AFV2020 - Acts

Chapter 1

1:1  The first account I indeed have written, O Theophilus, concerning all things that Jesus began both to do and to teach,

1:2  Until the day in which He was taken up, after giving command by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen;

1:3  To whom also, by many infallible proofs, He presented Himself alive after He had suffered, being seen by them for forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God.

1:4  And while they were assembled with Him, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to "await the promise of the Father, which," He said, "you have heard of Me.

1:5  For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit after not many days."

1:6  So then, when they were assembled together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You restore the kingdom to Israel at this time?"

1:7  And He said to them, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has placed in His own authority;

1:8  But you yourselves shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and unto the ends of the earth."

1:9  And after saying these things, as they were looking at Him, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

1:10  Now while they were gazing intently up into heaven as He was going up, two men in white apparel suddenly stood by them,

1:11  Who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into heaven? This same Jesus, Who was taken up from you into heaven, shall come in exactly the same manner as you have seen Him go into heaven."

1:12  Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem, being about the distance of a Sabbath's journey.

1:13  And after entering Jerusalem, they went up into the upper chamber, where both Peter and James were staying; and John and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James, the son of Alpheus, and Simon the Zealot; and Jude, the brother of James.

1:14  All these were steadfastly continuing with one accord in prayer and supplications, together with the women, including Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

1:15  And in those days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (now the number of names together was about a hundred and twenty) and said,

1:16  "Men and brethren, it was necessary for this scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who took Jesus;

1:17  For he was numbered with us, and had obtained a part of this ministry.

1:18  (Now then, this man acquired a field with the reward of unrighteousness, and after falling headlong burst in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.

1:19  And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so that this field is called in their own language Aceldama that is, 'The field of blood.')

1:20  For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his habitation become desolate, and let there not be anyone dwelling in it'; and, 'Let another take his overseership.'

1:21  Therefore, it is obligatory that from those men who have accompanied us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us,

1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which He was taken up from us, one of these shall become a witness with us of His resurrection."

1:23  Then they put forth two: Joseph, called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus; and Matthias.

1:24  And they prayed, saying, "You, Lord, the Knower of the hearts of all, show which one of these two You have personally chosen

1:25  To receive the part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas in transgressing fell, to go to his own place."

1:26  Then they cast their lots; and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Chapter 2

2:1  And when the day of Pentecost, the fiftieth day, was being fulfilled, they were all with one accord in the same place.

2:2  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rushing of a powerful wind, and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

2:3  And there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire, and sat upon each one of them.

2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit; and they began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the words to proclaim.

2:5  Now there were many Jews who were sojourning in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven.

2:6  And when word of this went out, the multitude came together and were confounded, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.

2:7  And they were all amazed, and marveled, saying to one another, "Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans?

2:8  Then how is it that we hear each one in our own language in which we were born?

2:9  Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,

2:10  Both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya which are near Cyrene, and the Romans who are sojourning here, both Jews and proselytes,

2:11  Cretes and Arabians; we hear them speaking in our own languages the great things of God."

2:12  And they were all amazed and greatly perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"

2:13  But others were mocking and saying, "They are full of new wine."

2:14  Then Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them: "Men, Jews, and all those of you who inhabit Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words.

2:15  For these are not drunken as you suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day.

2:16  But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel:

2:17  ' "And it shall come to pass in the last days," says God, "that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;

2:18  And even upon My servants and upon My handmaids will I pour out My Spirit in those days, and they shall prophesy;

2:19  And I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapors of smoke.

2:20  The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

2:21  And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." '

2:22  Men, Israelites, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarean, a Man sent forth to you by God, as demonstrated by works of power and wonders and signs, which God performed by Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know;

2:23  Him, having been delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you have seized by lawless hands and have crucified and killed.

2:24  But God has raised Him up, having loosed the throes of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it;

2:25  For David speaks concerning Him, 'I foresaw the Lord before Me continually; for He is at My right hand, so that I may not be moved.

2:26  Therefore, My heart rejoiced and My tongue was glad; moreover, My flesh also shall rest in hope;

2:27  For You will not leave My soul in the grave, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.

2:28  You did make Me to know the ways of life; You will fill Me with joy with Your countenance.'

2:29  Men and brethren, let me speak to you freely concerning the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.

2:30  Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him in an oath that from the fruit of his loins, as concerning the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit upon his throne;

2:31  He foresaw this and spoke concerning the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in the grave, nor did His flesh see corruption.

2:32  This Jesus has God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

2:33  Therefore, having been exalted by the right hand of God, and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this that you are now seeing and hearing.

2:34  For David has not ascended into the heavens, but he himself said, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand

2:35  Until I have made Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." '

2:36  Therefore, let all the house of Israel know with full assurance that God has made this same Jesus, Whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."

2:37  Now after hearing this, they were cut to the heart; and they said to Peter and the other apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

2:38  Then Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you yourselves shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2:39  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God may call."

2:40  And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."

2:41  Then those who joyfully received his message were baptized; and about three thousand souls were added that day.

2:42  And they steadfastly continued in the teachings of the apostles and in fellowship, and in the breaking of bread and in prayers.

2:43  And fear came upon every soul, and many signs and miracles were done by the apostles.

2:44  Now all those who believed were together and had all things in common;

2:45  And they sold their possessions and goods, and divided them to all, according as anyone had need.

2:46  And every day, steadfastly continuing with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses, they partook of the food with gladness and sincerity of heart,

2:47  Praising God and having favor with all the people; and the Lord added to the church day by day those who were being saved.

Chapter 3

3:1  Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, which was the ninth hour;

3:2  And a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was being carried, whom they placed daily at the temple door which is called Beautiful, to beg alms from those who were going into the temple.

3:3  When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

3:4  But Peter and John, intently observing him, said, "Look on us."

3:5  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

3:6  But Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have; but what I do have, this I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, rise up and walk."

3:7  Then taking him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankle bones were strengthened.

3:8  And leaping up, he stood and walked; and he entered into the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

3:9  Now all the people saw him walking and praising God.

3:10  And they recognized him, that he was the one who had been sitting at the temple gate called Beautiful, asking for alms; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

3:11  And as the lame man who had been healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon's, for they were greatly amazed.

3:12  And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, "Men, Israelites, why are you wondering at this? And why are you looking upon us so intently as if by our own power or godliness we have made him to walk?

3:13  The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Son Jesus, Whom you delivered up, and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, after he had judged to release Him.

3:14  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and requested that a man who was a murderer be granted to you;

3:15  And you killed the Author of life Whom God has raised from the dead, whereof we are witnesses.

3:16  And through faith in His name, this man whom you see and know was made strong in His name; and the faith that is through Him gave this complete soundness to him in the presence of you all.

3:17  And now, brethren, I realize that you acted in ignorance, as did your rulers also;

3:18  But what God had before announced by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He has accordingly fulfilled.

3:19  Therefore, repent and be converted in order that your sins may be blotted out, so that the times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

3:20  And that He may send Him Who was before proclaimed to you, Jesus Christ,

3:21  Whom the heaven must indeed receive until the times of restoration of all things, of which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

3:22  For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you from among your brethren, like me; Him shall you hear in all things that He shall say to you.

3:23  And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people.'

3:24  Now indeed, all the prophets from Samuel and those who followed, as many as prophesied, also proclaimed these days.

3:25  You are the children of the prophets and of the covenant that God Himself appointed to our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'

3:26  Unto you first has God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you in turning each of you from your wickedness."

Chapter 4

4:1  Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

4:2  Being dismayed because they were teaching the people, and preaching through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

4:3  And they arrested them and put them in the hold until the morning; for it was already evening.

4:4  But many of those who had heard the message believed, and the number of men was about five thousand.

4:5  Now it came to pass in the morning that their rulers and elders and scribes were assembled together in Jerusalem,

4:6  And Annas, the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the high priest's lineage.

4:7  And after placing them in the midst, they inquired, "By what power or in what name did you do this?"

4:8  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel,

4:9  If we are examined this day as to a good work done to the infirm man, by what power he has been cured,

4:10  Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, Whom you crucified, but Whom God has raised from the dead, by Him this man stands before you whole.

4:11  This is the Stone that was set at naught by you, the builders, which has become the Head of the corner.

4:12  And there is no salvation in any other, for neither is there another name under heaven which has been given among men, by which we must be saved."

4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlettered and uninstructed men, they were amazed; and they took note of them, that they had been with Jesus.

4:14  Yet seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they said nothing to oppose them.

4:15  But after commanding them to go outside the Sanhedrin, they conferred with one another,

4:16  Saying, "What shall we do to these men? For a remarkable miracle has indeed come to pass through them and is manifest to all those living in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

4:17  But that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them with a severe threat not to speak any more to anyone in this name."

4:18  And after summoning them, they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

4:19  But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right before God to listen to you rather than to God, you judge.

4:20  For we cannot but speak what we have seen and heard."

4:21  And after further threatening them, they let them go, finding no means by which they might punish them, because of the people, for all were glorifying God on account of what had been done:

4:22  Because the man on whom this miraculous healing had been performed was over forty years old.

4:23  Now after being released, they came to their own brethren and reported to them all that the chief priests and elders had said.

4:24  And when they heard this, they lifted up their voices to God with one accord and said, "O Master, You are the God Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that are in them,

4:25  Who by the mouth of Your servant David did say, 'Why did the nations insolently rage, and the people imagine vain things?

4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.'

4:27  For of a truth they did gather together against Your holy Son, Jesus, Whom You did anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel,

4:28  To do whatever Your hand and Your counsel had predetermined to take place.

4:29  And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings, and grant that Your servants may speak Your Word with all boldness,

4:30  By reaching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Son, Jesus."

4:31  And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness.

4:32  And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things common.

4:33  And with great power the apostles testified of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

4:34  For neither was anyone among them in want; for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the amounts of those things that were sold,

4:35  And laid the money at the feet of the apostles; and distribution was made to each one according to his need.

4:36  And Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles (which is, being interpreted, "son of consolation"), a Levite, born in the country of Cyprus,

4:37  Had land; and he sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Chapter 5

5:1  Now a certain man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession,

5:2  And kept back part of the price for himself, his wife also being aware of it; and he brought a certain portion and laid it at the apostles' feet.

