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when they said to Aaron: Make us gods who may go before us; because, as for this Moses who brought us from the land of Egypt, we know not what hath become of him.

And when the people who were there heard his discourse, they gave ear to him, and acquiesced in all that he said; because they saw the signs which he wrought.

And they acquiesced in him, because for a long time he had astonished them by his sorceries.

Simon Cephas said to him: Thy money go with thee to perdition ! because thou hast supposed, that the gift of God may be purchased by a worldly substance.

Thou hast no part nor lot in this faith; because thy heart is not right before God.

span data-lang="eng" data-trans="jmt" data-ref="act.8.1" class="versetxt"> And Saul was consenting and participating in his death. And there was, in that day, a great persecution against the church that was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed, except the legates, among the villages of Judaea and likewise among the Samaritans. And believing men gathered up and buried Stephen. And they lamented over him greatly. And Saul persecuted the church of God, entering houses, and dragging forth men and women and committing them to prison. And they who were dispersed, travelled about and preached the word of God. And Philip went down to a city of the Samaritans, and preached concerning the Messiah. And when the people who were there heard his discourse, they gave ear to him, and acquiesced in all that he said; because they saw the signs which he wrought. For many who were possessed by unclean spirits, cried with a loud voice, and came out of them: and others, who were paralytic and lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. And there was a certain man there, whose name was Simon, who had resided in that city a long time, and who seduced the people of the Samaritans by his sorceries, magnifying himself, and saying, I am a great personage. And they all inclined towards him, great and small; and they said, This is the mighty power of God. And they acquiesced in him, because for a long time he had astonished them by his sorceries. But when they gave credence to Philip, as he preached the kingdom of God, in the name of our Lord Jesus Messiah; they were baptized, both men and women. And Simon himself also believed, and was baptized, and adhered to Philip. And when he saw the signs and mighty deeds which were wrought by his hand, he was surprised and astonished. And when the legates at Jerusalem, heard that the people of the Samaritans had received the word of God, they sent out to them Simon Cephas and John. And they went down, and prayed over them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For he was not yet on any one of them; and they had only been baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus. Then they laid the hand on them; and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of a hand of the legates, the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying: Give me also this prerogative, that he on whom I impose a hand, may receive the Holy Spirit. Simon Cephas said to him: Thy money go with thee to perdition ! because thou hast supposed, that the gift of God may be purchased by a worldly substance. Thou hast no part nor lot in this faith; because thy heart is not right before God. Nevertheless, repent of this thy wickedness, and entreat of God, if perhaps the guile of thy heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the bitter gall and in the bonds of iniquity. Simon answered and said: Intercede ye with God for me, that nothing of which ye have mentioned may come upon me. And Simon and John, when they had testified, and had taught them the word of God, returned to Jerusalem. And they had preached in many villages of the Samaritans. And the angel of the Lord spake with Philip, and said to him: Arise, go to the south, along the desert way that leadeth down from Jerusalem to Gaza. And he arose and went. And there met him a eunuch, who had come from Cush, an officer of Candace, queen of the Cushites, who had charge of all her treasure; and he had come to worship at Jerusalem. And as he turned to go, he was sitting in his chariot, and was reading in Isaiah the prophet. And the Holy Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to the chariot. And when he came near, he heard him reading in Isaiah the prophet; and he said to him: Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said: How can I understand, unless some one instruct me? And he requested of Philip, that he would come up and sit with him. And the section of scripture in which he was reading, was this: As a lamb to the slaughter he was led away, and as a sheep before the shearer is silent, so also he in his humility opened not his mouth. From prison and from judgment he was carried: and his generation, who will declare? for his life is taken away from the earth. And the eunuch said to Philip: I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other person? Then Philip opened his mouth and, from that scripture, began to preach to him concerning our Lord Jesus. And as they proceeded on the way, they came to a certain place in which there was water. And the eunuch said: Lo, [fn] water; what doth forbid, that I should be baptized?

concerning Jesus, who was of Nazareth, whom God anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. And he it was, who went about and healed those that were suffering from evil, because God was with him.

And when he had considered, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark; because many brethren were assembled there and praying.

And because he was angry against the Tyrians and Sidonians, they assembled and came to him in a body; and having persuaded Blastus, the king's chamberlain, they begged of him that they might have peace; because the supplies of their country were derived from the kingdom of Herod.

And, because he gave not the glory to God, immediately the angel of God smote him; and he was eaten of worms, and died.

And this sorcerer, Bar-Suma, (whose name is interpreted, Elymas,) withstood them; because he wished to divert the proconsul from the faith.

And Paul and Barnabas said openly: To you first, ought the word of God to be spoken; but because ye repel it from you, and decide, against yourselves, that ye are not worthy of life eternal, lo, we turn ourselves to the Gentiles.

And they named Barnabas the Lord of the Gods; and Paul Hermes, because he commenced the speaking.

And thence they proceeded by sea, and came to Antioch; because from there they had been commended to the grace of the Lord, for that work which they had accomplished.

And Paul and Barnabas had much trouble and disputation with them. And it resulted, that Paul and Barnabas, and others with them, went up to the legates and Elders at Jerusalem, because of this matter.

And he made no distinction between them and us; because he purified their hearts by faith.

And with abundant discourse they strengthened the brethren; and the associates of Jude and Silas established them, because they also were prophets.

But Paul was not willing to take him with them; because he left them when they were in Pamphylia, and went not with them.

Him Paul was disposed to take with him: and he took him, and circumcised him, because of the Jews that were in that region; for they all knew that his father was a Gentile.

And when Paul had seen this vision, immediately we were desirous to depart for Macedonia; because we inferred, that our Lord called us to preach to them.