1 But a mannamedAnanias, with his wifeSapphira, sold a piece of property,
2
and 1keptback some of the price for himself, with his wife'sfullknowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he 2laid it at the apostles'feet.
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But Petersaid, "Ananias, why* has 3Satanfilled your heart to lie4to the HolySpirit and to 5keepback some of the price of the land?
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"While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceivedthisdeed in your heart? You have not lied to men but 6to God."
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And as he heardthesewords, Ananias7felldown and breathed his last; and 8greatfearcameoverall who heard of it.
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The youngmengot up and 9covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
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Now there elapsed an interval of aboutthreehours, and his wifecame in, not knowing what had happened.
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And Peterresponded to her, "Tell me whether you sold the land10for such and such a price?" And she said, "Yes, that was the price."
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ThenPeter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreedtogether to 11put12the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well."
10
And immediately she 13fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the youngmencame in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
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And 14greatfearcameover the wholechurch, and overall who heard of thesethings.
12
At the hands of the apostlesmany15signs and wonders were takingplaceamong the people; and they were all with oneaccord in 16Solomon'sportico.
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But none of the restdared to associate with them; however, 17the peopleheld them in highesteem.
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And all the more18believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly 19added to their number,
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to such an extent that they evencarried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Petercame by 20at least his shadow might fall on anyone of them.
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Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were comingtogether, bringing people who were sickorafflicted with uncleanspirits, and they were all being healed.
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the highpriestrose up, along with all his associates (that is 21the sect of 22the Sadducees ), and they were filled with jealousy.
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They laidhands on the apostles and 23put them in a publicjail.
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But during the night24an angel of the Lordopened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,
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"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple25the wholemessage of thisLife."
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Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple26aboutdaybreak and began to teach. Now when 27the highpriest and his associatescame, they called28the Counciltogether, evenall the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prisonhouse for them to be brought.
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But 29the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,
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saying, "We found the prisonhouselockedquitesecurely and the guardsstanding at the doors; but when we had opened up, we foundnooneinside."
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Nowwhen30the captain of the temple guard and the chiefpriestsheardthesewords, they were greatlyperplexedabout them as to what would come of this.
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But someonecame and reported to them, "The menwhom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
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Then31the captainwentalong with 32the officers and proceeded to bring them back without*violence (for 33they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned ).
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When they had brought them, they stood them before34the Council. The highpriestquestioned them,
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saying, "We gave you 35strictorders not to continue teaching in thisname, and yet, you have filledJerusalem with your teaching and 36intend to bringthisman'sblood upon us."
29
But Peter and the apostlesanswered, "37We mustobeyGodratherthanmen.
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"38The God of our fathers39raised up Jesus, whom you had 40put to death by hanging Him on a cross.
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"41He is the one whom Godexalted to His righthand as a 42Prince and a 43Savior, to grant44repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
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"And we are 45witnesses of thesethings; and 46so is the HolySpirit, whomGod has given to those who obey Him."
Gamaliel's Counsel
33 But when they heard this, they were 47cut to the quick and intended to kill them.
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But a Phariseenamed48Gamaliel, a 49teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in 50the Council and gaveorders to put the menoutside for a shorttime.
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And he said to them, "Men of Israel, takecarewhat you propose to do with thesemen.
36
"For sometimeagoTheudasrose up, 51claiming to be somebody, and a group of aboutfourhundredmenjoined up with him. But he was killed, and allwhofollowed him were dispersed and came to nothing.
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"Afterthisman, Judas of Galileerose up in the days of 52the census and drewaway some peopleafter him; he tooperished, and all those whofollowed him were scattered.
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"So in the presentcase, I say to you, stayaway from thesemen and let them alone, for ifthisplanoraction53is of men, it will be overthrown;
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but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; orelse you may even be found54fightingagainstGod."
40
They took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they 55flogged them and ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them.
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So they went on their way from the presence of the 56Council, 57rejoicing that they had been consideredworthy to suffershame58for His name.
42
59And everyday, in the temple and from house to house, they kept*right* on teaching and 60preachingJesus as the Christ.