Acts Chapter 5
1 Then a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession
2 and kept back part of the price. His wife was also aware⁺ of this. Ananias brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3 Peter said: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, was it not your own? And even after it was sold, was it not still under your own authority⁺? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to people⁺, but to God.
5 Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died⁺ and great fear came upon all who heard these things.
6 The young men arose, covered⁺ him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 It was about three hours later when his wife also came in, not knowing what had been done.
8 Peter answered her: Tell me if you sold the land for so much? She said: Yes, for so much.
9 Then Peter said to her: How is it that you have agreed together to test⁺ the Spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door and will now carry you out.
10 Then she immediately⁺ fell down at his feet and died⁺. Then the young men came in, found her dead, and carried her out and buried her by her husband.
11 Great fear came upon all the assembly⁺ and upon all⁺ who heard these things.
12 By the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were worked⁺ among the people and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.
13 Among the rest, no one dared⁺ to join them, but the people highly regarded⁺ them.
14 Many more believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.
15 So much so that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches so that at the least shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.
16 There also came a multitude from the cities all around⁺ to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks and those who were oppressed⁺ with unclean spirits and they healed everyone.
17 Then the high priest and all those of the sect of the Sadducees who were with him rose up, filled with indignation.
18 They laid their hands on the apostles and put them into the common prison.
19 But the angel of the Lord came at night, opened the prison doors, brought them forth, and said:
20 Go, stand and speak all the words of life to the people in the temple.
21 When they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught, but the high priest and those who were with him came and called the council and all the senate of the children of Israel together, and sent to the prison to have Peter and John brought to them.
22 But when the officers did not find them in the prison, they returned and told of this
23 saying: We found the prison shut with all safety and the keepers standing outside⁺ before the doors. But when we opened the doors, we found no one inside.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they they wondered⁺ how big this story would grow.
25 Then someone came and told them: Behold the men you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people.
26 Then the captain went with the officers and brought Peter and John without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council and the high priest asked them:
28 Did we not strictly⁺ command~ you to not teach in this name? And behold you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said: We must⁺ obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed⁺ and hung on a tree.
31 This is the one whom God exalted to be Prince and Savior having the right to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
32 We are His witnesses of these things. So also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.
33 When they heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then in the council a Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up, a teacher⁺ of the law who had a good reputation among all the people. He commanded them to allow⁺ the apostles a little space.
35 He said to them: Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do concerning these men.
36 Before these days one named Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves to him. But eventually he was killed⁺ and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to nothing.
37 After this a man named Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the taxing and drew away many people after him. He also perished and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 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 nothing.
39 But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it lest perhaps⁺ you be found even to fight against God.
40 So they all agreed with Gamaliel. Then they called the apostles, beat them, commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles then departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
42 After that every day in the temple and in every house, they did not stop⁺ teaching and proclaiming⁺ Jesus Christ.