American English Lesson 12
Listen to the example:
Lesson Text 5:22-42 (Acts).
12.1a Repeat each sentence.
The High Priest and his companions (The High Priest and his companions) / called together all the Jewish elders (called together all the Jewish elders) / for a full meeting of the Council; (for a full meeting of the Council;) / The High Priest and his companions called together all the Jewish elders for a full meeting of the Council; (The High Priest and his companions called together all the Jewish elders for a full meeting of the Council;) / then they sent orders to the prison (then they sent orders to the prison) / to have the apostles brought before them. (to have the apostles brought before them.) / then they sent orders to the prison to have the apostles brought before them. (then they sent orders to the prison to have the apostles brought before them.)
But when the officials arrived, (But when the officials arrived,) / they did not find the apostles in prison, (they did not find the apostles in prison,) / so they returned to the Council and reported, (so they returned to the Council and reported,) / But when the officials arrived, they did not find the apostles in prison, so they returned to the Council and reported, (But when the officials arrived, they did not find the apostles in prison, so they returned to the Council and reported,) / When we arrived at the jail, (When we arrived at the jail,) / we found it locked up tight (we found it locked up tight) / and all the guards on watch at the gates; (and all the guards on watch at the gates;) / When we arrived at the jail, we found it locked up tight and all the guards on watch at the gates; (When we arrived at the jail, we found it locked up tight and all the guards on watch at the gates;) / but when we opened the gates, (but when we opened the gates,) / we found no one inside. (we found no one inside.) / but when we opened the gates, we found no one inside. (but when we opened the gates, we found no one inside.)
When the chief priests and the officer (When the chief priests and the officer) / in charge of the Temple guards heard this, (in charge of the Temple guards heard this,) / they wondered what had happened to the apostles. (they wondered what had happened to the apostles.) / When the chief priests and the officer in charge of the Temple guards heard this, they wondered what had happened to the apostles. (When the chief priests and the officer in charge of the Temple guards heard this, they wondered what had happened to the apostles.)
Then a man came in and said to them, (Then a man came in and said to them,) / Listen. The men you put in prison (Listen. The men you put in prison) / are in the Temple teaching the people. (are in the Temple teaching the people.) / Then a man came in and said to them, Listen. The men you put in prison are in the Temple teaching the people. (Then a man came in and said to them, Listen. The men you put in prison are in the Temple teaching the people.)
So the officer went off with his men (So the officer went off with his men) / and brought the apostles back. (and brought the apostles back.) / So the officer went off with his men and brought the apostles back. (So the officer went off with his men and brought the apostles back.) / They did not use force, however, (They did not use force, however,) / because they were afraid (because they were afraid) / that the people might stone them. (that the people might stone them.) / They did not use force, however, because they were afraid that the people might stone them. (They did not use force, however, because they were afraid that the people might stone them.)
Listen to the example:
12.1b Repeat each sentence.
They brought the apostles in, (They brought the apostles in,) / made them stand before the Council, (made them stand before the Council,) / and the High Priest questioned them. (and the High Priest questioned them.) / They brought the apostles in, made them stand before the Council, and the High Priest questioned them. (They brought the apostles in, made them stand before the Council, and the High Priest questioned them.)
We gave you strict orders (We gave you strict orders) / not to teach in the name of this man, he said; (not to teach in the name of this man, he said;) / but see what you have done. (but see what you have done.) / We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man, he said; but see what you have done. (We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man, he said; but see what you have done.) / You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, (You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem,) / and you want to make us responsible for his death. (and you want to make us responsible for his death.) / You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, and you want to make us responsible for his death. (You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, and you want to make us responsible for his death.)
Peter and the other apostles answered, (Peter and the other apostles answered,) / We must obey God, not men. (We must obey God, not men.) / Peter and the other apostles answered, We must obey God, not men. (Peter and the other apostles answered, We must obey God, not men.)
The God of our ancestors (The God of our ancestors) / raised Jesus from death, (raised Jesus from death,) / after you had killed him (after you had killed him) / by nailing him to a cross. (by nailing him to a cross.) / The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. (The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross.) / God raised him to his right side (God raised him to his right side) / as Leader and Savior, (as Leader and Savior,) / God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, (God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior,) / to give the people of Israel (to give the people of Israel) / the opportunity to repent (the opportunity to repent) / and have their sins forgiven. (and have their sins forgiven.) / to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. (to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven.)
