Peter and the other Apostles answered, and said: We ought more to obey God than men. The God of our fathers raised up Iesus, whom ye slew and hanged on tree. Him being a ruler and a saviour hath God exalted with his right hand, for to give repentance to Israhell and forgiveness of sins. And we are his records as concerning these things: and also the holy ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that they clave asunder, and sought means to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a pharisee named Gamaliel, a doctor of law, had in authority among the people and commanded to put the Apostles aside a little space, and said unto them: Men of Israhell take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. Before these days rose up one Theudas boasting himself, to whom resorted a number of men, about a four hundred, which was slain, and they all which believed him were scattered abroad, and brought to nought. After this man arose there up one Iudas of Galile, in the time when tribute began, and drew away much people after him. He also perished: and all even as many as harkened to him are scattered a broad.
And now I say unto you: refrain yourselves from these men, let them alone: For if this counsel or work be of men, it will come to nought: but and if it be of God, ye cannot destroy it, lest haply ye be found to strive against God. And to him they agreed, and called the apostles, and beat them, and commanded that they should not speak in the name of Iesu, and let them go.
And they departed from the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer rebuke for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house they ceased not, teaching and preaching Iesus Christ.
The .vj. Chapter.
In those days as the number of the disciples grew, there arose a grudge among the greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were despised in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples together and said: it is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve at the tables, wherefore brethren look ye out among you seven men of honest report, and full of the holy ghost and wisdom, which we may appoint to this needful business: but we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministration of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude well. And they chose Stephen a man full of faith, and of the holy ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nichanor, and Timon, and Permenas, and Nicholas a proselite of Antioch, which they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.
And the word of God increased, and the number of the disciples multiplied in Ierusalem greatly. And a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Stephen full of faith and power did great wonders, and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the Synagogue, which are called libertines, and Sirenens, and Alexandrians, and Cilicilians, and Asians, and disputed with Steven. And they could not resist the wisdom, and the spirit, with which he spake. Then sent they in men which said: we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God, and they moved the people, and the seniors, and the scribes: and they came upon him and caught him, and brought him to the council, and brought forth false witnesses which said: This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law, for we heard him say: This Iesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the ordinances which Moses gave unto us. And all that sat in the council looked steadfastly on him, and saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
The .vij. Chapter.
Then said the chief priest: is it even so? And he said: ye men, brethren, and fathers, hearken to. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham while he was yet in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, and said unto him: come out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew unto thee. Then came he out of the land of Caldey, and dwelt in Charran. And after that as soon as his father was dead, he brought him into this land, wherein ye now dwell, and he gave him none inheritance in it, no not one foot of ground. And promised that he would give it to him and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.
God verily spake on this wise, thy seed shall be a dweller in a strange land, and they shall put them in bondage, and entreat them evil .iiij. C. years. And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage, will I judge (said God) and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. And gave him the testament of circumcision, and he begat Isaac, and circumcised him the viij. day, and Isaac begat Iacob, and Iacob the twelve patriarchs.
And the patriarchs having indignation sold Ioseph into Egypt, and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his adversities, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharao king of Egypt, And Pharao made him governor over Egypt, and over all his household.