
The Acts of the Apostles

   {1:1} The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that
Jesus began both to do and to teach, {1:2} until the day in which he
was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy
Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen: {1:3} To whom he also
showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto
them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the
kingdom of God: {1:4} and, being assembled together with them, he
charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise
of the Father, which, [said he], ye heard from me: {1:5} For John
indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit
not many days hence. {1:6} They therefore, when they were come
together, asked him, saying, Lord, dost thou at this time restore the
kingdom to Israel? {1:7} And he said unto them, It is not for you to
know times or seasons, which the Father hath set within His own
authority. {1:8} But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is
come upon you: and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. {1:9}
And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken
up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. {1:10} And while they
were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood
by them in white apparel; {1:11} who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why
stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you
into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into
heaven. {1:12} Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called
Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey off.
{1:13} And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber,
where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew,
Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James [the son] of
Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [the son] of James. {1:14}
These all with one accord continued stedfastly in prayer, with the
women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. {1:15} And
in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said
(and there was a multitude of persons [gathered] together, about a
hundred and twenty), {1:16} Brethren, it was needful that the Scripture
should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of
David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. {1:17}
For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this
ministry. {1:18} (Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his
iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all
his bowels gushed out. {1:19} And it became known to all the dwellers
at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called
Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) {1:20} For it is written in the
book of Psalms,
Let his habitation be made desolate,
And let no man dwell therein:

   and,
His office let another take.

   {1:21} Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time
that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, {1:22} beginning
from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us,
of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. {1:23}
And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias. {1:24} And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, who
knowest the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom thou hast
chosen, {1:25} to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from
which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place. {1:26} And
they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was
numbered with the eleven apostles.



   {2:1} And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all
together in one place. {2:2} And suddenly there came from heaven a
sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. {2:3} And there appeared unto them tongues
parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them.
{2:4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. {2:5} Now there
were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under
heaven. {2:6} And when this sound was heard, the multitude came
together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them
speaking in his own language. {2:7} And they were all amazed and
marvelled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans?
{2:8} And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were
born? {2:9} Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, {2:10} in
Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene,
and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, {2:11} Cretans and
Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God.
{2:12} And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to
another, What meaneth this? {2:13} But others mocking said, They are
filled with new wine. {2:14} But Peter, standing up with the eleven,
lifted up his voice, and spake forth unto them, [saying], Ye men of
Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and
give ear unto my words. {2:15} For these are not drunken, as ye
suppose; seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day. {2:16} but this
is that which hath been spoken through the prophet Joel:
{2:17} And it shall be in the last days, saith God,
I will pour forth of my Spirit upon all flesh:
And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
And your young men shall see visions,
And your old men shall dream dreams:
{2:18} Yea and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days
Will I pour forth of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.
{2:19} And I will show wonders in the heaven above,
And signs on the earth beneath;
Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:
{2:20} The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the day of the Lord come,
That great and notable [day].
{2:21} And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
      Lord shall be saved.

   {2:22} Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man
approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which
God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; {2:23}
him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of
God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: {2:24} whom
God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not
possible that he should be holden of it. {2:25} For David saith
concerning him,
I beheld the Lord always before my face;
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
{2:26} Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope:
{2:27} Because thou wilt not leave my soul unto Hades,
Neither wilt thou give thy Holy One to see corruption.
{2:28} Thou madest known unto me the ways of life;
Thou shalt make me full of gladness with thy countenance.

   {2:29} Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David,
that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this
day. {2:30} Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn
with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set [one]
upon his throne; {2:31} he foreseeing [this] spake of the resurrection
of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh
see corruption. {2:32} This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are
witnesses. {2:33} Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and
having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath
poured forth this, which ye see and hear. {2:34} For David ascended not
into the heavens: but he saith himself,
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
{2:35} Till I make thine enemies the footstool of thy feet.

   {2:36} Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that
God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified.
{2:37} Now when they heard [this,] they were pricked in their heart,
and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall
we do? {2:38} And Peter [said] unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your
sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. {2:39} For to
you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off,
[even] as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. {2:40} And with
many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save
yourselves from this crooked generation. {2:41} They then that received
his word were baptized: and there were added [unto them] in that day
about three thousand souls. {2:42} And they continued stedfastly in the
apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the
prayers. {2:43} And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and
signs were done through the apostles. {2:44} And all that believed were
together, and had all things common; {2:45} and they sold their
possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had
need. {2:46} And day by day, continuing stedfastly with one accord in
the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with
gladness and singleness of heart, {2:47} praising God, and having favor
with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that
were saved.



   {3:1} Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour
of prayer, [being] the ninth [hour]. {3:2} And a certain man that was
lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the
door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that
entered into the temple; {3:3} who seeing Peter and John about to go
into the temple, asked to receive an alms. {3:4} And Peter, fastening
his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. {3:5} And he gave heed
unto them, expecting to receive something from them. {3:6} But Peter
said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that give I thee.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. {3:7} And he took him by
the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his
ankle-bones received strength. {3:8} And leaping up, he stood, and
began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and
leaping, and praising God. {3:9} And all the people saw him walking and
praising God: {3:10} and they took knowledge of him, that it was he
that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were
filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
{3:11} And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto
them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. {3:12}
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel,
why marvel ye at this man? or why fasten ye your eyes on us, as though
by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? {3:13} The God
of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath
glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before
the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. {3:14} But
ye denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be
granted unto you, {3:15} and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised
from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. {3:16} And by faith in his
name hath his name made this man strong, whom ye behold and know: yea,
the faith which is through him hath given him this perfect soundness in
the presence of you all. {3:17} And now, brethren, I know that in
ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. {3:18} But the things
which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ
should suffer, he thus fulfilled. {3:19} Repent ye therefore, and turn
again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come
seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; {3:20} and that he
may send the Christ who hath been appointed for you, [even] Jesus:
{3:21} whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of
all things, whereof God spake by the mouth of His holy prophets that
have been from of old. {3:22} Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the
Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To
him shall ye hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you.
{3:23} And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that
prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. {3:24} Yea
and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many
as have spoken, they also told of these days. {3:25} Ye are the sons of
the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers,
saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the families of the
earth be blessed. {3:26} Unto you first God, having raised up his
Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from
your iniquities.





   {4:1} And as they spake unto the people, the priests and the captain
of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, {4:2} being sore
troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the
resurrection from the dead. {4:3} And they laid hands on them, and put
them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. {4:4} But many
of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to
be about five thousand. {4:5} And it came to pass on the morrow, that
their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in
Jerusalem; {4:6} and Annas the high priest [was there], and Caiaphas,
and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high
priest. {4:7} And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired,
By what power, or in what name, have ye done this? {4:8} Then Peter,
filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people,
and elders, {4:9} if we this day are examined concerning a good deed
done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; {4:10}
be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised
from the dead, [even] in him doth this man stand here before you whole.
{4:11} He is the stone which was set at nought of you the builders,
which was made the head of the corner. {4:12} And in none other is
there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that
is given among men, wherein we must be saved. {4:13} Now when they
beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were
unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of
them, that they had been with Jesus. {4:14} And seeing the man that was
healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. {4:15}
But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they
conferred among themselves, {4:16} saying, What shall we do to these
men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them,
is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
{4:17} But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten
them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. {4:18} And
they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the
name of Jesus. {4:19} But Peter and John answered and said unto them,
Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than
unto God, judge ye: {4:20} for we cannot but speak the things which we
saw and heard. {4:21} And they, when they had further threatened them,
let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the
people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. {4:22} For
the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing
was wrought. {4:23} And being let go, they came to their own company,
and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto
them. {4:24} And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God
with one accord, and said, O Lord, thou that didst make the heaven and
the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: {4:25} who by the Holy
Spirit, [by] the mouth of our father David thy servant, didst say,
Why did the Gentiles rage,
And the peoples imagine vain things?
{4:26} The kings of the earth set themselves in array,
And the rulers were gathered together,
Against the Lord, and against his Anointed:

   {4:27} for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus,
whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the
Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, {4:28} to
do whatsoever thy hand and thy council foreordained to come to pass.
{4:29} And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants to speak thy word with all boldness, {4:30} while thy
stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be
done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus. {4:31} And when they
had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together;
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spake the word
of God with boldness. {4:32} And the multitude of them that believed
were of one heart and soul: and not one [of them] said that aught of
the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things
common. {4:33} And with great power gave the apostles their witness of
the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
{4:34} For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as
were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of
the things that were sold, {4:35} and laid them at the apostles' feet:
and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need.
{4:36} And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is,
being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by
race, {4:37} having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it
at the apostles' feet.





