Saul Attempts To Destroy The Church

1 And Saul was in full agreement with Stephen being put to death. And a great persecution broke out against the Jerusalem church, and all the disciples, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the districts of Judea and Samaria.

1 (A)Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.And on that day a great persecution (a)began against (B)the church in Jerusalem, and they were all (C)scattered throughout the regions of Judea and (D)Samaria, except the apostles.

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

1 Saul agreed with putting him to death.On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.(A)

1 Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except for the apostles was scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.

Saul Persecutes The Church

2 The godly men who buried Stephen's body mourned over his loss very deeply.

2 Some devout men buried Stephen, and made loud lamentation over him.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

2 Devout men buried Stephen as they mourned loudly for him.

3 But Saul brought devastation to the church by entering everyone's house and dragging men and women off to jail.

3 But (E)Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and (F)dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

3 Saul,(B) however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.(C)

3 But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison.

Philip Proclaims Christ In Samaria

4 Now the disciples, who had become scattered all over, went everywhere preaching the message [of God].

4 Therefore, those (G)who had been scattered went about (b)(H)preaching the word.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

4 So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the message of good news.

4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place preaching the word.

Philip Preaches In Samaria

5 And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them.

5 (I)Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming (c)Christ to them.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

5 Philip went down to a(a) city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.(D)

5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began to preach the Messiah to the people.

6 Great crowds of people joined together in accepting Philip's message when they heard and saw the [miraculous] signs he was able to perform.

6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the (d)signs which he was performing.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

6 The crowds paid attention with one mind to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was performing.

6 The crowds, hearing his message and seeing the signs that he was doing, paid close attention to what was said by Philip.

7 Evil spirits came out, with loud shrieks, from many persons and large numbers of people were healed of their paralysis and crippled conditions.

7 For in the case of many who had (J)unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been (K)paralyzed and lame were healed.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.(E)

7 Unclean spirits screamed with a loud voice as they came out of the many people they had possessed, and many paralyzed and lame people were healed.

8 And there was much rejoicing in Samaria [over the wonderful effects of Philip's ministry].

8 So there was (L)much rejoicing in that city.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

8 So there was great joy in that city.

8 As a result, there was great rejoicing in that city.

Simon The Magician

9 But a certain man named Simon, from there in Samaria, who had been amazing the people with his magical powers, was claiming to be someone great.

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing (M)magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, (N)claiming to be someone great;

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

9 A man named Simon had previously practiced sorcery in that city and astounded the Samaritan people, while claiming to be somebody great.(F)

9 Now in that city there was a man named Simon. He was practicing occult arts and thrilling the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great.

10 Everyone, from the least to the greatest [in importance], was being impressed by him. They were saying, "This man is being called Great [and has] power from God."

10 and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “(O)This man is what is called the Great Power of God.”

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

10 They all paid attention to him, from the least of them to the greatest, and they said, “This man is called the Great Power of God!”(b)(G)

10 Everyone from the least to the greatest paid close attention to him, saying, "This is what we call the great power of God!"

11 And people were paying attention to him because he had been amazing them with his magic for a long time.

11 And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his (P)magic arts.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

11 They were attentive to him because he had astounded them with his sorceries for a long time.

11 They paid careful attention to him because he had thrilled them for a long time with his occult performances.

12 When people believed the good news about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, which Philip was preaching, both men and women were immersed [in water].

12 But when they believed Philip (Q)preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being (R)baptized, men and women alike.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

12 But when they believed Philip, as he preached the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.(H)

12 But when Philip proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and about the name of Jesus the Messiah, men and women believed and were baptized.

13 And [this] Simon also believed [Philip's message] and was immersed. [After that] he continued [to travel] with Philip and was amazed by the [supernatural] signs and great miracles he saw [him perform].

13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed (S)signs and (T)great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

13 Then even Simon himself believed. And after he was baptized, he went around constantly with(c) Philip and was astounded as he observed the signs and great miracles(I) that were being performed.

13 Even Simon believed, and after he was baptized he became devoted to Philip. He was amazed to see the signs and great miracles that were happening.

