17 But the highpriestrose up, along with all his associates (that is 1the sect of 2the Sadducees ), and they were filled with jealousy.
18
They laidhands on the apostles and 3put them in a publicjail.
19
But during the night4an 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 temple5the wholemessage of thisLife."
21
Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple6aboutdaybreak and began to teach. Now when 7the highpriest and his associatescame, they called8the Counciltogether, evenall the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prisonhouse for them to be brought.
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But 9the officers who came did not find them in the prison; and they returned and reported back,
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saying, "We found the prisonhouselockedquitesecurely and the guardsstanding at the doors; but when we had opened up, we foundnooneinside."
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Nowwhen10the captain of the temple guard and the chiefpriestsheardthesewords, they were greatlyperplexedabout them as to what would come of this.
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But someonecame and reported to them, "The menwhom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!"
26
Then11the captainwentalong with 12the officers and proceeded to bring them back without*violence (for 13they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned ).
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When they had brought them, they stood them before14the Council. The highpriestquestioned them,
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saying, "We gave you 15strictorders not to continue teaching in thisname, and yet, you have filledJerusalem with your teaching and 16intend to bringthisman'sblood upon us."
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But Peter and the apostlesanswered, "17We mustobeyGodratherthanmen.
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"18The God of our fathers19raised up Jesus, whom you had 20put to death by hanging Him on a cross.
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"21He is the one whom Godexalted to His righthand as a 22Prince and a 23Savior, to grant24repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
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"And we are 25witnesses of thesethings; and 26so is the HolySpirit, whomGod has given to those who obey Him."