The former treatise
have
I made,
O Theophilus,
of all that Jesus
began both
to do and teach,
Until the day
in which
he was taken up,
after that
he through the Holy Ghost
had given commandments
unto the apostles whom
he had chosen:
To whom also
he shewed himself alive
after his passion
by many infallible proofs,
being seen
of them forty days,
and speaking
of the things
pertaining
to the kingdom
of God:
And,
being assembled together with them,
commanded them
that they
should not depart
from Jerusalem,
but wait
for the promise
of the Father,
which,
saith he,
ye have heard of me.
For John
truly baptized
with water;
but
ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence.
When
they
therefore were come together,
they asked of him,
saying,
Lord,
wilt
thou at this time
restore again the kingdom
to Israel?
And
he said unto them,
It is not
for you
to know
the times
or the seasons,
which the Father
hath put in
his own power.
But
ye shall receive power,
after that
the Holy Ghost
is come upon you:
and
ye shall be
witnesses
unto me both
in Jerusalem,
and
in all Judaea,
and in Samaria,
and
unto the uttermost part
of the earth.
And
when
he had spoken
these things,
while they beheld,
he was taken up;
and a cloud
received him
out of their sight.
And while they
looked stedfastly toward
heaven as he
went up,
behold,
two men
stood by them
in white apparel;
Which also said,
Ye men
of Galilee,
why stand
ye gazing up
into heaven?
this same Jesus,
which is taken up
from you
into heaven,
shall so
come in like manner as ye
have seen him
go into heaven.
Then returned
they
unto Jerusalem
from the mount called Olivet,
which is from Jerusalem
a sabbath day's journey.
And
when
they were come in,
they went up
into an upper room,
where abode both Peter,
and James,
and John,
and Andrew, Philip,
and Thomas, Bartholomew,
and Matthew,
James the son
of Alphaeus,
and Simon Zelotes,
and Judas
the brother
of James.
These all continued
with one accord
in prayer
and supplication,
with the women,
and Mary
the mother
of Jesus,
and
with his brethren.
And in those
days Peter
stood up
in the midst
of the disciples,
and said,
(the number
of names
together were about an hundred
and twenty,)
Men and brethren,
this scripture
must needs have been fulfilled,
which the Holy Ghost
by the mouth
of David
spake
before concerning Judas,
which was
guide to them
that took Jesus.
For he was numbered with us,
and had obtained
part of this ministry.
Now this man
purchased a field
with the reward
of iniquity;
and falling headlong,
he burst asunder
in the midst,
and all
his bowels
gushed out.
And it
was known
unto all
the dwellers
at Jerusalem;
insomuch as that field
is called in
their proper tongue,
Aceldama,
that is to say,
The field
of blood.
For it
is written
in the book
of Psalms,
Let his habitation
be desolate,
and let no man
dwell therein:
and his bishoprick
let another take.
Wherefore of these men which
have companied
with us all the time
that the Lord Jesus
went in
and
out among us,
Beginning
from the baptism
of John,
unto that
same day
that he
was taken up from us,
must
one be ordained to be
a witness
with us
of his resurrection.
And
they appointed two,
Joseph
called Barsabas,
who was surnamed Justus,
and Matthias.
And they prayed,
and said,
Thou, Lord,
which knowest
the hearts
of all men,
shew
whether of these two
thou hast chosen,
That he
may take part
of this ministry
and apostleship,
from which
Judas
by transgression fell,
that he
might go
to his own place.
And
they gave forth their lots;
and the lot
fell
upon Matthias;
and
he was numbered
with the eleven apostles.
And
when the day
of Pentecost
was fully come,
they were all with one accord
in one place.
And suddenly there came
a sound
from heaven
as of a
rushing mighty wind,
and it
filled all
the house
where they
were sitting.
And there appeared
unto them cloven tongues like as
of fire,
and it
sat
upon each
of them.
And
they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost,
and began
to speak
with other tongues,
as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
And there were dwelling
at Jerusalem Jews,
devout men,
out of every nation
under heaven.
Now
when this
was noised abroad,
the multitude
came together,
and were confounded,
because
that every man
heard them
speak
in his own language.
And
they were all amazed
and marvelled,
saying one
to another,
Behold,
are not all
these which
speak Galilaeans?
And how hear
we every man
in our own tongue,
wherein we
were born?
Parthians,
and Medes,
and Elamites,
and the dwellers
in Mesopotamia,
and in Judaea,
and Cappadocia,
in Pontus,
and Asia,
Phrygia,
and Pamphylia,
in Egypt,
and in the parts
of Libya
about Cyrene,
and strangers
of Rome,
Jews
and proselytes,
Cretes
and Arabians,
we do hear them
speak
in our tongues
the wonderful works
of God.
And
they were all amazed,
and were in doubt,
saying one
to another,
What meaneth this?
Others mocking said,
These men
are full of new wine.
But Peter,
standing up
with the eleven,
lifted
up his voice,
and
said unto them,
Ye men of Judaea,
and all
ye that
dwell
at Jerusalem,
be this
known unto you,
and hearken
to my words:
For these
are not drunken,
as ye suppose,
seeing
it is
but the third hour
of the day.
But this
is that which
was spoken
by the prophet Joel;
And it
shall come
to pass
in the last days,
saith God,
I will pour
out 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:
And on my servants
and on my handmaidens
I will pour out
in those days
of my Spirit;
and
they shall prophesy:
And
I will shew wonders
in heaven above,
and signs
in the earth
beneath;
blood,
and fire,
and vapour
of smoke:
The sun
shall be turned into
darkness,
and the moon
into blood,
before the great
and notable day
of the Lord come:
And it
shall come
to pass,
that whosoever
shall call on
the name
of the Lord
shall be saved.
Ye men of Israel,
hear these words;
Jesus
of Nazareth,
a man
approved
of God among you
by miracles
and wonders
and signs,
which God
did by him
in the midst
of you,
as ye yourselves
also know:
Him,
being delivered
by the determinate
counsel
and foreknowledge
of God,
ye have taken,
and
by wicked hands
have crucified
and slain:
Whom God
hath raised up,
having loosed the pains
of death:
because
it was not possible
that
he should be holden of it.
For David
speaketh concerning him,
I foresaw the Lord
always before my face,
for he
is on my right hand,
that I
should not be moved:
Therefore did
my heart rejoice,
and my tongue
was glad;
moreover also my flesh
shall rest
in hope:
Because
thou wilt not leave
my soul in hell,
neither wilt
thou suffer
thine Holy One
to see corruption.
Thou hast made
known
to me the ways
of life;
thou shalt make me
full of joy
with thy countenance.
Men and brethren,
let me
freely speak
unto you
of the patriarch David,
that he
is both dead
and buried,
and his sepulchre
is with us
unto this day.
Therefore being
a prophet,
and knowing
that God
had sworn
with an oath
to him,
that of the fruit
of his loins,
according to the flesh,
he would raise
up Christ to
sit
on his throne;
He seeing this
before spake of the resurrection
of Christ,
that his soul
was not left
in hell,
neither his flesh
did see corruption.
This Jesus
hath
God raised up,
whereof
we all are witnesses.
Therefore being
by the right hand
of God exalted,
and having received
of the Father
the promise
of the Holy Ghost,
he hath
shed forth this,
which ye
now see
and hear.
For David
is not ascended
into the heavens:
but
he saith himself,
The Lord
said unto my Lord,
Sit
thou
on my right hand,
Until I
make
thy foes thy footstool.
Therefore let all the house
of Israel
know assuredly,
that God
hath made
the same Jesus,
whom
ye have crucified,
both Lord
and Christ.
Now
when
they heard this,
they were pricked
in their heart,
and said
unto Peter
and to the rest
of the apostles,
Men and brethren,
what shall
we do?
Then Peter
said unto them,
Repent,
and be baptized every one
of you
in the name
of Jesus Christ
for the remission
of sins,
and
ye shall receive
the gift
of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise
is unto you,
and to your children,
and
to all
that are afar off,
even as many
as the LORD
our God
shall call.
And
with many other words
did
he testify
and exhort,
saying,
Save yourselves
from this
untoward generation.
Then they
that
gladly received
his word
were baptized:
and the same day
there were added
unto them
about three thousand souls.
And
they continued stedfastly
in the apostles' doctrine
and fellowship,
and
in breaking
of bread,
and
in prayers.
And fear
came upon
every soul:
and many wonders
and signs
were done
by the apostles.
And
all
that believed
were together,
and had all
things common;
And sold
their possessions
and goods,
and parted them
to all men,
as every man
had need.
And they,
continuing daily
with one accord
in the temple,
and breaking bread
from house to house,
did eat their meat
with gladness
and singleness
of heart,
Praising God,
and having
favour
with all the people.
And the Lord
added
to the church
daily such as should be saved.
Now Peter
and John
went up together into the temple
at the hour
of prayer,
being the ninth hour.
And a certain man lame
from his mother's womb
was carried,
whom
they laid daily
at the gate
of the temple
which is called
Beautiful,
to ask alms
of them
that entered
into the temple;
Who seeing Peter
and John
about to go
into the temple asked
an alms.
And Peter,
fastening his eyes
upon him
with John,
said,
Look on us.
And
he gave
heed unto them,
expecting
to receive
something
of them.
Then Peter said,
Silver
and gold
have
I none;
but
such as
I have
give
I thee:
In the name
of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth
rise up and walk.
And he
took him
by the right hand,
and
lifted him up:
and immediately
his feet
and ankle bones
received strength.
And he
leaping
up stood,
and walked,
and entered
with them
into the temple,
walking,
and leaping,
and praising God.
And all
the people
saw him
walking
and praising God:
And
they knew
that it
was
he which
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.
And
as the lame man
which was healed
held Peter
and John,
all the people
ran together
unto them
in the porch
that is called
Solomon's,
greatly wondering.
And
when Peter
saw it,
he answered
unto the people,
Ye men of Israel,
why marvel
ye at this?
or why
look
ye so
earnestly on us,
as though
by our own power
or holiness
we had made
this man
to walk?
The God
of Abraham,
and of Isaac,
and of Jacob,
the God
of our fathers,
hath glorified
his Son Jesus;
whom
ye delivered up,
and denied him
in the presence
of Pilate,
when
he was determined
to let him go.
But
ye denied
the Holy One
and the Just,
and desired
a murderer
to be granted
unto you;
And killed
the Prince
of life,
whom God
hath raised
from the dead;
whereof
we are witnesses.
And his name
through faith
in his name
hath made
this man strong,
whom
ye see
and know:
yea,
the faith which
is by him
hath given him
this perfect soundness
in the presence
of you all.
And now,
brethren,
I wot
that through ignorance
ye did it,
as did also your rulers.
But those things,
which God
before had shewed
by the mouth
of all his prophets,
that Christ
should suffer,
he hath so fulfilled.
Repent ye
therefore,
and be converted,
that your sins
may be blotted out,
when the times
of refreshing
shall come
from the presence
of the Lord.
And
he shall send
Jesus Christ,
which before
was preached
unto you:
Whom
the heaven
must receive until
the times
of restitution
of all things,
which God
hath spoken
by the mouth
of all his holy prophets
since the world began.
For Moses
truly said
unto the fathers,
A prophet
shall
the Lord your God
raise up
unto you
of your brethren,
like unto me;
him shall
ye hear
in all things
whatsoever
he shall say
unto you.
And it
shall come
to pass,
that every soul,
which will not hear
that prophet,
shall be destroyed from
among the people.
Yea,
and all
the prophets
from Samuel
and
those that
follow after,
as many
as have spoken,
have
likewise
foretold of these days.
Ye are the children
of the prophets,
and of the covenant which God
made with our fathers,
saying
unto Abraham,
And in thy
seed
shall all
the kindreds
of the earth
be blessed.
Unto you first God,
having raised
up his Son Jesus,
sent him
to bless you,
in turning away every one
of you
from his iniquities.
And as they
spake unto the people,
the priests,
and the captain
of the temple,
and the Sadducees,
came upon them,
Being grieved
that they
taught the people,
and preached
through Jesus
the resurrection
from the dead.
And
they laid
hands on them,
and put them
in hold
unto the next day:
for it
was now eventide.
Howbeit many
of them which heard
the word believed;
and the number
of the men
was about five thousand.
And it
came
to pass
on the morrow,
that their rulers,
and elders,
and scribes,
And Annas
the high priest,
and Caiaphas,
and John,
and Alexander,
and as many
as were of the kindred
of the high priest,
were gathered together
at Jerusalem.
And
when
they had set them
in the midst,
they asked,
By what power,
or by what name,
have
ye done this?
Then Peter,
filled
with the Holy Ghost,
said unto them,
Ye rulers
of the people,
and elders
of Israel,
If we this day
be examined
of the good deed
done to the impotent man,
by what
means
he is made whole;
Be it
known
unto you all,
and
to all the people
of Israel,
that by the name
of Jesus Christ
of Nazareth,
whom
ye crucified,
whom God
raised
from the dead,
even by him doth this man stand
here
before you whole.
This is
the stone which
was set
at nought
of you builders,
which is become
the head
of the corner.
Neither is there salvation
in any other:
for there is
none other
name
under heaven
given among men,
whereby
we must be saved.
Now
when they
saw
the boldness
of Peter
and John,
and perceived that
they were unlearned
and ignorant men,
they marvelled;
and
they took knowledge
of them,
that they
had been
with Jesus.
And beholding
the man which
was healed
standing with them,
they could say nothing
against it.
But
when
they had commanded them
to go aside
out of the council,
they conferred
among themselves,
Saying,
What
shall
we do
to these men?
for that indeed
a notable miracle
hath been done
by them is manifest
to all
them that
dwell
in Jerusalem;
and
we cannot deny it.
But
that it
spread no
further among the people,
let us
straitly threaten them,
that they
speak henceforth
to no man
in this name.
And
they called them,
and commanded them not
to speak
at all nor
teach in the name
of Jesus.
But Peter
and John
answered
and
said unto them,
Whether it
be right
in the sight
of God
to hearken
unto you
more than unto God,
judge ye.
For we
cannot
but speak
the things
which we
have seen and heard.
So when
they had further threatened them,
they let them go,
finding nothing
how they
might punish them,
because
of the people:
for all men
glorified
God for that which
was done.
For the man
was above
forty years old,
on whom
this miracle
of healing
was shewed.
And being let go,
they went to their own company,
and reported all
that the chief priests
and elders
had said unto them.
And
when
they heard that,
they lifted
up their voice
to God
with one accord,
and said,
Lord,
thou art God,
which hast made
heaven,
and earth,
and the sea,
and all
that in them is:
Who by the mouth
of thy
servant David
hast said,
Why did the heathen rage,
and the people
imagine vain things?
The kings
of the earth stood up,
and the rulers
were gathered together
against the Lord,
and
against his Christ.
For of a truth
against thy
holy child Jesus,
whom
thou hast anointed,
both Herod,
and Pontius Pilate,
with the Gentiles,
and the people
of Israel,
were gathered together,
For to do whatsoever
thy hand and thy
counsel
determined before
to be done.
And now,
Lord,
behold their threatenings:
and grant
unto thy servants,
that with all
boldness
they
may speak
thy word,
By stretching
forth thine hand
to heal;
and that signs
and wonders may be done
by the name
of thy holy child Jesus.
And
when
they had prayed,
the place
was shaken
where they
were assembled together;
and
they were all filled
with the Holy Ghost,
and they
spake
the word
of God
with boldness.
