Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a mighty rushing wind, filling all the house where they were sitting. There appeared to them tongues like fire, sitting on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

There were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. When this was noised abroad, the multitude came together and were confounded because every man heard them speak in his own tongue. They were all amazed and marvelled, saying to one another, "Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how do we hear each person in our own language, wherein we were born?

People from Parthia, Media, and Elam, as well as those living in Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia; Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers from Rome, Jews and proselytes; Cretes and Arabians - we hear them speaking in our own tongues the mighty works of God. They were all amazed and in doubt, saying to one another, "What does this mean?

Others mocking said, "These men are full of new wine." But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, be aware of what has happened, and listen carefully to my words. For these are not drunk, as you assume, since it is only the third hour of the day.

But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it will happen in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. And in those days, I will pour out my Spirit on my servants and handmaidens, and they shall prophesy.

And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, fire, and smoke of vapor. The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth was a man endorsed by God among you through miraculous signs and wonders performed by him in your presence. Him, having been delivered by the fixed and knowing purpose of God, you have taken and, through wicked hands, crucified and killed. God has raised him up, having released him from the grip of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.

For David speaks concerning him, saying he always foresaw the Lord before his face, with the Lord on his right hand. Therefore, my heart rejoiced and my tongue was glad, with the hope that my flesh would rest. Because you will not abandon my soul to the realm of death, nor allow your Holy One to experience decay.

You have made known to me the ways of life; you will fill me with joy through your presence. Men and brothers, I am free to speak to you about the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet and knowing that God had sworn an oath to him, he would raise up Christ from his descendants to sit on his throne.

He saw beforehand that Christ would rise from the dead, knowing that his soul was not left in Hades and that his flesh did not experience decay. This Jesus has been raised up by God, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore, having been exalted to God's right hand and receiving from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you are now seeing and hearing.

For David did not ascend into heaven, but he says, "The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand. Until I make your enemies a footstool for you." Therefore, let all Israel know with certainty that God has appointed Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Messiah.

When they heard this, their hearts were pierced and they asked Peter and the other apostles, "Men and brothers, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and your children, and to all who are far off, just as many as the Lord our God will call.

And with many other words, he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this wicked generation." Those who gladly received his word were baptized: and about three thousand souls joined them that same day. They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and prayers.

And fear came upon every soul; and many remarkable signs and wonders were performed by the apostles. And all who believed were together, sharing everything in common. They sold their possessions and goods, distributing them to everyone according to each person's need.

They continued daily with one accord in the temple, breaking bread from house to house and eating their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart. Praising God, and having favor with all the people, the Lord added to their community daily those who were being saved.