Acts 5
1 There was, however, a man named Ananias, who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property,
But, a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 and, with her connivance, kept back some of the proceeds. He brought only a part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it; and, bringing a certain part, at the feet of the Apostles, he laid it.
3 “Ananias,” Peter exclaimed, “how is it that Satan has so taken possession of your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit, and kept back a part of the money paid for the land?
But Peter said—Ananias! wherefore did Satan fill thy heart, that thou shouldst deal falsely with the Holy Spirit, and keep back part of the price of the field?
4 While it was unsold, was not it your own? And after it was sold, was not the money at your own disposal? How did you come to think of such a thing? You have lied, not to people, but to God!”
While it remained, was it not, as thine own, it remained? and, when sold, was it not, in thine own authority, that it still continued? Why was it that thou didst contrive in thy heart this deed? Thou hast not dealt falsely with men but, with God.
5 As Ananias heard these words, he fell down and expired; and everyone who heard of it was appalled.
And, as Ananias heard these words, he fell, and expired. And there came great fear upon all that heard;
6 The young men got up, and, winding the body in a sheet, carried it out and buried it.
But the young men, rising up, wrapped him about, and, bearing him forth, buried him.
7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
And it came to pass, after about three hours interval, that his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
8 “Is it true,” Peter asked, addressing her, “that you sold your land for such a sum?” “Yes,” she answered, “we did.”
And Peter began to say unto her—Tell me! was it, for so much, ye gave up the field? And she said—Yea! for so much.
9 Then Peter said, “How did you come to agree to provoke the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The footsteps of those who have buried your husband are at the door; and they will carry you out too.”
And, Peter, [said] unto her—Why was it agreed by you to put to the proof the Spirit of the Lord? Lo! the feet of them that have buried thy husband, are at the door, and they shall bear thee forth.
10 Instantly Sapphira fell down at Peter’s feet and expired. On coming in, the young men found her dead; so they carried her out and buried her by her husband’s side.
And she fell instantly at his feet, and expired. And the young men, coming in, found her dead; and, bearing her forth, they buried her with her husband.
11 The whole church and all who heard of these events were appalled.
And there came great fear upon the whole assembly, and upon all them that heard these things.
12 Many signs and wonders continued to occur among the people, through the instrumentality of the apostles, whose custom it was to meet all together in the Colonnade of Solomon;
And, through the hands of the Apostles, were coming to pass many signs and wonders among the people; and they were all with one accord in the portico of Solomon;
13 but of the rest no one ventured to join them. On the other hand, the people were full of their praise,
Howbeit, of the rest, no one, durst join himself unto them, —nevertheless the people continued to magnify them;
14 and still larger numbers, both of men and women, as they became believers in the Lord, were added to their number.
And, the more, were being added, when they believed in the Lord, throngs both of men and women; —
15 The consequence was that people would bring out their sick even into the streets, and lay them on mattresses and mats, in the hope that, as Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on someone of them.
So that, even into the broad-ways, were they bringing forth the sick, and laying them on small couches and beds, in order that, if Peter were coming along, even perchance his shadow, might overshadow some one of them.
16 Besides this, the inhabitants of the towns around Jerusalem flocked into the city, bringing with them their sick and those who were troubled by foul spirits; and they were cured everyone.
Moreover even the throng of the cities all round Jerusalem was coming together, bearing sick folk, and such as were harassed by impure spirits, —who, indeed, were being cured, one and all.
17 At this the high priest was roused to action, and he and all his supporters (who formed the party of the Sadducees), moved by jealousy,
But the High-priest, arising, and all who were with him, —being the sect of the Sadducees, —were filled with jealousy,
18 arrested the apostles, and had them placed in custody.
And thrust their hands upon the Apostles, and put them in a public ward.
19 An angel of the Lord, however, opened the prison doors at night and led them out.
But, a messenger of the Lord, by night, opened the doors of the prison; and, leading them out, said—
20 “Go,” he said, “and stand in the Temple Courts, and tell the people the whole message of this new life.”
Be going your way, and, taking your stand, be speaking, in the temple, unto the people, all the declarations of this Life.
21 When they heard this, they went at daybreak into the Temple Courts, and began to teach. The high priest and his party, on their arrival, summoned the High Council, including all the leaders of the people among the Israelites, and sent to the jail to fetch the apostles.
Now, when they heard this, they entered, under the dawn, into the temple, and began teaching. And the High-priest and they who were with him, arriving, called together the high-council, and all the senate of the sons of Israel; and sent off unto the prison, to have them brought.