   {5:1} But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold
a possession, {5:2} 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. {5:3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled
thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back [part] of the
price of the land? {5:4} While it remained, did it not remain thine
own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that
thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou has not lied unto
men, but unto God. {5:5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down and
gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. {5:6}
And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out
and buried him. {5:7} And it was about the space of three hours after,
when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. {5:8} And Peter
answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much. And
she said, Yea, for so much. {5:9} But Peter [said] unto her, How is it
that ye have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the
feet of them that have buried thy husband are at the door, and they
shall carry thee out. {5:10} And she fell down immediately at his feet,
and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead,
and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. {5:11} And
great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these
things. {5:12} 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. {5:13} But of the rest durst no man join himself to
them: howbeit the people magnified them; {5:14} and believers were the
more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women; {5:15}
insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid
them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his
shadow might overshadow some one of them. {5:16} And there also came
together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bring
sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were
healed every one. {5:17} But the high priest rose up, and all they that
were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were
filled with jealousy, {5:18} and laid hands on the apostles, and put
them in public ward. {5:19} But an angel of the Lord by night opened
the prison doors, and brought them out, and said, {5:20} Go ye, and
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life.
{5:21} And when they heard [this], they entered into the temple about
daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with
him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the
children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.
{5:22} But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and
they returned, and told, {5:23} saying, The prison-house we found shut
in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had
opened, we found no man within. {5:24} Now when the captain of the
temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much
perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. {5:25} And there
came one and told them, Behold, the men whom ye put in the prison are
in the temple standing and teaching the people. {5:26} Then went the
captain with the officers, and brought them, [but] without violence;
for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. {5:27} And when
they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high
priest asked them, {5:28} saying, We strictly charged you not to teach
in this name: and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your teaching,
and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. {5:29} But Peter and the
apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. {5:30}
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew, hanging him on a
tree. {5:31} Him did God exalt with his right hand [to be] a Prince and
a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. {5:32}
And we are witnesses of these things; and [so is] the Holy Spirit, whom
God hath given to them that obey him. {5:33} But they, when they heard
this, were cut to the heart, and minded to slay them. {5:34} But there
stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of
the law, had in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men
forth a little while. {5:35} And he said unto them, Ye men of Israel,
take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what ye are about to do.
{5:36} For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be
somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined
themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were
dispersed, and came to nought. {5:37} After this man rose up Judas of
Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away [some of the]
people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him,
were scattered abroad. {5:38} 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 be overthrown: {5:39} but if it is of God, ye will not be
able to overthrow them; lest haply ye be found even to be fighting
against God. {5:40} And to him they agreed: and when they had called
the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in
the name of Jesus, and let them go. {5:41} They therefore departed from
the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to
suffer dishonor for the Name. {5:42} And every day, in the temple and
at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus [as] the Christ.



   {6:1} Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the
Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
{6:2} And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them,
and said, It is not fit that we should forsake the word of God, and
serve tables. {6:3} Look ye out therefore, brethren, from among you
seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may
appoint over this business. {6:4} But we will continue stedfastly in
prayer, and in the ministry of the word. {6:5} And the saying pleased
the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of
the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and
Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; {6:6} whom they set
before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands
upon them. {6:7} And the word of God increased; and the number of the
disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith. {6:8} And Stephen, full of
grace and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.
{6:9} But there arose certain of them that were of the synagogue called
[the synagogue] of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the
Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen.
{6:10} And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by
which he spake. {6:11} Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard
him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God. {6:12}
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and
came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, {6:13}
and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak
words against this holy place, and the law: {6:14} for we have heard
him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and
shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. {6:15} And all
that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as
it had been the face of an angel.



   {7:1} And the high priest said, Are these things so? {7:2} And he
said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our
father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
{7:3} and said unto him, Get thee out of thy land, and from thy
kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. {7:4} Then
came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from
thence, when his father was dead, [God] removed him into this land,
wherein ye now dwell: {7:5} and he gave him none inheritance in it, no,
not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give
it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he
had no child. {7:6} And God spake on this wise, that his seed should
sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into
bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years. {7:7} And the nation
to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after
that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. {7:8} 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
the twelve patriarchs. {7:9} And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy
against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, {7:10} and
delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom
before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and
all his house. {7:11} Now there came a famine over all Egypt and
Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
{7:12} But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent
forth our fathers the first time. {7:13} And at the second time Joseph
was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's race became manifest unto
Pharaoh. {7:14} And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father,
and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. {7:15} And Jacob
went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; {7:16} and
they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham
bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem. {7:17}
But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto
Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, {7:18} till there
arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. {7:19} The same
dealt craftily with our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that they
should cast out their babes to the end they might not live. {7:20} At
which season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was
nourished three months in his father's house. {7:21} and when he was
cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own
son. {7:22} And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. {7:23} But when he
was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his
brethren the children of Israel. {7:24} And seeing one [of them] suffer
wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the
Egyptian: {7:25} and he supposed that his brethren understood that God
by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not.
{7:26} And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and
would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do
ye wrong one to another? {7:27} But he that did his neighbor wrong
thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?
{7:28} Wouldest thou kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?
{7:29} And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the
land of Midian, where he begat two sons. {7:30} And when forty years
were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount
Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. {7:31} And when Moses saw it, he
wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came a
voice of the Lord, {7:32} I am the God of thy fathers, the God of
Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and durst not
behold. {7:33} And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from thy
feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. {7:34} I have
surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have
heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come,
I will send thee into Egypt. {7:35} This Moses whom they refused,
saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? him hath God sent [to be]
both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared
to him in the bush. {7:36} This man led them forth, having wrought
wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness
forty years. {7:37} This is that Moses, who said unto the children of
Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren,
like unto me. {7:38} This is he that was in the church in the
wilderness with the angel that spake to him in the Mount Sinai, and
with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: {7:39}
to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them,
and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, {7:40} saying unto Aaron,
Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us
forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
{7:41} And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto
the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. {7:42} But God
turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written
in the book of the prophets,
Did ye offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices
Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
{7:43} And ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
And the star of the god Rephan,
The figures which ye made to worship them:
And I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

   {7:44} Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the
wilderness, even as he appointed who spake unto Moses, that he should
make it according to the figure that he had seen. {7:45} Which also our
fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the
possession of the nations, that God thrust out before the face of our
fathers, unto the days of David; {7:46} who found favor in the sight of
God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. {7:47} But
Solomon built him a house. {7:48} Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in
[houses] made with hands; as saith the prophet,
{7:49} The heaven is my throne,
And the earth the footstool of my feet:
What manner of house will ye build me? saith the Lord:
Or what is the place of my rest?
{7:50} Did not my hand make all these things?

