18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.s 19 But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him?t You be the judges! 20 As for us, we cannot help speakingu about what we have seen and heard.”v

21 After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the peoplew were praising Godx for what had happened. 22 For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.

The Believers Pray

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.y “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.z 25 You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:a

“ ‘Why do the nations rage

and the peoples plot in vain?

26 The kings of the earth rise up

and the rulers band together

against the Lord

and against his anointed one.b’c b

27 Indeed Herodc and Pontius Pilated met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus,e whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.f 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.g 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wondersh through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”i

31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.j And they were all filled with the Holy Spiritk and spoke the word of Godl boldly.m

The Believers Share Their Possessions

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.n 33 With great power the apostles continued to testifyo to the resurrectionp of the Lord Jesus. And God’s graceq was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them,r brought the money from the sales