5:3  But Peter said, "Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the estate?

5:4  Before it was sold, was it not yours? And after you sold it, was it not in your own authority? Why did you contrive this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God."

5:5  And when Ananias heard these words, he fell down and expired; and great fear came upon all those who heard these things.

5:6  Then the young men wound him up, and carried him out and buried him.

5:7  Now it came to pass about three hours later that his wife also came in, not knowing what had taken place.

5:8  And Peter said to her, "Tell me if you sold the estate for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much."

5:9  Then Peter said to her, "Why is it that you agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out."

5:10  And she immediately fell down at his feet and expired. And the young men came in and found her dead; and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.

5:11  Then great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all who heard these things.

5:12  And many signs and wonders were done among the people by the hands of the apostles; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch;

5:13  And none of the others dared to join them, but the people magnified them;

5:14  And believers were added all the more to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,)

5:15  Insomuch that the people were bringing out the sick into the streets and putting them on beds and stretchers, so that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

5:16  And a multitude from the cities round about also came together to Jerusalem, bringing sick ones and those beset by unclean spirits; and they were all healed.

5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all those with him, being of the sect of the Sadducees; and they were filled with anger.

5:18  And they laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the public hold.

5:19  But during the night an angel of the Lord came and opened the doors of the prison; and after bringing them out, he said,

5:20  "Go and stand in the temple, and speak to the people all the words of this life."

5:21  And after hearing that, they entered into the temple at dawn and taught. Now when the high priest and those with him came, they called together the Sanhedrin and all the elderhood of the sons of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

5:22  But when the officers came, they did not find them in the prison; and when they returned, they reported,

5:23  Saying, "We indeed found the prison locked with all security, and the keepers standing outside in front of the doors; but after opening them, we did not find anyone inside."

5:24  And when they heard these words, both the high priest and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests also, were utterly perplexed as to what this could lead to.

5:25  But a certain one came and reported to them, saying, "Behold, the men whom you put in the prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people."

5:26  Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, so that they might not be stoned; for they feared the people.

5:27  And they brought them in and set them before the Sanhedrin. And the high priest asked them,

5:28  Saying, "Did we not order you by a direct command not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, with the purpose of bringing this man's blood upon us."

5:29  But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We are obligated to obey God rather than men.

5:30  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus Whom you killed by hanging Him on a tree.

5:31  Him has God exalted by His right hand to be a Prince and Savior, to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel.

5:32  And we are His witnesses of these things, as is also the Holy Spirit, which God has given to those who obey Him."

5:33  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to put them to death.

5:34  But a certain man stood up, a Pharisee in the Sanhedrin, Gamaliel by name, a teacher of the law who was honored by all the people, and commanded that the apostles be put out for a short while.

5:35  And he said to them, "Men, Israelites, give careful thought to what you are about to do concerning these men.

5:36  For before these days there rose up Theudas, proclaiming that he himself was somebody, to whom a number of men were joined, about four hundred; but he was put to death, and all those who had been persuaded by him were dispersed and came to nothing.

5:37  After this one, in the days of the registration, Judas the Galilean rose up and drew away many people after him; but he perished, and all who had been persuaded by him were scattered.

5:38  And now I say to you, withdraw from these men, and let them alone; for if this counsel or this work be from men, it will be overthrown;

5:39  But if it be from God, you do not have the power to overthrow it. Take heed, lest you be found to be fighting even against God."

5:40  And they were persuaded by him; and they called in the apostles and, after beating them, commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus; and they released them.

5:41  Then they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were accounted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

5:42  And every day, in the temple and in the houses, they did not cease teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Chapter 6

6:1  Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a complaint by the Greeks against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

6:2  And after calling the multitude of disciples to them, the twelve said, "It is not proper for us to leave the Word of God in order to wait on tables.

6:3  Therefore, brethren, search out from among yourselves seven men of good repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

6:4  But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the Word."

6:5  And this declaration was pleasing to all the multitude; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit; and Philip; and Prochorus; and Nicanor; and Timon; and Parmenas; and Nicolas, who was a proselyte of Antioch.

6:6  And they set them before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.

6:7  And the Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied exceedingly, and a great multitude of the priests were obedient to the faith.

6:8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, worked wonders and great signs among the people.

6:9  Then certain arose among those of the synagogue who were called Libertines, and of the Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia; and they were disputing with Stephen.

6:10  But they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spoke.

6:11  Then they suborned men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God."

6:12  And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes; and they came and seized him, and brought him into the Sanhedrin.

6:13  Then they set up false witnesses, who said, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;

6:14  For we heard him saying that this Jesus, the Nazarean, will destroy this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us."

6:15  And all those who sat in the Sanhedrin, looking intently at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Chapter 7

7:1  And the high priest said, "Now then, are these things so?"

7:2  And he said, "Men, brethren and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

7:3  And said to him, 'Leave your land and your kindred, and come into the land that I will show you.'

7:4  Then he went out from the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Charran; and from there, after his father died, He removed him to this country in which you now dwell.

7:5  Now He did not give him an inheritance in it, not even as much as a foot of ground; but He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when he did not yet have a child.

7:6  And God spoke after this manner: that his seed would be a sojourner in a strange land, and they would enslave them and treat them harshly for four hundred years;

7:7  'Then will I judge the nation to which they shall be enslaved,' said God, 'and after these things they shall come forth and serve Me in this place.'

7:8  And He gave to him a covenant of circumcision. And so he begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs.

7:9  And the patriarchs, who envied Joseph, sold him into Egypt. But God was with him,

7:10  And delivered him out of all his tribulations, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he appointed him ruler over Egypt and his whole house.

7:11  Then a famine came upon the whole land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction; and our fathers could not find sustenance.

7:12  But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers first;

7:13  And at the second time, Joseph was made known to his brethren, and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh.

7:14  Then Joseph sent and called for his father Jacob, and all his kindred, being seventy-five souls.

7:15  And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he and our fathers died,

7:16  And were carried over to Sychem, and were placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor of Sychem.

7:17  But when the time drew near for the fulfillment of the promise that God had sworn to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,

7:18  Until another king arose who did not know Joseph.

7:19  He dealt subtly with our kindred and treated our fathers harshly, making them cast out their infants so that they might not live.

7:20  During this time Moses was born, who was beautiful to God, and was brought up three months in his father's house.

7:21  And after he was discovered, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and brought him up as her own son.

7:22  And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in words and in deeds.

7:23  But when a period of forty years was fulfilled for him, it came into his heart to look upon his brethren, the children of Israel;

7:24  And when he saw a certain one suffering wrongly, he defended him, and avenged the one who was being oppressed, and killed the Egyptian.

7:25  For he thought that his brethren would understand that God would give them deliverance by his hand. But they did not understand.

7:26  And on the following day, he appeared to those who were contending and urged them to make peace, saying, 'Men, you are brethren. Why do you wrong one another?'

7:27  But the one who was doing wrong to his neighbor shoved him away, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and judge over us?

7:28  Do you intend to kill me, just as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'

7:29  And at this saying, Moses fled; and he became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begot two sons.

7:30  And when forty years were fulfilled, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush in the desert of Mount Sinai.

7:31  Now when Moses saw it, he was amazed at the vision; and as he drew near to consider it, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying,

7:32  'I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.' Then Moses began to tremble, and he dared not look upon it.

7:33  And the Lord said to him, 'Loose the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

7:34  I have been watching, and I have seen the harsh treatment of My people in Egypt; and I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to bring them out; and now come, I will send you to Egypt.'

7:35  This Moses, whom they refused, saying, 'Who appointed you as ruler and judge?' This one did God send to be ruler and deliverer by the hand of the Angel Who appeared to him in the bush.

7:36  This one led them out, after working wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.

7:37  This is the Moses who said to the children of Israel, 'A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up for you from among your brethren, like me; Him shall you hear.'

7:38  This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the Angel Who spoke to him in Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; who received the living oracles to give to us;

7:39  To whom our fathers would not be subject, but thrust him away, and turned their hearts back to Egypt,

7:40  Saying to Aaron, 'Make us gods who shall go before us; for this Moses who brought us out from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'

7:41  And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.

7:42  Then God turned and delivered them over to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, 'Did you offer slain beasts and sacrifices to Me those forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

7:43  But you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, even the images that you had made to worship them; and so I will remove you beyond Babylon.'

7:44  The tabernacle of the testimony was among our fathers in the wilderness, as He Who spoke to Moses had commanded, to make it according to the pattern which he had seen;

7:45  Which also our fathers, who received it by succession, brought in with Joshua, when they took possession of the land from the nations whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, until the days of David;

7:46  Who found grace before God, and sought to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob;

7:47  But Solomon built Him a house.

7:48  However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made by hands, as the prophet says:

7:49  'The heaven is My throne, and the earth is a footstool for My feet. What house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or what is the place of My rest?

7:50  Have not My hands made all these things?'

7:51  O stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You do always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so also do you.

7:52  Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of Whom you have become the betrayers and murderers;

7:53  Who received the law by the disposition of angels, but have not kept it."

7:54  And when they heard these things, they were cut to their hearts, and they gnashed their teeth at him.

7:55  But he, being filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

7:56  And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God."

7:57  Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord,

7:58  And cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul.

7:59  And they stoned Stephen, who called upon God, saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

7:60  And he fell to his knees and cried with a loud voice, "Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge." And after he had said this, he died.

Chapter 8

8:1  Now Saul had consented to killing him. And that day a great persecution arose against the church that was in Jerusalem; and all the believers were scattered throughout the countries of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

8:2  And devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him.

8:3  But Saul was ravaging the church, going from house to house, entering in and dragging out men and women, and delivering them up to prison.

8:4  Therefore, those who were scattered passed through everywhere, preaching the word of the gospel.

8:5  Then Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them;

8:6  And the multitudes listened intently with one accord to the things spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs that he did,

8:7  For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many of those who had them; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8:8  And there was great joy in that city.

8:9  But there was a certain man named Simon, who had from earlier times been practicing sorcery in the city and astounding the nation of Samaria, proclaiming himself to be some great one.

8:10  To him they had all given heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the great power of God."

8:11  Now they were giving heed to him because he had for a long time bewitched them with sorceries.

