And [a]kept away part of the price, his wife also being of counsel, and brought a certain part, and laid it down at the Apostles’ feet.

Then said Peter, Ananias, why hath Satan [b]filled thine heart, that thou shouldest [c]lie unto the holy Ghost, and keep away part of the price of this possession?

While it remained, appertained it not unto thee? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? how is it that thou hast [d]conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 5:2 Craftily took away.
  2. Acts 5:3 Fully possessed.
  3. Acts 5:3 For when they had appointed that farm or possession for the Church, they stuck not at it to keep away a part of the price, as though they had had to do with men, and not with God, and therefore he saith afterward that they tempted God.
  4. Acts 5:4 Hereby is declared an advised and purposed deceit, and the fault of the man in admitting the devil’s suggestions.

With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself,(A) but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.(B)

Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan(C) has so filled your heart(D) that you have lied to the Holy Spirit(E) and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?(F) Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?(G) What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”(H)

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