them suffered want: for whoever possessed lands or houses sold them, and bringing the prices of what was sold, 35. Laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according to his need.

36. Thus Joses, by the apostles surnamed Barnabas, which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37. Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

CHAP. V.

ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA SMITTEN.

BUT a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2. And kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet, (saying, This is the whole price).

3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and 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 this in thine heart? thou hast not lied to men only, but to God.

5. Now Ananias, hearing these words, fell down, and expired; so great fear came on all that heard these things.

6. Then the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7. And about the space of three hours after, his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. 8. Then said Peter to her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yes, for so much.

9. Then Peter said to her, Why did ye agree to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, their feet, who buried thy husband, are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10. Then she fell down immediately at his feet, and expired; then the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

11. So great fear came on the whole church, and on all who heard these things.

12. And by the apostles' hands were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; and they were all with one consent in Solomon's porch. 13. And none of the rest durst rival them; but the people magnified them. 14. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women; 15. Somuch that they brought the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by, might overshadow some of them. 16. There came also a multitude out of the cities around to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks and them that were vexed with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

17. Then the high priest arose, and all that were with him, being the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation, 18. And seized the apostles, and put them in the common pri

son.

19. But the angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, 20. Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this (new) life.

21. And hearing that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. Then the high priest came with his company, and called the council together, and all the senate of the people of Israel, and sent to the prison to bring them. 22. But when the officers came and found them not in prison, they returned, and told, 23. Saying, The prison indeed we found shut with all security, and the keepers standing without before the doors; yet,

when we had opened it we found no man within.

24. Now, when the high priest, and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests, heard these things, they doubted whereunto this would grow.

25. Then one came and told them, Behold the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

27.

28.

26. Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence; for they fear ed the people, lest they should be stoned: And having brought them they set them before the council: Then the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we strictly command you not to teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would bring this man's blood upon us.

29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, having hanged him on a cross: 31. Him hath God exalted to his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32. And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Spirit, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

33. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34. But there stood up in the council, a certain Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, in honour among all the people, and commanded to send the apostles out a short time; 35. Then he said to them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye intend to do concerning these men. 36. For before these days Theudas rose up, boasting himself to be some great one; to whom about four hundred men adhered; he was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered, and came to

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nought. 37. After this man Judas of Galilee rose up, in the days of the latter taxing, and drew much people after him; he also perished; and all, who obeyed him were dispersed. 38. And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them go on; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought; 39. But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it, beware also lest perhaps ye be found even to contend against God.

40. So by him they were persuaded, and calling the apostles they beat them, and commanded them not to speak.in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41. Now they departed from the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shameful treatment for his name.

42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach the glad tidings that Jesus is the Christ.

CHAP. VI.

SEVEN DEACONS APPOINTED.

In those days, the disciples being multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Helenists, (Jews dwelling in Greece, who spoke Greek) against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration (of alms).

2. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reasonable that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables (to supply the poor). 3. Wherefore, brethren, look out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Spirit's wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4. But we will continue in prayer, and the ministry of the word.

5. Then the saying pleased the whole multitude so they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, and Nicanor, Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicholas a

proselyte (or convert) of Antioch. 6. Whom they set before the apostles: and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.

7. Now the word of God increased; and the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; yea, a great number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

8. Now Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders, and miracles among the people.

9. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, called that of the Libertines, with Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, with those of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. 10. But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11. Then they suborned men, who said, We heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God. 12. So they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him to the council. 13. And set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law. 14. For we heard him say, That this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and change the customs Moses delivered us.

15. Now all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as if it were the face of an angel.

CHAP. VII.

STEPHEN ANSWERETH FOR HIMSELF.

THEN said the high priest, are these things so? 2. Then Stephen said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran. 3. And said to him, Depart from thy country, and thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

4. Then leaving the land of the Chaldeans, he