The Acts of the Apostles
American Standard Version, 1901 ed.
Chapter 1
1The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning
all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2until the
day in which he was received up, after that he had given
commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he
had chosen: 3To whom he also showed himself alive after his
passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of
forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of
God: 4and, being assembled together with them, he charged
them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise
of the Father, which, [said he], ye heard from me: 5For
John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the
Holy Spirit not many days hence. 6They therefore, when they
were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this
time restore the kingdom to Israel? 7And he said unto them,
It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father
hath set within His own authority. 8But ye shall receive
power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be my
witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9And when he had said
these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud
received him out of their sight. 10And while they were
looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood
by them in white apparel; 11who also said, Ye men of
Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was
received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as
ye beheld him going into heaven. 12Then returned they unto
Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto
Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey off. 13And when they
were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they
were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip
and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [the son] of
Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [the son] of James.
14These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer,
with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his
brethren. 15And in these days Peter stood up in the midst
of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons
[gathered] together, about a hundred and twenty), 16
Brethren, it was needful that the Scripture should be fulfilled,
which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David
concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. 17
For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this
ministry. 18(Now this man obtained a field with the reward
of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the
midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it became known
to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their
language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of
blood.) 20For it is written in the book of Psalms,
Let his habitation be made desolate,
And let no man dwell therein:
and,
His office let another take.
21Of the men therefore that have companied with us all
the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us,
22beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he
was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with
us of his resurrection. 23And they put forward two, Joseph
called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24
And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who knowest the hearts of
all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast chosen, 25
to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which
Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place. 26And
they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he
was numbered with the eleven apostles.
Chapter 2
1And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were
all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from
heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled
all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared
unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat
upon each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the
Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the
Spirit gave them utterance. 5Now there were dwelling at
Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.
6And when this sound was heard, the multitude came
together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them
speaking in his own language. 7And they were all amazed and
marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak
Galilaeans? 8And how hear we, every man in our own language
wherein we were born? 9Parthians and Medes and Elamites,
and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in
Pontus and Asia, 10in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and
the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both
Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabians, we hear them
speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. 12And they
were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What
meaneth this? 13But others mocking said, They are filled
with new wine. 14But Peter, standing up with the eleven,
lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, [saying], Ye men
of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known
unto you, and give ear unto my words. 15For these are not
drunken, as ye suppose; seeing it is [but] the third hour of the
day. 16but this is that which hath been spoken through the
prophet Joel:
17And it shall be in the last days, saith God,
I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
18Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
19And I will show wonders in the heaven above,
And signs on the earth beneath;
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
20The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the day of the Lord come,
That great and notable [day].
21And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of
the Lord shall be saved.
22Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth,
a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and
signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye
yourselves know; 23him, being delivered up by the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of
lawless men did crucify and slay: 24whom God raised up,
having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible
that he should be holden of it. 25For David saith
concerning him,
I beheld the Lord always before my face;
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
27Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades,
Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
28Thou madest known unto me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.
29Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch
David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us
unto this day. 30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing
that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his
loins he would set [one] upon his throne; 31he foreseeing
[this] spake of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was
he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. 32
This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and
having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he
hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear. 34For David
ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself,
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.
36Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly,
that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye
crucified. 37Now when they heard [this,] they were pricked
in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the
apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? 38And Peter [said]
unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the
name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For to you is
the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
[even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. 40
And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them,
saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. 41
They then that received his word were baptized: and there were
added [unto them] in that day about three thousand souls. 42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43And
fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done
through the apostles. 44And all that believed were
together, and had all things common; 45and they sold their
possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any
man had need. 46And day by day, continuing stedfastly with
one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took
their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47
praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord
added to them day by day those that were saved.
Chapter 3
1Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the
hour of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]. 2And a certain
man that was lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they
laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful,
to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; 3who
seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to
receive an alms. 4And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him,
with John, said, Look on us. 5And he gave heed unto them,
expecting to receive something from them. 6But Peter said,
Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. 7And he took
him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his
feet and his ankle-bones received strength. 8And leaping
up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into
the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9And
all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10and they
took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the
Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder
and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11And as
he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in
the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. 12
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of
Israel, why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on
us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to
walk? 13The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the
God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye
delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had
determined to release him. 14But ye denied the Holy and
Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you,
15and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the
dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16And by faith in his name
hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know:
yea, the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all. 17And now, brethren,
I know that in ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
18But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all
the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.
19Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may
be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing
from the presence of the Lord; 20and that he may send the
Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus: 21
whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of
all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets
that have been from of old. 22Moses indeed said, A prophet
shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren,
like unto me. To him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever
he shall speak unto you. 23And it shall be, that every soul
that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly
destroyed from among the people. 24Yea and all the prophets
from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have
spoken, they also told of these days. 25Ye are the sons of
the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your
fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the
families of the earth be blessed. 26Unto you first God,
having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning
away every one of you from your iniquities.
Chapter 4
1And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the
captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2
being sore troubled because they taught the people, and
proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3And
they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow:
for it was now eventide. 4But many of them that heard the
word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five
thousand. 5And it came to pass on the morrow, that their
rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in
Jerusalem; 6and Annas the high priest [was there], and
Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the
kindred of the high priest. 7And when they had set them in
the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have
ye done this? 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,
said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders, 9if we
this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent
man, by what means this man is made whole; 10be it known
unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name
of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, [even] in him doth this man stand here before you
whole. 11He is the stone which was set at nought of you the
builders, which was made the head of the corner. 12And in
none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other
name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be
saved. 13Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and
John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant
men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they
had been with Jesus. 14And seeing the man that was healed
standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council,
they conferred among themselves, 16saying, What shall we do
to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been
wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in
Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17But that it spread no
further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak
henceforth to no man in this name. 18And they called them,
and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of
Jesus. 19But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
rather than unto God, judge ye: 20for we cannot but speak
the things which we saw and heard. 21And they, when they
had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how
they might punish them, because of the people; for all men
glorified God for that which was done. 22For the man was
more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was
wrought. 23And being let go, they came to their own
company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders
had said unto them. 24And they, when they heard it, lifted
up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou
that didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all
that in them is: 25who by the Holy Spirit, [by] the mouth
of our father David thy servant, didst say,
Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples imagine vain things?