   {7:51} Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do
always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. {7:52}
Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed
them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye
have now become betrayers and murderers; {7:53} ye who received the law
as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not. {7:54} Now when they
heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him
with their teeth. {7:55} But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked
up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing
on the right hand of God, {7:56} and said, Behold, I see the heavens
opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. {7:57}
But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and
rushed upon him with one accord; {7:58} and they cast him out of the
city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the
feet of a young man named Saul. {7:59} And they stoned Stephen, calling
upon [the Lord], and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. {7:60} 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.



   {8:1} And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on
that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem;
and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and
Samaria, except the apostles. {8:2} And devout men buried Stephen, and
made great lamentation over him. {8:3} But Saul laid waste the church,
entering into every house, and dragging men and women committed them to
prison. {8:4} They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about
preaching the word. {8:5} And Philip went down to the city of Samaria,
and proclaimed unto them the Christ. {8:6} And the multitudes gave heed
with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they
heard, and saw the signs which he did. {8:7} For [from] many of those
that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and
many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. {8:8} And
there was much joy in that city. {8:9} But there was a certain man,
Simon by name, who beforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the
people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: {8:10}
to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying,
This man is that power of God which is called Great. {8:11} And they
gave heed to him, because that of long time he had amazed them with his
sorceries. {8:12} But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings
concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. {8:13} And Simon also himself believed:
and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and
great miracles wrought, he was amazed. {8:14} Now when the apostles
that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God,
they sent unto them Peter and John: {8:15} who, when they were come
down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: {8:16}
for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized
into the name of the Lord Jesus. {8:17} Then laid they their hands on
them, and they received the Holy Spirit. {8:18} Now when Simon saw that
through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given,
he offered them money, {8:19} saying, Give me also this power, that on
whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. {8:20} But
Peter said unto him, Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast
thought to obtain the gift of God with money. {8:21} Thou hast neither
part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God.
{8:22} Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if
perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. {8:23} For I
see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of
iniquity. {8:24} And Simon answered and said, Pray ye for me to the
Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me. {8:25}
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages
of the Samaritans. {8:26} But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip,
saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down
from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. {8:27} And he arose and
went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under
Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who
had come to Jerusalem to worship; {8:28} and he was returning and
sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. {8:29} And
the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
{8:30} And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet,
and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? {8:31} And he said, How
can I, except some one shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come
up and sit with him. {8:32} Now the passage of the Scripture which he
was reading was this,
He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;
And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb,
So he openeth not his mouth:
{8:33} In his humiliation his judgment was taken away:
His generation who shall declare?
For his life is taken from the earth.

   {8:34} And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of
whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? {8:35}
And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture,
preached unto him Jesus. {8:36} And as they went on the way, they came
unto a certain water; and the eunuch saith, Behold, [here is] water;
what doth hinder me to be baptized? {8:37} [And Philip said, If thou
believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.] {8:38} And he commanded
the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water,
both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. {8:39} And when they
came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip;
and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
{8:40} But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached
the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.



   {9:1} But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, {9:2} and asked of
him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that
were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to
Jerusalem. {9:3} And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh
unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of
heaven: {9:4} and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto
him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? {9:5} And he said, Who art
thou, Lord? And he [said], I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: {9:6} but
rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must
do. {9:7} And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing
the voice, but beholding no man. {9:8} And Saul arose from the earth;
and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the
hand, and brought him into Damascus. {9:9} And he was three days
without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. {9:10} Now there was a
certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him
in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I [am here], Lord. {9:11}
And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is
called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul,
a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; {9:12} and he hath seen a man
named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might
receive his sight. {9:13} But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from
many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:
{9:14} and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all
that call upon thy name. {9:15} 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: {9:16} for I will show him how
many things he must suffer for my name's sake. {9:17} And Ananias
departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said,
Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way
which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight,
and be filled with the Holy Spirit. {9:18} And straightway there fell
from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he
arose and was baptized; {9:19} and he took food and was strengthened.
And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.
{9:20} And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he
is the Son of God. {9:21} And all that heard him were amazed, and said,
Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this
name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them
bound before the chief priests. {9:22} But Saul increased the more in
strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that
this is the Christ. {9:23} And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews
took counsel together to kill him: {9:24} but their plot became known
to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might
kill him: {9:25} but his disciples took him by night, and let him down
through the wall, lowering him in a basket. {9:26} And when he was come
to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they
were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. {9:27}
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 at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of
Jesus. {9:28} And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,
{9:29} preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and
disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.
{9:30} And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to
Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. {9:31} So the church throughout
all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and,
walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit,
was multiplied. {9:32} And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout
all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda. {9:33}
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed
eight years; for he was palsied. {9:34} And Peter said unto him,
Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise and make thy bed. And
straightway he arose. {9:35} And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon
saw him, and they turned to the Lord. {9:36} 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.
{9:37} And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died:
and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. {9:38}
And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was
there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto
us. {9:39} And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come,
they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by
him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made,
while she was with them. {9:40} But Peter put them all forth, and
kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha,
arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
{9:41} And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the
saints and widows, he presented her alive. {9:42} And it became known
throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. {9:43} And it came
to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.



   {10:1} Now [there was] a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name,
a centurion of the band called the Italian [band], {10:2} a devout man,
and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the
people, and prayed to God always. {10:3} He saw in a vision openly, as
it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto
him, and saying to him, Cornelius. {10:4} And he, fastening his eyes
upon him, and being affrighted, said, What is it, Lord? And he said
unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before
God. {10:5} And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one Simon, who is
surnamed Peter: {10:6} he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house
is by the sea side. {10:7} And when the angel that spake unto him was
departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier
of them that waited on him continually; {10:8} and having rehearsed all
things unto them, he sent them to Joppa. {10:9} Now on the morrow, as
they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up
upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: {10:10} and he became
hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a
trance; {10:11} and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain
vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners
upon the earth: {10:12} wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts
and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. {10:13} And
there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. {10:14} But Peter
said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and
unclean. {10:15} And a voice [came] unto him again the second time,
What God hath cleansed, make not thou common. {10:16} And this was done
thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven. {10:17}
Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he
had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius,
having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, {10:18}
and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were
lodging there. {10:19} And while Peter thought on the vision, the
Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. {10:20} But arise,
and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent
them. {10:21} And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he
whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? {10:22} And they
said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God,
and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned [of God]
by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words from
thee. {10:23} So he called them in and lodged them. And on the morrow
he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from
Joppa accompanied him. {10:24} And on the morrow they entered into
Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together
his kinsmen and his near friends. {10:25} And when it came to pass that
Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and
worshipped him. {10:26} But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I
myself also am a man. {10:27} And as he talked with him, he went in,
and findeth many come together: {10:28} and he said unto them, Ye
yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to
join himself or come unto one of another nation; and [yet] unto me hath
God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: {10:29}
wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask
therefore with what intent ye sent for me. {10:30} And Cornelius said,
Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer
in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,
{10:31} and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are
had in remembrance in the sight of God. {10:32} Send therefore to
Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in
the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side. {10:33} Forthwith
therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come.
Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all
things that have been commanded thee of the Lord. {10:34} And Peter
opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no
respecter of persons: {10:35} but in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. {10:36} The word which
he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by
Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) -- {10:37} that saying ye yourselves
know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from
Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; {10:38} [even] Jesus of
Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who
went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the
devil; for God was with him. {10:39} And we are witnesses of all things
which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom
also they slew, hanging him on a tree. {10:40} Him God raised up the
third day, and gave him to be made manifest, {10:41} not to all the
people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, [even] to
us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. {10:42} And
he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he
who is ordained of God [to be] the Judge of the living and the dead.
{10:43} To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name
every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.
{10:44} While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all
them that heard the word. {10:45} And they of the circumcision that
believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the
Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. {10:46} For
they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered
Peter, {10:47} Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be
baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? {10:48} And
he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then
prayed they him to tarry certain days.



