1And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he ravaged the church, entering into every house, and dragging off men and women and committing them to prison. 4Therefore, those who were scattered abroad went about preaching the word. 5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them. 6And the people with one accord gave heed to the things of which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miraculous signs which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying out with loud voices, came out of many who were possessed: and many taken with paralysis, and those who were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city. 9But there was a certain man, named Simon, who formerly practiced sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great: 10And they all gave heed to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11And they gave heed to him, because for so long he had amazed them with sorceries. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached about the good news of the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and was amazed, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John: 15Who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: 16(For as yet he had fallen upon none of them: they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. 20But Peter said to him, Your silver perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21You have no part or portion in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Therefore, repent of this wickedness, and pray to God, that perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I perceive that you are full of bitterness, and in the bondage of iniquity. 24Then Simon answered, Pray to the Lord for me, that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me. 25And when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. 26And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert road. 27And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28Was returning, and sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. 29Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near, and join this chariot. 30And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? 31And he said, How can I, unless some man should guide me? And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32Now the passage of scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb silent before his shearer, so he did not open his mouth: 33In his humiliation justice was taken from him: and who shall describe his generation? for his life was taken from the earth. 34And the eunuch answered Philip, I pray you, of whom does the prophet speak? of himself, or of some other man? 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at the same scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36And as they went on their way, they came to some water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what prevents me from being baptized? 37[And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.] 38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39And when they had come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more: but he went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.