AKJV - Acts

Chapter 1

1:1  The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

1:2  Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen:

1:3  To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

1:4  And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you have heard of me.

1:5  For John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

1:6  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

1:7  And he said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in his own power.

1:8  But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.

1:9  And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

1:10  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

1:11  Which also said, You men of Galilee, why stand you gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into heaven.

1:12  Then returned they to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

1:13  And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where stayed both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

1:14  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

1:15  And in those days Peter stood up in the middle of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

1:16  Men and brothers, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

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

1:18  Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels gushed out.

1:19  And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; so as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

1:20  For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his position as bishop let another take.

1:21  Why of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, to that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

1:23  And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

1:24  And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, which know the hearts of all men, show whether of these two you have chosen,

1:25  That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

1:26  And they gave forth 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 was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2:2  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

2:3  And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them.

2:4  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

2:5  And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

2:6  Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

2:7  And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

2:8  And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

2:9  Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

2:10  Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,

2:11  Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

2:12  And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What means this?

2:13  Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

2:14  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said to them, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known to you, and listen to my words:

2:15  For these are not drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is but 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, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit on 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 on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

2:19  And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke:

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

2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2:22  You men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the middle of you, as you yourselves also know:

2:23  Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:

2:24  Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be held of it.

2:25  For David speaks concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

2:26  Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

2:27  Because you will not leave my soul in hell, neither will you suffer your Holy One to see corruption.

2:28  You have made known to me the ways of life; you shall make me full of joy with your countenance.

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

2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

2:31  He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

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

2:33  Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he has shed forth this, which you now see and hear.

2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he said himself, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit you on my right hand,

2:35  Until I make your foes your footstool.

2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God has made the same Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

2:37  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brothers, what shall we do?

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

2:39  For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls.

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

2:43  And fear came on every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

2:44  And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

2:47  Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

Chapter 3

3:1  Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

3:2  And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3:3  Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

3:4  And Peter, fastening his eyes on him with John, said, Look on us.

3:5  And he gave heed to them, expecting to receive something of them.

3:6  Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

3:7  And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

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

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

3:10  And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened to him.

3:11  And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

3:12  And when Peter saw it, he answered to the people, You men of Israel, why marvel you at this? or why look you so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?

3:13  The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Son Jesus; whom you delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

3:14  But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted to you;

3:15  And killed the Prince of life, whom God has raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

3:16  And his name through faith in his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know: yes, the faith which is by him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

3:17  And now, brothers, I know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers.

3:18  But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he has so fulfilled.

3:19  Repent you therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

3:20  And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached to you:

3:21  Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, 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 of your brothers, like to me; him shall you hear in all things whatever he shall say to you.

3:23  And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

3:24  Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

3:25  You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, And in your seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

3:26  To you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Chapter 4

4:1  And as they spoke to the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came on them,

4:2  Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

4:3  And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold to the next day: for it was now eventide.

4:4  However, many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

4:5  And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

4:6  And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

4:7  And when they had set them in the middle, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have you done this?

4:8  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them, You rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

4:9  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the weak man, by what means he is made whole;

4:10  Be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him does this man stand here before you whole.

4:11  This is the stone which was set at nothing of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

4:14  And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

4:15  But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

4:16  Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

4:17  But that it spread no further among the people, let us straightly threaten them, that they speak from now on to no man in this name.

4:18  And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

4:19  But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, judge you.

4:20  For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

4:21  So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

4:22  For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

4:23  And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.

4:24  And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, you are God, which have made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

4:25  Who by the mouth of your servant David have said, Why did the heathen 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 against your holy child Jesus, whom you have anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

4:28  For to do whatever your hand and your counsel determined before to be done.

4:29  And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant to your servants, that with all boldness they may speak your word,

4:30  By stretching forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of your holy child Jesus.

4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was on them all.

4:34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

4:35  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made to every man according as he had need.

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

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

Chapter 5

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

5:2  And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

5:4  Whiles it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied to men, but to God.

5:5  And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

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

5:7  And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

5:8  And Peter answered to her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much? And she said, Yes, for so much.

