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1 In the first account I composed, O Theophilus, concerning all the things that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day He was taken up, having given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen, 3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering with many proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And being assembled together, He instructed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father: "That which you heard of Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days after these." 6 So indeed those having come together were asking Him, saying, "Lord, at this time are you restoring the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not yours to know times or seasons that the Father put in place by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and you will be witnesses for Me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth." 9 And having said these things, they beholding, He was lifted up, and a cloud hid Him from their eyes. 10 And as they were looking intently into heaven as He was going, then behold, two men in white apparel stood by them, 11 who also said, "Men, Galileans, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, having been taken up from you into heaven, will thus come in that manner you beheld Him going into heaven." 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, holding a Sabbath day's journey. 13 And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying, both Peter and John, and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were steadfastly continuing with one accord in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. 15 And in these days, Peter having stood up in the midst of the brothers, and the number of names was about a hundred twenty together, the same said, 16 "Men, brothers, it was necessary for the Scripture to have been fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, the one having become guide to those having arrested Jesus. 17 For he was numbered with us, and was allotted a share of this ministry." 18 (Then indeed this man acquired a field out of the reward of unrighteousness, and having fallen headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 "For it has been written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be not one dwelling in it,' and, 'Let another take his position.' 21 Therefore it behooves the men having accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, 22 having begun from the baptism of John until the day in which He was taken up from us, one of these, to become a witness with us of His resurrection." 23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was called Justus, and Matthias. 24 And having prayed, they said, "You Lord, knower of the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have chosen 25 to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas turned aside to go to the own place." 26 And they gave lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. 2 And during the arriving of the day of Pentecost, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came out of heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them dividing tongues as of fire and sat upon each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit was giving to them to utter forth. 5 Now there were Jews dwelling in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 Now of this sound having come about, the multitude came together and was confounded, because each one was hearing them speaking the own language. 7 And they were amazed and were marveling, saying, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how do we each hear our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites; and those inhabiting Mesopotamia, also Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around Cyrene; and those visiting from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts; Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great things of God!" 12 And all were amazed, and were perplexed, saying to one another, "What wishes this to be?" 13 But others mocking were saying, "They are full of new wine." 14 But Peter, having stood up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke forth to them: "Men of Judea and all those inhabiting Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words. 15 For these are not drunkards as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that having been spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 And it will be in the last days, God says, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your elders will dream dreams. 18 And even upon My servants, and upon My handmaidens, I will pour out of My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heaven above, and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord coming. 21 And it shall be that everyone who shall call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.' 22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man having been set forth by God to you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in your the midst, as you yourselves know, 23 Him delivered up by the determinate plan and foreknowledge of God, you put to death, having crucified Him by lawless hands, 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the agony of death, inasmuch as it was not possible for Him to be held by it. 25 For David says about Him: 'I foresaw the Lord before me continually; because He is at my right hand, I should not be shaken. 26 Because of this my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced, and now also my flesh will dwell in hope, 27 for You will not abandon my soul into Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life, You will fill me with joy in Your presence.' 29 Men, brothers, it is permitted me to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David, that both he died and was buried, and his tomb is among us unto this day, 30 being therefore a prophet and knowing that God swore to him with an oath to set out of the fruit of his loins upon his throne. 31 Having foreseen, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was He abandoned into Hades, nor did His flesh see decay. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, to which we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore having been exalted at the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you are both seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at My right hand, 35 until I place Your enemies as a footstool of Your feet.' 36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified." 37 And having heard, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Men, brothers, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter says to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all those at a distance, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself." 40 And he earnestly testified many other words and was exhorting them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Therefore those indeed having received his word were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added. 42 Now they were steadfastly continuing in the teaching of the apostles, and in the fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers. 43 And awe was coming upon every soul, and both many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those having believed were together the same, and having all things in common. 45 And they were selling the possessions and the goods, and were dividing them to all, as anyone had need. 46 And every day they were steadfastly continuing with one accord in the temple and breaking bread at each house. They were partaking of food with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord kept adding every day to their number those who were being saved. 3 Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth. 2 And a certain man was being carried, being lame from his mother's womb, whom they placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful to ask for alms from those going into the temple, 3 who having seen Peter and John being about to enter into the temple, was asking to receive alms. 4 Now Peter having looked intently upon him, with John, said, "Look unto us." 5 And he began to give heed to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, "Silver and gold, to me there is none; but what I have, this I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" 7 And having taken him by the right hand, he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were strengthened. 8 And leaping up, he stood and began walking, and he entered into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they recognized him, that he was the one sitting for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at that having happened to him. 11 Now as he is clinging to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch called Solomon's, greatly amazed. 12 But having seen it, Peter answered to the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this? Or why do you look intently on us as if by our own power or godliness we have made him to walk? 13 The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus, whom indeed you betrayed and disowned in the presence of Pilate, that one having adjudged to release Him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and requested a murderer to be granted to you. 15 And you killed the Author of life, whom God has raised up out from the dead, whereof we are witnesses. 16 And on the faith in His name, this man whom you see and know, His name has strengthened; and the faith which is through Him has given to him this complete soundness before all of you. 17 And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers also. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ should suffer, He has thus fulfilled. 19 Repent, therefore, and turn again, for the blotting out of your sins, 20 so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the One having been appointed to you, Christ Jesus, 21 whom indeed it behooves heaven to receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from the age. 22 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up to you a prophet like me out from your brothers. You will listen to Him in all things, as many as He might say to you. 23 And it will be that every soul who might not heed that prophet will be utterly destroyed out from the people.' 24 And also all the prophets from Samuel, and those subsequently, as many as have spoken, also have proclaimed these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed.' 26 God, having raised up His servant, sent Him first to you, blessing you in turning away each of you from your wickednesses." 4 And of them speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being distressed because of their teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection out from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them and put them in custody until the next day; for it was already evening. 4 But many of those having heard the word believed, and the number of the men became about five thousand. 5 And it came to pass on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of high-priestly descent. 7 And having placed them in the midst, they began to inquire, "In what power or in what name have you done this?" 8 Then Peter, having been filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined this day as to a good work to the ailing man, by what means he has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth--whom you crucified, whom God raised out from the dead--in Him this man stands before you sound. 11 This is 'the stone having been rejected by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.' 12 And there is salvation in no other, for there is not another name under heaven having been given among men, by which it behooves us to be saved." 13 Now seeing the boldness of Peter and of John, and having understood that they are unschooled and ordinary men, they were astonished. And they recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man having been healed standing with them, they had nothing to contradict. 15 But having commanded them to go outside the Council, they began to confer with one another, 16 saying, "What shall we do to these men? For truly that a noteworthy sign has come to pass through them is evident to all those inhabiting Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it. 17 But that it might not spread further on among the people, let us warn them to speak no longer to any man in this name." 18 And having called them, they commanded them not to speak nor to teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answering, said to them, "Whether it is right before God to listen to you, rather than God, you must judge. 20 For we are not able to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 And having further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way they might punish them, on account of the people, because all were glorifying God for that having happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing had taken place was more than forty years old. 23 Now having been let go, they came to the own and reported how much the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And having heard, they lifted up their voice with one accord to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, 25 having spoken by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: 'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.' 27 For in truth, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together in this city against Your holy servant Jesus whom You anointed, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose had determined beforehand to happen. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to Your servants to speak Your word with all boldness, 30 in that You stretch out Your hand for healing and signs and wonders to take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus." 31 And they having prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and were speaking the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the multitude of those having believed were one in heart and soul, and not one claimed anything of that which he possesses to be his own, but all things were theirs in common. 33 And with great power, the apostles were giving testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not even anyone in need among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses, selling them, were bringing the proceeds of what is sold, 35 and were laying them at the feet of the apostles, and distribution was made to each as anyone had need. 36 Now Joseph having been called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated, Son of encouragement), a Levite, a Cypriot at the birth, 37 having sold a field he owns, brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles. 5 Now a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a property, 2 and he kept back from the proceeds, also the wife being aware of it, and having brought a certain portion, he laid it at the feet of the apostles. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, because of why has Satan filled your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back from the proceeds of the land? 4 Remaining, did not it remain yours? And having been sold, was it not in the own authority? Why did you purpose this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!" 