ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fa52 thers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them which shewed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and mur-1 53 derers; ye who received the law 'as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.

54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their 55 teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the 59 feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned

Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord 60 Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell 8 asleep. And Saul was consenting unto his death.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men buried Stephen, and made great 3 lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

those which had

4 They therefore that were scattered abroad went 5 about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them 6 the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by 2 Or, For many of Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which 7 he did. For from many of those which had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were 8 lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city.

9

unclean spirits that cried with a loud voice came

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, which beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the 'people of Samaria, giving out that him- 3 Gr. nation. 10 self was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This

1 Gr. powers.

2 Some ancient au-
thorities
Holy.

man is that power of God which is called Great. And they gave heed to him, because that of long 11 time he had amazed them with his sorceries. But 12 when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and And Simon also himself believed: and 13 being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great 'miracles wrought, he was amazed.

women.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem 14 heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when 15 they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: for as yet he was 16 fallen* upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid 17 they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Now when Simon saw that through 18 mit the laying on of the apostles' hands the 'Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me 19 also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto 20 him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for 21 thy heart is not right before God. Repent there- 22 fore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if 4 Or, wilt become perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven gall (or, a gall root) of bitterness thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitter- 23 ness and in the bond of iniquity. And Simon an- 24 swered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon

3 Gr. word.

and a bond of iniquity.

5 Or, at noon.

me.

They therefore, when they had testified and 25 spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, say-26 ing, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. And he arose and went: and be- 27 hold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem for to worship; and he was returning and sitting in 28

*For "he was fallen" read "it was fallen "-Am. Com.

his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join 30 thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran to him, and

heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Un31 derstandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the place of the scripture which he was reading was this,

3333

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
So he openeth not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgement was taken
away:

His generation who shall declare?

For his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of him35 self, or of some other? And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture, preached 36 unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to 38 be baptized? And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.

9 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaugh-
ter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the
2 high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus
unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were
of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring
3 them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed,
it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus:
and suddenly there shone round about him a light
4 out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard
a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest
5 thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And
6 he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but
rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee
7 what thou must do. And the men that journeyed
with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but 2 Or, sound
8 beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth;

and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without 9 sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, 10 named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go 11 to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; and he hath seen a 12 man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. But Ana- 13 nias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief 14 priests to bind all that call upon thy name. But 15 the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a 1 Gr. vessel of elec- chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I 16 will shew him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias departed, and en- 17 tered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And straight- 18 way there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.

tion.

19

And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway in the syna-20 gogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. And all that heard him were amazed, and 21 said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havock of them which called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. But Saul increased 22 the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews 23 took counsel together to kill him: but their plot be- 24 came known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: but 25 his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed 26

to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly 28 in the name of Jesus. And he was with them go29 ing in and going out at Jerusalem, preaching bold

ly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the 'Grecian Jews; but they went 1 Gr. Hellenists. 30 about to kill him. And when the brethren knew

31

32

it, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him

forth to Tarsus.

So the church throughout all Judæa and Galilee

and Samaria had peace, being 'edified; and, walking 2 Gr. builded up. 3in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the 3 Or, by Holy Ghost, was multiplied.

And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints which dwelt 33 at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years; 34 for he was palsied. And Peter said unto him,

Eneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise, and make 35 thy bed. And straightway he arose. And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called 'Dorcas: 4 That is, Gazelle. this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds 37 which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, intreating him, Delay not to come on unto us. 39 And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which 40 Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, 41 she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he pre42 sented her alive. And it became known through43 out all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.