1 Saulo consentia na sua morte. Naquele dia levantou-se uma grande perseguição contra a igreja em Jerusalém; e todos, exceto os apóstolos, foram dispersos pelas regiões da Judéia e Samaria.2 Homens piedosos sepultaram a Estêvão e fizeram grande pranto sobre ele.3 Mas Saulo assolava a igreja, entrando pelas casas e, arrastando homens e mulheres, os entregava à prisão.4 Os que, porém, haviam sido dispersos, iam por toda a parte pregando a palavra.5 Filipe, descendo à cidade de Samaria, proclamava-lhes Cristo.6 A multidão unânime estava atenta às coisas que Filipe lhe dizia, ouvindo-o e vendo os milagres que estava fazendo.7 Pois os espíritos imundos de muitos possessos saíam, clamando em alta voz; e muitos paralíticos e coxos foram curados.8 E houve muito regozijo naquela cidade.9 Havia ali desde algum tempo um homem chamado Simão, que praticara a mágica e fizera pasmar o povo de Samaria, dizendo ser ele um grande homem;10 e a ele atendiam todos, desde os pequenos até os grandes, dizendo: Este homem é o poder de Deus, que se chama-Grande.11 Eles o atendiam, porque com as suas mágicas por muito tempo os tinha feito pasmar.12 Mas quando creram em Filipe que lhes pregava acerca do reino de Deus e do nome de Jesus Cristo, faziam-se batizar homens e mulheres.13 O mesmo Simão também creu e, depois de batizado, estava continuamente com Filipe e admirava-se, vendo os milagres e grandes prodígios que se faziam.14 Os apóstolos que se achavam em Jerusalém, tendo ouvido que a Samaria recebera a palavra de Deus, enviaram-lhe a Pedro e a João;15 os quais foram para lá, e oraram por eles, para que recebessem o Espírito Santo;16 porque sobre nenhum deles havia ainda ele descido, mas somente tinham sido batizados em nome do Senhor Jesus.17 Então sendo-lhes impostas as mãos de Pedro e João, recebiam o Espírito Santo.18 Quando Simão viu que pela imposição das mãos dos apóstolos se dava o Espírito, ofereceu-lhes dinheiro,19 dizendo: Dai-me também este poder, que aquele sobre quem eu impuser as mãos, receba o Espírito Santo.20 Mas Pedro disse-lhe: Pereça contigo o teu dinheiro, pois julgaste adquirir por meio dele o dom de Deus.21 Tu não tens parte, nem sorte neste ministério; porque o teu coração não é reto diante de Deus.22 Arrepende-te, portanto, desta tua maldade, e roga ao Senhor que, se é possível, te seja perdoado esse pensamento do teu coração;23 pois vejo que estás em um fel de amargura e nos laços de iniqüidade.24 Disse Simão: Rogai vós ao Senhor por mim, para que nada do que haveis dito, venha sobre mim.25 Eles, pois, havendo testificado e falado a palavra do Senhor, voltaram para Jerusalém, e evangelizavam muitas aldeias dos samaritanos.26 Um anjo do Senhor falou a Filipe, dizendo: Levanta-te e vai em direção do sul ao caminho que desce de Jerusalém a Gaza: este se acha deserto. Ele, levantando-se, partiu.27 Eis que um homem da Etiópia, eunuco, alto funcionário de Candace, rainha dos etíopes, o qual era superintendente de todos os seus tesouros, viera a Jerusalém fazer a sua adoração;28 regressava e, sentado no seu carro, lia o profeta Isaías.29 Disse o Espírito a Filipe: Aproxima-te e ajunta-te a esse carro.30 Correndo Filipe, ouviu-o ler o profeta Isaías, e perguntou: Entendes, porventura, o que estás lendo?31 Ele respondeu: Pois como poderei entender, se alguém não mo explicar? Pediu a Filipe que subisse e se assentasse com ele.32 A passagem da Escritura que estava lendo, era esta: Como ovelha foi levado ao matadouro; E como um cordeiro está mudo diante do que o tosquia, Assim ele não abre a sua boca.33 Na sua humilhação foi tirado o seu julgamento; Quem contará a sua geração? Porque a sua vida é tirada da terra.34 Perguntou o eunuco a Filipe: Peço-te que me digas de quem falou isto o profeta? de si mesmo ou de algum outro?35 Filipe abriu a boca e, principiando por esta Escritura, anunciou-lhe a Jesus.36 Indo eles pelo caminho, chegaram a um lugar onde havia água, e disse o eunuco: Eis aqui água, que impede que seja eu batizado?37 {E disse Filipe: É lícito, se crês de todo o coração. E, respondendo ele, disse: Creio que Jesus é o Filho de Deus.}38 Mandou parar o carro, e desceram ambos à água, Filipe e o eunuco, e Filipe batizou-o.39 Quando subiram da água, o Espírito do Senhor arrebatou a Filipe; o eunuco não o viu mais, pois seguia o seu caminho, regozijando-se.40 Mas Filipe achou-se em Azoto e, passando além, evangelizava todas as cidades até que chegou a Cesaréia.

1 And at that time there was raised a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea, and Samaria, except the apostles.2 And devout men took order for Stephen's funeral, and made great mourning over him.3 But Saul made havock of the church, entering in from house to house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison.4 They therefore that were dispersed, went about preaching the word of God.5 And Philip going down to the city of Samaria, preached Christ unto them.6 And the people with one accord were attentive to those things which were said by Philip, hearing, and seeing the miracles which he did.7 For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out.8 And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.9 There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain man named Simon, who before had been a magician in that city, seducing the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:10 To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the power of God, which is called great.11 And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had bewitched them with his magical practices.12 But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.13 Then Simon himself believed also; and being baptized, he adhered to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding great miracles which were done.14 Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John.15 Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.16 For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.17 Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.18 And when Simon saw, that by the imposition of the hands of the apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,19 Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:20 Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.21 Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God.22 Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness; and pray to God, that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.23 For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bonds of iniquity.24 Then Simon answering, said: Pray you for me to the Lord, that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me.25 And they indeed having testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many countries of the Samaritans.26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert.27 And rising up, he went. And behold a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore.28 And he was returning, sitting in this chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet.29 And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.30 And Philip running thither, heard him reading the prophet Isaias. And he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest?31 Who said: And how can I, unless some man shew me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.32 And the place of the scripture which he was reading was this: He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb without voice before his shearer, so openeth he not his mouth.33 In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth?34 And the eunuch answering Philip, said: I beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man?35 Then Philip, opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him Jesus.36 And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water; and the eunuch said: See, here is water: what doth hinder me from being baptized?37 And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering, said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still; and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch: and he baptized him.39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing.40 But Philip was found in Azotus; and passing through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.