Acts 3

1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon.

2There was a man who could not walk since he was born. Every day, people carried him to the temple gate called Beautiful. They put him there so he could beg for money from the people going into the temple.

3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

4Peter looked directly at him, as did John. Then Peter said: Look at us!

5So the man looked closely at them. He hoped they would give him something.

6Then Peter said: I do not have silver or gold, but I will give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!

7Peter took the man by his right hand and helped him stand up. Right away, the man's feet and ankles became strong.

8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking, jumping, and praising God.

9When all the people saw him walking and praising God,

10They recognized him. He was the same man who used to sit and beg at the temple gate called Beautiful. The people were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

11While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were amazed. They came running to them in the place called Solomon's Porch.

12When Peter saw this, he spoke to the crowd: My fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us like we made this man walk by our own power or our own goodness?

13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, has given honor and glory to His servant Jesus. You handed Jesus over to be killed, and you said you did not know Him in front of Pilate, even though Pilate had decided to let Jesus go free.

14You said you did not know the Holy and Good One, and you asked for a murderer to be set free instead.

15You killed the one who gives life, but God raised Him back to life. We are witnesses of this.

16This man, the one you see and know, was made strong because of faith in the name of Jesus. It is His name, and the faith that comes through Jesus, that has completely healed him. You can all see this.

17Now, brothers and sisters, I know that you did not understand what you were doing, and your leaders did not understand either.

18But this is how God made happen what He had said long ago through all the prophets: that His Messiah would suffer.

19So turn away from your sins and turn to God. Then your sins will be forgiven, and good times of new strength will come to you from the Lord,

20And then God will send Jesus, the Messiah He has chosen for you.

21Jesus must stay in heaven until the time comes for God to make everything right again. God promised this long ago through His holy prophets.

22For Moses said: The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people. You must listen to everything He tells you.

23Anyone who does not listen to Him will be completely removed from among their people.

24In fact, all the prophets, starting with Samuel, spoke about these days that are happening now.

25And the promises that the prophets gave belong to you. So does the promise God made with your ancestors. God said to Abraham: Through your family, all people on earth will be blessed.

26When God raised up His servant, God sent Jesus to you first, to bless you by turning each of you away from your sinful ways.