And the multitude
of them that
believed
were of one heart
and of one soul:
neither said any
of them that ought
of the things
which he
possessed
was his own;
but
they had all
things common.
And
with great power
gave the apostles witness
of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus:
and great grace
was upon them all.
Neither was there any
among them that lacked:
for as many
as were possessors
of lands
or houses
sold them,
and brought
the prices
of the things
that were sold,
And laid
them down
at the apostles' feet:
and distribution
was made
unto every man
according as he
had need.
And Joses,
who by the apostles
was surnamed Barnabas,
(which is,
being interpreted,
The son
of consolation,)
a Levite,
and
of the country
of Cyprus,
Having land,
sold it,
and brought
the money,
and laid it
at the apostles' feet.
But a certain man
named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife,
sold a possession,
And 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.
But Peter said,
Ananias,
why hath
Satan
filled
thine heart
to lie
to the Holy Ghost,
and to keep
back part
of the price
of the land?
Whiles it remained,
was it not
thine own?
and after it
was sold,
was it
not in thine own power?
why hast
thou conceived
this thing
in thine heart?
thou hast not lied
unto men,
but unto God.
And Ananias
hearing
these words fell down,
and gave up
the ghost:
and great fear
came
on all
them that
heard these things.
And the young men arose,
wound him up,
and
carried him out,
and buried him.
And it
was about the space
of three hours after,
when his wife,
not knowing
what was done,
came in.
And Peter
answered
unto her,
Tell me
whether ye
sold
the land
for so much?
And she said,
Yea,
for so much.
Then Peter
said
unto her,
How is it that
ye have agreed together
to tempt the Spirit
of the Lord?
behold,
the feet of them
which have buried thy
husband
are at the door,
and shall carry thee out.
Then fell
she down
straightway at his feet,
and yielded
up the ghost:
and the young men
came in,
and found
her dead,
and,
carrying
her forth,
buried
her by her husband.
And great fear
came upon all
the church,
and upon
as many
as heard these things.
And 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.
And
of the rest durst no man
join himself
to them:
but the people
magnified them.
And believers
were
the more added
to the Lord,
multitudes both
of men and women.)
Insomuch
that they
brought forth
the sick
into the streets,
and laid them
on beds
and couches,
that at the least the shadow
of Peter
passing
by might overshadow
some of them.
There came also a multitude
out of the cities round about
unto Jerusalem,
bringing sick folks,
and
them which
were vexed
with unclean spirits:
and
they were healed
every one.
Then the high priest rose up,
and all
they
that were with him,
(which
is the sect
of the Sadducees,)
and were filled
with indignation,
And laid
their hands
on the apostles,
and put them
in the common prison.
But the angel
of the Lord
by night
opened the prison doors,
and
brought them forth,
and said,
Go,
stand and speak
in the temple
to the people all
the words
of this life.
And
when
they heard that,
they entered
into the temple early
in the morning,
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
to have them brought.
But
when the officers came,
and found them not
in the prison,
they returned
and told,
Saying,
The prison
truly found
we shut
with all safety,
and the keepers
standing without
before the doors:
but
when
we had opened,
we found no man
within.
Now
when the high priest
and the captain
of the temple
and the chief priests
heard these things,
they doubted
of them whereunto
this would grow.
Then came one
and told them,
saying,
Behold,
the men
whom
ye put in prison
are standing
in the temple,
and teaching
the people.
Then went
the captain
with the officers,
and brought them
without violence:
for they
feared the people,
lest
they should have been stoned.
And
when
they had brought them,
they set them
before the council:
and the high priest
asked them,
Saying,
Did not
we straitly command
you
that ye
should not teach
in this name?
and,
behold,
ye have filled Jerusalem
with your doctrine,
and intend
to bring
this man's blood
upon us.
Then Peter
and the other apostles
answered
and said,
We ought to obey God
rather than men.
The God
of our fathers
raised up Jesus,
whom
ye slew
and hanged
on a tree.
Him hath God exalted
with his right hand to be
a Prince
and a Saviour,
for to give repentance
to Israel,
and forgiveness
of sins.
And
we are his witnesses
of these things;
and so
is also
the Holy Ghost,
whom God
hath given
to them that obey him.
When
they heard that,
they were cut
to the heart,
and took
counsel
to slay them.
Then stood there
up one
in the council,
a Pharisee,
named Gamaliel,
a doctor
of the law,
had in reputation
among all the people,
and commanded to
put the apostles
forth a little space;
And
said unto them,
Ye men of Israel,
take
heed
to yourselves what
ye intend to do
as touching
these men.
For before these days rose
up Theudas,
boasting himself 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 scattered,
and brought
to nought.
After this man
rose up Judas
of Galilee
in the days
of the taxing,
and drew away much people
after him:
he also perished;
and all,
even as many
as obeyed him,
were dispersed.
And 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 come
to nought:
But
if it
be of God,
ye cannot overthrow it;
lest haply
ye be found even
to fight
against God.
And to him
they agreed:
and
when
they had called
the apostles,
and beaten them,
they commanded
that they
should not speak in the name
of Jesus,
and let them go.
And they
departed
from the presence
of the council,
rejoicing that
they were counted worthy
to suffer
shame
for his name.
And
daily in the temple,
and
in every house,
they ceased not
to teach
and preach
Jesus Christ.
And in those days,
when
the number
of the disciples
was multiplied,
there arose
a murmuring
of the Grecians
against the Hebrews,
because
their widows
were neglected
in the daily ministration.
Then the twelve
called
the multitude
of the disciples
unto them,
and said,
It is not
reason
that we
should leave
the word
of God,
and serve tables.
Wherefore,
brethren,
look
ye out
among you
seven men
of honest report,
full of the Holy Ghost
and wisdom,
whom
we may appoint
over this business.
But
we will give ourselves continually
to prayer,
and
to the ministry
of the word.
And the saying
pleased the whole multitude:
and
they chose Stephen,
a man
full of faith
and
of the Holy Ghost,
and Philip,
and Prochorus,
and Nicanor,
and Timon,
and Parmenas,
and Nicolas a proselyte
of Antioch:
Whom
they set
before the apostles:
and
when
they had prayed,
they laid
their hands
on them.
And
the word
of God increased;
and
the number
of the disciples
multiplied
in Jerusalem greatly;
and
a great company
of the priests
were obedient
to the faith.
And Stephen,
full of faith
and power,
did great wonders
and miracles
among the people.
Then there arose certain
of the synagogue,
which is called
the synagogue
of the Libertines,
and Cyrenians,
and Alexandrians,
and of them
of Cilicia
and of Asia,
disputing
with Stephen.
And
they were not able
to resist
the wisdom
and the spirit
by which he spake.
Then
they suborned men,
which said,
We have heard him
speak blasphemous words
against Moses,
and
against God.
And they
stirred
up the people,
and the elders,
and the scribes,
and came upon him,
and caught him,
and brought him
to the council,
And set up
false witnesses,
which said,
This man
ceaseth not
to speak
blasphemous words
against this holy place,
and the law:
For we
have heard him say,
that this Jesus
of Nazareth
shall destroy
this place,
and shall change
the customs which Moses
delivered us.
And all
that sat
in the council,
looking stedfastly on him,
saw his face as it
had been
the face
of an angel.
Then said
the high priest,
Are these things so?
And he said,
Men,
brethren,
and fathers,
hearken;
The God
of glory
appeared
unto our father Abraham,
when
he was in Mesopotamia,
before he dwelt
in Charran,
And
said unto him,
Get thee
out of thy country,
and from thy kindred,
and come
into the land
which I
shall shew thee.
Then came
he out of the land
of the Chaldaeans,
and dwelt
in Charran:
and from thence,
when his father
was dead,
he removed him
into this land,
wherein ye
now dwell.
And he
gave him
none inheritance in it,
no,
not so much as to set
his foot on:
yet
he promised that
he would give it
to him
for a possession,
and to his seed
after him,
when as yet
he had
no child.
And God
spake on this wise,
That his seed
should sojourn
in a strange land;
and
that they
should bring them
into bondage,
and entreat them
evil four hundred years.
And the nation
to whom
they
shall be
in bondage
will
I judge,
said God:
and after that
shall
they come forth,
and serve me
in this place.
And he
gave him
the covenant
of circumcision:
and so Abraham
begat Isaac,
and circumcised him
the eighth day;
and Isaac
begat Jacob;
and Jacob
begat the twelve patriarchs.
And the patriarchs,
moved with envy,
sold Joseph
into Egypt:
but God
was with him,
And delivered him
out of all his afflictions,
and gave him
favour and wisdom
in the sight
of Pharaoh king
of Egypt;
and
he made him governor
over Egypt
and all
his house.
Now there came a dearth
over all the land
of Egypt
and Chanaan,
and great affliction:
and our fathers
found no sustenance.
But when Jacob
heard
that there was corn
in Egypt,
he sent
out our fathers first.
And
at the second time Joseph
was made
known
to his brethren;
and Joseph's kindred
was made
known
unto Pharaoh.
Then sent Joseph,
and called
his father Jacob
to him,
and all
his kindred,
threescore
and fifteen souls.
So Jacob
went down
into Egypt,
and died,
he,
and our fathers,
And were carried over
into Sychem,
and laid
in the sepulchre
that Abraham
bought
for a sum
of money
of the sons
of Emmor
the father
of Sychem.
But
when
the time
of the promise
drew nigh,
which God
had sworn
to Abraham,
the people
grew
and multiplied
in Egypt,
Till another
king arose,
which knew not
Joseph.
The same dealt subtilly
with our kindred,
and evil entreated
our fathers,
so that
they cast
out their young children,
to the end
they might not live.
In which
time Moses
was born,
and was exceeding fair,
and nourished up
in his father's house three months:
And
when
he was cast out,
Pharaoh's daughter
took him up,
and nourished him
for her own son.
And Moses
was learned
in all
the wisdom
of the Egyptians,
and was mighty
in words
and in deeds.
And
when he
was
full forty years old,
it came
into his heart
to visit his brethren
the children
of Israel.
And seeing one
of them suffer wrong,
he defended him,
and avenged him
that was oppressed,
and smote the Egyptian:
For he
supposed
his brethren
would have understood how
that God
by his hand
would deliver them:
but
they understood not.
And the next day
he shewed himself
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?
But he
that
did his neighbour
wrong
thrust him away,
saying,
Who made thee
a ruler
and a judge
over us?
Wilt
thou kill me,
as thou
diddest the Egyptian yesterday?
Then fled
Moses at this saying,
and was a stranger
in the land
of Madian,
where he
begat two sons.
And
when forty years
were expired,
there appeared
to him
in the wilderness
of mount Sina
an angel
of the Lord
in a flame
of fire
in a bush.
When Moses
saw it,
he wondered
at the sight:
and as he
drew near
to behold it,
the voice
of the LORD
came unto him,
Saying,
I am the God
of thy fathers,
the God
of Abraham,
and the God
of Isaac,
and the God
of Jacob.
Then Moses trembled,
and durst
not behold.
Then said
the Lord
to him,
Put off thy shoes
from thy feet:
for the place
where thou
standest
is holy ground.
I have seen,
I have seen
the affliction
of my people which
is in Egypt,
and
I have heard
their groaning,
and am come down
to deliver them.
And now come,
I will send thee
into Egypt.
This Moses
whom
they refused,
saying,
Who made thee
a ruler
and a judge?
the same
did
God send
to be a ruler
and a deliverer
by the hand
of the angel which
appeared
to him
in the bush.
He brought them out,
after that
he had shewed wonders
and signs in the land
of Egypt,
and
in the Red sea,
and
in the wilderness forty years.
This is that Moses,
which said
unto the children
of Israel,
A prophet
shall
the Lord your God
raise up
unto you
of your brethren,
like unto me;
him shall
ye hear.
This is he,
that was in the church
in the wilderness
with the angel which
spake to him
in the mount Sina,
and
with our fathers:
who received
the lively oracles
to give unto us:
To whom our fathers
would not obey,
but
thrust him from them,
and
in their hearts
turned
back again
into Egypt,
Saying
unto Aaron,
Make us gods to go
before us:
for as
for this Moses,
which brought us
out of the land
of Egypt,
we wot not
what
is become of him.
And they
made
a calf
in those days,
and offered
sacrifice
unto the idol,
and rejoiced
in the works
of their own hands.
Then God turned,
and gave them
up to worship the host
of heaven;
as it is written
in the book
of the prophets,
O ye
house
of Israel,
have
ye offered to me
slain beasts
and sacrifices
by the space
of forty years
in the wilderness?
Yea,
ye took up the tabernacle
of Moloch,
and the star
of your god Remphan,
figures
which ye
made to worship them:
and
I will carry you
away beyond Babylon.
Our fathers
had the tabernacle
of witness
in the wilderness,
as he
had appointed,
speaking
unto Moses,
that he
should make it
according to
the fashion that
he had seen.
Which also
our fathers
that came
after brought in
with Jesus
into the possession
of the Gentiles,
whom God drave
out before the face
of our fathers,
unto the days
of David;
Who found
favour
before God,
and desired
to find a tabernacle
for the God
of Jacob.
But Solomon
built him
an house.
Howbeit the most High
dwelleth not
in temples
made with hands;
as saith the prophet,
Heaven is my throne,
and earth
is my footstool:
what house
will
ye build me?
saith the Lord:
or what
is the place
of my rest?
Hath not
my hand
made all
these things?
Ye stiffnecked
and uncircumcised
in heart
and ears,
ye do always resist
the Holy Ghost:
as your fathers did,
so do ye.
Which of the prophets
have not
your fathers persecuted?
and
they have slain them
which shewed before
of the coming
of the Just One;
of whom
ye have been now
the betrayers
and murderers:
Who have received
the law
by the disposition
of angels,
and have not kept it.
When
they heard
these things,
they were cut
to the heart,
and they
gnashed
on him
with their teeth.
But he,
being full of
the Holy Ghost,
looked up
stedfastly into heaven,
and saw
the glory
of God,
and Jesus
standing
on the right hand
of God,
And said,
Behold,
I see
the heavens opened,
and the Son
of man
standing
on the right hand
of God.
Then
they cried out
with a loud voice,
and stopped
their ears,
and ran upon him
with one accord,
And cast him
out of the city,
and stoned him:
and the witnesses
laid down
their clothes at a
young man's feet,
whose name was Saul.
And
they stoned
Stephen,
calling upon God,
and saying,
Lord Jesus,
receive my spirit.
And
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.
And Saul
was consenting
unto his death.
And at that time
there was
a great persecution
against the church
which was at Jerusalem;
and
they were all scattered abroad
throughout the regions
of Judaea
and Samaria,
except the apostles.
And devout men
carried Stephen
to his burial,
and made great lamentation
over him.
As for Saul,
he made havock
of the church,
entering
into every house,
and haling men
and women
committed them
to prison.
Therefore they
that were scattered
abroad went every
where preaching
the word.
Then Philip
went down
to the city
of Samaria,
and preached Christ
unto them.
And the people
with one accord
gave
heed
unto those things
which Philip spake,
hearing
and seeing
the miracles
which he did.
For unclean spirits,
crying
with loud voice,
came out of many that
were possessed with them:
and many taken
with palsies,
and that
were lame,
were healed.
And there was great
joy
in that city.
But there was
a certain man,
called Simon,
which beforetime in
the same city used sorcery,
and bewitched
the people
of Samaria,
giving out
that himself
was some great one:
To whom
they all gave heed,
from the least
to the greatest,
saying,
This man
is the great power
of God.
