Paul celebrates the Lord's suppor: CHAP. XXI. He takes leave of the elders. 3 And there abode three months. And was profitable unto you, but have shewed when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was you, and have taught you publicly, and about to sail into Syria, he purposed to from house to house, return through Macedonia. 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also 4 And there accompanied him into Asia, to the Greeks, repentance toward God, Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessaloni- and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. ans, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus, and Trophimus. 5 These going before, tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. 22 And now behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there : 23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, 7 And upon the first day of the week, and the ministry which I have received of when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, 27 For I have not shunned to declare young man named Eutychus, being fallen unto you all the counsel of God. into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long 28 Take heed therefore unto yourpreaching, he sunk down with sleep, and selves, and to all the flock over the which fell down from the third loft, and was taken the Holy Ghost hath made you overseer's, up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him, said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an sanctified. 14 And when he met with us at Assos, inheritance among all them which are we took him in, and came to Mitylene, 15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. 33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, 17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, ne said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what man- 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words ner I have been with you at all seasons, which he spake, that they should see his 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of face no more. And they accompanied mind, and with many tears and tempta- him unto the ship. ions ions, which befell me by the laying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that A CHAP. XXI. ND it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had 121 launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, andt forth. 3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. He is apprehended. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying, Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 And when we had accomplished those 22 What is it therefore? the multitude That they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. days, we departed, and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: city: and we kneeled down on the shore, We have four men which have a vow on and prayed. 6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may 7 And when we had finished our course know that those things whereof they were from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and informed concerning thee, are nothing; saluted the brethren, and abode with them but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, one day. 8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cesarea; and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the 10 And as we tarried there many days, next day purifying himself with them, en there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. tered into the temple. to signify the ac complishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the 27 And when the seven days were alHoly Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusa- most ended, the Jews, which were of of Asia, Jem bind the man that owneth this girdle, when they saw him in the temple, stirred and shall deliver him into the hands of the up all the people, and laid hands on him, 28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help. Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, This is the man that teacheth all men every both we, and they of that place, besought where against the people, and the law, him not to go up to Jerusalem. and this place and further, brought 13 Then Paul answered, What mean Greeks also into the temple; and hath ye to weep, and to break my heart? for polluted this holy place. I am ready not to be bound only, but also 29 (For they had seen before with him to die at Jerusalem for the name of the in the city, Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom Lord Jesus. they supposed that Paul had brought into 14 And when he would not be persuad-the temple.) ed, we ceased, saying, The will of the 30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul Lord be done. 15 And afterthose days we took up our and drew him out of the temple. And carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. forthwith the doors were shut. 16 There went with us also certain of 31 And as they went about to kill him, the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with tidings came unto the chief captain of the them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old dis- band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar; ciple, with whom we should lodge. 32 Who immediately took soldiers and 17 And when we were come to Jerusa-centurions, and ran down unto them. And lem, the brethren received us gladly, 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James: and all the elders were present. when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. 33 Then the chief captain came near land took him, and commanded him to be CHAP. XXII. Paul speaks in his defence: He declares his conversion. bound with two chains: and demanded into Damascus, and there it shall be told who he was, and what he had done. thee of all things which are appointed for 34 And some cried one thing, some thee to do. another, among the multitude: and when 11 And when I could not see for the he could not know the certainty for the glory of that light, being led by the hand tumult, he commanded him to be carried of them that were with me, I came into into the castle. Damascus. 35 And when he came upon the stairs, 12 And one Ananias, a devout man acso it was that he was borne of the soldiers, for the violence of the people. 36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. 37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? cording to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citi- calling on the name of the Lord. zen of no mean city: and I beseech thee 17 And it came to pass, that, when I suffer me to speak unto the people. was come again to Jerusalem, even while 40 And when he had given him licence, I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned 18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testi CHAP. XXII. I make now unto you. MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my 2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) 19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet 21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I brought up in this city at the feet of Ga- will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. maliel, and taught according to the perfect 22 And they gave him audience unto manner of the law of the fathers, and was this word, and then lifted up their voices, zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. and said, Away with such a fellow from 4 And I persecuted this way unto the the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, 24 The chief captain commanded him 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders; to be brought into the castle, and bade from whom also I received letters unto the that he should be examined by scourging; brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring that he might know wherefore they cried them which were there bound unto Jerusa- so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, lem, for to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that, as I made Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, my journey, and was come nigh unto Da- Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is mascus about noon, suddenly there shone a Roman, and uncondemned? from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest; for this man is a Roman. 27 Then the chief captain came, and 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Naza-said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? reth, whom thou persecutest. 