1 In my earlier written account {logon: detailed written report}, O Theophilus, I covered everything that Jesus {Iesous, Subject of this Account} set out to do and to teach.
2 This continued until the day He {Iesous, Exalted Lord} was taken up, after giving directions to the apostles through the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion: Divine Empowerment} — the men He had chosen.
3 To them He also made Himself known alive after He suffered, through many convincing proofs {tekmēriois: decisive evidence}, and for forty days He appeared to them, speaking about matters concerning the kingdom of God {Theos, Divine Sovereign King}.
4 While He was with them, He ordered them not to leave Jerusalem {Hierosolymon: holy city}, but to remain there and wait for the promise of the Father {pater: Faithful Promiser}, which you heard from Me.
5 John {Ioannes: prophetic baptizer} baptized in water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Promised Empowerer} before many days have passed.
6 So when they had gathered, they kept questioning Him, “Lord {Kyrie, Sovereign Ruler}, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time {chronos: appointed period}?”
7 He said to them, “Knowing the times or seasons is not for you; the Father {pater, Sovereign Timekeeper} has placed them under His own authority {exousia: supreme governing right}.”
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit {Pneuma Hagion, Mission Empowerer} comes upon you, and you will be witnesses {martyres: those who testify} for Me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the ends of the earth.
9 After He {Iesous, Exalted Messiah} said these things, while they were watching {bleponton: attentively observing}, He was lifted up, and a cloud carried Him away from their sight.
10 And as they gazed intently into heaven while He {Iesous, Ascending Lord} was going, two men suddenly stood beside them wearing white robes {esthēsesi: white garments}.
11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you remain standing, looking {blepontes: intently watching} into heaven? This Jesus {Iesous, Ascended Returning One}, taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw Him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill known as the Mount of Olives {Elainos: eastern ridge}, which is near Jerusalem, about a Sabbath-day’s journey {sabbatou hodon: traditional Sabbath distance} away.
13 When they entered, they went up into the upper room {hyperoon: upstairs chamber} where they were staying, with Peter {Petros: foundational witness}, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14 All of these were continuing with one accord, persistently devoted to prayer {proseuche: petition to God}, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus {Iesous, Incarnate Son}, and with His brothers.
15 And in those days Peter {Petros: Leading Apostle} stood up in the midst of the brothers and said (the names {onomaton: Enrolled Persons} numbered about one hundred twenty).
16 Men, brothers, it was necessary for the Scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Prophetic Speaker} foretold through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus {Iesous, Foretold Messiah}.
17 For he was numbered {katerithmenos: officially counted} among us and was allotted a share in this ministry {diakonia: service responsibility}.
18 Now this man acquired a field {chorion: field plot} from the reward of unrighteousness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle, and all his entrails {splangchna: vital organs} were poured out.
19 It became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that field was called in their own language Akeldama {Hakeldamach: Aramaic field-name}, that is, Field of Blood {haima: bloodshed symbol}.
20 For it stands written in the book of Psalms, “Let his habitation {epaulis: dwelling place} become desolate, and let there not be one dwelling in it,” and, “Let another take his oversight {episkopen: leadership office}.”
21 Therefore it is necessary that from among the men {andron: mature male witnesses} who were with us the whole time the Lord Jesus {Kyrios Iesous, Present With Disciples} moved in and out among us,
22 Starting from the baptism of John until the day He {Iesous, Ascended Lord} was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness {martyra: personal testimony bearer} with us of His resurrection.
23 So they presented two: Joseph, the one called Barsabbas {Barsabbas: family clan name}, who was also known as Justus {Ioustos: just, upright}, and Matthias.
24 After they prayed, they said, “You, Lord {Kyrie, Discerning Ruler}, knower of all hearts {kardiognosta: heart examiner}, reveal which one of these two You have chosen.”
25 To take the place of this ministry {diakonia: service office} and apostleship, from which Judas {Ioudas: betraying disciple} turned aside, to go to his own place.
26 Then they cast lots {kleros: sacred selection} for them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted together with the eleven apostles {apostoloi: commissioned messengers}.