Acts 8

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Saul agreed to his death. During this period, the church in Jerusalem faced intense hostility, causing its members to flee far and wide across Judea and Samaria, leaving only the apostles behind.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

Faithful friends bore Stephen to his final rest, their hearts heavy with profound grief.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Saul wreaked chaos on the church, invading homes and heartlessly imprisoning both men and women.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Thus, those who were dispersed journeyed far and wide, passionately spreading the word of God.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

Philip journeyed to the bustling city of Samaria, his heart filled with passion and purpose. There, he shared the loving message of Christ with the people.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

United in spirit, the people attentively listened to Philip's words, deeply moved by the miracles they witnessed.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

Evil spirits, screaming loudly, left the bodies of those they possessed. Many who were paralyzed or couldn't walk were miraculously cured.

And there was great joy in that city.

That city was bursting with pure, infectious happiness.

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

Once, in the city of Samaria, lived a man named Simon. He was known for his sorcery, casting spells that mesmerized the people. He boasted about his greatness, making himself appear more important than he truly was.

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

Everyone, from the humblest to the most esteemed, listened intently, declaring, "This man embodies God's immense strength."

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

They respected him, for he had long enchanted them with his magic.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

When they trusted Philip's words about God's kingdom and Jesus Christ, they were deeply moved and chose to be baptized, regardless of their gender.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Simon too found faith, and after his baptism, he stayed close to Philip. He was in awe, witnessing the miracles and signs performed.

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

When the apostles in Jerusalem learned that Samaria had embraced God's message, they joyfully sent Peter and John to them.

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

Upon their arrival, they passionately prayed for others, hoping they would be blessed with the divine presence of the Holy Spirit.

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Though they had been baptized in the name of Lord Jesus, they had not yet experienced His divine touch.

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

They gently touched them, and they felt the divine presence of the Holy Spirit.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

When Simon witnessed the apostles bestowing the Holy Spirit through a touch, he was so moved that he tried to buy this divine gift with money.

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Please, grant me this ability too, that anyone I touch may feel the divine presence of the Holy Spirit.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Peter told him firmly, "May your money perish with you! You thought you could buy God's gift with it."

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

You have no stake in this issue, because your intentions aren't pure in God's eyes.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

Let go of your wrongdoings, ask God for forgiveness, and perhaps, your innermost thoughts may be pardoned.

For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

I sense that you're consumed by bitterness and trapped in wrongdoing.

Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Simon responded, pleading, "Please, pray to God for me, that none of the terrible things you've mentioned will happen to me."

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

After passionately sharing and proclaiming God's word, they journeyed back to Jerusalem. Along the way, they spread the good news of the gospel in numerous Samaritan villages.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

The Lord's messenger passionately urged Philip, "Get up, journey south from Jerusalem to Gaza, through the barren desert."

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

He stood up and left, encountering an influential Ethiopian eunuch, a trusted treasurer to Queen Candace. This man, on a spiritual journey, had traveled all the way to Jerusalem to express his devotion.

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

He was coming back, sitting in his carriage, deeply engrossed in the words of the prophet Esaias.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

The Spirit gently urged Philip, "Come closer, and connect with this chariot."

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

Philip hurried over to him, hearing him read from the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you comprehend what you're reading?"

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

He asked, "How can I understand without someone to teach me?" He then invited Philip to join and guide him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

The scripture he read described a scene where he was guided towards his end, just like a sheep being led to its slaughter. He was silent and accepting, like a lamb that doesn't protest before its shearer.

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

In his suffering, he was denied justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was abruptly ended.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

The eunuch turned to Philip, his voice filled with curiosity and confusion, "Please, can you tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Is it himself or someone else?"

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

With a deep breath, Philip began to speak, his words rooted in the same scripture, passionately sharing the story of Jesus with him.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

As they journeyed, they stumbled upon a body of water. The eunuch, filled with anticipation, pointed out, "Look, water is right here! What's stopping me from being baptized?"

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Philip asked, "Do you truly believe with all your heart?" The response was heartfelt, "Yes, I believe that Jesus Christ is God's Son."

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

He ordered the carriage to halt. Together, Philip and the eunuch descended into the water, where Philip lovingly performed the baptism.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

As they emerged from the water, the Lord's Spirit whisked Philip away, out of the eunuch's sight. Left alone, the eunuch continued his journey, his heart brimming with joy.

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Philip was discovered in Azotus. As he journeyed, he passionately spread the word of God in every city he passed, until he finally reached Caesarea.