Good News Bible

Acts 8:16-24 Good News Bible (GNB)

16. For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18. Simon saw that the Spirit had been given to the believers when the apostles placed their hands on them. So he offered money to Peter and John,

19. and said, “Give this power to me too, so that anyone I place my hands on will receive the Holy Spirit.”

20. But Peter answered him, “May you and your money go to hell, for thinking that you can buy God's gift with money!

21. You have no part or share in our work, because your heart is not right in God's sight.

22. Repent, then, of this evil plan of yours, and pray to the Lord that he will forgive you for thinking such a thing as this.

23. For I see that you are full of bitter envy and are a prisoner of sin.”

24. Simon said to Peter and John, “Please pray to the Lord for me, so that none of these things you spoke of will happen to me.”