And to him
they had regard,
because
that of long time
he had bewitched them
with sorceries.
But
when
they believed Philip
preaching
the things
concerning
the kingdom
of God,
and the name
of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized,
both men
and women.
Then Simon himself
believed also:
and
when
he was baptized,
he continued
with Philip,
and wondered,
beholding the miracles
and signs which
were done.
Now
when the apostles
which were at Jerusalem
heard
that Samaria
had received
the word of God,
they sent
unto them Peter
and John:
Who,
when
they
were come down,
prayed for them,
that they
might receive
the Holy Ghost:
(For as yet
he was fallen
upon none of them:
only they
were baptized
in the name
of the Lord Jesus.)
Then laid
they their hands
on them,
and
they received
the Holy Ghost.
And
when Simon
saw
that through laying on
of the apostles'
hands
the Holy Ghost
was given,
he offered them money,
Saying,
Give me
also this power,
that on whomsoever
I lay hands,
he may receive
the Holy Ghost.
But Peter
said unto him,
Thy money
perish with thee,
because
thou hast thought
that the gift
of God
may be purchased
with money.
Thou hast neither part
nor lot
in this matter:
for thy heart
is not
right in the sight
of God.
Repent therefore
of this thy wickedness,
and pray God,
if perhaps
the thought
of thine heart
may be forgiven thee.
For I
perceive that thou art
in the gall
of bitterness,
and in the bond
of iniquity.
Then answered Simon,
and said,
Pray
ye to the LORD
for me,
that none of
these things
which ye
have spoken
come upon me.
And they,
when
they had testified
and preached
the word
of the Lord,
returned
to Jerusalem,
and preached
the gospel
in many villages
of the Samaritans.
And
the angel
of the Lord
spake unto Philip,
saying,
Arise,
and go toward
the south
unto the way
that goeth down from Jerusalem
unto Gaza,
which is desert.
And
he arose
and went:
and,
behold,
a man
of Ethiopia,
an eunuch
of great authority
under Candace queen
of the Ethiopians,
who had the charge
of all her treasure,
and had come
to Jerusalem
for to worship,
Was returning,
and sitting
in his chariot
read Esaias
the prophet.
Then the Spirit
said
unto Philip,
Go near,
and join thyself
to this chariot.
And Philip
ran thither
to him,
and heard him
read the prophet Esaias,
and said,
Understandest thou
what thou readest?
And he said,
How can I,
except some man
should guide me?
And
he desired
Philip that
he would come
up and
sit with him.
The place
of the scripture
which he read
was this,
He was led
as a sheep
to the slaughter;
and like
a lamb dumb
before his shearer,
so opened
he not
his mouth:
In his humiliation
his judgment
was taken away:
and
who shall declare
his generation?
for his life
is taken
from the earth.
And the eunuch
answered Philip,
and said,
I pray thee,
of whom speaketh the prophet this?
of himself,
or of some other man?
Then Philip
opened his mouth,
and began at the same scripture,
and preached
unto him Jesus.
And as they
went on their way,
they came
unto a certain water:
and the eunuch said,
See,
here is water;
what doth hinder me
to be baptized?
And Philip said,
If thou
believest with all
thine heart,
thou mayest.
And he
answered
and said,
I believe
that Jesus Christ
is the Son
of God.
And he
commanded
the chariot
to stand still:
and
they went down both
into the water,
both Philip
and the eunuch;
and
he baptized him.
And
when
they were come up
out of the water,
the Spirit
of the Lord caught away Philip,
that the eunuch
saw him no more:
and he
went on
his way rejoicing.
But Philip
was found
at Azotus:
and passing
through he
preached
in all the cities,
till he
came
to Caesarea.
And Saul,
yet breathing
out threatenings
and slaughter
against the disciples
of the Lord,
went unto the high priest,
And desired
of him letters
to Damascus
to the synagogues,
that if
he found any
of this way,
whether they
were men
or women,
he might bring them
bound
unto Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed,
he came
near Damascus:
and
suddenly there shined round
about him a light
from heaven:
And he
fell
to the earth,
and heard
a voice
saying unto him,
Saul, Saul,
why persecutest
thou me?
And he said,
Who art thou,
Lord?
And the Lord said,
I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest:
it is hard
for thee
to kick
against the pricks.
And he
trembling
and astonished said,
Lord,
what wilt thou
have me to do?
And the Lord
said unto him,
Arise,
and go
into the city,
and it
shall be told thee
what thou must do.
And the men which journeyed
with him stood speechless,
hearing a voice,
but seeing no man.
And Saul
arose
from the earth;
and
when his eyes
were opened,
he saw no man:
but
they led him
by the hand,
and brought him
into Damascus.
And
he was three days
without sight,
and neither
did eat nor drink.
And there was
a certain disciple
at Damascus,
named Ananias;
and to him
said the Lord
in a vision,
Ananias.
And he said,
Behold,
I am here,
Lord.
And the Lord
said unto him,
Arise,
and go
into the street which
is called Straight,
and enquire
in the house
of Judas
for one
called Saul,
of Tarsus:
for,
behold,
he prayeth,
And hath seen
in a vision a man
named
Ananias coming in,
and putting
his hand
on him,
that he
might receive
his sight.
Then Ananias answered,
Lord,
I have heard
by many
of this man,
how much evil
he hath done
to thy saints
at Jerusalem:
And here
he hath authority
from the chief priests
to bind all
that
call on thy name.
But 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:
For I
will shew him how
great things
he must suffer
for my name's sake.
And Ananias
went his way,
and entered
into the house;
and putting
his hands
on him said,
Brother Saul,
the Lord,
even Jesus,
that appeared
unto thee
in the way
as thou camest,
hath sent me,
that thou
mightest receive
thy sight,
and be filled
with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell
from his eyes as it
had been scales:
and
he received sight forthwith,
and arose,
and was baptized.
And
when
he had received meat,
he was strengthened.
Then was
Saul certain days
with the disciples
which were at Damascus.
And straightway
he preached Christ
in the synagogues,
that he
is the Son
of God.
But all
that heard him
were amazed,
and said;
Is not
this
he that
destroyed them
which called on
this name
in Jerusalem,
and came hither
for that intent,
that he
might bring them
bound
unto the chief priests?
But Saul
increased
the more
in strength,
and confounded
the Jews
which dwelt
at Damascus,
proving
that this
is very Christ.
And after that
many days
were fulfilled,
the Jews
took counsel
to kill him:
But their laying
await
was known
of Saul.
And they
watched
the gates
day and night
to kill him.
Then the disciples
took him
by night,
and let him down
by the wall
in a basket.
And
when Saul
was come
to Jerusalem,
he assayed
to join himself
to the disciples:
but
they were all afraid
of him,
and believed not
that he
was a disciple.
But 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 he
had preached boldly
at Damascus
in the name
of Jesus.
And
he was
with them coming in
and going out
at Jerusalem.
And
he spake boldly in the name
of the Lord Jesus,
and disputed
against the Grecians:
but
they went about
to slay him.
Which when the brethren knew,
they brought
him down
to Caesarea,
and sent
him forth
to Tarsus.
Then had
the churches rest
throughout all Judaea
and Galilee
and Samaria,
and were edified;
and walking
in the fear
of the Lord,
and in the comfort
of the Holy Ghost,
were multiplied.
And it
came
to pass,
as Peter
passed
throughout all quarters,
he came
down also to the saints
which dwelt
at Lydda.
And there
he found
a certain man
named Aeneas,
which had kept
his bed eight years,
and was sick
of the palsy.
And Peter
said unto him,
Aeneas,
Jesus Christ
maketh thee whole:
arise,
and make
thy bed.
And
he arose immediately.
And all
that dwelt
at Lydda
and Saron
saw him,
and turned
to the Lord.
Now 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.
And it
came to pass
in those days,
that she
was sick,
and died:
whom
when
they had washed,
they laid her
in an upper chamber.
And
forasmuch
as Lydda
was nigh
to Joppa,
and the disciples
had heard
that Peter
was there,
they sent
unto him two men,
desiring him that
he would not delay
to come
to them.
Then Peter
arose
and
went with them.
When he
was come,
they brought him
into the upper chamber:
and all
the widows
stood by him weeping,
and shewing
the coats
and garments which Dorcas made,
while she
was with them.
But Peter
put them all forth,
and kneeled down,
and prayed;
and turning him
to the body said,
Tabitha,
arise.
And
she opened
her eyes:
and
when
she saw Peter,
she sat up.
And he
gave her
his hand,
and lifted
her up,
and
when
he had called
the saints
and widows,
presented her alive.
And it
was known
throughout all Joppa;
and many believed
in the Lord.
And it
came
to pass,
that he
tarried many days
in Joppa
with one Simon a tanner.
There was
a certain man
in Caesarea called Cornelius,
a centurion
of the band
called the Italian band,
A devout man,
and one
that feared God
with all his house,
which gave much alms
to the people,
and prayed
to God alway.
He saw
in a vision
evidently about the ninth hour
of the day an angel
of God
coming in
to him,
and
saying unto him,
Cornelius.
And
when
he looked on him,
he was afraid,
and said,
What is it,
Lord?
And
he said unto him,
Thy prayers
and thine alms
are come up
for a memorial
before God.
And now send men
to Joppa,
and call for
one Simon,
whose surname
is Peter:
He lodgeth with one Simon
a tanner,
whose house
is by the sea side:
he shall tell thee
what thou
oughtest to do.
And
when the angel
which spake unto Cornelius
was departed,
he called two
of his household servants,
and a devout soldier
of them
that waited
on him continually;
And
when
he had declared all
these things
unto them,
he sent them
to Joppa.
On the morrow,
as they went on their journey,
and drew nigh
unto the city,
Peter
went up
upon the housetop
to pray
about the sixth hour:
And
he became very hungry,
and would have eaten:
but
while they
made ready,
he fell
into a trance,
And saw heaven opened,
and a certain vessel
descending upon him,
as it had been
a great sheet knit
at the four corners,
and let down
to the earth:
Wherein were all manner
of fourfooted beasts
of the earth,
and wild beasts,
and creeping things,
and fowls
of the air.
And there came
a voice
to him,
Rise, Peter;
kill,
and eat.
But Peter said,
Not so,
Lord;
for I
have never eaten any thing
that is common
or unclean.
And the voice
spake unto him again
the second time,
What God
hath cleansed,
that call not
thou common.
This was done thrice:
and the vessel
was received up
again into heaven.
Now
while Peter
doubted
in himself
what this vision
which he
had seen
should mean,
behold,
the men which
were sent
from Cornelius
had made
enquiry
for Simon's house,
and stood
before the gate,
And called,
and asked
whether Simon,
which was surnamed Peter,
were lodged there.
While Peter
thought
on the vision,
the Spirit
said unto him,
Behold,
three men seek thee.
Arise therefore,
and get thee down,
and go with them,
doubting nothing:
for I
have sent them.
Then Peter
went down
to the men
which were sent
unto him
from Cornelius;
and said,
Behold,
I am
he whom
ye seek:
what is the cause
wherefore ye are come?
And they said,
Cornelius the centurion,
a just man,
and one
that feareth God,
and
of good report
among all
the nation
of the Jews,
was warned
from God
by an holy angel
to send for thee
into his house,
and to hear
words of thee.
Then called
he them in,
and lodged them.
And on the morrow
Peter
went away with them,
and certain brethren
from Joppa
accompanied him.
And the morrow
after they
entered
into Caesarea.
And Cornelius
waited for them,
and
he had called
together his kinsmen
and near friends.
And as Peter
was coming in,
Cornelius met him,
and fell down
at his feet,
and worshipped him.
But Peter
took him up,
saying,
Stand up;
I myself
also am a man.
And as he
talked with him,
he went in,
and found
many that
were come together.
And
he said unto them,
Ye know how
that it
is
an unlawful thing
for a man
that is a Jew
to keep company,
or come
unto one
of another nation;
but God
hath shewed me that
I should not call
any man common
or unclean.
Therefore came
I unto you
without gainsaying,
as soon as I
was sent for:
I ask therefore
for what intent
ye have sent for me?
And Cornelius said,
Four days ago
I was fasting until
this hour;
and
at the ninth hour
I prayed
in my house,
and,
behold,
a man
stood
before me
in bright clothing,
And said,
Cornelius,
thy prayer
is heard,
and thine alms
are had in remembrance
in the sight
of God.
Send therefore
to Joppa,
and call
hither Simon,
whose surname
is Peter;
he is lodged
in the house
of one Simon
a tanner
by the sea side:
who,
when he cometh,
shall speak
unto thee.
Immediately therefore
I sent to thee;
and
thou hast well done that
thou art come.
Now therefore are
we all here
present
before God,
to hear all
things
that are commanded thee
of God.
Then Peter
opened his mouth,
and said,
Of a truth
I perceive
that God
is no respecter
of persons:
But in every nation
he that
feareth him,
and worketh righteousness,
is accepted with him.
The word which God
sent
unto the children
of Israel,
preaching peace
by Jesus Christ:
(he is Lord of all:)
ACT 10:37
That word,
I say,
ye know,
which was published
throughout all Judaea,
and began from Galilee,
after the baptism
which John preached;
How God
anointed Jesus
of Nazareth
with the Holy Ghost
and with power:
who went
about doing good,
and healing all
that
were oppressed
of the devil;
for God
was with him.
And
we are
witnesses
of all things
which he
did both
in the land
of the Jews,
and in Jerusalem;
whom
they slew
and hanged
on a tree:
Him God
raised up the third day,
and shewed him openly;
Not to all the people,
but unto witnesses
chosen
before God,
even to us,
who did eat
and drink
with him
after he
rose from the dead.
And
he commanded us
to preach
unto the people,
and to testify
that it
is he
which was ordained
of God to be
the Judge
of quick and dead.
To him
give all
the prophets witness,
that through his name
whosoever believeth
in him shall receive remission
of sins.
While Peter
yet spake
these words,
the Holy Ghost
fell on all
them which heard
the word.
And
they
of the circumcision
which believed
were astonished,
as many as
came with Peter,
because
that on the Gentiles
also was poured out the gift
of the Holy Ghost.
For they
heard them
speak
with tongues,
and magnify God.
Then answered Peter,
Can any man
forbid water,
that these
should not be baptized,
which have received
the Holy Ghost
as well as we?
And
he commanded them
to be baptized
in the name
of the Lord.
Then prayed
they him
to tarry certain days.
And the apostles
and brethren
that were in Judaea
heard
that the Gentiles
had also received
the word
of God.
And
when Peter
was come up to
Jerusalem,
they that
were of the circumcision
contended with him,
Saying,
Thou wentest in
to men uncircumcised,
and
didst eat with them.
But Peter
rehearsed
the matter
from the beginning,
and expounded
it by order unto them,
saying,
I was in the city
of Joppa praying:
and in a trance
I saw a vision,
A certain vessel descend,
as it had been
a great sheet,
let down
from heaven
by four corners;
and it
came even to me:
Upon the which
when I
had fastened
mine eyes,
I considered,
and saw fourfooted beasts
of the earth,
and wild beasts,
and creeping things,
and fowls
of the air.
And I
heard
a voice
saying unto me,
Arise, Peter;
slay and eat.
But I said,
Not so,
Lord:
for nothing common
or unclean
hath
at any time
entered
into my mouth.
But the voice
answered me again
from heaven,
What God
hath cleansed,
that call not
thou common.
And this
was done
three times:
and all were drawn up again
into heaven.
And,
behold,
immediately there were three men
already come
unto the house
where I was,
sent
from Caesarea
unto me.
