Acts 8

1 Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen ^{a8:1 Lit. him} 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.ISV — Acts 8:1

2 Devout men buried Stephen as they mourned loudly for him.ISV — Acts 8:2

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.ISV — Acts 8:3

4 Now those who were scattered went from place to place preaching the word.ISV — Acts 8:4

5 Philip went down to the ^{b8:5 Other mss. read a} city of Samaria and began to preach the Messiah ^{c8:5 Or Christ} to the people. ^{d8:5 Lit. to them}ISV — Acts 8:5

6 The crowds, hearing his message ^{e8:6 The Gk. lacks his message} and seeing the signs that he was doing, paid close attention to what was said by Philip.ISV — Acts 8:6

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.ISV — Acts 8:7

8 As a result, there was great rejoicing in that city.ISV — Acts 8:8

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.ISV — Acts 8:9

10 Everyone from the least to the greatest paid close attention to him, saying, “This is what we call ^{f8:10 Lit. This man is called} the great power of God!”ISV — Acts 8:10

11 They paid careful attention to him because he had thrilled them for a long time with his occult performances.ISV — Acts 8:11

12 But when Philip proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and about the name of Jesus the Messiah, ^{g8:12 Or Christ} men and women believed and were baptized.ISV — Acts 8:12

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.ISV — Acts 8:13

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaritans had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.ISV — Acts 8:14

15 They went down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.ISV — Acts 8:15

16 Before this, he had not come on any of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.ISV — Acts 8:16

17 Then Peter and John ^{h8:17 Lit. Then they} laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.ISV — Acts 8:17

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them moneyISV — Acts 8:18

19 and said, “Give me this power too, so that when I lay my hands on someone, he will receive the Holy Spirit.”ISV — Acts 8:19

20 But Peter told him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s free gift with money!ISV — Acts 8:20

21 You have no part or share in what we’re saying, because your heart isn’t right with God.ISV — Acts 8:21

22 So repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, your heart’s intent may be forgiven you.ISV — Acts 8:22

23 For I see that you’re being poisoned by bitterness and you’re a prisoner of wickedness!”ISV — Acts 8:23

24 Simon answered, “Both of you pray ^{i8:24 Lit. Pray (pl.)} to the Lord for me that none of the things you have said will happen to me.”ISV — Acts 8:24

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.ISV — Acts 8:25

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.”ISV — Acts 8:26

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.ISV — Acts 8:27

28 Now he was returning home, seated in his chariot, and reading from the prophet Isaiah.ISV — Acts 8:28

29 The Spirit told Philip, “Approach that chariot and stay near it.”ISV — Acts 8:29

30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah out loud. Philip ^{j8:30 Lit. He} asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”ISV — Acts 8:30

31 The man ^{k8:31 Lit. He} replied, “How can I unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to get in and sit with him.ISV — Acts 8:31

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.ISV — Acts 8:32

33 In his humiliation, justice was denied him. Who can describe his descendants? ^{l8:33 Or generation} For his life is taken away from the earth.” ^{m8:33 Cf. Isa 53:7-8 (LXX)}ISV — Acts 8:33

34 The eunuch asked Philip, “I ask you, who is the prophet talking about? Himself? Or someone else?”ISV — Acts 8:34

35 Then Philip began to speak, and, starting from this Scripture, he told him the good news about Jesus.ISV — Acts 8:35

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?” ^{n8:36 Other mss. read Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” He replied, “I believe that Jesus the Messiah is the Son of God.”}ISV — Acts 8:36

37 ISV — Acts 8:37

38 So he ordered the chariot to stop, and Philip and the eunuch both went down into the water, and Philip ^{o8:38 Lit. he} baptized him.ISV — Acts 8:38

39 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 ^{p8:39 Lit. him} again.ISV — Acts 8:39

40 But Philip found himself at Azotus. As he was passing through that region, ^{q8:40 The Gk. lacks the region} he kept proclaiming the good news in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.ISV — Acts 8:40