We are witnesses to these things (We are witnesses to these things) / we and the Holy Spirit, (we and the Holy Spirit,) / who is God’s gift to those who obey him. (who is God’s gift to those who obey him.) / We are witnesses to these things—we and the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to those who obey him. (We are witnesses to these things—we and the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to those who obey him.)
Listen to the example:
12.1c Repeat each sentence.
When the members of the Council heard this, (When the members of the Council heard this,) / they were so furious (they were so furious) / that they wanted to have the apostles put to death. (that they wanted to have the apostles put to death.) / When the members of the Council heard this, they were so furious that they wanted to have the apostles put to death. (When the members of the Council heard this, they were so furious that they wanted to have the apostles put to death.)
But one of them (But one of them) / who was a teacher of the Law (who was a teacher of the Law) / and was highly respected by all the people, (and was highly respected by all the people,) / stood up in the Council. (stood up in the Council.) / But one of them who was a teacher of the Law and was highly respected by all the people, stood up in the Council. (But one of them who was a teacher of the Law and was highly respected by all the people, stood up in the Council.)
He ordered the apostles (He ordered the apostles) / to be taken out for a while, (to be taken out for a while,) / and then he said to the Council, (and then he said to the Council,) / He ordered the apostles to be taken out for a while, and then he said to the Council, (He ordered the apostles to be taken out for a while, and then he said to the Council,) / Fellow Israelites, (Fellow Israelites,) / be careful what you do to these men. (be careful what you do to these men.) / Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. (Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men.)
You remember (You remember) / that a man appeared some time ago, (that a man appeared some time ago,) / claiming to be somebody great, (claiming to be somebody great,) / and about four hundred men joined him. (and about four hundred men joined him.) / You remember that a man appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about four hundred men joined him. (You remember that a man appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about four hundred men joined him.) / But he was killed, (But he was killed,) / all his followers were scattered, (all his followers were scattered,) / and his movement died out. (and his movement died out.) / But he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and his movement died out. (But he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and his movement died out.)
After that, (After that,) / another man appeared (another man appeared) / during the time of the census; (during the time of the census;) / After that, another man appeared during the time of the census; (After that, another man appeared during the time of the census;) / he drew a crowd after him, (he drew a crowd after him,) / but he also was killed, (but he also was killed,) / and all his followers were scattered. (and all his followers were scattered.) / he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers were scattered. (he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers were scattered.)
Listen to the example:
12.1d Repeat each sentence.
And so in this case, (And so in this case,) / I tell you, (I tell you,) / do not take any action against these men. (do not take any action against these men.) / And so in this case, I tell you, do not take any action against these men. (And so in this case, I tell you, do not take any action against these men.) / Leave them alone. (Leave them alone.)
If what they have planned and done (If what they have planned and done) / is of human origin, (is of human origin,) / it will disappear, (it will disappear,) / If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear, (If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear,) / but if it comes from God, (but if it comes from God,) / you cannot possibly defeat them. (you cannot possibly defeat them.) / but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. (but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them.) / You could find yourselves fighting against God. (You could find yourselves fighting against God.)
The Council followed his advice. (The Council followed his advice.) / They called the apostles in, (They called the apostles in,) / had them whipped, (had them whipped,) / and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus; (and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus;) / They called the apostles in, had them whipped, and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus; (They called the apostles in, had them whipped, and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus;) / and then they set them free. (and then they set them free.)
As the apostles left the Council, (As the apostles left the Council,) / they were happy, (they were happy,) / As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, (As the apostles left the Council, they were happy,) / because God had considered them worthy (because God had considered them worthy) / to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus. (to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus.) / because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus. (because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus.)
And every day in the Temple (And every day in the Temple) / and in people’s homes (and in people’s homes) / they continued to teach and preach (they continued to teach and preach) / the Good News about Jesus the Messiah. (the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.) / And every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah. (And every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.)