And the Spirit
bade me
go with them,
nothing doubting.
Moreover these six brethren
accompanied me,
and we
entered
into the man's house:
And
he shewed us how
he had seen an angel
in his house,
which stood
and
said unto him,
Send men
to Joppa,
and call for Simon,
whose surname
is Peter;
Who shall tell
thee words,
whereby
thou
and all thy
house
shall be saved.
And as I
began to speak,
the Holy Ghost
fell on them,
as on us
at the beginning.
Then remembered
I the word
of the Lord,
how that
he said,
John
indeed baptized
with water;
but
ye shall be baptized
with the Holy Ghost.
Forasmuch
then as God
gave them
the like gift
as he
did unto us,
who believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ;
what was I,
that I
could withstand God?
When
they heard
these things,
they held
their peace,
and glorified God,
saying,
Then hath God
also to the Gentiles
granted repentance
unto life.
Now they
which were scattered abroad
upon the persecution
that arose
about Stephen
travelled as far
as Phenice,
and Cyprus,
and Antioch,
preaching the word
to none
but unto the Jews only.
And some of them
were men
of Cyprus
and Cyrene,
which,
when
they were come
to Antioch,
spake unto the Grecians,
preaching
the LORD Jesus.
And
the hand
of the Lord
was with them:
and a
great number believed,
and turned
unto the Lord.
Then
tidings
of these things
came
unto the ears
of the church
which was in Jerusalem:
and they
sent
forth Barnabas,
that he
should go as far
as Antioch.
Who,
when he came,
and had seen
the grace of God,
was glad,
and exhorted them all,
that with purpose
of heart
they would cleave
unto the Lord.
For he
was a good man,
and full of the Holy Ghost
and
of faith:
and much people
was added
unto the Lord.
Then departed Barnabas
to Tarsus,
for to seek Saul:
And
when
he had found him,
he brought him
unto Antioch.
And it
came
to pass,
that a whole year
they assembled themselves
with the church,
and taught much people.
And the disciples
were called Christians
first in Antioch.
And in these days
came prophets
from Jerusalem
unto Antioch.
And there stood up one
of them named Agabus,
and signified
by the Spirit
that there should be great dearth
throughout all the world:
which came
to pass
in the days
of Claudius Caesar.
Then the disciples,
every man
according to his ability,
determined
to send
relief unto the brethren
which dwelt
in Judaea:
Which also
they did,
and sent it
to the elders
by the hands
of Barnabas and Saul.
Now about that time
Herod the king
stretched
forth his hands
to vex certain
of the church.
And
he killed James
the brother
of John
with the sword.
And because
he
saw it
pleased
the Jews,
he proceeded further
to take Peter also.
(Then
were the days
of unleavened bread.)
And
when
he had apprehended him,
he put him
in prison,
and delivered him
to four quaternions
of soldiers
to keep him;
intending
after Easter
to bring
him forth
to the people.
Peter therefore was kept
in prison:
but prayer
was made
without ceasing
of the church
unto God
for him.
And
when Herod
would have brought him forth,
the same night Peter
was sleeping
between two soldiers,
bound
with two chains:
and the keepers
before the door
kept the prison.
And,
behold,
the angel
of the Lord
came upon him,
and a light shined
in the prison:
and
he smote Peter
on the side,
and
raised him up,
saying,
Arise up quickly.
And his chains
fell off
from his hands.
And the angel
said unto him,
Gird thyself,
and bind
on thy sandals.
And so
he did.
And
he saith unto him,
Cast thy garment
about thee,
and follow me.
And he went out,
and followed him;
and wist
not
that it
was true which
was done
by the angel;
but thought
he saw
a vision.
When
they were past the first
and the second ward,
they came
unto the iron
gate that
leadeth unto the city;
which opened
to them
of his own accord:
and
they went out,
and passed on
through one street;
and forthwith
the angel
departed from him.
And
when Peter
was come
to himself,
he said,
Now I
know of a surety,
that the LORD
hath sent
his angel,
and hath delivered me
out of the hand
of Herod,
and
from all the expectation
of the people
of the Jews.
And
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 praying.
And
as Peter
knocked
at the door
of the gate,
a damsel
came to hearken,
named Rhoda.
And
when
she knew Peter's voice,
she opened not the gate
for gladness,
but ran in,
and told how
Peter
stood
before the gate.
And they
said
unto her,
Thou art mad.
But
she constantly affirmed
that it
was even so.
Then said they,
It is his angel.
But Peter continued knocking:
and
when
they had opened
the door,
and saw him,
they were astonished.
But he,
beckoning
unto them
with the hand
to hold their peace,
declared
unto them how
the Lord
had brought him
out of the prison.
And he said,
Go shew
these things
unto James,
and
to the brethren.
And he departed,
and went into another place.
Now as
soon as it
was day,
there was
no small stir
among the soldiers,
what was become
of Peter.
And
when Herod
had sought for him,
and found him not,
he examined
the keepers,
and commanded
that they
should be put
to death.
And
he went down
from Judaea
to Caesarea,
and there abode.
And Herod
was highly displeased
with them
of Tyre
and Sidon:
but they
came
with one accord
to him,
and,
having made Blastus
the king's chamberlain their friend,
desired peace;
because
their country
was nourished
by the king's country.
And
upon a set day Herod,
arrayed
in royal apparel,
sat
upon his throne,
and made
an oration
unto them.
And the people
gave a shout,
saying,
It is the voice
of a god,
and not of a man.
And immediately
the angel
of the Lord
smote him,
because
he gave not God
the glory:
and
he was eaten
of worms,
and gave up
the ghost.
But
the word
of God
grew
and multiplied.
And Barnabas
and Saul
returned
from Jerusalem,
when
they had fulfilled
their ministry,
and took with them John,
whose surname
was Mark.
Now there were
in the church
that was at Antioch
certain prophets
and teachers;
as Barnabas,
and Simeon
that was called Niger,
and Lucius
of Cyrene,
and Manaen,
which had been brought up
with Herod
the tetrarch,
and Saul.
As they ministered
to the Lord,
and fasted,
the Holy Ghost said,
Separate me Barnabas
and Saul
for the work whereunto
I have called them.
And
when
they had fasted
and prayed,
and laid
their hands
on them,
they sent them away.
So they,
being sent forth
by the Holy Ghost,
departed
unto Seleucia;
and from thence
they sailed
to Cyprus.
And
when
they were at Salamis,
they preached the word
of God
in the synagogues
of the Jews:
and
they had also John
to their minister.
And
when
they had gone
through the isle
unto Paphos,
they found
a certain sorcerer,
a false prophet,
a Jew,
whose name
was Barjesus:
Which was with the deputy
of the country,
Sergius Paulus,
a prudent man;
who called for Barnabas
and Saul,
and desired
to hear the word
of God.
But Elymas
the sorcerer
(for so
is his name
by interpretation)
withstood them,
seeking
to turn away the deputy
from the faith.
Then Saul,
(who also is called Paul,)
filled
with the Holy Ghost,
set his eyes
on him.
And said,
O full of all subtilty
and all mischief,
thou child
of the devil,
thou enemy
of all righteousness,
wilt thou
not cease
to pervert the right ways
of the Lord?
And 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.
Then the deputy,
when he
saw
what was done,
believed,
being astonished
at the doctrine
of the Lord.
Now
when Paul
and his company
loosed
from Paphos,
they came
to Perga
in Pamphylia:
and John
departing
from them returned
to Jerusalem.
But
when
they departed
from Perga,
they came
to Antioch
in Pisidia,
and went into the synagogue
on the sabbath day,
and sat down.
And after the reading
of the law
and the prophets
the rulers
of the synagogue
sent unto them,
saying,
Ye men
and brethren,
if ye
have any word
of exhortation
for the people,
say on.
Then Paul stood up,
and beckoning
with his hand said,
Men of Israel,
and
ye that fear God,
give audience.
The God
of this people
of Israel
chose our fathers,
and exalted
the people
when they
dwelt
as strangers
in the land
of Egypt,
and
with an high arm
brought
he them
out of it.
And
about the time
of forty years
suffered
he their manners
in the wilderness.
And
when
he had destroyed seven nations
in the land
of Chanaan,
he divided
their land
to them
by lot.
And after that
he gave unto them judges
about the space
of four hundred
and fifty years,
until Samuel
the prophet.
And afterward
they desired
a king:
and God
gave unto them Saul
the son of Cis,
a man
of the tribe
of Benjamin,
by the space
of forty years.
And
when
he had removed him,
he raised up
unto them David
to be their king;
to whom
also he
gave their testimony,
and said,
I have found David
the son
of Jesse,
a man
after mine own heart,
which shall fulfil all my will.
Of this man's seed
hath God
according to
his promise raised
unto Israel
a Saviour, Jesus:
When John
had first preached
before his coming the baptism
of repentance
to all the people
of Israel.
And as John
fulfilled
his course,
he said,
Whom
think
ye that I am?
I am not he.
But,
behold,
there cometh one
after me,
whose shoes
of his feet
I am not worthy
to loose.
Men and brethren,
children
of the stock
of Abraham,
and whosoever
among you
feareth God,
to you
is the word
of this salvation sent.
For they
that dwell
at Jerusalem,
and their rulers,
because
they knew him not,
nor yet
the voices
of the prophets which
are read every sabbath day,
they have fulfilled them
in condemning him.
And though they
found
no cause
of death
in him,
yet desired
they Pilate that
he should be slain.
And when they
had fulfilled all
that was written of him,
they took him down
from the tree,
and laid him
in a sepulchre.
But God
raised him
from the dead:
And
he was seen many days
of them which
came up with him from Galilee
to Jerusalem,
who are his witnesses
unto the people.
And we
declare unto you glad tidings,
how that
the promise
which was made
unto the fathers,
God hath fulfilled
the same
unto us their children,
in that
he hath raised
up Jesus again;
as it is also written
in the second psalm,
Thou art my Son,
this day
have
I begotten thee.
And as concerning
that
he raised him up
from the dead,
now
no more
to return
to corruption,
he said
on this wise,
I will give
you the sure mercies
of David.
Wherefore
he saith also
in another psalm,
Thou
shalt not suffer
thine Holy One
to see corruption.
For David,
after he had served
his own generation
by the will
of God,
fell on sleep,
and was laid
unto his fathers,
and saw
corruption:
But he,
whom God
raised again,
saw no corruption.
Be it
known
unto you therefore,
men and brethren,
that through this man
is preached
unto you
the forgiveness
of sins:
And by him all
that believe
are justified
from all things,
from which
ye could not be justified
by the law
of Moses.
Beware therefore,
lest
that come upon you,
which is spoken of
in the prophets;
Behold,
ye despisers,
and wonder,
and perish:
for I
work a work
in your days,
a work
which ye
shall in no wise believe,
though a man
declare it
unto you.
And when the Jews
were gone
out of the synagogue,
the Gentiles
besought
that these
words
might be preached
to them
the next sabbath.
Now
when the congregation
was broken up,
many of the Jews
and religious proselytes
followed Paul
and Barnabas:
who,
speaking to them,
persuaded them
to continue
in the grace
of God.
And the next sabbath day
came almost
the whole city
together to hear
the word
of God.
But
when the Jews
saw the multitudes,
they were filled
with envy,
and spake against those things
which were spoken
by Paul,
contradicting and blaspheming.
Then Paul
and Barnabas
waxed bold,
and said,
It was necessary
that the word
of God
should first have been spoken
to you:
but seeing
ye put it
from you,
and judge yourselves unworthy
of everlasting life,
lo,
we turn
to the Gentiles.
For so
hath
the Lord
commanded us,
saying,
I have set thee
to be a light
of the Gentiles,
that thou
shouldest be
for salvation
unto the ends
of the earth.
And
when the Gentiles
heard this,
they were glad,
and glorified
the word
of the Lord:
and as many
as were ordained
to eternal life believed.
And
the word
of the Lord
was published
throughout all the region.
But the Jews
stirred
up the devout
and honourable women,
and the chief men
of the city,
and raised persecution
against Paul
and Barnabas,
and expelled them
out of their coasts.
But
they shook off the dust
of their feet
against them,
and came
unto Iconium.
And the disciples
were filled
with joy,
and
with the Holy Ghost.
And it
came
to pass
in Iconium,
that they
went both
together into the synagogue
of the Jews,
and so spake,
that a great multitude both
of the Jews
and also of the Greeks believed.
But the unbelieving Jews
stirred
up the Gentiles,
and made
their minds
evil affected
against the brethren.
Long time therefore abode
they speaking boldly
in the Lord,
which gave testimony
unto the word
of his grace,
and granted
signs
and wonders
to be done
by their hands.
But the multitude
of the city
was divided:
and part
held
with the Jews,
and part
with the apostles.
And
when there was an assault
made both
of the Gentiles,
and also of the Jews
with their rulers,
to use them despitefully,
and
to stone them,
They were ware of it,
and fled
unto Lystra
and Derbe,
cities
of Lycaonia,
and
unto the region
that lieth round about:
And
there
they preached
the gospel.
And there sat
a certain man
at Lystra,
impotent in his feet,
being a cripple
from his mother's womb,
who never had walked:
The same heard Paul speak:
who stedfastly beholding him,
and perceiving
that he
had faith
to be healed,
Said with a loud voice,
Stand upright
on thy feet.
And he
leaped and walked.
And
when the people
saw
what Paul
had done,
they lifted
up their voices,
saying
in the speech
of Lycaonia,
The gods
are come down to us
in the likeness
of men.
And
they called
Barnabas, Jupiter;
and Paul, Mercurius,
because
he was the chief speaker.
Then the priest
of Jupiter,
which was before their city,
brought oxen
and garlands
unto the gates,
and would have done
sacrifice
with the people.
Which when the apostles,
Barnabas
and Paul,
heard of,
they rent
their clothes,
and ran in
among the people,
crying out,
And saying,
Sirs,
why do
ye these things?
We also are men
of like passions
with you,
and preach
unto you
that ye
should turn
from these vanities
unto the living God,
which made heaven,
and earth,
and the sea,
and all things
that are
therein:
Who in times past suffered all
nations to walk
in their own ways.
Nevertheless
he left not
himself
without witness,
in that
he did good,
and gave us
rain from heaven,
and fruitful seasons,
filling our hearts
with food and gladness.
And
with these sayings scarce
restrained
they the people,
that they
had not done
sacrifice unto them.
And there came
thither certain Jews
from Antioch
and Iconium,
who persuaded
the people,
and having stoned Paul,
drew him
out of the city,
supposing
he had been dead.
Howbeit,
as the disciples
stood round
about him,
he rose up,
and came
into the city:
and the next day
he departed
with Barnabas
to Derbe.
And
when
they had preached
the gospel to
that city,
and had taught many,
they returned again
to Lystra,
and to Iconium,
and Antioch,
Confirming the souls
of the disciples,
and exhorting them
to continue
in the faith,
and
that we
must through much tribulation
enter
into the kingdom
of God.
And
when
they had ordained them elders
in every church,
and had prayed
with fasting,
they commended them
to the Lord,
on whom they believed.
And after they
had passed
throughout Pisidia,
they came
to Pamphylia.
And
when
they had preached
the word
in Perga,
they went down
into Attalia:
And thence sailed
to Antioch,
from whence
they had been recommended
to the grace
of God
for the work
which they fulfilled.
And
when
they were come,
and had gathered
the church
together,
they
rehearsed all
that God
had done with them,
and
how he
had opened
the door
of faith
unto the Gentiles.