26The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:
27for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant
Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered
together, 28to do whatsoever thy hand and thy council
foreordained to come to pass. 29And now, Lord, look upon
their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy
word with all boldness, 30while thy stretchest forth thy
hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the
name of thy holy Servant Jesus. 31And when they had prayed,
the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and
they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the
word of God with boldness. 32And the multitude of them that
believed were of one heart and soul: and not one [of them] said
that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but
they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the
apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus:
and great grace was upon them all. 34For neither was there
among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of
lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things
that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles' feet: and
distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
36And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas
(which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a
man of Cyprus by race, 37having a field, sold it, and
brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
Chapter 5
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his
wife, sold a possession, 2and kept back [part] of the
price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain
part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. 3But Peter said,
Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy
Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land? 4
While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was
sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast
conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto men,
but unto God. 5And Ananias hearing these words fell down
and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard
it. 6And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and
they carried him out and buried him. 7And it was about the
space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in. 8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me
whether ye sold the land for so much. And she said, Yea, for so
much. 9But Peter [said] unto her, How is it that ye have
agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet
of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they
shall carry thee out. 10And she fell down immediately at
his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and
found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her
husband. 11And great fear came upon the whole church, and
upon all that heard these things. 12And by the hands of the
apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people;
and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13But
of the rest durst no man join himself to them: howbeit the
people magnified them; 14and believers were the more added
to the Lord, multitudes both of them and women; 15insomuch
that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid
them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least
his shadow might overshadow some one of them. 16And there
also came together the multitudes from the cities round about
Jerusalem, bring sick folk, and them that were vexed with
unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 17But the
high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is
the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,
18and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public
ward. 19But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison
doors, and brought them out, and said, 20Go ye, and stand
and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this
Life. 21And when they heard [this], they entered into the
temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and
they that were with him, and called the council together, and
all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the
prison-house to have them brought. 22But the officers that
came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and told,
23saying, The prison-house we found shut in all safety, and
the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had opened, we
found no man within. 24Now when the captain of the temple
and the chief priests heard these words, they were much
perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. 25And
there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the
prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.
26Then went the captain with the officers, and brought
them, [but] without violence; for they feared the people, lest
they should be stoned. 27And when they had brought them,
they set them before the council. And the high priest asked
them, 28saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in
this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your
teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29
But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God
rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,
whom ye slew, hanging him on a tree. 31Him did God exalt
with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, to give
repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32And we are
witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom God
hath given to them that obey him. 33But they, when they
heard this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them.
34But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named
Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in honor of all the people,
and commanded to put the men forth a little while. 35And he
said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as
touching these men, what ye are about to do. 36For before
these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody;
to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves:
who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed,
and came to nought. 37After this man rose up Judas of
Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away [some of
the] people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as
obeyed him, were scattered abroad. 38And now I say unto
you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this
counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown: 39
but if it is of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them; lest
haply ye be found even to be fighting against God. 40And to
him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto
them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name
of Jesus, and let them go. 41They therefore departed from
the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. 42And every day, in
the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach
Jesus [as] the Christ.
Chapter 6
1Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against
the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily
ministration. 2And the twelve called the multitude of the
disciples unto them, and said, It is not fit that we should
forsake the word of God, and serve tables. 3Look ye out
therefore, brethren, from among you seven men of good report,
full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. 4But we will continue stedfastly in prayer, and
in the ministry of the word. 5And the saying pleased the
whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and
of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and
Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; 6
whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed,
they laid their hands upon them. 7And the word of God
increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith. 8And Stephen, full of grace and
power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people. 9
But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue
called [the synagogue] of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians,
and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia,
disputing with Stephen. 10And they were not able to
withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spake. 11
Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God. 12And
they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and
came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council,
13and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth
not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: 14
for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall
destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses
delivered unto us. 15And all that sat in the council,
fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the
face of an angel.
Chapter 7
1And the high priest said, Are these things so? 2
And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory
appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia,
before he dwelt in Haran, 3and said unto him, Get thee out
of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which
I shall show thee. 4Then came he out of the land of the
Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father
was dead, [God] removed him into this land, wherein ye now
dwell: 5and he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so
much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give
it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when [as
yet] he had no child. 6And God spake on this wise, that his
seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should
bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years.
7And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I
judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve
me in this place. 8And he gave him the covenant of
circumcision: and so [Abraham] begat Isaac, and circumcised him
the eighth day; and Isaac [begat] Jacob, and Jacob the twelve
patriarchs. 9And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy
against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him,
10and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave
him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made
him governor over Egypt and all his house. 11Now there came
a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and
our fathers found no sustenance. 12But when Jacob heard
that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the
first time. 13And at the second time Joseph was made known
to his brethren; and Joseph's race became manifest unto Pharaoh.
14And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and
all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. 15And Jacob
went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers;
16and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the
tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of
Hamor in Shechem. 17But as the time of the promise drew
nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and
multiplied in Egypt, 18till there arose another king over
Egypt, who knew not Joseph. 19The same dealt craftily with
our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that they should cast out
their babes to the end they might not live. 20At which
season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was
nourished three months in his father's house. 21and when he
was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him
for her own son. 22And Moses was instructed in all the
wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and
works. 23But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came
into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
24And seeing one [of them] suffer wrong, he defended him,
and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: 25
and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his
hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not.
26And the day following he appeared unto them as they
strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye
are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27But he that
did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a
ruler and a judge over us? 28Wouldest thou kill me, as thou
killedst the Egyptian yesterday? 29And Moses fled at this
saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he
begat two sons. 30And when forty years were fulfilled, an
angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a
flame of fire in a bush. 31And when Moses saw it, he
wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came
a voice of the Lord, 32I am the God of thy fathers, the God
of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and
durst not behold. 33And the Lord said unto him, Loose the
shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy
ground. 34I have surely seen the affliction of my people
that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come
down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt.
35This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a
ruler and a judge? him hath God sent [to be] both a ruler and a
deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the
bush. 36This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and
signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty
years. 37This is that Moses, who said unto the children of
Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your
brethren, like unto me. 38This is he that was in the church
in the wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the Mount
Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give
unto us: 39to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but
thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto
Egypt, 40saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go
before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the
land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. 41And
they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the
idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. 42But God
turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is
written in the book of the prophets,
Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices
Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of the god Rephan,
The figures which ye made to worship them:
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
44Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the
wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he
should make it according to the figure that he had seen. 45
Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua
when they entered on the possession of the nations, that God
thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of
David; 46who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to
find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 47But Solomon built
him a house. 48Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in
[houses] made with hands; as saith the prophet,
49The heaven is my throne,
And the earth the footstool of my feet:
What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:
Or what is the place of my rest?
50Did not my hand make all these things?
51Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye
do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and
they killed them that showed before of the coming of the
Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and
murderers; 53ye who received the law as it was ordained by
angels, and kept it not. 54Now when they heard these
things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with
their teeth. 55But he, being full of the Holy Spirit,
looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and
Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56and said,
Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on
the right hand of God. 57But they cried out with a loud
voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one
accord; 58and they cast him out of the city, and stoned
him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a
young man named Saul. 59And they stoned Stephen, calling
upon [the Lord], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord,
lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he
fell asleep.
Chapter 8
1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose
on that day a great persecution against the church which was in
Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the
regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And
devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him.
3But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house,
and dragging men and women committed them to prison. 4They
therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the
word. 5And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and
proclaimed unto them the Christ. 6And the multitudes gave
heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip,
when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. 7For
[from] many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out,
crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that
were lame, were healed. 8And there was much joy in that
city. 9But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who
beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of
Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10to
whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying,
This man is that power of God which is called Great. 11And
they gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed
them with his sorceries. 12But when they believed Philip
preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the
name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he
continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles
wrought, he was amazed. 14Now when the apostles that were
at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,
they sent unto them Peter and John: 15who, when they were
come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy
Spirit: 16for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only
they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17
Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy
Spirit. 18Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of
the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them
money, 19saying, Give me also this power, that on
whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee,
because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money.
21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy
heart is not right before God. 22Repent therefore of this
thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy
heart shall be forgiven thee. 23For I see that thou art in
the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. 24And
Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none
of the things which ye have spoken come upon me. 25They
therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many
villages of the Samaritans. 26But an angel of the Lord
spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto
the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is
desert. 27And he arose and went: and behold, a man of
Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of
the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to
Jerusalem to worship; 28and he was returning and sitting in
his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the
Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this
chariot. 30And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading
Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou
readest? 31And he said, How can I, except some one shall
guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.
32Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was
this,
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
So he openeth not his mouth:
33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:
His generation who shall declare?
For his life is taken from the earth.
34And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee,
of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other?
35And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this
Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. 36And as they went on
the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith,
Behold, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37[And Philip said, If thou believest with all thy heart,
thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God.] 38And he commanded the chariot
to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both
Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39And when they
came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away
Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way
rejoicing. 40But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing
through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came
to Caesarea.
Chapter 9
1But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter
against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
2and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues,
that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women,
he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3And as he
journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and
suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:
4and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto
him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who
art thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
6but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told
thee what thou must do. 7And the men that journeyed with
him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.
8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were
opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and
brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without
sight, and did neither eat nor drink. 10Now there was a
certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said
unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here],
Lord. 11And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go to the
street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of
Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he
prayeth; 12and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in,
and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.
13But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of
this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind
all that call upon thy name. 15But the Lord said unto him,
Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:
16for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my
name's sake. 17And Ananias departed, and entered into the
house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord,
[even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou
camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be
filled with the Holy Spirit. 18And straightway there fell
from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and
he arose and was baptized; 19and he took food and was
strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that
were at Damascus. 20And straightway in the synagogues he
proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. 21And all that
heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in
Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he
had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound
before the chief priests. 22But Saul increased the more in
strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus,
proving that this is the Christ. 23And when many days were
fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: 24
but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates
also day and night that they might kill him: 25but his
disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall,
lowering him in a basket. 26And when he was come to
Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they
were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles,
and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and
that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached
boldly in the name of Jesus. 28And he was with them going
in and going out at Jerusalem, 29preaching boldly in the
name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian
Jews; but they were seeking to kill him. 30And when the
brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent
him forth to Tarsus. 31So the church throughout all Judaea
and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking
in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,
was multiplied. 32And it came to pass, as Peter went
throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt
at Lydda. 33And there he found a certain man named Aeneas,
who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied. 34And
Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise
and make thy bed. And straightway he arose. 35And all that
dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the
Lord. 36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman
was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. 37And
it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and
when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
38And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing
that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him,
Delay not to come on unto us. 39And Peter arose and went
with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper
chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing
the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with
them. 40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and
prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And
she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41
And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the
saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became
known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.
43And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa
with one Simon a tanner.
Chapter 10
1Now [there was] a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius
by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian [band],
2a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house,
who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.
3He saw in a vision openly, as it were about the ninth
hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying
to him, Cornelius. 4And he, fastening his eyes upon him,
and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto
him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial
before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one
Simon, who is surnamed Peter: 6he lodgeth with one Simon a
tanner, whose house is by the sea side. 7And when the
angel that spake unto him was departed, he called two of his
household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on
him continually; 8and having rehearsed all things unto
them, he sent them to Joppa. 9Now on the morrow, as they
were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went
up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: 10and
he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready,
he fell into a trance; 11and he beholdeth the heaven
opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great
sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: 12wherein
were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the
earth and birds of the heaven. 13And there came a voice to
him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so,
Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and
unclean. 15And a voice [came] unto him again the second
time, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. 16And
this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up
into heaven. 17Now while Peter was much perplexed in
himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold,
the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for
Simon's house, stood before the gate, 18and called and
asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.
19And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said
unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20But arise, and
get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have
sent them. 21And Peter went down to the men, and said,
Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are
come? 22And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous
man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the
nation of the Jews, was warned [of God] by a holy angel to send
for thee into his house, and to hear words from thee. 23So
he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose
and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa
accompanied him. 24And on the morrow they entered into
Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called
together his kinsmen and his near friends. 25And when it
came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell
down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26But Peter raised
him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And as
he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together:
28and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an
unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come
unto one of another nation; and [yet] unto me hath God showed
that I should not call any man common or unclean: 29
wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I
ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me. 30And
Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping
the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood
before me in bright apparel, 31and saith, Cornelius, thy
prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the
sight of God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto
thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of
Simon a tanner, by the sea side. 33Forthwith therefore I
sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now
therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear
all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord. 34
And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons: 35but in every nation he
that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to
him. 36The word which he sent unto the children of Israel,
preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of
all.) -- 37that saying ye yourselves know, which was
published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after
the baptism which John preached; 38[even] Jesus of
Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with
power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were
oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39And we are
witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the
Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a
tree. 40Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to
be made manifest, 41not to all the people, but unto
witnesses that were chosen before of God, [even] to us, who ate
and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he
charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this
is he who is ordained of God [to be] the Judge of the living and
the dead. 43To him bear all the prophets witness, that
through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive
remission of sins. 44While Peter yet spake these words,
the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. 45
And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many
as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured
out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46For they heard them
speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be
baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Chapter 11
1Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea
heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
2And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were
of the circumcision contended with him, 3saying, Thou
wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4
But Peter began, and expounded [the matter] unto them in order,
saying, 5I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a
trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a
great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came
even unto me: 6upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I
considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild
beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. 7And I
heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.