5:9  Then Peter said to her, How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried your husband are at the door, and shall carry you out.

5:10  Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

5:11  And great fear came on all the church, and on as many as heard these things.

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

5:13  And of the rest dared no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

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

5:15  So that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.

5:16  There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

5:18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

5:19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

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

5:21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

5:22  But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned and told,

5:23  Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

5:24  Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

5:25  Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

5:26  Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

5:27  And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,

5:28  Saying, Did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? and, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood on us.

5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

5:30  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree.

5:31  Him has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him.

5:33  When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

5:34  Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;

5:35  And said to them, You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men.

5:36  For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nothing.

5:37  After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

5:38  And now I say to you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nothing:

5:39  But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God.

5:40  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Chapter 6

6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

6:2  Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

6:3  Why, brothers, look you out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

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

6:5  And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

6:6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

6:7  And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

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

6:9  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen.

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

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

6:12  And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came on him, and caught him, and brought him to the council,

6:13  And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceases not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

6:14  For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

6:15  And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

Chapter 7

7:1  Then said the high priest, Are these things so?

7:2  And he said, Men, brothers, and fathers, listen; The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelled in Charran,

7:3  And said to him, Get you out of your country, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you.

7:4  Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelled in Charran: and from there, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein you now dwell.

7:5  And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

7:6  And God spoke on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

7:7  And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

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

7:9  And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him,

7:10  And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

7:11  Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

7:12  But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first.

7:13  And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers; and Joseph's kindred was made known to Pharaoh.

7:14  Then sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred, three score and fifteen souls.

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

7:16  And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulcher that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.

7:17  But when the time of the promise drew near, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

7:18  Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

7:19  The same dealt subtly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

7:20  In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father's house three months:

7:21  And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

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

7:23  And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers the children of Israel.

7:24  And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:

7:25  For he supposed his brothers would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

7:26  And the next day he showed himself to them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, you are brothers; why do you wrong one to another?

7:27  But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?

7:28  Will you kill me, as you did the Egyptian yesterday?

7:29  Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.

7:30  And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.

7:31  When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of the LORD came to him,

7:32  Saying, I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and dared not behold.

7:33  Then said the Lord to him, Put off your shoes from your feet: for the place where you stand is holy ground.

7:34  I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you into Egypt.

7:35  This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

7:36  He brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

7:37  This is that Moses, which said to the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up to you of your brothers, like to me; him shall you hear.

7:38  This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give to us:

7:39  To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,

7:40  Saying to Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.

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

7:42  Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O you house of Israel, have you offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

7:43  Yes, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which you made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.

7:44  Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking to Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

7:45  Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David;

7:46  Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.

7:47  But Solomon built him an house.

7:48  However, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as said the prophet,

7:49  Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will you build me? said the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?

7:50  Has not my hand made all these things?

7:51  You stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you.

7:52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers:

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

7:54  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

7:55  But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

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

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

7:58  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling on God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

7:60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Chapter 8

8:1  And Saul was consenting to his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

8:2  And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

8:3  As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

8:4  Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

8:5  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ to them.

8:6  And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

8:7  For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

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

8:9  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

8:10  To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

8:11  And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

8:12  But when they believed Philip preaching 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 believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

8:14  Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John:

8:15  Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

8:16  (For as yet he was fallen on none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

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

8:18  And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

8:19  Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

8:20  But Peter said to him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

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

8:22  Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray 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 in the bond of iniquity.

8:24  Then answered Simon, and said, Pray you to the LORD for me, that none of these things which you have spoken come on me.

8:25  And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

8:26  And the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert.

8:27  And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

8:28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

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

8:30  And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understand you what you read?

8:31  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

8:32  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

8:33  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

8:34  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

8:35  Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached to him Jesus.

8:36  And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized?

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

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

8:39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

8:40  But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Chapter 9

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

9:2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?

9:5  And he said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks.

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

9:7  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9:9  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord 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 called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prays,

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

9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem:

9:14  And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.

