Chapter 8

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.

But Saul laid waste the assembly, entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to prison.

They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word.

And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them Ha Mashiyach.

And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did.

For from many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was much joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of Elohim which is called Great.

And they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.

But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of Elohim and the name of Yahshua Ha Mashiyach, they were immersed, both men and women.

And Simon also himself believed: and being immersed, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of Elohim, they sent unto them Peter and John:

who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:

for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been immersed into the name of the Master Yahshua.

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of Elohim with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before Elohim.

Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray Yahweh, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee.

For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.

And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to Yahweh, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of Yahweh, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the evangel to many villages of the Samaritans.

But an angel of Yahweh spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert.

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship;

and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.

And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other?

And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Yahshua.

And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be immersed?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Yahshua Ha Mashiyach is the Son of Elohim.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he immersed him.

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of Yahweh caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the evangel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.