Acts 4

1 And as they spake vnto the people, the Priestes and the Captaine of the Temple, and the Sadduces came vpon them,

While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the chief priest, with the officer in charge at the Temple and the Sadducees, came up to them,

2 Taking it grieuously that they taught the people, and preached in Iesus Name the resurrection from the dead.

much annoyed because they were teaching the people, and because, through Jesus, they were preaching the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they layde handes on them, and put them in holde, vntill the next day: for it was now euentide.

They arrested the apostles and, as it was already evening, had them placed in custody until the next day.

4 Howbeit, many of them which heard the word, beleeued, and the number of the men was about fiue thousand.

Many, however, of those who had heard the apostles’ message became believers in Christ, the number of the men alone amounting to about five thousand.

5 And it came to passe on the morow, that their rulers, and Elders, and Scribes, were gathered together at Hierusalem,

The next day, a meeting of the leaders of the people, the elders, and the teachers of the Law was held in Jerusalem.

6 And Annas the chiefe Priest, and Caiaphas, and Iohn, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the hie Priestes.

There were present Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of High-Priestly rank.

7 And whe they had set them before them, they asked, By what power, or in what Name haue ye done this?

They had Peter and John brought before them, and questioned them. ‘By what power,’ they asked, ‘Or in whose name have men like you done this thing?’

8 Then Peter ful of the holy Ghost, said vnto them, Ye rulers of the people, and Elders of Israel,

Then, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, ‘Leaders of the people and elders,

9 For as much as we this day are examined of the good deede done to the impotent man, to wit, by what meanes he is made whole,

since we are on our trial today for a kind act done to a helpless man, and are asked in what way the man here before you has been cured,

10 Be it knowen vnto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye haue crucified, whome God raised againe from the dead, euen by him doth this man stand here before you, whole.

let me tell you all and all the people of Israel, that it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead – it is, I say, by his name that this man stands here before you lame no longer.

11 This is the stone cast aside of you builders which is become the head of the corner.

Jesus is “the stone which, scorned by you the builders, has yet become the corner stone.”

12 Neither is there saluation in any other: for among men there is giuen none other Name vnder heauen, whereby we must be saued.

And salvation is in him alone; for there is no other name in the whole world, given to people, to which we must look for our salvation.’

13 Now when they sawe the boldnes of Peter and Iohn, and vnderstoode that they were vnlearned men and without knowledge, they marueiled, and knew them, that they had bin with Iesus:

When the Council saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and found that they were uneducated men of humble station, they were surprised, and realised that they had been companions of Jesus.

14 And beholding also the man which was healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it.

But, when they looked at the man who had been healed, standing there with them, they had nothing to say.

15 Then they commanded them to goe aside out of the Council, and conferred among themselues,

So they ordered them out of court, and then began consulting together.

16 Saying, What shall we doe to these men? for surely a manifest signe is done by them, and it is openly knowen to all them that dwell in Hierusalem: and we cannot denie it.

‘What are we to do to these men?’ they asked one another. ‘That a remarkable sign has been given through them is obvious to everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it be noysed no farther among the people, let vs threaten and charge them, that they speake hencefoorth to no man in this Name.

But, to prevent this thing from spreading further among the people, let us warn them not to speak in this name any more to anyone whatever.’

18 So they called them, and commanded them, that in no wise they should speake or teach in the Name of Iesus.

So they called the apostles in, and ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and Iohn answered vnto them, and said, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to obey you rather then God, iudge ye.

But Peter and John replied, ‘Whether it is right, in the sight of God, to listen to you rather than to him – judge for yourselves,

20 For we cannot but speake the things which we haue seene and heard.

for we cannot help speaking of what we have seen and heard.’

21 So they threatened them, and let them goe, and found nothing how to punish them, because of the people: for all men praised God for that which was done.

However, after further warnings, the Council set them at liberty, not seeing any safe way of punishing them, because of the people, for they were all praising God for what had occurred;

22 For the man was aboue fourtie yeeres olde, on whome this miracle of healing was shewed.

for the man who was the subject of this miraculous cure was more than forty years old.

23 Then assoone as they were let goe, they came to their fellowes, and shewed all that the hie Priestes and Elders had said vnto them.

After they had been set at liberty, the apostles went to their friends and told them what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 And when they heard it, they lift vp their voyces to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou art the God which hast made the heaue, and the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

All who heard their story, moved by a common impulse, raised their voices to God in prayer: ‘Sovereign Lord, it is you who has made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything that is in them,

25 Which by the mouth of thy seruant Dauid hast saide, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the people imagine vaine things?

and who, by the lips of our ancestor, your servant David, who spoke under the influence of the Holy Spirit, have said – “Why did the nations rage, and the peoples form vain designs?

26 The Kings of the earth assembled, and the rulers came together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

The kings of the earth set their array, and its rulers gathered together, against the Lord and against his Christ.”

27 For doutlesse, against thine holy Sonne Iesus, whome thou haddest anoynted, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel gathered themselues together,

There have indeed gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you has consecrated the Christ, not Herod and Pontius Pilate only, but the nations and the people of Israel besides –

28 To doe whatsoeuer thine hand, and thy counsell had determined before to be done.

yet only to do what you, by your power and of your own will, did long ago destine to be done.

29 And nowe, O Lord, beholde their threatnings, and graunt vnto thy seruants with all boldnesse to speake thy word,

Now, therefore, Lord, mark their threats, and enable your servants, with all fearlessness, to tell your message,

30 So that thou stretch forth thine hand, that healing, and signes, and wonders may be done by the Name of thine holy Sonne Iesus.

while you stretch out your hand to heal, and cause signs and wonders to take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’

31 And when as they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God boldely.

When their prayer was ended, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to tell God’s message fearlessly.

32 And the multitude of them that beleeued, were of one heart, and of one soule: neither any of them said, that any thing of that which he possessed, was his owne, but they had all thinges common.

The whole body of those who had become believers in Christ were of one heart and mind. Not one of them claimed any of his goods as his own, but everything was held for the common use.

33 And with great power gaue the Apostles witnes of the resurrection of the Lord Iesus: and great grace was vpon them all.

The apostles continued with great power to bear their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s blessing rested on them all abundantly.

34 Neither was there any among them, that lacked: for as many as were possessours of landes or houses, solde them, and brought the price of the things that were solde,

Nor was there anyone in need among them, for all who were owners of land or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the sales

35 And layde it downe at the Apostles feete, and it was distributed vnto euery man, according as he had neede.

and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and then everyone received a share in proportion to his wants.

36 Also Ioses which was called of the Apostles, Barnabas (that is by interpretation the sonne of consolation) being a Leuite, and of the countrey of Cyprus,

A Levite of Cyprian birth, named Joseph, (who had received from the apostles the additional name of “Barnabas” – which means “The Consoler,”)

37 Where as he had land, solde it, and brought the money, and laid it downe at the Apostles feete.

Sold a farm that belonged to him, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.