9:15  But the Lord said to him, Go your way: for he 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 how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

9:17  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

9:18  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.

9:19  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

9:20  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

9:21  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?

9:22  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelled at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

9:23  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

9:24  But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

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

9:26  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

9:27  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

9:28  And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

9:29  And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

9:30  Which when the brothers knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

9:31  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

9:32  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelled at Lydda.

9:33  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

9:34  And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ makes you whole: arise, and make your bed. And he arose immediately.

9:35  And all that dwelled at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

9:36  Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and giving of alms which she did.

9:37  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

9:38  And for as much as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent to him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

9:39  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

9:40  But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body 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 lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

9:42  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

9:43  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Chapter 10

10:1  There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,

10:2  A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always.

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

10:4  And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your alms are come up for a memorial before God.

10:5  And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:

10:6  He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell you what you ought to do.

10:7  And when the angel which spoke to Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

10:8  And when he had declared all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa.

10:9  On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10:10  And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

10:11  And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending on him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:

10:12  Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

10:13  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.

10:14  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

10:15  And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has cleansed, that call not you common.

10:16  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

10:17  Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,

10:18  And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.

10:19  While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek you.

10:20  Arise therefore, and get you down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

10:21  Then Peter went down to the men which were sent to him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom you seek: what is the cause why you are come?

10:22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for you into his house, and to hear words of you.

10:23  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

10:24  And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and he had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

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

10:26  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

10:27  And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

10:28  And he said to them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

10:29  Therefore came I to you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent you have sent for me?

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

10:31  And said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

10:32  Send therefore to Joppa, and call here Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he comes, shall speak to you.

10:33  Immediately therefore I sent to you; and you have well done that you are come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded you of God.

10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

10:35  But in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.

10:36  The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

10:37  That word, I say, you know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

10:38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

10:39  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

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

10:41  Not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

10:42  And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

10:43  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins.

10:44  While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

10:45  And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

10:46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Chapter 11

11:1  And the apostles and brothers that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

11:2  And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

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

11:4  But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order to them, saying,

11:5  I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

11:6  On the which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

11:7  And I heard a voice saying to me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.

11:8  But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my mouth.

11:9  But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God has cleansed, that call not you common.

11:10  And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11:11  And, behold, immediately there were three men already come to the house where I was, sent from Caesarea to me.

11:12  And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brothers accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house:

11:13  And he showed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said to him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;

11:14  Who shall tell you words, whereby you and all your house shall be saved.

11:15  And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

11:16  Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

11:17  For as much then as God gave them the like gift as he did to us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

11:18  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life.

11:19  Now they which were scattered abroad on the persecution that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but to the Jews only.

11:20  And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spoke to the Grecians, preaching 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  Then tidings of these things came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

11:23  Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would hold to the Lord.

11:24  For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord.

11:25  Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

11:27  And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.

11:28  And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.

11:29  Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers which dwelled in Judaea:

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

Chapter 12

12:1  Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.

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

12:3  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

12:4  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

12:5  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church to God for him.

12:6  And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

12:7  And, behold, the angel of the Lord came on him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

12:8  And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And so he did. And he said to him, Cast your garment about you, and follow me.

12:9  And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

12:10  When they were past the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him.

12:11  And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the LORD has sent his angel, and has delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12:12  And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

12:13  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to listen, named Rhoda.

12:14  And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

12:15  And they said to her, You are mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

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

12:17  But he, beckoning to them with the hand to hold their peace, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things to James, and to the brothers. And he departed, and went into another place.

12:18  Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

12:19  And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there stayed.

12:20  And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.

12:21  And on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne, and made an oration to them.

12:22  And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.

12:23  And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

12:24  But the word of God grew and multiplied.

12:25  And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

Chapter 13

13:1  Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

13:2  As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

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

13:4  So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

13:5  And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

13:6  And when they had gone through the isle to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

13:7  Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

13:8  But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

13:9  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

13:10  And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

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

13:12  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

13:13  Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

13:14  But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

13:15  And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, You men and brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

13:16  Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you that fear God, give audience.

