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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 4

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

*As they talked to the people, the priests, the temple captain, and the Sadducees approached them.

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

*They were sad because they taught others and shared the message of Jesus about coming back to life after death.

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

*They placed their hands on them and kept them in jail until the following day because it was getting dark.

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

*However, many who heard the message believed in it, and there were around five thousand men in total.

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

*And the next day, their leaders, older people, and writers gathered.

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.

*Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest met together in Jerusalem.

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

*Then, after placing them in the center, they questioned, "Through which power, or using what name, did you do this?"

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

*Then Peter, full of Holy Spirit, told the leaders, "You people in charge and older folks 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;

*If today we are asked about the good thing we did for the person who couldn't move, tell them how we helped him get better.

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.

*Everyone needs to know, including all the people of Israel, that it's because of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, the one you crucified but God brought back to life, that this man is standing in front of you completely healthy.

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

*This is the stone that your builders rejected, but now it's the main stone in 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.

*There's no salvation anywhere else. No other name is given for saving people.

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.

*When Peter and John showed great courage, and the people realized they weren't educated, they were amazed. They figured out that these men had spent time with Jesus.

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

*Seeing the healed man standing with them, they had no response to argue against it.

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

*But after telling them to leave the meeting, they talked with each other in private.

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.

*"What should we do with these men?" they asked. "It's clear to everyone in Jerusalem that a remarkable miracle has been performed by them, and we can't 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.

*But to stop it from spreading more, we must strictly warn them not to talk to anyone using this name.

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

*They ordered them not to talk or teach using Jesus' name.

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.

*But Peter and John replied, "It's up to you to decide if it's better to listen to us more than listening to God."

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

*We can't help talking about what we've 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.

*So when they threatened more, they let them go without punishment since the people praised God for what happened.

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

*For the man was over forty years old when he was shown this healing miracle.

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

*And released, they returned to their group and shared everything the main priests and leaders told 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:

*When they heard this, everyone shouted together to God, saying, "Lord, you are God, who created the heavens, Earth, 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?

*Who, through your servant David, said why do foreigners get angry and people think up useless ideas?

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

*The world's leaders gathered against God and His Son, Jesus.

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,

*Indeed, many people—including Herod, Pontius Pilate, non-Jews, and the people of Israel—came together against your holy son Jesus, whom you have chosen.

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

*To do whatever your hand and plan decided to do beforehand.

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

*Now, Lord, see their threats. Give your servants the courage to speak your word without fear.

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

*Reach out your hand to heal, and do miracles and wonders through the name of your holy son, 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.

*After they prayed, the place shook where everyone was gathered. They all received the Holy Spirit and spoke God's words fearlessly.

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.

*All who believed had one heart and soul, sharing everything and thinking of nothing as their own.

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

*The apostles showed, with strong power, that Jesus rose from the dead. They all had lots of God's kindness.

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,

*No one among them was in need, because those who had land or houses sold them. They used the money from the sales to contribute to the needs of the community.

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

*They placed them at the apostles' feet, and each person received what they needed.

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,

*Joses, called Barnabas by the apostles meaning "The son of comfort," was a Levite from the island of Cyprus.

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

*Sold the land and got the money, then gave it to the apostles.

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