Acts 8
1 Saul now was there consenting to the killing of him. Arose then on that [very] day a persecution great against the church which [was] in Jerusalem; All (then *N(k)O*) were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria except the apostles.
Saul approved of his being put to death. On that very day a great persecution broke out against the Church which was in Jerusalem; and its members, with the exception of the Apostles, were all scattered over the districts of Judea and Samaria.
2 Buried now Stephen men devout and (they made *N(k)O*) lamentation great over him.
Some religious men buried Stephen, with loud lamentations for him.
3 Saul however was destroying the church by houses entering, dragging off then men and women he was delivering [them] to prison.
But Saul began to devastate the Church; he entered house after house, dragged out men and women alike, and threw them into prison.
4 Those indeed therefore having been scattered they went about evangelising the word.
Now those who were scattered in different directions went from place to place proclaiming the Good News.
5 Philip now having gone down to (the *no*) city of Samaria was proclaiming to them the Christ.
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and there began to preach the Christ.
6 Were giving heed (now *N(k)O*) the crowds to the [things] being spoken by Philip with one accord in the [time] to hear them and to see the signs that he was performing;
The people, one and all, listened attentively to what Philip told them, when they heard of, and saw, the miracles which he was working.
7 (many *N(k)O*) for of those having spirits unclean crying voice in a loud (were coming out, *N(k)O*) many now paralyzed and lame were healed;
For there were many instances of people with foul spirits, where the spirits, with loud screams, came out of them;
8 (and *k*) There was (then *no*) (much *N(k)O*) joy in the city that.
and many who were paralysed or lame were cured, so that there was great rejoicing throughout that city.
9 A man now certain named Simon was formerly in the city practicing sorcery and amazing the people of Samaria declaring to be someone himself great;
There was staying in the city a man named Simon, who had been practicing magic there and mystifying the Samaritan people, giving himself out to be some great Being.
10 to whom were giving heed all from small until great saying; This [one] is the power of God which (is called *NO*) Great.
Every one, high and low, paid attention to him. ‘This man,’ they used to say, ‘must be that Power of God which men call “The Great Power.”’
11 They were giving heed now to him because the long time with the magic arts to have amazed them;
And they paid attention to him because they had for a long time been mystified by his magic arts.
12 When however they believed Philip evangelising (*k*) concerning the kingdom of God and the name (*k*) of Jesus Christ, they were baptized men both and women.
However, when they came to believe Philip, as he told them the Good News about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 And Simon also himself believed, and having been baptized he was steadfastly continuing with Philip, Beholding then [the] signs and miracles great being performed he was amazed.
Even Simon believed, and after his baptism attached himself to Philip, and was in his turn mystified at seeing signs and great miracles constantly occurring.
14 Having heard now the in Jerusalem apostles that has received Samaria the word of God, they sent to them (*k*) Peter and John;
When the Apostles at Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had welcomed God’s Message, they sent Peter and John to them;
15 who having come down they prayed for them that they may receive [the] Spirit Holy.
and they, on their arrival, prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit.
16 (Not yet *N(k)O*) for He was upon none of them having fallen, only however baptized they were being into the name of the (Lord *NK(O)*) Jesus.
(As yet the Spirit had not descended upon any of them; they had only been baptized into the Faith of the Lord Jesus).
17 Then they were laying the hands upon them and they were receiving [the] Spirit Holy.
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 (having seen *N(k)O*) now of Simon that through the laying on of the hands of the apostles was given the Spirit (holy *KO*) he offered to them money
When Simon saw that it was through the placing of the Apostles’ hands on them that the Spirit was given, he brought them a sum of money and said:
19 saying; do give also to me also to me authority this, that on whom (when *N(k)O*) I shall lay the hands he may receive [the] Spirit Holy.
“Give me also this power of yours, so that, if I place my hands upon any one, he may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter however said to him; The silver of you with you would [that] it be to destruction, because the gift of God you thought through money to be obtained!
“A curse upon you and upon your money,” Peter exclaimed, “for thinking that God’s free gift can be bought with gold!
21 No there is to you part nor lot in matter this; the for heart of you not is right (before *N(k)O*) God.
You have no share or part in our Message, for your ‘heart is not right with God.’
22 do repent therefore of the wickedness of yours this and do pray earnestly to the (Lord, *N(K)O*) if indeed will be forgiven you the intent of the heart of you.
Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord, that, if possible, you may be forgiven for such a thought;
23 in for [the] gall of bitterness and [the] bond of iniquity I see you being.
for I see that you have fallen into the ‘bitterness of envy’ and the ‘fetters of sin.’”
24 Answering now Simon said; do pray earnestly you yourselves on behalf of me to the Lord, so that nothing may come upon me myself of which you have spoken.
“Pray to the Lord for me, all of you,” Simon answered, “so that none of the things you have spoken of may befall me.”
25 They indeed therefore having earnestly testified and having spoken the word of the Lord (were travelling back *N(k)O*) to Jerusalem, to many then villages of the Samaritans (they were evangelising. *N(k)O*)
Peter and John, having borne their testimony and delivered the Lord’s Message, returned to Jerusalem, telling the Good News, as they went, in many Samaritan villages.
26 An angel now of [the] Lord spoke to Philip saying; do rise up and do go toward [the] south to the road which is going down from Jerusalem to Gaza; This is [the] desert [road].
Meanwhile an angel of the Lord had said to Philip: “Set out on a journey southwards, along the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (It is now deserted).
27 And having risen up he went; And behold a man an Ethiopian a eunuch a potentate of Candace (the *k*) queen of Ethiopians, who was over all the treasure of her, who had come to then worship to Jerusalem,
So Philip set out on a journey; and on his way he came upon an official of high rank, in the service of Candace, Queen of the Abyssinians. He was her treasurer, and had been to Jerusalem to worship,
28 he was (then *NK(o)*) returning and sitting in the chariot of him and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
and was now on his way home, sitting in his carriage and reading the Prophet Isaiah.
29 Said then the Spirit to Philip; do go near and do be joined to the chariot this [one].
The Spirit said to Philip: “Go up to the carriage yonder and keep close to it.”
30 Having run up then Philip heard when he is reading Isaiah the prophet and said; Surely not also understand you what you are reading?
So Philip ran up, and he heard the Abyssinian reading the Prophet Isaiah. “Do you understand what you are reading?” he asked.
31 And he said; How for maybe would I be able only unless someone (will guide *N(k)O*) me? He invited then Philip having come up to sit with him.
“How can I,” the other answered, “unless some one will explain it to me?” and he invited Philip to get up and sit by his side.
32 Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this: As a sheep to slaughter He was led, and as a lamb before the [one who] (shearing *N(k)O*) him [is] silent, so not He opens the mouth of Him.
The passage of Scripture which he was reading was this — ‘Like a sheep, he was led away to slaughter, And as a lamb is dumb in the hands of its shearer, So he refrains from opening his lips.
33 In the humiliation of Him justice from Him was taken away, The (now *k*) generation of Him who will describe? For is removed from the earth the life of Him.
In his lowly condition justice was denied him. Who will tell the story of his generation? For his life is cut off from earth.’
34 Answering now the eunuch to Philip said; I pray you, concerning whom the prophet says this? Concerning himself, or concerning other some?
“Now,” said the Treasurer, addressing Philip, “tell me, of whom is the Prophet speaking? Of himself, or of some one else?”
35 Having opened then Philip the mouth of him and having begun from Scripture this he evangelised to him [about] Jesus.
Then Philip began, and, taking this passage as his text, told him the Good News about Jesus.
36 As then they were going along the road, they came upon some water and says the eunuch; Behold water; what prevents me to be baptized?
Presently, as they were going along the road, they came to some water, and the Treasurer exclaimed: “Look! here is water; what is to prevent my being baptized?”
37 (said now Philip: if believe you from all the heart it is lawful. answering now said: I believe the son of God to be Jesus Christ. *K*)
38 And he commanded to stop the chariot, And they went down both to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
So he ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water — both Philip and the Treasurer — and Philip baptized him.
39 When now they came up out of the water, [the] Spirit of [the] Lord carried away Philip, and not saw him no longer no longer the eunuch; he was going for the way of him rejoicing.
But, when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the Treasurer saw no more of him; for he continued his journey with a joyful heart.
40 Philip however was found at Azotus, and passing through he was evangelising to the towns all until coming of him to Caesarea.
But Philip was found at Ashdod, and, as he went on his way, he told the Good News in all the towns through which he passed, till he came to Caesarea.
