Acts 2:1-47 AMP

[1] When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place, [2] and suddenly a sound came from heaven like a rushing violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] There appeared to them tongues resembling fire, which were being distributed [among them], and they rested on each one of them [as each person received the Holy Spirit]. [4] And they were all filled [that is, diffused throughout their being] with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues (different languages), as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out [clearly and appropriately]. [5] Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout and God-fearing men from every nation under heaven. [6] And when this sound was heard, a crowd gathered, and they were bewildered because each one was hearing those in the upper room speaking in his own language or dialect. [7] They were completely astonished, saying, “Look! Are not all of these who are speaking Galileans? [8] Then how is it that each of us hears in our own language or native dialect? [9] [Among us there are] Parthians, Medes and Elamites, and people of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia [Minor], [10] Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and the visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes (Gentile converts to Judaism), [11] Cretans and Arabs—we all hear them speaking in our [native] tongues about the mighty works of God!” [12] And they were beside themselves with amazement and were greatly perplexed, saying one to another, “What could this mean?” [13] But others were laughing and joking and ridiculing them, saying, “They are full of sweet wine and are drunk!” [14] But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be explained to you; listen closely and pay attention to what I have to say. [15] These people are not drunk, as you assume, since it is [only] the third hour of the day (9:00 a.m.); [16] but this is [the beginning of] what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: [17] ‘AND IT SHALL BE IN THE LAST DAYS,’ says God, ‘THAT I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UPON ALL MANKIND; AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHESY, AND YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE [divinely prompted] VISIONS, AND YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM [divinely prompted] DREAMS; [18] EVEN ON MY BOND-SERVANTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR OUT MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy. [19] AND I WILL BRING ABOUT WONDERS IN THE SKY ABOVE AND SIGNS (attesting miracles) ON THE EARTH BELOW, BLOOD AND FIRE AND SMOKING VAPOR. [20] THE SUN SHALL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS AND THE MOON INTO BLOOD, BEFORE THE GREAT AND GLORIOUS DAY OF THE LORD COMES. [21] AND IT SHALL BE THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord Jesus] SHALL BE SAVED (rescued spiritually).’ [22] “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man accredited and pointed out and attested to you by God with [the power to perform] miracles and wonders and signs which God worked through Him in your [very] midst, just as you yourselves know— [23] this Man, when handed over [to the Roman authorities] according to the predetermined decision and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross and put to death by the hands of lawless and godless men. [24] But God raised Him up, releasing Him and bringing an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in death’s power. [25] For David says of Him, ‘I SAW THE LORD CONSTANTLY BEFORE ME; FOR HE IS AT MY RIGHT HAND, SO THAT I WILL NOT BE SHAKEN [from my state of security]. [26] THEREFORE MY HEART REJOICED AND MY TONGUE EXULTED EXCEEDINGLY; MOREOVER MY FLESH ALSO WILL LIVE IN HOPE [that is, will encamp in anticipation of the resurrection]; [27] FOR YOU WILL NOT FORSAKE ME and ABANDON MY SOUL TO HADES (the realm of the dead), NOR LET YOUR HOLY ONE UNDERGO DECAY [after death]. [28] YOU HAVE MADE KNOWN TO ME THE WAYS OF LIFE; YOU WILL FILL ME [infusing my soul] WITH JOY WITH YOUR PRESENCE.’ [29] “Brothers, I may confidently and freely say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] And so, being a prophet and knowing fully that GOD HAD SWORN TO HIM WITH AN OATH THAT HE WOULD SEAT one OF HIS DESCENDANTS ON HIS THRONE, [31] he foresaw and spoke [prophetically] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), that HE WAS NOT ABANDONED [in death] TO HADES (the realm of the dead), NOR DID His body UNDERGO DECAY. [32] God raised this Jesus [bodily from the dead], and of that [fact] we are all witnesses. [33] Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this [blessing] which you both see and hear. [34] For David did not ascend into the heavens, yet he himself says, ‘THE LORD [the Father] SAID TO MY LORD [the Son], “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, [35] UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.”’ [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel recognize beyond all doubt that God has made Him both Lord and Christ (Messiah, Anointed)—this Jesus whom you crucified.” [37] Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart [with remorse and anxiety], and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?” [38] And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” [40] And Peter solemnly testified and continued to admonish and urge them with many more words, saying, “Be saved from this crooked and unjust generation!” [41] So then, those who accepted his message were baptized; and on that day about 3,000 souls were added [to the body of believers]. [42] They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles, and to fellowship, to eating meals together and to prayers. [43] A sense of awe was felt by everyone, and many wonders and signs (attesting miracles) were taking place through the apostles. [44] And all those who had believed [in Jesus as Savior] were together and had all things in common [considering their possessions to belong to the group as a whole]. [45] And they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing the proceeds with all [the other believers], as anyone had need. [46] Day after day they met in the temple [area] continuing with one mind, and breaking bread in various private homes. They were eating their meals together with joy and generous hearts, [47] praising God continually, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were being saved.