Acts

The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

1Dear Theophilus, in my first book I wrote about Jesus. I told about everything he began to do and to teach.

2Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

2I wrote about him up to the day he was taken up into heaven. Before he went, God's Spirit helped him give instructions to his apostles. Apostles were the men Jesus chose to go out and speak for him.

NoteThe King James Bible says "Holy Ghost." In 1611 the word "ghost" simply meant spirit. It means the Holy Spirit.

3To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

3Jesus had suffered and died. After that he showed these men that he was alive. He gave them many proofs they could not doubt. They saw him for forty days. He talked with them about God's kingdom.

4And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

4One day they were all together with him. Jesus told them not to leave Jerusalem. He said, "Wait here for the gift my Father promised. You heard me talk about it."

5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

5"John baptized people with water. He dipped them in water. But in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

6So when they were all together, they asked him a question. "Lord, are you going to make Israel its own kingdom again now?"

7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

7Jesus said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or dates. My Father has decided them himself."

8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

8"But the Holy Spirit will come to you, and you will get power. Then you will tell people about me. You will start in Jerusalem, then all of Judea, then Samaria. You will go to the farthest parts of the earth."

9And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

9After Jesus said this, he was lifted up while they watched. A cloud came and hid him from their eyes.

10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

10They kept staring up at the sky as he went. Suddenly two men in white clothes were standing beside them.

11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

11The men said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. He will come back the very same way you saw him go."

12Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

12Then they walked back to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. It was close to the city, only a short walk away.

NoteThe King James Bible says the hill was "a sabbath day's journey" from Jerusalem. That was how far people were allowed to walk on their weekly rest day, a little over half a mile.

13And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

13They came into the city and went up to the room upstairs where they were staying. These men were there: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, and Thomas. Also Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

14These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

14They all kept praying together, with one heart. The women were with them, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

15About a hundred and twenty followers were gathered in those days. Peter stood up in the middle of them and spoke.

16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

16He said, "Brothers, the words in the Scriptures had to come true. Long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David about Judas. Judas led the men who came and arrested Jesus."

17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

17"Judas was counted as one of us. He shared in this work with us."

18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

18Judas was paid money for the wrong he did. That money bought a field. There he fell headfirst. His body broke open, and everything inside spilled out.

19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

19Everyone living in Jerusalem heard what happened. So in their own language they called that field Akeldama. That name means Field of Blood.

20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

20Peter said, "The book of Psalms says, 'Let his home be empty. Let no one live in it.' It also says, 'Let someone else take his job.'"

21Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

21"So we must choose one of the men who were always with us. They stayed with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went about among us."

22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

22"He must have been with us from the day John baptized Jesus until the day Jesus was taken up. He must help us tell people that Jesus came back to life."

23And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

23So they picked out two men. One was Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also named Justus. The other was Matthias.

24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

24Then they prayed, "Lord, you know what is inside every person's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen."

25That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

25"Show us who should do this work as an apostle. Judas did wrong and left this place, and went to his own place."

26And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

26Then they drew lots to decide. The lot chose Matthias. So he was counted with the other eleven apostles.

NoteDrawing lots was like drawing straws. People used marked stones or sticks to make a choice.