And there
they abode long time
with the disciples.
And certain men which
came down
from Judaea
taught
the brethren,
and said,
Except
ye be circumcised
after the manner
of Moses,
ye cannot be saved.
When
therefore Paul
and Barnabas
had
no small dissension
and disputation
with them,
they determined
that Paul
and Barnabas,
and certain other
of them,
should go
up to Jerusalem
unto the apostles
and elders
about this question.
And being brought
on their way
by the church,
they passed
through Phenice
and Samaria,
declaring the conversion
of the Gentiles:
and
they caused great joy
unto all
the brethren.
And
when
they were come
to Jerusalem,
they were received
of the church,
and
of the apostles
and elders,
and they
declared all
things that God
had done with them.
But there rose
up certain
of the sect
of the Pharisees which believed,
saying,
That it
was needful
to circumcise them,
and
to command them
to keep the law
of Moses.
And the apostles
and elders
came together for
to consider
of this matter.
And
when there had been
much disputing,
Peter rose up,
and
said unto them,
Men and brethren,
ye know how
that a good
while ago
God made choice
among us,
that the Gentiles
by my mouth
should hear
the word
of the gospel,
and believe.
And God,
which knoweth the hearts,
bare them witness,
giving them
the Holy Ghost,
even as
he did unto us;
And put no difference
between us and them,
purifying their hearts
by faith.
Now therefore
why tempt ye God,
to put
a yoke
upon the neck
of the disciples,
which neither our fathers nor
we were able
to bear?
But
we believe
that through the grace
of the LORD Jesus Christ
we shall be saved,
even as they.
Then all
the multitude
kept silence,
and gave audience
to Barnabas
and Paul,
declaring
what miracles
and wonders God
had wrought
among the Gentiles
by them.
And after they
had held
their peace,
James answered,
saying,
Men and brethren,
hearken unto me:
Simeon hath declared how God
at the first did
visit the Gentiles,
to take
out of them a people
for his name.
And to this
agree the words
of the prophets;
as it is written,
After this
I will return,
and will build
again the tabernacle
of David,
which is fallen down;
and I
will build
again the ruins
thereof,
and
I will set it up:
That the residue
of men
might seek
after the Lord,
and all
the Gentiles,
upon whom
my name
is called,
saith the Lord,
who doeth all
these things.
Known unto God
are all his works
from the beginning
of the world.
Wherefore
my sentence is,
that we
trouble not them,
which from
among the Gentiles
are turned
to God:
But
that we
write unto them,
that they
abstain
from pollutions
of idols,
and
from fornication,
and
from things strangled,
and
from blood.
For Moses
of old time
hath in every city them
that preach him,
being read
in the synagogues every sabbath
day.
Then pleased it
the apostles
and elders
with the whole church,
to send
chosen men
of their own company
to Antioch
with Paul
and Barnabas;
namely,
Judas surnamed Barsabas
and Silas,
chief men
among the brethren:
And
they wrote letters
by them
after this manner;
The apostles
and elders
and brethren
send
greeting
unto the brethren which
are of the Gentiles
in Antioch
and Syria
and Cilicia.
Forasmuch as we
have heard,
that certain which
went out
from us have troubled you
with words,
subverting
your souls,
saying,
Ye must be circumcised,
and keep the law:
to whom
we gave no such commandment:
It seemed good
unto us,
being assembled
with one accord,
to send
chosen men
unto you
with our beloved Barnabas
and Paul,
Men
that have hazarded
their lives
for the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have sent therefore Judas
and Silas,
who shall also tell
you the same things
by mouth.
For it
seemed good
to the Holy Ghost,
and to us,
to lay
upon you
no greater burden
than these necessary things;
That ye
abstain
from meats
offered to idols,
and from blood,
and
from things strangled,
and
from fornication:
from which
if ye
keep yourselves,
ye shall do well.
Fare ye well.
So when
they were dismissed,
they came
to Antioch:
and
when
they had gathered
the multitude
together,
they delivered
the epistle:
Which when
they had read,
they rejoiced
for the consolation.
And Judas
and Silas,
being prophets
also themselves,
exhorted
the brethren
with many words,
and confirmed them.
And after they
had tarried there
a space,
they were let
go in peace
from the brethren
unto the apostles.
Notwithstanding
it pleased Silas
to abide there still.
Paul
also and Barnabas
continued
in Antioch,
teaching
and preaching
the word
of the Lord,
with many others also.
And
some days
after Paul
said unto Barnabas,
Let us
go again
and visit
our brethren
in every city
where we
have preached the word
of the LORD,
and see how
they do.
And Barnabas
determined
to take
with them John,
whose surname
was Mark.
But Paul
thought not good
to take him with them,
who departed
from them
from Pamphylia,
and went not
with them
to the work.
And the contention
was so sharp
between them,
that
they departed asunder one
from the other:
and so Barnabas
took Mark,
and sailed
unto Cyprus;
And Paul
chose Silas,
and departed,
being recommended
by the brethren
unto the grace
of God.
And
he went through Syria
and Cilicia,
confirming
the churches.
Then came
he to Derbe
and Lystra:
and,
behold,
a certain disciple
was there,
named Timotheus,
the son
of a certain woman,
which was a Jewess,
and believed;
but his father
was a Greek:
Which was well reported of
by the brethren
that were at Lystra
and Iconium.
Him would
Paul
have to go forth with him;
and took
and circumcised him
because
of the Jews
which were in those quarters:
for they
knew all
that his father
was a Greek.
And as they
went through the cities,
they delivered them
the decrees for
to keep,
that were ordained
of the apostles
and elders which
were at Jerusalem.
And so
were
the churches
established
in the faith,
and increased
in number daily.
Now
when
they had gone
throughout Phrygia
and the region
of Galatia,
and were forbidden
of the Holy Ghost
to preach the word
in Asia,
After they were come
to Mysia,
they assayed
to go
into Bithynia:
but the Spirit
suffered them not.
And
they passing
by Mysia
came down
to Troas.
And a vision
appeared
to Paul
in the night;
There stood a man
of Macedonia,
and prayed him,
saying,
Come over
into Macedonia,
and help us.
And after he
had seen
the vision,
immediately
we
endeavoured
to go
into Macedonia,
assuredly gathering
that the Lord
had called
us for
to preach the gospel
unto them.
Therefore loosing
from Troas,
we came
with a straight course
to Samothracia,
and the next day
to Neapolis;
And from
thence to Philippi,
which is
the chief city
of that part
of Macedonia,
and a colony:
and
we were in that
city abiding certain days.
And
on the sabbath
we went out of the city
by a river side,
where prayer
was wont
to be made;
and we sat down,
and spake unto the women which
resorted thither.
And a certain woman
named Lydia,
a seller
of purple,
of the city
of Thyatira,
which worshipped God,
heard us:
whose heart the Lord opened,
that she
attended
unto the things
which were spoken
of Paul.
And
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.
And it
came
to pass,
as we
went to prayer,
a certain damsel
possessed
with a spirit
of divination
met us,
which brought her masters
much gain
by soothsaying:
The same followed Paul and us,
and cried,
saying,
These men
are the servants
of the most high God,
which shew
unto us the way
of salvation.
And this
did she many days.
But Paul,
being grieved,
turned
and said
to the spirit,
I command thee
in the name
of Jesus Christ
to come out of her.
And he
came
out the same hour.
And
when her masters
saw that
the hope
of their gains
was gone,
they caught Paul
and Silas,
and drew them
into the marketplace
unto the rulers,
And brought them
to the magistrates,
saying,
These men,
being Jews,
do exceedingly trouble
our city,
And teach
customs,
which are not lawful
for us to receive,
neither to observe,
being Romans.
And the multitude
rose up together against them:
and the magistrates
rent
off their clothes,
and commanded
to beat them.
And
when
they had laid many stripes
upon them,
they cast them
into prison,
charging
the jailor
to keep them safely:
Who,
having received
such a charge,
thrust them
into the inner prison,
and made
their feet
fast
in the stocks.
And at midnight
Paul
and Silas prayed,
and sang
praises unto God:
and the prisoners
heard them.
And suddenly there was
a great earthquake,
so that the foundations
of the prison
were shaken:
and
immediately all
the doors
were opened,
and every one's bands
were loosed.
And the keeper
of the prison
awaking
out of his sleep,
and seeing
the prison doors open,
he drew out his sword,
and would have killed himself,
supposing
that the prisoners
had been fled.
But Paul
cried
with a loud voice,
saying,
Do thyself no harm:
for we
are all here.
Then
he called for
a light,
and sprang in,
and came trembling,
and fell down
before Paul
and Silas,
And
brought them out,
and said,
Sirs,
what must
I do
to be saved?
And they said,
Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ,
and
thou shalt be saved,
and thy house.
And
they spake unto him the word
of the Lord,
and
to all
that were in his house.
And he
took them
the same hour
of the night,
and washed
their stripes;
and was baptized,
he and all his,
straightway.
And
when
he had brought them
into his house,
he set meat
before them,
and rejoiced,
believing
in God
with all his house.
And
when it
was day,
the magistrates
sent the serjeants,
saying,
Let those men go.
And the keeper
of the prison
told this
saying to Paul,
The magistrates
have sent
to let you go:
now therefore depart,
and go in peace.
But Paul
said unto them,
They
have beaten us
openly uncondemned,
being Romans,
and have cast us
into prison;
and now do
they thrust us
out privily?
nay verily;
but let them
come themselves
and
fetch us out.
And the serjeants
told
these words
unto the magistrates:
and they feared,
when
they heard
that they
were Romans.
And they
came
and besought them,
and
brought them out,
and desired them
to depart
out of the city.
And
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.
Now
when
they had passed
through Amphipolis
and Apollonia,
they came
to Thessalonica,
where was a synagogue
of the Jews:
And Paul,
as his manner was,
went in unto them,
and three sabbath days
reasoned
with them
out of the scriptures,
Opening and alleging,
that Christ
must needs have suffered,
and risen again
from the dead;
and
that this Jesus,
whom
I preach
unto you,
is Christ.
And some of them believed,
and consorted
with Paul
and Silas;
and of the devout Greeks
a great multitude,
and of the chief women
not a few.
But the Jews which believed not,
moved with envy,
took unto them certain lewd fellows
of the baser sort,
and gathered
a company,
and set all
the city
on an uproar,
and assaulted
the house
of Jason,
and sought
to bring
them out
to the people.
And
when
they found them not,
they drew Jason
and certain brethren
unto the rulers
of the city,
crying,
These that
have turned
the world upside
down are come hither also;
Whom Jason
hath received:
and these
all do contrary
to the decrees
of Caesar,
saying
that there is
another king,
one Jesus.
And they
troubled
the people
and the rulers
of the city,
when
they heard
these things.
And
when
they had taken security
of Jason,
and of the other,
they let them go.
And the brethren
immediately sent away Paul
and Silas
by night
unto Berea:
who coming thither
went into the synagogue
of the Jews.
These were more noble
than those
in Thessalonica,
in that
they received
the word
with all readiness
of mind,
and searched
the scriptures daily,
whether those things
were so.
Therefore many
of them believed;
also of honourable women
which were Greeks,
and of men,
not a few.
But
when
the Jews
of Thessalonica
had knowledge that
the word
of God
was preached of Paul
at Berea,
they came thither also,
and stirred
up the people.
And
then immediately
the brethren
sent away
Paul
to go as it
were to the sea:
but Silas
and Timotheus abode
there still.
And
they
that conducted
Paul
brought him
unto Athens:
and receiving
a commandment
unto Silas
and Timotheus
for to come to him
with all speed,
they departed.
Now
while Paul
waited
for them
at Athens,
his spirit
was stirred in him,
when
he saw
the city wholly given
to idolatry.
Therefore disputed
he in the synagogue
with the Jews,
and with the devout persons,
and
in the market
daily with them that
met with him.
Then certain philosophers
of the Epicureans,
and
of the Stoicks,
encountered him.
And some said,
What
will
this babbler say?
other some,
He seemeth to be
a setter forth
of strange gods:
because
he preached
unto them Jesus,
and the resurrection.
And
they took him,
and brought him
unto Areopagus,
saying,
May we
know
what this new doctrine,
whereof
thou speakest,
is?
For thou
bringest
certain strange things
to our ears:
we would know therefore
what these things mean.
(For all the Athenians
and strangers which
were there spent their time
in nothing else,
but either
to tell,
or to hear
some new thing.)
Then Paul
stood
in the midst
of Mars' hill,
and said,
Ye men of Athens,
I perceive
that in all things
ye are too superstitious.
For as I
passed by,
and beheld
your devotions,
I found an altar
with this inscription,
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.
Whom therefore
ye ignorantly worship,
him declare
I unto you.
God that
made
the world
and all things
therein,
seeing that
he is Lord
of heaven
and earth,
dwelleth not
in temples
made with hands;
Neither is worshipped
with men's hands,
as though
he needed any thing,
seeing
he giveth to all life,
and breath,
and all things;
And hath made
of one blood all nations
of men
for to dwell
on all the face
of the earth,
and hath determined
the times
before appointed,
and the bounds
of their habitation;
That they
should seek
the Lord,
if haply
they might feel
after him,
and find him,
though he
be not far
from every one of us:
For in him we live,
and move,
and have
our being;
as certain
also of your own poets
have said,
For
we are also
his offspring.
Forasmuch
then as we
are the offspring
of God,
we ought not
to think
that the Godhead
is like
unto gold,
or silver,
or stone,
graven
by art
and man's device.
And the times
of this ignorance
God winked at;
but now commandeth all men every
where to repent:
Because
he hath appointed a day,
in the which
he will judge
the world
in righteousness
by that man whom
he hath ordained;
whereof
he hath given assurance
unto all men,
in that
he hath raised him
from the dead.
And
when they
heard
of the resurrection
of the dead,
some mocked:
and others said,
We will hear thee
again of this matter.
So Paul
departed from among them.
Howbeit certain men clave
unto him,
and believed:
among the which
was Dionysius
the Areopagite,
and a woman
named Damaris,
and others
with them.
After these things
Paul
departed
from Athens,
and came
to Corinth;
And found
a certain Jew
named Aquila,
born in Pontus,
lately come
from Italy,
with his wife Priscilla;
(because
that Claudius
had commanded all
Jews
to depart
from Rome:)
and
came unto them.
And
because
he was of the same craft,
he abode
with them,
and wrought:
for by their occupation
they were tentmakers.
And he
reasoned
in the synagogue every sabbath,
and persuaded
the Jews
and the Greeks.
And
when Silas
and Timotheus
were come
from Macedonia,
Paul
was pressed
in the spirit,
and testified
to the Jews
that Jesus was Christ.
And
when
they opposed themselves,
and blasphemed,
he shook his raiment,
and
said unto them,
Your blood
be upon your own heads;
I am clean;
from henceforth
I will go
unto the Gentiles.
And he
departed thence,
and entered
into a certain man's house,
named Justus,
one that
worshipped God,
whose house
joined hard
to the synagogue.
And Crispus,
the chief ruler
of the synagogue,
believed
on the Lord
with all his house;
and many
of the Corinthians hearing believed,
and were baptized.
Then spake
the Lord
to Paul
in the night
by a vision,
Be not afraid,
but speak,
and hold not
thy peace:
For I
am with thee,
and no man
shall set on thee
to hurt thee:
for I
have much people
in this city.
And
he continued there
a year
and six months,
teaching the word
of God
among them.
