8 And aSaul was bconsenting unto his death.

*And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and cthey were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and dSamaria, except the apostles. 2 And edevout men fcarried Stephen to his burial, and gmade great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, hhe made havock of the church, entering into every house, and ihaling men and women committed them to prison. 4 Therefore jthey that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5 Then kPhilip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For lunclean spirits, mcrying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was ngreat joy in that city. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city oused sorcery, and pbewitched the people of Samaria, qgiving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, rfrom the least to the greatest, saying, sThis man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they thad regard, because that of long time he had pbewitched them with osorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching uthe things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he vcontinued with Philip, and pwondered, beholding the †miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when wthe apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them xPeter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, ycthat they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For zas yet he was fallen upon none of them: only yathey were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then blaid they their hands on them, and cthey received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands cthe Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, dThy money perish with thee, because ethou hast thought that fthe gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither gpart nor lot in this hmatter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, iif perhaps the kthought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in lthe gall of bitterness, and in mthe bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, nPray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25 And they, when they had otestified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and ppreached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

26 And qthe angel of the Lord spake unto rPhilip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto sGaza, which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, ta man of Ethiopia, uan eunuch wof great authority under Candace queen of the xEthiopians, who had ythe charge of all her treasure, and zhad come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, aUnderstandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should bguide me? And che desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, dHe was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip eopened his mouth, and fbegan at the same gscripture, and hpreached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth ihinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, jIf thou believest with all thine heart, kthou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that lJesus Christ is mthe Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, nthe Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way orejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at pAzotus: and passing through he qpreached in all the cities, till he came to rCaesarea.