8But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean
hath ever entered into my mouth. 9But a voice answered the
second time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou
common. 10And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up
again into heaven. 11And behold, forthwith three men stood
before the house in which we were, having been sent from
Caesarea unto me. 12And the Spirit bade me go with them,
making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied
me; and we entered into the man's house: 13and he told us
how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying,
Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14
who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved,
thou and all thy house. 15And as I began to speak, the
Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John
indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy
Spirit. 17If then God gave unto them the like gift as [he
did] also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I, that I could withstand God? 18And when they
heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God,
saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance
unto life. 19They therefore that were scattered abroad
upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far
as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none
save only to Jews. 20But there were some of them, men of
Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spake
unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21And the
hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed
turned unto the Lord. 22And the report concerning them
came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they
sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: 23who, when he was
come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted
them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the
Lord: 24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit
and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25
And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; 26and when
he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to
pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together
with the church, and taught much people, and that the disciples
were called Christians first in Antioch. 27Now in these
days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch.
28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and
signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over
all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius.
29And the disciples, every man according to his ability,
determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea:
30which also they did, sending it to the elders by the
hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Chapter 12
1Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands
to afflict certain of the church. 2And he killed James the
brother of John with the sword. 3And when he saw that it
pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And [those]
were the days of unleavened bread. 4And when he had taken
him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions
of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring
him forth to the people. 5Peter therefore was kept in the
prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for
him. 6And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the
same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with
two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison. 7
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light
shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke
him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his
hands. 8And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and
bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast
thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9And he went out,
and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by
the angel, but thought he saw a vision. 10And when they
were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the
iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of
its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one
street; and straightway the angel departed from him. 11And
when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth,
that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of
the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of
the Jews. 12And when he had considered [the thing], he
came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was
Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying.
13And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came
to answer, named Rhoda. 14And when she knew Peter's voice,
she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter
stood before the gate. 15And they said unto her, Thou art
mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they
said, It is his angel. 16But Peter continued knocking: and
when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. 17But
he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace,
declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the
prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the
brethren. And he departed, and went to another place. 18
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19And when Herod had
sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and
commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down
from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there. 20Now he was
highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came
with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's
chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their
country was fed from the king's country. 21And upon a set
day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the
throne, and made an oration unto them. 22And the people
shouted, [saying], The voice of a god, and not of a man. 23
And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave
not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the
ghost. 24But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had
fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose
surname was Mark.
Chapter 13
1Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was
[there], prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was
called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the
foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2And as
they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have
called them. 3Then, when they had fasted and prayed and
laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4So they,
being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and
from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5And when they were at
Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of
the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant. 6And
when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they
found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was
Bar-jesus; 7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a
man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and
Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the
sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them,
seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. 9But
Saul, who is also [called] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,
fastened his eyes on him, 10and said, O full of all guile
and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all
righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of
the Lord? 11And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon
thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.
And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he
went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12Then
the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 13Now Paul and his
company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia:
and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. 14
But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of
Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day,
and sat down. 15And after the reading of the law and the
prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying,
Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say
on. 16And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said,
Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken: 17The God of
this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people
when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm
led he them forth out of it. 18And for about the time of
forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness.
19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of
Canaan, he gave [them] their land for an inheritance, for about
four hundred and fifty years: 20and after these things he
gave [them] judges until Samuel the prophet. 21And
afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the
son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of
forty years. 22And when he had removed him, he raised up
David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I
have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who
shall do all My will. 23Of this man's seed hath God
according to promise brought unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus;
24when John had first preached before his coming the
baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And
as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose ye that
I am? I am not [he]. But behold, there cometh one after me the
shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose. 26
Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you
that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.
27For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers,
because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets which
are read every sabbath, fulfilled [them] by condemning [him].
28And though they found no cause of death [in him], yet
asked they of Pilate that he should be slain. 29And when
they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they
took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. 30But
God raised him from the dead: 31and he was seen for many
days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem,
who are now his witnesses unto the people. 32And we bring
you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers, 33
that God hath fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he
raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, Thou
art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34And as
concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to
return to corruption, he hath spoken on this wise, I will give
you the holy and sure [blessings] of David. 35Because he
saith also in another [psalm], Thou wilt not give Thy Holy One
to see corruption. 36For David, after he had in his own
generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid
unto his fathers, and saw corruption: 37but he whom God
raised up saw no corruption. 38Be it known unto you
therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto
you remission of sins: 39and by him every one that
believeth is justified from all things, from which ye could not
be justified by the law of Moses. 40Beware therefore, lest
that come upon [you] which is spoken in the prophets:
41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish;
For I work a work in your days,
A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto
you.
42And as they went out, they besought that these words
might be spoken to them the next sabbath. 43Now when the
synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout
proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them,
urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44And the next
sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the
word of God. 45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they
were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which
were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. 46And Paul and
Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the
word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it
from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we
turn to the Gentiles. 47For so hath the Lord commanded us,
[saying],
I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,
That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of
the earth.
48And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to
eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was
spread abroad throughout all the region. 50But the Jews
urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men
of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and
Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. 51But they
shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto
Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy with the
Holy Spirit.
Chapter 14
1And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered
together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a
great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. 2But
the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the
Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.
3Long time therefore they tarried [there] speaking boldly
in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace,
granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4But
the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the
Jews, and part with the apostles. 5And when there was made
an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers,
to treat them shamefully and to stone them, 6they became
aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and
Derbe, and the region round about: 7and there they
preached the gospel. 8And at Lystra there sat a certain
man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who
never had walked. 9The same heard Paul speaking, who,
fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made
whole, 10said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy
feet. And he leaped up and walked. 11And when the
multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice,
saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us
in the likeness of men. 12And they called Barnabas,
Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.
13And the priest of Jupiter whose [temple] was before the
city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have
done sacrifice with the multitudes. 14But when the
apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their
garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out
15and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are
men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that
ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who
made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them
is: 16who in the generations gone by suffered all the
nations to walk in their own ways. 17And yet He left not
himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from
heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food
and gladness. 18And with these sayings scarce restrained
they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them. 19But
there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having
persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out
of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20But as the
disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into
the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to
Derbe. 21And when they had preached the gospel to that
city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and
to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22confirming the souls of the
disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that
through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
23And when they had appointed for them elders in every
church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the
Lord, on whom they had believed. 24And they passed through
Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. 25And when they had spoken
the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; 26and thence
they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to
the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together,
they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that
he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28And
they tarried no little time with the disciples.
