Acts 4

1 While they were talking to the people, the priests, the captain of the Temple guard, and the Sadducees came up to 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 They were angry that they were teaching the people, telling them that through Jesus there is 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 They arrested them and placed them under guard until the following day since it was already evening.

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

4 But many who had heard the message believed it, and the total number of believers grew to 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 The next day, the rulers, elders, and religious leaders met 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 They included the high priest Annas, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others of the high priest's family.

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

7 They brought Peter and John before them and asked, “By what power or by whose authority have you 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 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them. “Rulers of the people, and elders:

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

9 Are we being interrogated regarding a good deed done to a man who couldn't help himself, and how he came to be healed?

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 If so, all of you should know, and all the people of Israel, that it was in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one you killed on a cross and whom God raised from the dead—it's because of him that this man stands before you completely healed.

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 you builders rejected, but he has been made the chief cornerstone.’

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

12 There is no salvation in anyone else; there is no other name under heaven given to humanity that can possibly save us.”

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 When they saw Peter and John's confidence, and realized they were uneducated, ordinary men, they were very surprised. They also recognized them as Jesus' companions.

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 Since they could see the man who had been healed standing right there with them, they had nothing to say in response to what had happened.

But, when they looked at the man who had been healed, standing there with them, they had nothing to say.

15 So they instructed them to wait outside the council while they discussed the matter among themselves.

So they ordered them out of court, and then began consulting together.

16 “What should we do with these men?” they asked. “We can't deny a significant miracle has happened through them. Everybody living here in Jerusalem knows about 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 to prevent it spreading among the people any further, we should threaten them never to speak to anybody in this name again.”

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 So they called them back in and ordered them never to speak or teach in the name of Jesus again.

So they called the apostles in, and ordered them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John responded, “Whether it's right in God's eyes to obey you rather than God—you decide.

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 We can't help talking about what we've seen and heard!”

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

21 After making more threats they let them go. They couldn't work out how to punish them because everyone was glorifying God for what had happened.

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 who received this miracle of healing was more than forty years old.

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

23 After the disciples had been released, they went to the other believers and told them everything the chief priests and elders had said to 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 When they heard what had happened, they prayed to God together: “Lord, you made heaven and earth and sea, and everything that is in them.

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 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through David, our forefather and your servant, saying ‘Why did the people of the other nations become so angry? Why did they plot so foolishly against me?

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 prepared for war the rulers united together against the Lord and against his Chosen One.’

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

27 Now this has really happened right here in this city! Both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the foreigners and the people of Israel, united together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed as Messiah.

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 They did whatever you had already decided because you had the power and the will to do it.

yet only to do what you, by your power and of your own will, did long ago destine to be done.

29 Now Lord: look at all their threats against us! Help us your servants to speak your word really boldly.

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

30 As you exercise your power to heal, may signs and miracles be done through the name of your 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 When they had finished praying, the building they were meeting in was shaken. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God boldly.

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 All the believers thought and felt the same way. None of them claimed anything they had as their own, but shared everything with each other.

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 The apostles gave their testimony regarding the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with tremendous power, and God greatly blessed 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 None of them needed anything because those who had lands or properties sold them.

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 They took the proceeds and presented them to the apostles to be shared with those in need.

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

36 Joseph, the one the apostles called Barnabas (meaning “son of encouragement”), was a Levite, a Cypriot national.

A Levite of Cyprian birth, named Joseph, (who had received from the apostles the additional name of ‘Barnabas’ – which means ‘The Consoler,’)

37 He sold a field that belonged to him. Then he brought the money and presented it to the apostles.

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