13:17  The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelled as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

13:18  And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

13:19  And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

13:20  And after that he gave to them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

13:21  And afterward they desired a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up to them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.

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

13:24  When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

13:25  And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think you that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

13:26  Men and brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and whoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

13:27  For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

13:28  And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

13:29  And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulcher.

13:30  But God raised him from the dead:

13:31  And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.

13:32  And we declare to you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made to the fathers,

13:33  God has fulfilled the same to us their children, in that he has raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you.

13:34  And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

13:35  Why he said also in another psalm, You shall not suffer your Holy One to see corruption.

13:36  For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid to his fathers, and saw corruption:

13:37  But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

13:38  Be it known to you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins:

13:39  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

13:40  Beware therefore, lest that come on you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

13:41  Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it to you.

13:42  And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles sought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

13:43  Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

13:44  And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

13:45  But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

13:46  Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, see, we turn to the Gentiles.

13:47  For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.

13:48  And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

13:49  And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

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

13:51  But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.

13:52  And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Chapter 14

14:1  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

14:2  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brothers.

14:3  Long time therefore stayed they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

14:4  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

14:5  And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them spitefully, and to stone them,

14:6  They were ware of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region that lies round about:

14:7  And there they preached the gospel.

14:8  And there sat a certain man at Lystra, weak in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:

14:9  The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

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

14:11  And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

14:12  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

14:13  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14:14  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

14:15  And saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach to you that you should turn from these vanities to the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

14:16  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

14:17  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

14:18  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice to them.

14:19  And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

14:20  However,, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

14:21  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

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

14:23  And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

14:24  And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

14:25  And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

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

14:27  And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

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

Chapter 15

15:1  And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brothers, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

15:2  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

15:3  And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brothers.

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

15:5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

15:6  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brothers, you know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

15:8  And God, which knows the hearts, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did to us;

15:9  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

15:10  Now therefore why tempt you God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

15:12  Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles by them.

15:13  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brothers, listen to me:

15:14  Simeon has declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

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

15:16  After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

15:17  That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, on whom my name is called, said the Lord, who does all these things.

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

15:19  Why my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

15:20  But that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

15:21  For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

15:22  Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brothers:

15:23  And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

15:24  For as much as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

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

15:26  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:27  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

15:28  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things;

15:29  That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if you keep yourselves, you shall do well. Fare you well.

15:30  So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter:

15:31  Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

15:32  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words, and confirmed them.

15:33  And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brothers to the apostles.

15:34  Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

15:35  Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

15:36  And some days after Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

15:37  And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

15:38  But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

15:39  And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus;

15:40  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brothers to the grace of God.

15:41  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Chapter 16

16:1  Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

16:2  Which was well reported of by the brothers that were at Lystra and Iconium.

16:3  Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

16:4  And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

16:5  And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

16:6  Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

16:7  After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

16:8  And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

16:9  And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

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

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

16:12  And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

16:13  And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spoke to the women which resorted thither.

16:14  And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended to the things which were spoken of Paul.

16:15  And when she was baptized, and her household, she sought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16:16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

16:17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show to us the way of salvation.

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

16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace to the rulers,

16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

16:21  And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

16:22  And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

16:23  And when they had laid many stripes on them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

16:24  Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.

16:26  And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

16:27  And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

16:28  But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here.

16:29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.

16:32  And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

16:33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

16:34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

16:35  And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.

16:36  And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

16:37  But Paul said to them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privately? no truly; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

16:38  And the sergeants told these words to the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

16:39  And they came and sought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

16:40  And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brothers, they comforted them, and departed.

Chapter 17

17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in to them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,

17:3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach to you, is Christ.

17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

17:5  But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took to them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

17:6  And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come here also;

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

17:8  And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

17:9  And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

17:10  And the brothers immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

17:12  Therefore many of them believed; also of honorable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

17:13  But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

17:14  And then immediately the brothers sent away Paul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus stayed there still.

