1But a mannamedAnanias,with his wifeSapphira,solda piece of property,2and kept back[some] of the pricefor himself, with his wife'sfull knowledge,and bringinga portionof it, he laidit at the apostles'feet.3But Petersaid,"Ananias,whyhas Satanfilledyour heartto lieto the HolySpiritand to keep back[some] of the priceof the land?4"While it remained[unsold], did it not remainyour own? And after it was sold,was it not underyour control?Whyis it that you have conceivedthisdeedin your heart?You have not liedto menbut to God."5And as he heardthesewords,Ananiasfell downand breathed his last;and greatfearcameoverallwho heardof it.6The young mengotup and coveredhim up, and after carryinghim out, they buriedhim.
7Nowthere elapsedan intervalof aboutthreehours,and his wifecamein, not knowingwhat had happened.8And Peterrespondedto her, "Tellme whetheryou soldthe landfor suchand such a price?"And she said,"Yes,that was the price."9ThenPeter[said] to her, "Whyis it that you have agreed togetherto putthe Spiritof the Lordto the test?Behold,the feetof thosewho have buriedyour husbandare at the door,and they will carryyou out [as well]."10And immediatelyshe fellat his feetand breathed her last,and the young mencamein and foundher dead,and they carriedher out and buriedher besideher husband.11And greatfearcameoverthe wholechurch,and overallwho heardof these things.
12At the handsof the apostlesmanysignsand wonderswere taking placeamongthe people;and they were allwith one accordin Solomon'sportico.13But noneof the restdaredto associatewith them; however,the peopleheld them in high esteem.14And all the morebelieversin the Lord,multitudesof menand women,were constantly addedto [their number],15to such an extentthat they evencarriedthe sickout into the streetsand laidthem on cotsand pallets,sothat when Petercameby at leasthis shadowmight fallon any oneof them.16Alsothe peoplefrom the citiesin the vicinityof Jerusalemwere coming together,bringingpeople who were sickorafflictedwith uncleanspirits,and they were allbeing healed.
17But the high priestroseup, alongwith allhis associates(that is the sectof the Sadducees),and they were filledwith jealousy.18They laidhandson the apostlesand putthem in a publicjail.19But duringthe nightan angelof the Lordopenedthe gatesof the prison,and takingthem out he said,20"Go,standand speakto the peoplein the templethe wholemessageof thisLife."21Upon hearing[this], they enteredinto the templeaboutdaybreakand [began] to teach.Nowwhen the high priestand his associatescame,they calledthe Counciltogether,evenallthe Senateof the sonsof Israel,and sent[orders] to the prison housefor them to be brought.22But the officerswho camedid not findthem in the prison;and they returnedand reportedback,23saying,"We foundthe prison houselockedquitesecurelyand the guardsstandingat the doors;but when we had openedup, we foundno oneinside."24Nowwhenthe captainof the temple[guard] and the chief priestsheardthesewords,they were greatly perplexedaboutthem as to whatwould comeof this.25But someonecameand reportedto them, "The menwhomyou putin prisonare standingin the templeand teachingthe people!"26Thenthe captainwent alongwith the officersand [proceeded] to bringthem [back] withoutviolence(for they were afraidof the people,that they might be stoned).
27When they had broughtthem, they stoodthem beforethe Council.The high priestquestionedthem,28saying,"We gaveyou strict ordersnot to continue teachingin thisname,and yet,you have filledJerusalemwith your teachingand intendto bringthisman'sbloodupon us."29But Peterand the apostlesanswered,"We mustobeyGodratherthanmen.30"The Godof our fathersraisedup Jesus,whomyou had put to deathby hangingHim on a cross.31"He is the one whom Godexaltedto His right handas a Princeand a Savior,to grantrepentanceto Israel,and forgivenessof sins.32"And we are witnessesof thesethings;and [so is] the HolySpirit,whomGodhas givento thosewho obeyHim."
33But when they heardthis, they were cut to the quickand intendedto killthem.34But a PhariseenamedGamaliel,a teacher of the Law,respectedby allthe people,stoodup in the Counciland gave ordersto putthe menoutsidefor a short time.35And he saidto them, "Menof Israel,take carewhatyou proposeto dowith thesemen.36"For sometimeagoTheudasroseup, claimingto be somebody,and a groupof aboutfour hundredmenjoinedup with him. But he was killed,and allwhofollowedhim were dispersedand cameto nothing.37"Afterthis man,Judasof Galileeroseup in the daysof the censusand drew away[some] peopleafterhim; he tooperished,and allthose whofollowedhim were scattered.38"Soin the present case,I sayto you, stay awayfrom thesemenand let them alone,for ifthisplanoractionis of men,it will be overthrown;39but ifit is of God,you will not be ableto overthrowthem; or elseyou may evenbe foundfighting against God."
40They took his advice;and after callingthe apostlesin, they floggedthem and orderedthem not to speakin the nameof Jesus,and [then] releasedthem.41Sothey went on their wayfrom the presenceof the Council,rejoicingthat they had been considered worthyto suffershamefor [His] name.42And everyday,in the templeand from house to house,they keptrighton teachingand preachingJesus[as] the Christ.