   {11:1} Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard
that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. {11:2} And when
Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision
contended with him, {11:3} saying, Thou wentest in to men
uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. {11:4} But Peter began, and
expounded [the matter] unto them in order, saying, {11:5} I was in the
city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel
descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four
corners; and it came even unto me: {11:6} upon which when I had
fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the
earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven.
{11:7} And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and
eat. {11:8} But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean
hath ever entered into my mouth. {11:9} But a voice answered the second
time out of heaven, What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.
{11:10} And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into
heaven. {11:11} And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house
in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me. {11:12} And
the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six
brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house:
{11:13} and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house,
and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter;
{11:14} who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved,
thou and all thy house. {11:15} And as I began to speak, the Holy
Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. {11:16} And I
remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with
water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. {11:17} If then God
gave unto them the like gift as [he did] also unto us, when we believed
on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?
{11:18} And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and
glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted
repentance unto life. {11:19} They therefore that were scattered abroad
upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen travelled as far as
Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only
to Jews. {11:20} But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene,
who, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Greeks also,
preaching the Lord Jesus. {11:21} And the hand of the Lord was with
them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. {11:22}
And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was
in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: {11:23}
who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he
exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto
the Lord: {11:24} for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit
and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. {11:25} And he
went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul; {11:26} and when he had found
him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a
whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught much
people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
{11:27} Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto
Antioch. {11:28} And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and
signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all
the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. {11:29} And the
disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send
relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judea: {11:30} which also they
did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.



   {12:1} Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to
afflict certain of the church. {12:2} And he killed James the brother
of John with the sword. {12:3} And when he saw that it pleased the
Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And [those] were the days of
unleavened bread. {12:4} And when he had taken him, he put him in
prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him;
intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. {12:5}
Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly
of the church unto God for him. {12:6} And when Herod was about to
bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two
soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the
prison. {12:7} And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a
light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke
him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
{12:8} And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about
thee, and follow me. {12:9} And he went out, and followed; and he knew
not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a
vision. {12:10} And when they were past the first and the second guard,
they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened
to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one
street; and straightway the angel departed from him. {12:11} And when
Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the
Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of
Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. {12:12}
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 and were praying. {12:13} And when he knocked at the door of
the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda. {12:14} And when she knew
Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told
that Peter stood before the gate. {12:15} And they said unto her, Thou
art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they
said, It is his angel. {12:16} But Peter continued knocking: and when
they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. {12:17} But he,
beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto
them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said,
Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and
went to another place. {12:18} Now as soon as it was day, there was no
small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. {12:19} And
when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the
guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went
down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there. {12:20} Now he was
highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one
accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their
friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the
king's country. {12:21} And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in
royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them.
{12:22} And the people shouted, [saying], The voice of a god, and not
of a man. {12:23} And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him,
because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave
up the ghost. {12:24} But the word of God grew and multiplied. {12:25}
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled
their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.



   {13:1} Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was [there],
prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and
Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. {13:2} And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the
Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto
I have called them. {13:3} Then, when they had fasted and prayed and
laid their hands on them, they sent them away. {13:4} So they, being
sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from thence
they sailed to Cyprus. {13:5} And when they were at Salamis, they
proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had
also John as their attendant. {13:6} And when they had gone through the
whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; {13:7} who was with the
proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto
him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. {13:8} But
Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood
them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. {13:9} But
Saul, who is also [called] Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened
his eyes on him, {13:10} and said, O full of all guile and all villany,
thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not
cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? {13:11} 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.
{13:12} Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being
astonished at the teaching of the Lord. {13:13} Now Paul and his
company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John
departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. {13:14} But they, passing
through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the
synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. {13:15} And after the
reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent
unto them, saying, Brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the
people, say on. {13:16} And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand
said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken: {13:17} The God of
this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they
sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth
out of it. {13:18} And for about the time of forty years as a
nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness. {13:19} And when he had
destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave [them] their
land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:
{13:20} and after these things he gave [them] judges until Samuel the
prophet. {13:21} And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto
them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the
space of forty years. {13:22} And when he had removed him, he raised up
David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have
found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My
will. {13:23} Of this man's seed hath God according to promise brought
unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus; {13:24} when John had first preached
before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of
Israel. {13:25} And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What
suppose ye that I am? I am not [he]. But behold, there cometh one after
me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose. {13:26}
Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that
fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth. {13:27} For
they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him
not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath,
fulfilled [them] by condemning [him]. {13:28} And though they found no
cause of death [in him], yet asked they of Pilate that he should be
slain. {13:29} And when they had fulfilled all things that were written
of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
{13:30} But God raised him from the dead: {13:31} and he was seen for
many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who
are now his witnesses unto the people. {13:32} And we bring you good
tidings of the promise made unto the fathers, {13:33} that God hath
fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as
also it is written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have
I begotten thee. {13:34} And as concerning that he raised him up from
the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he hath spoken on this
wise, I will give you the holy and sure [blessings] of David. {13:35}
Because he saith also in another [psalm], Thou wilt not give Thy Holy
One to see corruption. {13:36} For David, after he had in his own
generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto
his fathers, and saw corruption: {13:37} but he whom God raised up saw
no corruption. {13:38} Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that
through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: {13:39} and
by him every one that believeth is justified from all things, from
which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. {13:40} Beware
therefore, lest that come upon [you] which is spoken in the prophets:
{13:41} Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish;
For I work a work in your days,
A work which ye shall in no wise believe, if one declare it unto you.

   {13:42} And as they went out, they besought that these words might
be spoken to them the next sabbath. {13:43} Now when the synagogue
broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul
and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the
grace of God. {13:44} And the next sabbath almost the whole city was
gathered together to hear the word of God. {13:45} But when the Jews
saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted
the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. {13:46} And Paul
and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word
of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and
judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
{13:47} For so hath the Lord commanded us, [saying],
I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,
That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the
      earth.

   {13:48} And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life
believed. {13:49} And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout
all the region. {13:50} But the Jews urged on the devout women of
honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their
borders. {13:51} But they shook off the dust of their feet against
them, and came unto Iconium. {13:52} And the disciples were filled with
joy with the Holy Spirit.



