Page images
PDF
EPUB

A conspiracy against Paul..

A. D. 60.

THE ACTS.

not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, fI am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of 8 ch. 24.15.21. the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

fch. 26. 5. Phil. 3. 5.

& 26. 6, & 28. 20,

[blocks in formation]

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 h For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, 1 We find no evil in this man: but kif a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, I let us not fight against God. 10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

12 And when it was day, "certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves | under a curse, saying that they would neither cat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to Bay unto thee.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, "The Jews have

He is sent to Felix the governor.

agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

27 P This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

A. D. GO.

pch. 21. 33, & 21. 7.

28 9 And when I would have known q ch. 22. 30, the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to h. 18. 15. & have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and "gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

25, 19, ■ ch. 26, 31. t ver. 20.

uch. 24. & &

25. 6.

x ch. 21. 39.

34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35 I will hear thee, said he, when yeh. 24. 1, 1Q thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in 2 Herod's judgment hall.

1 Paul, being accused by Tertullus the
CHAPTER XXIV.
orator, 10 answereth for his life and
doctrine. 24 He preacheth Christ to the
governor and his wife. 26 The governor

& 25. 16.

■ Matt. 27, 27,

Paul answereth in defence

A. D. GO.

a ch. 21. 27.

b ch. 23. 2, 30, 35. & 25, 2.

• Luke 23. 2. ch. 6. 13, & 16, 20. & 17. 6. & 21. 28.

1 Pet. 2. 12, 15.

THE ACTS.

hopeth for a bribe, but in vain. 27 At last, going out of his office, he leaveth Paul in prison.

of his life and doctrine.

17 Now after many years 41 came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

18 Whereupon certain Jews from

A the high priest descended with Asia found me purified in the tem

the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

ple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

A. D. GO.

q ch. 11.29,30, & 20, 16. Rom. 15. 25, 2 Cor. 8. 4. Gal. 2. 10.

reh. 21.28.27. & 26. 21. seh. 23, 30, &

19 Who ought to have been here 2 And when he was called forth, before thee, and object, if they had 25. 16. Tertullus began to accuse him, say-aught against me. ing, Seeing that by thee we enjoy 20 Or else let these same here say, great quietness, and that very wor-if they have found any evil doing thy deeds are done unto this nation in me, while I stood before the counby thy providence, cil,

We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 d Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, John 18. 31. and would have judged according to our law.

d ch. 21. 28.

feh, 21. 33.

gch. 23, 30.

A. D. 53. Feliz made procurator over Judea.

b ch. 21. 25. ver. 17. ich. 25, 8. & 28 17.

7fBut the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

88 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem h for to worship.

12 i And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

See Amos 8. that after the way which they

11.

ch, 9. 2.

12 Tim. 1. 3. mch. 26. 22, & 28. 23.

nch. 23. 6. & 26. 6, 7. & 28. 20.

o Dan. 12. 2. John5.28,29.

pch, 23. 1.

[blocks in formation]

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When "Lysias the chief uver. 7. captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid z ch. 27. 3. & none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judg ment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

28. 16.

26 He hoped also that money Ex. 23, 8. should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

CHAPTER XXV.

2 The Jews accuse Paul before Festus. 8 He answereth for himself, 11 and appealeth unto Cesar. 14 Afterwards Festus openeth his matter to king Agrippa, 23 and he is brought forth. 25 Festus cleareth him to have done nothing worthy of death.

TOW when Festus was come

14 But this I confess unto thee, into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.

call heresy, so worship I the 1 God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, "that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And Pherein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

A. D. 62.

Ex. 23. 2. ch. 12. 3. & 25.9. 11.

ver. 15.

2 Then the high priest and the ch. 24. L. chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, blaying wait in the way to beh. 23, 12, kill him.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

15.

Paul appealeth unto Cesar.

A. D. 62.

e ch, 18, 14. ver. 18.

Or, as some copies read, no more than eight or ten days.

[blocks in formation]

5 Let them therefore, said he, which | manner of questions, I asked him |
among you are able, go down with whether he would go to Jerusalem,
me, and accuse this man, if there and there be judged of these matters.
be any wickedness in him.
21 But when Paul had appealed to
be reserved unto the hearing of
Augustus, I commanded him to be
kept till I might send him to Cesar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus,
I would also hear the man myself.
To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear
him.

6 And when he had tarried among
them more than ten days, he went
down unto Cesarea; and the next
day sitting on the judgment seat
commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews
which came down from Jerusalem
stood round about, d and laid many
and grievous complaints against
ch. 24. 5, 13. Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he answered for himself,
*Neither against the law of the Jews,
24. 12. & 28. neither against the temple, nor yet
against Cesar, have I offended any
thing at all.

d Mark 15. 3. Luke23.2,10.

⚫ ch. 6. 13. &

17.

foh. 21. 27.

g ver. 20.

9 But Festus, fwilling to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus commandment Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Ce-not to live any longer. sar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 h For if I be an offender, or ah. 18. 14. & have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may dei ch. 26. 32. & liver me unto them. I appeal un

hver. 25.