8:12  But when they believed Philip, who was preaching the gospel—the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ—they were baptized, both men and women.

8:13  Then Simon himself also believed; and after being baptized, he steadfastly continued with Philip; and as he beheld the signs and great works of power that were being done, he was amazed.

8:14  Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them;

8:15  Who, after coming down to Samaria, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;

8:16  For as yet it had not fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

8:17  Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

8:18  Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of the hands of the apostles, he offered them money,

8:19  Saying, "Give this authority to me also, so that on whomever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."

8:20  But Peter said to him, "May your money be destroyed with you because you thought that the gift of God might be purchased with money.

8:21  You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.

8:22  Repent, therefore, of this your wickedness, and beseech God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you;

8:23  For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness."

8:24  But Simon answered and said, "You beseech the Lord on my behalf, so that none of those things which you have spoken may come upon me."

8:25  So then, after they had earnestly testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem; and they preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans as they went.

8:26  Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south, on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is in the desert."

8:27  And he arose and went. And behold, an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, one in power under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, had come to worship in Jerusalem,

8:28  And was returning; and he sat in his chariot, reading the book of the prophet Isaiah.

8:29  Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and join yourself to this chariot."

8:30  And when Philip ran up, he heard him reading the words of the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are now reading?"

8:31  And he said, "But how am I able to understand, without someone to guide me?" And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.

8:32  Now the passage of Scripture that he was reading was this, "He was led as a sheep to slaughter; and as a lamb is dumb before the one who is shearing it, so He did not open His mouth.

8:33  In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away; and who shall declare His genealogy? For His life is taken from the earth."

8:34  And the eunuch answered and said to Philip, "I pray you, about whom does the prophet say this? About himself, or about another?"

8:35  Then Philip opened his mouth and, beginning from this scripture, preached to him the gospel of Jesus.

8:36  And as they were going down the road, they came upon a certain pool of water; and the eunuch said, "Look, there is water! What is preventing me from being baptized?"

8:37  And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, it is permitted." Then he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

8:38  And he commanded the one driving the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

8:39  But when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no longer, but he went his way rejoicing.

8:40  Then Philip was found at Azotus; and as he passed through, he preached the gospel to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

Chapter 9

9:1  Now Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,

9:2  Asking him for letters to take to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who were of that way, he might bring them bound, both men and women, to Jerusalem.

9:3  But it came to pass while he was journeying, as he drew near to Damascus, that suddenly a light from heaven shined round about him.

9:4  And after falling to the ground, he heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"

9:5  And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the pricks."

9:6  Then, trembling and astonished, he said, "Lord, what will You have me to do?" And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go into the city, and you shall be told what you must do."

9:7  Now the men who were traveling with him stood speechless; for they indeed heard the voice, but they saw no one.

9:8  Then Saul arose from the ground; but when he opened his eyes, he saw no one. And they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.

9:9  But for three days he was not able to see, and he did not eat or drink.

9:10  Now there was in Damascus a certain disciple named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord."

9:11  And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul from Tarsus; for behold, he is praying,

9:12  And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming and putting his hands on him, so that he may receive sight."

9:13  Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

9:14  And even in this place he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name."

9:15  But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel;

9:16  For I will show him what great things he must suffer for My name."

9:17  Then Ananias went away and came into the house; and after laying his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, even Jesus, Who appeared to you on the road in which you came, so that you might receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

9:18  And it was as if scales immediately fell from his eyes, and he instantly received sight; and he arose and was baptized.

9:19  And after eating food, he was strengthened. Then Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for a number of days.

9:20  And in the synagogues he immediately began to proclaim Christ, that He is the Son of God.

9:21  And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and who came here for this purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?"

9:22  But Saul increased even more in power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

9:23  Now when many days were fulfilled, the Jews consulted together to kill him.

9:24  But their plot was made known to Saul. And they were watching the gates both day and night, in order that they might kill him.

9:25  Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall, lowering him in a basket.

9:26  And when Saul came to Jerusalem, he attempted to join himself to the disciples; but all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

9:27  Then Barnabas took him and 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.

9:28  And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem, and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.

9:29  Then he spoke and disputed with the Greeks, but they attempted to kill him.

9:30  And when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

9:31  Then the churches throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace indeed. And they increased, being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

9:32  Now it came to pass that, as Peter was passing through all the quarters, he also went down to the saints who lived in Lydda.

9:33  And he found there a certain man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had for eight years been lying on a couch.

9:34  And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Arise and fold up your bed." Then he immediately arose.

9:35  And all those dwelling in Lydda and Saron saw him and turned to the Lord.

9:36  Now there was in Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha; which, being interpreted, is called Dorcas. She was full of good works and of alms that she did.

9:37  And it came to pass in those days that she became sick and died; and after washing her, they put her in an upper room.

9:38  And since Lydda was near Joppa, when the disciples heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, beseeching him not to delay to come to them.

9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them; and when he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them.

9:40  But after putting everyone out, Peter fell to his knees and prayed. Then, turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

9:41  And he gave her his hand and helped her stand up; and after calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

9:42  And this became known throughout the whole city of Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

9:43  And it came to pass that he remained in Joppa for many days, lodging with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Chapter 10

10:1  Now there was in Caesarea a certain man named Cornelius, a centurion of a band that is called the Italian band,

10:2  A devout man who also feared God with all his house, both in giving many alms to the people and in beseeching God continually in prayer.

10:3  He clearly saw in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, "Cornelius."

10:4  But as he fixed his eyes on him, he became afraid and said, "What is it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have gone up for a memorial before God.

10:5  And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter.

10:6  He is lodging with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He shall tell you what you must do."

10:7  And when the angel who had spoken to him departed, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who continually waited on him;

10:8  And after relating everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

10:9  And on the next day, about the sixth hour, as these were journeying and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray.

10:10  And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they were preparing the meal, a trance fell upon him;

10:11  And he saw the heaven opened; and a certain vessel descended upon him, like a great sheet, bound by the four corners and let down upon the earth;

10:12  In which were all the four-footed beasts of the earth, including the wild beasts, and the creeping things and the birds of heaven.

10:13  Then a voice came to him, saying, "Arise, Peter, kill and eat."

10:14  But Peter said, "In no way, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean."

10:15  And a voice came again the second time to him, saying, "What God has cleansed, you are not to call common."

10:16  Now this took place three times, and the vessel was taken up again into heaven.

10:17  And as Peter was questioning within himself what the vision that he saw might mean, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having inquired for the house of Simon, immediately stood at the porch;

10:18  And they called out, asking if Simon who was surnamed Peter was lodging there.

10:19  Then, as Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are seeking you;

10:20  Now arise and go down, and go forth with them, doubting nothing, because I have sent them."

10:21  And Peter went down to the men who had been sent to him from Cornelius and said, "Look, I am the one you are seeking. For what purpose have you come?"

10:22  And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and who has a good report by the whole nation of the Jews, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house, and to listen to words from you."

10:23  Then he called them in to lodge there. And on the next day Peter went with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

10:24  And on the next day, they came to Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his kinsmen and his intimate friends.

10:25  And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet, worshiping him.

10:26  But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up, for I myself am also a man."

10:27  And as he was talking with him, he went in and found many gathered together.

10:28  And he said to them, "You know that it is unlawful for a man who is a Jew to associate with or come near to anyone of another race. But God has shown me that no man should be called common or unclean.

10:29  For this reason, I also came without objection when I was sent for. I ask therefore, for what purpose did you send for me?"

10:30  And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house; and suddenly a man stood before me in bright apparel,

10:31  And said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.

10:32  Now then, send to Joppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter; he is lodging by the sea in the house of Simon, a tanner. When he comes, he will speak to you.'

10:33  Therefore, I sent for you at once; and you did well to come. So then, we are all present before God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."

10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons,

10:35  But in every nation the one who fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him.

10:36  The word that He sent to the children of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all),

10:37  You have knowledge of; which declaration came throughout the whole of Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism that John proclaimed,

10:38  Concerning Jesus, Who was from Nazareth: how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

10:39  And we are witnesses of all the things that He did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him by hanging Him on a tree.

10:40  But God raised Him up the third day, and showed Him openly,

10:41  Not to all the people, but to witnesses who had been chosen before by God, to those of us who did eat and drink with Him after He had risen from the dead.

10:42  And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to fully testify that it is He Who has been appointed by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

10:43  To Him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in Him receives remission of sins through His name."

10:44  While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came upon all those who were listening to the message.

10:45  And the believers from the circumcision were astonished, as many as had come with Peter, that upon the Gentiles also the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out;

10:46  For they heard them speak in other languages and magnify God. Then Peter responded by saying,

10:47  "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have also received the Holy Spirit as we did?"

10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they besought him to remain for a number of days.

Chapter 11

11:1  Now the apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God;

11:2  And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision disputed with him,

11:3  Saying, "You went in to men who were uncircumcised and did eat with them."

11:4  But Peter related the event from the beginning and expounded everything in order to them, saying,

11:5  "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw in a trance a vision, a certain vessel descending from heaven like a great sheet let down by four corners, and it came all the way to me.

11:6  Then I looked closely at it, considering it, and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, including the wild beasts, and the creeping things and the birds of heaven.

11:7  And I heard a voice say to me, 'Arise, Peter, kill and eat.'

11:8  But I said, 'In no way, Lord, for nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.'

11:9  Then a voice from heaven answered me the second time, saying, 'What God has cleansed, you are not to call common.'

11:10  And this happened three times; then everything was drawn up again into heaven.

11:11  And behold, three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea immediately stood at the house in which I was.

11:12  And the Spirit said to me, 'Go with them, doubting nothing.' And these six brethren also went with me; and we entered into the house of the man,

11:13  And he related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter,

11:14  Who shall speak words to you whereby you and all your house shall be saved.'

11:15  And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came upon them, even as it also came upon us in the beginning.

11:16  Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

11:17  Therefore, if God also gave them the same gift that was given to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to dissent? Do I have the power to forbid God?"

11:18  And after hearing these things, they were silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also has God indeed granted repentance unto life."

11:19  Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose concerning Stephen went through Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews only.

11:20  But certain men among them who were Cypriots and Cyrenians came to Antioch and spoke to the Greeks, preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus.

