Paul goes to Jerusalem: THE ACTS. launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara : He is apprehended. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto 20 And when they heard it, they gloriPhenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. fied the Lord, and said unto him, Thou 3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, seest, brother, how many thousands of we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Jews there are which believe; and they Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the are all zealous of the law: ship was to unlade her burden. 21 And they are informed of thee, that 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there thou teachest all the Jews which are among seven days: who said to Paul through the the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying, Spirit, that he should not go up to Jeru-That they ought not to circumcise their salem. children, neither to walk after the customs. 5 And when we had accomplished those 22 What is it therefore? the multitude days, we departed, and went our way; must needs come together: for they will and they all brought us on our way, with hear that thou art come. 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. them; 6 And when we had taken our leave 24 Them take, and purify thyself with one of another, we took ship; and they them, and be at charges with them, that returned home again. 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. and keepest the law. 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. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 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 next day purifying himself with them, entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, 11 And when he was come unto us, he until that an offering should be offered for took Paul's girdle, and bound his own every one of them. hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews, which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, 28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help. This is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, 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 to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly, 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James: and all the elders were present. 29 (For they had seen before with him in the city, Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul and drew him out of the temple. And forthwith the doors were shut. 31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar; 32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them. And 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 Paul speaks in his defence: CHAP. XXII. 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, so 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? 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according 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 should38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which est hear the voice of his mouth. before these days madest an uproar, and 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all leddest out into the wilderness four thou-men of what thou hast seen and heard. sand men that were murderers? 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 suffer me to speak unto the people. 17 And it came to pass, that, when I 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 with the hand unto the people. And when haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusathere was made a great silence, he spake lem; for they will not receive thy testiunto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, many concerning me. CHAP. XXII. MEN brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. 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 3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, the raiment of them that slew him. born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet 21 And he said unto me, Depart: for 1 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 23 And as they cried out, and cast off both men and women. their clothes, and threw dust into the air, 5 As also the high priest doth bear me 24 The chief captain commanded him 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. lem, for to be punished. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, 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. 26 When the centurion heard that, he 7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard went and told the chief captain, saying, a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why Take heed what thou doest; for this man persecutest thou me? lis a Roman. 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? 27 Then the chief captain came, and And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Naza-said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? reth, whom thou persecutest. He said, Yea. 9 And they that were with me saw in- 28 And the chief captain answered, deed the light, and were afraid; but they With a great sum obtained I this freedom. heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And Paul said, But I was free-born. 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? 29 Then straightway they departed from And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go him which should have examined him: The Jews conspire to kill Paul: THE ACTS. He is sent to Felix. and the chief captain also 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 perpriests 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. 16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered CHAP. XXIII. AND Paul, earnestly beholding the into the castle, and told Paul. council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to smite him on the mouth. 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 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 19 Then the chief captain took him by Jaw? the hand and went with him aside private4 And they that stood by, said, Revilest ly, 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 him more perfectly. 6 But when Paul perceived that the one 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 promise from thee. 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. 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 centuScribes 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, at Rome. having understood that he was a Roman. 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 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of killed Paul. questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds. 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests 30 And when it was told me how that Tertullus accuses Paul. Paul's defence. the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent 15 And have hope toward God, which 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, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked, of what province he And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; was. 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commandedhim to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall. CHAP. XXIV. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence 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. 20 Or else let these same here say, if ND after five days, Ananias the high 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 in question by you this day. that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 22 And when Felix heard these things. having more perfect knowledge of that 3 We accept it always, and in all places, way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintwords. 5 For we have found this man a pesti-ance to minister, or come unto him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix lent fellow, and a mover of sedition among 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 have judged according to our law: Felix 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, 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 season, I will call for thee. away out of our hands, 26 He hoped also that money should 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom, thy-have been given him of Paul, that he self mayest take knowledge of all these might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. things whereof we accuse him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus 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, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been 9 And the Jews also assented, saying, That these things were so. of many years a judge unto this nation, I CHAP. XXV. OW when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascend do the more cheerfully answer for myself: ed from Cesarea to Jerusalem. 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 went up to Jerusalem for to worship. besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that 12 And they neither found me in the 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 would depart shortly thither. whereof they now accuse me. 125 Paul brought before Festas:` THE ACTS. He declares his life to Agrippa: 21 But when Paul had appealed to be 9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a of the Jews have dealt with me, both at pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt Jerusalem, and also here, crying that be thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be ought not to live any longer. judged of these things before me? 25 But when I found that he had com 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's mitted nothing worthy of death, and that judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I to the Jews have I done no wrong, as have determined to send him. thou very well knowest. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to 11 For if I be an offender, or have com-write unto my lord. Wherefore I have mitted any thing worthy of death, I refuse brought him forth before you, and spenot to die: but if there be none of these cially before thee, O king Agrippa, that things whereof these accuse me, no man after examination had, I might have somemay deliver me unto them. I appeal unto what to write. Cesar. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred to send a prisoner, and not withal to sigwith the council, answered, Hast thou ap-nify the crimes laid against him. pealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go. CHAP. XXVI. 13 And after certain days, king AgrippaHEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou and Bernice came unto Cesarea, to salute Festus. art permitted to speak for thyself. answered for himself: Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: because I shall answer for myself this day 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusa- of I am accused of the Jews: before thee, touching all the things wherelem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judg-expert in all customs and questions which 3 Especially, because I know thee to be ment against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not the thee to hear me patiently. are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence 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 dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he which was at the first among mine own na- 5 Which knew me from the beginning, 6 And now I stand, and am judged for 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, 8 Why should it be thought a thing in- 9 I verily thought with myself, that I 125 |