Listen to the example:
12.2 Repeat each sentence.
12.2a
Complete the following sentences with “I (or another person) lock the inside door alone.” I will say, “I lock.” You will answer, “I lock the inside door alone.”
I lock (I lock the inside door alone.) / He locks (He locks the inside door alone.) / You lock (You lock the inside door alone.) / We lock (We lock the inside door alone.) / They lock (They lock the inside door alone.)
Complete the following sentences with “the prisoner in jail.”
I locked (I locked the prisoner in jail.) / She locked (She locked the prisoner in jail.) / You locked (You locked the prisoner in jail.) / We locked (We locked the prisoner in jail.) / They locked (They locked the prisoner in jail.)
Complete the following sentences with “both of them in the house.”
I will lock (I will lock both of them in the house.) / He will lock (He will lock both of them in the house.) / You will lock (You will lock both of them in the house.) / We will lock (We will lock both of them in the house.) / They will lock (They will lock both of them in the house.)
12.2b
Complete the following sentences with “it to be a worthy plan.”
I consider (I consider it to be a worthy plan.) / I considered (I considered it to be a worthy plan.) / I will consider (I will consider it to be a worthy plan.)
She considers (She considers it to be a worthy plan.) / She considered (She considered it to be a worthy plan.) / She will consider (She will consider it to be a worthy plan.)
You consider (You consider it to be a worthy plan.) / You considered (You considered it to be a worthy plan.) / You will consider (You will consider it to be a worthy plan.)
Complete the following sentences with “it for your sake.”
We consider (We consider it for your sake.) / We considered (We considered it for your sake.) / We will consider (We will consider it for your sake.)
They consider (They consider it for your sake.) / They considered (They considered it for your sake.) / They will consider (They will consider it for your sake.)
Listen to the example:
12.2 Repeat each sentence.
12.2c
Complete the following sentences with “furious with that official.”
I am (I am furious with that official.) / I was (I was furious with that official.) / I will be (I will be furious with that official.)
He is (He is furious with that official.) / He was (He was furious with that official.) / He will be (He will be furious with that official.)
You are (You are furious with that official.) / You were (You were furious with that official.) / You will be (You will be furious with that official.)
Complete the following sentences with “responsible for the report.”
We are (We are responsible for the report.) / We were (We were responsible for the report.) / We will be (We will be responsible for the report.)
They are (They are responsible for the report.) / They were (They were responsible for the report.) / They will be (They will be responsible for the report.)
12.2d
Complete the following sentences with “to think they are happy.”
I continue (I continue to think they are happy.) / He continues (He continues to think they are happy.) / You continue (You continue to think they are happy.) / We continue (We continue to think they are happy.) / They continue (They continue to think they are happy.)
Complete the following sentences with “to plan while they worked.”
I continued (I continued to plan while they worked.) / She continued (She continued to plan while they worked.) / You continued (You continued to plan while they worked.) / We continued (We continued to plan while they worked.) / They continued (They continued to plan while they worked.)
Complete the following sentences with “to join the meetings.”
I will continue (I will continue to join the meetings.) / He will continue (He will continue to join the meetings.) / You will continue (You will continue to join the meetings.) / We will continue (We will continue to join the meetings.) / They will continue (They will continue to join the meetings.)
12.2e
Complete the following sentences with “the news every day.”
I follow (I follow the news every day.) / I followed (I followed the news every day.) / I will follow (I will follow the news every day.)
She follows (She follows the news every day.) / She followed (She followed the news every day.) / She will follow (She will follow the news every day.)
You follow (You follow the news every day.) / You followed (You followed the news every day.) / You will follow (You will follow the news every day.)
Complete the following sentences with “each opportunity for a sale.”
We follow up (We follow up each opportunity for a sale.) / We followed up (We followed up each opportunity for a sale.) / We will follow up (We will follow up each opportunity for a sale.)
They follow up (They follow up each opportunity for a sale.) / They followed up (They followed up each opportunity for a sale.) / They will follow up (They will follow up each opportunity for a sale.)
Listen to the example:
12.3 Say each sentence using the word I will give you. I will tell you if the sentence should be in the present, the past, or the future.
12.3a Use the word “to agree.”
Present. The man I know from that group always _________.
