Acts 4

1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon 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 sore troubled 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 And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide.

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

4 But many of them that 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 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in 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 high priest [was there], and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.

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

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have 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, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders,

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

9 if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man 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 known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, [even] in 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 He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner.

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

12 And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must 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 Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took 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 which 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 shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that 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 everyone living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak henceforth 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 And they called them, and charged 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 and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge 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 speak the things which we saw and heard.

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

21 And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men 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 was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

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

23 And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto 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, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

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 by the Holy Ghost, [by] the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine 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 set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:

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

27 for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples 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 whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel foreordained 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 upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness,

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

30 while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant 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 when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake 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 multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one [of them] said that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things 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 gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon 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 neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were 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 laid them at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.

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

36 And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

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 laid it at the apostles’ feet.

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