n that city.

But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who before this in the city
used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming that he himself
was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the
greatest, saying, "This man is that power of God which is called Great."

And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them
with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings
concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. And Simon also himself {347} believed: and
being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great
miracles wrought, he was amazed.

Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when
they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Spirit: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been
baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on
them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that through
the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he
offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever
I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

But Peter said unto him, "Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast
thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor
lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. Repent
therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the
thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in
the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."

And Simon answered and said, "Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of
the things which ye have spoken come upon me."

{348}

VI

PHILIP AND THE QUEEN'S OFFICER

_How the New Faith Came to a Servant of a Queen_.

An angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward
the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: into
the desert."

And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an officer of
great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all
her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; and he was returning
and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the
Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."

And