Acts 5

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Ananias, alongside his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of their property.

And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

They secretly held back some of the money, his wife in on the scheme. They only gave a portion, placing it humbly before the apostles.

But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Peter asked Ananias, "Why have you let Satan fill your heart, so that you lied to the Holy Spirit and held back some of the land's profit?"

Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

When it was yours, didn't you have full control over it? Even after selling it, wasn't the power still in your hands? Why did you let such a thought grow in your heart? You didn't just lie to people, but to God Himself.

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Upon hearing these words, Ananias collapsed, his life slipping away. A wave of dread swept over everyone who heard of this.

And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

The young men, filled with solemn respect, gently wrapped him up. They carried him away, their hearts heavy, and laid him to rest in his final peaceful place.

And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

Three hours later, his wife walked in, oblivious to what had transpired.

And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Peter asked her with a serious tone, "Did you sell the land for this price?" She replied affirmatively, "Yes, that's the price we sold it for."

Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Peter asked her, his voice filled with disbelief, "Why did you conspire to test God's Spirit? The same people who just buried your husband are waiting to take you away too."

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

Overwhelmed, she collapsed at his feet, her life slipping away. The young men entered, discovered her lifeless body, and with heavy hearts, they carried her out to rest beside her beloved husband.

And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

The entire church and everyone who heard the news were deeply shaken with fear.

And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.

Through the apostles, numerous miracles touched the people, uniting them all in shared awe on Solomon's porch.

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

No one else dared to associate with them, yet they were greatly respected by the people.

And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

The Lord's following grew stronger, attracting countless men and women who believed in Him.

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

They carried the ill out into the streets, placing them on beds and sofas, hoping even the mere shadow of Peter passing by might bring them some relief.

There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

From surrounding cities, a crowd flocked to Jerusalem, burdened with illness and tormented by impure spirits. Yet, each one found healing and relief.

Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

The high priest stood up, surrounded by his followers, the Sadducees. They were all seething with anger.

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

They forcefully seized the apostles, their hearts heavy with fear, and threw them into the crowded, dismal prison.

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

In the quiet darkness, the Lord's angel miraculously unlocked the prison doors. Guiding them out, he softly spoke,

Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

Rise, take your place in the sacred temple, and tell the people the whole message of this new life.

And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Upon hearing the news, they rushed to the temple at dawn to teach. However, the high priest and his followers convened a meeting with the council and all the elders of Israel. They then ordered for the prisoners to be fetched.

But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

When the guards arrived and discovered the prison empty, they returned, overwhelmed with confusion and fear, to report the inexplicable situation.

Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

We found the prison securely locked, with guards dutifully stationed at the doors. Yet, when we unlocked it, to our surprise, it was empty.

Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

When the high priest, the temple captain, and the chief priests heard these news, they were filled with uncertainty and apprehension, wondering what it could all lead to.

Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

Suddenly, someone rushed in, breathless and wide-eyed, "The men you locked up? They're in the temple, fearlessly educating the crowd!"

Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

The leader and his men peacefully escorted them away, careful not to incite the crowd's anger, fearing they might be pelted with stones.

And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

Once they were brought forward, they stood before the council. The high priest, with a questioning gaze, began to speak to them.

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

Didn't we explicitly forbid you from preaching in his name? Yet, you've spread your teachings all over Jerusalem, trying to blame us for his death.

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Peter and his fellow apostles responded passionately, "Our loyalty lies with God, not with men."

The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

The God our ancestors worshipped brought Jesus back to life, the same Jesus you cruelly killed and hung on a cross.

Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

God has raised Him high, with His own hand, making Him both a Prince and a Savior. His purpose? To guide Israel towards remorse and offer them forgiveness for their sins.

And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

We stand as living proof of God's works, and so does the Holy Spirit, a divine gift bestowed upon those who follow His commands.

When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

Upon hearing this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.

Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

In the council, a respected Pharisee named Gamaliel, a scholar of the law, rose. He commanded that the apostles be given a moment of reprieve.

And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

He warned them, "People of Israel, be careful about your plans concerning these men."

For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

Before now, Theudas emerged, full of pride, claiming to be important. Around four hundred men followed him. But he was killed, and all his followers, those who had believed in him, were dispersed and left with nothing.

After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Then came Judas of Galilee, during the time of taxation, attracting many followers. But he met his end, and all who followed him scattered.

And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Now I tell you, stay away from these men, let them be. If their plans or actions are merely human, they'll surely fail.

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

If it's God's will, you can't stop it. Be careful not to oppose God unknowingly.

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

They unanimously decided to summon the apostles. After harshly punishing them, they sternly ordered them not to utter the name of Jesus before setting them free.

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

They left the council meeting, their hearts filled with joy, honored to endure humiliation for the sake of His name.

And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Every day, in every home and place of worship, they passionately and tirelessly shared the teachings of Jesus Christ.