Acts 8 — The word spreads to Samaria; Philip and the Ethiopian — Greek text and reception

Greek–English Translation

Saul approved of his killing. That day a great persecution arose against the Church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.

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Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

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But Saul was ravaging the Church, entering house after house, dragging away both men and women, and handing them over to prison.

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Those who were scattered went about proclaiming the word as good news.

Greek–English Translation

Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them.

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The crowds paid attention together to what Philip said, as they heard and saw the signs he was doing.

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For unclean spirits came out of many who had them, crying with a loud voice, and many who were paralyzed or unable to walk were healed.

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There was great joy in that city.

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A man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he himself was someone great.

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Everyone, from small to great, paid attention to him, saying, “This man is the Power of God that is called Great.”

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They paid attention to him because he had astonished them with his magical practices for a long time.

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But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

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Simon himself also believed, and after being baptized he stayed close to Philip. Seeing signs and great works of power taking place, he was astonished.

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When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

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They went down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit,

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for He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

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Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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When Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

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saying, “Give me this authority too, so that anyone upon whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

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Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire God’s gift with money!

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You have neither part nor allotted share in this matter, for your heart is not upright before God.

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Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and plead with the Lord that perhaps the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

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For I see that you are in bitter gall and a bond of unrighteousness.”

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Simon answered, “You yourselves plead with the Lord for me, so that none of the things you have spoken may come upon me.”

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After bearing solemn witness and speaking the word of the Lord, they returned toward Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news in many Samaritan villages.

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An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Rise and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert road.

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He rose and went. And look—an Ethiopian man, a eunuch and an official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasury, had come to Jerusalem to worship.

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He was returning, seated in his chariot, and reading the prophet Isaiah.

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The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and join this chariot.”

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Philip ran up, heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

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He said, “How could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

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The passage of Scripture he was reading was this: “Like a sheep He was led to slaughter, and as a lamb is silent before its shearer, so He does not open His mouth.

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In His humiliation His judgment was taken away. Who will recount His generation? For His life is taken from the earth.”

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The eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this—about himself or about someone else?”

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Philip opened his mouth and, beginning from this Scripture, proclaimed to him the good news of Jesus.

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As they went along the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look, water! What prevents me from being baptized?”

Greek–English Translation

[Editorial absence notice: SBLGNT has no main-text wording at conventional Acts 8:37.]

Greek–English Translation

He ordered the chariot to stop. Both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

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When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

Greek–English Translation

Philip was found at Azotus, and as he passed through, he proclaimed the good news in all the towns until he came to Caesarea.