¹⁵In those days Peter stood up among the believers. About 120 of them were there. ¹⁶Peter said, “Brothers, a long time ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David’s mouth about Judas. What he said in Scripture had to come true. Judas was the guide for the men who arrested Jesus. ¹⁷But Judas was one of us. He shared with us in our work for God.”

¹⁸Judas bought a field with the reward he got for the evil thing he had done. He fell down headfirst in the field. His body burst open. All his insides spilled out. ¹⁹Everyone in Jerusalem heard about this. So they called that field Akeldama. In their language, Akeldama means The Field of Blood.

²⁰Peter said, “Here is what is written in the book of Psalms. It says,

“ ‘May his home be deserted.

May no one live in it.’

The Psalms also say,

“ ‘Let someone else take his place as leader.’

²¹So we need to choose someone to take his place. It will have to be a man who was with us the whole time the Lord Jesus lived among us. ²²That time began when John was baptizing. It ended when Jesus was taken up from us. The one we choose must join us in giving witness that Jesus rose from the dead.”

²³So they suggested two men. One was Joseph, who was called Barsabbas. He was also called Justus. The other man was Matthias. ²⁴Then they prayed. “Lord,” they said, “you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen. ²⁵Show us who should take the place of Judas as an apostle. He gave up being an apostle to go where he belongs.” ²⁶Then they cast lots. Matthias was chosen. So he was added to the 11 apostles.

Read in Logos

Acts 1:24: And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen …”