¹⁵ But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

²² But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'Raca{"Raca" is an Aramaic insult, related to the word for "empty" and conveying the idea of empty-headedness.}!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna{Gehenna is another name for Hell that brings to mind an image of a burning garbage dump with dead bodies in it.}.

³⁴ But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while.

³⁵ He said to them, "You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.

³⁶ For before these days Theudas rose up, making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing.

³⁷ After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad.

³⁸ Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.

³⁹ But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!"

⁴⁰ They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

⁴¹ They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name.

⁴² Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

³⁰ The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them.

³¹ When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds."

³² Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."