Faul departs for Jerusalem. THE ACTS. He is apprehended. prus, we left it on the left hand, and seest, brother, how many thousands of sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for Jews there are which believe; and they there the ship was to unlade her burden. are all zealons of the law:

4 And finding disciples, we tarried 21 And they are informed of thee, that there seven days: who said to Paul thou teachest all the Jews which are through the Spirit, that he should not go among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, up to Jerusalem.

customs.

(saying, That they ought not to circumcise 5 And when we had accomplished their children, neither to walk after the those 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 city and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: 6 And when we had taken our leave We have four men which have a vow on one of another, we took ship; and they them; returned home again. 24 Them take, and purify thyself with 7 And when we had finished our course them, and be at charges with them, that from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and they may shave their heads: and ail may saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

know that those things whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, 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 25 As touching the Gentiles which be

of Philip the evangelist, which was one of lieve, we have written and concluded the seven; and abode with him. that they observe no such thing, save on9 And the same man had four daugh-ly that they keep themselves from things ters, virgins, which did prophesy. offered to idols, and from blood, and from 10 And as we tarried there many days, strangled, and from fornication. there came down from Judea a certain 26 Then Paul took the men, and the prophet, named Agabus. next day purifying himself with them,

11 And when he was come unto us, he entered into the temple, to signify the took Paul's girdle, and bound his own accomplishment of the days of purificahands and feet, and said, Thus saith the tion, until that an offering should be of Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusa-fered for every one of them. lem bind the man that owneth this girdle, 27 And when the seven days were aland shall deliver him into the hands of most ended, the Jews, which were of the Gentiles. Asia, when they saw him in the temple,

12 And when we heard these things, stirred up all the people, and laid hands both we, and they of that place, besought on him, him not to go up to Jerusalem.

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help

13 Then Paul answered, What mean This is the man that teacheth all men ye to weep, and to break my heart? for I every where against the people, and the am ready not to be bound only, but also law, and this place and further, brought to die at Jerusalein for the name of the Greeks also into the temple; and hath Lord Jesus.

polluted this holy place. 14 And when he would not be per- 29 (For they had seen before with him suaded, we ceased, saying, The will of in the city, Trophimus, an Ephesian, the Lord be done. whom they supposed that Paul had

15 And after those days we took up our brought into the temple.) carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 30 And all the city was moved, and the 16 There went with us also certain of people ran together: and they took Paul the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with and drew him out of the temple. And them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old dis- forthwith the doors were shut.

ciple, 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.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had

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 wrought among the Gentiles by his min- 33 Then the chief captain came near istry. and took him, and commanded him to be 20 And when they heard it, they glori-bound with two chains: and demanded fied the Lord, and said unto him, Thou who he was, and what he had done

Paul declareth

CHAP. XXII.

his conversion 34 And some cried one thing, some they heard not the voice of him that another, among the multitude: and when spake to me.

ae could not know the certainty for the 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? umult, he commanded him to be carried And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and into the castle. go into Damascus, and there it shall be 35 And when he came upon the stairs, told thee of all things which are appointso it was that he was borne of the sol-ed for thee to do.

diers, for the violence of the people. 11 And when I could not see for the 36 For the multitude of the people fol- glory of that light, being led by the hand lowed after, crying, Away with him. of them that were with me, I came into 37 And as Paul was to be led into the Damascus.

castle, he said unto the chief captair., 12 And one Ananias, a devout man acMay 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 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citi- know his will, and see that Just One, and zen of no mean city: and I beseech thee shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. suffer me to speak unto the people. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all 40 And when he had given him licence, men of what thou hast seen and heard. Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, with the hand unto the people. And and be baptized, and wash away thy when there was made a great silence, he sins, calling on the name of the Lord. spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, 17 And it came to pass, that, when I saying, was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

CHAP. XXII.

Paul declareth his conversion, &c.

MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye

unto you.

which I make now

2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

31 am verily a man which am a Jew,

18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet 20 And when the blood of thy martyr brought up in this city at the feet of Ga- Stephen was shed, I also was standing maliel, and taught according to the per- by, and consenting unto his death, and fect manner of the law of the fathers, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. was zealous toward God, as ye all are

chis day.

21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gen

4 And I persecuted this way unto the tiles.
death, binding and delivering into prisons
both men and women.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from

5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders; the earth: for it is not fit that he should from whom also I received letters into live.

the brethren, and went to Damascus, to 23 And as they cried out, and cast off bring them which were there bound un- their clothes, and threw dust into the air, to Jerusalem, for to be punished. 24 The chief captain commanded him 6 And it came to pass, that, as I made to be brought into the cas e, and bade my journey, and was come nigh unto that he should be examined by scourgDamascus about noon, suddenly there ing; that he might know wherefore they > shone from heaven a great light round cried so against him. about nye.

