Acts 4:15-25

15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another,

16 saying, ¹"What shall we do with these men? For that ²a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them ³to speak no more to anyone in this name."

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered them, ⁴"Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge,

20 for ⁵we cannot but speak of what ⁶we have seen and heard."

21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, ⁷because of the people, for all were praising God ⁸for what had happened.

22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Boldness

23 When they were released, they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices ⁹together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, ¹⁰who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them,

25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant,^[a] said by the Holy Spirit, ¹¹"'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?