OF THE
APOSTLES
King James Version
1 ¶ The former treatise have I
made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the
Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many
infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things
pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they
should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have
heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but
ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
6 ¶ When they therefore were
come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore
again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the
Father hath put in his own power.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that
the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of
the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was
taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into
heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come
in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
12 ¶ Then returned they unto
Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's
journey.
13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room,
where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas,
Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and
Judas the brother of James.
14 These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brethren.
15 ¶ And in those days Peter
stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together
were about an hundred and twenty,)
16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled,
which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which
was guide to them that took Jesus.
17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this
ministry.
18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and
falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as
that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The
field of blood.
20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be
desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
21 Wherefore of these men which have companied
with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he
was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his
resurrection.
23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts
of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from
which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and
he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
1 ¶ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly
there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all
the house where they were sitting.
3 And there
appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of
them.
4 And they were
all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance.
5 ¶ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout
men, out of every nation under heaven.
6 Now when this
was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because
that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to
another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8 And how hear we
every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and
Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and
Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10 Phrygia, and
Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of
Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretes and
Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12 And they were
all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13 Others mocking
said, These men are full of new wine.
14 ¶ But Peter, standing
up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea,
and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my
words:
15 For these are
not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is
that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall
come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all
flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men
shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my
servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and
they shall prophesy:
19 And I will
shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire,
and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall
be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable
day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever
shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22 Ye men of Israel,
hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by
miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye
yourselves also know:
23 Him, being
delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken,
and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24 Whom God hath
raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that
he should be holden of it.
25 For David
speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on
my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26 Therefore did
my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in
hope:
27 Because thou
wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see
corruption.
28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life;
thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29 Men and
brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both
dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30 Therefore
being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of
the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit
on his throne;
31 He seeing this
before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell,
neither his flesh did see corruption.
32 This Jesus
hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33 Therefore
being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34 For David is
not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my
Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36 Therefore let
all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus,
whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what
shall we do?
38 Then Peter
said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost.
39 For the
promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even
as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40 And with many
other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this
untoward generation.
41 Then they that
gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto
them about three thousand souls.
42 ¶ And they continued
stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
43 And fear came
upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that
believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their
possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house
to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God,
and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily
such as should be saved.
1 ¶ Now Peter and John went up together into the temple
at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain
man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate
of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into
the temple;
3 Who seeing
Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter,
fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave
heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter
said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and
immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping
up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the
people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew
that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they
were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
11 And as the
lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto
them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.
12 ¶ And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people,
Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as
though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?
13 The God of
Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his
Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when
he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and
desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the
Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
16 And his name
through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea,
the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence
of you all.
17 And now,
brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18 But those
things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that
Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
19 Repent ye
therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
20 And he shall
send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times
of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his
holy prophets since the world began.
22 For Moses
truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto
you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever
he shall say unto you.
23 And it shall
come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be
destroyed from among the people.
24 Yea, and all
the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken,
have likewise foretold of these days.
25 Ye are the
children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,
saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
26 Unto you first
God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away
every one of you from his iniquities.
1 ¶ And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and
the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
2 Being grieved
that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from
the dead.
3 And they laid
hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4 Howbeit many of
them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five
thousand.
5 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers,
and elders, and scribes,
6 And Annas the
high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the
kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
7 And when they had set them in the midst, they
asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter,
filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders
of Israel,
9 If we this day
be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made
whole;
10 Be it known
unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth
this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the
stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the
corner.
12 Neither is
there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given
among men, whereby we must be saved.
13 Now when they
saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and
ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had
been with Jesus.
14
And beholding the man which was healed standing with them,
they could say nothing against it.
15 ¶ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of
the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What
shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by
them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it
spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they
speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they
called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of
Jesus.
19 But Peter and
John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken
unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot
but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21
So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding
nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men
glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man
was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
23 ¶ And being let go, they went to their own company,
and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
24 And when they
heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord,
thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in
them is:
25 Who by the
mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people
imagine vain things?
26 The kings of
the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and
against his Christ.
27 For of a truth
against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius
Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy
counsel determined before to be done.
29 And now, Lord,
behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness
they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching
forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of
thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they
had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with
boldness.