17:15  And they that conducted Paul brought him to Athens: and receiving a commandment to Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

17:16  Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17:17  Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

17:18  Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seems to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached to them Jesus, and the resurrection.

17:19  And they took him, and brought him to Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof you speak, is?

17:20  For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

17:21  (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

17:22  Then Paul stood in the middle of Mars' hill, and said, You men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.

17:23  For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore you ignorantly worship, him declare I to you.

17:24  God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;

17:25  Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he gives to all life, and breath, and all things;

17:26  And has made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

17:29  For as much then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold, or silver, or stone, graven by are and man's device.

17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

17:31  Because he has appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained; whereof he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.

17:32  And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear you again of this matter.

17:33  So Paul departed from among them.

17:34  However, certain men joined to him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Chapter 18

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

18:2  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came to them.

18:3  And because he was of the same craft, he stayed with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

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

18:5  And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

18:6  And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said to them, Your blood be on your own heads; I am clean; from now on I will go to the Gentiles.

18:7  And he departed there, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

18:8  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

18:9  Then spoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not your peace:

18:10  For I am with you, and no man shall set on you to hurt you: for I have much people in this city.

18:11  And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

18:12  And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

18:13  Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.

18:14  And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O you Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

18:15  But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look you to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

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

18:17  Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

18:18  And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brothers, and sailed there into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

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

18:20  When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

18:21  But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that comes in Jerusalem: but I will return again to you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

18:22  And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

18:23  And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

18:24  And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

18:25  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

18:26  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.

18:27  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brothers wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

18:28  For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Chapter 19

19:1  And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

19:2  He said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

19:3  And he said to them, To what then were you baptized? And they said, To John's baptism.

19:4  Then said Paul, John truly baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

19:5  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

19:6  And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

19:7  And all the men were about twelve.

19:8  And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

19:9  But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spoke evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

19:10  And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelled in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

19:11  And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

19:12  So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

19:13  Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took on them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.

19:14  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

19:15  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?

19:16  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

19:17  And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

19:18  And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.

19:19  Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

19:20  So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

19:21  After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

19:22  So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

19:23  And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

19:24  For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen;

19:25  Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, you know that by this craft we have our wealth.

19:26  Moreover you see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

19:27  So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nothing; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships.

19:28  And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

19:29  And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

19:30  And when Paul would have entered in to the people, the disciples suffered him not.

19:31  And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent to him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

19:32  Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not why they were come together.

19:33  And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense to the people.

19:34  But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

19:35  And when the town cleark had appeased the people, he said, You men of Ephesus, what man is there that knows not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

19:36  Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

19:37  For you have brought here these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

19:38  Why if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them accuse one another.

19:39  But if you inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

19:40  For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

19:41  And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Chapter 20

20:1  And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called to him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.

20:2  And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

20:3  And there stayed three months. And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

20:4  And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

20:5  These going before tarried for us at Troas.

20:6  And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days; where we stayed seven days.

20:7  And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached to them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

20:8  And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

20:9  And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

20:10  And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

20:11  When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

20:12  And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

20:13  And we went before to ship, and sailed to Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

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

20:15  And we sailed there, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.

20:16  For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hurried, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

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

20:18  And when they were come to him, he said to them, You know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

20:19  Serving the LORD with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

20:20  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

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

20:22  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

20:23  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

20:25  And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

20:26  Why I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

20:27  For I have not shunned to declare to you all the counsel of God.

20:28  Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.

20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

20:32  And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

20:33  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

20:34  Yes, you yourselves know, that these hands have ministered to my necessities, and to them that were with me.

20:35  I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

20:36  And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

20:37  And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,

20:38  Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

Chapter 21

21:1  And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from there to Patara:

21:2  And finding a ship sailing over to Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

21:3  Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

21:4  And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

21:5  And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

21:6  And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

21:7  And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.

21:8  And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came to Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and stayed with him.

21:9  And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

21:10  And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

21:11  And when he was come to us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus said the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that ownes this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

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

21:13  Then Paul answered, What mean you to weep and to break my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

21:14  And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

21:15  And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.

21:16  There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

21:17  And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.

