17But the high priest rose up, and all that were with him, which is the sect of the Sadducees, and were filled with indignation, 18and laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the public prison.
19But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors; and having brought them forth, he said: 20Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21And hearing it, they went into the temple at early dawn, and taught.
And the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the eldership of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22But the officers, when they came, found them not in the prison; and returning, they reported, 23saying: The prison indeed we found shut with all security, and the keepers standing without before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one within.
24And when the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they were at a loss concerning them, to what this might grow. 25But one came and told them, saying: Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people. 26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them, not with violence (for they feared the people), that they might not be stoned. 27And having brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28saying: Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29And Peter answering, and the apostles, said: We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. 31Him, as a prince and a Savior, did God exalt to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32And we are his witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit also, which God gave to those who obey him.
33And they, hearing it, were convulsed with rage, and took counsel to slay them. 34But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while; 35and said to them: Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves, what ye are about to do in respect to these men. 36For before these days arose Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves; who was slain, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered and brought to naught. 37After this man arose Judas the Galilæan, in the days of the registering, and drew away much people after him; he also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38And now I say to you, refrain from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught; 39but if it is of God ye can not overthrow them; lest haply ye be found also fighting against God.
40And to him they assented; and having called the apostles, they scourged them, and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41They therefore went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because for that name they were counted worthy to suffer shame. 42And every day, in the temple, and from house to house, they ceased not to teach, and to publish the glad tidings of Jesus the Christ.
VI. And in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said: It is not proper that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3Therefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this business. 4But we will give ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch, 6whom they set before the apostles; and having prayed, they laid their hands on them.