Acts 4
Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter EditionKJP 
1And as Peter and John spoke to the people, the priests, captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees, confronted them, 2Being annoyed that they were teaching the people, and proclaiming that in Jesus there is resurrection of the dead. 3And they arrested them, and confined them in jail until the next day; for it was already evening. 4But many who heard their teaching believed; and the number of believers now totaled about five thousand.

5And the next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes, 6Along with Annas, the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and other relatives of the high priest gathered at Jerusalem. 7And when they had brought in Peter and John, they asked, “By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?” 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers and elders of Israel, 9If we are being interrogated this day about the good deed done for this crippled man, by which he was made well; 10Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, and Whom God raised from the dead, it is by Him , Jesus, that this man stands here before you healed. 11 Jesus is the Stone which you builders rejected, which has now become the cornerstone. 12Nor is there salvation found in any other; for there is no other name under heaven, by which we may be saved.”

13Now when they (the priest and his associates) saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were ordinary and uneducated men, they were astonished; and took note that they had been with Jesus. 14And, since the healed man was standing with them, there was nothing they could say. 15But after they ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin council, and then they conferred among themselves 16“What shall we do with these men? For everyone in Jerusalem knows they have indeed done a notable miracle; and we cannot deny it. 17But to prevent it spreading further among the people, let us warn them not to speak to anyone anymore in this name.” 18And so they called them back in, and ordered them not to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus at all. 19But Peter and John replied, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to Him, you be the judge. 20But as for us, we cannot stop proclaiming what we have seen and heard.” 21So when they had further threatened them, they release them, finding nothing for which they might punish them, for fear of the people, who were all enthusiastically glorifying God for what had been done. 22For the man upon whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

23And upon being released, they returned to the other believers, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24And when they heard it, they raised their voices in prayer to God with one accord, and said, “Lord, You are the Sovereign Lord, Who has made the heavens, earth, and the sea, and all that is in them; 25Who, by the mouth of Your servant, David, has said, “Why do the heathen nations rage, and the people plot in vain?” 26The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers band together against the Lord, and against His anointed One, Christ. (Ps.2:1-2) 27For indeed, Herod, Pontius Pilate, Romans, and the people of Israel, conspired against Your holy Child, Jesus, Whom You have anointed, 28To do whatever Your power and Your will determined beforehand should happen. 29And now, Lord, consider their threats; and empower Your servants, that with all boldness they may preach Your word, 30By stretching out Your hand to heal; and that signs and miracles may be done in the name of Your holy Son, Jesus.” 31And when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

32And all those that believed were of one heart and mind; nor did any of them say that any of the things he possessed was his own; but they shared everything in common. 33And with great power, the apostles continued to testify of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and God’s great grace was at work in them all. 34Nor was there any needy among them; for those who possessed lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35And laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to everyone according as he had need. 36And Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “The son of consolation”), 37Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition
© 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.

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