4:1  As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them,

4:2   becoming greatly disturbed because they taught the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

4:3   And they laid hands on them and put them in jail until the next day, for it already become evening.

4:4   But many of those who had heard the message believed; and the number of the men came number about five thousand.

4:5   On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem;

4:6   and Annas the high priest lived there, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who belonged to high-priesthood.

4:7   When they had placed them in the center, they began to inquire, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"

4:8   Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, " Rulers and elders of the people,

4:9   if you try us today for a benefit done to a sick man, as to how this man has become well,

4:10  let us proclaim to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this name this man stands here before you in good health.

4:11   " He represents the STONE WHICH YOU HAD REJECTED, THE BUILDERS, but WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone.

4:12   "And there comes salvation in no one else; for no other name under heaven men can use by which we must receive salvation."

4:13  Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they appeared uneducated and untrained men, they felt amazed, and began to recognize them as accompanying Jesus.

4:14   And seeing the man who had received healing standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply.

4:15   But when they had ordered them to leave the Council, they began to confer with one another,

4:16  saying, " What shall we do with these men? For the fact that a noteworthy miracle has taken place through them becomes apparent to all who live in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

4:17  "But so that it will not spread any further among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name."

4:18   And when they had summoned them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

4:19   But Peter and John answered and said to them, " Whether it proves right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you judge for yourself;

4:20   for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."

4:21   When they had threatened them further, they let them go (finding no basis on which to punish them) on account of the people, because they all glorified God for what had happened;

4:22   for the man had reached more than forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had taken place.

4:23   When they had become released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

4:24  And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Lord, You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT LIVES IN THEM,

4:25   who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ' WHY DID THE GENTILES RAGE, AND THE PEOPLES DEVISE FUTILE THINGS?

4:26   ' THE KINGS OF THE EARTH TOOK THEIR STAND, AND THE RULERS GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST THE LORD AND AGAINST HIS CHRIST.'

4:27  "For truly in this city people gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,

4:28  to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.

4:29   "And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,

4:30   while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus."

4:31   And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together shook, and they all became filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

4:32  And the congregation of those who believed had one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him as his own, but all things they considered common property to them.

4:33   And with great power the apostles gave testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace came upon them all.

4:34   For not a needy person existed among them, for all who had owned land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales

4:35   and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would distribute to each as any had need.

4:36   Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who people also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),

4:37   and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.