11. They paid attention to Simon because he had amazed them for a long time with his practice of magic.
12. However, when Philip spread the Good News about the kingdom of God and the one named Jesus Christ, men and women believed him and were baptized.
13. Even Simon believed, and after he was baptized, he became devoted to Philip. Simon was amazed to see the miracles and impressive things that were happening.
14. When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the Samaritans had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
15. Peter and John went to Samaria and prayed that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit.
16. (Before this the Holy Spirit had not come to any of the Samaritans. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit.
18. Simon saw that the Spirit was given to the Samaritans when the apostles placed their hands on them. So he offered Peter and John money
19. and said, “Give me this power so that anyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.”
20. Peter told Simon, “May your money be destroyed with you because you thought you could buy God’s gift.
21. You won’t have any share in this because God can see how twisted your thinking is.
22. So change your wicked thoughts, and ask the Lord if he will forgive you for thinking like this.
23. I can see that you are bitter with jealousy and wrapped up in your evil ways.”
24. Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me that none of the things you said will happen to me.”
25. After they had boldly spoken about the message of the Lord, they spread the Good News in many Samaritan villages on their way back to Jerusalem.
26. An angel from the Lord said to Philip, “Get up, and take the desert road that goes south from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
27. So Philip went.An Ethiopian man who had come to Jerusalem to worship was on his way home. The man was a eunuch, a high-ranking official in charge of all the treasures of Queen Candace of Ethiopia.
28. As the official rode along in his carriage, he was reading the prophet Isaiah out loud.
29. The Spirit said to Philip, “Go to that carriage, and stay close to it.”
30. Philip ran to the carriage and could hear the official reading the prophet Isaiah out loud. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you’re reading?”