Chapter 15
1And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the
brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of
Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2And when Paul and Barnabas had
no small dissension and questioning with them, [the brethren]
appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them,
should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about
this question. 3They therefore, being brought on their way
by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria,
declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great
joy unto all the brethren. 4And when they were come to
Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and
the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with
them. 5But there rose up certain of the sect of the
Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise
them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses. 6And
the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider
of this matter. 7And when there had been much questioning,
Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good
while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the
Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8
And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them
the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; 9and he made no
distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by
faith. 10Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye
should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither
our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But we believe
that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in
like manner as they. 12And all the multitude kept silence;
and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs
and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered,
saying, Brethren, hearken unto me: 14Symeon hath rehearsed
how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people
for his name. 15And to this agree the words of the
prophets; as it is written,
16After these things I will return,
And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen;
And I will build again the ruins thereof,
And I will set it up:
17That the residue of men may seek after the Lord,
And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
18Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of
old.
19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them
that from among the Gentiles turn to God; 20but that we
write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols,
and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from
blood. 21For Moses from generations of old hath in every
city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every
sabbath. 22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the
elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their
company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas;
[namely], Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the
brethren: 23and they wrote [thus] by them, The apostles
and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the
Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: 24
Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us
have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we
gave no commandment; 25it seemed good unto us, having come
to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our
beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men that have hazarded their
lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27We have
sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell
you the same things by word of mouth. 28For it seemed good
to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden
than these necessary things: 29that ye abstain from things
sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled,
and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall
be well with you. Fare ye well. 30So they, when they were
dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the
multitude together, they delivered the epistle. 31And when
they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32And
Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the
brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 33And after
they had spent some time [there], they were dismissed in peace
from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth. 34
[But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.] 35But Paul
and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word
of the Lord, with many others also. 36And after some days
Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the
brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the
Lord, [and see] how they fare. 37And Barnabas was minded
to take with them John also, who was called Mark. 38But
Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from
them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39
And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder
one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed
away unto Cyprus; 40but Paul choose Silas, and went forth,
being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the
churches.
Chapter 16
1And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a
certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess
that believed; but his father was a Greek. 2The same was
well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and
Iconium. 3Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he
took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those
parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4And
as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered
them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles
and elders that were at Jerusalem. 5So the churches were
strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. 6
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having
been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
7and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed
to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not;
8and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9And
a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of
Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into
Macedonia, and help us. 10And when he had seen the vision,
straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding
that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11
Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to
Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; 12and from
thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of
the district, a [Roman] colony: and we were in this city
tarrying certain days. 13And on the sabbath day we went
forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there
was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women
that were come together. 14And a certain woman named
Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that
worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give
heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. 15And when
she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If
ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my
house, and abide [there]. And she constrained us. 16And it
came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a
certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought
her masters much gain by soothsaying. 17The same following
after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of
the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.
18And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore
troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the
name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that
very hour. 19But when her masters saw that the hope of
their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and
dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, 20and
when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said,
These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21
and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive,
or to observe, being Romans. 22And the multitude rose up
together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments
off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. 23And when
they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into
prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24who,
having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison,
and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25But about
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God,
and the prisoners were listening to them; 26and suddenly
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the
prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were
opened, and every one's bands were loosed. 27And the
jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors
open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing
that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul cried with a
loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling
for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, 30and brought
them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And
they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved,
thou and thy house. 32And they spake the word of the Lord
unto him, with all that were in his house. 33And he took
them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and
was baptized, he and all his, immediately. 34And he
brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and
rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.
35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants,
saying, Let those men go. 36And the jailor reported the
words to Paul, [saying], The magistrates have sent to let you
go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace. 37But Paul
said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men
that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now
cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves
and bring us out. 38And the sergeants reported these words
unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they
were Romans; 39and they came and besought them; and when
they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the
city. 40And they went out of the prison, and entered into
[the house] of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they
comforted them, and departed.
Chapter 17
1Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of
the Jews: 2and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them,
and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the
Scriptures, 3opening and alleging that it behooved the
Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this
Jesus, whom, [said he,] I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.
4And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul
and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of
the chief women not a few. 5But the Jews, being moved with
jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and
gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the
house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.
6And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and
certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These
that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to
the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, [one]
Jesus. 8And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of
the city, when they heard these things. 9And when they had
taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by
night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the
synagogue of the Jews. 11Now these were more noble than
those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all
readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether
these things were so. 12Many of them therefore believed;
also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a
few. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge
that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they
came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.
14And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go
as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.
15But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as
Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that
they should come to him with all speed, they departed. 16
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was
provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols. 17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout
persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met
him. 18And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic
philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this
babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange
gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. 19
And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus,
saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken
by thee? 20For thou bringest certain strange things to our
ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21
(Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent
their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some
new thing.) 22And Paul stood in the midst of the
Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive
that ye are very religious. 23For as I passed along, and
observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with
this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship
in ignorance, this I set forth unto you. 24The God that
made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven
and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25
neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed
anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and
all things; 26and he made of one every nation of men to
dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined [their]
appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation; 27
that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him
and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: 28
for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain
even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
29Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think
that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven
by art and device of man. 30The times of ignorance
therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they
should all everywhere repent: 31inasmuch as he hath
appointed a day in which he will judge the world in
righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath
given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from
the dead. 32Now when they heard of the resurrection of the
dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning
this yet again. 33Thus Paul went out from among them.
34But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom
also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris,
and others with them.
Chapter 18
1After these things he departed from Athens, and came
to Corinth. 2And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a
man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife
Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart
from Rome: and he came unto them; 3and because he was of
the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought, for by
their trade they were tentmakers. 4And he reasoned in the
synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 5
But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was
constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was
the Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves and
blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your
blood [be] upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I
will go unto the Gentiles. 7And he departed thence, and
went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one
that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the
Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing
believed, and were baptized. 9And the Lord said unto Paul
in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not
thy peace: 10for I am with thee, and no man shall set on
thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city. 11
And he dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of
God among them. 12But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him
before the judgment-seat, 13saying, This man persuadeth
men to worship God contrary to the law. 14But when Paul
was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If
indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye
Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15but if
they are questions about words and names and your own law, look
to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these
matters. 16And he drove them from the judgment-seat.
