Acts 8:5-25

51Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming 2Christ to them. 6The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the 3signs which he was performing. 7For in the case of many who had 4unclean spirits, they were coming out of them shouting with a loud voice; and many who had been 5paralyzed and lame were healed. 8So there was 6much rejoicing in that city.

9Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing 7magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, 8claiming to be someone great; 10and they all, from smallest to greatest, were giving attention to him, saying, “9This man is what is called the Great Power of God.” 11And they were giving him attention because he had for a long time astonished them with his 10magic arts. 12But when they believed Philip 11preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being 12baptized, men and women alike. 13Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed 13signs and 14great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.

14Now when 15the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them 16Peter and John, 15who came down and prayed for them 17that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For He had 18not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been 19baptized 20in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they 21began laying their hands on them, and they were 22receiving the Holy Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19saying, “Give this authority to me as well, 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 23obtain the gift of God with money! 21You have 24no part or portion in this 25matter, for your heart is not 26right before God. 22Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, 27if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in 28the 29bondage of iniquity.” 24But Simon answered and said, “30Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

25So, when they had solemnly 31testified and spoken 32the word of the Lord, they started back to Jerusalem, and were 33preaching the gospel to many villages of the 34Samaritans.