5 And hearing these words, Ananias, having fallen down, breathed his last. And great fear came upon all those hearing. 6 And the younger men having arisen, covered him, and having carried him out, buried him. 7 Now it came to pass about three hours afterward, his wife also came in, not knowing that having come to pass. 8 And Peter replied to her, "Tell me if you sold the land for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 But Peter said to her, "Why is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those having buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 And immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men having come in, found her dead; and having carried her out, they buried her by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all those hearing these things. 12 Now many signs and wonders were happening among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Colonnade. 13 Now none of the rest dared to join them, but the people were magnifying them. 14 And more believing in the Lord were added, multitudes both of men and women, 15 so as even to bring out the sick into the streets, and to put them on cots and mats, that of Peter coming, at least the shadow might envelop some of them. 16 Now the multitude from the cities surrounding Jerusalem also were coming together, bringing the sick and those being tormented by unclean spirits, who were all healed. 17 But the high priest, having risen up, and all those with him (being the sect of the Sadducees) were filled with jealousy, 18 and they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord, having opened the doors of the jail, having brought them out, also said, 20 "Go, and having stood in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life." 21 And having heard, they entered into the temple at the dawn and were teaching. Now the high priest having come, and those with him, called together the Council, even the whole Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison house to bring them. 22 But the officers, having come, did not find them in the prison. And having returned, they reported back, 23 saying, "We found the prison house shut, with all security, and the guards standing before the doors; but having opened them, we found no one inside." 24 Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were perplexed concerning them, what this might be. 25 And a certain one having come, reported to them, "Behold, the men whom you put in the prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!" 26 Then the captain, having gone with the officers, was bringing them, not with force, for they were afraid of the people lest they might be stoned. 27 And having brought them, they set them in the Council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, "By a charge we commanded you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring upon us the blood of this man." 29 But Peter and the apostles answering said, "It is necessary to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, having hanged Him on a tree. 31 God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those obeying Him." 33 And having heard, they were cut to the heart and were desiring to put them to death. 34 But a certain man having risen up in the Council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, commanded them to put the men outside for a short while. 35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you are about to do with these men. 36 For before these days, Theudas rose up, affirming himself to be somebody--to whom a number of men, about four hundred, were joined--who was put to death, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were dispersed; and it came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew away people after him. And he perished, and all, as many as were persuaded by him, were scattered. 38 And now I say to you, withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this work is from men, it will be overthrown. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow it, lest ever also you would be found fighting against God." 40 And they were persuaded by him. And having called in the apostles, having beaten them, they commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and they released them. 41 Therefore indeed they departed from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. 42 And every day, in the temple and in every house, they did not cease teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. 6 Now in these days when the disciples are multiplying, there arose a grumbling of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution. 2 So the Twelve, having called near the multitude of the disciples, said, "It is not desirable for us, having neglected the word of God, to attend tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, select out from yourselves seven men being well attested, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will appoint over this task. 4 And we will steadfastly continue in prayer and the ministry of the word." 5 And the statement was pleasing before 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 Nicolas of Antioch, a convert, 6 whom they set before the apostles. And having prayed, they laid the hands on them. 7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly, and a great multitude of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. 8 Now Stephen, full grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. 9 But certain of those from the synagogue called Freedmen, including Cyrenians and Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose, disputing with Stephen. 10 And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. 11 Then they suborned men, saying, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." 12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes; and having come upon him, they seized him and brought him to the Council. 13 And they set false witnesses, saying, "This man does not stop speaking words against this holy place and the Law. 14 For we have heard him saying that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us." 15 And having looked intently on him, all sitting in the Council saw his face as the face of an angel. 7 And the high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2 And he began to speak: "Men, brothers, and fathers, listen! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia, before his dwelling in Haran, 3 and said to him, 'Go out from your country and from your kindred, and come into the land that I will show you.' 4 Then having gone out from the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelt in Haran. And from there, after his father died, He removed him into this land in which you now dwell. 5 And He did not give to him an inheritance in it, not even the length of a foot; but He promised to give it to him for a possession, and his to descendants after him, there being to him no child. 6 But God spoke thus, that his seed will be a sojourner in a strange land, and they will enslave it, and will mistreat it four hundred years. 7 And the nation to which they will be in bondage, I will judge,' God said, 'and after these things they will come forth and will serve Me in this place.' 8 And He gave to him the covenant of circumcision; and thus he begat Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. 9 And the patriarchs, having envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him 10 and rescued him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he appointed him ruler over Egypt and over all his house. 11 And there came a famine upon all of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers were not finding sustenance. 12 Now Jacob, having heard there is grain in Egypt, sent forth our fathers first. 13 And on the second time, Joseph was made known to his brothers, and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph, having sent, called for his father Jacob and all the kindred, seventy-five souls in all. 15 And Jacob went down into Egypt and died, he and our fathers, 16 and they were carried over into Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. 17 Now as the time of the promise that God had sworn to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, 18 until there arose another king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 19 Having dealt treacherously with our race, he mistreated our fathers, making them abandon their infants so that they would not live. 20 In that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God, who was brought up three months in his father's house. 21 And he having been set outside, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and she brought him up as her own son. 22 And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. 23 Now when his period of forty years was fulfilled, it came into his mind to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel. 24 And having seen a certain one being wronged, he defended him and did vengeance for the one being oppressed, having struck down the Egyptian. 25 And he was supposing his brothers to understand that God is giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand. 26 And on the following day, he appeared to those who were quarreling and urged them to peace, having said, 'Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?' 27 But the one mistreating the neighbor pushed him away, having said, 'Who appointed you ruler and judge over us? 28 Do you desire to kill me, the same way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?' 29 Now at this remark, Moses fled, and became exiled in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. 30 And forty years having been passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire of a bush. 31 And Moses having seen it, marveled at the vision. And of him coming near to behold it, there was the voice of the Lord: 32 I am the God of your Fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.' And Moses, having become terrified, did not dare to look. 33 And the Lord said to him, 'Take off the sandal of your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground. 34 Having seen, I saw the oppression of My people in Egypt, and I have heard their groans, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.' 35 This Moses whom they rejected, having said, 'Who appointed you ruler and judge?'--him whom God sent and as ruler and redeemer by the hand of the angel having appeared to him in the bush-- 36 this one led them out, having done wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. 37 This is the Moses having said to the sons of Israel, 'God will raise up for you a prophet like me out from your brothers.' 38 This is the one having been in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel speaking to him in Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us, 39 to whom our fathers were not willing to be obedient, but thrust away, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt, 40 having said to Aaron, 'Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.' 41 And in those days they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and delivered them to worship the host of heaven, as it has been written in the book of the prophets: 'Did you offer slain beasts and sacrifices to Me forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? 43 And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch and the star of your god Rephan, the images that you made to worship them; and I will remove you beyond Babylon.' 44 The tabernacle of the testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, just as the One speaking to Moses had commanded to make it according to the pattern that he had seen, 45 also which, having received by succession, our fathers brought in with Joshua in taking possession of the nations whom God drove out from the face of our fathers, until the days of David, 46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built Him the house. 48 Yet the Most High does not dwell in hand-made houses. As the prophet says: 49 Heaven is My throne, and the earth a footstool of My feet. What kind of house will you build Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest? 50 Has not My hand made all these things?' 51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, also do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those having foretold about the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers, 53 you who received the Law by the ordination of angels, and have not kept it." 54 Now hearing these things, they were cut to their hearts and began gnashing the teeth at him. 55 But he being full of the Holy Spirit, having looked intently into heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens having been opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 And having cried out with a loud voice, they held their ears and rushed upon him with one accord, 58 and having cast him out of the city, began to stone him. And the witnesses laid aside their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 And having fallen on his knees, he cried in a loud voice, "Lord, do not place this sin to them." And having said this, he fell asleep. 8 And Saul was there consenting to his killing. And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 Now devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was destroying the church. Entering houses after houses and dragging off men and women, he was delivering them to prison. 4 Therefore indeed those having been scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Now Philip, having gone down to a city of Samaria, was proclaiming the Christ to them. 6 And the crowds with one accord were giving heed to the things being spoken by Philip in the time for them to hear and to see the signs that he was performing. 7 For from many of those having unclean spirits, they were coming out, crying in a loud voice. And many having been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city. 9 Now a certain man named Simon had formerly been practicing sorcery in the city and amazing the people of Samaria, declaring himself to be someone great, 10 to whom all were giving heed, from small to great, saying, "This one is the power of God that is called Great." 11 Now they were giving heed to him because for a long time he had amazed them with the magic arts. 12 But when they believed Philip, proclaiming the gospel concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 And Simon himself also believed, and having been baptized, was steadfastly continuing with Philip. And beholding the signs and great miracles being performed, he was amazed. 14 Now the apostles in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John, 15 who having come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For He was not yet fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they began laying the hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now of Simon having seen that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered to them money, 19 saying, "Give also to me this authority, that on whomever I may lay the hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "Your silver, may it perish with you, because you thought the gift of God to be obtained by money! 21 To you there is no part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray earnestly to the Lord, if indeed the intent of your heart will be forgiven you. 23 For I see you being in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity." 24 And Simon answering said, "You pray earnestly to the Lord on behalf of me, so that nothing of which you have spoken may come upon me." 25 Therefore they indeed, having earnestly testified and having spoken the word of the Lord, traveled back to Jerusalem, and they were preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans. 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Rise up and go toward the south, to the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is the desert road.) 27 And having risen up, he went. And behold, an Ethiopian eunuch, a potentate of Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 28 And he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and join yourself to this chariot." 30 And Philip having run up, heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and said, "Do you then understand what you are reading?" 31 And he said, "How indeed could I be able, unless someone will guide me?" And he invited Philip, having come up, to sit with him. 32 Now the passage of Scripture that he was reading was this: "He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb before the one shearing him is silent, so He does not open His mouth. 33 In His humiliation, justice was taken away from Him. Who will describe His generation? For His life is removed from the earth." 34 And the eunuch answering said to Philip, "I beseech you, concerning whom does the prophet say this? Concerning himself, or concerning some other?" 35 And Philip, having opened his mouth and having begun from this Scripture, proclaimed the good news to him--Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came upon some water, and the eunuch says, "Behold, water! What prevents me to be baptized?" 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop. And they both went down to the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no longer. For he went his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing through, he was proclaiming the gospel to all the towns until his coming to Caesarea. 9 Meanwhile, Saul still breathing out threats and murder toward the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest, 2 requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any being of the way, both men and women, having bound them, he might bring them to Jerusalem. 3 Now in proceeding, it came to pass as he draws near to Damascus, suddenly also a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" 5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise up and enter into the city, and it will be told you that which it behooves you to do." 7 And the men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice indeed, but seeing no one. 8 And Saul rose up from the ground, but of his eyes having been opened, he could see nothing. And leading him by the hand, they brought him to Damascus. 9 And he was three days without seeing, and neither did he eat nor drink. 10 Now there was a certain disciple in Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" And he said, "Behold me, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Having risen up, go into the street called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas the one of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he saw in a vision a man named Ananias, having come and having put the hands on him, so that he might see again." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how many evils he did to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all those calling on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is My vessel of choice to carry My name before the Gentiles, and also kings, and the sons of Israel. 16 For I will show to him how much it behooves him to suffer for My name." 17 And Ananias went away and entered into the house; and having laid the hands upon him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me that you may see again and be filled of the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. And having risen up, he was baptized, 19 and having taken food, he was strengthened. And he was some days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 And all those hearing were amazed and were saying, "Is this not the one having ravaged those in Jerusalem calling on this name? And he had come here for this, that he might bring them, having been bound, to the chief priests." 22 But Saul was empowered all the more and kept confounding the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 23 Now when many days had passed, the Jews plotted together to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. And now they were closely watching the gates day and also night, so that they might kill him. 25 But having taken him by night, his disciples let him down through the wall, having lowered him in a basket. 26 And having arrived in Jerusalem, he was attempting to join the disciples, and all were afraid of him, not believing that he is a disciple. 27 But Barnabas having taken him, brought him to the apostles and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was coming in and going out with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was speaking and was debating with the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. 30 But the brothers having known it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 31 Then indeed the churches throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified. And going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 32 Now it came to pass that Peter, passing through all quarters, also went down to the saints inhabiting Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed, lying on a bed for eight years. 34 And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise up and make the bed for yourself." And immediately he rose up. 35 And all those inhabiting Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 36 Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which translated is called Dorcas. She was full of good works and of alms that she continually did. 37 But in those days it came to pass that, having become sick, she died. And having washed her, they put her in an upper room. 38 Now Lydda being near Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter is in it, sent two men to him, imploring, "Do not to delay coming to us." 39 And Peter having risen up, went with them, who having arrived, brought him into the upper room. And all the widows stood by him, weeping and showing the tunics and garments that Dorcas had made, being with them. 40 And Peter having put all outside and having bowed the knees, prayed. And having turned to the body he said, "Tabitha, arise!" And she opened her eyes, and having seen Peter, she sat up. 41 And having given her his hand, he raised her up. And having called the saints and the widows, he presented her living. 42 And it became known throughout all of Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 And it came to pass, he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner. 10 Now a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius was a centurion of the Cohort that is called Italian, 2 devout and fearing God with all his household, doing many alms to the people and praying to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day, he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God having come to him and having said to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And having looked intently on him, and having become afraid, he said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and summon a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6 He lodges with a certain Simon, a tanner whose house is by the sea." 7 And when the angel speaking to him had departed, having called two of the servants and a devout soldier of those who are attending him, 8 and having related all things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 Now on the next day as these are journeying and are approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and desired to eat, but as they were preparing, a trance fell upon him, 11 and he beholds heaven opening, and a certain vessel as a great sheet descending, being let down upon the earth by four corners, 12 in which were all the quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth, and birds of heaven. 13 And a voice came to him: "Having risen up, Peter, kill and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "In no way, Lord! For never have I eaten anything common or unclean." 15 And a voice came again to him for the second time: "What God has cleansed, you do not call common." 16 Now this took place for three times, and immediately the vessel was taken up into heaven. 17 And while Peter was perplexed in himself what the vision that he had seen might be, behold, the men having been sent from Cornelius, having inquired for the house of Simon, stood at the gate. 18 And having called out, they were asking if Simon who is called Peter is lodged here. 19 And of Peter thinking over the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you. 20 But having risen, go down and proceed with them, doubting nothing, because I have sent them." 21 And Peter, having gone down to the men, said, "Behold, I am whom you seek; what is the cause for which you are here?" 22 And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous and God fearing man--and being well testified to by the whole nation of the Jews--was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to his house and to hear a message from you." 23 Therefore having called them in, he lodged them. And on the next day having risen up, he went forth with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 And on the next day, he entered into Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relatives and close friends. 25 And as Peter was entering, Cornelius, having met him, having fallen at the feet, worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Rise up, I myself am also a man." 27 And talking with him, he entered, and he finds many having gathered together. 28 And he was saying to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to unite himself or to come near to a foreigner. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean. 29 So also without objection I came, having been summoned. Therefore I inquire, for what reason did you summon me?" 30 And Cornelius was saying, "Four days ago, until this hour, the ninth hour, I was praying in my house; and behold, a man in bright apparel stood before me, 31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and call for Simon, who is called Peter; He lodges in the house of Simon, a tanner by the sea.' 33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and you did well, having come. Now therefore, we are all present before God to hear all the things having been commanded you by the Lord." 34 And Peter, having opened the mouth, said, "Of a truth I understand that God is not One who shows partiality, 35 but in every nation, the one fearing Him and working righteousness is acceptable to Him, 36 the word that He sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the gospel, peace by Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all. 37 You yourselves know the declaration having come through all Judea, having begun from Galilee, after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all those being oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things that He did, both in the region of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they also put to death, having hanged Him on a tree. 40 This One God raised up on the third day, and gave Him to become manifest, 41 not to all the people, but to the witnesses having been chosen beforehand by God, to us who did eat with and drink with Him after His rising out from the dead. 42 And He instructed us to proclaim to the people and to testify fully that He is the One having been appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone believing in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name." 44 Of Peter still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those hearing the word. 45 And the believers from the circumcision, as many as had come with Peter, were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit has been poured out even upon the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 "Is anyone able to withhold the water to baptize these who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we also have?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain some days. 11 Now the apostles and the brothers being in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision began contending with him, 3 saying, "You went to men having uncircumcision, and ate with them." 4 Now Peter having begun, set forth to them in order, saying, 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel like a great sheet descending, being let down out of heaven by four corners, and it came down as far as me. 6 Having looked intently on it, I was observing it, and I saw the quadrupeds of the earth and the wild beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air. 7 And also I heard a voice saying to me, 'Having risen up, Peter, kill and eat.' 8 But I said, 'In no way, Lord. For nothing ever common or unclean has entered into my mouth.' 9 But for a second time the voice answered out of heaven, 'What God has cleansed, you do not call unholy.' 10 Now this happened on three times, and all was drawn up into heaven again. 11 And behold, immediately three men having been sent to me from Caesarea stood at the house in which I was. 12 Now the Spirit told me to go with them, not having discriminated. Now these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the man's house, 13 and he related to us how he had seen the angel having stood in his house and having said, 'Send forth to Joppa, and send for Simon who is called Peter, 14 who will speak words to you in which will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 And in my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, even as also upon us in the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 If then God has given to them the same gift as also to us having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, how was I able to forbid God?" 18 And having heard these things, they were silent and glorified God, saying, "Then indeed God has given also to the Gentiles repentance unto life." 19 So indeed those having been scattered by the tribulation having taken place over Stephen passed through to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who having come into Antioch, were speaking also to the Hellenists, proclaiming the gospel--the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number, having believed, turned to the Lord. 22 Now the report concerning them was heard in the ears of the church being in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, 23 who having come and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced and was exhorting all to abide in the Lord with resolute purpose of heart. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large crowd was added to the Lord. 25 And he went forth to Tarsus to seek Saul, 26 and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. Now it came to pass that they also gathered together an entire year in the church, and taught a large crowd. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus, having risen up, signified by the Spirit that a great famine is about to be over the whole world--which came to pass under Claudius. 29 And the disciples, as anyone was prospered, each of them determined to send for ministry to the brothers dwelling in Judea, 30 which also they did, having sent it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. 12 Now at that time, Herod the king put forth the hands to mistreat some of those of the church. 2 And he put to death James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also--now these were the days of the Unleavened Bread-- 4 whom also, having seized, he put in prison, having delivered him to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 So indeed Peter was kept in the prison, but fervent prayer was being made to God by the church concerning him. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains, and guards before the door were watching the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the cell. And having struck Peter's side, he woke him up, saying, "Rise up in haste." And his chains fell off the hands. 8 And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself about, and put on your sandals." And He did so. And he says to him, "Wrap around you your cloak and follow me." 9 And having gone forth, he was following, and he did not know that what is happening by means of the angel is real, but he was thinking he saw a vision. 10 And having passed through a first and a second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them by itself. And having gone out, they went on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And having come to himself, Peter said, "Now I know truly that the Lord has sent forth His angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the people of the Jews." 12 And having considered it, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is called Mark, where there were many having gathered together and praying. 13 And of him having knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 And having recognized Peter's voice, from joy she did not open the gate, but having run in, she reported Peter to be standing before the gate. 15 But they said to her, "You are out of your mind." But she kept insisting it to be so. And they kept saying, "It is his angel." 16 But Peter continued knocking. And having opened it, they saw him and were amazed. 17 And having made a sign to them with the hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and to the brothers." And having gone out, he went to another place. 18 Now day having come, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers what then has become of Peter. 19 And Herod having sought after him and not having found him, having examined the guards, commanded them to be led away to death. And having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he stayed there. 20 Now he had been furiously angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians, and they came to him with one accord. And having gained Blastus, who was over the bedchamber of the king, they were seeking peace because of their region being nourished by the king's. 21 Now on the appointed day Herod, having put on the royal apparel and having sat on the throne, was making an address to them. 22 And the people were crying out, "This is the voice of a god and not of a man!" 23 And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him in return for that he did not give the glory to God. And having been eaten by worms, he breathed his last. 24 But the word of God continued to grow and to multiply. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned, having fulfilled the mission to Jerusalem, having taken with them John the one having been called Mark. 13 Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church being there, both Barnabas and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 Now as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart then to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 Then having fasted and having prayed and having laid the hands on them, they sent them off. 4 Therefore indeed having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and they sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 And having come into Salamis, they began proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John as a helper. 6 Now having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. He, having summoned Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for his name means thus) was opposing them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith. 9 And Saul, the one also called Paul, having been filled the Holy Spirit, having looked intently upon him, 10 said, "O full of all deceit and all craft, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways the of Lord? 11 And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun during a season." And immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and going about, he was seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul, having seen that having happened, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 13 And those around Paul, having sailed from Paphos, came to Perga of Pamphylia. But John, having departed from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 Now having passed through from Perga, they came to Antioch of Pisidia, and having gone into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbaths, they sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and of the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men, brothers, if there is any word of exhortation among you toward the people, speak." 16 And Paul, having risen up and having made a sign with the hand, said, "Men of Israel and those fearing God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people in the sojourn in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm He brought them out of it, 18 and for a period of about forty years He endured their ways in the wilderness, 19 and having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave as an inheritance their land-- 20 during four hundred and fifty years. And after these things, He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And having removed him, He raised up David to them as king, to whom also He said, having carried witness: 'I have found David the son of Jesse a man according to My heart, who will do all My will.' 23 Of the seed of this man, according to promise, God raised up to Israel the Savior, Jesus-- 24 John having proclaimed before the face of His coming a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And while John was fulfilling the course, he was saying, 'Whom do you suppose me to be? I am not He, but behold, He comes after me, of whom I am not worthy to untie a sandal of the feet.' 26 Men, brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you fearing God, to us the message of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those dwelling in Jerusalem and their rulers, not having known Him and the voices of the prophets that are being read on every Sabbath, having condemned Him, they fulfilled them. 28 And having found no cause of death, they begged Pilate to put Him to death. 29 And when they had finished all the things having been written about Him, having taken Him down from the tree, they put Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him out from the dead, 31 who appeared for many days to those having come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach the gospel to you, the promise having been made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this to us their children, having raised up Jesus, as also it has been written in the second psalm: 'You are My Son, today I have begotten you.' 34 And that He raised Him out from the dead, no more being about to return to decay, He spoke thus: 'I will give to you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 35 Therefore He also says in another: 'You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.' 36 For indeed David, having served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was added to his fathers, and saw decay. 37 But the One God raised up did not see decay. 38 Therefore be it known to you, men, brothers, that through this One, forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 And in Him everyone believing is justified from all things from which you were not able to be justified in the Law of Moses. 40 Take heed therefore, lest that having been said in the prophets might come about: 41 Behold, scoffers, and wonder and perish; for I am working a work in your days, a work that you would never believe, even if one should declare it to you.'" 42 And they having departed, they were begging these words to be spoken to them on the next Sabbath. 43 And the synagogue having broken up, many of the Jews and worshipping converts followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, kept persuading them to continue in the grace of God. 44 And on the coming Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But the Jews, having seen the crowds, were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, blaspheming. 46 And Paul and Barnabas, having spoken boldly, said, "It was necessary for the word of God to be spoken first to you. But since you thrust it away and do not judge yourselves worthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For thus the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, you to be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.'" 48 And the Gentiles hearing it were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was carried through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the worshipping women of honorable position and the principals of the city, and they stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But having shaken off the dust of the feet against them, they went to Iconium; 52 and the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. 14 Now it came to pass in Iconium, according to the same, they entered into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke so that a great number of both Jewish and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 Therefore indeed they stayed a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done through their hands. 4 Now the multitude of the city was divided, and indeed some were with the Jews, but some with the apostles. 5 And when there was a rush both of the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, 6 having become aware, they fled to the Lycaonian cities Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region, 7 and there they continued preaching the gospel. 8 And in Lystra a certain man was sitting, crippled in the feet, lame from the womb of his mother, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking, who having looked intently at him and having seen that he has faith to be healed, 10 said in a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!" And he sprang up and began to walk. 11 And the crowds having seen what Paul had done, lifted up their voice in Lycaonian saying, "The gods have come down to us, having become like men." 12 And Barnabas, they began calling Zeus; and Paul, Hermes, because he was the leading speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, being just outside the city, having brought oxen and wreaths to the gates, was desiring with the crowds to sacrifice. 14 But the apostles Barnabas and Paul having heard, having torn their garments, rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, "Men, why do you do these things? We also are men of like nature with you, proclaiming the gospel to you, to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, 16 who in the generations past allowed all the nations to go their own ways. 17 And yet He has not left Himself without witness, doing good, giving to you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness." 18 And saying these things, they hardly stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them. 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, and having stoned Paul, they dragged him outside the city, supposing him to have died. 20 But the disciples having surrounded him, having risen up, he entered into the city. And on the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And having proclaimed the gospel to that city and having discipled many, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith and that "through many tribulations it behooves us to enter into the kingdom of God." 23 Now having chosen elders for them in every church, having prayed, with fasting they committed them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. 24 And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia, 25 and having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 Now having arrived and having gathered together the church, they began declaring all that God had done with them, and that He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples. 15 But certain ones having come down from Judea were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you are not able to be saved." 2 Having been brought about, then, no small commotion and discussion by Paul and Barnabas with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and certain others out from them to go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 Therefore indeed having been sent forward by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, relating in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all the brothers. 4 And having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders. And they declared all that God had done with them. 5 Now certain of those who believed, from the sect of the Pharisees, rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses." 6 And both the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. 7 And much discussion having taken place, Peter having risen up, said to them, "Men, brothers, you know that from the early days God chose among you for the Gentiles to hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and to believe. 8 And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, having given them the Holy Spirit, as also to us. 9 And He made no distinction between both us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith. 10 Now therefore, why are you testing God, to put upon the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe ourselves to be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they also are." 12 Now the whole multitude kept silent and were listening to Barnabas and Paul relating what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them. 13 And after they were silent, James answered, saying, "Men, brothers, hear me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited to take out of the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16 After these things I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it upright, 17 so that the remnant of men may seek out the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom has been called My name, upon them, says the Lord, doing these things, 18 known from eternity.' 