1 Paul will not be dissuaded from going to Jerusalem. 9 Philip's daughters, prophetesses. AND it came to pass, that after we Paul goeth to Jerusalem. 861 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James: and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 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 : 20. And when they heard it, they glori 2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. fied the Lord, and said unto him, Thou 3 Now when we had discovered Cy-seest, brother, how many thousands of prus, we left it on the left hand, and sail- Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: ed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burthen. 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paui through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 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. 6. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again. 7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. 8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Cesarea; and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 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. 12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 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. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsakeMoses,saying, That they ought not to circumcise their children,neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: we have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which be lieve, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them, entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. 27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, 28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help. This is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place and further, hath brought Greeks also into the temple; and hath polluted this holy place. 29 (For they had seen before with him in the city, Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul and drew him out of the temple. And forthwith the doors were shut. 31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. C2 Who immediately took soldiers and 862 Paul apprehended at Jerusalem. THE ACTS. He declareth his conversion centurions, and ran down unto them. Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus And when they saw the chief captain and of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. 9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 33 Then the chief captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was, and what he had done. 34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. 35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers, for the violence of the people. 36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. 37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Gr ek? 38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jow of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city and I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people. 40 And when he had given him license, 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, CHAP. XXIL 1 Paul declareth his conversion. 25 He escapeth scourging by the privilege of a Roman. MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear yemy defence which I make now unto you. z (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city inCilicia,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. 4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisens both men and women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders; from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8 And I answered, Who art top, 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devont man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.- 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou ? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 17. 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; 18 And saw him saying unto me. Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19 And I said, Lord, they know that imprisoned, believed on every synas gogue them that believed on thee: 20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. 22 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. 23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air, 24 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. 25 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? 26 When the centurion heard that, be went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thon deest; for this man is a Roman. Paul pleadeth his cause.› CHAP. 27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. 28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born: 29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captam also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. 30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and Brought Paul down, and set him before them. CHAP. XXIII. 1 Paul pleadeth his cause. 7 Dissension among his accusers. 23 He is sent to Felix. XXIII. 12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain, that he bring him down unto you to-morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16 And when Paul's sister's son heard AND Paul, earnestly beholding the of their lying in wait, he went and enter council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to smite him on the mouth. 3 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? 4 And they that stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. ed into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto hire, and prayed re to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, 21 But do not thou yield unto them: Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the for there lie in wait for him of them son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resur- more than forty men, which have bound rection of the dead I am called in question.hemselves with an oath, that they will 7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisess confess both. 9 And there arose a great cry and the scribes that were of the Pharisees part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. 10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 11 And the night following the Lord Reither eat nor drink till they have killed him and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him. See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night : 24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and Lring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26 Claudius Lysias, unto the most excellent governor Felix, sendeth greeting. 27 This man was taken of the Jews, 864 Paul accused by Tertullus. THE ACTS. and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29 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. 30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man. I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also, to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. $1 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle : 33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia, 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he com manded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall. CHAP. XXIV. 1 Paul accused by Tertullus, 10 answereth for himself. A high priest descended with the elND after five days, Ananias the ders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth; Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom, thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him. He answereth for himself. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so 10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11Because that thou mayest understand. that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets : 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 17 Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Ası found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here be against me. fore thee, and object, if they had aught 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil-doing in me. while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried, standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 22 And when Felix heard these things. having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come unto him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenien” season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money shoul! have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with hin.. Paul accused. CHAP. XXV, XXV1. He is cleared by Festus." 865 27 But after two years Portius Festus came into Felix's room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. CHAP. XXV. 1 Paul accused by the Jews before Festus, 11 appealeth unto Cesar. NOW when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.“ 2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, ing wait in the way to kill him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is ac'cused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth ; 18 Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain questions against lay-him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 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. 6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cesarea; and the next day sitting in the judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove; 8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar have I offended any thing at all. 9 But. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go. 13 And after certain days, king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea, to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21 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 Cesar. 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 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. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. CHAP. XXVI. 1 Paul, before Agrippa, declareth his life, 12 and his conversion. 24 Festus chargeth him with madness. THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 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: 3 Especially, because I know thee to be |