40. They said to Aaron, ‘Moses led us out of Egypt. But we don’t know what has happened to him. So make us gods who will lead us.’
41. So the people made an idol that looked like a calf. Then they brought sacrifices to it. The people were proud of what they had made with their own hands!
42. But God turned against them. He did not try to stop them from worshiping the sun, moon and stars. This is what is written in the book of the prophets: God says,‘People of Israel, you did not bring me sacrifices and offeringswhile you traveled in the desert for 40 years.
43. But now you will have to carry with youthe tent to worship the false god Molechand the idols of the star god Rephan that you made to worship.This is because I will send you away beyond Babylon.’ Amos 5:25-27
44. “The Holy Tent where God spoke to our fathers was with the Jews in the desert. God told Moses how to make this Tent. He made it like the plan God showed him.
45. Later, Joshua led our fathers to capture the lands of the other nations. Our people went in, and God drove the other people out. When our people went into this new land, they took with them this same Tent. They received this Tent from their fathers and kept it until the time of David.
46. God was very pleased with David. He asked God to let him build a house for him, the God of Jacob.
47. But Solomon was the one who built the Temple.
48. “But the Most High does not live in houses that men build with their hands. This is what the prophet says:
49. ‘Heaven is my throne.The earth is my footstool.So do you think you can build a house for me? says the Lord.There is no place where I need to rest.
50. Remember, I made all these things!’” Isaiah 66:1-2
51. Stephen continued speaking: “You stubborn Jewish leaders! You have not given your hearts to God! You won’t listen to him! You are always against what the Holy Spirit is trying to tell you. Your ancestors were like this, and you are just like them!
52. Your fathers tried to hurt every prophet who ever lived. Those prophets said long ago that the Righteous One would come. But your fathers killed them. And now you have turned against the Righteous One and killed him.
53. You received the law of Moses, which God gave you through his angels. But you don’t obey it!”
54. When the leaders heard Stephen saying all these things, they became very angry. They were so mad that they were grinding their teeth at Stephen.
55. But Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit. He looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God. He saw Jesus standing at God’s right side.