- Acts 15-28
- Chapter 15
- 1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye
be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they
determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem
unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria,
declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the
apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it
was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and
brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by
my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even
as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which
neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even
as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring
what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken
unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a
people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen
down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my
name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are
turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from
fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the
synagogues every sabbath day.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of
their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and
Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren
send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and
Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with
words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we
gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you
with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by
mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than
these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled,
and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the
multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many
words, and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren
unto the apostles.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the
Lord, with many others also.
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in
every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia,
and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the
other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of
God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
- Chapter 16
- 1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named
Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father
was a Greek:
2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the
Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that
were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.
5 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden
of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,
7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered
them not.
8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed
him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia,
assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.
11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the
next day to Neapolis;
12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a
colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.
13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be
made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which
worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things
which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have
judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she
constrained us.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of
divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the
most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.
18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I
command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same
hour.
19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and
Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly
trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being
Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their
clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the
jailor to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their
feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners
heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were
shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors
open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners
had been fled.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before
Paul and Silas,
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was
baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced,
believing in God with all his house.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let those men go.
36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let
you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have
cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come
themselves and fetch us out.
38 And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they
heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out
of the city.
40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had
seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
- Chapter 17
- 1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica,
where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with
them out of the scriptures,
3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the
dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.
4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a
great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of
the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted
the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of
the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;
7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying
that there is another king, one Jesus.
8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming
thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with
all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of
men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of
Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.
14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas
and Timotheus abode there still.
15 And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto
Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw
the city wholly given to idolatry.
17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and
in the market daily with them that met with him.
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And
some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of
strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new
doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what
these things mean.
21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else,
but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that
in all things ye are too superstitious.
23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription,
TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and
earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth
to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the
earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him,
though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets
have said, For we are also his offspring.
29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead
is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where
to repent:
31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness
by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that
he hath raised him from the dead.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We
will hear thee again of this matter.
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the
Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
- Chapter 18
- 1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his
wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and
came unto them.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their
occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.
5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit,
and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto
them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the
Gentiles.
7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that
worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house;
and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold
not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people
in this city.
11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord
against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.
14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a
matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:
15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will
be no judge of such matters.
16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.
17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him
before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the
brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn
his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue,
and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in
Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down
to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of
Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the
scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he
spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had
heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the
disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed
through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that
Jesus was Christ.
- Chapter 19
- 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through
the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto
him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's
baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the
people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ
Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake
with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months,
disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the
multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the
school of one Tyrannus.
10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia
heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the
diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which
had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul
preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and
prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell
on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them
before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of
silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through
Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see
Rome.
22 So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus;
but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.
23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.
24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana,
brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;
25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know
that by this craft we have our wealth.
26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia,
this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which
are made with hands:
27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the
temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be
destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.
28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying,
Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus,
men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the
theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him
that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and
the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And
Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.
34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours
cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.
35 And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is
there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great
goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?
36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do
nothing rashly.
37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet
blasphemers of your goddess.
38 Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any
man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.
39 But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a
lawful assembly.
40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no
cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.
41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
- Chapter 20
- 1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced
them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into
Greece,
3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to
sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.
4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians,
Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and
Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.
6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them
to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread,
Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until
midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep
sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the
third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves;
for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long
while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for
so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.
15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we
arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in
Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I
came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which
befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have
taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that
shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions
abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I
might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord
Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of
God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his
own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn
every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to
build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to
them that were with me.
35 I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and
to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no
more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
- Chapter 21
- 1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came
with a straight course unto Coos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:
2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.
3 Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria,
and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.
4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit,
that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all
brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we
kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home
again.
7 And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the
brethren, and abode with them one day.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we
entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode
with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named
Agabus.
11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet,
and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go
up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to
be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.
16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one
Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought
among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest,
brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of
the law:
21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the
Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children,
neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that
thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may
shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed
concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the
law.
25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe
no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from
blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the
temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering
should be offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw
him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where
against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the
temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they
supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew
him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.
31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band,
that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw
the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.
33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two
chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know
the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the
violence of the people.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak
unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out
into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no
mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.
40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand
unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew
tongue, saying,
- Chapter 22
- 1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more
silence: and he saith,)
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in
this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law
of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men
and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from
whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which
were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about
noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom
thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the
voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into
Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to
do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them
that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the
Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the
same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his
will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on
the name of the Lord.
17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in
the temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they
will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that
believed on thee:
20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and
consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said,
Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should
be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it
lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed
what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said,
Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul
said, But I was free born.
29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief
captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of
the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their
council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
- Chapter 23
- 1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in
all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to
judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written,
Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he
cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the
hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the
Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the
Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and
strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to
him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should
have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by
force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as
thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a
curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under
a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down
unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him:
and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the
castle, and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto
the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner
called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to
say unto thee.
19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and
asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to
morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty
men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till
they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no
man that thou hast showed these things to me .
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to
Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of
the night;
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the
governor.
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with
an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth
into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to
his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to
thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against
him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to
Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented
Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when
he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to
be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
- Chapter 24
- 1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a
certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee
we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy
providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest
hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the
Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged
according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of
our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take
knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch
as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more
cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up
to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the
people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I
the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the
prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward
God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with
multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood
before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the
resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he
deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the
uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he
should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he
sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,
and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for
thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:
wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show
the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
- Chapter 25
- 1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from
Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought
him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in
the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would
depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this
man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and
the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and
laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the
temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up
to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the
Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to
die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me
unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto
Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king,
saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die,
before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer
for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the
judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as
I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus,
which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to
Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him
to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he,
thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered
into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at
Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this
man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and
also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself
hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him
forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had,
I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the
crimes laid against him.
- Chapter 26
- 1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul
stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before
thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among
the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at
Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest
sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come.
For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of
Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison,
having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave
my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being
exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the
sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying
in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick
against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to
make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those
things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them
which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts
of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works
meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to
small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say
should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the
dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside
thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and
soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am
persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a
corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day,
were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they
that sat with them:
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth
nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not
appealed unto Caesar.
- Chapter 27
- 1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and
certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of
Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave
him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were
contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of
Lycia.
6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us
therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the
wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh
whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was
now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much
damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than
those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart
thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is
an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose,
loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by
the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest
they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us,
all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye
should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this
harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life
among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given
thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was
told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about
midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they
sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the
stern, and wished for the day.
30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat
into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye
cannot be saved.
32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day
is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall
not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them
all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into
the sea.
39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a
shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and
loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the
forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the
violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out,
and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded
that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to
pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
- Chapter 28
- 1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.
2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and
received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a
viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among
themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after
they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and
said that he was a god.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was
Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.
8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody
flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were
healed:
10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such
things as were necessary.
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the
isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13 And from thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south
wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went
toward Rome.
15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii
forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.
16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the
guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together:
and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have
committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers,
- yet was I delivered
prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of
death in me.
19 But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I
had ought to accuse my nation of.
20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you:
because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee,
neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee.
22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know
that every where it is spoken against.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom
he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out
of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken
one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand;
and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and
their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their
ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles,
and that they will hear it.
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among
themselves.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in
unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus
Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
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