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Now there was a mannamedSimon, who formerly was practicing1magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, 2claiming to be someonegreat;
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and they all, from smallest to greatest, were givingattention to him, saying, "3Thisman is what is called the GreatPower of God."
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And they were giving him attentionbecause he had for a longtimeastonished them with his 4magicarts.
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But when they believedPhilip5preaching the goodnewsabout the kingdom of God and the name of JesusChrist, they were being 6baptized, men and womenalike.
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EvenSimonhimselfbelieved; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed7signs and 8greatmiraclestakingplace, he was constantly amazed.
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Now when 9the apostles in Jerusalemheard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them 10Peter and John,
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whocamedown and prayed for them 11that they might receive the HolySpirit.
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For He had 12not yetfallen upon any of them; they had simplybeen13baptized in the name of the LordJesus.
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Then they 14began laying their hands on them, and they were 15receiving the HolySpirit.
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Now when Simonsaw that the Spirit was bestowedthrough the laying on of the apostles'hands, he offered them money,
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saying, "Givethisauthority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the HolySpirit."
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But Petersaid to him, "May your silverperish with you, because you thought you could 16obtain the gift of God with money!
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"You have 17nopartorportion in thismatter, for your heart is not 18rightbeforeGod.
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"Thereforerepent of thiswickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, 19ifpossible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
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"For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in 20the bondage of iniquity."
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But Simonanswered and said, "21Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."