11:21  And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

11:22  Now the report concerning them was heard in the ears of the church that was in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

11:23  When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced; and he exhorted them all to cleave to the Lord with purpose of heart,

11:24  For he was a good man, and was filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large multitude was added to the Lord.

11:25  Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul;

11:26  And after finding him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that for a whole year they assembled together with the church and taught a great multitude. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

11:27  Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch;

11:28  And one from among them, named Agabus, stood up and signified by the Spirit that there would be a great famine throughout the whole world, which also came to pass under Claudius Caesar.

11:29  And each of the disciples, everyone according as he had prospered, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea;

11:30  Which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Chapter 12

12:1  Now about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to persecute some of those of the church;

12:2  And he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.

12:3  And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take Peter also. (Now those were the days of unleavened bread.)

12:4  And after arresting him, he put him in prison, delivering him to four sets of four soldiers to guard him with the intent of bringing him out to the people after the Passover season.

12:5  As a result, Peter was securely held in the prison, but fervent prayer was made to God by the church for him.

12:6  Now when Herod was about to bring him out, during that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and guards standing before the door were keeping the prison.

12:7  But suddenly an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the building. And after striking Peter on the side, he roused him, saying, "Get up! Hurry!" And the chains fell off his hands.

12:8  And the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and fasten your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me."

12:9  And he followed him, going forth, but did not realize that this was really happening by the hand of the angel; rather, he thought he was seeing a vision.

12:10  Now after going past a first guard and a second, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself; and after going out, they went on through one street, and then the angel suddenly departed from him.

12:11  And when Peter came to himself, he said, "Now I truly understand that the Lord sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."

12:12  And as he was pondering this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

12:13  Now when Peter knocked at the door of the porch, a damsel named Rhoda came to listen;

12:14  And when she recognized Peter's voice, she was so excited that she did not open the door to the porch, but ran in and reported that Peter was standing in front of the porch.

12:15  But they said to her, "You are out of your mind." Yet she strongly affirmed that it was so. And they said, "It is his angel."

12:16  But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.

12:17  Then, motioning to them with his hands 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 the brethren." Then he departed and went to another place.

12:18  And when daylight came, there was no small disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.

12:19  Now when Herod sent for him and he was not found, he questioned the guards and commanded that they be led away to death. And afterwards he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

12:20  Now there was bitter hostility between Herod and the people of Tyre and Sidon; but with one accord they came to him and, having gained Blastus, who was over the king's bedchamber, as a friend, they sought peace because their country was nourished by the king's.

12:21  And on a set day, Herod, who had put on royal apparel, sat down on the tribunal and made an oration to them.

12:22  And the people cried out, "It is the voice of a god, and not of a man!"

12:23  And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him because he did not give the glory to God; and he was eaten of worms, and died.

12:24  But the Word of God spread and produced much fruit.

12:25  And Barnabas and Saul, who had taken with them John who was surnamed Mark, returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled their ministration to the brethren in Judea.

Chapter 13

13:1  Now there were certain prophets and teachers in the church that was at Antioch, including Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.

13:2  And as they were ministering and fasting to the Lord, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate both Barnabas and Saul to Me for the work to which I have called them."

13:3  And when they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them and sent them out.

13:4  So then, after being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed away to Cyprus.

13:5  And when they came to Salamis, they preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John as an assistant.

13:6  And when they had gone through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-jesus.

13:7  He was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, who called Barnabas and Saul to him, desiring to hear the Word of God.

13:8  But Elymas the sorcerer (for so was his name interpreted) withstood them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.

13:9  But Saul, who was also called Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him,

13:10  And said, "O full of all guile and all craftiness, you son of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the straight ways of the Lord?

13:11  And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." And immediately a mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

13:12  And after seeing what had happened, the proconsul believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

13:13  Then Paul and his company sailed away from Paphos and came to Perga of Pamphylia; but John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

13:14  Now after passing through from Perga, they came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.

13:15  And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue said to them, "Men, brethren, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, speak."

13:16  Then Paul stood up and, after beckoning with his hand, said, "Men, Israelites, and those who fear God, listen to me.

13:17  The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they were sojourning in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought them out of it.

13:18  And for a period of about forty years, He put up with their manners in the desert.

13:19  And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave their land to them by lot.

13:20  And after these things, He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

13:21  And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

13:22  And after removing him, He raised up David to be their king; to whom He also gave testimony, saying, 'I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will perform all My will.'

13:23  Of this man's seed has God according to His promise raised up to Israel a Savior, Jesus,

13:24  After John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

13:25  And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, "Who do you suppose that I am? I am not He; but behold, there is One Who comes after me, of Whom I am not worthy to loose the sandals of His feet."

13:26  Men, brethren, sons of the race of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the message of this salvation was sent;

13:27  For those who were dwelling in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor the voices of the prophets who are read every Sabbath, have themselves fulfilled them in condemning Him.

13:28  And though no one found any cause worthy of death, they begged Pilate to execute Him.

13:29  And when they had carried out all things that were written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and put Him in a tomb;

13:30  But God raised Him from the dead.

13:31  And He appeared for many days to those who had come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

13:32  And we are announcing the gospel to you—the promise made to the fathers— that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, having raised up Jesus;

13:33  As it is also written in the second Psalm, 'You are My Son; today have I begotten You.'

13:34  And to confirm that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He spoke in this manner: 'I will give You the faithful mercies of David.'

13:35  Accordingly, he also says in another place, 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.'

13:36  For David, after ministering to his own generation by the counsel of God, died, and was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption.

13:37  But the One Whom God raised up did not see corruption.

13:38  Therefore, be it known to you, men and brethren, that through this Man the remission of sins is preached to you.

13:39  And in Him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

13:40  Take heed, therefore, lest that which is spoken in the Prophets come upon you:

13:41  'Behold, you despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work that you will in no way believe, even if one declares it to you.' "

13:42  And when the Jews had gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles entreated him that these words might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath.

13:43  Now after the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and the proselytes who worshiped there followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

13:44  And on the coming Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the Word of God.

13:45  But when they saw the multitude, the Jews were filled with envy; and they spoke against the things proclaimed by Paul, and were contradicting and blaspheming.

13:46  But Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, saying, "It was necessary for the Word of God to be spoken to you first; but since you reject it and do not judge yourselves worthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles;

13:47  For so the Lord has enjoined upon us: 'I have set You for a light of the Gentiles that You should be for salvation unto the uttermost parts of the earth.' "

13:48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced; and they glorified the Word of the Lord, and believed, as many as were appointed to eternal life.

13:49  And the Word of the Lord was carried throughout the entire country.

13:50  But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the principal men of the city, and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their borders.

13:51  And after shaking the dust off their feet against them, they came to Iconium.

13:52  Then the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 14

14:1  Now it came to pass in Iconium that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke so powerfully that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

14:2  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

14:3  For this reason, they stayed a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, Who bore witness to the message of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done through their hands.

14:4  But the multitude of the city was divided; and some were with the Jews, and some were with the apostles.

14:5  And when an assault was about to be made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to insult and stone them,

14:6  They became aware of it; so they fled to Lyconia, into the cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region.

14:7  And there they preached the gospel.

14:8  Now in Lystra, a certain man was sitting who had never walked; he was impotent in the feet, having been crippled from his mother's womb.

14:9  This man heard Paul speaking; who, after looking intently at him, and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

14:10  Said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet." And he leaped up and walked.

14:11  And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in Lyconian, saying, "The gods have become like men and have come down to us."

14:12  And Barnabas they called Zeus; and Paul, Hermes, because he was the principal speaker.

14:13  Then the priest of Zeus, who officiated before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, desiring to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14:14  But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they ripped their own garments in disbelief, and rushed into the multitude, shouting out

14:15  And saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, with the same nature as you, and we have been preaching the gospel to you, so that you will turn from these vanities to the living God, Who made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all the things in them;

14:16  Who in the past generations allowed all peoples to go in their own ways;

14:17  Though, indeed, He did not leave Himself without witness, in doing good to us from heaven by giving rain and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness."

14:18  And even by saying these things, they could hardly keep the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

14:19  Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and after persuading the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, supposing that he was dead.

14:20  But while the disciples were standing around him, he arose; and he went into the city with them. And the next day, he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

14:21  And after preaching the gospel to that city, and making many disciples, they returned to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch,

14:22  Where they established the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and declaring that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

14:23  And when they had chosen for themselves elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord, on Whom they had believed.

14:24  And they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

14:25  And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they came down to Attalia;

14:26  And from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

14:27  And when they arrived, they gathered the church together and declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

14:28  And they stayed there with the disciples for a long time.

Chapter 15

15:1  Now certain men who had come down from Judea were teaching the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

15:2  Therefore, after a great deal of strife and arguing with them by Paul and Barnabas, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from among them, to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this question.

15:3  So then, after being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, where they reported the conversion of the Gentiles. And they caused great joy to all the brethren.

15:4  And when they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all the things that God had done with them.

15:5  But there stood up certain of those who believed, who were of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, "It is obligatory to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

15:6  Then the apostles and the elders gathered together to see about this matter.

15:7  And after much discussion had taken place, Peter stood up and said to them, "Men, brethren, you know that from the early days, God made the choice among us that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

15:8  And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did to us,

15:9  And made no difference between us and them, and has purified their hearts through the faith.

15:10  Now therefore, why do you tempt God by putting a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

15:11  But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we believe we shall be saved in the same manner as they also."

15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence and heard Barnabas and Paul relate what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

15:13  And after they were silent, James answered and said, "Men, brethren, listen to me.

15:14  Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles to take out a people for His name.

15:15  And with this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written,

15:16  'After these things, I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David which has fallen; and its ruins I will build again, and will set it up;

15:17  So that the residue of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called, says the Lord, Who does all these things.'

15:18  Known to God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

15:19  Therefore, my judgment is that we do not trouble those of the Gentiles who have turned to God;

15:20  But that we write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled and from blood.

15:21  For from the generations of old, Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him in the synagogues, being read every Sabbath day."

15:22  Then it pleased the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; and they chose leading men from among the brethren: Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas.

15:23  And they wrote letters by their hand, as follows: "The apostles and the elders and the brethren, to those brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings!