23. 29. & 26. 31.

28. 19.

Ich, 24. 27.

1 ver. 2, 3.

m ver. 4, 5.

n ver. 6.

o ch. 18 15,

23, 29.

to Cesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, k There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him; 16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, "without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought_none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 "But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was doubtful how dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

[blocks in formation]

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, tand that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

[blocks in formation]

THEN Agrippa said unto Paul,

Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

A. D. 62.

Or, judg

ment.

p See ch.9.15.

q ver. 2, 3, 2

rch. 22. 22

ch. 23. 9, 23.

& 26. 31.

tver, 11, 12,

[blocks in formation]

Paul's defence before Agrippa.

A. D. 62.

e Gen. 3. 15. & 22. 18. & 26. 4. & 49. 10.

Deut. 18. 15.
2 Sam, 7, 12
132. 11.
Is 4. 2. & 7.

14. & 9. 6. &
40. 10.
Jer. 23. 5. &

33. 14, 15, 18.
Es, 34, 23, &
37. 24.
Dan. 9. 24.
Mie. 7. 20.
ch. 13. 32.
Rom. 15. 8.
Tit. 2. 13.

d James 1. 1. + Gr. night and day.

THE ACTS.

[blocks in formation]

10 b Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority ifrom the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave 1 Thess 3.10. my voice against them.

• Lake 2. 37.

1 Tim. 5. 5. fPhil. 3. 11. g John 16. 2. 1 Tim. 1. 13. h ch. 8. 3. Gal. 1. 13.

i ch. 9. 14, 21. & 22. 5.

k ch. 22. 19. 1 ch. 9.3.& 22. 6.

mch, 22, 16.

n ch. 22, 21.

o Is. 35. 5. & 42.7. Luke 1. 79. John 8. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 4. Eph. 1. 18. 1 Thess. 5. 5.

P2 Cor. 6. 14.
Eph. 4. 18.&

5. 8.
Col. 1. 13.
1 Pet. 2.9,25.

Luke 1.77. r Eph. 1. 11. Col. 1. 12. sch, 20, 32.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 121 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose,, to make thee a

minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, " unto whom now I send thee,

18 open their eyes,

He is declared innocent.
A. D. 62.

witnessing both to small and great,
saying none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses didy Luke 24. 27,
say should come:

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, d thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

41. ch. 21. 14. & 23. 21. Rom. 3. 21.

John 5. 46. Lake 24. 26,

46.

1 Cor. 15.20,

Col. 1. 18.
Rev. 1. 5.

e Luke 2. 32. d2 Kin. 9. 14 John 10, 20.

1 Cor. 1.23.& 2. 13, 14 &

10.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, 1 Cor. 7.7. that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing wor- fch. 23. 9,29. thy of death or of bonds.

& 25, 25,

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, 8 if he had not appealed unto 8 ch. 25. 11. Cesar.

[blocks in formation]

turn them from darkness to light, A that we should sail into Italy,

and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are "sanctified by faith that is in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, t ch. 9 20, 22, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do a works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

29. & 11. 26. & 13, & 14,& 16, & 17, & 18. & 19, & 20, & 21.

u Matt. 3. 8. x ch. 21.30,31.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day,

ND when it was determined ach. 25.12,25. they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one b Aris- beh. 19. 29. tarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

28. 16.

3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously ch. 24, 23, & entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.

4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

Paul's voyage toward Rome.

.A. D. 62.

¡Or, Candy.

The fast was on the tenth

day of the
seventh
mouth,
Lav, 23. 27,
29.

Or, injury.

[Or, beat,

• Jonah 1. 5.

fch, 23, 11.

Dan. 6. 16. Rom. 1. 9. 2 Tim. 1. 3.

THE ACTS.

6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

Ile is shipwrecked.

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

7 And when we had sailed slowly
many days, and scarce were come 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer:
over against Cnidus, the wind noth for I believe God, that it shall be
suffering us, we sailed under || Crete, even as it was told me.
over against Salmone;

8 And,hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called the Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerOus, d because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is a haven of Crete, and lieth toward the southwest and northwest.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away, 21 But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 fFor there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and 8 whom I serve,

26 Howbeit iwe must be cast upon a certain island.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

A. D. 62.

h Luke 1. 45, Rom. 4. 20, 21.

2 Tim. 1. 12. ich. 28. 1.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat; for this is for your health: for k there shall not a hair fall from k1 Kin. 1.62 the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threcscore and sixteen souls.

38 And when they had caten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

Matt. 10. 30. Luke 12. 7. & 21. 18. 11 Sam. 9. 13. Matt. 15. 35, Mark 8. 6. John 6. 11. 1 Tim. 4. 3,4

meh. 2. 41. & 7. 14. Rom. 13. 1. 1 Pet, 3. 20.

10r, cut the anchera, they Left them in the sea, fe.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met," they ran the ship 2 Cor. 11.25. aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to

« PreviousContinue »