12 1At the hands of the apostles many asigns and wonders were taking place among the people; and they were all with one accord in bSolomon’s portico.

13 But none of the rest dared to associate with them; however, athe people held them in high esteem.

14 And all the more abelievers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly badded to their number,

15 to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by aat least his shadow might fall on any one of them.

16 Also the 1people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together, bringing people who were sick 2or afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.

Imprisonment and Release

17 But the high priest rose up, along with all his associates (that is athe sect of bthe Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy.

18 They laid hands on the apostles and aput them in a public jail.

19 But during the night aan angel of the Lord opened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,

20 “Go, stand and 1speak to the people in the temple 2athe whole message of this Life.”

21 Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple aabout daybreak and began to teach.

Now when bthe high priest and his associates came, they called cthe 1Council together, even all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for them to be brought.

22 But athe officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,

23 saying, “We found the prison house locked quite securely and the guards standing at the doors; but when we had opened up, we found no one inside.”

24 Now when athe captain of the temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them as to what 1would come of this.

25 But someone came and reported to them, “The men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

26 Then athe captain went along with bthe officers and proceeded to bring them back without violence (for cthey were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned).

27 When they had brought them, they stood them 1before athe Council. The high priest questioned them,

28 saying, “We gave you astrict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and 1yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and bintend to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “aWe must obey God rather than men.

30 “aThe God of our fathers braised up Jesus, 1whom you had cput to death by hanging Him on a 2cross.

31 “aHe is the one whom God exalted 1to His right hand as a 2bPrince and a cSavior, to grant drepentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

32 “And we are awitnesses 1of these things; and bso is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.”