32 ¶ And the multitude of them that believed were of one
heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which
he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great
power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and
great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was
there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and
distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
36 And Joses, who
by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of
consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
37 Having land,
sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
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 hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to
keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it
remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own
power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied
unto men, but unto God.
5 And Ananias
hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on
all them that heard these things.
6 And the young men
arose, wound 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 unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said,
Yea, for so much.
9 Then Peter said
unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the
Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door,
and shall carry thee out.
10 Then fell she
down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came
in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11 And great fear
came upon all the church, and upon as many as 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 And of the
rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
14 And believers were the more added to the
Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
15 Insomuch that
they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and
couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some
of them.
16 There came
also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick
folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed
every one.
17 ¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all they 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 common prison.
19 But the angel
of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and
speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into
the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they
that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the
children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the
officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23 Saying, The
prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without
before the doors: but when we had opened, 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 of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one
and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in
the temple, and teaching the people.
26 ¶ Then went the captain with the officers, and brought
them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been
stoned.
27 And when they
had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked
them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that
ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye 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 ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our
fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God
exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give
repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his
witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, 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 Then stood
there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law,
had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth
a little space;
35
And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves
what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before
these days rose up 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 nought.
37 After this man
rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people
after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were
dispersed.
38 And now I say
unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: 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; lest haply ye be found even to fight against
God.
40 And to him
they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they
commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 And they
departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in
the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus
Christ.
1 ¶ And in those days, when the number of the disciples
was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews,
because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve
called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason
that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore,
brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy
Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will
give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying
pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of
the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and
Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6 Whom they set
before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith.
8 ¶ And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great
wonders and miracles among the people.
9 Then there
arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the
Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of
Asia, disputing with Stephen.
10 And they were
not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
11 Then they
suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against
Moses, and against God.
12 And they
stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and
caught him, and brought him to the council,
13 And set up
false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words
against this holy place, and the law:
14
For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall
destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.
15 And all that
sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the
face of an angel.
1 ¶ Then said the high priest, Are these things so?
2 And he said,
Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father
Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto
him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land
which I shall shew thee.
4 Then came he
out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when
his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
5 And he gave him
none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised
that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when
as yet he had no child.
6 And God spake
on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they
should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.
7 And the nation to whom they shall be in
bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve
me in this place.
8 And he gave him
the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him
the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
9 And the
patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,
10 And delivered
him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of
Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.
11 Now there came
a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our
fathers found no sustenance.
12 But when Jacob
heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.
13 And at the
second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's kindred was
made known unto Pharaoh.
14 Then sent Joseph, and called his father
Jacob to him, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls.
15 So Jacob went
down into Egypt, and died, he, and our fathers,
16 And were
carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a
sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
17 ¶ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which
God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
18 Till another
king arose, which knew not Joseph.
19 The same dealt
subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast
out their young children, to the end they might not live.
20 In which time
Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house
three months:
21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter
took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
22 And Moses was
learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in
deeds.
23 And when he was
full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children
of Israel.
24 And seeing one
of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and
smote the Egyptian:
25 For he
supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would
deliver them: but they understood not.
26 And the next
day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one
again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
27 But he that
did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a
judge over us?
28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the
Egyptian yesterday?
29 Then fled
Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two
sons.
30 ¶ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to
him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in
a bush.
31 When Moses saw
it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of
the Lord came unto him,
32 Saying, I am
the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
33 Then said the
Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest
is holy ground.
34 I have seen, I
have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their
groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into
Egypt.
35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who
made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a
deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
36 He brought
them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and
in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
37 This is that
Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your
God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
38 This is he,
that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in
the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give
unto us:
39 To whom our
fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned
back again into Egypt,
40 Saying unto
Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us
out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
41 And they made
a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the
works of their own hands.
42 ¶ Then God turned, and
gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the
prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and
sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?
43 Yea, ye took
up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye
made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
44 Our fathers
had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking
unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.
45 Which also our
fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the
Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of
David;
46 Who found favour
before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.
47 But Solomon
built him an house.
48 Howbeit the
most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my
footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of
my rest?
50 Hath not my
hand made all these things?
51 ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,
ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52 Which of the prophets
have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before
of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and
murderers:
53 Who have
received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
54 ¶ When they heard these things, they were cut to the
heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.
55 But he, being
full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened,
and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.
57 Then they
cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord,
58 And cast him
out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a
young man's feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they
stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled
down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And
when he had said this, he fell asleep.