Acts 4

1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to 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 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus 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 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.

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

4 But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about 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 It happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.

The next day, a meeting of the leading men, the Councillors, and the Teachers of the Law was held in Jerusalem.

6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest.

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

7 When they had stood them in the middle of them, they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have you 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, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people, and elders,

On this, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke as follows: “Leaders of the people and Councillors,

9 if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed,

since we are on our trial to-day 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 you all, and to all the children of Israel, that in the name of Jesus (the) Messiah the Nazorean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does 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 one is the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.

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

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved."

And Salvation is in him alone; for there is no other Name in the whole world, given to men, to which we must look for our Salvation.”

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they were amazed. They recognized 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 realised that they had been companions of Jesus.

14 Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

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

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

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

16 saying, "What should we do with these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot 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 every one living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But so this does not spread any further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they do not speak to anyone 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 any one whatever.”

18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor 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 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves,

But Peter and John replied: “Whether it is right, in the sight of God, to listen to you rather than to him —

20 for we cannot help telling the things which we saw and heard."

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

21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified 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 on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

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

23 Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had 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 Councillors had said to them.

24 When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "Lord, you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them.

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

25 You said through the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David your servant: 'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot in vain?

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 take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Messiah.'

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

27 "For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the non-Jews and the people of Israel, were gathered 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 do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.

Yet only to do what thou, by thy power and of thy own will, didst long ago destine to be done.

29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness,

Now, therefore, O Lord, mark their threats, and enable thy servants, with all fearlessness, to tell thy Message,

30 while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus."

while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and causest signs and wonders to take place through the Name of thy holy Servant Jesus.”

31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

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 full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in 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 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was 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 upon them all abundantly.

34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,

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

35 and put them at the apostles' feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

And laid them at the Apostles’ feet; and then every one received a share in proportion to his wants.

36 Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is translated, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a native 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 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

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