Paul's life endangered.

A. D. 60.

1 ch. 15. 4.

m ch. 15. 13.

Gal. 1. 19. & 2. 9.

a ch. 15. 4, 12. Rom. 15. 18, 19.

ch. 1. 17. & 20. 24.

P ch. 22. 3. Rom. 10. 2. Gal. 1. 14.

q Num. 6. 2.

18.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

n

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 P zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

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: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their 13, 18. ch. 18. heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

25 As touching the Gentiles which r ch. 15, 20, 29. 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.

• ch. 24. 18.

t Num. 6. 13.

u ch. 24. 18.

x ch. 26. 21.

y ch. 24, 5, 6.

z ch. 20. 4.

a ch. 26. 21.

He is rescued by Lysias.

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:

A. D. 60.

24. 7.

32 Who immediately took soldiersbeh. 23. 27. k 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, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

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?

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?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

e ver. 11. ch 20. 25.

d Luke 23. 13. John 19, 15. ch. 22. 22

* See ch. 5. 36.

f ch. 9. 11. & 22. 3.

40 And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the ch. 12. 17. people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

CHAPTER XXII.

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

sion. 22 They cry out against him. 24 The chief captain commandeth to scourge him. 25 He declareth himself a Roman, and is spared. 30 He is brought before the council.

Paul maketh his defence.

4 h And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone 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 ? 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou perse

cutest.

9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

о

12 And "one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the PJews 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?

A. D. 60.

Matt. 10. 17.

5 ch. 7. 58.

h Luke 11. 48.

ch. 8. 1.
Rom. 1. 32.

i ch. 9. 15. & 13. 2, 46, 47. & 18. 6. & 26. 17. Rom. 1. 5. & 11. 13. & 15. 16. Gal. 1. 15, 16. & 2. 7,8. Eph. 3. 7,8. 1 Tim. 2. 7. 2 Tim. 1. 11.

k ch. 21. 36. 1 ch. 25. 24.

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, "Is it lawful for you to m ch. 16. 37. scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

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 said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

him.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have ex- Or, tortured amined 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 chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

CHAPTER XXIII.

away thy sins, of the Lord.

calling on the name

the Pharisees and Sadducees, his accusers. The Lord encourageth him. 12 The Jews conspire against him. 16 The chief captain informed thereof. 23 He sendeth Paul to Cesarea, to Felix the governor.

AND Paul, earnestly beholding the

council, said, Men and brethren, a ch. 24. 16. I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

1 Cor. 4. 4. 2 Cor. 1. 12. & 4.2. 2 Tim. 1. 3. Heb. 13. 18. b 1 Kings 22. 24. Jer. 20. 2. John 18. 22.

Paul before the council.

A. D. 60.

© Lev. 19. 35. Deut. 25. 1, 2. John 7. 51.

d ch. 24. 17.

e Ex. 22. 28. Ecc. 10. 20. 2 Pet. 2. 10. Jude &.

h Matt. 22. 23. Mark 12. 18. Luke 20. 27.

m ch. 18. 9. & 27. 23, 24.

n ver. 21, 30. ch. 25. 3.

Or, with an oath of execration.

shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt 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, 'I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose 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. 9 And there arose a great cry and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

i

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 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.

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.

Paul is sent to Feliz.

turions 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 say 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 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:

A. D. 60.

o ver. 12

21.7.

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27 P This man was taken of the Jews, p ch. 21. 33. & and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

25. 6.

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.

4 ch. 21. 25.

CHAPTER XXIV.

Paul accused by Tertullus, 10 answereth for himself. 24 He preacheth Christ before Feliz and Drusilla, 25 Felix trembleth. 27 He is succeeded by Festus, and leaveth Paul bound.

He answereth for himself.

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.

A. D. 60.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, k See Am. 8. so worship I the 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.

17 Now after many years I came to

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 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 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, John 18. 31. and would have judged according to our law.

If ch. 21. 33.

gch. 23. 30.

h ver. 17. ch. 21. 26. i ch. 25. 8. & 28. 17.

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

8 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' And they neither found me in the

14. ch. 9. 2. 12 Tim. 1. 3.

m ch. 26. 22. & 28. 23.

n ch. 23. 6. & 26. 6, 7. & 28. 20.

o Dan. 12. 2. John 5. 28, 29.

p ch. 23. 1.

q ch. 11. 29, 30. & 20. 16. Rom. 15. 25. 2 Cor. 8. 4. Gal. 2. 10.

r ch. 21. 26, 27. & 26. 21.

sch. 23. 30. & 25. 16.

21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the ch. 23. 6. & dead I am called in question by you this day.

28. 20.

23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid 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 judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

Paul appealeth unto Cesar.

A. D. 62.

a ch. 24. 1. ver. 15.

CHAPTER XXV.

The Jews inform Festus, in Jerusalem, against Paul. 6 At Cesarea he heareth the apostle and his accusers.

10 Paul appealeth unto Cesar. 13 Festus declareth the matter to king Agrippa. 23 Paul is brought forth before Festus and Agrippa.

OW

Agrippa would hear Paul.

the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.

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 Jerusab ch. 23. 12, 15. lem, 'laying wait in the way to kill him.

d Mark 15. 3. Luke 23. 2, 10. ch. 24. 5, 13.

e ch. 6. 13. & 24. 12. & 28. 17.

f ch. 24. 27.

g ver. 20.

h ver. 25. ch. 18. 14. & 23. 29. & 26. 31.

i ch. 26. 32. & 23. 19.

k ch. 24. 27.

d

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. 11 For if I be an offender, or 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 deliver me unto them. I appeal unto 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.

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.

A ver. 6.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19° But had certain questions against eh 18, 15 & 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 would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these mat

ters.

23. 29.

Or, I doubtful how to inquire hereof.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Au-Or, judggustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.

ment.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, p See ch. 9. 15. I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, 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 a ver. 2, $7. dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not rch. 22. 22 to live any longer.

г

& 26, 31.

25 But when I found that he had ch. 28. 9, 29. committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed tot ver. 11, 12. Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore 1 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.