15:24  Inasmuch as we have heard that certain ones among us who went to you have troubled your souls with words, saying, 'You are obligated to be circumcised and to keep the law' ;

15:25  It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send to you chosen men with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

15:26  Men who have dedicated their lives to proclaim the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:27  Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who shall themselves also tell you by word of mouth the same things that we have written.

15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay no further burden upon you than these necessary things:

15:29  To abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality; if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."

15:30  Therefore, after being dispatched, they went to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.

15:31  And after reading it, they rejoiced at the consolation.

15:32  Then Judas and Silas, who were themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and established them.

15:33  And after they had been there for a time, they were let go in peace from the brethren to the apostles;

15:34  But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.

15:35  Now Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch with many others, teaching and preaching the gospel—the Word of the Lord.

15:36  And after certain days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back to see how our brethren are doing in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord."

15:37  And Barnabas was determined to take with them John who was called Mark;

15:38  But Paul did not think it good to take him because he had departed from them at Pamphylia, and did not go with them to the work.

15:39  As a result, such a sharp contention arose between them that they parted from one another. And Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

15:40  But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being committed to the grace of God by the brethren.

15:41  And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, establishing the churches.

Chapter 16

16:1  He then arrived at Derbe and Lystra; and behold, there was a certain disciple named Timothy, son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was a Greek.

16:2  He was recommended to Paul by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium,

16:3  And Paul desired to take him with him; but because of the Jews in those places, he took him and circumcised him, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

16:4  And as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, the ones that had been decided upon by the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem.

16:5  Then the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number every day.

16:6  And after passing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia (for they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia),

16:7  They came down to Mysia and attempted to go to Bithynia; but the Spirit did not permit them to go there.

16:8  Now when they had passed by Mysia, they came to Troas;

16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul during the night. A certain man of Macedonia was standing, beseeching him and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us."

16:10  And after he had seen the vision, we immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

16:11  Therefore, after sailing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and on the next day to Neapolis;

16:12  And from there we went to Philippi, which is the primary city in that part of Macedonia, and a colony. And we stayed in this city for a number of days.

16:13  Then on the day of the weeks we went outside the city by a river, where it was customary for prayer to be made; and after sitting down, we spoke to the women who were gathered together there.

16:14  And a certain woman who worshiped God was listening; she was named Lydia and was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira; whose heart the Lord opened to receive the things spoken by Paul.

16:15  And after she and her household were baptized, she besought us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and lodge there." And she constrained us.

16:16  Now it came to pass that as we were going to prayer, a certain damsel who had a spirit of Python met us; and she brought her masters much gain by divining.

16:17  She followed Paul and us and cried out, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, and are preaching to us the way of salvation."

16:18  Now she did this for many days. Then Paul, being grieved, turned to the spirit and said, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out the same hour.

16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold of Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the magistrates.

16:20  And they brought them to the captains, saying, "These men, who are Jews, are greatly troubling our city,

16:21  And are preaching customs that are not lawful for us, as Romans, to receive or to practice."

16:22  Then a multitude rose up against them, and the captains tore off their garments, and commanded that they be beaten with rods.

16:23  And after laying many stripes on them, they cast them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them safely.

16:24  After receiving this command, he threw them into the inner prison and secured their feet with stocks.

16:25  But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

16:26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors opened, and the bonds of all were loosed.

16:27  When the jailer awoke from his sleep and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew a sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped,

16:28  But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself; for we are all here."

16:29  And after asking for lights, he rushed in and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.

16:30  And when he had brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do, that I may be saved?"

16:31  Then they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, you and your household."

16:32  And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, and to all those in his house.

16:33  And he took them in that hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and he and all his household were immediately baptized.

16:34  Then he brought them into his house and laid out a table for them; and he rejoiced with all his household, who had believed in God.

16:35  Now when day came, the captains sent the sergeants, saying, "Let those men go."

16:36  And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The captains have sent word to let you go. Now then, you may go out and depart in peace."

16:37  But Paul said to them, "After publicly beating us, who are Romans, without condemnation, and casting us into prison, do they think now to secretly thrust us out? No, indeed, but let them come in person and bring us out."

16:38  Then the sergeants reported these words to the captains. And when they heard that they were Romans, they were afraid.

16:39  And they came and entreated them; and after bringing them out, they asked them to depart from the city.

16:40  Now after leaving the prison, they came to Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, and had exhorted them, they departed.

Chapter 17

17:1  And after journeying through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

17:2  And as was the custom with Paul, he went in to them and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

17:3  Expounding and demonstrating that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and testifying, "This Jesus, Whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ."

17:4  Now some of them were convinced, and joined themselves to Paul and Silas, including a great multitude of devout Greeks, and of the chief women not a few.

17:5  But the unbelieving Jews became envious and took to them certain evil men of the baser sort; and when they had gathered a huge crowd, they set the city in an uproar; and they assaulted the house of Jason, looking for Paul and Silas, to bring them out to the people.

17:6  And when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the city magistrates, crying out, "Those who have set the whole world in confusion have come here also,

17:7  Whom Jason has received; and these all do what is contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus."

17:8  And they caused great agitation among the people and the city magistrates, who heard these things.

17:9  But after taking security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

17:10  Then the brethren immediately sent away by night to Berea both Paul and Silas, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews.

17:11  Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with all readiness of mind and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

17:12  As a result, a great number of them believed, including not a few of the honorable Greek women and men.

17:13  But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the Word of God in Berea also, they came there to stir up the multitude.

17:14  Then the brethren immediately sent Paul away, as if he were going to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.

17:15  Now those who were conducting Paul brought him to Athens; and after receiving Paul's command to Silas and Timothy to come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

17:16  But while Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he saw that the city was wholly given to idolatry, and his spirit was sorely moved within him.

17:17  Because of this, he reasoned earnestly in the synagogue with the Jews and those who worshiped there, and daily in the marketplace with those who met with him.

17:18  Then some philosophers of the Epicureans and the Stoics encountered him. And some of them said, "What will this babbler have to say?" And some said, "He seems to be a preacher of foreign gods," because he was preaching to them the gospel of Jesus and the resurrection.

17:19  And they took him and brought him to Mars' hill, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is that is spoken by you?

17:20  For you are bringing certain strange things to our ears. So then, we desire to know what these things mean."

17:21  (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning among them spent their leisure in nothing other than to tell and to hear something new.)

17:22  Then Paul stood in the center of Mars' hill and said, "Men, Athenians, I perceive that in all things you are very reverent to deities;

17:23  For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your veneration, I also found an altar on which was inscribed, 'To an unknown God.' So then, He Whom you worship in ignorance is the One that I proclaim to you.

17:24  He is the God Who made the world and all things that are in it. Being the Lord of heaven and earth, He does not dwell in temples made by hands;

17:25  Nor is He served by the hands of men, as though He needs anything, for He gives to all life and breath and all things.

17:26  And He made of one blood all the nations of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, having determined beforehand their appointed times and the boundaries of their dwelling;

17:27  In order that they might seek the Lord, if perhaps they might feel after Him and might find Him; though truly, He is not far from each one of us,

17:28  For in Him we live and move and have our being; as some of the poets among you also have said, 'For we are His offspring.'

17:29  Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we should not think that the Godhead is like that which is made of gold, or silver, or stone—a graven thing of art devised by the imagination of man;

17:30  For although God has indeed overlooked the times of this ignorance, He now commands all men everywhere to repent,

17:31  Because He has set a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man Whom He has appointed, having given proof to all by raising Him from the dead."

17:32  And after hearing about the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but some said, "We will hear you again concerning this matter."

17:33  And so Paul went out from among them.

17:34  But certain ones who believed joined themselves to him, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Chapter 18

18:1  Now after these things, Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth;

18:2  And there he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with Priscilla his wife (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews out of Rome). And he came to their house.

18:3  And because he was of the same trade, he dwelt with them and worked; for they were tent makers by trade.

18:4  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

18:5  Now when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was stirred in his spirit and was earnestly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

18:6  But when they set themselves in opposition and were blaspheming, Paul shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood be upon your own heads. I am pure of it. From this time forward I will go to the Gentiles."

18:7  And after departing from there, he went into the house of a certain one named Justus, who worshiped God, whose house adjoined the synagogue.

18:8  But Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with his whole house; and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized.

18:9  And the Lord said to Paul in a vision in the night, "Do not be afraid; but speak, and do not be silent,

18:10  For I am with you; and no one shall set upon you to mistreat you because I have many people in this city."

18:11  And he remained there for a year and six months, teaching the Word of God among them.

18:12  Now when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up against Paul with one accord and led him to the judgment seat,

18:13  Saying, "This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law."

18:14  And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "Now then, if it were a matter of some injustice, or wicked criminality, O Jews, according to reason, I should put up with you;

18:15  But on the other hand, if it be a question about a message and names and a law of your own, you see to it yourselves; for I have no desire to be a judge of these things."

18:16  And he drove them from the judgment seat.

18:17  Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But none of these things mattered to Gallio.

18:18  And after Paul had remained there many days, he took leave of the brethren and sailed away to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. Now Paul had shorn his head in Cenchrea because he had made a vow.

18:19  And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

18:20  And when they asked him to remain with them for a longer time, he did not consent,

18:21  But took leave of them, saying, "I must by all means keep the feast that is coming at Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing." And he sailed from Ephesus.

18:22  And after landing at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and visited the church; then he went down to Antioch.

18:23  And when he had stayed there some time, he left and went through the country of the Galatians and the Phrygians in order, establishing all the disciples.

18:24  Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man who was skilled in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.

18:25  He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. And after hearing him, Aquila and Priscilla took him and expounded the way of God to him more perfectly.

18:27  And when he was determined to travel to Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples, exhorting them to welcome him; and after arriving, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,

18:28  For he powerfully refuted the Jews publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Chapter 19

19:1  Now it came to pass that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the upper parts and came to Ephesus; and when he found certain disciples,

19:2  He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit after you believed?" And they said to him, "We have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

19:3  Then he said to them, "Unto what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Unto the baptism of John."

19:4  And Paul said, "John truly baptized with a baptism unto repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in Him Who was coming after him—that is, in Jesus, the Christ."

19:5  And after hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

19:6  Now when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.

19:7  And all the men were about twelve.

