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 speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,

2 being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

greatly disturbed that they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening.

They seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in custody until 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.

But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

5 In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.

The next day the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem,

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

along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.

7 When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they enquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?”

They had Peter and John brought in and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people and elders of Israel,

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!

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

If we are being examined today about a kind service to a man who was lame, to determine how he was healed,

10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.

then let this be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

11 He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’

This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given amongst men, by which we must be saved!”

Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled. They recognised that they had been with Jesus.

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

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

And seeing the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in response.

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

So they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.

16 saying, “What shall we do to 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 can’t deny it.

“What shall we do with these men?” they asked. “It is clear to everyone living in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has occurred through them, and we cannot deny it.

17 But so that this spreads no further amongst the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.”

But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.”

18 They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all 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, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.

20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.”

For we cannot stop speaking about 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.

After further threats they let them go. They could not find a way to punish them, because all the people were glorifying God for what had happened.

22 For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

For the man who was miraculously healed was over 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.

On their release, Peter and John returned to their own people and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

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

When the believers heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them.

25 who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’

27 “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed,

In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed.

28 to do whatever your hand and your counsel foreordained to happen.

They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.

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

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,

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.”

as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your 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.

After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

32 The multitude 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 multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned.

33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.

With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all.

34 For neither was there amongst 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,

There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales,

35 and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need.

and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.

36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race,

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),

37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.