17And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the
synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio
cared for none of these things. 18And Paul, having tarried
after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and
sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila:
having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow. 19
And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself
entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20
And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented
not; 21but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will
return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.
22And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and
saluted the church, and went down to Antioch. 23And having
spent some time [there], he departed, and went through the
region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the
disciples. 24Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an
Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he
was mighty in the scriptures. 25This man had been
instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit,
he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus,
knowing only the baptism of John: 26and he began to speak
boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard
him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of
God more accurately. 27And when he was minded to pass over
into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the
disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them
much that had believed through grace; 28for he powerfully
confuted the Jews, [and that] publicly, showing by the
scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Chapter 19
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at
Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to
Ephesus, and found certain disciples: 2and he said unto
them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they
[said] unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the
Holy Spirit was [given]. 3And he said, Into what then were
ye baptized? And they said, Into John's baptism. 4And Paul
said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto
the people that they should believe on him that should come
after him, that is, on Jesus. 5And when they heard this,
they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And
when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on
them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And
they were in all about twelve men. 8And he entered into
the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months,
reasoning and persuading [as to] the things concerning the
kingdom of God. 9But when some were hardened and
disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he
departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily
in the school of Tyrannus. 10And this continued for the
space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard
the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11And God
wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: 12insomuch
that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs
or aprons, and the evil spirits went out. 13But certain
also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name
over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus,
saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14And
there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who
did this. 15And the evil spirit answered and said unto
them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye? 16And
the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered
both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out
of that house naked and wounded. 17And this became known
to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear
fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was
magnified. 18Many also of them that had believed came,
confessing, and declaring their deeds. 19And not a few of
them that practised magical arts brought their books together
and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price
of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20
So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed. 21Now
after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when
he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem,
saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22
And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto
him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.
23And about that time there arose no small stir concerning
the Way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a
silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little
business unto the craftsmen; 25whom he gathered together,
with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know
that by this business we have our wealth. 26And ye see and
hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia,
this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying
that they are no gods, that are made with hands: 27and not
only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute;
but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of
no account, and that she should even be deposed from her
magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28
And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried
out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus. 29And the city
was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord
into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of
Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. 30And when Paul
was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered
him not. 31And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his
friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself
into the theatre. 32Some therefore cried one thing, and
some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more
part knew not wherefore they were come together. 33And
they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting
him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would
have made a defense unto the people. 34But when they
perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space
of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35
And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye
men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city
of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the
[image] which fell down from Jupiter? 36Seeing then that
these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do
nothing rash. 37For ye have brought [hither] these men,
who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our
goddess. 38If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that
are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are
open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.
39But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be
settled in the regular assembly. 40For indeed we are in
danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no
cause [for it]: and as touching it we shall not be able to give
account of this concourse. 41And when he had thus spoken,
he dismissed the assembly.
Chapter 20
1And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the
disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to
go into Macedonia. 2And when he had gone through those
parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.
3And when he had spent three months [there,] and a plot
was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for
Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4And
there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, [the
son] of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and
Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus
and Trophimus. 5But these had gone before, and were
waiting for us at Troas. 6And we sailed away from Philippi
after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas
in five days, where we tarried seven days. 7And upon the
first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break
bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the
morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight. 8And
there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were
gathered together. 9And there sat in the window a certain
young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as
Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he
fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. 10
And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said,
Make ye no ado; for his life is in him. 11And when he was
gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked
with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little
comforted. 13But we going before to the ship set sail for
Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed,
intending himself to go by land. 14And when he met us at
Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. 15And sailing
from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and
the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to
Miletus. 16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus,
that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was
hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the
day of Pentecost. 17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus,
and called to him the elders of the church. 18And when
they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know,
from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I
was with you all the time, 19serving the Lord with all
lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell
me by the plots of the Jews; 20how I shrank not from
declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching
you publicly, and from house to house, 21testifying both
to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward
our Lord Jesus Christ. 22And now, behold, I go bound in
the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall
befall me there: 23save that the Holy Spirit testifieth
unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide
me. 24But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto
myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry
which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of
the grace of God. 25And now, behold, I know that ye all,
among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face
no more. 26Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I
am pure from the blood of all men. 27For I shrank not from
declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. 28Take heed
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit
hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he
purchased with his own blood. 29I know that after my
departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing
the flock; 30and from among your own selves shall men
arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples
after them. 31Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the
space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night
and day with tears. 32And now I commend you to God, and to
the word of his grace, which is able to build [you] up, and to
give [you] the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.
33I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34
Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with me. 35In all
things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help
the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he
himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed
with them all. 37And they all wept sore, and fell on
Paul's neck and kissed him, 38sorrowing most of all for
the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face
no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.
Chapter 21
1And when it came to pass that were parted from them
and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and
the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2
and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went
aboard, and set sail. 3And when we had come in sight of
Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and
landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven
days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should
not set foot in Jerusalem. 5And when it came to pass that
we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our
journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on
our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the
beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell; 6and we
went on board the ship, but they returned home again. 7And
when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at
Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one
day. 8And on the morrow we departed, and came unto
Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist,
who was one of the seven, we abode with him. 9Now this man
had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. 10And as we
tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain
prophet, named Agabus. 11And coming to us, and taking
Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus
saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the
man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the
hands of the Gentiles. 12And when we heard these things,
both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to
Jerusalem. 13Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and
breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also
to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And
when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of
the Lord be done. 15And after these days we took up our
baggage and went up to Jerusalem. 16And there went with us
also [certain] of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing [with
them] one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we
should lodge. 17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the
brethren received us gladly. 18And the day following Paul
went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one
the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his
ministry. 20And they, when they heard it, glorified God;
and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands
there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they
are all zealous for the law: 21and they have been informed
concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among
the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise
their children neither to walk after the customs. 22What
is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.
23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men
that have a vow on them; 24these take, and purify thyself
with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their
heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things
whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou
thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. 25But as
touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving
judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed
to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from
fornication. 26Then Paul took the men, and the next day
purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the
fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was
offered for every one of them. 27And when the seven days
were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in
the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,
28crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that
teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and
this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple,
and hath defiled this holy place. 29For they had before
seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they
supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. 30And all
the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid
hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway
the doors were shut. 31And as they were seeking to kill
him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all
Jerusalem was in confusion. 32And forthwith he took
soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when
they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating
Paul. 33Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on
him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired
who he was, and what he had done. 34And some shouted one
thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know
the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought
into the castle. 35And when he came upon the stairs, so it
was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the
crowd; 36for the multitude of the people followed after,
crying out, Away with him. 37And as Paul was about to be
brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I
say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?
38Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days
stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four
thousand men of the Assassins? 39But Paul said, I am a
Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I
beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people. 40
And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs,
beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made
a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language,
saying,
Chapter 22
1Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now
make unto you. 2And when they heard that he spake unto
them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he
saith, 3I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought
up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according
to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous
for God, even as ye all are this day: 4and I persecuted
this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons
both men and women. 5As 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 journeyed to Damascus to
bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be
punished. 6And it came to pass, that, as I made my
journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there
shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7And I
fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8And I answered, Who art
thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom
thou persecutest. 9And they that were with me beheld
indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake
to me. 10And 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.
11And 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. 12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the
law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there, 13
came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul,
receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.
14And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee
to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a
voice from his mouth. 15For thou shalt be a witness for
him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16And
now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on his name. 17And it came to pass, that,
when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the
temple, I fell into a trance, 18and saw him saying unto
me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; because
they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me. 19
And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and
beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20and
when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was
standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them
that slew him. 21And he said unto me, Depart: for I will
send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles. 22And they
gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their
voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it
is not fit that he should live. 23And as they cried out,
and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air,
24the chief captain commanded him be brought into the
castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he
might know for what cause they so shouted against him. 25
And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto
the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a
man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? 26And when the
centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him,
saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.
27And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me,
art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea. 28And the chief
captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship.
And Paul said, But I am [a Roman] born. 29They then that
were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the
chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman,
and because he had bound him. 30But on the morrow,
desiring to know the certainty wherefore he was accused of the
Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the
council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him
before them.
Chapter 23
1And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said,
Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until
this day. 2And the high priest Ananias commanded them that
stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3Then said Paul
unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest
thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be
smitten contrary to the law? 4And they that stood by said,
Revilest thou God's high priest? 5And Paul said, I knew
not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou
shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people. 6But when
Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other
Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a
Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection
of the dead I am called in question. 7And when he had so
said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and
Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8For the
Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor
spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9And there arose a
great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part
stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and
what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel? 10And
when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing
lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the
soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and
bring him into the castle. 11And the night following the
Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast
testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness
also at Rome. 12And when it was day, 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 that made this conspiracy. 14
And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We
have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until
we have killed Paul. 15Now therefore do ye with the
council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto
you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we,
before he comes near, are ready to slay him. 16But Paul's
sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and
entered into the castle and told Paul. 17And Paul called
unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man
unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.
18So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain,
and saith, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to
bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to
thee. 19And the chief captain took him by the hand, and
going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to
tell me? 20And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee
to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou
wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. 21
Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for
him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under
a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him:
and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.
22So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him,
Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me. 23
And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make
ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and
horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the
third hour of the night: 24and [he bade them] provide
beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe
unto Felix the governor. 25And he wrote a letter after
this form: 26Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent
governor Felix, greeting. 27This man was seized by the
Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them
with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a
Roman. 28And desiring to know the cause wherefore they
accused him, I brought him down unto their council: 29whom
I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have
nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30
And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against
the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers
also to speak against him before thee. 31So the soldiers,
as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to
Antipatris. 32But on the morrow they left the horsemen to
go with him, and returned to the castle: 33and they, when
they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor,
presented Paul also before him. 34And when he had read it,
he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he
was of Cilicia, 35I will hear thee fully, said he, when
thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in
Herod's palace.
Chapter 24
1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down
with certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and
they informed the governor against Paul. 2And when he was
called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by
thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are
corrected for this nation, 3we accept it in all ways and
in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
4But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat
thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5For we have
found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the
sect of the Nazarenes: 6who moreover assayed to profane
the temple: on whom also we laid hold: [and we would have judged
him according to our law.] 7[But the chief captain Lysias
came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,]
8[commanding his accusers to come before thee.] from whom
thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge
of all these things whereof we accuse him. 9And the Jews
also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
10And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak,
Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many
years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:
11Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not
more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
12and neither in the temple did they find me disputing
with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor
in the city. 13Neither can they prove to thee the things
whereof they now accuse me. 14But this I confess unto
thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the
God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to
the law, and which are written in the prophets; 15having
hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that
there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
16Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void
of offence toward God and men always. 17Now after some
years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: 18
amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no
crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there were] certain Jews from
Asia-- 19who ought to have been here before thee, and to
make accusation, if they had aught against me. 20Or else
let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I
stood before the council, 21except it be for this one
voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the
resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this
day. 22But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning
the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain
shall come down, I will determine your matter. 23And he
gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge,
and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends
to minister unto him. 24But after certain days, Felix came
with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul,
and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25And
as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the
judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way
for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call
thee unto me. 26He hoped withal that money would be given
him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and
communed with him. 27But when two years were fulfilled,
Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain
favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Chapter 25
1Festus therefore, having come into the province, after
three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2And the
chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him
against Paul; and they besought him, 3asking a favor
against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a
plot to kill him on the way. 4Howbeit Festus answered,
that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself
was about to depart [thither] shortly. 5Let them
therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with
me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse
him. 6And when he had tarried among them not more than
eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow
he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.
7And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from
Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and
grievous charges which they could not prove; 8while Paul
said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor
against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.
9But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews,
answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there
be judged of these things before me? 10But Paul said, I am
standing before Caesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be
judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well
knowest. 11If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed
anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of
those things is [true] whereof these accuse me, no man can give
me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12Then Festus, when
he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed
unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go. 13Now when certain
days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at
Caesarea, and saluted Festus. 14And as they tarried there
many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying,
There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 15about
whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders
of the Jews informed [me], asking for sentence against him.
16To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the
Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the
accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his
defense concerning the matter laid against him. 17When
therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on
the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to
be brought. 18Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up,
they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;
19but had certain questions against him of their own
religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to
be alive. 20And I, being perplexed how to inquire
concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem
and there be judged of these matters. 21But when Paul had
appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded
him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar. 22And
Agrippa [said] unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man
myself. To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him. 23So on
the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp,
and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief
captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus
Paul was brought in. 24And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and
all men who are here present with us, ye behold this man, about
whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at
Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of
death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to
send him. 26Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto
my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and
specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination
had, I may have somewhat to write. 27For it seemeth to me
unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the
charges against him.