   {14:1} And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together
into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude
both of Jews and of Greeks believed. {14:2} But the Jews that were
disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil
affected against the brethren. {14:3} Long time therefore they tarried
[there] speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of
his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. {14:4}
But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews,
and part with the apostles. {14:5} And when there was made an onset
both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them
shamefully and to stone them, {14:6} they became aware of it, and fled
unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round
about: {14:7} and there they preached the gospel. {14:8} And at Lystra
there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his
mother's womb, who never had walked. {14:9} The same heard Paul
speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to
be made whole, {14:10} said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy
feet. And he leaped up and walked. {14:11} And when the multitude saw
what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of
Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. {14:12}
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was
the chief speaker. {14:13} And the priest of Jupiter whose [temple] was
before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would
have done sacrifice with the multitudes. {14:14} But when the apostles,
Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang
forth among the multitude, crying out {14:15} and saying, Sirs, why do
ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring
you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a
living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that
in them is: {14:16} who in the generations gone by suffered all the
nations to walk in their own ways. {14:17} And yet He left not himself
without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and
fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. {14:18}
And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing
sacrifice unto them. {14:19} But there came Jews thither from Antioch
and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and
dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. {14:20} But as
the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the
city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. {14:21}
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,
{14:22} confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter
into the kingdom of God. {14:23} And when they had appointed for them
elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended
them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. {14:24} And they passed
through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. {14:25} And when they had
spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; {14:26} and thence
they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the
grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. {14:27} And when
they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed
all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door
of faith unto the Gentiles. {14:28} And they tarried no little time
with the disciples.



   {15:1} And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the
brethren, [saying], Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses,
ye cannot be saved. {15:2} And when Paul and Barnabas had no small
dissension and questioning with them, [the brethren] appointed that
Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem
unto the apostles and elders about this question. {15:3} They
therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through
both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles:
and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. {15:4} And when they
were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the
apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had
done with them. {15:5} But there rose up certain of the sect of the
Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and
to charge them to keep the law of Moses. {15:6} And the apostles and
the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter. {15:7}
And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto
them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among
you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel,
and believe. {15:8} And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness,
giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; {15:9} and he made
no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
{15:10} Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a
yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we
were able to bear? {15:11} But we believe that we shall be saved
through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they. {15:12}
And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas
and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the
Gentiles through them. {15:13} And after they had held their peace,
James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me: {15:14} Symeon hath
rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a
people for his name. {15:15} And to this agree the words of the
prophets; as it is written,
{15:16} After these things I will return,
And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen;
And I will build again the ruins thereof,
And I will set it up:
{15:17} That the residue of men may seek after the Lord,
And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
{15:18} Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.

   {15:19} Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from
among the Gentiles turn to God; {15:20} but that we write unto them,
that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication,
and from what is strangled, and from blood. {15:21} For Moses from
generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read
in the synagogues every sabbath. {15:22} Then it seemed good to the
apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of
their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas;
[namely], Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the
brethren: {15:23} and they wrote [thus] by them, The apostles and the
elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch
and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: {15:24} Forasmuch as we have heard
that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words,
subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; {15:25} it
seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and
send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, {15:26} men that
have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{15:27} We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also
shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. {15:28} For it seemed
good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden
than these necessary things: {15:29} that ye abstain from things
sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and
from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well
with you. Fare ye well. {15:30} So they, when they were dismissed, came
down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they
delivered the epistle. {15:31} And when they had read it, they rejoiced
for the consolation. {15:32} And Judas and Silas, being themselves also
prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
{15:33} And after they had spent some time [there], they were dismissed
in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth. {15:34}
[But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.] {15:35} But Paul and
Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the
Lord, with many others also. {15:36} And after some days Paul said unto
Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city
wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, [and see] how they fare.
{15:37} And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was
called Mark. {15:38} But Paul thought not good to take with them him
who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the
work. {15:39} And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted
asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed
away unto Cyprus; {15:40} but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being
commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. {15:41} And he went
through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.



   {16:1} And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a
certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that
believed; but his father was a Greek. {16:2} The same was well reported
of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. {16:3} Him would
Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because
of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father
was a Greek. {16:4} And as they went on their way through the cities,
they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the
apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. {16:5} So the churches were
strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. {16:6} And
they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been
forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; {16:7} and when
they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia;
and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; {16:8} and passing by Mysia,
they came down to Troas. {16:9} And a vision appeared to Paul in the
night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and
saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. {16:10} And when he had
seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia,
concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. {16:11}
Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to
Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; {16:12} and from thence
to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a
[Roman] colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. {16:13}
And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side,
where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and
spake unto the women that were come together. {16:14} And a certain
woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that
worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto
the things which were spoken by Paul. {16:15} 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. {16:16} And it came to pass, as we were going
to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of
divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.
{16:17} The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These
men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of
salvation. {16:18} And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore
troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of
Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.
{16:19} But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone,
they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace
before the rulers, {16:20} and when they had brought them unto the
magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble
our city, {16:21} and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us
to receive, or to observe, being Romans. {16:22} And the multitude rose
up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off
them, and commanded to beat them with rods. {16:23} And when they had
laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the
jailor to keep them safely: {16:24} who, having received such a charge,
cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the
stocks. {16:25} But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;
{16:26} and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the
foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the
doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. {16:27} And the
jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open,
drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the
prisoners had escaped. {16:28} But Paul cried with a loud voice,
saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. {16:29} And he called
for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before
Paul and Silas, {16:30} and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must
I do to be saved? {16:31} And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and
thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house. {16:32} And they spake the
word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. {16:33} And
he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and
was baptized, he and all his, immediately. {16:34} And he brought them
up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with
all his house, having believed in God. {16:35} But when it was day, the
magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. {16:36} And
the jailor reported the words to Paul, [saying], The magistrates have
sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace. {16:37}
But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men
that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us
out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.
{16:38} And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates:
and they feared when they heard that they were Romans; {16:39} and they
came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked
them to go away from the city. {16:40} 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.



   {17:1} Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia,
they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: {17:2}
and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath
days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, {17:3} opening and
alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from
the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, [said he,] I proclaim unto you, is
the Christ. {17:4} And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with
Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the
chief women not a few. {17:5} But the Jews, being moved with jealousy,
took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a
crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason,
they sought to bring them forth to the people. {17:6} And when they
found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the
rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside
down are come hither also; {17:7} whom Jason hath received: and these
all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another
king, [one] Jesus. {17:8} And they troubled the multitude and the
rulers of the city, when they heard these things. {17:9} And when they
had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. {17:10}
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto
Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the
Jews. {17:11} Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in
that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining
the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so. {17:12} Many of
them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate,
and of men, not a few. {17:13} But when the Jews of Thessalonica had
knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also,
they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.
{17:14} And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far
as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still. {17:15} But
they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a
commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with
all speed, they departed. {17:16} Now while Paul waited for them at
Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full
of idols. {17:17} So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the
devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met
him. {17:18} And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers
encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He
seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus
and the resurrection. {17:19} And they took hold of him, and brought
him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is,
which is spoken by thee? {17:20} For thou bringest certain strange
things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
{17:21} (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent
their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new
thing.) {17:22} And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said,
Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious.
{17:23} For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your
worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN
GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.
{17:24} The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being
Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
{17:25} neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed
anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all
things; {17:26} and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all
the face of the earth, having determined [their] appointed seasons, and
the bounds of their habitation; {17:27} that they should seek God, if
haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from
each one of us: {17:28} for in him we live, and move, and have our
being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring. {17:29} Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to
think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven
by art and device of man. {17:30} The times of ignorance therefore God
overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere
repent: {17:31} inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will
judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised
him from the dead. {17:32} Now when they heard of the resurrection of
the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning
this yet again. {17:33} Thus Paul went out from among them. {17:34} But
certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius
the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.



