The Message Bible MSG
New International Version NIV
22 When the police got there, they couldn't find them anywhere in the jail. They went back and reported,
22
But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported,
23 "We found the jail locked tight as a drum and the guards posted at the doors, but when we went inside we didn't find a soul."
23
“We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24 The chief of the Temple police and the high priests were puzzled. "What's going on here anyway?"
24
On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Just then someone showed up and said, "Did you know that the men you put in jail are back in the Temple teaching the people?"
25
Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”
26 The chief and his police went and got them, but they handled them gently, fearful that the people would riot and turn on them.
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At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 Bringing them back, they stood them before the High Council. The Chief Priest said,
27
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.
28 "Didn't we give you strict orders not to teach in Jesus' name? And here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are trying your best to blame us for the death of this man."
28
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
29 Peter and the apostles answered, "It's necessary to obey God rather than men.
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Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
30 The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, the One you killed by hanging him on a cross.
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The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.
31 God set him on high at his side, Prince and Savior, to give Israel the gift of a changed life and sins forgiven.
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God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
32 And we are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit, whom God gives to those who obey him, corroborates every detail."
32
We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.