Acts

The Acts of the Apostles, chapter 1, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 1 New English Translation

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

   1 I wrote the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 To the same apostles also, after his suffering, he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs. He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God. 4 While he was with them, he declared, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised, which you heard about from me. 5 For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
   6 So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, "LORD, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He told them, "You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth." 9 After he had said this, while they were watching, he was lifted up and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 As they were still staring into the sky while he was going, suddenly two men in white clothing stood near them 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will come back in the same way you saw him go into heaven."

A Replacement for Judas is Chosen

   12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called the Mount of Olives (which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away). 13 When they had entered Jerusalem, they went to the upstairs room where they were staying. Peter and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James were there. 14 All these continued together in prayer with one mind, together with the women, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. 15 In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty people) and said, 16 "Brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit foretold through David concerning Judas - who became the guide for those who arrested Jesus - 17 for he was counted as one of us and received a share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man Judas acquired a field with the reward of his unjust deed, and falling headfirst he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 This became known to all who lived in Jerusalem, so that in their own language they called that field Hakeldama, that is, "Field of Blood.") 20 "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his house become deserted, and let there be no one to live in it, ' and 'Let another take his position of responsibility.' 21 Thus one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time the LORD Jesus associated with us, 22 beginning from his baptism by John until the day he was taken up from us - one of these must become a witness of his resurrection together with us." 23 So they proposed two candidates: Joseph called Barsabbas (also called Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, "LORD, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of these two you have chosen 25 to assume the task of this service and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." 26 Then they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias; so he was counted with the eleven apostles.

King James Version

   1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
   2 Until 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:
   3 To 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:
   4 And, 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.
   5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
   6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
   7 And 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.
   8 But 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.
   9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
   10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
   11 Which 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.
   12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.
   13 And 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.
   14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
   15 ¶ And 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,)
   16 Men 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.
   17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
   18 Now 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.
   19 And 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.
   20 For 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.
   21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
   22 Beginning 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.
   23 And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
   24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
   25 That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.
   26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.