4:20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
4:21. But they, threatening, sent them away, not finding how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified what had been done, in that which had come to pa.s.s.
4:22. For the man was above forty years old, in whom that miraculous cure had been wrought.
4:23. And being let go, they came to their own company and related all that the chief priests and ancients had said to them.
4:24. Who having heard it, with one accord lifted up their voice to G.o.d and said: Lord, thou art he that didst make heaven and earth, the sea and all things that are in them.
4:25. Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, hast said: Why did the Gentiles rage: and the people meditate vain things?
4:26. The kings of the earth stood up: and the princes a.s.sembled together against the Lord and his Christ.
4:27. For of a truth there a.s.sembled together in this city against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,
4:28. To do what thy hand and thy counsel decreed to be done.
4:29. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants that with all confidence they may speak thy word,
4:30. By stretching forth thy hand to cures and signs and wonders, to be done by the name of thy holy Son, Jesus.
4:31. And when they had prayed, the place was moved wherein they were a.s.sembled: and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost: and they spoke the word of G.o.d with confidence.
4:32. And the mult.i.tude of believers had but one heart and one soul.
Neither did any one say that aught of the things which he possessed was his own: but all things were common unto them.
4:33. And with great power did the Apostles give testimony of the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord: and great grace was in them all.
4:34. For neither was there any one needy among them. For as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the price of the things they sold,
4:35. And laid it down before the feet of the apostles. And distribution was made to every one, according as he had need.
4:36. And Joseph, who, by the apostles, was surnamed Barnabas (which is, by interpretation, The son of consolation), a Levite, a Cyprian born,
4:37. Having land, sold it and brought the price and laid it at the feet of the Apostles.
Acts Chapter 5
The judgment of G.o.d upon Ananias and Saphira. The apostles are cast into prison.
5:1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold a piece of land,
5:2. And by fraud kept back part of the price of the land, his wife being privy thereunto: and bringing a certain part of it, laid it at the feet of the apostles.
5:3. But Peter said: Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart, that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost and by fraud keep part of the price of the land?
5:4. Whilst it remained, did it not remain to thee? And after it was sold, was it not in thy power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thy heart? Thou hast not lied to men, but to G.o.d.
5:5. And Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the ghost.
And there came great fear upon all that heard it.
5:6. And the young men rising up, removed him, and carrying him out, buried him.
5:7. And it was about the s.p.a.ce of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.
5:8. And Peter said to her: Tell me, woman, whether you sold the land for so much? And she said: Yea, for so much.
5:9. And Peter said unto her: Why have you agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord? Behold the feet of them who have buried thy husband are at the door: and they shall carry thee out,
5:10. Immediately, she fell down before his feet and gave up the ghost.
And the young men coming in found her dead: and carried her out and buried her by her husband.
5:11. And there came great fear upon the whole church and upon all that heard these things.
5:12. 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.
5:13. But of the rest no man durst join himself unto them: but the people magnified them.
5:14. And the mult.i.tude of men and women who believed in the Lord was more increased:
5:15. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that, when Peter came, his shadow at the least might overshadow any of them and they might be delivered from their infirmities.
5:16. And there came also together to Jerusalem a mult.i.tude out of the neighbouring cities, bringing sick persons and such as were troubled with unclean spirits: who were all healed.
5:17. Then the high priest rising up, and all they that were with him (which is the heresy of the Sadducees) were filled with envy.
5:18. And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.
5:19. But an angel of the Lord by night, opening the doors of the prison and leading them out, said:
5:20. Go, and standing speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
5:21. Who having heard this, early in the morning, entered into the temple and taught. And the high priest coming, and they that were with him, called together the council and all the ancients of the children of Israel: and they sent to the prison to have them brought.
5:22. But when the ministers came and opening the prison found them not there, they returned and told,
5:23. Saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all diligence, and the keepers standing before the door: but opening it, we found no man within.
5:24. Now when the officer of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were in doubt concerning them, what would come to pa.s.s.
5:25. But one came and told them: Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.
5:26. Then went the officer with the ministers and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.
5:27. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council.
And the high priest asked them,
5:28. Saying: Commanding, we commanded you that you should not teach in this name. And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine: and you have a mind to bring the blood of this man upon us.