Acts 5
1 There was a man of the name of Ananias who, with his wife Sapphira, sold some property but,
But, a certain man, Ananias by name, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 with her full knowledge and consent, dishonestly kept back part of the price which he received for it, though he brought the rest and gave it to the Apostles.
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," said Peter, "why has Satan taken possession of your heart, that you should try to deceive the Holy Spirit and dishonestly keep back part of the price paid you for this 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 remained unsold, was not the land your own? And when sold, was it not at your own disposal? How is it that you have cherished this design in your heart? It is not to men you have told this lie, 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 Upon hearing these words Ananias fell down dead, and all who heard the words were awe-struck.
And, as Ananias heard these words, he fell, and expired. And there came great fear upon all that heard;
6 The younger men, however, rose, and wrapping the body up, carried it out and buried it.
But the young men, rising up, wrapped him about, and, bearing him forth, buried him.
7 About three hours had passed, when his wife came in, knowing nothing of what had happened.
And it came to pass, after about three hours interval, that his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
8 Peter at once questioned her. "Tell me," he said, "whether you sold the land for so much." "Yes," she replied, "for so much."
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 "How was it," replied Peter, "that you two agreed to try an experiment upon the Spirit of the Lord? The men who have buried your husband are already at the door, and they will carry you out."
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 she fell down dead at his feet, and the young men came in and 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 This incident struck terror into the whole Church, and into the hearts of all who heard of it.
And there came great fear upon the whole assembly, and upon all them that heard these things.
12 Many signs and marvels continued to be done among the people by the Apostles; and by common consent they all met in Solomon's Portico.
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 none of the others dared to attach themselves to them. Yet the people held them in high honour--
Howbeit, of the rest, no one, durst join himself unto them, —nevertheless the people continued to magnify them;
14 and more and more believers in the Lord joined them, including great numbers both of men and women--
And, the more, were being added, when they believed in the Lord, throngs both of men and women; —
15 so that they would even bring out their sick friends into the streets and lay them on light couches or mats, in order that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on one or other 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 The inhabitants, too, of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all.
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 This roused the High Priest. He and all his party--the sect of the Sadducees--were filled with angry jealousy
But the High-priest, arising, and all who were with him, —being the sect of the Sadducees, —were filled with jealousy,
18 and laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public jail.
And thrust their hands upon the Apostles, and put them in a public ward.
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,
But, a messenger of the Lord, by night, opened the doors of the prison; and, leading them out, said—
20 "Go and stand in the Temple, and go on proclaiming to the people all this Message of Life."
Be going your way, and, taking your stand, be speaking, in the temple, unto the people, all the declarations of this Life.
21 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just before daybreak, and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as all the Elders of the descendants of Israel, they 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 the officers went and could not find them in the prison. So they came back and brought word,
And, the officers who came to the place, found them not in the prison; and, returning, brought tidings,
23 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there."
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 Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests heard this statement, they were utterly at a loss with regard to it, wondering what would happen next.
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 And some one came and brought them word, saying, "The men you put in prison are actually in the Temple, standing there, 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 Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the Apostles; but 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 So they brought them and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin. And then the High Priest questioned them.
But, leading them in, set them in the high- council. And the High-priest questioned them,
28 "We strictly forbad you to teach in that name--did we not?" he said. "And see, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are trying to make us responsible for that man's death!"
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 Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man.
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 forefathers has raised Jesus to life, whom you crucified and put to death.
The God of our fathers, hath raised up Jesus, —whom, ye, got into your hands, suspending him upon a tree: —
31 God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour, 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--and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him--are witnesses as to these things."
And, we, are witnesses of these things, —also the Holy Spirit, which God hath given unto them who are yielding obedience unto him.
33 Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the Apostles.
And, they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were making up their minds to slay them.
34 But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes.
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 "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing 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 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated.
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, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.
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 now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing.
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 it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually 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 His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and--after flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go.
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 They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the 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 But they did not desist from teaching every day, in the Temple or in private houses, and telling the Good News about 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.
