From Cain's Murder to the Apostles' Bold Witness

1. The man knew Eve his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have gotten a man with Yahweh’s help.” 2. Again she gave birth, to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3. As time passed, Cain brought an offering to Yahweh from the fruit of the ground. 4. Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Yahweh respected Abel and his offering, 5. but he didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. 6. Yahweh said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? 7. If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” 8. Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him. 9. Yahweh said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10. Yahweh said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. 11. Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12. From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth.” 13. Cain said to Yahweh, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14. Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.” 15. Yahweh said to him, “Therefore whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Yahweh appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him. 16. Cain left Yahweh’s presence, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17. Cain knew his wife. She conceived, and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18. To Enoch was born Irad. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech. 19. Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. 20. Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21. His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22. Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of brass and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah. 23. Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24. If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.” 25. Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “for God has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26. A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on Yahweh’s name. 1. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, he made him in God’s likeness. 2. He created them male and female, and blessed them. On the day they were created, he named them “Adam”. 3. Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4. The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of other sons and daughters. 5. All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died. 6. Seth lived one hundred five years, then became the father of Enosh. 7. Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh eight hundred seven years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 8. All of the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died. 9. Enosh lived ninety years, and became the father of Kenan. 10. Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan, eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 11. All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died. 12. Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel. 13. Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters 14. and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died. 15. Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared. 16. Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 17. All of the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died. 18. Jared lived one hundred sixty-two years, then became the father of Enoch. 19. Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 20. All of the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died. 21. Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah. 22. After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with God for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. 23. All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. 24. Enoch walked with God, and he was not found, for God took him. 25. Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech. 26. Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 27. All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died. 28. Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, then became the father of a son. 29. He named him Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground which Yahweh has cursed.” 30. Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 31. All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died. 32. Noah was five hundred years old, then Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 1. When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2. God’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives. 3. Yahweh said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” 4. The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when God’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5. Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually only evil. 6. Yahweh was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in his heart. 7. Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8. But Noah found favor in Yahweh’s eyes. 9. This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. 10. Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11. The earth was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12. God saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13. God said to Noah, “I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them and the earth. 14. Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch. 15. This is how you shall make it. The length of the ship shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16. You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. You shall set the door of the ship in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third levels. 17. I, even I, do bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the sky. Everything that is in the earth will die. 18. But I will establish my covenant with you. You shall come into the ship, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19. Of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ship, to keep them alive with you. They shall be male and female. 20. Of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive. 21. Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.” 22. Thus Noah did. He did all that God commanded him. 1. Yahweh said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before me in this generation. 2. You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female. 3. Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth. 4. In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing that I have made from the surface of the ground.” 5. Noah did everything that Yahweh commanded him. 6. Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. 7. Noah went into the ship with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, because of the floodwaters. 8. Clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground 9. went by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as God commanded Noah. 10. After the seven days, the floodwaters came on the earth. 11. In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on the same day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the sky’s windows opened. 12. It rained on the earth forty days and forty nights. 13. In the same day Noah, and Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ship— 14. they, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15. Pairs from all flesh with the breath of life in them went into the ship to Noah. 16. Those who went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God commanded him; then Yahweh shut him in. 17. The flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the ship, and it was lifted up above the earth. 18. The waters rose, and increased greatly on the earth; and the ship floated on the surface of the waters. 19. The waters rose very high on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered. 20. The waters rose fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. 21. All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22. All on the dry land, in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. 23. Every living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and birds of the sky. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ship. 24. The waters flooded the earth one hundred fifty days.

1. As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, 2. being upset because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3. They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was now evening. 4. But many of those who heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. 5. In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. 6. Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. 7. When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8. Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9. if we are examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10. be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand here before you whole. 11. He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ 12. There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” 13. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14. Seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15. But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16. saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it. 17. But so that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them, that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.” 18. They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 20. for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.” 21. When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. 22. For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 23. Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24. When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; 25. who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? 26. The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’ 27. “For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28. to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. 29. Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30. while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.” 31. When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32. The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33. With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 34. For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35. and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. 36. Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37. having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 1. But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession, 2. and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? 4. While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” 5. Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things. 6. The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him. 7. About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. 8. Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9. But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10. She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. 11. Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. 12. By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. 13. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. 14. More believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women. 15. They even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. 16. The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they were all healed. 17. But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, 18. and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody. 19. But an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out, and said, 20. “Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.” 21. When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22. But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They returned and reported, 23. “We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” 24. Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what might become of this. 25. One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.” 26. Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them. 27. When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28. saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29. But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. 31. God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32. We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33. But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill them. 34. But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. 35. He said to them, “You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do. 36. For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 37. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38. Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. 39. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!” 40. They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41. They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. 42. Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ. 1. Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2. The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3. Therefore select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4. But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word.” 5. These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; 6. whom they set before the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7. The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8. Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9. But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”, and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10. They weren’t able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. 11. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12. They stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized him, and brought him in to the council, 13. and set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law. 14. For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15. All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

1. Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually. 2. Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 3. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah. 4. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. 5. God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah. 6. The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying, 7. “Behold, this is the man who didn’t make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.” 8. But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God’s house. I trust in God’s loving kindness forever and ever. 9. I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your saints.