Chapter 26
1And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to
speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made
his defence: 2I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I
am to make my defense before thee this day touching all the
things whereof I am accused by the Jews: 3especially
because thou art expert in all customs and questions which are
among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from
the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all
the Jews; 5having knowledge of me from the first, if they
be willing to testify, that after the straitest sect of our
religion I lived a Pharisee. 6And now I stand [here] to be
judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers;
7unto which [promise] our twelve tribes, earnestly serving
[God] night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I
am accused by the Jews, O king! 8Why is it judged
incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead? 9I verily
thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to
the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10And this I also did in
Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons,
having received authority from the chief priests, and when they
were put to death I gave my vote against them. 11And
punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to
make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I
persecuted them even unto foreign cities. 12Whereupon as I
journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the
chief priests, 13at midday, O king, I saw on the way a
light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining
round about me and them that journeyed with me. 14And when
we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me
in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it
is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 15And I said,
Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest. 16But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for to
this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister
and a witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and
of the things wherein I will appear unto thee; 17
delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto
whom I send thee, 18to open their eyes, that they may turn
from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among
them that are sanctified by faith in me. 19Wherefore, O
king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20but declared both to them of Damascus first and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to
the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing
works worthy of repentance. 21For this cause the Jews
seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me. 22Having
therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this
day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what
the prophets and Moses did say should come; 23how that the
Christ must suffer, [and] how that he first by the resurrection
of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the
Gentiles. 24And as he thus made his defense, Festus saith
with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is
turning thee mad. 25But Paul saith, I am not mad, most
excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.
26For the king knoweth of these things, unto whom also I
speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is
hidden from him; for this hath not been done in a corner.
27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that
thou believest. 28And Agrippa [said] unto Paul, With but
little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.
29And Paul [said], I would to God, that whether with
little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me
this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds. 30
And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they
that sat with them: 31and when they had withdrawn, they
spake one to another, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of
death or of bonds. 32And Agrippa said unto Festus, This
man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto
Caesar.
Chapter 27
1And when it was determined that we should sail for
Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a
centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band. 2And
embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto
the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a
Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3And the next
day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and
gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself.
4And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under the lee
of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5And when we
had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we
came to Myra, [a city] of Lycia. 6And there the centurion
found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us
therein. 7And when we had sailed slowly many days, and
were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not
further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over
against Salmone; 8and with difficulty coasting along it we
came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was
the city of Lasea. 9And when much time was spent, and the
voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone
by, Paul admonished them, 10and said unto them, Sirs, I
perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not
only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. 11
But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner
of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul.
12And because the haven was not commodious to winter in,
the more part advised to put to sea from thence, if by any means
they could reach Phoenix, and winter [there; which is] a haven
of Crete, looking northeast and south-east. 13And when the
south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their
purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in
shore. 14But after no long time there beat down from it a
tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo: 15and when
the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way
[to it,] and were driven. 16And running under the lee of a
small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to
secure the boat: 17and when they had hoisted it up, they
used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they
should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so
were driven. 18And as we labored exceedingly with the
storm, the next day they began to throw the [the freight]
overboard; 19and the third day they cast out with their
own hands the tackling of the ship. 20And when neither sun
nor stars shone upon [us] for many days, and no small tempest
lay on [us,] all hope that we should be saved was now taken
away. 21And when they had been long without food, then
Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should
have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail from Crete, and
have gotten this injury and loss. 22And now I exhort you
to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life among
you, but [only] of the ship. 23For there stood by me this
night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, 24
saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and lo,
God hath granted thee all them that sail with thee. 25
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it
shall be even so as it hath been spoken unto me. 26But we
must be cast upon a certain island. 27But when the
fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the
[sea of] Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they
were drawing near to some country: 28and they sounded, and
found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded
again, and found fifteen fathoms. 29And fearing lest haply
we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four
anchors from the stern, and wished for the day. 30And as
the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had
lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would
lay out anchors from the foreship, 31Paul said to the
centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship,
ye cannot be saved. 32Then the soldiers cut away the ropes
of the boat, and let her fall off. 33And while the day was
coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying,
This day is the fourteenth day that ye wait and continue
fasting, having taken nothing. 34Wherefore I beseech you
to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall
not a hair perish from the head of any of you. 35And when
he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in
the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat. 36
Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took food.
37And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore
and sixteen souls. 38And when they had eaten enough, they
lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. 39
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived
a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they
could drive the ship upon it. 40And casting off the
anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the
bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind,
they made for the beach. 41But lighting upon a place where
two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship
struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up
by the violence [of the waves]. 42And the soldiers'
counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any [of them] should
swim out, and escape. 43But the centurion, desiring to
save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that
they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get
first to the land; 44and the rest, some on planks, and
some on [other] things from the ship. And so it came to pass,
that they all escaped safe to the land.
Chapter 28
1And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island
was called Melita. 2And the barbarians showed us no common
kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because
of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3But when
Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire,
a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his
hand. 4And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] creature
hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this
man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea,
yet Justice hath not suffered to live. 5Howbeit he shook
off the creature into the fire, and took no harm. 6But
they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead
suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld
nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said
that he was a god. 7Now in the neighborhood of that place
were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named
Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days
courteously. 8And it was so, that the father of Publius
lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and
prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. 9And when
this was done, the rest also that had diseases in the island
came, and were cured: 10who also honored us with many
honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we
needed. 11And after three months we set sail in a ship of
Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The
Twin Brothers. 12And touching at Syracuse, we tarried
there three days. 13And from thence we made a circuit, and
arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up,
and on the second day we came to Puteoli; 14where we found
brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and
so we came to Rome. 15And from thence the brethren, when
they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius
and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and
took courage. 16And when we entered into Rome, Paul was
suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him.
17And it came to pass, that after three days he called
together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they
were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had
done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers,
yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans: 18who, when they had examined me, desired to set
me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.
19But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to
appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught whereof to accuse my
nation. 20For this cause therefore did I entreat you to
see and to speak with [me]: for because of the hope of Israel I
am bound with this chain. 21And they said unto him, We
neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did
any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of
thee. 22But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest:
for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere
it is spoken against. 23And when they had appointed him a
day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom
he expounded [the matter,] testifying the kingdom of God, and
persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and
from the prophets, from morning till evening. 24And some
believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed
after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Spirit
through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, 26saying,
Go thou unto this people, and say,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
27For this people's heart is waxed gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And should turn again,
And I should heal them.
28Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation
of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear. 29
[And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having
much disputing among themselves.] 30And he abode two whole
years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in
unto him, 31preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the
things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none
forbidding him.
This document (last modified December 30, 1997) from Believerscafe.com
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