Philip Preaches in Samaria

8:4 Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word. 8:5 Philip went down to the main city of Samaria13 and began proclaiming14 the Christ15 to them. 8:6 The crowds were paying attention with one mind to what Philip said,16 as they heard and saw the miraculous signs17 he was performing. 8:7 For unclean spirits,18 crying with loud shrieks, were coming out of many who were possessed,19 and many paralyzed and lame people were healed. 8:8 So there was20 great joy21 in that city.

8:9 Now in that city was a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic22 and amazing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great. 8:10 All the people,23 from the least to the greatest, paid close attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’ ”24 8:11 And they paid close attention to him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God25 and the name of Jesus Christ,26 they began to be baptized,27 both men and women. 8:13 Even Simon himself believed, and after he was baptized, he stayed close to28 Philip constantly, and when he saw the signs and great miracles that were occurring, he was amazed.29

8:14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem30 heard that Samaria had accepted the word31 of God, they sent32 Peter and John to them. 8:15 These two33 went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. 8:16 (For the Spirit34 had not yet come upon35 any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)36 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on the Samaritans,37 and they received the Holy Spirit.38

8:18 Now Simon, when he saw that the Spirit39 was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money, 8:19 saying, “Give me this power40 too, so that everyone I place my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 8:20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you,41 because you thought you could acquire42 God’s gift with money! 8:21 You have no share or part43 in this matter44 because your heart is not right before God! 8:22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord45 that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart.46 8:23 For I see that you are bitterly envious47 and in bondage to sin.” 8:24 But Simon replied,48 “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said may happen to49 me.”

8:25 So after Peter and John50 had solemnly testified51 and spoken the word of the Lord,52 they started back to Jerusalem, proclaiming53 the good news to many Samaritan villages54 as they went.55