19:8  Then he entered into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

19:9  But when some were hardened and refused to believe, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples; and he disputed these things daily in the school of a certain Tyrannus.

19:10  And this took place for two years, so that all those who inhabited Asia heard the message of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

19:11  And God worked special works of power by the hands of Paul,

19:12  So that even when handkerchiefs or cloths were brought from his body to those who were sick, the diseases departed from them and the wicked spirits went out from them.

19:13  Then certain vagabond Jews, exorcists, took it upon themselves to pronounce over those who had wicked spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims."

19:14  Now there were certain men, seven sons of a Jew named Sceva, a high priest, who were doing this.

19:15  But the wicked spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I have knowledge of; but you, who are you?"

19:16  And the man in whom was the wicked spirit attacked them, overpowered them and prevailed against them, so that they escaped out of that house naked and wounded.

19:17  Now this became known to everyone inhabiting Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

19:18  Then many of those who believed came forward to confess and declare their deeds.

19:19  And many of those who practiced the occult arts brought their books and burned them before all; and they calculated the cost of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

19:20  And so the Word of the Lord spread and prevailed mightily.

19:21  Now when all these things had taken place, Paul determined in his spirit that when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, he must go to Jerusalem, saying, "After going there, I must also see Rome."

19:22  And when he had sent to Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he remained in Asia for a time.

19:23  And at that time it came to pass that there was no small tumult about the way.

19:24  For there was a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver temples for Diana, which brought the artificers no small gain.

19:25  After gathering together the workmen who worked in such things, he said, "Men, you know that from this craft we gain our wealth;

19:26  And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great multitude to turn away, saying that they are not gods which are made by hands.

19:27  Now not only is our business in danger of coming into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana, whom all Asia and the world worship, is in danger of being regarded as nothing, and her majesty also is about to be destroyed."

19:28  And after hearing this, they were filled with rage; and they cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

19:29  And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians and fellow travelers of Paul, and rushed with one accord to the theater.

19:30  Now Paul was determined to go in to the people, but the disciples prevented him.

19:31  And some of the chiefs of Asia, who also were his friends, sent to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.

19:32  Now some were crying out one thing and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the majority of them did not know for what reason they had come together.

19:33  Then they selected Alexander from among the multitude, the Jews pushing him forward; and Alexander made a sign with his hand, wishing to make a defense to the people.

19:34  But when they recognized that he was a Jew, there was a unified shout from all for about the space of two hours as they cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!"

19:35  Now after the recorder had calmed the multitude, he said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the inhabitants of the city of Ephesus are keepers of the temple of the great goddess Diana, and of the image that fell down from Jupiter?

19:36  Since these things are undeniable, it is imperative that you be calm and do nothing recklessly.

19:37  For you brought these men forcibly, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.

19:38  On the one hand, if Demetrius and the artificers with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.

19:39  But on the other hand, if you have questions about any other matter, it shall be resolved in a lawful assembly.

19:40  And moreover, we are in danger of being accused of insurrection because of this day since there is not one reason that we can give to justify this gathering."

19:41  And after saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Chapter 20

20:1  When the tumult was over, Paul called the disciples to him and embraced them; then he left to go into Macedonia.

20:2  And after passing through those parts and exhorting them with much speaking, he came to Greece.

20:3  Now after he had been there for three months, he was going to sail to Syria. But when he learned that the Jews were lying in wait for him, he decided to return through Macedonia.

20:4  And these accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater, a Berean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and of Derbe, Gaius and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

20:5  These went on ahead and waited for us in Troas.

20:6  But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days of Unleavened Bread; and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.

20:7  Now on the first day of the weeks, when the disciples had assembled to break bread, Paul preached to them; and because he was going to leave in the morning, he continued speaking until midnight.

20:8  And there were many lamps in the upper room where they were assembled.

20:9  And there sat in the window a certain youth named Eutychus, who was overpowered by deep sleep after Paul had been speaking for a long time; and he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

20:10  But Paul went down and laid himself on him, and embraced him, and said, "Do not be anxious, for his life is in him."

20:11  And after he got up again, and had broken bread and eaten, and talked for a long time, even until daybreak, and thus, he departed.

20:12  And they brought in the boy alive, and were greatly comforted.

20:13  Then we went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take in Paul; for he had so appointed, since he himself was going on foot.

20:14  And after he met with us at Assos and we took him in, we came to Mitylene;

20:15  And from there we sailed away, and on the following day we arrived opposite Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos; and after staying at Trogyllium, the next day we came to Miletus;

20:16  For Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus, because he did not want to spend time in Asia; for he hastened in order to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost, if possible.

20:17  Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

20:18  And when they had come to him, he said to them, "You know how, from the first day I came to Asia, and all the time I was with you,

20:19  I served the Lord with all humility and with many tears and temptations, which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;

20:20  And how I did not keep back anything that was profitable, but preached to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house,

20:21  Earnestly testifying, both to the Jews and the Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

20:22  And now behold, I am bound in the spirit, and am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall happen to me there;

20:23  Except that the Holy Spirit fully testifies in every city, saying that bonds and tribulations await me.

20:24  But I myself do not take any of these things into account, nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify the gospel of the grace of God.

20:25  And now behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom of God, will see my face no more;

20:26  Wherefore I testify to you on this day that I am pure from the blood of all,

20:27  For I have not held back from preaching to you all the counsel of God.

20:28  Take heed therefore to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.

20:29  For I know this: that after my departure grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

20:30  And from among your own selves men will rise up speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after themselves.

20:31  Watch, therefore, remembering that for three years I ceased not to admonish each one night and day with tears.

20:32  And now I commit you, brethren, to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

20:33  I have coveted no one's silver or gold or clothing.

20:34  Rather, you yourselves know that these hands did minister to my needs and to those who were with me.

20:35  In all things, I have showed you that you are obligated to so labor to support those who are weak, remembering the words that the Lord Jesus Himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

20:36  And after saying these things, he knelt with them all and prayed.

20:37  Then there was much weeping by everyone; and they embraced Paul and fervently kissed him,

20:38  Being distressed most of all by his saying that they would not see his face any more. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Chapter 21

21:1  And it came to pass that after leaving them, we sailed away; and taking a direct course, we came to Coos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.

21:2  And when we found a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we got aboard and sailed;

21:3  And after sighting Cyprus, we passed it on the left. Then we sailed to Syria and made port at Tyre, for the ship was unloading cargo there.

21:4  Now after finding the disciples, we remained there for seven days; and they said to Paul by the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

21:5  But it came to pass that after completing the days, we set out on our journey; and everyone accompanied us, with their wives and children, until we were outside the city. Then we knelt on the shore and prayed.

21:6  And after bidding farewell to one another, we went aboard the ship, and they returned to their own homes.

21:7  Then we completed our voyage from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais. And after greeting the brethren, we remained one day with them.

21:8  On the next day, Paul and those of us who had accompanied him departed and came to Caesarea; and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.

21:9  And this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.

21:10  Now after we had been there for many days, a certain man from Judea came down, a prophet named Agabus;

21:11  And he came to us and, taking Paul's belt, bound himself hand and foot, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit: 'The Jews in Jerusalem shall bind the man whose belt this is in the same manner, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' "

21:12  And when we heard these things, both we and those of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

21:13  Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

21:14  And when he was not persuaded, we held our peace, saying, "May the Lord's will be done."

21:15  And after these days, we packed the baggage and went up to Jerusalem.

21:16  And some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, and brought a certain Mnason, a Cypriot, an old disciple with whom we might lodge.

21:17  Now when we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren gladly received us.

21:18  And on the following day, Paul went with us to see James; and all the elders were assembled.

21:19  And after greeting them, he reported one by one the things that God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.

21:20  And when they heard this, they glorified the Lord. Then they said to him, "Brother, you see how many thousands of Jews there are who believe, and they are all zealous of the law of rituals.

21:21  But they have been informed that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to apostatize from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk in the customs.

21:22  What then is going to happen? A multitude is going to assemble, for they will hear that you have come.

21:23  Therefore, do this that we tell you: there are four men with us who have a vow on themselves;

21:24  Take these and be purified with them, and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads; and everyone will know that what they have been informed about you is nothing, and that you yourself also are walking orderly and keeping the law of rituals.

21:25  But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we wrote to them after deciding that they do not have to observe any such thing, except to keep themselves from things that are offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality."

21:26  Then Paul took the men, and on the next day he was purified with them and went into the temple, signifying the fulfillment of the days of purification, until each of them had offered his offering.

21:27  But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude; and they laid their hands on him,

21:28  Crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place; and furthermore, he has also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place."

21:29  For they had previously seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

21:30  And the whole city was stirred up, and the people ran together; and they took hold of Paul and drew him outside the temple, and the doors were immediately shut.

21:31  But as they were attempting to kill him, a report came to the chief captain of the band that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

21:32  And he immediately took soldiers and centurions with him and ran down to them. And when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

21:33  Then the chief captain came up and laid hold of him, and commanded that he be bound with two chains; and he inquired who he might be, and what he had been doing.

21:34  But some in the multitude were crying one thing, and some another. When he was not able to determine the facts because of the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the fortress.

21:35  Now when he came upon the stairs, it happened that he was being carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the multitude,

21:36  For the multitude of people followed, shouting, "Away with him!"

21:37  And when he was about to be brought into the fortress, Paul said to the chief captain, "Is it permissible for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?

21:38  Are not you the Egyptian who previously caused confusion and led into the desert four thousand men who were murderers?"

21:39  But Paul said, "I am a man who is indeed a Jew, a citizen of Cilicia from Tarsus, which is no insignificant city. I beseech you, allow me to speak to the people."

21:40  And after receiving permission from him, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people; and when there was great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Chapter 22

22:1  "Men, brethren and fathers, hear now my defense to you."

22:2  And when they heard him speak to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the more silent; and he said,

22:3  "I am a man who is indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but 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 zealot for God, even as you all are this day;

22:4  And I persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women,

22:5  As also the high priest and all the elderhood bear witness to me; from whom I received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring bound to Jerusalem those who were there also, in order that they might be punished.

22:6  Now it happened that while I was journeying, as I was drawing near to Damascus about midday, a great light from heaven suddenly shined around me.