21:18  And the day following Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.

21:19  And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had worked among the Gentiles by his ministry.

21:20  And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

21:21  And they are informed of you, that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

21:22  What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that you are come.

21:23  Do therefore this that we say to you: We have four men which have a vow on them;

21:24  Them take, and purify yourself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning you, are nothing; but that you yourself also walk orderly, and keep the law.

21:25  As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

21:26  Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

21:27  And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

21:28  Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and has polluted this holy place.

21:29  (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

21:30  And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.

21:31  And as they went about to kill him, tidings came to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

21:32  Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

21:33  Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

21:34  And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

21:35  And when he came on the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

21:36  For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

21:37  And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said to the chief captain, May I speak to you? Who said, Can you speak Greek?

21:38  Are not you that Egyptian, which before these days made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

21:39  But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech you, suffer me to speak to the people.

21:40  And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand to the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Chapter 22

22:1  Men, brothers, and fathers, hear you my defense which I make now to you.

22:2  (And when they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he said,)

22:3  I am truly a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day.

22:4  And I persecuted this way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

22:5  As also the high priest does bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound to Jerusalem, for to be punished.

22:6  And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come near to Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

22:7  And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecute you me?

22:8  And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.

22:9  And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me.

22:10  And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told you of all things which are appointed for you to do.

22:11  And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

22:12  And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelled there,

22:13  Came to me, and stood, and said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And the same hour I looked up on him.

22:14  And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen you, that you should know his will, and see that Just One, and should hear the voice of his mouth.

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

22:16  And now why tarry you? 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 was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

22:18  And saw him saying to me, Make haste, and get you quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive your testimony concerning me.

22:19  And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on you:

22:20  And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

22:21  And he said to me, Depart: for I will send you far hence to the Gentiles.

22:22  And they gave him audience to this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

22:23  And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

22:24  The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know why they cried so against him.

22:25  And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to whip a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

22:26  When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what you do: for this man is a Roman.

22:27  Then the chief captain came, and said to him, Tell me, are you a Roman? He said, Yes.

22:28  And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

22:29  Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

22:30  On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty why he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Chapter 23

23:1  And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

23:2  And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

23:3  Then said Paul to him, God shall smite you, you white washed wall: for sit you to judge me after the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?

23:4  And they that stood by said, Revile you God's high priest?

23:5  Then said Paul, I knew not, brothers, that he was the high priest: for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.

23:6  But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

23:7  And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

23:8  For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

23:9  And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

23:10  And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

23:11  And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness also at Rome.

23:12  And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

23:13  And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

23:14  And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

23:15  Now therefore you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down to you to morrow, as though you would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

23:16  And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

23:17  Then Paul called one of the centurions to him, and said, Bring this young man to the chief captain: for he has a certain thing to tell him.

23:18  So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him, and prayed me to bring this young man to you, who has something to say to you.

23:19  Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that you have to tell me?

23:20  And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire you that you would bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

23:21  But do not you yield to them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from you.

23:22  So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See you tell no man that you have showed these things to me.

23:23  And he called to him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen three score and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

23:24  And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe to Felix the governor.

23:25  And he wrote a letter after this manner:

23:26  Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix sends greeting.

23:27  This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

23:28  And when I would have known the cause why they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

23:29  Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

23:30  And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to you, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before you what they had against him. Farewell.

23:31  Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

23:32  On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

23:33  Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

23:34  And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

23:35  I will hear you, said he, when your accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

Chapter 24

24:1  And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

24:2  And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by you we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your providence,

24:3  We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

24:4  Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious to you, I pray you that you would hear us of your clemency a few words.

24:5  For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

24:6  Who also has gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

24:7  But the chief captain Lysias came on us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

24:8  Commanding his accusers to come to you: by examining of whom yourself may take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

24:9  And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

24:10  Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, For as much as I know that you have been of many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

24:11  Because that you may understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

24:12  And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

24:13  Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

24:14  But this I confess to you, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

24:15  And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

24:16  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offense toward God, and toward men.

24:17  Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

24:18  Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

24:19  Who ought to have been here before you, and object, if they had ought against me.

24:20  Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,

24:21  Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

24:22  And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

24:23  And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come to him.

24:24  And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

24:25  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.

24:26  He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: why he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

24:27  But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Chapter 25

25:1  Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.

25:2  Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and sought him,

25:3  And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

25:4  But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

25:5  Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

25:6  And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.

25:7  And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.

25:8  While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.

25:9  But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Will you go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

25:10  Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as you very well know.

25:11  For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

25:12  Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Have you appealed to Caesar? to Caesar shall you go.

25:13  And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus.

25:14  And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause to the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

25:15  About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

25:16  To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

25:17  Therefore, when they were come here, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

25:18  Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

25:19  But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

25:20  And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

25:21  But when Paul had appealed to be reserved to the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.

25:22  Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, you shall hear him.

25:23  And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

25:24  And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25:25  But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself has appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

25:26  Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Why I have brought him forth before you, and specially before you, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

25:27  For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not with to signify the crimes laid against him.

Chapter 26

26:1  Then Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

26:2  I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

26:3  Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: why I beseech you to hear me patiently.

26:4  My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;

26:5  Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most strait sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

26:6  And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, to our fathers:

26:7  To which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

26:8  Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

26:9  I truly thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

26:10  Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

26:11  And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even to strange cities.

26:12  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,

26:13  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

26:14  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecute you 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 persecute.

26:16  But rise, and stand on your feet: for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear to you;

26:17  Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send you,

26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

26:19  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision:

26:20  But showed first to them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

26:21  For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

26:22  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue to this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

26:23  That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light to the people, and to the Gentiles.

26:24  And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad.

26:25  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26:26  For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

26:27  King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe.

26:28  Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.

26:29  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

26:30  And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

26:31  And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

26:32  Then said Agrippa to Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Chapter 27

27:1  And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

27:2  And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

27:3  And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go to his friends to refresh himself.

27:4  And when we had launched from there, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

27:5  And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

27:6  And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

27:7  And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

27:8  And, hardly passing it, came to a place which is called The fair havens; near whereunto was the city of Lasea.

27:9  Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

27:10  And said to them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

27:11  Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

27:12  And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart there also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lies toward the south west and north west.

27:13  And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing there, they sailed close by Crete.

27:14  But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

27:15  And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

27:16  And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

27:17  Which when they had taken up, they used helps, under girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven.

27:18  And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

27:19  And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

27:20  And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

27:21  But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the middle of them, and said, Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

27:22  And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

27:23  For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

27:24  Saying, Fear not, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar: and, see, God has given you all them that sail with you.

27:25  Why, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

27:26  However, we must be cast on a certain island.

27:27  But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

27:28  And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

27:29  Then fearing lest we should have fallen on rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

27:30  And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the bow,

27:31  Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.

27:32  Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

27:33  And while the day was coming on, Paul sought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that you have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

27:34  Why I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

27:35  And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

27:36  Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

27:37  And we were in all in the ship two hundred three score and sixteen souls.

27:38  And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

27:39  And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

27:40  And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

27:41  And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

27:42  And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

27:43  But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

27:44  And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Chapter 28

28:1  And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.

28:2  And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

28:3  And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

28:4  And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffers not to live.

28:5  And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

28:6  However, they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

28:7  In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

28:8  And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

28:9  So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

28:10  Who also honored us with many honors; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

28:11  And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

28:12  And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

28:13  And from there we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

28:14  Where we found brothers, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

28:15  And from there, when the brothers heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

28:16  And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

28:17  And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said to them, Men and brothers, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

28:18  Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

28:19  But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

28:20  For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

28:21  And they said to him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning you, neither any of the brothers that came showed or spoke any harm of you.

28:22  But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

28:23  And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

28:24  And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

28:25  And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet to our fathers,

28:26  Saying, Go to this people, and say, Hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and not perceive:

28:27  For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28:28  Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.

28:29  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

28:30  And Paul dwelled two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in to him,

28:31  Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.