Act of Peter

Peter teaches the multitude on the Lord's day; a man asks why Peter's own daughter, who is paralyzed, is not healed; Peter answers by working a great sign, then setting her again in her sickness.

1Now the multitude were gathered together on the Lord's day; and Peter was teaching them. And many sick were brought; and Peter laid hands upon them; and they were healed.

2And there came a man out of the multitude, and stood up, and said unto Peter: O Peter, behold, many through thee have been healed of their sickness. Wherefore is it that thy daughter — the virgin who hath grown up beautifully, and who hath believed upon the name of God — wherefore is it that she lieth yonder paralyzed, and is not healed by thee?

3Behold, all that thou hast healed are strangers; but thy daughter, who is of thy household, thou hast not healed. Reveal then unto us also the power of God; and let her too be healed.

4Then Peter smiled, and said unto him: My son, it is manifest unto God alone wherefore her body is not whole. Know thou this: God is not weak, neither is He without ability to bestow His gift upon my daughter. But that thy soul may be persuaded, and that they who be here may be the more led to believe — let me show thee a sign.

5And Peter looked upon his daughter, and saith unto her: Arise from thy place; and walk, and come hither, that all may behold the power of God working in thee.

6And straightway she arose; and she walked. And she came unto her father; and she stood by him. And the multitude rejoiced exceedingly, and gave thanks unto God.

7Then Peter said: Hast thou seen, O man? Behold, my daughter is sound. Now know thou yet a greater sign.

8And Peter said unto her: Return unto thy place. Lie down again. Be again as thou wast.

9And the maiden returned; and she lay down; and she was as before. And the multitude were sore amazed; and they marvelled exceedingly.

10Then Peter said: My brethren, take heed unto this sign. Behold, my daughter is whole; yet she lieth as one not whole. The Father hath shown thus unto me, that her sickness is for her good, and for the good of many. For her body is preserved from the corruption of the world; her soul shall stand undefiled in the day of judgment; and many shall be turned unto God by reason of her patient suffering.

11And further, Peter said: Were any man to come and ask her in marriage — a rich man, a noble — he would corrupt her. The Father hath therefore set this hedge about her. The body is asleep; the soul is awake. The body is bound; the soul is free.

12Therefore, my brethren, when ye behold the sufferings of the saints, judge them not. Ye know not what the Father hath in mind. The afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

13And Peter blessed the multitude. And the maiden also blessed them; even from her bed. And they departed; and they glorified God. Glory be unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.