(The man I know from that group always agrees.) The man I know from that group always agrees. (The man I know from that group always agrees.)
Past. The man I know from that group always _________.
(The man I know from that group always agreed.) The man I know from that group always agreed. (The man I know from that group always agreed.)
Future. The man I know from that group will always _________.
(The man I know from that group will always agree.) The man I know from that group will always agree. (The man I know from that group will always agree.)
Present. The group of men I know always _________.
(The group of men I know always agrees.) The group of men I know always agrees. (The group of men I know always agrees.)
Past. The group of men I know always _________.
(The group of men I know always agreed.) The group of men I know always agreed. (The group of men I know always agreed.)
Present. The group of men I know will always _________.
(The group of men I know will always agree.) The group of men I know will always agree. (The group of men I know will always agree.)
12.3b Use the word “to claim.”
Present. Peter _________ to follow the orders.
(Peter claims to follow the orders.) Peter claims to follow the orders. (Peter claims to follow the orders.)
Past. Peter _________ to follow the orders.
(Peter claimed to follow the orders.) Peter claimed to follow the orders. (Peter claimed to follow the orders.)
Future. Peter _________ to follow the orders.
(Peter will claim to follow the orders.) Peter will claim to follow the orders. (Peter will claim to follow the orders.)
Present. Peter and John _________ to follow the orders.
(Peter and John claim to follow the orders.) Peter and John claim to follow the orders. (Peter and John claim to follow the orders.)
Past. Peter and John _________ to follow the orders.
(Peter and John claimed to follow the orders.) Peter and John claimed to follow the orders. (Peter and John claimed to follow the orders.)
Future. Peter and John _________ to follow the orders.
(Peter and John will claim to follow the orders.) Peter and John will claim to follow the orders. (Peter and John will claim to follow the orders.)
Listen to the example:
12.3 Say each sentence using the word I will give you. I will tell you if the sentence should be in the present, the past, or the future.
12.3c Use the word “to defeat.”
Present. Peter always _________ the others.
(Peter always defeats the others.) Peter always defeats the others. (Peter always defeats the others.)
Present. Peter and John always _________ the others.
(Peter and John always defeat the others.) Peter and John always defeat the others. (Peter and John always defeat the others.)
12.3d Use the word “to force.”
Present. The bus _________ others to take action.
(The bus forces others to take action.) The bus forces others to take action. (The bus forces others to take action.)
Present. Together, the bus and car _________ others to take action.
(Together, the bus and car force others to take action.) Together, the bus and car force others to take action. (Together, the bus and car force others to take action.)
12.3e Use the word “to take.”
Present. The children in that family always _________ the bus.
(The children in that family always take the bus.) The children in that family always take the bus. (The children in that family always take the bus.)
Present. That family with three children always _________ the bus.
(That family with three children always takes the bus.) That family with three children always takes the bus. (That family with three children always takes the bus.)
12.4 Repeat each word (regular verbs).
12.4a
TO SCATTER (to scatter) / He promised to scatter it. (He promised to scatter it.)
Scatter. (Scatter.) / Please scatter it. (Please scatter it.)
scattering (scattering) / He is scattering some. (He is scattering some.)
scattered (scattered) / it is scattered (it is scattered) / it was scattered (it was scattered) / it will be scattered (it will be scattered)
I scatter (I scatter) / I scattered (I scattered) / I will scatter (I will scatter)
he scatters (he scatters) / he scattered (he scattered) / he will scatter (he will scatter)
she scatters (she scatters) / she scattered (she scattered) / she will scatter (she will scatter)
it scatters (it scatters) / it scattered (it scattered) / it will scatter (it will scatter)
you scatter (you scatter) / you scattered (you scattered) / you will scatter (you will scatter)
we scatter (we scatter) / we scattered (we scattered) / we will scatter (we will scatter)
they scatter (they scatter) / they scattered (they scattered) / they will scatter (they will scatter)
Listen to the example:
12.4 Repeat each word (regular verbs).
12.4b
TO RETURN (to return) / He promised to return. (He promised to return.)
Return. (Return.) / Please return. (Please return.)
returning (returning) / He is returning. (He is returning.)
returned (returned) / it is returned (it is returned) / she was returned (she was returned) / they will be returned (they will be returned)
I return (I return) / he returns (he returns) / she returns (she returns) / it returns (it returns) / you return (you return) / we return (we return) / they return (they return)
I returned (I returned) / he returned (he returned) / she returned (she returned) / it returned (it returned) / you returned (you returned) / we returned (we returned) / they returned (they returned)
I will return (I will return) / he will return (he will return) / she will return (she will return) / it will return (it will return) / you will return (you will return) / we will return (we will return) / they will return (they will return)
12.4c
TO REPORT (to report) / She promised to report it. (She promised to report it.)
Report. (Report.) / Please report it. (Please report it.)
reporting (reporting) / He is reporting to work. (He is reporting to work.)
reported (reported) / it is reported (it is reported) / it was reported (it was reported) / it will be reported (it will be reported)
I report (I report) / I reported (I reported) / I will report (I will report)
he reports (he reports) / he reported (he reported) / he will report (he will report)
she reports (she reports) / she reported (she reported) / she will report (she will report)
it reports (it reports) / it reported (it reported) / it will report (it will report)
you report (you report) / you reported (you reported) / you will report (you will report)
we report (we report) / we reported (we reported) / we will report (we will report)
they report (they report) / they reported (they reported) / they will report (they will report)
12.5 Repeat each word (irregular verbs).
12.5a
TO DRAW (to draw) / He promised to draw it. (He promised to draw it.)
Draw. (Draw.) / Please draw it. (Please draw it.)
drawing (drawing) / He is drawing it. (He is drawing it.)
drawn (drawn) / it is drawn (it is drawn) / it was drawn (it was drawn) / it will be drawn (it will be drawn)
I draw (I draw) / he draws (he draws) / she draws (she draws) / it draws (it draws) / you draw (you draw) / we draw (we draw) / they draw (they draw)
I drew (I drew) / he drew (he drew) / she drew (she drew) / it drew (it drew) / you drew (you drew) / we drew (we drew) / they drew (they drew)
I will draw (I will draw) / he will draw (he will draw) / she will draw (she will draw) / it will draw (it will draw) / you will draw (you will draw) / we will draw (we will draw) / they will draw (they will draw)
Listen to the example:
12.5 Repeat each word (irregular verbs).
12.5b
TO FIGHT (to fight) / He promised not to fight. (He promised not to fight.)
Fight. (Fight.) / Please don’t fight. (Please don’t fight.)
fighting (fighting) / He is fighting. (He is fighting.)
fought (fought) / it is fought (it is fought) / it was fought (it was fought)
I fight (I fight) / I fought (I fought) / I will fight (I will fight)
he fights (he fights) / he fought (he fought) / he will fight (he will fight)
she fights (she fights) / she fought (she fought) / she will fight (she will fight)
it fights (it fights) / it fought (it fought) / it will fight (it will fight)
you fight (you fight) / you fought (you fought) / you will fight (you will fight)
we fight (we fight) / we fought (we fought) / we will fight (we will fight)
they fight (they fight) / they fought (they fought) / they will fight (they will fight)
12.5c
TO SLEEP (to sleep) / He promised to sleep. (He promised to sleep.)
Sleep. (Sleep.) / Please sleep. (Please sleep.)
sleeping (sleeping) / He is sleeping. (He is sleeping.)
slept : It is slept is infrequently or never used.
I sleep (I sleep) / he sleeps (he sleeps) / she sleeps (she sleeps) / it sleeps (it sleeps) / you sleep (you sleep) / we sleep (we sleep) / they sleep (they sleep)
I slept (I slept) / he slept (he slept) / she slept (she slept) / it slept (it slept) / you slept (you slept) / we slept (we slept) / they slept (they slept)
I will sleep (I will sleep) / he will sleep (he will sleep) / she will sleep (she will sleep) / it will sleep (it will sleep) / you will sleep (you will sleep) / we will sleep (we will sleep) / they will sleep (they will sleep)
12.5d
TO HAVE (to have) / He promised to have some. (He promised to have some.)
Have. (Have.) / Please have some. (Please have some.)
having (having) / He is having some. (He is having some.)
had : It is had is infrequently or never used.
