Simon the Magician Believes
9 But there was a man named Simon,
1who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria,
2saying that he himself was somebody great.
10
They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying,
3"This man is the power of God that is called
4Great."
11
And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had
5amazed them with his magic.
12
But when
6they believed Philip as he preached good news
7about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ,
8they were baptized, both men and women.
13
Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And
9seeing signs and
10great miracles performed,
11he was amazed.
14
Now when
12the apostles at Jerusalem heard that
13Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
15
who came down and prayed for them
14that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
16
for
15he had not yet
16fallen on any of them, but
17they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17
Then
18they laid their hands on them and
19they received the Holy Spirit.
18
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
19
saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
20
But Peter said to him,
20"May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God
21with money!
21
You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for
22your heart is not right before God.
22
Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that,
23if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
23
For I see that you are in
24the gall of bitterness and in
25the bond of iniquity."
24
And Simon answered,
26"Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."