Simon's Sin

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had responded to the message of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

14 Now when (U)the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them (V)Peter and John,

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

14 When the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had welcomed God’s message, they sent Peter and John to them.(J)

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaritans had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

15 When these two apostles had come [to Samaria] they prayed for some [of the disciples] to receive [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit,

15 who came down and prayed for them (W)that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

15 After they went down there, they prayed for them, so the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit.

15 They went down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.

16 for as yet [such power] had not fallen on any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus [i.e., with no accompanying miraculous powers].

16 For He had (X)not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been (Y)baptized (e)in the name of the Lord Jesus.

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

16 For He had not yet come down on(d) any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(K)

16 Before this, he had not come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then the apostles placed their hands on [some of] them [and prayed, see verse 15] and they received [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit.

17 Then they (Z)began laying their hands on them, and they were (AA)receiving the Holy Spirit.

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

17 Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 Now when Simon saw that through the placing of the apostles' hands [on people] the Holy Spirit was given [Note: The fact that Simon "saw" something happen suggests it was supernatural and therefore highly desirable by Simon], he offered to pay them money [for this power],

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

18 When Simon saw that the Holy(e) Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money

19 saying, "Give me also the ability to place my hands on people [and pray] so that they will receive [the miraculous power of] the Holy Spirit."

19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

19 saying, “Give me this power too, so that anyone I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”

19 and said, "Give me this power too, so that when I lay my hands on someone, he will receive the Holy Spirit."

20 But Peter said to him, "You and your money will both be destroyed for thinking you could buy the gift from God with money.

20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could (AB)obtain the gift of God with money!

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

20 But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money!(L)

20 But Peter told him, "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's free gift with money!

21 You do not have any share or involvement in this matter because your heart is not right before God.

21 You have (AC)no part or portion in this (f)matter, for your heart is not (AD)right before God.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God.(M)

21 You have no part or share in what we're saying, because your heart isn't right with God.

22 So, repent [i.e., change your heart and life] of such a terrible thing and pray for the Lord to forgive you for even thinking of such a thing. Perhaps He will [if you are really sincere].

22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, (AE)if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart's intent may be forgiven you.

23 For I can see that your life is as bitter gall [i.e., very evil] and you are enslaved by [your] sins."

23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in (AF)the (g)bondage of iniquity.”

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

23 For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”(N)

23 For I see that you're being poisoned by bitterness and you're a prisoner of wickedness!"

24 And Simon answered, "[Please] pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said about me will [really] happen."

24 But Simon answered and said, “(AG)Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

24 “Please pray(f) to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”(O)

24 Simon answered, "Both of you pray to the Lord for me that none of the things you have said will happen to me."

25 When Peter and John had testified [regarding the truth] and had proclaimed the message of God [to the people] they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news [about Jesus] in many Samaritan villages [on their way back].

25 So, when they had solemnly (AH)testified and spoken (AI)the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were (AJ)preaching the gospel to many villages of the (AK)Samaritans.

25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

25 Then, after they had testified and spoken the message of the Lord, they traveled back to Jerusalem, evangelizing many villages of the Samaritans.

25 After they had given their testimony and spoken the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, continuing to proclaim the good news in many Samaritan villages.

Philip And The Ethiopian Eunuch

26 [Meanwhile] an angel [sent] from the Lord spoke to Philip and said, "Get up and travel south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza; that is a deserted region."

26 But (AL)an angel of the Lord spoke to (AM)Philip saying, “Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to (AN)Gaza.” ((h)This is a desert road.)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

26 An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.)(g)(P)

26 Now an angel of the Lord told Philip, "Get up and go south on the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a deserted road."

27 So, he went and [eventually] came across a man who was the Ethiopian Queen Candace's treasurer. He was a high official and was also a eunuch [Note: This was a man without normal sexual activity], who had been to Jerusalem to worship [i.e., probably as a Jewish proselyte].

27 So he got up and went; and (AO)there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he (AP)had come to Jerusalem to worship,

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

27 So he got up and went. There was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch(Q) and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,(h) who was in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem(R)

27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, who was a member of the court of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was in charge of all her treasures and had come up to Jerusalem to worship.

28 He was returning [to his home in Ethiopia] and was sitting in his chariot [Note: Chariots were stopped on long journeys occasionally for resting, eating, reading, etc.] reading [a scroll of] the prophet Isaiah.

