17. But we must warn them not to talk to people anymore using that name. Then this thing will not spread among the people.”
18. So they called Peter and John in again. They told them not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus.
19. But Peter and John answered them, “What do you think is right? What would God want? Should we obey you or God?
20. We cannot keep quiet. We must speak about what we have seen and heard.”
21-22. The Jewish leaders could not find a way to punish them because all the people were praising God for what had been done. (This miracle was a proof from God. The man who was healed was more than 40 years old!) So the Jewish leaders warned the apostles again and let them go free.
23. Peter and John left the meeting of Jewish leaders and went to their own group. They told them everything that the leading priests and the Jewish elders had said to them.
24. When the believers heard this, they prayed to God with one purpose. They prayed, “Lord, you are the One who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in the world.
25. Our father David was your servant. With the help of the Holy Spirit he said:‘Why are the nations so angry?Why are the people making useless plans?