New Century Version NCV
New Living Translation NLT
1 To Theophilus. The first book I wrote was about everything Jesus began to do and teach
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In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach
2 until the day he was taken up into heaven. Before this, with the help of the Holy Spirit, Jesus told the apostles he had chosen what they should do.
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until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit.
3 After his death, he showed himself to them and proved in many ways that he was alive. The apostles saw Jesus during the forty days after he was raised from the dead, and he spoke to them about the kingdom of God.
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During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
4 Once when he was eating with them, he told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, "Wait here to receive the promise from the Father which I told you about.
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Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before.
5 John baptized people with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
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John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 When the apostles were all together, they asked Jesus, "Lord, are you now going to give the kingdom back to Israel?"
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So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
7 Jesus said to them, "The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know.
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He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.
8 But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses -- in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world."
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But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
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After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.
10 As he was going, they were looking into the sky. Suddenly, two men wearing white clothes stood beside them.
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As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
11 They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking into the sky? Jesus, whom you saw taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you saw him go."
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“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
12 Then they went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. (This mountain is about half a mile from Jerusalem.)
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Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile.
13 When they entered the city, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (known as the Zealot), and Judas son of James were there.
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When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).
14 They all continued praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus' brothers.
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They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
15 During this time there was a meeting of the believers (about one hundred twenty of them). Peter stood up and said,
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During this time, when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them.
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“Brothers,” he said, “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided those who arrested Jesus. This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.
17 "Brothers and sisters, in the Scriptures the Holy Spirit said through David something that must happen involving Judas. He was one of our own group and served together with us. He led those who arrested Jesus."
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Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”
18 (Judas bought a field with the money he got for his evil act. But he fell to his death, his body burst open, and all his intestines poured out.
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(Judas had bought a field with the money he received for his treachery. Falling headfirst there, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines.
19 Everyone in Jerusalem learned about this so they named this place Akeldama. In their language Akeldama means "Field of Blood.")
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The news of his death spread to all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name which means “Field of Blood.”)
20 "In the Book of Psalms," Peter said, "this is written: 'May his place be empty; leave no one to live in it.'
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Peter continued, “This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, ‘Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.’ It also says, ‘Let someone else take his position.’
21 And it is also written: 'Let another man replace him as leader.'
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“So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—
22 "So now a man must become a witness with us of Jesus' being raised from the dead. He must be one of the men who were part of our group during all the time the Lord Jesus was among us -- from the time John was baptizing people until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven."
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from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
23 They put the names of two men before the group. One was Joseph Barsabbas, who was also called Justus. The other was Matthias.
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So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.
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Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen
25 The apostles prayed, "Lord, you know the thoughts of everyone. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to do this work. Show us who should be an apostle in place of Judas, who turned away and went where he belongs."
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as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.”
26 Then they used lots to choose between them, and the lots showed that Matthias was the one. So he became an apostle with the other eleven.
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Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.