: for, behold, he is praying, 12  and has seen in a vision a man by name Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he should see. 13  And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; 14  and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name. 15  And the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and the sons of Israel: 16  for I will shew to him how much he must suffer for my name. 17  And Ananias went and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him he said, Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest, that thou mightest see, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18  And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he saw, and rising up was baptised; 19  and, having received food, got strength. And he was with the disciples who were in Damascus certain days. 20  And straightway in the synagogues he preached Jesus that he is the Son of God. 21  And all who heard were astonished and said, Is not this he who destroyed in Jerusalem those who called on this name, and here was come for this purpose, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests? 22  But Saul increased the more in power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

23  Now when many days were fulfilled, the Jews consulted together to kill him. 24  But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched also the gates both day and night, that they might kill him; 25  but the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 26  And having arrived at Jerusalem he essayed to join himself to the disciples, and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28  And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem, 29  and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and discussed with the Hellenists; but they sought to kill him. 30  And the brethren knowing it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 31  The assemblies then throughout the whole of Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord, and were increased through the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

32  Now it came to pass that Peter, passing through all quarters, descended also to the saints who inhabited Lydda. 33  And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been lying for eight years upon a couch, who was paralysed. 34  And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus, the Christ, heals thee: rise up, and make thy couch for thyself. And straightway he rose up. 35  And all who inhabited Lydda and the Saron saw him, who turned to the Lord.

36  And in Joppa there was a certain female disciple, by name Tabitha, which being interpreted means Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. 37  And it came to pass in those days that she grew sick and died; and, having washed her, they put her in the upper room. 38  But Lydda being near to Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, beseeching him, Thou must not delay coming to us. 39  And Peter rising up went with them, whom, when arrived, they brought up into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing him the body-coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40  But Peter, putting them all out, and kneeling down, prayed. And, turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and, seeing Peter, sat up. 41  And having given her his hand, he raised her up, and having called the saints and the widows, presented her living. 42  And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43  And it came to pass that he remained many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.