25 And as they bound him with thongs,

7 And I fell unto the ground, and Paul said unto the centurion that stood heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man

why persecutest thou me?

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

that is a Roman, and uncondemned ?
26 When the centurion heard that, ho
went and told the chief captain, saying,
Take heed what thou doest; for this man

9 And they that were with me saw is a Roman. Indeed the light, and were afraid; but

F2

27 Then the chief captain came, and

129

THE ACTS.

A conspiracy against Paul. said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Ro-stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, man? He said, Yea. Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in

28 And the chief captain answered, Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness alWith a great sum obtained I this free- so at Rome.

dom And Paul said, But I was free- 12 And when it was day, certain of the born.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the

Jews banded together, and bound thenselves under a curse, saying, that they 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 and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul

chief priests and all their council to ap- 15 Now therefore ye with the council

pear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

CHAP. XXIII.

Paul pleadeth his cause. AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, 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.

signify to the chief captain, that he bring him down unto you to-morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning Lim: and we, or ever to kill him.

he

come near, are ready

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 inan unto the chief captain; for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest 18 So he took him, and brought him to thou to judge me after the law, and com- the chief captain, and said, Paul the prismandest ine to be smitten contrary to the joner called ine unto him, and prayed me law? to bring this young man unto thee, who 4 And they that stood by, said, Revil- hath something to say unto thee. est thou God's high priest? 19 Then the chief captain took him by 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, the hand and went with him aside prithat he was the high priest: for it is vately, and asked him, What is that thou written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the hast to tell me?

ruler of thy people.

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed

6 But when Paul perceived that the one to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring part were Sadducees, and the other down Paul to-morrow into the council, as

Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for hint of them more

7 And when he had so said, there arose than forty men, which have bound thema dissensin between the Pharisees and selves with an oath, that they will neither the Sadducees and the multitude was eat nor drink till they have killed him: divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

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.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the Scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no 23 And he called unto him two centuevil in this man: but if a spirit or an an- rions, saying, Make ready two hundred gel hath spoken to him, let us not fight soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horseinen against God. threescore and ten, and spearmen two

10 And when there arose a great dis- hundred, at the third hour of the night;

sension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of thein, 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

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 excelient governor Felix, sendeth greeting.

Paul is sent to Feliz.

CHAP. XXIV.

Ihe defence before him 27 This man was taken of the Jews, junto thee: by examining of whom, thyand should have been killed of them: self mayest take knowledge of all these then came I with an army, and rescued things whereof we accuse him. him, having understood that he was a Roman.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying, That these things were so.

10 Then Paul, after that the governor

28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I had beckoned unto him to speak, an

brought him forth into their council:

29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing iaid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds.

swered, 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 for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither

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. Fare-raising up the people, neither in the

well.

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:

synagogues, nor in the city:

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

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believ. ing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, 15 And have hope toward God, which

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 commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall.

A

CHAP. XXIV.

Paul accused by Tertullus, &c. ND after five days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

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

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I 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 ring-leader of the sect of the Naza

renes:

they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

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 tumalt: 19 Who ougat to have been here before thee, and object, if they had aught against me.

20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil-doing in me, while I stood before the council,

21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried, standing ainong them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

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 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come unto him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was

6 Who also hath gone about to profane la Jewess, ne ser.t for Paul, and heard him

the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law:

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

concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient 131

8 Commanding his accusers to come season I will call for thee

THE ACTS.

Paul appealeth to Cesar. Paul before Agrippa 26 He hoped also that money should have 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusabeen given him of Paul, that he might lem, the chief priests and the elders of 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 lews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

CHAP. XXV.

The Jews accuse Paul before Festus.
JOW when Festus was come into

ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalein.

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

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

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 licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come

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 affirined to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether

5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, he would go to Jerusalem, and there be and accuse this man, if there be any judged of these matters.

wickedness in him.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be

6 And when he had tarried among reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, them more than ten days, he went down I commanded him to be kept till I might unto Cesarea; and the next day sitting send him to Cesar.

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, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove;

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar have I offended any thing at all.

9 But Festus, willing 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?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 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 not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, 1 have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have

11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there he none of these things whereof these accuse me, brought him forth before you, and speno man may deliver me unto them. I cially before thee, O king Agrippa, that appeal unto Cesar. after examination had, I might have

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred somewhat to write.

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, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

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

1

Of Paul's life and conversion. THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art periritted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa,