Acts 5:38
 Acts 5:38 
New International Version (©2011)
Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.

New Living Translation (©2007)
"So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.

English Standard Version (©2001)
So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown;

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown;

International Standard Version (©2012)
"I'm telling you to keep away from these men for now. Leave them alone, because if this plan or movement is of human origin, it will fail.

NET Bible (©2006)
So in this case I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, because if this plan or this undertaking originates with people, it will come to nothing,

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
“And I say to you, separate yourselves from these men and leave them, for if this counsel and work is from men, they will dissolve and pass away.”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
"We should keep away from these men for now. We should leave them alone. I can guarantee that if the plan they put into action is of human origin, it will fail.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing:

American King James Version
And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing:

American Standard Version
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown:

Douay-Rheims Bible
And now, therefore, I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought;

Darby Bible Translation
And now I say to you, Withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work have its origin from men, it will be destroyed;

English Revised Version
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown:

Webster's Bible Translation
And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work is from men, it will come to naught:

Weymouth New Testament
And now I tell you to hold aloof from these men and leave them alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing.

World English Bible
Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.

Young's Literal Translation
and now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone, because if this counsel or this work may be of men, it will be overthrown,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:34-42 The Lord still has all hearts in his hands, and sometimes directs the prudence of the worldly wise, so as to restrain the persecutors. Common sense tells us to be cautious, while experience and observation show that the success of frauds in matters of religion has been very short. Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to his pattern, and serviceable to his interest. They rejoiced in it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enabled us so to do. The apostles did not preach themselves, but Christ. This was the preaching that most offended the priests. But it ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to preach Christ: Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified; nothing beside this, but what has reference to it. And whatever is our station or rank in life, we should seek to make Him known, and to glorify his name.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 38. - Be overthrown for come to nought, A.V.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And now I say unto you,.... This is the sum of my advice upon the observation of these and other instances:

refrain from these men, and let them alone; keep your hands off of them, do not attempt to take away their lives, but dismiss them quietly, nor go about to hinder them, in what they are concerned:

for if this counsel, or this work be of men; if the doctrine these men preach is an human device; or this business they are engaged in is only an human affair, projected by men, and carried on upon selfish principles, and worldly views, seeking only themselves, and their secular interests, and not the glory of God:

it will come to nought; as did the designs of Theudas and Judas.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

38. if … of men, it will come to naught—This neutral policy was true wisdom, in the then temper of the council. But individual neutrality is hostility to Christ, as He Himself teaches (Lu 11:23).


Acts 5:38 Parallel Commentaries

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Gamaliel's Counsel
37After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing: 39But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God. …

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
Mark 11:30 John's baptism--was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!"