4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. |
5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ1 8:5 Or Messiah there. |
6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. |
7 With shrieks, evil2 8:7 Greek unclean spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. |
8 So there was great joy in that city. |
9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, |
10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." |
11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. |
12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. |
13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. |
14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. |
15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, |
16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into3 8:16 Or in the name of the Lord Jesus. |
17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. |
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money |
19 and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." |
20 Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! |
21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. |
22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. |
23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." |
24 Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me." |
25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages. |
