Chapter 8

 

1    And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles. 

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2    And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral, and made great mourning over him. 

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3    But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison. 

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4    They therefore that were dispersed, went about preaching the word of God. 

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5    And Philip going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them. 

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6    And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did. 

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7    For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out. 

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8    And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed. 

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9    There was therefore great joy in that city.  Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one: 

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10   To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying:  This man is the power of God, which is called great.

 

11   And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices. 

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

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13   Then Simon himself believed also; and being baptized, he adhered to Philip.  And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done. 

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14   Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. 

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15   Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 

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16   For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

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

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18   And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 

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19   Saying:  Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.  But Peter said to him: 

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20   Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 

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21   Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter.  For thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 

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22   Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. 

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23   For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity. 

these things which you have spoken may come upon me. 

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25   And they indeed having testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many countries of the Samaritans. 

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26   Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying:  Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza:  this is desert. 

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27   And rising up, he went.  And behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore. 

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28   And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet. 

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29   And the Spirit said to Philip:  Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 

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30   And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias.  And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? 

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31   Who said:  And how can I, unless some man shew me?  And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. 

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32   And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this:  He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth. 

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33   In humility his judgment was taken away.  His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth? 

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34   And the eunuch answering Philip, said:  I beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this?  of himself, or of some other man? 

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35   Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.

 

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

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37   And Philip said:  If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest.  And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 

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

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

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