its, crying with a loud voice,
went out.

8:8. And many, taken with the palsy, and that were lame, were healed.

8:9. There was therefore great joy in that city. Now there was a certain
man named Simon who before had been a magician in that city, seducing
the people of Samaria, giving out that he was some great one:

8:10. To whom they all gave ear, from the least to the greatest, saying:
This man is the power of God, which is called great.

8:11. And they were attentive to him, because, for a long time, he had
bewitched them with his magical practices.

8:12. But when they had believed Philip preaching of the kingdom of God,
in the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

8:13. Then Simon himself believed also and, being baptized, he adhered
to Philip. And being astonished, wondered to see the signs and exceeding
great miracles which were done.

8:14. Now, when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that
Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and
John.

8:15. Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive
the Holy Ghost.

8:16. For he was not as yet come upon any of them: but they were only
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

8:17. Then they laid their hands upon them: and they received the Holy
Ghost.

They laid their hands upon them, etc... The apostles administered the
sacrament of confirmation, by imposition of hands, and prayer; and the
faithful thereby received the Holy Ghost. Not but they had received the
grace of the Holy Ghost at their baptism: yet not that plenitude of
grace and those spiritual gifts which they afterwards received from
bishops in the sacrament of confirmation, which strengthened them to
profess their faith publicly.

8:18. And when Simon saw that, by the imposition of the hands of the
apostles, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

8:19. Saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I shall lay my
hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him:

8:20. Keep thy money to thyself, to perish with thee: because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

8:21. Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not
right in the sight of God.

8:22. Do penance therefore for this thy wickedness: and pray to God,
that perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee.

8:23. For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds