Acts, 4

1. And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

1. While Peter and John were still speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them.

2. Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

2. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming that resurrection from the dead had been proved in the case of Jesus.

3. And they laid hands on them, and put [them] in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

3. Since it was already evening, they arrested them and put them in custody until the following day.

4. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

4. But despite this, many of those who heard the Message believed and their number increased to about five thousand.

5. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

5. The next day, the Jewish leaders, elders and teachers of the Law assembled in Jerusalem.

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.

6. Annas, the High Priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all who were of the high priestly class were there.

7. And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

7. They brought Peter and John before them and began to question them, "How did you do this? Whose name did you use?"

8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke up, "Leaders of the people! Elders!

9. If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

9. It is a fact that we are being examined today for a good deed done to a cripple. How was he healed?

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.

10. You and all the people of Israel must know that this man stands before you cured through the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean. You had him crucified, but God raised him from the dead.

11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

11. Jesus is the stone rejected by you the builders which has become the cornerstone.

12. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

12. There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other Name given to humankind all over the world by which we may 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.

13. They were astonished at the boldness of Peter and John, considering that they were uneducated and untrained men. They recognized, also, that they had been with Jesus,

14. And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

14. but, as the man who had been cured stood beside them, they could make no reply.

15. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

15. So they ordered them to leave the council room while they consulted with one another.

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].

16. They asked, "What shall we do with these men? Everyone who lives in Jerusalem knows that a remarkable sign has been given through them, 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.

17. But to stop this from spreading any further among the people, let us warn them never again to speak to anyone in the name of Jesus."

18. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

18. So they called them back and charged them not to speak or teach at all 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.

19. But Peter and John answered them, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's eyes for us to obey you rather than God.

20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

20. We cannot stop speaking about what 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.

21. Then the council threatened them once more and let them go. They could find no way of punishing them because of the people who glorified God for what had happened,

22. For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

22. for the man who had been miraculously healed was over forty years old.

23. And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.

23. As soon as Peter and John were set free, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to 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:

24. When they heard it, they raised their voices as one and called upon God, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth, of the sea and everything in them,

25. Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

25. you have put these words in the mouth of David, our father and your servant, through the Holy Spirit: Why did the pagan nations rage and the people conspire in folly?

26. The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

26. The kings of the earth were aligned and the princes gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.

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,

27. For indeed in this very city Herod with Pontius Pilate, and the pagans together with the people of Israel conspired against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.

28. For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

28. Thus, indeed, they brought about whatever your powerful will had decided from all time would happen.

29. And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

29. But now, Lord, see their threats against us and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness.

30. By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

30. Stretch out your hand to heal and to work signs and wonders through the Name of Jesus your holy servant."

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.

31. When they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together shook, and they were all filled with Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God boldly.

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.

32. The whole community of believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but rather they shared all things in common.

33. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

33. With great power the apostles bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, for all of them were living in an exceptional time of grace.

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,

34. There was no needy person among them, for those who owned land or houses, sold them and brought the proceeds of the sale.

35. And laid [them] down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

35. And they laid it at the feet of the apostles who distributed it according to each one's 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,

36. This is what a certain Joseph did. He was a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, meaning: "The encouraging one."

37. Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

37. He sold a field which he owned and handed the money to the apostles.