   {18:1} After these things he departed from Athens, and came to
Corinth. {18:2} And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of
Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla,
because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and he
came unto them; {18:3} and because he was of the same trade, he abode
with them, and they wrought, for by their trade they were tentmakers.
{18:4} And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded
Jews and Greeks. {18:5} But when Silas and Timothy came down from
Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews
that Jesus was the Christ. {18:6} And when they opposed themselves and
blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood
[be] upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto
the Gentiles. {18:7} And he departed thence, and went into the house of
a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house
joined hard to the synagogue. {18:8} And Crispus, the ruler of the
synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the
Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. {18:9} And the Lord
said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and
hold not thy peace: {18:10} for I am with thee, and no man shall set on
thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city. {18:11} And he
dwelt [there] a year and six months, teaching the word of God among
them. {18:12} But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with
one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the
judgment-seat, {18:13} saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God
contrary to the law. {18:14} But when Paul was about to open his mouth,
Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of
wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
{18:15} but if they are questions about words and names and your own
law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these
matters. {18:16} And he drove them from the judgment-seat. {18:17} And
they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat
him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these
things. {18:18} And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took
his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him
Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a
vow. {18:19} And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he
himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. {18:20}
And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;
{18:21} but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again
unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus. {18:22} And when he had
landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to
Antioch. {18:23} And having spent some time [there], he departed, and
went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing
all the disciples. {18:24} Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an
Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was
mighty in the scriptures. {18:25} This man had been instructed in the
way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught
accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of
John: {18:26} and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when
Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded
unto him the way of God more accurately. {18:27} And when he was minded
to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the
disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much
that had believed through grace; {18:28} for he powerfully confuted the
Jews, [and that] publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the
Christ.



   {19:1} And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul
having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found
certain disciples: {19:2} and he said unto them, Did ye receive the
Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they [said] unto him, Nay, we did not
so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was [given]. {19:3} And he
said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John's
baptism. {19:4} And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of
repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that
should come after him, that is, on Jesus. {19:5} And when they heard
this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. {19:6} And
when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them;
and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. {19:7} And they were in
all about twelve men. {19:8} And he entered into the synagogue, and
spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading
[as to] the things concerning the kingdom of God. {19:9} But when some
were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the
multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples,
reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. {19:10} And this continued
for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard
the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. {19:11} And God wrought
special miracles by the hands of Paul: {19:12} insomuch that unto the
sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the
evil spirits went out. {19:13} But certain also of the strolling Jews,
exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits
the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul
preacheth. {19:14} And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a
chief priest, who did this. {19:15} And the evil spirit answered and
said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye? {19:16}
And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered
both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that
house naked and wounded. {19:17} And this became known to all, both
Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all,
and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. {19:18} Many also of them
that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. {19:19}
And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books
together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the
price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. {19:20} So
mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed. {19:21} Now 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. {19:22} And having sent into
Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he
himself stayed in Asia for a while. {19:23} And about that time there
arose no small stir concerning the Way. {19:24} For a certain man named
Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no
little business unto the craftsmen; {19:25} whom he gathered together,
with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by
this business we have our wealth. {19:26} And ye see and hear, that not
alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath
persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods,
that are made with hands: {19:27} and not only is there danger that
this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the
great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be
deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
{19:28} And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried
out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus. {19:29} And the city was
filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the
theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's
companions in travel. {19:30} And when Paul was minded to enter in unto
the people, the disciples suffered him not. {19:31} And certain also of
the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to
adventure himself into the theatre. {19:32} Some therefore cried one
thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the
more part knew not wherefore they were come together. {19:33} And they
brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward.
And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense
unto the people. {19:34} But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all
with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana
of the Ephesians. {19:35} And when the townclerk had quieted the
multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth
not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana,
and of the [image] which fell down from Jupiter? {19:36} Seeing then
that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do
nothing rash. {19:37} For ye have brought [hither] these men, who are
neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. {19:38} If
therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter
against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let
them accuse one another. {19:39} But if ye seek anything about other
matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. {19:40} For
indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there
being no cause [for it]: and as touching it we shall not be able to
give account of this concourse. {19:41} And when he had thus spoken, he
dismissed the assembly.



   {20:1} And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the
disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go
into Macedonia. {20:2} And when he had gone through those parts, and
had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. {20:3} And when
he had spent three months [there,] and a plot was laid against him by
Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return
through Macedonia. {20:4} And there accompanied him as far as Asia,
Sopater of Beroea, [the son] of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians,
Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia,
Tychicus and Trophimus. {20:5} But these had gone before, and were
waiting for us at Troas. {20:6} And we sailed away from Philippi after
the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days,
where we tarried seven days. {20:7} And upon the first day of the week,
when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with
them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until
midnight. {20:8} And there were many lights in the upper chamber where
we were gathered together. {20:9} And there sat in the window a certain
young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul
discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from
the third story, and was taken up dead. {20:10} And Paul went down, and
fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in
him. {20:11} And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and
eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day,
so he departed. {20:12} And they brought the lad alive, and were not a
little comforted. {20:13} But we going before to the ship set sail for
Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed,
intending himself to go by land. {20:14} And when he met us at Assos,
we took him in, and came to Mitylene. {20:15} And sailing from thence,
we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we
touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus. {20:16} For
Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to
spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him,
to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost. {20:17} And from Miletus he
sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church. {20:18}
And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know,
from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was
with you all the time, {20:19} serving the Lord with all lowliness of
mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of
the Jews; {20:20} how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything
that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to
house, {20:21} testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward
God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. {20:22} And now, behold, I
go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that
shall befall me there: {20:23} save that the Holy Spirit testifieth
unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
{20:24} But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so
that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from
the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. {20:25} And
now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the
kingdom, shall see my face no more. {20:26} Wherefore I testify unto
you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. {20:27} For I
shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. {20:28}
Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy
Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he
purchased with his own blood. {20:29} I know that after my departing
grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;
{20:30} and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. {20:31}
Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I
ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears. {20:32} And
now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able
to build [you] up, and to give [you] the inheritance among all them
that are sanctified. {20:33} I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or
apparel. {20:34} Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with me. {20:35} In all things I
gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive. {20:36} And when he had thus spoken,
he kneeled down and prayed with them all. {20:37} And they all wept
sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, {20:38} sorrowing most of
all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face
no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.



   {21:1} And when it came to pass that were parted from them and had
set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day
unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: {21:2} and having found a
ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. {21:3}
And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand,
we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to
unlade her burden. {21:4} And having found the disciples, we tarried
there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he
should not set foot in Jerusalem. {21:5} And when it came to pass that
we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and
they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were
out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade
each other farewell; {21:6} and we went on board the ship, but they
returned home again. {21:7} And when we had finished the voyage from
Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode
with them one day. {21:8} And on the morrow we departed, and came unto
Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was
one of the seven, we abode with him. {21:9} Now this man had four
virgin daughters, who prophesied. {21:10} And as we tarried there some
days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
{21:11} And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own
feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews
at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver
him into the hands of the Gentiles. {21:12} And when we heard these
things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to
Jerusalem. {21:13} Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking
my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. {21:14} And when he would not
be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. {21:15}
And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
{21:16} And there went with us also [certain] of the disciples from
Caesarea, bringing [with them] one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple,
with whom we should lodge. {21:17} And when we were come to Jerusalem,
the brethren received us gladly. {21:18} And the day following Paul
went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. {21:19}
And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which
God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry. {21:20} And
they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou
seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them
that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: {21:21} and
they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the
Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to
circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. {21:22}
What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.
{21:23} Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that
have a vow on them; {21:24} these take, and purify thyself with them,
and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all
shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been
informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly,
keeping the law. {21:25} But as touching the Gentiles that have
believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves
from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is
strangled, and from fornication. {21:26} Then Paul took the men, and
the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple,
declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the
offering was offered for every one of them. {21:27} And when the seven
days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in
the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, {21:28}
crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men
everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and
moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this
holy place. {21:29} For they had before seen with him in the city
Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into
the temple. {21:30} And all the city was moved, and the people ran
together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the
temple: and straightway the doors were shut. {21:31} And as they were
seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band,
that all Jerusalem was in confusion. {21:32} And forthwith he took
soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they
saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. {21:33}
Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded
him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he
had done. {21:34} And some shouted one thing, some another, among the
crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he
commanded him to be brought into the castle. {21:35} And when he came
upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the
violence of the crowd; {21:36} for the multitude of the people followed
after, crying out, Away with him. {21:37} And as Paul was about to be
brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say
something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek? {21:38} Art
thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to
sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the
Assassins? {21:39} But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a
citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak
unto the people. {21:40} And when he had given him leave, Paul,
standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and
when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew
language, saying,



