14
And all the more1believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly 2added to their number,
15
to such an extent that they evencarried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Petercame by 3at least his shadow might fall on anyone of them.
16
Also the people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were comingtogether, bringing people who were sickorafflicted with uncleanspirits, and they were all being healed.
Imprisonment and Release
17 But the highpriestrose up, along with all his associates (that is 4the sect of 5the Sadducees ), and they were filled with jealousy.
18
They laidhands on the apostles and 6put them in a publicjail.
19
But during the night7an angel of the Lordopened the gates of the prison, and taking them out he said,
20
"Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple8the wholemessage of thisLife."
21
Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple9aboutdaybreak and began to teach. Now when 10the highpriest and his associatescame, they called11the Counciltogether, evenall the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prisonhouse for them to be brought.
22
But 12the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,
23
saying, "We found the prisonhouselockedquitesecurely and the guardsstanding at the doors; but when we had opened up, we foundnooneinside."
24
Nowwhen13the captain of the temple guard and the chiefpriestsheardthesewords, they were greatlyperplexedabout them as to what would come of this.
25
But someonecame and reported to them, "The menwhom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26
Then14the captainwentalong with 15the officers and proceeded to bring them back without*violence (for 16they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned ).
27
When they had brought them, they stood them before17the Council. The highpriestquestioned them,
28
saying, "We gave you 18strictorders not to continue teaching in thisname, and yet, you have filledJerusalem with your teaching and 19intend to bringthisman'sblood upon us."
29
But Peter and the apostlesanswered, "20We mustobeyGodratherthanmen.