Acts 8:1–25

And at that time, there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem. And they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.

²And devout men took order for Stephen’s funeral and made great mourning over him.

³But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house: and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.

⁴They therefore that were dispersed went about preaching the word of God.

⁵And Philip, going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.

⁶And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did.

⁷For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out.

⁸And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.

⁹There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:

¹⁰To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.

¹¹And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.

¹²But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

¹³Then Simon himself believed also and, being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.

¹⁴Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.

¹⁵Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

¹⁶For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

¹⁷Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy Ghost.

¹⁸And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

¹⁹Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:

²⁰Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee: because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

²¹Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

²²Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.

²³For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity.

²⁴Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.

²⁵And they indeed, having testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem: and preached the gospel to many countries of the Samaritans.