Acts 4

1 And as they are speaking to the people, there came to them the priests, and the magistrate of the temple, and the Sadducees—

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 being grieved because of their teaching the people, and preaching in Jesus the resurrection out of 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 laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was evening already;

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

4 and many of those hearing the word believed, and the number of the men became, as it were, five 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 pass the next day, there were gathered together of them the rulers, and elders, and scribes, to Jerusalem,

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 chief priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the chief priest,

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

7 and having set them in the midst, they were inquiring, “In what power, or in what name did you do 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, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

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

9 if we are examined today concerning the good deed to the ailing man, by whom he has been saved,

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 known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised out of the dead, in Him has this one stood by 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 that was set at nothing by you—the builders, that became head of a corner;

Jesus is ‘the stone which, scorned by you the builders, has yet become the corner stone.’

12 and there is not salvation in any other, for there is no other name under Heaven that has been given among men, in which it is required of us to be saved.”

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 And beholding the openness of Peter and John, and having perceived that they are illiterate men and commoners, they were wondering—they were also taking knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus—

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

14 and seeing the man standing with them who has been healed, 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 and having commanded them to go away out of the Sanhedrin, they took counsel with one another,

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

16 saying, “What will we do to these men? Because that, indeed, a notable sign has been done through them [is] apparent to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny [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 may spread no further toward the people, let us strictly threaten them to no longer speak in this Name to any man.”

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 And having called them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor to teach, in the Name of Jesus,

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

19 and Peter and John answering to them said, “Whether it is righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God, judge;

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 speak what we saw and heard.”

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

21 And they having further threatened [them], let them go, finding no way how they may punish them, because of the people, because all were glorifying God for that which has been 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 above forty years of age was the man on whom had been done this sign of the healing.

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

23 And being let go, they went to their own friends, and declared whatever the chief priests and the elders said to 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 they having heard, lifted up the voice to God with one accord and said, “LORD, You [are] God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all 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 who, through the mouth of Your servant David, said, Why did nations rage, and peoples meditate vain 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 stood up, and the rulers were gathered 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 gathered together of a truth against Your holy child Jesus, whom You anointed, were both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with nations and peoples of Israel,

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 do whatever Your hand and Your counsel determined before to come to pass.

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

29 And now, LORD, look on their threatenings, and grant to Your servants to speak Your word with all freedom,

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

30 in the stretching forth of Your hand, for healing, and signs, and wonders, to come to pass through the Name of Your holy child Jesus.”

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 they having prayed, the place was shaken in which they were gathered together, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and were speaking the word of God with freedom,

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 of the multitude of those who believed, the heart and the soul were one, and not one was saying that anything of the things he had was his own, but all things were in common to them.

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 the apostles were giving the testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, great grace was also on 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 for there was not anyone among them who lacked, for as many as were possessors of fields, or houses, selling [them], were bringing the prices of the thing sold,

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 were laying them at the feet of the apostles, and distribution was being made to each according as anyone had need.

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

36 And Joses, who was surnamed by the apostles Barnabas—which is, having been interpreted, Son of Comfort—a Levite, of Cyprus by birth,

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

37 a field being his, having sold [it], brought the money and laid [it] at the feet of the apostles.

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