Acts 1

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

In my previous writings, dear Theophilus, I've shared everything about Jesus's actions and teachings.

Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

Until the day he ascended, he passionately guided his chosen apostles through the divine spirit.

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

He proved He was alive after His suffering with undeniable evidence. For forty days, they saw Him and heard Him speak about God's kingdom.

And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Gathered together, he urged them not to leave Jerusalem. Instead, they should patiently wait for the Father's promise, which he had previously mentioned to them.

For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Indeed, John baptized with water, but soon, you will be immersed in the divine spirit.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Gathered together, they anxiously asked him, "Lord, is it now time to bring back the kingdom to Israel?"

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

He gently told them, "You're not meant to understand the timing or changes that God alone controls."

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Once the Holy Spirit touches your heart, you'll be filled with a divine strength. You'll then become my voice, spreading my message not just in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, but to every corner of the world.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

As he shared his final words, they watched in awe. Suddenly, he ascended, disappearing into a welcoming cloud, out of their sight.

And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

As they gazed intently into the heavens, watching him ascend, suddenly, two men in white appeared beside them.

Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

"Why are you, men of Galilee, staring into the sky? The same Jesus who ascended to heaven will return just as you saw him leave."

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

They journeyed back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance easily covered in a day's Sabbath walk.

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

Once they arrived, they went up to the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (Alphaeus' son), Simon Zelotes, and Judas (James' brother).

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Together, they all passionately prayed and pleaded, united in spirit. This included the women, Mary - Jesus's mother, and his siblings.

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

During that time, Peter courageously rose among his fellow disciples. He spoke, surrounded by roughly 120 believers.

Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

Dear friends, it was necessary for the prophecy spoken by David, through the Holy Spirit, about Judas leading those who arrested Jesus, to come true.

For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

He was one of us, sharing in our sacred duties.

Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

This man bought a piece of land with his ill-gotten gains. There he fell face-first, his body burst open in the middle, and his insides spilled out.

And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

Everyone in Jerusalem knew about it; they even named the field Aceldama, or 'Field of Blood'.

For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

The Psalms declare, "May his home become empty, with no one living there; may someone else take over his leadership role."

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Thus, from those who have journeyed with us throughout the time that Lord Jesus was living and moving among us,

Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

From the moment John baptized Jesus, until the day He ascended to heaven, someone needs to be chosen to testify with us about His resurrection.

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

They chose two men, Joseph, also known as Barsabas or Justus, and Matthias.

And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

They prayed earnestly, "Lord, you who understand everyone's heart, please reveal which of these two you have selected."

That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

May he take up this sacred duty and role as apostle, which Judas abandoned through his wrongdoing to go to the place that was his own.

And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

They cast lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. He joined the ranks of the eleven apostles, completing their circle.