1And Sha’ul was giving approval to his death. And on that day there was a great persecution against the assembly which was at Yerushalayim, and they were all scattered throughout the countries of Yehuḏah and Shomeron, except the emissaries.

2And dedicated men buried Stephanos, and made great lamentation over him.

3But Sha’ul was ravaging the assembly, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, putting them in prison.

4Then those who had been scattered went everywhere bringing the Good News: the Word!

5And going down to the city of Shomeron Philip proclaimed Messiah to them.

6And the crowds with one mind heeded what Philip said, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7For unclean spirits came out of many who were possessed, crying with a loud voice, and many who were paralysed and lame were healed.

8And there came to be great joy in that city.

9Now there was a certain man called Shim‛on, who formerly was practising magic in the city and astonishing the people of Shomeron, claiming to be someone great,

10to whom they all were giving heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This one is the power of Elohim, which is great.”

11And they were giving heed to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.

12And when they believed Philip as he brought the Good News about the reign of Elohim and the Name of יהושע Messiah, both men and women were immersed.

13And Shim‛on himself also believed. And when he was immersed he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which took place.

14And when the emissaries who were at Yerushalayim heard that Shomeron had received the Word of Elohim, they sent Kĕpha and Yoḥanan to them,

15who, when they had come down, prayed for them to receive the Set-apart Spirit,

16for He had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been immersed in the Name of the Master יהושע.

17Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Set-apart Spirit.

18And Shim‛on, seeing that through the laying on of the hands of the emissaries the Set-apart Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19saying, “Give me this authority too, so that anyone I lay hands on shall receive the Set-apart Spirit.”

20But Kĕpha said to him, “Let your silver perish with you, because you thought to buy the gift of Elohim through money!

21“You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before Elohim.

22“Repent therefore of this evil of yours, and plead with Elohim to forgive you the intention of your heart.

23“For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by unrighteousness.”

24But Shim‛on answering, said, “Plead with the Master for me, so that none of what you had said shall come upon me.”

25Then after they had earnestly witnessed and spoken the Word of יהוה, they returned to Yerushalayim, bringing the Good News in many villages of the Shomeronites.

26But a messenger of יהוה spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the way which goes down from Yerushalayim to Azzah.” This is desert.

27And he arose and went, and saw, a man of Kush, a eunuch of great authority under Kandake the sovereigness of the Kushites, who was in charge of all her treasury, and had come to Yerushalayim to worship,

28and was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Yeshayahu.

29And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and join him in that chariot.”

30And running up, Philip heard him reading the prophet Yeshayahu, and said, “Do you know what you are reading?”

31And he said, “How am I able, unless someone guides me?” And he called Philip near, to come up and sit with him.

32And the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so He opened not His mouth.

33“In His humiliation He was deprived of right-ruling. And who shall declare His generation? Because His life was taken from the earth.”a

34And the eunuch, answering Philip, said, “I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this, about himself or about some other?”

35And Philip opening his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, brought to him the Good News: יהושע!

36And as they were going on the way, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “Look, water! What hinders me from being immersed?”

37And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, it is permitted.” And he answering, said, “I believe that יהושע Messiah is the Son of Elohim.”a

38And he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he immersed him.

39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of יהוה caught Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went his way, rejoicing.

40Philip, however, was found at Ashdoḏ. And passing through, he brought the Good News in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.