22:7  And I fell to the ground; and I heard a voice say to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?'

22:8  And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarean, Whom you are persecuting.'

22:9  Now those who were with me indeed saw the light, and were alarmed; but they did not hear the voice of the One Who spoke to me.

22:10  Then I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Stand up and go into Damascus, and there all the things that have been appointed for you to do shall be told to you.'

22:11  And since I could not see because of the brilliance of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and I came to Damascus.

22:12  And a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good report by all the Jews dwelling there,

22:13  Came to me; and he stood and said to me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And I looked up at him at that time.

22:14  And he said, 'The God of our fathers has personally chosen you to know His will, and to see the Just One, and to hear the voice of His mouth;

22:15  For you shall be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

22:16  And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

22:17  And it came to pass that when I returned to Jerusalem, and I was praying in the temple, I entered into a trance;

22:18  And I saw Him saying to me, 'Hurry, and get out of Jerusalem with all speed, because they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.'

22:19  And I said, 'Lord, they themselves are aware that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believe in You.

22:20  And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was being poured out, I myself was also standing by and consenting to putting him to death, and was holding the garments of those who killed him.'

22:21  But He said to me, 'Go, for I am sending you afar off to the Gentiles.' "

22:22  And they listened until they heard him say this; then they lifted up their voices, saying, "Away with such a one from the face of the earth, for he is not fit to live!"

22:23  And as they were shouting and casting off their garments and throwing dust into the air,

22:24  The chief captain commanded that he be brought into the fortress and ordered that he be examined by scourging, so that he might know for what cause they were crying out against him in this way.

22:25  But as he was being tied with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?"

22:26  Now when the centurion heard this, he went and reported it to the chief captain, saying, "Do you realize what you are about to do? For this man is a Roman."

22:27  And when the chief captain came up, he said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes."

22:28  And the chief captain answered, "With a great sum of money I bought this citizenship." And Paul said, "But indeed, I was born free."

22:29  Then those who were about to examine him immediately left the room; and the chief captain also was afraid, after ascertaining that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.

22:30  And on the next day, desiring to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him from his bonds and commanded the chief priests and their whole Sanhedrin to come; and after bringing Paul down, he set him before them.

Chapter 23

23:1  And after gazing intently upon the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Men and brethren, I have conducted myself in all good conscience toward God unto this day."

23:2  Then the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by him to strike him on the mouth.

23:3  And Paul said to him, "God is about to strike you, you whited wall. Do you yourselves now judge me according to the law, while you command me to be struck contrary to the law?"

23:4  But those who were standing by him said, "Do you rail against the high priest of God?"

23:5  And Paul said, "Brethren, I did not know that he is a high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.' "

23:6  Now when Paul learned that one part were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, and a son of a Pharisee: I am being called into question concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead."

23:7  And after he said this, there was dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the multitude was divided;

23:8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel or other spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

23:9  Then there was a great clamor; and the scribes who were part of the Pharisees stood up and contended, saying, "We find nothing evil in this man; and if a spirit spoke to him, or an angel, let us not fight against God."

23:10  And when a great argument arose, the chief captain was afraid that Paul might be torn apart by them; and he commanded the troop to go down and take him out of their midst by force, and to bring him into the fortress.

23:11  Now on the following night, the Lord stood beside him and said, "Be of good courage, Paul; for as you have fully testified the things concerning Me at Jerusalem, so you must bear witness in Rome."

23:12  And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and put themselves under a curse, declaring that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

23:13  And there were more than forty who had made this conspiracy.

23:14  They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, "We have placed ourselves under a curse, that we will taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

23:15  Now therefore, you must go with the Sanhedrin to the chief captain and say that you want to examine him in more detail, so that he will bring him down to you tomorrow, and we will be ready to kill him before he even comes near."

23:16  But the son of Paul's sister heard of their plan to lie in wait; and he came and entered inside the fortress and reported it to Paul.

23:17  And Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to report to him."

23:18  Then he took him and brought him to the chief captain, and said, "The prisoner Paul called me aside and requested that I bring this young man to you, for he has something to say to you."

23:19  And the chief captain took hold of his hand, and they went to a private place; and he inquired, "What is it that you have to report to me?"

23:20  And he said, "The Jews have agreed to request that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as if they desire to question him more thoroughly.

23:21  But you then, do not be persuaded by them; for some of them will lie in wait for him, more than forty men who have put themselves under a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him; and they are now ready, waiting for a promise from you to bring him."

23:22  Then the chief captain dismissed the young man, having charged him to tell no one those things that he had reported to him.

23:23  And he called two certain centurions and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen for the third hour of the night, that they may go as far as Caesarea.

23:24  And have beasts of burden ready, that they may set Paul on them, and may carry him safely through to Felix the governor."

23:25  Then he wrote a letter after this manner:

23:26  "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor, Felix: Greetings!

23:27  This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be put to death by them when I came up with a troop and rescued him, after learning that he is a Roman.

23:28  And desiring to know the cause for which they accused him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin.

23:29  I found that he was accused of questions concerning their law, but had done nothing worthy of death or bonds.

23:30  But when I was informed that a plot against this man was about to be carried out by the Jews, I sent him to you at once, and have also commanded the accusers to say the things against him before your judgment seat. Farewell."

23:31  Then the soldiers, according to the orders given to them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris;

23:32  And on the next day they returned to the fortress, leaving the horsemen to go on with him;

23:33  Who, when they came into Caesarea, gave the letter to the governor and also presented Paul to him.

23:34  And after reading the letter, the governor asked from what province he was. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,

23:35  He said, "I will give you a full hearing when your accusers also have arrived." And he commanded him to be kept in the Praetorium of Herod.

Chapter 24

24:1  Then after five days, the high priest Ananias came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus, who made a presentation to the governor against Paul.

24:2  And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "Since we have obtained great peace through you, and excellent things have been done for this nation through your forethought,

24:3  Both in every way and everywhere, we gladly accept it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

24:4  But that I may not further trouble you, I beseech you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

24:5  For we have found this man to be a pest, and a mover of insurrection among the Jews in the whole world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazareans;

24:6  Who also attempted to profane the temple, and whom also we seized, desiring to judge him according to our laws;

24:7  But Lysias, the chief captain, came and took him with great force from our hands.

24:8  And he has commanded his accusers to come to you, from whom you yourself will be able, after examining him, to know all those things of which we accuse him."

24:9  Then the Jews also concurred, saying that these things were so.

24:10  And when the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul answered, "Knowing that you have been a judge to this nation for many years, I do more cheerfully make defense for myself concerning these things.

24:11  So that you may understand, it was not more than twelve days ago that I went up to worship in Jerusalem;

24:12  And neither did anyone find me disputing with anyone in the temple, nor inciting a tumult among the people— neither in the synagogues, nor in the city;

24:13  Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

24:14  But I confess to you that according to the way which they call heresy, so I serve the God of my fathers, believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets;

24:15  Having hope in God, which they themselves also acknowledge, that there will be a resurrection of the dead—both the just and the unjust.

24:16  And in this hope, I exercise myself to have a conscience without offense toward God and men continually.

24:17  Now after many years, I arrived bringing to my nation my alms and offerings.

24:18  But there were certain Jews from Asia who found me purified in the temple— not with a multitude, nor with tumult.

24:19  If they have anything against me, it is obligatory for them to appear in person before you to accuse me.

24:20  Or let these who are here themselves speak, if they found any unrighteousness in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,

24:21  Other than this one saying that I cried out while standing among them: 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.' "

24:22  And after hearing these things, Felix, having a more perfect knowledge of the things concerning the way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias, the chief captain, has come down, I will examine the things concerning you."

24:23  And he ordered the centurion to keep Paul, to let him have liberty, and not to forbid those of his own to come to him or to minister to him.

24:24  Now after certain days, Felix appeared with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess; and he sent for Paul and listened to him speak about the faith in Christ.

24:25  And as he reasoned concerning righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became fearful and answered, "You may go now, and when I find an opportunity, I will call for you."

24:26  Moreover, he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul, so that he might release him; for this reason, he sent for him and conversed with him more often.

24:27  But at the end of two years, Felix was succeeded as governor by Porcius Festus; and, desiring to gain favor for himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.

Chapter 25

25:1  Now three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

25:2  Then the high priest and the chief Jews presented before him the charges against Paul; and they besought him,

25:3  Asking a favor against Paul, that he would have him sent to Jerusalem, because they were preparing an ambush to kill him on the way.

25:4  Then Festus replied that Paul would be kept in Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.

25:5  He said, "Therefore, let those who are in power among you go down also; and if anything wicked is in this man, let them accuse him there."

25:6  Now after spending more than ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day he sat on the judgment seat and commanded that Paul be brought.

25:7  And when he came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood all around, presenting numerous and weighty charges against Paul, which they were not able to prove.

25:8  Then he answered in his own defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar did I transgress in anything."

25:9  But Festus, desiring to obtain favor with the Jews, asked Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be judged before me there concerning these things?"

25:10  But Paul said, "I stand before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I have the right to be judged. I did nothing wrong to the Jews as you very well know.

25:11  For on the one hand, if I am a wrongdoer and have done anything worthy of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is no truth in their accusations against me, no one can deliver me over to them. I appeal to Caesar."

25:12  And after conferring with the council, Festus answered, "You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go."

25:13  Now when certain days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to greet Festus.

25:14  And after they had been there many days, Festus set before the king the things relating to Paul, saying, "There is a certain man, left here by Felix as a prisoner,

25:15  Against whom, when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented allegations, seeking judgment against him;

25:16  To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to die before he has been accused, but to have the opportunity to meet his accusers face to face, and to defend himself concerning the accusation.

25:17  Then they came together; and without delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought.

25:18  When the accusers stood up to accuse, they did not bring any accusation of the kind that I supposed they would bring against him.

25:19  But they had certain questions against him concerning their own religious system, and concerning a certain Jesus, Who is dead, but Whom Paul affirmed to be alive;

25:20  And being in doubt about the investigation of this matter, I asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem to be judged there concerning these things.

25:21  But when Paul himself appealed that he be reserved for a hearing before Augustus, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar."

