1Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2Devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. 3But Saul began ravaging the church, and, entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison. 4Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. 5Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them. 6The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was much joy in that city. 9Now there was a man named Simon, who had formerly practiced magic in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10and they all, from the least to the greatest, gave attention to him, saying, »This man is what is called the Great Power of God.« 11And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. 14Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For he had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, 19saying, »Give me also this power, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.« 20But Peter said to him, »May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.« 24And Simon answered, »Pray for me to the Lord, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.« 25Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. 26But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, »Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.« This is a desert road. 27So he got up and went. And there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip, »Go up and join this chariot.« 30So Philip ran up to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and asked, »Do you understand what you are reading?« 31And he said, »How can I, unless someone guides me?« And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: »He was led as a sheep to slaughter;and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,so he does not open his mouth. 33In his humiliation justice was denied him.Who can describe his generation?For his life is taken up from the earth.« 34And the eunuch said to Philip, »Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?« 35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him the good news of Jesus. 36And as they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, »Look, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?« 37 38And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.