And
when Gallio
was the deputy
of Achaia,
the Jews made insurrection
with one accord
against Paul,
and brought him
to the judgment seat,
Saying,
This fellow
persuadeth men
to worship God contrary
to the law.
And
when Paul
was now about to
open his mouth,
Gallio
said unto the Jews,
If it
were a matter
of wrong
or wicked lewdness,
O ye Jews,
reason
would
that I
should bear
with you:
But
if it
be
a question
of words
and names,
and of your law,
look ye to it;
for I
will be
no judge
of such matters.
And
he drave them
from the judgment seat.
Then all
the Greeks
took Sosthenes,
the chief ruler
of the synagogue,
and beat him
before the judgment seat.
And Gallio
cared
for none of those things.
And Paul
after this
tarried there yet
a good while,
and
then took
his leave
of the brethren,
and sailed thence
into Syria,
and with him Priscilla
and Aquila;
having shorn his head
in Cenchrea:
for he
had a vow.
And he
came
to Ephesus,
and left them there:
but
he himself
entered
into the synagogue,
and reasoned
with the Jews.
When
they desired him
to tarry longer time
with them,
he consented not;
But bade them farewell,
saying,
I must
by all means
keep this feast
that cometh in Jerusalem:
but I
will return
again unto you,
if God will.
And he
sailed
from Ephesus.
And
when
he had landed
at Caesarea,
and gone up,
and saluted
the church,
he went down
to Antioch.
And after he
had spent some time there,
he departed,
and went over all
the country
of Galatia
and Phrygia
in order,
strengthening all
the disciples.
And a certain Jew
named Apollos,
born
at Alexandria,
an eloquent man,
and mighty
in the scriptures,
came
to Ephesus.
This man
was instructed
in the way
of the Lord;
and being fervent
in the spirit,
he spake
and taught diligently
the things
of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism
of John.
And
he began
to speak boldly
in the synagogue:
whom
when Aquila
and Priscilla
had heard,
they took him unto them,
and expounded
unto him the way
of God
more perfectly.
And
when
he was disposed
to pass
into Achaia,
the brethren wrote,
exhorting
the disciples
to receive him:
who,
when he
was come,
helped them much which
had believed
through grace:
For he
mightily convinced
the Jews,
and that publickly,
shewing
by the scriptures
that Jesus was Christ.
And it
came
to pass,
that,
while Apollos
was at Corinth,
Paul having passed
through the upper coasts
came to Ephesus:
and finding
certain disciples,
He said unto them,
Have
ye received
the Holy Ghost
since ye believed?
And
they
said unto him,
We have not
so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And
he said unto them,
Unto what then
were ye baptized?
And they said,
Unto John's baptism.
Then said Paul,
John
verily baptized
with the baptism
of repentance,
saying
unto the people,
that they
should believe
on him which
should come
after him,
that is,
on Christ Jesus.
When
they heard this,
they were baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus.
And
when Paul
had laid
his hands
upon them,
the Holy Ghost
came on them;
and
they spake with tongues,
and prophesied.
And all
the men
were about twelve.
And
he went into the synagogue,
and spake boldly
for the space
of three months,
disputing
and persuading
the things
concerning
the kingdom
of God.
But
when divers
were hardened,
and believed not,
but spake evil
of that way
before the multitude,
he departed from them,
and separated
the disciples,
disputing daily
in the school
of one Tyrannus.
And this
continued
by the space
of two years;
so that
all
they which
dwelt in Asia
heard the word
of the Lord Jesus,
both Jews
and Greeks.
And God
wrought
special miracles
by the hands
of Paul:
So that
from his body
were brought
unto the sick handkerchiefs
or aprons,
and the diseases
departed from them,
and the evil spirits
went out of them.
Then certain
of the vagabond Jews,
exorcists,
took upon them to call
over them which
had evil spirits
the name
of the LORD Jesus,
saying,
We adjure you
by Jesus
whom Paul preacheth.
And there were
seven sons
of one Sceva,
a Jew,
and chief
of the priests,
which did so.
And the evil spirit
answered
and said,
Jesus I know,
and Paul I know;
but
who are ye?
And the man
in whom
the evil spirit
was leaped on them,
and overcame them,
and
prevailed against them,
so that
they fled
out of that house naked
and wounded.
And this
was known to all
the Jews
and Greeks
also dwelling
at Ephesus;
and fear
fell on them all,
and
the name
of the Lord Jesus
was magnified.
And many
that believed came,
and confessed,
and shewed
their deeds.
Many of them also which used
curious arts
brought
their books
together,
and burned them
before all men:
and they
counted
the price
of them,
and found it fifty thousand
pieces
of silver.
So mightily grew the word
of God and prevailed.
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.
So he
sent
into Macedonia two
of them that
ministered unto him,
Timotheus
and Erastus;
but
he himself
stayed in Asia
for a season.
And the same time
there arose
no small stir
about that way.
For a certain man
named Demetrius,
a silversmith,
which made silver shrines
for Diana,
brought
no small gain
unto the craftsmen;
Whom
he called together
with the workmen
of like occupation,
and said,
Sirs,
ye know
that by this craft
we have
our wealth.
Moreover 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 be no gods,
which are made
with hands:
So that
not only
this our craft
is in danger
to be set
at nought;
but also
that the temple
of the great goddess Diana
should be despised,
and her magnificence
should be destroyed,
whom all Asia
and the world worshippeth.
And
when
they heard
these sayings,
they were full of wrath,
and cried out,
saying,
Great is Diana
of the Ephesians.
And the whole city
was filled
with confusion:
and having caught Gaius
and Aristarchus,
men of Macedonia,
Paul's companions
in travel,
they rushed
with one accord
into the theatre.
And
when Paul
would have entered in
unto the people,
the disciples
suffered him not.
And certain
of the chief
of Asia,
which were his friends,
sent unto him,
desiring him that
he would not
adventure himself
into the theatre.
Some therefore cried one thing,
and some another:
for the assembly was confused:
and the more part
knew not wherefore they were come
together.
And
they drew Alexander
out of the multitude,
the Jews putting him forward.
And Alexander
beckoned
with the hand,
and would have made
his defence
unto the people.
But
when
they knew
that he
was a Jew,
all with one voice
about the space
of two hours cried out,
Great is Diana
of the Ephesians.
And
when the townclerk
had appeased
the people,
he said,
Ye men
of Ephesus,
what man
is there
that knoweth not how
that the city
of the Ephesians
is a worshipper
of the great goddess Diana,
and of the image
which fell down
from Jupiter?
Seeing
then
that these things
cannot be spoken against,
ye ought to be quiet,
and
to do nothing rashly.
For ye
have brought hither
these men,
which are neither robbers
of churches,
nor yet blasphemers
of your goddess.
Wherefore
if Demetrius,
and the craftsmen
which are with him,
have a matter
against any man,
the law
is open,
and there are
deputies:
let them implead one
another.
But
if ye
enquire
any thing
concerning other matters,
it shall be determined
in a lawful assembly.
For we
are in danger
to be called in
question
for this day's uproar,
there being
no cause whereby
we may give an account
of this concourse.
And
when
he had thus spoken,
he dismissed
the assembly.
And
after the uproar
was ceased,
Paul
called
unto him the disciples,
and embraced them,
and departed for
to go
into Macedonia.
And
when
he had
gone over those parts,
and had given them
much exhortation,
he came
into Greece,
And
there abode three months.
And
when the Jews
laid
wait for him,
as he
was about
to sail
into Syria,
he purposed
to return
through Macedonia.
And there accompanied him
into Asia Sopater
of Berea;
and
of the Thessalonians,
Aristarchus
and Secundus;
and Gaius
of Derbe,
and Timotheus;
and of Asia,
Tychicus and Trophimus.
These going
before tarried
for us
at Troas.
And
we sailed away
from Philippi
after the days
of unleavened bread,
and came
unto them
to Troas
in five days;
where we abode seven days.
And upon the first day
of the week,
when the disciples
came together
to break bread,
Paul
preached unto them,
ready
to depart
on the morrow;
and continued
his speech
until midnight.
And there were
many lights
in the upper chamber,
where they
were gathered together.
And there sat
in a window
a certain young man
named Eutychus,
being fallen
into a deep sleep:
and as Paul
was long preaching,
he sunk down
with sleep,
and fell down
from the third loft,
and was taken up dead.
And Paul went down,
and fell on him,
and embracing him said,
Trouble
not yourselves;
for his life
is in him.
When
he therefore was come
up again,
and had broken bread,
and eaten,
and talked
a long while,
even
till break
of day,
so he departed.
And they
brought
the young man alive,
and were not
a little comforted.
And
we went before
to ship,
and sailed
unto Assos,
there intending
to take in Paul:
for so
had he appointed,
minding himself
to go afoot.
And
when he
met
with us
at Assos,
we took him in,
and came
to Mitylene.
And we
sailed thence,
and came
the next day over
against Chios;
and the next day
we arrived at Samos,
and tarried
at Trogyllium;
and the next day
we came
to Miletus.
For Paul
had determined
to sail
by Ephesus,
because
he would not spend
the time
in Asia:
for he hasted,
if it
were possible
for him,
to be
at Jerusalem
the day
of Pentecost.
And from Miletus
he sent
to Ephesus,
and called
the elders
of the church.
And
when
they were come
to him,
he said unto them,
Ye know,
from the first day
that I
came
into Asia,
after what manner
I have been
with you
at all seasons,
Serving the LORD
with all humility
of mind,
and
with many tears,
and temptations,
which befell me
by the lying
in wait
of the Jews:
And
how I
kept back nothing
that was profitable
unto you,
but have shewed you,
and have taught
you publickly,
and from house to house,
Testifying both
to the Jews,
and
also to the Greeks,
repentance
toward God,
and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
And now,
behold,
I go
bound
in the spirit
unto Jerusalem,
not knowing
the things
that shall befall
me there:
Save
that the Holy Ghost
witnesseth in every city,
saying that bonds
and
afflictions abide me.
But none of
these things
move me,
neither count
I my life dear
unto myself,
so that
I might finish
my course
with joy,
and the ministry,
which I
have received
of the Lord Jesus,
to testify the gospel
of the grace
of God.
And now,
behold,
I know that
ye all,
among whom
I have gone
preaching
the kingdom
of God,
shall see
my face no more.
Wherefore
I take you
to record
this day,
that I
am pure
from the blood
of all men.
For I
have not shunned
to declare
unto you
all the counsel
of God.
Take heed therefore
unto yourselves,
and
to all the flock,
over the which the Holy Ghost
hath made
you overseers,
to feed the church
of God,
which he
hath purchased
with his own blood.
For I
know this,
that after my departing
shall grievous wolves
enter in
among you,
not sparing
the flock.
Also of your own selves
shall men arise,
speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples
after them.
Therefore watch,
and remember,
that by the space
of three years
I ceased not
to warn every one
night and day with tears.
And now,
brethren,
I commend you
to God,
and to the word
of his grace,
which is able
to build you up,
and
to give
you an inheritance
among all
them which
are sanctified.
I have coveted
no man's silver,
or gold,
or apparel.
Yea,
ye yourselves know,
that these
hands
have ministered
unto my necessities,
and to them
that were with me.
I have shewed
you all things,
how that so
labouring
ye ought to support
the weak,
and
to remember the words
of the Lord Jesus,
how he said,
It is more blessed
to give than
to receive.
And
when
he had thus spoken,
he kneeled down,
and prayed
with them all.
And
they all wept sore,
and fell
on Paul's neck,
and kissed him,
Sorrowing most of
all for the words
which he spake,
that they
should see
his face no more.
And
they accompanied him
unto the ship.
And it
came
to pass,
that after we
were gotten from them,
and had launched,
we came
with a straight course
unto Coos,
and the day
following
unto Rhodes,
and from
thence unto Patara:
And finding
a ship
sailing over
unto Phenicia,
we went aboard,
and set forth.
Now
when
we had discovered
Cyprus,
we left it
on the left hand,
and sailed
into Syria,
and landed
at Tyre:
for there
the ship
was to unlade
her burden.
And finding disciples,
we tarried there
seven days:
who said
to Paul
through the Spirit,
that he
should not go
up to Jerusalem.
And
when
we had accomplished
those days,
we departed
and went our way;
and
they all brought us
on our way,
with wives
and children,
till we
were out of the city:
and
we kneeled down
on the shore,
and prayed.
And
when we
had taken
our leave one
of another,
we took ship;
and they
returned home again.
And
when
we had finished
our course
from Tyre,
we came
to Ptolemais,
and saluted
the brethren,
and abode
with them one day.
And the next day
we that
were
of Paul's company departed,
and came
unto Caesarea:
and we
entered
into the house
of Philip
the evangelist,
which was one
of the seven;
and abode
with him.
And the same man
had four daughters,
virgins,
which did prophesy.
And as we
tarried there
many days,
there came down
from Judaea
a certain prophet,
named Agabus.
And
when
he was come unto us,
he took Paul's girdle,
and bound
his own
hands
and feet,
and said,
Thus saith the Holy Ghost,
So shall
the Jews
at Jerusalem
bind the man
that owneth this girdle,
and shall deliver him
into the hands
of the Gentiles.
And
when
we heard
these things,
both we,
and
they
of that place,
besought him not
to go up to Jerusalem.
Then Paul answered,
What
mean
ye to weep and
to break mine heart?
for I
am ready not
to be bound only,
but
also to die
at Jerusalem
for the name
of the Lord Jesus.
And
when
he would not be persuaded,
we ceased,
saying,
The will of the Lord
be done.
And after those days
we took up
our carriages,
and went up to Jerusalem.
There went
with us also certain
of the disciples
of Caesarea,
and brought
with them one Mnason
of Cyprus,
an old disciple,
with whom
we should lodge.
And
when we
were come
to Jerusalem,
the brethren
received us gladly.
And the day
following
Paul
went in
with us
unto James;
and all
the elders were present.
And
when
he had saluted them,
he declared particularly
what things God
had wrought
among the Gentiles
by his ministry.
And
when
they heard it,
they glorified
the Lord,
and
said unto him,
Thou seest,
brother,
how many thousands of Jews
there are
which believe;
and
they are all zealous
of the law:
And
they are informed
of thee,
that thou
teachest all
the Jews which
are among the Gentiles
to forsake Moses,
saying
that they
ought not
to circumcise
their children,
neither to walk
after the customs.
What is it therefore?
the multitude
must needs come together:
for they
will hear
that thou art come.
Do therefore
this that
we say to thee:
We have four men
which have
a vow
on them;
Them take,
and purify thyself
with them,
and be
at charges with them,
that they
may shave
their heads:
and all may know
that those things,
whereof
they were informed concerning thee,
are nothing;
but
that thou thyself
also walkest
orderly,
and keepest the law.
As touching
the Gentiles
which believe,
we have written
and concluded that
they observe
no such thing,
save only
that
they keep themselves
from things
offered to idols,
and from blood,
and from strangled,
and
from fornication.
Then Paul
took the men,
and the next day
purifying himself
with them entered
into the temple,
to signify
the accomplishment
of the days
of purification,
until that
an offering
should be offered
for every one
of them.
And
when the seven days
were almost ended,
the Jews which
were of Asia,
when
they saw him
in the temple,
stirred
up all the people,
and laid
hands on him,
Crying out,
Men of Israel,
help:
This is the man,
that teacheth all men every
where against the people,
and the law,
and this place:
and further brought Greeks
also into the temple,
and hath polluted
this holy place.
(For
they had seen before
with him in the city Trophimus
an Ephesian,
whom
they
supposed
that Paul
had brought
into the temple.)
