9 One man in the city had been practicing magic and amazing the people, and he claimed that he was someone great. His name was Simon 10 and the people there from the least to the most important said, “This power is from the great god.” 11 They gave him a lot of attention because he’d been amazing them with magic for quite a long time. 12 However when Philip started preaching the good message about God’s kingdom and the name and authority of Yeshua the messiah, they believed the message, and many men and women asked to be immersed in water. 13 Simon himself also believed and was immersed, and then started accompanying Philip around—marvelling as he observed the miracles and signs of God’s power.

14 When the missionaries in Yerusalem heard that many people from Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and Yohan out to them 15 so then they prayed for them to receive the holy spirit. 16 (The holy spirit hadn’t fallen on any of them at that point, but they had only been immersed into the name and authority of the master Yeshua.) 17 So Peter and Yohan placed their hands on the new believers and they received the holy spirit.

18 When Simon the magician saw that they received the spirit after having the hands of the missionaries placed on them, he offered money to Peter and Yohan, saying, 19 “Give me this authority so that anyone who I place my hands on will receive the holy spirit.”

20 But Peter responded, “May your money join you in your destruction because you thought you could buy God’s gift with it. 21 There’s no role for you here and no part for you in our work because your heart isn’t right with God. 22 You need to turn away from this evil desire and beg the master that maybe he’ll forgive you for your wrong intentions 23 because I perceive that you have a bitter attitude and ungodly habits.

24 Simon answered, “Oh, please ask the master on my behalf that none of what you mentioned will happen to me.”