25:22  And Agrippa said to Festus, "I also have been desiring to hear the man myself." And he said, "Tomorrow you shall hear him."

25:23  So then, Agrippa and Bernice came in the next day with great pomp, and entered into the hall of audience with the chief captains and the eminent men of the city; and when Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in.

25:24  And Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all the men who are present with us, this is the one concerning whom the entire multitude of Jews pleaded with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

25:25  But when I perceived that he had done nothing worthy of death, and that he himself had also appealed to Augustus, I determined to send him.

25:26  However, I do not have anything certain to write to my lord concerning him. I have therefore, brought him before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has been completed, I may have something to write;

25:27  For it seems irrational to me to send a prisoner, and not to declare the charges against him."

Chapter 26

26:1  And Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

26:2  "Concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself blessed in being able to make my defense before you today,

26:3  Especially since you are acquainted with all the customs and questions among the Jews; therefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently.

26:4  The manner of my life from childhood, which from the beginning was among my nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews know;

26:5  Who knew me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I formerly lived as a Pharisee.

26:6  And I now stand in judgment for the hope of the promise made by God to the fathers;

26:7  Unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to come. Concerning this hope I am accused, O King Agrippa, by the Jews.

26:8  Why do you find it incredible that God would raise the dead?

26:9  For this very reason, I truly thought in myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarean,

26:10  Which I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my full consent against them.

26:11  And by punishing them often in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme. And being exceedingly furious against them, I persecuted them even as far as to foreign cities.

26:12  During this time, I was journeying to Damascus with authorization and a commission from the chief priests,

26:13  When I saw on the road at midday, O king, a light from heaven, surpassing the brightness of the sun, shine around me and those who were traveling with me.

26:14  Then all of us fell to the ground; and I heard a voice speak to me, saying in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks.'

26:15  And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said, 'I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting.

26:16  Now arise, and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you as a minister and a witness both of what you have seen and what I shall reveal to you.

26:17  I am personally selecting you from among the people and the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,

26:18  To open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, so that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified through faith in Me.'

26:19  Upon hearing this, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision;

26:20  For I preached to those in Damascus first, and then to Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, declaring that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

26:21  On account of these things, the Jews seized me in the temple and attempted to kill me.

26:22  So then, having obtained help from God unto this day, I have stood, bearing witness both to the small and the great, saying nothing else than what both the prophets and Moses said would happen:

26:23  That Christ would suffer, and that He would be the first to be raised from the dead, and to proclaim light to the people and to the Gentiles."

26:24  And while he was uttering these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are out of your mind, Paul; much learning has turned you to madness."

26:25  But he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but I utter true and rational words.

26:26  For the king, to whom I speak with boldness, is informed of these things. For I am convinced that none of these things are hidden from him; for this has not been done in a corner.

26:27  King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."

26:28  Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Will you persuade me to become a Christian in such a little time?"

26:29  And Paul said, "I wish to God that in both a little time and in much, not only you, but also all those who are listening to me this day, would become such as I am, except for these bonds."

26:30  And after he said these things, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice also, and those who sat with them.

26:31  And when they had withdrawn, they spoke to one another, saying, "This man has done nothing worthy of death or of bonds."

26:32  Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar."

Chapter 27

27:1  Now when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered up Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, who was of the band of Augustus.

27:2  And after boarding a ship of Adramyttium that was about to pass by the coasts of Asia, we set sail; and Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.

27:3  And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly, allowing him to go to his friends to refresh himself.

27:4  Now after setting sail from there, we sailed below Cyprus because the winds were contrary.

27:5  And after sailing across the sea by Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to the city of Myra in Lycia.

27:6  And when the centurion found there a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy, he put us on board.

27:7  And after many days of slow sailing, and having great difficulty passing by Cnidus, for the wind hindered us, we sailed below Crete near to Salmone;

27:8  And after sailing along its coast with difficulty, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near which was a city of Lasea.

27:9  And after much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because the annual fast day had already passed, Paul warned the soldiers,

27:10  Saying to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will be a disaster and will cause much loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also of our lives."

27:11  But the centurion was persuaded by the captain and the owner of the ship, rather than by the things spoken by Paul.

27:12  And since the port was ill adapted to winter in, the majority also advised to set sail from there, if by any means they might be able to reach Phoenice to winter in this port of Crete, which lies toward the southwest and toward the northwest.

27:13  And when a south wind was gently blowing, they thought they had obtained their purpose; and after weighing anchor, they sailed close to Crete.

27:14  But not long after, there came a tempestuous wind called Euroclydon.

27:15  And when the ship was caught in the storm, and we were not able to bring her head into the wind, we let her go and were driven along.

27:16  Now when we passed below a certain small island called Clauda, we were hardly able to gain control of the ship;

27:17  And taking up helps, they used them to undergird the ship; then, fearing that we would fall into quicksand, they lowered the sails, and so were driven.

27:18  But we were violently tossed by the tempest, and the next day they cast out the cargo to lighten the ship.

27:19  And on the third day, we threw the ship's equipment overboard with our own hands.

27:20  But when neither the sun nor the stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest was lying on us, all hope of our being saved was taken away.

27:21  Then, after a long period of silence, Paul stood up in their midst and said, "O men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete, and you would have been spared this disaster and loss;

27:22  But I exhort you now to be of good cheer, because there shall not be any loss of life among you, only of the ship.

27:23  For there stood by me this night an angel of God, Whose I am and Whom I serve,

27:24  Saying, 'Have no fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has given to you all those sailing with you.'

27:25  So then, be of good cheer, men; for I believe God, that it will be exactly as it was told to me.

27:26  But we must be cast upon a certain island."

27:27  And when the fourteenth night had come, we were being driven about in the Adriatic; but toward the middle of the night, some of the sailors thought that they were nearing some country.

27:28  And when they sounded, they found it twenty fathoms; then they went a little farther and sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms;

27:29  And fearing that we would come upon rocky places, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for day to come.

27:30  But when the sailors sought to escape from the ship and let the boat down into the sea, pretending that they were going to cast the anchors from the bow of the ship,

27:31  Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these remain in the ship, you cannot be saved."

27:32  Then the soldiers cut away the ropes from the boat and let it fall.

27:33  Now as day was coming on, Paul urged them all to partake of food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued to watch while fasting, and have taken nothing.

27:34  Now then, I advise you to take food because it is for your well being; for not a hair shall fall from the head of anyone among you."

27:35  And after saying these things, he took a loaf and gave thanks to God before everyone; and afterwards he broke it and began to eat.

27:36  Then they were all of good cheer, and also took bread for themselves.

27:37  Now all that were in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six souls.

27:38  And after they were satisfied with food, they lightened the ship by casting out the wheat into the sea.

27:39  And when it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they noticed a certain bay that had a shore, into which they proposed to drive the ship if they were able.

27:40  Then they cut away the anchors and left them in the sea; at the same time, they loosened the bands of the rudders and, hoisting the foresail into the wind, made for the shore.

27:41  But coming upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the bow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.

27:42  Then the soldiers decided to kill the prisoners, lest anyone should swim away and escape.

27:43  But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from carrying out their purpose; and he commanded those who could swim to cast themselves off first and go on to the land.

27:44  As for the rest, some came from the ship on boards, and others on some of the things from the ship; and so it came to pass that everyone was brought safely to the land.

Chapter 28

28:1  Now when they were safe, they learned that the island was called Melita.

28:2  And the barbarians showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold and received all of us.

28:3  But when Paul gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and wound itself around his hand.

28:4  And when the barbarians saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt, this man is a murderer; although he has been saved from the sea, justice does not permit him to live."

28:5  But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no injury.

28:6  Now they were expecting him to become swollen, or suddenly fall down dead. But when they watched for a long time and saw that no harm came to him, they changed their opinion and said that he was a god.

28:7  Now in the areas around that place were lands that belonged to the chief of the island, named Publius, who received us in a brotherly way and lodged us for three days.

28:8  Now it happened that Publius' father lay afflicted with fevers and dysentery; but Paul came to him and prayed for him, and laid his hands on him and healed him.

28:9  So then, after this took place, the others on the island who had infirmities came and were healed.

28:10  And they honored us with many honors; and when we set sail, they gave us the things that we needed.

28:11  Then after three months, we sailed in a ship that had wintered at the island; it was an Alexandrian ship with the sign Dioscuri.

28:12  Now after landing at Syracuse, we remained for three days.

28:13  After setting a course from there, we arrived at Rhegium; and after one day the south wind blew, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.

28:14  There we found brethren, who entreated us to remain with them for seven days. And so, after that we came to Rome.

28:15  Now the brethren there had heard the things concerning us, and they came out to meet us as far as the marketplace of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to God and took courage.

28:16  And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the commander of the camp; but Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him.

28:17  Now it came to pass that after three days, Paul called together those who were chief among the Jews. And when they had come together, he said to them, "Men and brethren, although I have done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, I was delivered into the hands of the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem.

28:18  After examining me, they desired to let me go because there was not one cause of death in me.

28:19  But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—not as though I had anything to charge against my nation.

28:20  For this cause then, I have called for you, in order that I might see you and speak to you; because it is for the hope of Israel that I have this chain around me."

28:21  Then they said to him, "We have neither received letters concerning you from Judea, nor have any of the brethren who have arrived reported anything or spoken evil of you.

28:22  But we would like to hear from you and to know what you think, because we are indeed very aware that this sect is everywhere spoken against."

28:23  And when they appointed a day for him to speak, many came into his lodging to hear him; and he expounded to them from morning until evening, fully testifying of the kingdom of God and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets.

28:24  And some were truly convinced of the things that were spoken, but some did not believe.

28:25  And they departed in disagreement with one another after Paul had spoken these words: "Well did the Holy Spirit speak by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

28:26  Saying, 'Go to this people and say, "In hearing you shall hear, and in no way understand; and in seeing you shall see, but in no way perceive.

28:27  For the heart of this people has grown fat, and their ears are dull of hearing, and they have closed their eyes; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them." '

28:28  Be it known to you, that the salvation of God has, therefore, been sent to the Gentiles; and they will hear."

28:29  And after he said these things, the Jews went away with much debate among themselves.

28:30  And Paul remained two whole years in his own hired house, welcoming all who came to him,

28:31  Proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, no man forbidding him.