19 Therefore I judge not to trouble those from the Gentiles turning to God, 20 but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and sexual immorality, and that which is strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has ones proclaiming him in every city from generations of old, being read in the synagogues on every Sabbath." 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole church, having chosen out from them, to send men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 having written by their hand: "The apostles and the elders, brothers, To those brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from us, to whom we had given no instructions, and troubled you by words, upsetting your minds, 25 it seemed good to us, having come with one accord, having chosen men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men having handed over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they are telling you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no further burden, except these necessary things: 29 to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. Keeping yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell." 30 Therefore indeed having been sent off, they went to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude, they delivered the letter. 31 And having read it, they rejoiced at the encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, exhorted and strengthened the brothers by much talk. 33 And having continued a time, they were sent away in peace from the brothers to those having sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the good news, the word of the Lord, with many others also. 36 Now after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Indeed, having turned back, let us look after the brothers, how they are, in every city in which we have announced the word of the Lord." 37 Now Barnabas purposed also to take along John, called Mark. 38 But Paul thought fit not to take him along, the one having withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and not having gone with them to the work. 39 Therefore a sharp disagreement arose, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas having taken Mark, sailed to Cyprus. 40 But Paul, having chosen Silas, went forth, having been committed to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. 41 And he was passing through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. 16 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman and a Greek father, 2 who was well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this one to go forth with him, and having taken him, he circumcised him on account of the Jews being in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 And while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering to them to keep the decrees decided on by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So indeed the churches were strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number every day. 6 And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, 7 and having come down to Mysia, they were attempting to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 And having passed by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul during the night: A certain man of Macedonia was standing and beseeching him and saying, "Having passed over into Macedonia, help us." 10 Now when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go forth to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. 11 And having sailed from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were staying some days in this city. 13 And on the day of the Sabbaths, we went forth outside the city gate, by a river, where there was customary to be a place of prayer. And having sat down, we began speaking to the women having gathered. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, worshiping God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to attend to the things being spoken by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her house, she begged, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, having entered into my house, abide." And she persuaded us. 16 Now it happened of us going to the place of prayer, a certain girl, having a spirit of Python, met us, who was bringing her masters much gain by fortune-telling. 17 Having followed Paul and us, she was crying out, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." 18 And she continued this for many days. And Paul having been distressed and having turned, said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her." And it came out that hour. 19 Now her masters having seen that their hope of profit was gone, having taken hold of Paul and Silas, dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And having brought them up to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city 21 and preach customs that it is not lawful for us, being Romans, to accept nor to practice." 22 And the crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates having torn off their garments, were commanding that they be beaten with rods. 23 And having laid many blows on them, they cast them into prison, having charged the jailer to keep them securely, 24 who having received such an order, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 Now toward midnight, Paul and Silas praying, were singing praises to God. And the prisoners were listening to them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that foundations of the prison house were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and the chains of all were loosed. 27 And the jailer having been awoken and having seen the doors of the prison open, having drawn his sword was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have escaped. 28 But Paul called out in a loud voice saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" 29 And having called for lights, he rushed in, and having become terrified, he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 And having brought them out, he was saying, "Sirs, what is necessary of me to do, that I may be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him along with all those in his house. 33 And having taken them in that hour of the night, he washed them from the wounds, and immediately he was baptized, and all his household. 34 And having brought them into the house, he laid a table for them and rejoiced with all his household, having believed in God. 35 And day having come, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Release those men." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul: "The captains have sent that you may be let go. Now therefore having gone out, depart in peace." 37 But Paul was saying to them, "Having beaten us publicly, uncondemned men being Romans, they cast us into prison, and now do they throw us out secretly? No indeed! Instead, having come themselves, let them bring us out." 38 And the officers reported these words to the captains, and they were afraid, having heard that they are Romans. 39 And having come, they appealed to them, and having brought them out, they were asking them to go out of the city. 40 And having gone forth out of the prison, they came to Lydia, and having seen them, they exhorted the brothers and departed. 17 And having passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. 2 And according to the custom with Paul, he went in to them and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 opening and setting forth that it behooved the Christ to have suffered and to have risen out from the dead, and that "this Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were obedient and joined themselves to Paul and to Silas, along with a great multitude of the worshipping Greeks, and not a few of the leading women. 5 Now the Jews having become jealous, and having taken to them certain wicked men of the market-loungers, and having collected a crowd, set the city in uproar. And having assailed the house of Jason, they were seeking them to bring out to the people. 6 But not having found them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the city authorities, crying out, "These ones having upset the world come here also, 7 whom Jason has received. And these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, proclaiming another to be king, Jesus." 8 And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities, hearing these things. 9 And having taken security from Jason and the rest, they let go them. 10 And the brothers sent away both Paul and Silas immediately by night to Berea, who having arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now these, who were more noble than those in Thessalonica, received the word with all readiness, on every day examining the Scriptures, whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them indeed believed, and not a few of the prominent Grecian women and men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God also was proclaimed by Paul in Berea, they came there also, stirring up and agitating the crowds. 14 And then immediately the brothers sent away Paul to go as to the sea. And both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Now those escorting Paul brought him unto Athens, and having received a command unto Silas and Timothy that as quickly as possible they should come to him, they departed. 16 Now of Paul in Athens waiting for them, his spirit was provoked in him, seeing the city to be utterly idolatrous. 17 So indeed he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and those worshiping, and in the marketplace on every day with those meeting him. 18 And also some of the Epicureans and Stoics, philosophers, encountered him, and some were saying, "What may this babbler desire to say?" but others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods," because he was proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And having taken hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "Are we able to know what is this new teaching which is spoken by you. 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. We resolve therefore to know what these things wish to be." 21 Now all the Athenians and the visiting strangers spent their time in nothing else than to tell something and to hear something new. 22 And Paul, having stood in the midst of the Areopagus, was saying, "Men, Athenians, I behold that in all things you are very religious. 23 For passing through and beholding your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which had been inscribed: To an unknown God. Therefore whom you worship not knowing, Him I proclaim to you. 24 The God having made the world and all things that are in it, He being Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in hand-made temples, 25 nor is He served by hands of men as needing anything, Himself giving to all life and breath and everything. 26 And He made from one man every nation of men, to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined the appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 to seek God, if perhaps indeed they might palpate for Him, and might find Him. And indeed, He is not far from each one of us. 28 For in Him we live and move and are.' As also some of the poets among you have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' 29 Therefore, being offspring of God, we ought not to consider the Divine Being to be like to gold or to silver or to stone, a graven thing of man's craft and imagination. 30 So indeed God, having overlooked the times of ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He set a day in which He is about to judge the world in righteousness by a man whom He appointed, having provided a guarantee to all, having raised Him out from the dead." 32 Now having heard of a resurrection of the dead, some indeed began to mock him, but some said, "We will hear you concerning this again also." 33 Thus Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men, having joined themselves to him, believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 18 And after these things, having departed from Athens, he came to Corinth. 2 And having found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, and Priscilla his wife, recently having come from Italy because of Claudius having commanded all the Jews to depart out of Rome, he came to them, 3 and because of being of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked. For they were tentmakers by the trade. 4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue on every Sabbath, persuading both Jews and Greeks. 5 Now when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, earnestly testifying to the Jews Jesus to be the Christ. 6 But of them opposing and reviling him, having shaken out the garments, he said to them, "Your blood be upon your head; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 And having departed from there, he came to the house of a certain one named Titius Justus, worshiping God, whose house was adjoining the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, with his all household. And many of the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized. 9 Now the Lord said to Paul through a vision in the night, "Do not fear, but continue speaking, and do not be silent, 10 because I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to harm you, because there are many people to me in this city." 11 And he remained a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But Gallio being proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and led him to the judgment seat, 13 saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the Law." 14 Now Paul being about to open the mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it was some unrighteousness or wicked crime, O Jews, according to reason I would have endured with you. 15 But if it is a question about a word, and names, and in reference to your law, you will see to it yourselves. I resolve not to be a judge of these things." 16 And he drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then all of them, having seized Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, began to beat him before the judgment seat. And it mattered nothing to Gallio about these things. 18 Now Paul, having remained many days more, having taken leave of the brothers, sailed away to Syria--and with him Priscilla and Aquila--having shaved the head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow. 19 Now they came to Ephesus, and left them there. And he himself having entered into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews. 20 Now of them asking him to remain for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but having taken leave and having said, "I will return to you again, God willing," he sailed from Ephesus, 22 and having landed at Caesarea, having gone up and having greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 And having stayed some time, he went forth, passing successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus, being an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures. 25 He was instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and was teaching earnestly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But Priscilla and Aquila having heard him, took him to them and expounded the way of God to him more accurately. 27 And he resolving to pass through into Achaia, the brothers, having encouraged him, wrote to the disciples to welcome him, who having arrived, helped greatly those having believed through grace. 28 For he was powerfully refuting the Jews publicly, showing by the Scriptures Jesus to be the Christ. 19 Now it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper parts to come to Ephesus, and having found certain disciples, 2 he also said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit, having believed?" And they said to him, "But not even did we hear that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into the baptism of John." 4 Then Paul said, "John baptized a baptism of repentance, telling the people that they should believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 And having heard, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And of Paul having laid the hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 And there were in all about twelve men. 8 And having entered into the synagogue, he was speaking boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But when some were hardened and were disbelieving, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, having departed from them, he took the disciples separately, reasoning every day in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 And this continued for two years, so that all those inhabiting Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons from his skin were brought to the ailing, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits left. 13 Now some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, also attempted to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those having evil spirits, saying, "I adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims." 14 And seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish high priest, were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answering, said to them, "Jesus I know, and Paul I am acquainted with; but you, who are you?" 16 And the man in whom was the evil spirit, having leapt on them, having overpowered them all, prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 Now this became known to all those inhabiting Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. And fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was being magnified. 18 And many of those having believed were coming, confessing and declaring their deeds, 19 and many of those having practiced the magic arts, having brought the books, burned them before all. And they counted up the prices of them and found it five myriads of silverlings. 20 Thus the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail with might. 21 Now after these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, having said, "After my having been there, it behooves me to see Rome also." 22 And having sent two of those ministering to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he remained for a time in Asia. 23 Now at the same time no small disturbance arose concerning the Way. 24 For a certain silversmith named Demetrius, making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen, 25 whom having brought together along with the workmen in such things, he said, "Men, you know that from this business is our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, this Paul, having persuaded them, has turned away a great many people, saying that they are not gods which have been made by hands. 27 Now not only is this business to us endangered to come into disrepute, but also for the temple of the great goddess Artemis to be reckoned for nothing, and also her majesty to be deposed, whom all Asia and the world worship." 28 And having heard, and having become full of rage, they were crying out saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion, and with one accord they rushed to the theatre, having dragged off Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travelers of Paul. 30 But of Paul intending to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 And also some of the Asiarchs being friends to him, having sent to him, were urging him not to venture into the theatre. 32 So some indeed were crying out one thing; others another. For the assembly was confused, and most did not know for what cause they were assembled. 33 Now out of the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews having thrust him forward. And Alexander, having motioned with the hand, was wanting to make a defense to the people. 34 But having recognized that he is a Jew, there was one cry from all, ongoing about two hours, crying out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." 35 Then having calmed the crowd, the town clerk says, "Men, Ephesians, what man is there indeed who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper of the great Artemis, and of that fallen from the sky? 36 Therefore these things being undeniable, it is necessary for you to be calm and to do nothing rash. 37 For you brought these men, neither temple plunderers nor blaspheming our goddess. 38 So if indeed Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against anyone, courts are conducted, and there are proconsuls; let them accuse one another. 39 But if you inquire anything beyond this, it will be solved in the lawful assembly. 40 And indeed, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection in regard to this day, there existing not one cause concerning which we will be able to give a reason for this commotion." 41 And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly. 20 Now after the uproar had ceased, Paul, having summoned the disciples and having encouraged them and having said farewell, departed to go to Macedonia. 2 And having passed through those districts and having exhorted them with much talk, he came to Greece. 3 And having continued three months, a plot having been made against him by the Jews, he being about to sail into Syria, a purpose arose to return through Macedonia. 4 And he was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, and Aristarchus, and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and the Asians Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 But these, having gone ahead, waited for us in Troas. 6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of the Unleavened Bread, and within five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed seven days. 7 And on the first day of the week, of us having come together to break bread, Paul, about to depart on the next day, talked to them and continued the talk until midnight. 8 Now there were many lamps in the upper room where we were assembled. 9 And a certain young man named Eutychus was sitting by the window, overpowered by deep sleep as Paul talked on longer. Having been overpowered by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul having descended, fell upon him, and having embraced him, he said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him!" 11 And having gone up, and having broken the bread, and having eaten, and having talked at length until daybreak, so he departed. 12 Then they brought the boy alive, and were not just a little comforted. 13 But we, having gone ahead to the ship, sailed to Assos, being about to take in Paul there. For having arranged thus, he was readying himself to go on foot. 14 Now when he met with us at Assos, having taken him in, we came to Mitylene. 15 And having sailed away from there, on the following day we arrived opposite Chios, and the next day we arrived at Samos, and the following day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus, so that it might not come upon him to spend time in Asia; for he was hastened, if it was possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. 17 And from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You know from the first day on which I arrived in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and tears, and trials having befallen me in the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink back from declaring to you anything being profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 earnestly testifying both to the Jewish and to Greeks repentance in God and faith in our Lord Jesus. 22 And now behold, bound in the Spirit I go to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me in it, 23 except that the Holy Spirit fully testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But I make my life neither dear nor any account to myself, so as to finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus: to testify fully the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that all of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you in this day that I am innocent of the blood of all. 27 For I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has set you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with the own blood. 29 I know that after my departure, grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, 30 and out from your own selves, men will rise up, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore stay awake, remembering that three years night and day I never ceased admonishing each one with tears. 32 And now I commit you to God and to the word of His grace, being able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those having been sanctified. 33 I coveted nobody's silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my needs and to those being with me. 35 In everything I showed you that by thus straining, it behooves us to aid those being weak, and also to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, 'It is more Blessed to give than to receive.'" 36 And having said these things, having bowed his knee, he prayed with them all. 37 Then there was much weeping among all, and having fallen upon the neck of Paul, they were kissing him, 38 sorrowing especially over the word that he had spoken, that they are about to see his face no more. Then they accompanied him to the ship. 21 And it happened that after having drawn away from them, having run directly in our sailing, we came to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a boat passing over into Phoenicia, having gone on board, we set sail. 3 And having sighted Cyprus and having left it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre, for the ship was unloading the cargo there. 4 And we remained there seven days, having sought out the disciples, who kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 And it happened that when we had completed the days, having set out, we journeyed, all accompanying us with wives and children as far as outside the city. And having bowed the knees on the shore, having prayed, 6 having said farewell to one another, we then went up into the boat, and they returned to the own. 7 And having completed the voyage from Tyre, we came down to Ptolemais, and having greeted the brothers, we stayed one day with them. 8 And having gone forth on the next day, we came to Caesarea, and having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, being of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 And with this man there were four daughters, virgins prophesying. 10 And remaining many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And having come to us and having taken Paul's belt, having bound his feet and hands, he said, "Thus the Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man whose belt this is, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 And when we had heard these things, both we and those of that place began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I have readiness not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 And of him not being persuaded, we were silent, having said, "The will of the Lord be done." 15 Now after these days, having packed the baggage, we started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing a certain Mnason, a Cypriot, an early disciple with whom we would lodge. 17 Now of our having arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 And on the following day, Paul went in with us unto James, and all the elders arrived. 19 And having greeted them, he began to relate, one by each, the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And those having heard began glorifying God, and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many myriads there are among the Jews having believed, and are all zealous ones for the Law. 21 Now they have been informed about you, that you teach all Jews among the Gentiles apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise the children nor to walk in the customs. 22 What then is it? Certainly they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we say to you. With us there are four men, having a vow on themselves. 24 Having taken these men, be purified with them and bear expense for them, so that they will shave the head, and all will know that of which they have been informed about you is nothing, but you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 Now concerning those of the Gentiles having believed, we wrote, having adjudged them to keep from both the things offered to idols, and blood, and what is strangled, and sexual immorality." 26 Then Paul, having taken the men on the following day, having been purified with them, entered into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of the purification until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. 27 Now when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having seen him in the temple, began stirring up the whole crowd and laid the hands upon him, 28 crying out, "Men, Israelites, help! This is the man teaching all those everywhere against the people and the Law and this place. And besides, he has also brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place." 29 For it was they having previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul had brought into the temple. 30 And the whole city was provoked, and there was a rushing together of the people. And having laid hold of Paul, they dragged him outside the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 And of them seeking to kill him, a report came to the commander of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar, 32 who at once, having taken with him soldiers and centurions, ran down upon them. And having seen the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then having drawn near, the commander laid hold of him and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and began inquiring who he might be and what it is he has been doing. 34 They were crying out in the crowd one thing, but others another. And he being unable to know the facts on account of the uproar, ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 Now when he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd. 36 For the multitude of the people were following, crying out, "Away with him." 37 And being about to be brought into the barracks, Paul says to the commander, "Is it permitted to me to say something to you?" Then he was saying, "Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not, then, the Egyptian, the one before these days having led a revolt and having led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the 'Assassins?'" 