And all
the city
was moved,
and the people
ran together:
and
they took Paul,
and drew him
out of the temple:
and forthwith
the doors
were shut.
And as they
went about
to kill him,
tidings
came
unto the chief captain
of the band,
that all Jerusalem
was in an uproar.
Who immediately took soldiers
and centurions,
and
ran down unto them:
and
when
they saw
the chief captain
and the soldiers,
they left
beating
of Paul.
Then the chief captain
came near,
and took him,
and commanded him
to be bound
with two chains;
and demanded
who he was,
and
what he had done.
And some cried one thing,
some another,
among the multitude:
and
when
he could not know
the certainty
for the tumult,
he commanded him
to be carried
into the castle.
And
when
he came upon
the stairs,
so it was,
that he
was borne of the soldiers
for the violence
of the people.
For the multitude
of the people
followed after,
crying,
Away with him.
And as Paul
was
to be led
into the castle,
he said
unto the chief captain,
May I
speak unto thee?
Who said,
Canst thou
speak Greek?
Art not
thou that Egyptian,
which before these days
madest an uproar,
and leddest out
into the wilderness four thousand men
that were murderers?
But Paul said,
I am a man which
am a Jew
of Tarsus,
a city
in Cilicia,
a citizen of no
mean city:
and,
I beseech thee,
suffer me
to speak
unto the people.
And
when
he had given him
licence,
Paul
stood
on the stairs,
and beckoned
with the hand
unto the people.
And
when there was made
a great silence,
he spake unto them
in the Hebrew tongue,
saying,
Men,
brethren,
and fathers,
hear
ye my defence
which I
make now
unto you.
(And
when
they heard that
he spake in the Hebrew tongue
to them,
they kept
the more silence:
and he saith,)
I am verily
a man which
am a Jew,
born in Tarsus,
a city
in Cilicia,
yet brought up
in this city
at the feet
of Gamaliel,
and taught according to
the perfect manner
of the law
of the fathers,
and was zealous
toward God,
as ye
all are this day.
And I
persecuted
this way
unto the death,
binding and delivering
into prisons both men
and women.
As also
the high priest
doth bear me witness,
and all
the estate
of the elders:
from whom also
I received letters
unto the brethren,
and went to Damascus,
to bring them
which were there bound
unto Jerusalem,
for to be punished.
And it
came
to pass,
that,
as I made my journey,
and was come nigh
unto Damascus
about noon,
suddenly there shone
from heaven
a great light round
about me.
And I
fell
unto the ground,
and heard
a voice
saying unto me,
Saul, Saul,
why persecutest
thou me?
And I answered,
Who art thou,
Lord?
And
he said unto me,
I am Jesus
of Nazareth,
whom
thou persecutest.
And they
that
were with me saw indeed
the light,
and were afraid;
but they
heard not
the voice
of him that spake to me.
And I said,
What
shall
I do,
LORD?
And the Lord
said unto me,
Arise,
and go
into Damascus;
and
there
it shall be told thee
of all
things which
are appointed
for thee to do.
And
when
I could not see
for the glory
of that light,
being led
by the hand
of them that
were with me,
I came
into Damascus.
And one Ananias,
a devout man
according to the law,
having a good report
of all
the Jews which
dwelt there,
Came unto me,
and stood,
and said unto me,
Brother Saul,
receive thy sight.
And the same hour
I looked up upon him.
And he said,
The God
of our fathers
hath chosen thee,
that thou
shouldest know
his will,
and see
that Just One,
and shouldest hear
the voice
of his mouth.
For thou
shalt be his witness
unto all men
of what thou
hast seen and heard.
And now
why tarriest thou?
arise,
and be baptized,
and wash away
thy sins,
calling on the name
of the Lord.
And it
came
to pass,
that,
when
I was come again
to Jerusalem,
even while
I prayed
in the temple,
I was in a trance;
And saw him
saying unto me,
Make haste,
and get thee
quickly out of Jerusalem:
for they
will not receive
thy testimony
concerning me.
And I said,
Lord,
they know that
I imprisoned
and beat
in every synagogue
them that
believed
on thee:
And
when the blood
of thy
martyr Stephen
was shed,
I also was standing by,
and consenting
unto his death,
and kept
the raiment
of them that
slew him.
And
he said unto me,
Depart:
for I
will send thee far
hence unto the Gentiles.
And
they gave him audience
unto this word,
and
then lifted
up their voices,
and said,
Away with such
a fellow
from the earth:
for it
is not
fit that
he should live.
And as they cried out,
and cast
off their clothes,
and threw
dust
into the air,
The chief captain
commanded him
to be brought
into the castle,
and bade that
he should be examined
by scourging;
that he
might know wherefore
they cried so
against him.
And as they
bound him
with thongs,
Paul
said
unto the centurion
that stood by,
Is it lawful
for you
to scourge a man
that is a Roman,
and uncondemned?
When the centurion
heard that,
he went
and told
the chief captain,
saying,
Take
heed
what thou doest:
for this man
is a Roman.
Then the chief captain came,
and
said unto him,
Tell me,
art thou a Roman?
He said,
Yea.
And the chief captain answered,
With a great sum
obtained
I this freedom.
And Paul said,
But I was free born.
Then straightway
they departed
from him which
should have examined him:
and the chief captain
also was afraid,
after he
knew
that he
was a Roman,
and
because
he had bound him.
On the morrow,
because
he would have known
the certainty
wherefore
he was accused
of the Jews,
he loosed him
from his bands,
and commanded
the chief priests
and all
their council
to appear,
and brought Paul down,
and set him
before them.
And Paul,
earnestly beholding
the council,
said,
Men and brethren,
I have lived
in all good conscience
before God
until this day.
And the high priest Ananias
commanded them
that
stood by him
to smite him
on the mouth.
Then said Paul
unto him,
God shall smite thee,
thou whited wall:
for sittest
thou
to judge me
after the law,
and commandest me
to be smitten contrary
to the law?
And they
that stood by said,
Revilest
thou God's high priest?
Then said Paul,
I wist not,
brethren,
that he
was the high priest:
for it
is written,
Thou shalt not speak evil
of the ruler
of thy people.
But when Paul
perceived
that the one part
were Sadducees,
and the other Pharisees,
he cried out
in the council,
Men and brethren,
I am a Pharisee,
the son
of a Pharisee:
of the hope
and resurrection
of the dead
I am called in question.
And
when
he had so said,
there arose a dissension
between the Pharisees
and the Sadducees:
and the multitude
was divided.
For the Sadducees
say that
there is
no resurrection,
neither angel,
nor spirit:
but the Pharisees
confess both.
And there arose
a great cry:
and the scribes
that
were of the Pharisees' part arose,
and strove,
saying,
We find no evil
in this man:
but
if a spirit
or an angel
hath spoken
to him,
let us
not fight
against God.
And
when there arose
a great dissension,
the chief captain,
fearing
lest Paul
should have been pulled
in pieces of them,
commanded
the soldiers
to go down,
and
to take him
by force from among them,
and
to bring him
into the castle.
And the night
following
the Lord
stood by him,
and said,
Be of good cheer,
Paul:
for as thou
hast testified of me
in Jerusalem,
so must
thou bear
witness also at Rome.
And
when it
was day,
certain
of the Jews banded together,
and bound themselves
under a curse,
saying
that they
would
neither eat
nor drink
till they
had killed Paul.
And
they were more than forty which
had made
this conspiracy.
And they
came
to the chief priests
and elders,
and said,
We have bound ourselves
under a great curse,
that we
will eat nothing
until we
have slain Paul.
Now therefore
ye with the council
signify to the chief captain
that
he bring him down
unto you
to morrow,
as though
ye would enquire
something
more perfectly concerning him:
and we,
or ever
he come near,
are ready
to kill him.
And
when Paul's sister's son
heard
of their lying
in wait,
he went
and entered
into the castle,
and told Paul.
Then Paul
called one
of the centurions
unto him,
and said,
Bring this
young man
unto the chief captain:
for he
hath a certain thing
to tell him.
So he
took him,
and brought him
to the chief captain,
and said,
Paul the prisoner
called me unto him,
and prayed me
to bring
this young man
unto thee,
who hath something
to say
unto thee.
Then the chief captain
took him
by the hand,
and went with him
aside privately,
and asked him,
What is that thou
hast
to tell me?
And he said,
The Jews
have agreed to
desire thee
that thou
wouldest bring down Paul
to morrow
into the council,
as though
they would enquire somewhat
of him more perfectly.
But do not
thou
yield unto them:
for there lie
in wait for him
of them more than forty men,
which have bound themselves
with an oath,
that they
will
neither eat
nor drink
till they
have killed him:
and now are
they ready,
looking for a promise
from thee.
So the chief captain
then let
the young man depart,
and charged him,
See
thou tell no man
that thou
hast shewed these things to me.
And he
called
unto him two centurions,
saying,
Make ready two hundred soldiers
to go
to Caesarea,
and horsemen threescore
and ten,
and spearmen two hundred,
at the third hour
of the night;
And provide them
beasts,
that they
may set Paul on,
and bring him safe
unto Felix the governor.
And he
wrote
a letter
after this manner:
Claudius Lysias
unto the most excellent governor
Felix
sendeth greeting.
This man
was taken
of the Jews,
and
should have been killed of them:
then came
I with an army,
and rescued him,
having understood
that he
was a Roman.
And
when
I would have known
the cause
wherefore
they accused him,
I brought
him forth
into their council:
Whom
I perceived
to be accused
of questions
of their law,
but to have
nothing
laid
to his charge worthy
of death
or of bonds.
And
when it
was told me how
that the Jews
laid
wait for the man,
I sent straightway
to thee,
and gave commandment
to his accusers also
to say
before thee
what
they
had against him.
Farewell.
Then the soldiers,
as it was commanded them,
took Paul,
and brought him
by night
to Antipatris.
On the morrow
they left
the horsemen
to go with him,
and returned
to the castle:
Who,
when they
came
to Caesarea
and delivered
the epistle
to the governor,
presented Paul
also before him.
And
when the governor
had read
the letter,
he asked
of what province
he was.
And
when
he understood
that he
was of Cilicia;
I will hear thee,
said he,
when thine accusers
are also come.
And
he commanded him
to be kept
in Herod's judgment hall.
And after five days
Ananias the high priest
descended
with the elders,
and
with a certain orator
named Tertullus,
who informed the governor
against Paul.
And
when
he was called forth,
Tertullus
began
to accuse him,
saying,
Seeing
that by thee
we enjoy
great quietness,
and
that very worthy deeds
are done
unto this nation
by thy providence,
We accept it
always,
and
in all places,
most noble Felix,
with all thankfulness.
Notwithstanding,
that I
be not further tedious
unto thee,
I pray thee
that thou
wouldest hear us
of thy clemency
a few words.
For we
have found
this man
a pestilent fellow,
and a mover
of sedition
among all
the Jews
throughout the world,
and a ringleader
of the sect
of the Nazarenes:
Who also hath gone about
to profane
the temple:
whom
we took,
and would have judged according to
our law.
But the chief captain Lysias
came upon us,
and
with great violence
took him away
out of our hands,
Commanding his accusers to
come unto thee:
by examining
of whom thyself
mayest take knowledge
of all these things,
whereof we accuse him.
And the Jews
also assented,
saying
that these things
were so.
Then Paul,
after that
the governor
had beckoned
unto him to speak,
answered,
Forasmuch as I
know that
thou hast been
of many years
a judge
unto this nation,
I do
the more cheerfully
answer for myself:
Because
that thou
mayest understand,
that there are yet
but twelve days
since I
went
up to Jerusalem
for to worship.
And they neither
found me
in the temple
disputing
with any man,
neither raising
up the people,
neither in the synagogues,
nor in the city:
Neither can
they prove
the things
whereof
they now accuse me.
But this
I confess
unto thee,
that after the way which
they call heresy,
so worship
I the God
of my fathers,
believing all things which
are written
in the law
and in the prophets:
And have
hope toward God,
which they themselves
also allow,
that there shall be a resurrection
of the dead,
both of the just
and unjust.
And herein do
I exercise myself,
to have always
a conscience void
to offence
toward God,
and toward men.
Now after many years
I came
to bring alms
to my nation,
and offerings.
Whereupon certain Jews
from Asia
found me
purified
in the temple,
neither with multitude,
nor
with tumult.
Who ought to have been here
before thee,
and object,
if they
had ought
against me.
Or else
let these same here
say,
if they
have found
any evil doing in me,
while I
stood
before the council,
Except it
be for this one voice,
that I
cried
standing among them,
Touching
the resurrection
of the dead
I am called in
question
by you this day.
And
when Felix
heard these things,
having more perfect knowledge
of that way,
he deferred them,
and said,
When Lysias
the chief captain
shall come down,
I will know the uttermost
of your matter.
And he
commanded
a centurion
to keep Paul,
and to let him
have liberty,
and that
he should forbid none of
his acquaintance
to minister
or come unto him.
And after certain days,
when Felix
came
with his wife Drusilla,
which was a Jewess,
he sent for Paul,
and heard him concerning
the faith
in Christ.
And as he
reasoned
of righteousness,
temperance,
and judgment
to come,
Felix trembled,
and answered,
Go thy way
for this time;
when
I have
a convenient season,
I will call for thee.
He hoped also
that money
should have been given him
of Paul,
that he
might loose him:
wherefore
he sent
for him the oftener,
and
communed with him.
But after two years
Porcius Festus
came
into Felix'
room:
and Felix,
willing to shew
the Jews a pleasure,
left Paul bound.
Now
when Festus
was come
into the province,
after three days
he ascended
from Caesarea
to Jerusalem.
Then the high priest
and the chief
of the Jews
informed him
against Paul,
and besought him,
And desired
favour against him,
that he
would send
for him
to Jerusalem,
laying
wait in the way
to kill him.
But Festus answered,
that Paul
should be kept
at Caesarea,
and
that he himself
would depart shortly thither.
Let them therefore,
said he,
which among you
are able,
go down with me,
and accuse
this man,
if there be any wickedness
in him.
And
when
he had tarried
among them more than ten days,
he went down
unto Caesarea;
and the next day
sitting
on the judgment seat
commanded
Paul
to be brought.
And
when he
was come,
the Jews which
came down
from Jerusalem
stood round about,
and laid
many and grievous complaints
against Paul,
which they
could not prove.
While he
answered
for himself,
Neither
against the law
of the Jews,
neither against the temple,
nor
yet against Caesar,
have
I offended any thing
at all.
But Festus,
willing to do
the Jews a pleasure,
answered Paul,
and said,
Wilt thou
go up to Jerusalem,
and there be judged
of these things
before me?
Then said Paul,
I stand
at Caesar's judgment seat,
where I
ought to be judged:
to the Jews
have
I done no wrong,
as thou
very well knowest.
For if
I be an offender,
or have committed any thing worthy
of death,
I refuse not
to die:
but
if there be none of
these things
whereof
these accuse me,
no man
may deliver me unto them.
I appeal
unto Caesar.
Then Festus,
when
he had conferred
with the council,
answered,
Hast thou
appealed
unto Caesar?
unto Caesar
shalt thou go.
And after certain
days king Agrippa
and Bernice
came
unto Caesarea
to salute Festus.
And
when
they had been there
many days,
Festus
declared
Paul's cause
unto the king,
saying,
There
is
a certain man
left
in bonds
by Felix:
About whom,
when
I was at Jerusalem,
the chief priests
and the elders
of the Jews
informed me,
desiring
to have judgment
against him.