   {22:1} Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make
unto you. {22:2} And when they heard that he spake unto them in the
Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith, {22:3} I am a
Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the
feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law
of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:
{22:4} and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering
into prisons both men and women. {22:5} 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 journeyed to Damascus to bring
them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.
{22:6} And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh
unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great
light round about me. {22:7} And I fell unto the ground, and heard a
voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? {22:8} And I
answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of
Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. {22:9} And they that were with me
beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake
to me. {22:10} 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. {22:11} 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. {22:12} And one Ananias, a
devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that
dwelt there, {22:13} came unto me, and standing by me said unto me,
Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on
him. {22:14} And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to
know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from
his mouth. {22:15} For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of
what thou hast seen and heard. {22:16} And now why tarriest thou?
arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.
{22:17} And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem,
and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, {22:18} and saw
him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem;
because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me. {22:19}
And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in
every synagogue them that believed on thee: {22:20} and when the blood
of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and
consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him. {22:21} And
he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the
Gentiles. {22:22} And they gave him audience unto this word; and they
lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the
earth: for it is not fit that he should live. {22:23} And as they cried
out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air, {22:24}
the chief captain commanded him be brought into the castle, bidding
that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what
cause they so shouted against him. {22:25} And when they had tied him
up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it
lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
{22:26} And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain
and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a
Roman. {22:27} And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me,
art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea. {22:28} And the chief captain
answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said,
But I am [a Roman] born. {22:29} They then that were about to examine
him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was
afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
{22:30} But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty wherefore he
was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests
and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him
before them.



   {23:1} And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren,
I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. {23:2}
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite
him on the mouth. {23:3} Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee,
thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law,
and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? {23:4} And they
that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? {23:5} And Paul
said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written,
Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people. {23:6} But when
Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other
Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a
son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am
called in question. {23:7} And when he had so said, there arose a
dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was
divided. {23:8} For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,
neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. {23:9} And
there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees
part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and
what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel? {23:10} And when
there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul
should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and
take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
{23:11} And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of
good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so
must thou bear witness also at Rome. {23:12} And when it was day, the
Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that
they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. {23:13} And
they were more than forty that made this conspiracy. {23:14} And they
came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound
ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed
Paul. {23:15} Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief
captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of
his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay
him. {23:16} But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and
he came and entered into the castle and told Paul. {23:17} And Paul
called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man
unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him. {23:18} So
he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, Paul the
prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto
thee, who hath something to say to thee. {23:19} And the chief captain
took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it
that thou hast to tell me? {23:20} And he said, The Jews have agreed to
ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou
wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. {23:21} Do not
thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them
more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither
to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready,
looking for the promise from thee. {23:22} So the chief captain let the
young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these
things to me. {23:23} And he called unto him two of the centurions, and
said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and
horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third
hour of the night: {23:24} and [he bade them] provide beasts, that they
might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
{23:25} And he wrote a letter after this form: {23:26} Claudius Lysias
unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. {23:27} This man was
seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon
them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a
Roman. {23:28} And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused
him, I brought him down unto their council: {23:29} whom I found to be
accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his
charge worthy of death or of bonds. {23:30} And when it was shown to me
that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee
forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.
{23:31} So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and
brought him by night to Antipatris. {23:32} But on the morrow they left
the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: {23:33} and
they, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the
governor, presented Paul also before him. {23:34} And when he had read
it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he
was of Cilicia, {23:35} I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine
accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's
palace.



   {24:1} And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with
certain elders, and [with] an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed
the governor against Paul. {24:2} And when he was called, Tertullus
began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace,
and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation, {24:3}
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with
all thankfulness. {24:4} But, that I be not further tedious unto thee,
I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. {24:5} For we
have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect
of the Nazarenes: {24:6} who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on
whom also we laid hold: [and we would have judged him according to our
law.] {24:7} [But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great
violence took him away out of our hands,] {24:8} [commanding his
accusers to come before thee.] from whom thou wilt be able, by
examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we
accuse him. {24:9} And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming
that these things were so. {24:10} And when the governor had beckoned
unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast
been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my
defense: {24:11} Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not
more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: {24:12}
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or
stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. {24:13}
Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
{24:14} But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they
call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things
which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
{24:15} having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,
that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. {24:16}
Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence
toward God and men always. {24:17} Now after some years I came to bring
alms to my nation, and offerings: {24:18} amidst which they found me
purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but [there
were] certain Jews from Asia-- {24:19} who ought to have been here
before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
{24:20} Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they
found when I stood before the council, {24:21} except it be for this
one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection
of the dead I am called in question before you this day. {24:22} But
Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them,
saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine
your matter. {24:23} And he gave order to the centurion that he should
be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of
his friends to minister unto him. {24:24} But after certain days, Felix
came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and
heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. {24:25} And as he
reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come,
Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I
have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. {24:26} He hoped
withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent
for him the oftener, and communed with him. {24:27} But when two years
were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to
gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.



   {25:1} Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three
days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. {25:2} And the chief priests
and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they
besought him, {25:3} asking a favor against him, that he would send for
him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way. {25:4} Howbeit
Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he
himself was about to depart [thither] shortly. {25:5} Let them
therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and
if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him. {25:6} And
when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went
down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and
commanded Paul to be brought. {25:7} And when he was come, the Jews
that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing
against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;
{25:8} while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the
Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.
{25:9} But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul
and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these
things before me? {25:10} But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar's
judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no
wrong, as thou also very well knowest. {25:11} If then I am a
wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not
to die; but if none of those things is [true] whereof these accuse me,
no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. {25:12} Then
Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast
appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go. {25:13} Now when
certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at
Caesarea, and saluted Festus. {25:14} And as they tarried there many
days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, There is a
certain man left a prisoner by Felix; {25:15} about whom, when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed [me],
asking for sentence against him. {25:16} To whom I answered, that it is
not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the
accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to
make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. {25:17} When
therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the
next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
{25:18} Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no
charge of such evil things as I supposed; {25:19} but had certain
questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was
dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. {25:20} And I, being perplexed
how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to
Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters. {25:21} But when Paul
had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded
him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar. {25:22} And Agrippa
[said] unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself.
To-morrow, saith he, thou shalt hear him. {25:23} So on the morrow,
when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were
entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal
men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in. {25:24}
And Festus saith, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with
us, ye behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made
suit to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to
live any longer. {25:25} But I found that he had committed nothing
worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined
to send him. {25:26} Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my
lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially
before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have
somewhat to write. {25:27} For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in
sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.