28 and he was returning and sitting in his (i)chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

28 and was sitting in his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud.

28 Now he was returning home, seated in his chariot, and reading from the prophet Isaiah.

29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go on up close to the chariot."

29 Then (AQ)the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this (j)chariot.”

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.”(S)

29 The Spirit told Philip, "Approach that chariot and stay near it."

30 So, Philip ran over to it and [when he got near enough] he heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading from Isaiah the prophet and asked him, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

30 Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

30 When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”

30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah out loud. Philip asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?"

31 And the man replied, "How can I, except with someone's guidance?" Then he urged Philip to come and sit with him [in the chariot].

31 And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

31 “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

31 The man replied, "How can I unless someone guides me?" So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.

32 Now the passage of Scripture he was reading said [Isa. 53:7ff], "He was led out to be slaughtered as a sheep; He made no sound, just like a lamb when it was being sheared.

32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this:(AR)He was led as a sheep to slaughter;And as a lamb before its shearer is silent,So He does not open His mouth.

32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

32 Now the Scripture passage he was reading was this:He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,and as a lamb is silent before its shearer,so He does not open His mouth.

32 This was the passage of Scripture he was reading: "Like a sheep he was led away to be slaughtered, and like a lamb is silent before its shearer, so he does not open his mouth.

33 He was subjected to [terrible] humiliation and deprived of justice. Who will [there be to] trace His descendants, since His life was taken from Him, [leaving no posterity]."

33 (AS)In humiliation His judgment was taken away;Who will (k)relate His (l)generation?For His life is removed from the earth.”

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

33 In His humiliation justice was denied Him.Who will describe His generation?For His life is taken from the earth.(T)(i)

33 In his humiliation, justice was denied him. Who can describe his descendants? For his life is taken away from the earth."

34 The [Ethiopian] eunuch then asked Philip "Please tell me, is the prophet [Isaiah] writing about himself or about someone else?"

34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?”

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

34 The eunuch replied to Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet saying this about—himself or another person?”

34 The eunuch asked Philip, "I ask you, who is the prophet talking about? Himself? Or someone else?"

35 So, Philip opened his mouth, and beginning [his message] from this Scripture [passage], he preached to him [about] Jesus.

35 Then Philip (AT)opened his mouth, and (AU)beginning from this Scripture he (AV)preached Jesus to him.

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

35 So Philip proceeded(j) to tell him the good news about Jesus, beginning from that Scripture.(U)

35 Then Philip began to speak, and, starting from this Scripture, he told him the good news about Jesus.

36 As they [i.e., Philip, the Ethiopian eunuch and his attendants] traveled along they came to a certain [body of] water. The [Ethiopian] eunuch said, "Look, here is [a body of] water, why can't I be immersed [right now]?" {{Verse

36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! (AW)What prevents me from being baptized?”

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

36 As they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, “Look, there’s water! What would keep me from being baptized?”

36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water. The eunuch said, "Look, there's some water. What keeps me from being baptized?"

37 is absent from many manuscripts}}.

37 [(m)And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”]

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

37 [And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart you may.” And he replied, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”](k)

37 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

38 So, the eunuch ordered the chariot to be stopped; then both Philip and the [Ethiopian] eunuch went down into the water and Philip immersed the eunuch [into Christ].

38 And he ordered the (n)chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

38 Then he ordered the chariot to stop, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

38 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing and did not see Philip again.

39 And when they came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit of the Lord [supernaturally?] directed Philip to go elsewhere and the eunuch did not see him anymore, as he continued on his journey rejoicing.

39 When they came up out of the water, (AX)the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, (o)but went on his way rejoicing.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord(V) carried Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him any longer. But he went on his way rejoicing.

39 But Philip found himself at Azotus. As he was passing through that region, he kept proclaiming the good news in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

40 But [later on] Philip appeared at Azotus and after leaving there he preached the good news [of Jesus] to all the towns along the way until he reached Caesarea. [Note: Caesarea was a town on the west coast of Palestine, named after the emperor Caesar].

40 But Philip (p)found himself at (q)(AY)Azotus, and as he passed through he (AZ)kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to (BA)Caesarea.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

40 Philip appeared in(l) Azotus,(m) and he was traveling and evangelizing all the towns until he came to Caesarea.(W)

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