So the Pharisees and the chief priests met with the Council and said, "What shall we do? Look at all the miracles this man is performing!

If we let him go on in this way, everyone will believe in him, and the Roman authorities will take action and destroy our Temple and our nation!"

That was why the crowd met him---because they heard that he had performed this miracle.

The people there saw him walking and praising God,

and when they recognized him as the beggar who had sat at the Beautiful Gate, they were all surprised and amazed at what had happened to him.

While I was wondering what this meant, a goat came rushing out of the west, moving so fast that his feet didn't touch the ground. He had one prominent horn between his eyes.

The goat grew more and more arrogant, but at the height of his power his horn was broken. In its place four prominent horns came up, each pointing in a different direction.

At that time there was a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas.

But the Spirit gave Stephen such wisdom that when he spoke, they could not refute him.

He looked around at them all; then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand became well again.

They were filled with rage and began to discuss among themselves what they could do to Jesus.

because I will give you such words and wisdom that none of your enemies will be able to refute or contradict what you say.