1In my first treatise (Dear friend Theophilus) I have written of all that Iesus began to do and teach, 2until the day in the which he was taken up, after that he thorow the holy ghost, had given commandments unto the Apostles, which he chose: 3to whom also he shewed himself alive, after his passion by many tokens, appearing unto them forty days, and spake of the kingdom of God, 4and gathered them together, and commanded them, that they should not depart from Ierusalem: but to wait for the promise of the father, whereof ye have heard of me. 5For Ihon baptised with water but ye shall be baptised with the holy ghost, and that within this few days.

6When they were come together, they asked of him, saying: Master wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israhel? 7He said unto them: It is not for you to know the times, or the seasons which the father hath put in his own power: 8but ye shall receive power of the holy ghost which shall come on you. And ye shall be witnesses unto me in Ierusalem, and in all iewery, and in Samary, and even unto the world's end.

9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld he was taken up, and a cloud received him up out of their sight. 10And as they fastened their eyes in heaven, as he went, lo two men stood by them in white clothing, 11which also said: ye men of Galile, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Iesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, even as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12Then returned they unto Ierusalem from mount Olivete, which is nye to Ierusalem, containing a saboth day's journey. 13And when they were come in, they went up into a parlour, where abode both Peter and Iames, Ihon and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartlemew and Matthew, Iames the son of Alpheus, and Simon Zelotes, and Iudas Iames' son. 14These all continued with one accord, in prayer, and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Iesu. And with his brethren.

15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples and said (The number of names were about an hundred and twenty) 16Ye men and brethren, this scripture must needs be fulfilled which the holy ghost thorow the mouth of David spake before of Iudas, which was guide to them that took Iesus. 17For he was now numbered with us and obtained fellowship in this ministration. 18And the same hath now possessed a plot of ground with the reward of iniquity. And when he was hanged, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it is known unto all the inhabiters of Ierusalem. Insomuch that that field is called in their mother tongue, Acheldema, that is to say the blood field.

20It is written in the book of psalms: His habitation be void, and no man be dwelling therein: and his bisshoprycke let another take.

21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us (all the time that the Lord Iesus went out and in among us, 22beginning at the baptism of Ihon unto that same day that he was taken up from us) must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. 23And they appointed two, Ioseph called Barsabas (whose surname was Iustus) and Matthias. 24And they prayed saying: Thou Lord which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether thou hast chosen of these two, 25that the one may take the room of this ministration, and apostleship from the which Iudas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. 26And they gave forth their lots, and the lot fell on Mathias. And he was counted with the eleven apostles.