the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!
Read the Bible
Updated Bible Version
Acts 5
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 privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.3 But 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, did it not remain your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to men, but to God.5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all that heard it.6 And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they 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 to her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. And she said, Yes, for so much.9 But Peter [said] to her, How is it that you have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? look, the feet of those that have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out.10 And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.11 And great fear came on the whole church, and on all that heard these things.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders happening among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch.13 But of the rest no man dared join himself to them: nevertheless the people magnified them;14 and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women;15 insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them.16 And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and those that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
17 But the high priest rose up, and all those that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,18 and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward.19 But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said,20 Go, and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.21 And when they heard [this], they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those that were with him, and called the Sanhedrin together, and all the senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.22 But the attendants that came didn't find them in the prison; and they returned, and told,23 saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man inside.24 Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them to what this would grow.25 And there came one and told them, Look, the men whom you put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.
26 Then the captain went with the attendants, and brought them, [but] without violence; for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned.27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them,28 saying, Didn't we strictly charge you not to teach in this name? and look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood on us.29 But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men.30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him on a tree.31 God exalted him with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.32 And we are witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those that obey him.33 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them.34 But there stood up one in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, highly honored by all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while.35 And he said to them, You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as concerning these men, what you are about to do.36 For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out 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 dispersed, and came to nothing.37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrollment, and drew away [some of the] people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.38 And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown:39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; lest perhaps you are found even to be fighting against God. And to him they agreed.40 And when they had called the apostles to them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 They therefore departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name.42 And every day, in the temple and at home, they did not cease to teach and to preach Christ Jesus.
Updated Bible Version
Scripture quotations are from the UPDV® Updated Bible Version 1.9, Copyright © 2003-4 by Updated Publishers. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.