9 And they that were with me saw in He said, Yea. 23 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. free-born. deed the light, and were afraid; but they 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go 29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: He is sent to Felix. The Jews conspire to kill Paul: THE ACTS. and the chief captainalso was afraid, after and elders, and said, We have bound ourhe knew that he was a Roman, and be-selves under a great curse, that we will cause he had bound him. eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 30 On the morrow, because he would 15 Now therefore ye with the council have known the certainty wherefore he signify to the chief captain, that he bring was accused of the Jews, he loosed him him down unto you to-morrow, as though from his bands, and commanded the chief ye would inquire something more per priests and all their council to appear, fectly concerning him: and we, or ever and brought Paul down, and set him be- he come near, are ready to kill him. fore them. A CHAP. XXIII. ND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 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 2 And the high priest Ananias com- a certain thing to tell him. manded them that stood by him, to smite him on the mouth. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall prisoner called me unto him, and prayed smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest me to bring this young man unto thee, thou to judge me after the law, and com- who hath something to say unto thee. mandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand and went with him aside private 4 And they that stood by, said, Revilestly, and asked him, What is that thou hast thou God's high priest? to tell me? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed that he was the high priest: for it is writ-to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring ten, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler down Paul to-morrow into the council, as of thy people. though they would inquire somewhat of 6 But when Paul perceived that the one him more perfectly. part were Sadducees, and the other Phari- 21 But do not thou yield unto them: sees, he cried out in the council, Men and for there lie in wait for him of them more brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a than forty men, which have bound themPharisee: of the hope and resurrection of selves with an oath, that they will neither the dead I am called in question. eat nor drink till they have killed him: 7 And when he had so said, there arose and now are they ready, looking for a a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 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. 9 And there arose a great cry: and the 23 And he called unto him two centu Scribes that were of the Pharisees' part rions, saying, Make ready two hundred arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath threescore and ten, and spearmen two spoken to him, let us not fight against God. hundred, at the third hour of the night; 10 And when there arose a great dis- 24 And provide them beasts, that they sension, the chief captain, fearing lest may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Paul should have been pulled in pieces of Felix the governor. them, commanded the soldiers to go down, 25 And he wrote a letter after this and to take him by force from among manner: them, and to bring him into the castle. 26 Claudius Lysias, unto the most ex11 And the night following the Lord cellent governor Felix, sendeth greeting. stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, 27 This man was taken of the Jews, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in and should have been killed of them: then Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. at Rome. 12 And when it was day, certain of the 28 And when I would have known the Jews banded together, and bound them-cause wherefore they accused him, I selves under a curse, saying, that they brought him forth into their council: would neither eat 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 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds. 30 And when it was told me how that Tertullus accuses Paul. CHAP. XXIV, XXV. Paul's defence. the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent 14 But this I confess unto thee, that straightway to thee, and gave command- after the way which they call heresy, so ment to his accusers also, to say before worship I the God of my fathers, believing thee what they had against him. Farewell. all things which are written in the law 31 Then the soldiers, as it was com- and in the prophets: manded them, took Paul, and brought him 15 And have hope toward God, which by night to Antipatris. they themselves also allow, that there shall 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen be a resurrection of the dead, both of the to go with him, and returned to the castle: just and unjust. 33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to and delivered the epistle to the governor, have always a conscience void of offence presented Paul also before him. 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 thine accusers are also come. And he commandedhim to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall. A CHAP. XXIV. toward God, and toward men. 17 Now, after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult: 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had aught against me. ND after five days, Ananias the high 20 Or else let these same here say, if priest descended with the elders, they have found any evil-doing in me, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, while I stood before the council, who informed the governor against Paul. 21 Except it be for this one voice, that 2 And when he was called forth, Ter- I cried, standing among them, Touching tullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing the resurrection of the dead I am called that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, in question by you this day. 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, thee. I pray thee, that thou 23 And he commanded a centurion to wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaint 5 For we have found this man a pesti-ance to minister, or come unto him. lent fellow, and a mover of sedition among 24 And after certain days, when Felix all the Jews throughout the world, and a came with his wife Drusilla, which was ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes: a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him 6 Who also hath gone about to profane concerning the faith in Christ. the temple: whom we took, and would 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, have judged according to our law: temperance, and judgment to come, Felix son, I will call for thee. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came trembled, and answered, Go thy way for upon us, and with great violence took him this time; when I have a convenient seaaway out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come 26 He hoped also that money should unto thee: by examining of whom, thy- have been given him of Paul, that he self mayest take knowledge kn of all these might loose him: wherefore he sent for things whereof we accuse him. him the oftener, and communed with him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying, 27 But after two years Porcius Festus That these things were so. came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing 10 Then Paul, after that the governor to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, CHẬP. XXV. Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been TOW when Festus was come into the of many years a judge unto this nation, I province, after three days he ascenddo the more cheerfully answer for myself: ed from Cesarea to Jerusalem. NOW 11 Because that thou mayest under- 2 Then the high priest and the chief of stand, that there are yet but twelve days the Jews informed him against Paul, and since I wentup to Jerusalem for to worship. besought him, 12 And they neither found me in the 3 And desired favour against him, that temple disputing with any man, neither he would send for him to Jerusalem, layraising up the people, neither in the syna-ing wait in the way to kill him. gogues, nor in the city: 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should 13 Neither can they prove the things be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself whereof they now accuse me. would depart shortly thither. |