22 But, when the officers got there, they did not find them in the prison; so they returned and reported that,
And, the officers who came to the place, found them not in the prison; and, returning, brought tidings,
23 while they had found the goal barred securely and the guards posted at the doors, yet, on opening them, they had not found anyone inside.
Saying—The prison, found we locked with all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors; but, when we had opened the prison, inside, found we, no one.
24 When the officer in charge at the Temple and the chief priests heard their story, they were perplexed about the apostles and as to what all this would lead to.
Now, when both the captain of the temple and the High-priests heard these words, they were utterly at a loss concerning them—what perhaps this might come to.
25 Presently, however, someone came and told them, that the men whom they had put in prison were actually standing in the Temple Courts, teaching the people.
But some one, entering, brought tidings unto them—Lo! the men whom ye put in the prison, are in the temple, standing, and teaching the people!
26 Then, the officer went with his men and fetched the apostles – without using violence, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people –
Then, the captain with the officers, departing, brought them—not with violence, —for they were afraid of the people, lest they should be stoned;
27 and then brought them before the Council. The high priest demanded an explanation from them.
But, leading them in, set them in the high- council. And the High-priest questioned them,
28 “We gave you strict orders,” he said, “not to teach in this name. Yet you have actually flooded Jerusalem with your teaching, and you want to make us responsible for the death of this man.”
Saying—Strictly, did we charge you not to be teaching upon this name; and lo! ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are minded to bring down upon us, the blood of this man.
29 To this Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.
But Peter and the Apostles, answering, said—It is needful to be yielding obedience unto God rather than unto men: —
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, whom you put to death by hanging him on a cross.
The God of our fathers, hath raised up Jesus, —whom, ye, got into your hands, suspending him upon a tree: —
31 It is this Jesus whom God has exalted to his right hand, to be a guide and a Savior, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
Him, as Princely-leader and Saviour, hath God exalted unto his right hand, —to give repentance unto Israel, and remission of sins.
32 And we are witness to the truth of this, and so is the Holy Spirit – the gift of God to those who obey him.”
And, we, are witnesses of these things, —also the Holy Spirit, which God hath given unto them who are yielding obedience unto him.
33 The members of the Council became frantic with rage on hearing this, and were for putting the apostles to death.
And, they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were making up their minds to slay them.
34 But Gamaliel, a Pharisee, who was a Doctor of the Law and who was held in universal respect, rose in the Council, and directed that the men should be taken out of court for a little while.
But a certain man, rising up in the high-council, by name Gamaliel, a law-teacher honoured by all the people, gave orders to put the men, outside, for a little, —
35 He then said, “People of Israel, take care as to what you intend to do with these men.
And said unto them—Men of Israel! be taking heed unto yourselves, what ye are about to inflict upon these men.
36 For not long ago Theudas appeared, professing to be somebody, and was joined by a body of some four hundred men. But he was killed; and all his followers scattered and dwindled away.
For, before these days, there rose up one Theudas, affirming, himself, to be somebody, —unto whom was inclined a number of men, about four hundred; who was slain, and, all as many as had been trusting in him, were disbanded, and came to nothing.
37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared at the time of the census, and induced people to follow him; yet he, too, perished and all his followers were dispersed.
After him, rose up Judas the Galilaean, in the days of the enrolling, and drew a people into revolt after him; and, he, perished, and, all, as many as had trusted in him, were scattered.
38 And, in this present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these men, but to leave them alone, for, if their designs and their work are merely of human origin, they will come to an end;
Now, therefore, I say unto you—stand aloof from these men, and let them alone; because if, of men, be this project or this work, it will be overthrown, —
39 but, if they are of divine origin, you will be powerless to put an end to them – or else you may find yourselves fighting against God!”
But, if it is, of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them: lest once, even fighters against God, ye be found.
40 The Council followed his advice, and, calling the apostles in, had them flogged, and then, after cautioning them not to speak in the name of Jesus, set them free.
And they were persuaded by him; and, calling unto them the Apostles, they, with beating, charged them not be speaking upon the name of Jesus; and let them go.
41 But the apostles left the Council, rejoicing that they had been thought worthy to suffer disgrace for that name;
They, therefore, went rejoicing from the presence of the high-council; in that they had been accounted worthy, in behalf of The Name, to suffer dishonour.
42 and never for a single day, either in the Temple Courts or in private houses, did they cease to teach, or to tell the good news of Jesus, the Christ.
And, every day in the temple, and at home, they ceased not to be teaching, and telling the good news as to the Anointed Jesus.