39 But Paul said, "I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Now I implore you, allow me to speak to the people." 40 And he having allowed him, Paul, having stood on the stairs, made a sign with the hand to the people. And great silence having taken place, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying: 22 "Men, brothers, and fathers, hear now my defense to you." 2 And having heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he says, 3 "I am a Jew, a man born in Tarsus of Cilicia and brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been instructed according to the exactness of the Law of our Fathers, being a zealous one of God, even as you all are this day, 4 who persecuted this Way as far as death, binding and betraying to prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest and the whole elderhood bears witness to me, from whom also having received letters to the brothers, I was on my way to Damascus to bring also those being there, bound to Jerusalem, in order that they might be punished. 6 But it happened to me, journeying and drawing near to Damascus about noon, that suddenly a great light out of heaven shone around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 8 And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' 9 And those being with me indeed beheld the light, but they did not hear the voice of the One speaking to me. 10 Then I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Having risen up, go to Damascus, and there it will be told you concerning all things that it has been appointed you to do.' 11 And while I could not see from the brightness of that light, I came to Damascus, being led by the hand by those being with me. 12 And a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, borne witness to by all the Jews dwelling there, 13 having come to me and having stood by me, said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And the same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice out of His mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you delay? Having arisen, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' 17 And it happened to me, having returned to Jerusalem and of my praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw Him saying to me, 'Make haste and go away with speed out of Jerusalem, because they will not receive your testimony about Me.' 19 And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in each of those synagogues I was imprisoning and beating those believing on You. 20 And when the blood of Your witness of Stephen was poured out, I myself also was standing by and consenting and watching over the garments of those killing him.' 21 And He said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" 22 Now they were listening to him until this word. Then they lifted up their voice, saying, "Away with such from the earth. For he is not fit to live!" 23 And they were crying out and casting off the garments and throwing dust into the air. 24 The commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, having directed him to be examined by flogging, so that he might know for what cause they were crying out against him like this. 25 But as he stretched him forward with the straps, Paul said to the centurion standing by, "Is it lawful to you to flog a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" 26 And the centurion having heard it, having gone to the commander, reported it saying, "What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman." 27 And having come near, the commander said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he was saying, "Yes." 28 Then the commander answered, "I bought this citizenship with a great sum." But Paul was saying, "But I even was born so." 29 So immediately those being about to examine him departed from him, and the commander also was afraid, having ascertained that he is a Roman, and because he had bound him. 30 And on the next day, desiring to know for certain why he is accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and the whole council to assemble. And having brought down Paul, he set him among them. 23 And having looked intently at the Council, Paul said, "Men, brothers, I have lived as a citizen in all good conscience to God unto this day." 2 Then the high priest Ananias commanded those standing by him to strike his mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God is about to strike you, whitewashed wall! And you, do you sit judging me according to the Law, and, violating law, command me to be struck?" 4 Now those who stood by said, "Do you insult the high priest of God?" 5 And Paul was saying, "I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it has been written: 'You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.'" 6 Then Paul, having known that the one part consists of Sadducees, but the other of Pharisees, began crying out in the Council, "Men, brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; I am judged concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead." 7 And of him saying this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the crowd was divided. 8 For indeed Sadducees say there to be no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but Pharisees confess both. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the party of the Pharisees, having risen up, were contending saying, "We find nothing evil in this man. And what if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 10 And great dissension arising, the commander, having feared lest Paul should be torn to pieces by them, commanded the troop, having gone down, to take him by force from their midst and to bring him into the barracks. 11 But the following night the Lord, having stood by him, said, "Take courage, for as you have fully testified about Me at Jerusalem, so also it behooves you to testify in Rome." 12 Then when it was day, the Jews having made a conspiracy, put themselves under an oath, declaring neither to eat nor to drink until they should kill Paul. 13 Now there were more than forty having made this conspiracy, 14 who, having come to the chief priests and the elders, said, "We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we should kill Paul. 15 Now therefore you with the Council make a report to the commander, so that he might bring him down to you, as being about to examine more earnestly the things about him. And we are ready to kill him before his drawing near." 16 But the son of Paul's sister, having heard of the ambush, having come near and having entered into the barracks, reported it to Paul. 17 Then Paul, having summoned one of the centurions, was saying, "Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him." 18 So indeed the one having taken him brought him to the commander, and he says, "Paul the prisoner, having called to me, asked me to lead this young man to you, having something to say to you." 19 Then the commander, having taken hold of his hand and having withdrawn in private, began to inquire, "What is it that you have to report to me?" 20 And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you might bring down Paul into the Council tomorrow, as being about to inquire something more earnestly about him. 21 You therefore should not be persuaded by them. For more than forty of their men lie in wait for him, who have put themselves under an oath neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him; and now they are ready, awaiting the promise from you." 22 So indeed the commander dismissed the young man, having instructed him, "Tell no one that you have reported these things to me." 23 And having summoned certain two of the centurions, he said, "Prepare for the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, so that they might go as far as Caesarea, 24 and provide mounts, so that having set Paul upon them, they might bring him safely to Felix the governor," 25 having written a letter having this form: 26 "Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent, governor Felix: Greetings. 27 This man having been seized by the Jews and being about to be killed by them, having come up with the troop, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman. 28 And resolving to know the charge on account of which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council, 29 whom I found being accused concerning questions of their Law, but having no accusation worthy of death or of chains. 30 And it having been disclosed to me of a plot that would be against the man, I sent him to you at once, also having instructed the accusers to speak these things against him before you." 31 Therefore indeed the soldiers, according to that having been ordered them, having taken Paul, brought him to Antipatris by night. 32 And on the next day, having allowed the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the barracks, 33 who having entered into Caesarea and having delivered the letter to the governor, also presented Paul to him. 34 And having read it and having asked what province he is from, and having learned that he is from Cilicia, 35 he was saying "I will hear you fully when your accusers may have arrived also," having commanded him to be guarded in the Praetorium of Herod. 24 And after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a certain orator, Tertullus, who made a representation against Paul to the governor. 2 And of him having been called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, "We are attaining great peace through you, and excellent measures are being done to this nation through your foresight. 3 Both in every way and everywhere, we gladly accept it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But in order that I should not be a hindrance you to any longer, I implore you to hear us briefly, in your kindness. 5 For we are having found this man a pest, and stirring insurrection among all the Jews in the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes 6 who even attempted to profane the temple, whom also we seized. 8 Having examined him yourself, you will be able to know from him concerning all these things of which we accuse him." 9 And the Jews also agreed, declaring these things to be so. 10 And the governor having made a sign to him to speak, Paul answered: "Knowing you as being judge to this nation for many years, I make a defense cheerfully to the things concerning myself. 11 You are able to know that there are to me not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12 And neither did they find me reasoning with anyone or making a tumultuous gathering of a crowd in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. 13 Nor are they able to prove to you concerning the things of which now they accuse me. 14 But I confess this to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things throughout the Law and that have been written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which they themselves also await, that there is about to be a resurrection, both of the just and of the unjust. 16 In this also I myself strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men through everything. 17 Now after many years, I arrived to bring alms to my nation, and offerings, 18 during which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor in tumult. But there are some Jews from Asia 19 who ought to appear before you and to make accusation if they may have anything against me. 20 Otherwise, let them say themselves any unrighteousness they found in me, having stood before the Council, 21 other than concerning this one voice, which I cried out standing among them: 'I am judged by you this day concerning the resurrection of the dead.'" 22 But Felix, more precisely having knowledge of the things concerning the Way, put them off, having said, "When Lysias the commander might have come down, I will examine the things as to you," 23 having commanded the centurion to keep him and to let him have ease and not to forbid his own to minister to him. 24 Then after some days, Felix, having arrived with the own wife Drusilla, being a Jewess, sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And of him reasoning concerning righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix, having become frightened, answered, "Go away for the present, and having found opportunity, I will call for you." 26 At the same time also he is hoping that riches will be given him by Paul. So also sending for him often, he was talking with him. 27 But two years having been completed, Felix received Porcius Festus as successor, and wishing to acquire for himself favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul imprisoned. 25 Therefore Festus, having arrived in the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the chiefs of the Jews made a presentation before him against Paul, and they were begging him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem, forming an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 So indeed Festus answered that Paul is to be kept in Caesarea, and he himself is about to set out in quickness. 5 He says, "Therefore those among you in power, having gone down together, if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him." 6 And having spent with them not more than eight or ten days, having gone down to Caesarea, on the next day having sat on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And he having arrived, the Jews having come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and weighty charges, which they were not able to prove. 8 Paul made his defense: "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned in anything." 9 But Festus, wishing to lay a favor on the Jews, answering, said to Paul, "Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?" 10 And Paul said, "I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where it behooves me to be judged. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. 11 Therefore if indeed I do wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing of which they can accuse me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!" 12 Then Festus, having conferred with the Council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!" 13 Now some days having passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice came down to Caesarea, greeting Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid before the king the things relating to Paul, saying, "There is a certain man left by Felix as a prisoner, 15 concerning whom, on my having been in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews made a presentation, asking judgment against him, 16 to whom I answered that it is not the custom with Romans to give up any man before that the one being accused may have it to face the accusers, and he may have the opportunity of defense concerning the accusation. 17 Therefore of them having come together here, having made no delay, the next day having sat on the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be brought, 18 concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing no charge of the crimes of which I was expecting. 19 But they had certain questions against him concerning their own religion and concerning a certain Jesus having been dead, whom Paul was affirming to be alive. 