I have (I have) / I had (I had) / I will have (I will have)
he has (he has) / he had (he had) / he will have (he will have)
she has (she has) / she had (she had) / she will have (she will have)
it has (it has) / it had (it had) / it will have (it will have)
you have (you have) / you had (you had) / you will have (you will have)
we have (we have) / we had (we had) / we will have (we will have)
they have (they have) / they had (they had) / they will have (they will have)
Listen to the example:
12.6 I will say, ” Do not take any action against them.” You will answer, “Leave them alone. Do not take any action against them.” I will say, “He has not defeated you.” You will answer, “Leave him alone. He has not defeated you.”
12.6a Do not take any action against them.
(Leave them alone. Do not take any action against them.) Leave them alone. Do not take any action against them. (Leave them alone. Do not take any action against them.)
12.6b He has not defeated you.
(Leave him alone. He has not defeated you.) Leave him alone. He has not defeated you. (Leave him alone. He has not defeated you.)
12.6c We will not disappear.
(Leave us alone. We will not disappear.) Leave us alone. We will not disappear. (Leave us alone. We will not disappear.)
12.6d It might die out by itself.
(Leave it alone. It might die out by itself.) Leave it alone. It might die out by itself. (Leave it alone. It might die out by itself.)
12.6e She is not responsible for the meeting.
(Leave her alone. She is not responsible for the meeting.) Leave her alone. She is not responsible for the meeting. (Leave her alone. She is not responsible for the meeting.)
12.6f He did not know the origin of the plan.
(Leave him alone. He did not know the origin of the plan.) Leave him alone. He did not know the origin of the plan. (Leave him alone. He did not know the origin of the plan.)
12.6g They will be furious when they join the others.
(Leave them alone. They will be furious when they join the others.) Leave them alone. They will be furious when they join the others. (Leave them alone. They will be furious when they join the others.)
LESSON 12 TEXT
Lesson Text 5:22-42 (Acts)
Read the Lesson Text aloud. Read the entire section until you can pronounce each word correctly, reading each paragraph without pausing. Practice until you can read the entire Lesson Text with good English pronunciation.
The High Priest and his companions called together all the Jewish elders for a full meeting of the Council; then they sent orders to the prison to have the apostles brought before them. But when the officials arrived, they did not find the apostles in prison, so they returned to the Council and reported, “When we arrived at the jail, we found it locked up tight and all the guards on watch at the gates; but when we opened the gates, we found no one inside.” When the chief priests and the officer in charge of the Temple guards heard this, they wondered what had happened to the apostles. Then a man came in and said to them, “Listen. The men you put in prison are in the Temple teaching the people.” So the officer went off with his men and brought the apostles back. They did not use force, however, because they were afraid that the people might stone them.
They brought the apostles in, made them stand before the Council, and the High Priest questioned them. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in the name of this man,” he said; “but see what you have done. You have spread your teaching all over Jerusalem, and you want to make us responsible for his death.”
Peter and the other apostles answered, “We must obey God, not men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from death, after you had killed him by nailing him to a cross. God raised him to his right side as Leader and Savior, to give the people of Israel the opportunity to repent and have their sins forgiven. We are witnesses to these things—we and the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to those who obey him.”
When the members of the Council heard this, they were so furious that they wanted to have the apostles put to death. But one of them who was a teacher of the Law and was highly respected by all the people, stood up in the Council. He ordered the apostles to be taken out for a while, and then he said to the Council, “Fellow Israelites, be careful what you do to these men. You remember that a man appeared some time ago, claiming to be somebody great, and about four hundred men joined him. But he was killed, all his followers were scattered, and his movement died out. After that, another man appeared during the time of the census; he drew a crowd after him, but he also was killed, and all his followers were scattered. And so in this case, I tell you, do not take any action against these men. Leave them alone. If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear, but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. You could find yourselves fighting against God.”
The Council followed his advice. They called the apostles in, had them whipped, and ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus; and then they set them free.
As the apostles left the Council, they were happy, because God had considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for the sake of Jesus. And every day in the Temple and in people’s homes they continued to teach and preach the Good News about Jesus the Messiah.