   {26:1} And Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for
thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:
{26:2} I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defense
before thee this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by
the Jews: {26:3} especially because thou art expert in all customs and
questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me
patiently. {26:4} My manner of life then from my youth up, which was
from the beginning among mine own nation and at Jerusalem, know all the
Jews; {26:5} having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing
to testify, that after the straitest sect of our religion I lived a
Pharisee. {26:6} And now I stand [here] to be judged for the hope of
the promise made of God unto our fathers; {26:7} unto which [promise]
our twelve tribes, earnestly serving [God] night and day, hope to
attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!
{26:8} Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the
dead? {26:9} I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many
things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. {26:10} And this I
also did in Jerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in
prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when
they were put to death I gave my vote against them. {26:11} And
punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them
blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them
even unto foreign cities. {26:12} Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus
with the authority and commission of the chief priests, {26:13} at
midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the
brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that journeyed
with me. {26:14} And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a
voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.
{26:15} And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest. {26:16} But arise, and stand upon thy feet: for
to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a
witness both of the things wherein thou hast seen me, and of the things
wherein I will appear unto thee; {26:17} delivering thee from the
people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee, {26:18} to open
their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the
power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an
inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. {26:19}
Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly
vision: {26:20} but declared both to them of Damascus first and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the
Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy
of repentance. {26:21} For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple,
and assayed to kill me. {26:22} Having therefore obtained the help that
is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great,
saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;
{26:23} how that the Christ must suffer, [and] how that he first by the
resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and
to the Gentiles. {26:24} And as he thus made his defense, Festus saith
with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad; thy much learning is turning
thee mad. {26:25} But Paul saith, I am not mad, most excellent Festus;
but speak forth words of truth and soberness. {26:26} For the king
knoweth of these things, unto whom also I speak freely: for I am
persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this hath
not been done in a corner. {26:27} King Agrippa, believest thou the
prophets? I know that thou believest. {26:28} And Agrippa [said] unto
Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a
Christian. {26:29} And Paul [said], I would to God, that whether with
little or with much, not thou only, but also all that hear me this day,
might become such as I am, except these bonds. {26:30} And the king
rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
{26:31} and when they had withdrawn, they spake one to another, saying,
This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. {26:32} And Agrippa
said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had
not appealed unto Caesar.



   {27:1} And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy,
they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named
Julius, of the Augustan band. {27:2} And embarking in a ship of
Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of
Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being
with us. {27:3} And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius
treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and
refresh himself. {27:4} And putting to sea from thence, we sailed under
the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. {27:5} And when we
had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came
to Myra, [a city] of Lycia. {27:6} And there the centurion found a ship
of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein. {27:7} And when
we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over
against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the
lee of Crete, over against Salmone; {27:8} and with difficulty coasting
along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; nigh
whereunto was the city of Lasea. {27:9} And when much time was spent,
and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone
by, Paul admonished them, {27:10} and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive
that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the
lading and the ship, but also of our lives. {27:11} But the centurion
gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to
those things which were spoken by Paul. {27:12} And because the haven
was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea
from thence, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter
[there; which is] a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east.
{27:13} And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had
obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete,
close in shore. {27:14} But after no long time there beat down from it
a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo: {27:15} and when the
ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way [to it,] and
were driven. {27:16} And running under the lee of a small island called
Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat: {27:17} and
when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship;
and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the
gear, and so were driven. {27:18} And as we labored exceedingly with
the storm, the next day they began to throw the [the freight]
overboard; {27:19} and the third day they cast out with their own hands
the tackling of the ship. {27:20} And when neither sun nor stars shone
upon [us] for many days, and no small tempest lay on [us,] all hope
that we should be saved was now taken away. {27:21} And when they had
been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and
said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have set sail
from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. {27:22} And now I
exhort you to be of good cheer; for there shall be no loss of life
among you, but [only] of the ship. {27:23} For there stood by me this
night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve, {27:24}
saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and lo, God hath
granted thee all them that sail with thee. {27:25} Wherefore, sirs, be
of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even so as it hath
been spoken unto me. {27:26} But we must be cast upon a certain island.
{27:27} But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to
and fro in the [sea of] Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that
they were drawing near to some country: {27:28} and they sounded, and
found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and
found fifteen fathoms. {27:29} And fearing lest haply we should be cast
ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and
wished for the day. {27:30} And as the sailors were seeking to flee out
of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as
though they would lay out anchors from the foreship, {27:31} Paul said
to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship,
ye cannot be saved. {27:32} Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the
boat, and let her fall off. {27:33} And while the day was coming on,
Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the
fourteenth day that ye wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.
{27:34} Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your
safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.
{27:35} And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks
to God in the presence of all; and he brake it, and began to eat.
{27:36} Then were they all of good cheer, and themselves also took
food. {27:37} And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and
sixteen souls. {27:38} And when they had eaten enough, they lightened
the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. {27:39} And when it was
day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a
beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.
{27:40} And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the
same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the
foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. {27:41} But lighting
upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the
foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break
up by the violence [of the waves]. {27:42} And the soldiers' counsel
was to kill the prisoners, lest any [of them] should swim out, and
escape. {27:43} But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them
from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast
themselves overboard, and get first to the land; {27:44} and the rest,
some on planks, and some on [other] things from the ship. And so it
came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.



   {28:1} And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was
called Melita. {28:2} And the barbarians showed us no common kindness;
for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present
rain, and because of the cold. {28:3} But when Paul had gathered a
bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason
of the heat, and fastened on his hand. {28:4} And when the barbarians
saw the [venomous] creature hanging from his hand, they said one to
another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped
from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live. {28:5} Howbeit he
shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm. {28:6} But they
expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but
when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to
him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. {28:7} Now
in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man
of the island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three
days courteously. {28:8} And it was so, that the father of Publius lay
sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and
laying his hands on him healed him. {28:9} And when this was done, the
rest also that had diseases in the island came, and were cured: {28:10}
who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on
board such things as we needed. {28:11} And after three months we set
sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose
sign was The Twin Brothers. {28:12} And touching at Syracuse, we
tarried there three days. {28:13} And from thence we made a circuit,
and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and
on the second day we came to Puteoli; {28:14} where we found brethren,
and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to
Rome. {28:15} And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came
to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom
when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. {28:16} And when we
entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the
soldier that guarded him. {28:17} And it came to pass, that after three
days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when
they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had
done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was
delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans: {28:18}
who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because
there was no cause of death in me. {28:19} But when the Jews spake
against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had
aught whereof to accuse my nation. {28:20} For this cause therefore did
I entreat you to see and to speak with [me]: for because of the hope of
Israel I am bound with this chain. {28:21} And they said unto him, We
neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee, nor did any of
the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. {28:22}
But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning
this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.
{28:23} And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into
his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded [the matter,]
testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus,
both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till
evening. {28:24} And some believed the things which were spoken, and
some disbelieved. {28:25} And when they agreed not among themselves,
they departed after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy
Spirit through Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, {28:26} saying,
Go thou unto this people, and say,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand;
And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive:
{28:27} For this people's heart is waxed gross,
And their ears are dull of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed;
Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart,
And should turn again,
And I should heal them.

   {28:28} Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God
is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear. {28:29} [And when he
had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among
themselves.] {28:30} And he abode two whole years in his own hired
dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, {28:31} preaching the
kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus
Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him.




