“And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: ‘Arise, and go toward the south on the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza, in the desert.’

And he arose and went, and beheld a man from Ethiopia, a Eunuch of great authority under Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasure.

He had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was now returning; riding in his chariot, and reading the prophet Isaiah.

Then the Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go now, and overtake this chariot.’  And Philip ran after him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’

And the Ethiopian answered, ‘How can I, unless someone guides me?  And he asked Philip to climb up and sit with him.

The portion of Scripture which he had been reading was this:  “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb silent before His shearer, He did not open His mouth.

In His humiliation, His justice was taken away; and who shall declare his descendants?  For His life is taken from the earth.”

And the Eunuch answered Philip, asking, ‘Who is the prophet speaking about?  Himself, or some other man?’

Then Philip answered, and beginning at the same Scripture, explained to him about Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they arrived at a place where there was water, and the Eunuch said,

‘See, here is water; what prevents me from being baptized?’