1 But Saul was consenting to his execution {anairesei: judicial killing}, and on that day a great persecution arose against the church {ekklēsia: called-out gathering} in Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria except the apostles.
2 But devout men {eulabeis: reverent worshipers} carried away Stephen and made great lamentation {kopetos: public mourning} over him.
3 But Saul was ravaging the church {ekklēsia: called-out gathering}; entering house after house, he dragged away men and women and was delivering them into prison {phulake: holding place}.
4 Therefore those who had been scattered{diasparentes: widely dispersed} went about proclaiming the word{logos: authoritative message} as good news.
5 But Philip {Philippos: gospel herald}, having gone down into the city of Samaria, was proclaiming to them the Christ {Christos, Promised Messiah}.
6 But the crowds, with one accord {homothymadon: united in mind}, were giving attention to the things being spoken {legomenois: proclaimed message} by Philip as they were hearing and seeing the signs he was performing.
7 For unclean spirits {pneumata: personal beings}, crying out with a loud voice, were coming out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed {etherapeuthesan: made well}.
8 And there was great joy {chara: exceeding gladness} in that city {polei: urban center}.
9 But a certain man by the name of Simon had previously been in the city, practicing magic {mageuōn: occult practices} and astounding the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was someone great {megan: highly distinguished}.
10 To him all, from the least to the greatest, were giving heed, saying, “This man is the power {dynamis: extraordinary might} of God {Theos, True Source of Power} that is called Great.”
11 And they were paying attention to him because for a long time {ikano: considerable duration} he had amazed them with his magic arts {mageiais: occult practices}.
12 But when they believed Philip as he was preaching the good news about the kingdom of God {Theos, Sovereign Ruler} and the name of Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Anointed Savior}, they were baptized, both men {andres: adult males} and women.
13 But Simon himself also believed, and having been baptized {baptistheis: immersed in water}, he was continuing with Philip. As he observed the signs and great powers that were taking place, he was amazed {existato: overwhelmed with wonder}.
14 When the apostles who were in Jerusalem heard that Samaria {Samareia: formerly excluded region} had accepted the word of God {Theos, Gospel Source}, they sent Peter and John to them.
15 Who, having come down, prayed {proseuxanto: made earnest petition} concerning them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Promised Empowerer}.
16 For He {Pneuma, Awaited Gift} had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus {Kyrios Iesous, Baptismal Lord}.
17 Then they laid their hands {kheiras: symbolic commissioning} upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Bestowed Presence}.
18 But Simon, having seen that the Spirit {pneuma, Bestowed Holy Power} was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, offered them money {chremata: physical wealth}.
19 Saying, “Give also to me this authority {exousia: delegated power}, so that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit {pneuma hagion, Empowering Presence}.”
20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver be with you for destruction {apoleia: utter ruin}, because you thought the gift of God {Theos, Sovereign Bestower} could be obtained by means of money.”
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not upright {eutheia: morally straight} before God {Theos, Righteous Heart Judge}.
22 Therefore repent from this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord {Kyrios, Judge Who Pardons}, if perhaps the intent {epinoia: deliberate resolve} of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see you being in the gall of bitterness {pikrias: deep resentment} and in the bond {syndesmon: enslaving control} of iniquity.
24 But Simon answered and said, “You pray on my behalf to the Lord {Kyrios, Merciful Judge}, so that nothing of what you have spoken {eirēkate: declared as fact} may come upon me.”
25 So then, after they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord {Kyrios, Exalted Messiah}, they were returning to Jerusalem, and they were proclaiming the good news in many villages of the Samaritans {Samariton: people of Samaria}.
26 But an angel of the Lord {Kyrios, Sovereign Guide} spoke to Philip, saying, “Rise and go toward the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza; this is a desert {eremos: wilderness region}.”
27 And he arose and went; and behold, a man—an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a high official {dynastēs: powerful ruler} of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians—who was in charge of all her treasure {gazē: royal treasury}, had come to Jerusalem to worship.
28 And he was returning {hypostrephon: going back} and sitting upon his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah {Esaias: prophetic author}.
29 And the Spirit {pneuma, Divine Commander} said to Philip, “Go near and join yourself to this chariot {harmati: horse-drawn carriage}.”
30 And as Philip {Philippos: Gospel Servant} ran up, he heard him reading aloud the prophet Isaiah, and he said, “Then, do you understand what you are reading {anaginosko: public Scripture reading}?”
31 But he said, “How indeed could I {dunaimen: have real ability}, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip {Philippos: invited guide} to come up and sit with him.
32 Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He {Christos, Silent Sufferer} was led like a sheep to slaughter {sphage: sacrificial death}, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He does not open His mouth.”
33 In his humiliation, his judgment {krisis: legal decision} was taken away; who will declare his generation? For his life {zoe: living existence} is taken from the earth.
34 And having answered, the eunuch said to Philip, “I beg you, about whom does the prophet {prophetes: inspired spokesman} say this—about himself, or about someone else {heteros: a different person}?”
35 Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning from this scripture, he proclaimed the good news about Jesus {Iesous, Promised Messiah} to him {auto: Ethiopian official}.
36 And as they were traveling along the road, they came upon some water {hydor: suitable for baptism}, and the eunuch {eunouchos: royal official} said, “See, water! What is preventing me from being baptized?”
37 {Some later manuscripts add:} And Philip said, “If you believe from your whole heart, it is permitted.” And answering, he said, “I believe that Jesus Christ {Iesous Christos, Promised Messiah} is the Son of God {Huios tou Theou, God’s Son}.”
38 And he commanded the chariot {harma: horse-drawn carriage} to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch {eunouchos: trusted court servant}, and he baptized him.
39 When they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord {pneuma kyriou, Sovereign Relocating Power} snatched Philip away, and the eunuch {eunouchos: royal official} saw him no longer, for he went on his way rejoicing.
40 But Philip {Philippos: Gospel Carrier} was found at Azotus, and as he passed through, he proclaimed the good news to all the cities until he came to Caesarea {Kaisareia: Roman administrative center}.