4
Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word.
5
Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.
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The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did,
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for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured.
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So there was great joy in that city.
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Now a certain man named Simon had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he was someone great.
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All of them, from the least to the greatest, listened to him eagerly, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great."
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And they listened eagerly to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic.
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But when they believed Philip, who was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
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Even Simon himself believed. After being baptized, he stayed constantly with Philip and was amazed when he saw the signs and great miracles that took place.
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Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
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The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit
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(for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus).
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Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
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Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money,
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saying, "Give me also this power so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
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But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God's gift with money!
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You have no part or share in this, for your heart is not right before God.
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Repent therefore of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
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For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and the chains of wickedness."
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Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may happen to me."
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Now after Peter and John had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, proclaiming the good news to many villages of the Samaritans.