1 BUT a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the feet of the apostles.
3 But Peter said: Ananias, why did Satan fill thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Spirit, and 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 didst thou conceive this thing in thy heart? Thou didst not lie to men, but to God.
5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and expired; and great fear came on all that heard these things.
6 And the young men arose, wrapt 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 And Peter answered her: Tell me, whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said: Yes, for so much.
9 And Peter said to her: Why is it that ye agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10 And immediately she fell at his feet, and expired; and coming in, the young men found her dead, and carried her forth, and buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon all that 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 Solomon's porch.
13 But of the rest no one dared to join himself to them; but the people honored them;
14 (and still more were believers added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women);
15 so that along the streets they brought forth the sick, and laid them on beds and pallets, that, as Peter was passing, the shadow at least might overshadow some one of them.
16 And the multitude also of the cities around came together to Jerusalem, bringing sick persons, and those who were vexed by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.
17 But the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation,
18 and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.
19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors; and having brought them forth, he said:
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And hearing it, they went into the temple at early dawn, and taught. And the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the eldership of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But the officers, when they came, found them not in the prison; and returning, they reported,
23 saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all security, and the keepers standing without before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one within.
24 And when the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were at a loss concerning them, to what this might grow.
25 But one came and told them, saying: Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, not with violence (for they feared the people), that they might not be stoned.
27 And having brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them,
28 saying: Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 And Peter answering, and the apostles, said: We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree.
31 Him, as a prince and a Savior, did God exalt to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit also, which God gave to those who obey him.
33 And they, hearing it, were convulsed with rage, and took counsel to slay them.
34 But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while;
35 and said to them: Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do in respect to these men.
36 For before these days arose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to naught.
37 After this man arose Judas the Galilaean, in the days of the registering, and drew away much people after him; he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught;
39 but if it is of God ye can not overthrow them; lest haply ye be found also fighting against God.
40 And to him they assented; and having called the apostles, they scourged them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 They therefore went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because for that name they were counted worthy to suffer shame.
42 And every day, in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not to teach, and to publish the glad tidings of Jesus the Christ.