16. "What should we do with these men? Everyone living in Jerusalem is aware of the sign performed through them. It’s obvious to everyone and we can’t deny it.
17. To keep it from spreading further among the people, we need to warn them not to speak to anyone in this name."
18. When they called Peter and John back, they demanded that they stop all speaking and teaching in the name of Jesus.
19. Peter and John responded, "It’s up to you to determine whether it’s right before God to obey you rather than God.
20. As for us, we can’t stop speaking about what we have seen and heard."
21. They threatened them further, then released them. Because of public support for Peter and John, they couldn’t find a way to punish them. Everyone was praising God for what had happened,
22. because the man who had experienced this sign of healing was over 40 years old.
23. After their release, Peter and John returned to the brothers and sisters and reported everything the chief priests and elders had said.
24. They listened, then lifted their voices in unison to God, "Master, you are the one who created the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.
25. You are the one who spoke by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?
26. The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers gathered together as one against the Lord and against his Christ.
27. Indeed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Gentiles and Israelites, did gather in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
28. They did what your power and plan had already determined would happen.