20 Now I, being perplexed concerning this inquiry, was asking if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there to be judged concerning these things. 21 But of Paul having appealed for himself to be kept for the decision of the Emperor, I commanded him to be kept until that I might send him to Caesar." 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I have been wanting also to hear the man myself." He says, "Tomorrow you will hear him." 23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice, having come with great pomp and having entered into the audience hall with both the commanders and the men in prominence in the city, and Festus having commanded, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus says, "King Agrippa and all men being present with us, you see this one concerning whom the whole multitude of the Jews pleaded with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out of him that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I, having understood him to have done nothing worthy of death, of this one himself now having appealed to the Emperor, I determined to send him, 26 concerning whom I have nothing definite to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that of the examination having taken place, I might have something to write. 27 For it seems absurd to me, sending a prisoner, not also to specify the charges against him." 26 And Agrippa was saying to Paul, "It is permitted you to speak for yourself." Then Paul, having stretched out the hand, began his defense: 2 "Concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I esteem myself fortunate before you, being about to defend myself today, 3 you being especially acquainted with all the customs and also controversies of the Jews. Therefore I implore you to hear me patiently. 4 Then indeed all the Jews know my manner of life which is from youth, having been from its beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 knowing me from the first, if they would be willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand being judged for the hope of the promise having been made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, serving in earnestness night and day, the hope concerning which I am accused by the Jews, O king. 8 Why is it judged incredible by you if God raises the dead? 9 Therefore I indeed in myself thought I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, 10 which also I did in Jerusalem. And I also locked up many of the saints in prisons, having received the authority from the chief priests; and they being put to death, I cast against them a vote. 11 And in all the synagogues, punishing them often, I was compelling them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly furious against them, I kept persecuting them even as far as to foreign cities, 12 during which, journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday on the road, O king, I saw, a light from heaven above, the brightness of the sun, having shone around me and those journeying with me. 14 And of all of us having fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 Then I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you a servant and a witness both of that which you have seen of Me, and of the things in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you out from the people and from the Gentiles to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.' 19 So then, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but both first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, I kept declaring to repent and to turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 21 On account of these things the Jews, having seized me being in the temple, were attempting to kill me. 22 Therefore having obtained help from God unto this day, I have stood bearing witness both to small and to great, saying nothing other than what both the prophets and Moses said was about to happen: 23 that Christ would suffer. As first through resurrection from the dead, He is about to preach light both to our people and to the Gentiles." 24 Now of him saying these things in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "You are insane, Paul! The great learning turns you to insanity!" 25 But Paul says, "I am not insane, most excellent Festus, but I speak words of truth and sobriety. 26 For the king understands concerning these things, to whom also I speak using boldness. For I am persuaded none of these things are hidden from him, for none of these things is done in a corner. 27 Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe." 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Within so little time do you persuade me to become a Christian?" 29 Then Paul said, "I would wish anyhow to God, both in a little and in much, not only you but also all those hearing me this day to become such as I also am, except these chains." 30 Then the king and the governor rose up, and Bernice and those sitting with them, 31 and having withdrawn, they began speaking to one another, saying, "This man is doing nothing worthy of death or of chains." 32 Then Agrippa was saying to Festus, "This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar." 27 Now when our sailing to Italy was determined, they delivered both Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the cohort of Augustus. 2 And having boarded a ship of Adramyttium being about to sail to the places along Asia, we set sail--Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius, having treated Paul considerately, allowed him, having gone to his friends, to receive care. 4 And having set sail from there, we sailed under Cyprus because of the winds being contrary. 5 And having sailed across the sea and along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion, having found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy, placed us into it. 7 Now sailing slowly for many days, and with difficulty having arrived off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us, we sailed under Crete, off Salmone. 8 And coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near to which was the city of Lasea. 9 Now much time having passed, and the voyage being already dangerous because of even the Fast already being over, Paul was admonishing them, 10 saying to them, "Men, I understand that the voyage is about to be filled with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also of our lives." 11 But the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and the ship owner, rather than by the things spoken by Paul. 12 And the harbor being unsuitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to set sail from there, if somehow they might be able, having arrived at Phoenix--a harbor of Crete looking toward the southwest and toward the northwest--to winter there. 13 Now a south wind having blown gently, having thought to have obtained the purpose, having weighed anchor, they began coasting along very near Crete. 14 But not long after, there came down from it a tempestuous wind called the Northeaster. 15 And the ship having been caught and not being able to face to the wind, having given way, we were driven along. 16 And having run under a certain island called Cauda, we were able with difficulty to gain control of the lifeboat, 17 which having taken up, they began using supports, undergirding the ship. And fearing lest they should fall into the sandbars of Syrtis, having lowered the gear, thus they were driven along. 18 And we being storm-tossed violently, on the next day they began to make a jettison of cargo, 19 and on the third day they cast away the tackle of the ship with the own hands. 20 And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small tempest lying on us, from then on all hope of our being saved was abandoned. 21 There being also much time without food, at that time having stood up in their midst, Paul said, "It behooved you indeed, O men, having been obedient to me, not to have set sail from Crete and to have incurred this disaster and loss. 22 And yet now I exhort you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life from among you, only of the ship. 23 For this night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me, 24 saying, 'Fear not, Paul. It behooves you to stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted to you all those sailing with you.' 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be thus, according to the way it has been said to me. 26 But it behooves us to fall upon a certain island." 27 And when the fourteenth night had come, of us being driven about in the Adriatic, toward the middle of the night the sailors began sensing some land to be drawing near to them. 28 And having taken soundings, they found twenty fathoms. Then having gone a little farther and having taken soundings again, they found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing lest we might fall somewhere on rocky places, having cast four anchors out of the stern, they were praying for day to come. 30 And of the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship and having let down the lifeboat into the sea under pretense as being about to cast out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these remain in the ship, you are not able to be saved." 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the lifeboat, and allowed her to fall away. 33 And until that day was about to come, Paul kept urging all to partake of food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you continue watching without eating, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I exhort you to take food, for this is for your preservation; for not one hair of your head will perish." 35 Now having said these things and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God before all; and having broken it, he began to eat. 36 And all, having been encouraged, also took food themselves. 37 And we were altogether two hundred seventy-six souls in the ship. 38 Then having been filled with food, they began to lighten the ship, casting out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay, having a shore on which they determined to drive the ship if they should be able. 40 And having cut away the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time having loosened the ropes of the rudders. And having hoisted the foresail to the blowing wind, they began making for the shore. 41 But having fallen into a place between two seas, they ran the vessel aground. And indeed the bow, having stuck fast, remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves. 42 Now the plan of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners, lest anyone, having swum away, should escape. 43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, hindered them of the purpose; and he commanded those being able to swim, having cast themselves off first, to go out on the land, 44 and the rest, some indeed on boards, and some on things from the ship. And thus it came to pass that all were brought safely to the land. 28 And having been saved, we then found out that the island is called Malta. 2 And the natives were showing not just the ordinary kindness to us. For having kindled a fire, they received all of us, because of the rain coming on and because of the cold. 3 Now of Paul having gathered a quantity of sticks and having laid them on the fire, a viper, having come out from the heat, fastened on his hand. 4 And when the natives saw the beast hanging from his hand, they began to say to one another, "By all means this man is a murderer whom, having been saved from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live." 5 Then indeed, having shaken off the creature into the fire, he suffered no injury. 6 But they were expecting him to be about to become inflamed or suddenly to fall down dead. But of them waiting a great while and seeing nothing amiss happening to him, having changed their opinion, they began declaring him to be a god. 7 Now in the parts around that place were lands belonging to the chief of the island, named Publius, who having received us, entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 And it came to pass, the father of Publius was lying, oppressed with fevers and dysentery, toward whom Paul, having entered and having prayed, having laid the hands on him, healed him. 9 And of this having taken place, also the rest in the island having infirmities were coming and were healed, 10 who also honored us with many honors, and on setting sail, they laid on us the things for our needs. 11 Then after three months, we sailed in an Alexandrian ship having wintered in the island, with a figurehead of the Dioscuri. 12 And having put in at Syracuse, we stayed three days, 13 from where having gone around, we arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind having come on, on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where having found some brothers, we were entreated to remain with them seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers from there, having heard the things concerning us, came out as far as the market of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us, whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage. 16 Now when we came to Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 And it came to pass after three days, he called together those being leaders of the Jews. And of them having come together, he was saying to them, "Men, brothers, having done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered from Jerusalem a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, 18 who having examined me, were wanting to let me go, on account of not one cause of death existing in me. 19 But of the Jews objecting, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as having anything to lay against my nation. 20 Therefore for this cause I have called to see you and to speak to you. For because of the hope of Israel, I have around me this chain." 21 Then they said to him, "We received neither letters concerning you from Judea, nor any of the brothers having arrived reported or said anything evil concerning you. 22 But we deem it worthy to hear from you what you think, for truly concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere." 23 Then having appointed him a day, many came to him to the lodging, to whom he expounded from morning to evening, fully testifying to the kingdom of God and persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 And indeed, some were persuaded of the things he is speaking, but some refused to believe. 25 And being discordant with one another they began to leave, Paul having spoken one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly by the prophet Isaiah to your fathers, 26 saying: 'Go to this people and say, "In hearing you will hear and never understand; and in seeing you will see and never perceive." 27 For the heart of this people has grown dull, and with the ears they barely hear, and they have closed their eyes, lest ever they should see with the eyes, and they should hear with the ears, and they should understand with the heart, and should turn, and I will heal them.' 28 Therefore be it known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" 30 And he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and was welcoming all coming unto him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, unhinderedly.