18
When, however, Simon saw that it was through the laying on of the Apostles' hands that the Spirit was bestowed, he offered them money.
19
"Give me too," he said, "that power, so that every one on whom I place my hands will receive the Holy Spirit."
20
"Perish your money and yourself," replied Peter, "because you have imagined that you can obtain God's free gift with money!
21
No part or lot have you in this matter, for your heart is not right in God's sight.
22
Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord, in the hope that the purpose which is in your heart may perhaps be forgiven you.
23
For I perceive that you have fallen into the bitterest bondage of unrighteousness."
24
"Pray, both of you, to the Lord for me," answered Simon, "that nothing of what you have said may come upon me."
25
So the Apostles, after giving a solemn charge and delivering the Lord's Message, travelled back to Jerusalem, making known the Good News also in many of the Samaritan villages.
26
And an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and proceed south to the road that runs down from Jerusalem to Gaza, crossing the Desert."
27
Upon this he rose and went. Now, as it happened, an Ethiopian eunuch who was in a position of high authority with Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, as her treasurer, had visited Jerusalem to worship there,
28
and was now on his way home; and as he sat in his chariot he was reading the Prophet Isaiah.