To whom
I answered,
It is not the manner
of the Romans
to deliver
any man to die,
before that
he which
is accused
have the accusers face to face,
and have licence
to answer for
himself
concerning the crime
laid against him.
Therefore,
when
they were come hither,
without any delay
on the morrow
I sat
on the judgment seat,
and commanded
the man
to be brought forth.
Against whom
when the accusers stood up,
they brought none accusation
of such things
as I supposed:
But had certain questions
against him of their own superstition,
and of one Jesus,
which was dead,
whom Paul
affirmed to be alive.
And
because
I doubted
of such manner
of questions,
I asked him
whether he
would go
to Jerusalem,
and there be judged
of these matters.
But when Paul
had appealed
to be reserved
unto the hearing
of Augustus,
I commanded him
to be kept
till I
might send him
to Caesar.
Then Agrippa
said
unto Festus,
I would also hear
the man myself.
To morrow,
said he,
thou shalt hear him.
And
on the morrow,
when Agrippa
was come,
and Bernice,
with great pomp,
and was entered
into the place
of hearing,
with the chief captains,
and principal men
of the city,
at Festus' commandment Paul
was brought forth.
And Festus said,
King Agrippa,
and all men
which are
here
present with us,
ye see this man,
about whom all
the multitude
of the Jews
have dealt with me,
both at Jerusalem,
and also here,
crying that
he ought not
to live any longer.
But
when I
found that
he had committed nothing worthy
of death,
and
that he himself
hath appealed
to Augustus,
I have determined
to send him.
Of whom
I have
no certain thing
to write
unto my lord.
Wherefore
I have brought
him forth
before you,
and specially before thee,
O king Agrippa,
that,
after examination had,
I might have somewhat
to write.
For it
seemeth
to me unreasonable
to send a prisoner,
and
not withal
to signify
the crimes
laid against him.
Then Agrippa
said
unto Paul,
Thou art
permitted
to speak
for thyself.
Then Paul
stretched
forth the hand,
and answered
for himself:
I think myself happy,
king Agrippa,
because
I shall answer for
myself this day
before thee
touching all
the things
whereof
I am accused
of the Jews:
Especially
because
I know thee
to be expert
in all customs
and questions
which are among the Jews:
wherefore
I beseech
thee to hear me patiently.
My manner
of life
from my youth,
which was at
the first among mine
own nation
at Jerusalem,
know all
the Jews;
Which knew me
from the beginning,
if they
would testify,
that after the most straitest sect
of our religion
I lived
a Pharisee.
And now
I stand
and am judged
for the hope
of the promise made
of God,
unto our fathers:
Unto which promise
our twelve tribes,
instantly serving God
day and night,
hope to come.
For which hope's sake,
king Agrippa,
I am accused
of the Jews.
Why should
it be thought
a thing incredible
with you,
that God
should raise
the dead?
I verily thought
with myself,
that I
ought to do many things contrary
to the name
of Jesus
of Nazareth.
Which thing
I also did
in Jerusalem:
and
many of the saints
did I shut up
in prison,
having received authority
from the chief priests;
and
when
they were put
to death,
I gave
my voice
against them.
And
I punished them oft
in every synagogue,
and compelled them
to blaspheme;
and being exceedingly mad
against them,
I persecuted them even
unto strange cities.
Whereupon as I
went to Damascus
with authority
and commission
from the chief priests,
At midday,
O king,
I saw
in the way a light
from heaven,
above the brightness
of the sun,
shining round
about me
and
them which journeyed
with me.
And
when
we were all fallen
to the earth,
I heard
a voice
speaking unto me,
and saying
in the Hebrew tongue,
Saul, Saul,
why persecutest
thou me?
it is hard
for thee
to kick
against the pricks.
And I said,
Who art thou,
Lord?
And he said,
I am Jesus whom
thou persecutest.
But rise,
and stand
upon thy feet:
for I have appeared
unto thee
for this purpose,
to make
thee a minister
and a witness both
of these things which
thou hast seen,
and
of those things
in the which
I will appear
unto thee;
Delivering thee
from the people,
and
from the Gentiles,
unto whom now
I send thee,
To open their eyes,
and
to turn them
from darkness
to light,
and
from the power
of Satan
unto God,
that they
may receive forgiveness
of sins,
and inheritance
among them which
are sanctified
by faith
that is in me.
Whereupon,
O king Agrippa,
I was not disobedient
unto the heavenly vision:
But shewed first
unto them
of Damascus,
and at Jerusalem,
and
throughout all
the coasts
of Judaea,
and
then
to the Gentiles,
that they
should repent
and turn to God,
and do
works
meet
for repentance.
For these causes
the Jews
caught me
in the temple,
and went about
to kill me.
Having therefore obtained
help of God,
I continue
unto this day,
witnessing both
to small
and great,
saying none other things
than those
which the prophets
and Moses
did say
should come:
That Christ
should suffer,
and
that he
should be
the first
that should rise
from the dead,
and should shew
light
unto the people,
and
to the Gentiles.
And as he thus
spake for himself,
Festus
said with a loud voice,
Paul,
thou art
beside thyself;
much learning
doth make thee mad.
But he said,
I am not mad,
most noble Festus;
but speak
forth the words
of truth and soberness.
For the king
knoweth of these things,
before whom also
I speak freely:
for I
am persuaded
that none of
these things
are hidden from him;
for this thing
was not done
in a corner.
King Agrippa,
believest
thou the prophets?
I know that
thou believest.
Then Agrippa
said
unto Paul,
Almost
thou persuadest me
to be a Christian.
And Paul said,
I would to God,
that not only thou,
but also all
that hear me
this day,
were both almost,
and
altogether such as
I am,
except these bonds.
And
when
he had thus spoken,
the king rose up,
and the governor,
and Bernice,
and
they
that sat with them:
And
when
they
were gone aside,
they talked
between themselves,
saying,
This man
doeth nothing worthy
of death
or of bonds.
Then said Agrippa
unto Festus,
This man
might have been set
at liberty,
if he
had not appealed
unto Caesar.
And
when it
was determined
that we
should sail
into Italy,
they delivered Paul
and certain other prisoners
unto one named Julius,
a centurion
of Augustus' band.
And entering
into a ship
of Adramyttium,
we launched,
meaning
to sail
by the coasts
of Asia;
one Aristarchus,
a Macedonian
of Thessalonica,
being with us.
And the next day
we touched
at Sidon.
And Julius
courteously entreated Paul,
and gave him
liberty to go
unto his friends
to refresh himself.
And
when
we had launched
from thence,
we sailed
under Cyprus,
because
the winds were contrary.
And
when
we had sailed
over the sea
of Cilicia
and Pamphylia,
we came to Myra,
a city
of Lycia.
And
there the centurion
found a ship
of Alexandria
sailing
into Italy;
and he put us therein.
And
when
we had sailed slowly
many days,
and scarce
were come over
against Cnidus,
the wind
not suffering us,
we sailed
under Crete,
over against Salmone;
And,
hardly passing it,
came unto a place
which is called
The fair havens;
nigh
whereunto was
the city
of Lasea.
Now
when much time
was spent,
and
when sailing
was now dangerous,
because
the fast
was now already past,
Paul admonished them,
And
said unto them,
Sirs,
I perceive
that this voyage
will be
with hurt
and much damage,
not only of the lading
and ship,
but also of our lives.
Nevertheless
the centurion
believed
the master
and the owner
of the ship,
more than
those things
which were spoken
by Paul.
And
because
the haven
was not commodious
to winter in,
the more part
advised to depart
thence also,
if by any means
they might attain
to Phenice,
and there
to winter;
which is an haven
of Crete,
and lieth toward
the south west
and north west.
And
when the south
wind
blew softly,
supposing
that they
had obtained
their purpose,
loosing thence,
they sailed
close by Crete.
But not long
after there arose
against it
a tempestuous wind,
called Euroclydon.
And
when the ship
was caught,
and could not bear up
into the wind,
we let
her drive.
And running
under a certain island
which is called
Clauda,
we had much work to
come
by the boat:
Which when
they had taken up,
they used helps,
undergirding
the ship;
and,
fearing lest
they should fall
into the quicksands,
strake sail,
and so
were driven.
And
we being exceedingly tossed
with a tempest,
the next day
they lightened
the ship;
And the third day
we cast out
with our own
hands the tackling
of the ship.
And
when neither sun
nor stars
in many days appeared,
and no small tempest
lay on us,
all hope
that
we should be saved
was
then taken away.
But after long abstinence Paul
stood forth
in the midst
of them,
and said,
Sirs,
ye should have hearkened unto me,
and not have loosed
from Crete,
and to have gained
this harm and loss.
And now
I exhort
you
to be
of good cheer:
for there shall be no loss
of any man's life
among you,
but of the ship.
For there stood by me
this night
the angel of God,
whose I am,
and whom
I serve,
Saying,
Fear not,
Paul;
thou must be brought
before Caesar:
and,
lo,
God hath given thee all
them that sail
with thee.
Wherefore,
sirs,
be of good cheer:
for I
believe God,
that it
shall be
even as
it was told me.
Howbeit
we must be cast
upon a certain island.
But
when the fourteenth night
was come,
as we
were driven up
and down
in Adria,
about midnight
the shipmen
deemed
that they
drew near
to some country;
And sounded,
and found it twenty fathoms:
and
when
they had gone
a little further,
they sounded again,
and found it fifteen fathoms.
Then fearing lest
we should have fallen
upon rocks,
they cast four anchors
out of the stern,
and wished
for the day.
And
as the shipmen
were about
to flee
out of the ship,
when
they had let down
the boat
into the sea,
under colour as
though they
would have cast
anchors
out of the foreship,
Paul said
to the centurion
and to the soldiers,
Except these
abide in
the ship,
ye cannot be saved.
Then the soldiers
cut off
the ropes
of the boat,
and let
her fall off.
And
while the day
was coming on,
Paul
besought them all
to take meat,
saying,
This day
is the fourteenth day that
ye have tarried
and continued fasting,
having taken
nothing.
Wherefore
I pray you
to take some meat:
for this
is for your health:
for there shall not
an hair fall
from the head
of any of you.
And
when
he had thus spoken,
he took bread,
and gave
thanks to God
in presence
of them all:
and
when
he had broken it,
he began
to eat.
Then were
they all of good cheer,
and
they also took
some meat.
And we
were in
all in the ship
two hundred threescore
and sixteen souls.
And
when
they had eaten
enough,
they lightened
the ship,
and cast
out the wheat
into the sea.
And
when it
was day,
they knew not
the land:
but
they discovered
a certain creek
with a shore,
into the which
they were minded,
if it
were possible,
to thrust
in the ship.
And
when
they had taken up
the anchors,
they committed themselves
unto the sea,
and loosed
the rudder bands,
and hoised
up the mainsail
to the wind,
and made
toward shore.
And falling
into a place
where two seas met,
they ran the ship aground;
and the forepart stuck fast,
and remained unmoveable,
but the hinder part
was broken with the violence
of the waves.
And the soldiers' counsel
was to kill
the prisoners,
lest any
of them should swim out,
and escape.
But the centurion,
willing to save Paul,
kept them
from their purpose;
and commanded that
they which
could swim
should cast themselves first
into the sea,
and get
to land:
And the rest,
some on boards,
and some
on broken
pieces
of the ship.
And so
it came to pass,
that they
escaped all safe
to land.
And
when
they were escaped,
then
they knew
that the island
was called Melita.
And the barbarous people
shewed us
no little kindness:
for they
kindled a fire,
and received us
every one,
because
of the present rain,
and
because
of the cold.
And
when Paul
had gathered
a bundle
of sticks,
and laid them
on the fire,
there came
a viper
out of the heat,
and fastened
on his hand.
And
when the barbarians
saw the venomous beast
hang
on his hand,
they said
among themselves,
No doubt this man
is a murderer,
whom,
though he
hath escaped
the sea,
yet vengeance
suffereth not
to live.
And
he shook off the beast
into the fire,
and felt
no harm.
Howbeit
they looked
when
he should have swollen,
or fallen down dead
suddenly:
but after they
had looked
a great while,
and saw no
harm
come to him,
they changed
their minds,
and said that
he was a god.
In the same quarters
were possessions
of the chief man
of the island,
whose name
was Publius;
who received us,
and lodged us
three days courteously.
And it
came
to pass,
that the father
of Publius
lay sick
of a fever
and of a bloody flux:
to whom
Paul entered in,
and prayed,
and laid
his hands
on him,
and healed him.
So when this
was done,
others also,
which had diseases
in the island,
came,
and were healed:
Who also honoured us
with many honours;
and
when we departed,
they laded us
with such things
as were necessary.
And after three months
we departed
in a ship
of Alexandria,
which had wintered
in the isle,
whose sign
was Castor
and Pollux.
And landing
at Syracuse,
we tarried there
three days.
And from thence
we fetched
a compass,
and came
to Rhegium:
and
after one day
the south wind blew,
and we
came
the next day
to Puteoli:
Where we
found brethren,
and were desired
to tarry
with them seven days:
and so
we went toward Rome.
And from thence,
when the brethren
heard of us,
they came
to meet us
as far
as Appii forum,
and The three taverns:
whom
when Paul saw,
he thanked God,
and took courage.
And
when we
came
to Rome,
the centurion
delivered the prisoners
to the captain
of the guard:
but Paul
was suffered
to dwell
by himself
with a soldier
that kept him.
And it
came
to pass,
that after three days Paul
called
the chief
of the Jews
together:
and
when
they
were come together,
he said unto them,
Men and brethren,
though I
have committed nothing
against the people,
or customs
of our fathers,
yet was
I delivered prisoner
from Jerusalem
into the hands
of the Romans.
Who,
when
they had examined me,
would have let me go,
because
there was
no cause
of death in me.
But when the Jews
spake against it,
I was constrained
to appeal
unto Caesar;
not that
I had
ought to accuse
my nation of.
For this cause
therefore have
I called for you,
to see you,
and
to speak
with you:
because
that for the hope
of Israel I
am bound
with this chain.
And
they
said unto him,
We neither
received letters
out of Judaea
concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren
that came
shewed
or spake any harm
of thee.
But
we desire to hear
of thee
what
thou thinkest:
for as concerning
this sect,
we know
that every
where it
is spoken against.
And
when
they had appointed him a day,
there came many
to him
into his lodging;
to whom
he expounded
and testified
the kingdom
of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus,
both out of the law
of Moses,
and
out of the prophets,
from morning till evening.
And some
believed
the things which
were spoken,
and some believed not.
And
when
they agreed not
among themselves,
they departed,
after that Paul
had spoken
one word,
Well
spake
the Holy Ghost
by Esaias
the prophet
unto our fathers,
Saying,
Go unto this people,
and say,
Hearing
ye shall hear,
and shall not understand;
and seeing
ye shall see,
and not perceive:
For the heart
of this people
is waxed gross,
and their ears
are dull
of hearing,
and their eyes
have
they closed;
lest
they should see
with their eyes,
and hear
with their ears,
and understand
with their heart,
and should be converted,
and
I should heal them.
Be it
known therefore
unto you,
that the salvation
of God
is sent
unto the Gentiles,
and
that they
will hear it.
And
when
he had said
these words,
the Jews departed,
and had great reasoning
among themselves.
And Paul
dwelt
two whole years
in his own hired house,
and received all
that came in unto him,
Preaching the kingdom
of God,
and teaching those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ,
with all confidence,
no man
forbidding him.