Acts 8 Saul agreed to his death. There was at that time a great persecution against the congregation at Jerusalem. All but the apostles were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria.

NSB⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Saul agreed to his death. There was at that time a great persecution against the congregation at Jerusalem. All but the apostles were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. ² Devout men buried Stephen and mourned him greatly. ³ Saul ravaged the congregation. He entered every house and dragged off men and women and put them in prison. ⁴ They who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. ⁵ Then Philip went to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. ⁶ The people with one accord gave heed to those things Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles he did. ⁷ Unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, came out of many who were possessed by them. Many who were taken with palsies and the lame were healed. ⁸ There was great joy in that city. ⁹ A certain man called Simon was in the same city. He used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, telling everyone that he was great. ¹⁰ They all listened to him, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man has great power from God. ¹¹ They followed him because for a long time he astonished them with sorceries. ¹² When they believed what Philip preached about the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Simon also believed. When he was baptized he continued with Philip, amazed by the miracles and signs he saw. ¹⁴ When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵ Peter and John prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus but had not yet received the Spirit. ¹⁷ So they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ When Simon saw the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money. ¹⁹ Simon said: »Give me this power that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.« ²⁰ Peter said to him: »Your money will perish with you, because you think that the gift of God may be purchased with money. ²¹ »You have no part or share in this matter for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² »Repent of this wickedness, and pray to God, that the thought in your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ »For I perceive that you are full of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.« ²⁴ Simon answered: »Pray to God for me, that none of these things that you have spoken will happen to me.« ²⁵ When they had testified and preached the word of Jehovah they returned to Jerusalem, and preached the good news in many villages of the Samaritans. ²⁶ God’s angel said to Philip: »Arise, and go toward the south the way that goes from Jerusalem unto Gaza through the desert.« ²⁷ He went and an Ethiopian eunuch (government official), a man of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship. ²⁸ He was returning and sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹ The Spirit said to Philip: »Go near, and climb on this chariot.« ³⁰ Philip ran to him, heard him read the prophet Isaiah, and said: »Do you understand what you are reading?« ³¹ »How can I«, the eunuch said: »unless someone explains it to me?« He invited Philip to come and sit with him. ³² The Scripture he read was this: »He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer so he did not open his mouth. ³³ »In his humiliation his judgment was taken away. Who will declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth.« ³⁴ The eunuch asked Philip: »Please tell me of whom is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?« ³⁵ Then Philip began at the same Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. ³⁶ On their way, they came to a body of water and the eunuch said, »See, here is water. What prevents me from getting baptized?« ³⁷ Philip said: »If you believe with all your heart, you may.« He answered: »I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.« ³⁸ He commanded the chariot to stop. They both went into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. ³⁹ After they came out of the water God’s Spirit took Philip away. The eunuch did not see him again. He continued his journey rejoicing. ⁴⁰ Philip was seen passing through Azotus. He preached in all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.