Weymouth New Testament in Modern Speech: Acts | Page 6

of the towns in the neighbourhood of Jerusalem came in crowds, bringing sick persons and some who were harassed by foul spirits, and they were cured, one and all. 005:017 This roused the High Priest. He and all his party--the sect of the Sadducees--were filled with angry jealousy 005:018 and laid hands upon the Apostles, and put them into the public jail. 005:019 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 005:020 "Go and stand in the Temple, and go on proclaiming to the people all this Message of Life." 005:021 Having received that command they went into the Temple, just before daybreak, and began to teach: So when the High Priest and his party came, and had called together the Sanhedrin as well as all the Elders of the descendants of Israel, they sent to the jail to fetch the Apostles. 005:022 But the officers went and could not find them in the prison. So they came back and brought word, 005:023 saying, "The jail we found quite safely locked, and the warders were on guard at the doors, but upon going in we found no one there." 005:024 When the Commander of the Temple Guards and the High Priests heard this statement, they were utterly at a loss with regard to it, wondering what would happen next. 005:025 And some one came and brought them word, saying, "The men you put in prison are actually in the Temple, standing there, teaching the people." 005:026 Upon this the Commander went with the officers, and brought the Apostles; but without using violence; for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. 005:027 So they brought them and made them stand in front of the Sanhedrin. And then the High Priest questioned them. 005:028 "We strictly forbad you to teach in that name--did we not?" he said. "And see, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and are trying to make us responsible for that man's death!" 005:029 Peter and the other Apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than man. 005:030 The God of our forefathers has raised Jesus to life, whom you crucified and put to death. 005:031 God has exalted Him to His right hand as Chief Leader and as Saviour, to give Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. 005:032 And we--and the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him-- are witnesses as to these things." 005:033 Infuriated at getting this answer, they were disposed to kill the Apostles. 005:034 But a Pharisee of the name of Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, held in honour by all the people, rose from his seat and requested that they should be sent outside the court for a few minutes. 005:035 "Israelites," he said, "be careful what you are about to do in dealing with these men. 005:036 Years ago Theudas appeared, professing to be a person of importance, and a body of men, some four hundred in number, joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and annihilated. 005:037 After him, at the time of the Census, came Judas, the Galilaean, and was the leader in a revolt. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered. 005:038 And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing. 005:039 But if it is really from God, you will be powerless to put them down--lest perhaps you find yourselves to be actually fighting against God." 005:040 His advice carried conviction. So they called the Apostles in, and-- after flogging them--ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and then let them go. 005:041 They, therefore, left the Sanhedrin and went their way, rejoicing that they had been deemed worthy to suffer disgrace on behalf of the NAME. 005:042 But they did not desist from teaching every day, in the Temple or in private houses, and telling the Good News about Jesus, the Christ. 006:001 About this time, as the number of disciples was increasing, complaints were made by the Greek-speaking Jews against the Hebrews because their widows were habitually overlooked in the daily ministration. 006:002 So the Twelve called together the general body of the disciples and said, "It does not seem fitting that we Apostles should neglect the delivery of God's Message and minister at tables. 006:003 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, and we will appoint them to undertake this duty. 006:004 But, as for us, we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the delivery of the Message." 006:005 The suggestion met with general