The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 724

Acts Chapter 3

The miracle upon the lame man, followed by the conversion of many.

3:1. Now Peter and John went up into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer.

3:2. And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried: whom they laid every day at the gate of the temple, which is called Beautiful, that he might ask alms of them that went into the temple.

3:3. He, when he had seen Peter and John, about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms.

3:4. But Peter with John, fastening his eyes upon him, said: Look upon us.

3:5. But he looked earnestly upon them, hoping that he should receive something of them.

3:6. But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.

3:7. And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up: and forthwith his feet and soles received strength.

3:8. And he leaping up, stood and walked and went in with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising G.o.d.

3:9. And all the people saw him walking and praising G.o.d.

3:10. And they knew him, that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

3:11. And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to them, to the porch which is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

3:12. But Peter seeing, made answer to the people: Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at this? Or why look you upon us, as if by our strength or power we had made this man to walk?

3:13. The G.o.d of Abraham and the G.o.d of Isaac and the G.o.d of Jacob, the G.o.d of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he should be released.

3:14. But you denied the Holy One and the Just: and desired a murderer to be granted unto you.

3:15. But the author of life you killed, whom G.o.d hath raised from the dead: of which we are witnesses.

3:16. And in the faith of his name, this man, whom you have seen and known, hath his name strengthened. And the faith which is by him hath given this perfect soundness in the sight of you all.

3:17. And now, brethren, I know that you did it through ignorance: as did also your rulers.

3:18. But those things which G.o.d before had shewed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

3:19. Be penitent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.

3:20. That when the times of refreshment shall come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send him who hath been preached unto you, Jesus Christ.

3:21. Whom heaven indeed must receive, until the times of the rest.i.tution of all things, which G.o.d hath spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets, from the beginning of the world.

3:22. For Moses said: A prophet shall the Lord your G.o.d raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me: him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.

3:23. And it shall be, that every soul which will not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.

3:24. And all the prophets, from Samuel and afterwards, who have spoken, have told of these days.

3:25. You are the children of the prophets and of the testament which G.o.d made to our fathers, saying to Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

3:26. To you first, G.o.d, raising up his Son, hath sent him to bless you: that every one may convert himself from his wickedness.

Acts Chapter 4

Peter and John are apprehended. Their constancy. The church is increased.

4:1. And as they were speaking to the people the priests and the officer of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

4:2. Being grieved that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead:

4:3. And they laid hands upon them and put them in hold till the next day: for it was now evening.

4:4. But many of them who had heard the word believed: and the number of the men was made five thousand.

4:5. And it came to pa.s.s on the morrow, that their princes and ancients and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem.

4:6. And Annas the high priest and Caiphas and John and Alexander: and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest.

4:7. And setting them in the midst, they asked: By what power or by what name, have you done this?

4:8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them: Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear.

4:9. If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole:

4:10. Be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom G.o.d hath raised from the dead, even by him, this man standeth here before you, whole.

4:11. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner.

4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved.

4:13. Now seeing the constancy of Peter and of John, understanding that they were illiterate and ignorant men, they wondered: and they knew them that they had been with Jesus.

4:14. Seeing the man also who had been healed, standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

4:15. But they commanded them to go aside out of the council: and they conferred among themselves,

4:16. Saying: What shall we do to these men? For indeed a miracle hath been done by them, known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It is manifest: and we cannot deny it.

4:17. But that it may be no farther spread among the people, let us threaten them that they speak no more in this name to any man.

4:18. And calling them, they charged them not to speak at all, nor teach in the name of Jesus.

4:19. But Peter and John answering, said to them: If it be just, in the sight of G.o.d, to hear you rather than G.o.d, judge ye.