Acts 5

Whiston^{(i) 1} But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ² And kept back [part] of the price, the wife also being privy; and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles feet. ³ But Peter said unto Ananias, Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and for thee to keep back [part] of the price of the land? ⁴ While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in [thine own] power? why hast thou conceived to do this wicked thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. ⁵ And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down immediately and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard [it]. ⁶ And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried [him] out, and buried [him.] ⁷ And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. ⁸ But Peter said unto her, I will ask thee then, whether ye sold the land for so much? And she [said,] Yes, for so much. ⁹ Then Peter [said] unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together, to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them who have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out. ¹⁰ And she fell down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying [her] forth, when she was made ready, buried [her] by her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon as many as heard these things. ¹² And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one accord in the temple, in Solomon's cloister. ¹³ And of the rest durst noone join himself to them: but the people magnified them. ¹⁴ And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. ¹⁵ Insomuch that they brought forth their sick into the streets, and laid [them] on beds and couches, that when Peter came, the shadow passing by, might overshadow some of them: for they were freed from every infirmity which every one had. ¹⁶ There came also a multitude [out] of the cities together round about unto Jerusalem, bringing the sick, and them who were vexed with unclean spirits: who were all healed. ¹⁷ Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation, ¹⁸ And laid hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. ¹⁹ Then by night the angel of the Lord opened the prison-doors, and brought them forth, and said, ²⁰ Go, stand, and speak in the temple, all the words of this life. ²¹ And when they heard [that,] they entered into the temple early, and taught. But the high priest arose in the morning, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²² But when the officers came, and had opened the prison, and found them not within, they returned, and told, ²³ Saying, The prison found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no one within. ²⁴ Now when the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these sayings, they doubted of them whereunto it would grow. ²⁵ Then came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put into prison, are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. ²⁶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them with violence: fearing the people, lest they should have been stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set [them] in the council: and the Priest asked them, ²⁸ Saying, Did not we straitly command you, that you should not teach in this name? Behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and will bring that man's blood upon us. ²⁹ [Then Peter and the apostles answered and said,] We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰ But Peter said unto them. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree. ³¹ Him hath God exalted in glory, a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins in him. ³² And [we are his] witnesses of these things; and also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. ³³ When they heard [that,] they were cut, and took counsel to slay them. ³⁴ Then stood there up one of the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little while. ³⁵ And said unto the rulers, and the members of the council, Ye men of Israel, take heed to your selves, what ye are about to do as to these men. ³⁶ For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be a great man, and to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who came to nought of himself, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. ³⁷ After him rose up Judas of Galilee, in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished, and as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. ³⁸ And now, Brethren, I say unto you. Refrain from these men, and let them alone, without defiling your hands: for if this counsel, or this work be of men, it will come to nought: ³⁹ But if it be of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; neither you, nor kings, nor tyrants. Abstain therefore from these men; lest haply ye be found to be fighters against God. ⁴⁰ And to him they submitted: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten [them,] they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹ The apostles therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for [his] name. ⁴² And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach the Lord Jesus Christ.