10. Everyone, rich and poor, crowded around him. They said, “This man is the power of God called ‘The Great Power’.”
11. For a long time, Simon had used witchcraft to amaze the people, and they kept crowding around him.
12. But when they believed what Philip was saying about God's kingdom and about the name of Jesus Christ, they were all baptized.
13. Even Simon believed and was baptized. He stayed close to Philip, because he marvelled at all the miracles and wonders.
14. The apostles in Jerusalem heard that some people in Samaria had accepted God's message, and they sent Peter and John.
15. When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that the people would be given the Holy Spirit.
16. Before this, the Holy Spirit had not been given to anyone in Samaria, though some of them had been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17. Peter and John then placed their hands on everyone who had faith in the Lord, and they were given the Holy Spirit.
18. Simon noticed that the Spirit was given only when the apostles placed their hands on the people. So he brought money
19. and said to Peter and John, “Let me have this power too! Then anyone I place my hands on will also be given the Holy Spirit.”
20. Peter said to him, “You and your money will both end up in hell if you think you can buy God's gift!
21. You don't have any part in this, and God sees that your heart isn't right.