GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:44urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.darby:44I composed the first discourse , O Theophilus , concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach , until that day in which , having by the Holy Spirit charged the apostles whom he had chosen , he was taken up ; to whom also he presented himself living , after he had suffered , with many proofs ; being seen by them during forty days , and speaking of the things which concern the kingdom of God ; and , being assembled with [ them ] , commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem , but to await the promise of the Father , which [ said he ] ye have heard of me . For John indeed baptised with water , but * ye * shall be baptised with the Holy Spirit after now not many days . They therefore , being come together , asked him saying , Lord , is it at this time that thou restorest the kingdom to Israel ? And he said to them , It is not yours to know times or seasons , which the Father has placed in his own authority ; but ye will receive power , the Holy Spirit having come upon you , and ye shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem , and in all Judaea and Samaria , and to the end of the earth . And having said these things he was taken up , they beholding [ him ] , and a cloud received him out of their sight . And as they were gazing into heaven , as he was going , behold , also two men stood by them in white clothing , who also said , Men of Galilee , why do ye stand looking into heaven ? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven , shall thus come in the manner in which ye have beheld him going into heaven . Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called [ the mount ] of Olives , which is near Jerusalem , a sabbath-day's journey off . And when they were come into [ the city ] , they went up to the upper chamber , where were staying both Peter , and John , and James , and Andrew , Philip and Thomas , Bartholomew and Matthew , James [ son ] of Alphaeus , and Simon the zealot , and Jude [ the brother ] of James . These gave themselves all with one accord to continual prayer , with [ several ] women , and Mary the mother of Jesus , and with his brethren . And in those days Peter , standing up in the midst of the brethren , said , ( the crowd of names [ who were ] together [ was ] about a hundred and twenty , ) Brethren , it was necessary that the scripture should have been fulfilled , which the Holy Spirit spoke before , by the mouth of David , concerning Judas , who became guide to those who took Jesus ; for he was numbered amongst us , and had received a part in this service . ( This [ man ] then indeed got a field with [ the ] reward of iniquity , and , having fallen down headlong , burst in the midst , and all his bowels gushed out . And it was known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem , so that that field was called in their own dialect Aceldama ; that is , field of blood . ) For it is written in [ the ] book of Psalms , Let his homestead become desolate , and let there be no dweller in it ; and , Let another take his overseership . It is necessary therefore , that of the men who have assembled with us all [ the ] time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us , beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which he was taken up from us , one of these should be a witness with us of his resurrection . And they appointed two , Joseph , who was called Barsabas , who had been surnamed Justus , and Matthias . And they prayed , and said , Thou Lord , knower of the hearts of all , shew which one of these two thou hast chosen , to receive the lot of this service and apostleship , from which Judas transgressing fell to go to his own place . And they gave lots on them , and the lot fell on Matthias , and he was numbered with the eleven apostles . And when the day of Pentecost was now accomplishing , they were all together in one place . And there came suddenly a sound out of heaven as of a violent impetuous blowing , and filled all the house where they were sitting . And there appeared to them parted tongues , as of fire , and it sat upon each one of them . And they were all filled with [ the ] Holy Spirit , and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave to them to speak forth . Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews , pious men , from every nation of those under heaven . But the rumour of this having spread , the multitude came together and were confounded , because each one heard them speaking in his own dialect . And all were amazed and wondered , saying , Behold , are not all these who are speaking Galilaeans ? and how do * we * hear [ them ] each in our own dialect in which we have been born , Parthians , and Medes , and Elamites , and those who inhabit Mesopotamia , and Judaea , and Cappadocia , Pontus and Asia , both Phrygia and Pamphylia , Egypt , and the parts of Libya which adjoin Cyrene , and the Romans sojourning [ here ] , both Jews and proselytes , Cretans and Arabians , we hear them speaking in our own tongues the great things of God ? And they were all amazed and in perplexity , saying one to another , What would this mean ? But others mocking said , They are full of new wine . But Peter , standing up with the eleven , lifted up his voice and spoke forth to them , Men of Judaea , and all ye inhabitants of Jerusalem , let this be known to you , and give heed to my words : for these are not full of wine , as * ye * suppose , for it is the third hour of the day ; but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel , And it shall be in the last days , saith God , [ that ] I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh ; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy , and your young men shall see visions , and your elders shall dream with dreams ; yea , even upon my bondmen and upon my bondwomen in those days will I pour out of my Spirit , and they shall prophesy . And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below , blood , and fire , and vapour of smoke : the sun shall be changed to darkness and the moon to blood , before the great and gloriously appearing day of [ the ] Lord come . And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of [ the ] Lord shall be saved . Men of Israel , hear these words : Jesus the Nazaraean , a man borne witness to by God to you by works of power and wonders and signs , which God wrought by him in your midst , as yourselves know -- him , given up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God , ye , by [ the ] hand of lawless [ men ] , have crucified and slain . Whom God has raised up , having loosed the pains of death , inasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held by its power ; for David says as to him , I foresaw the Lord continually before me , because he is at my right hand that I may not be moved . Therefore has my heart rejoiced and my tongue exulted ; yea more , my flesh also shall dwell in hope , for thou wilt not leave my soul in hades , nor wilt thou give thy gracious one to see corruption . Thou hast made known to me [ the ] paths of life , thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance . Brethren , let it be allowed to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David , that he has both died and been buried , and his monument is amongst us unto this day . Being therefore a prophet , and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath , of the fruit of his loins to set upon his throne ; he , seeing [ it ] before , spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ , that neither has he been left in hades nor his flesh seen corruption . This Jesus has God raised up , whereof all * we * are witnesses . Having therefore been exalted by the right hand of God , and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit , he has poured out this which * ye * behold and hear . For David has not ascended into the heavens , but he says himself , The Lord said unto my Lord , Sit at my right hand until I have put thine enemies [ to be ] the footstool of thy feet . Let the whole house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him , this Jesus whom * ye * have crucified , both Lord and Christ . And having heard [ it ] they were pricked in heart , and said to Peter and the other apostles , What shall we do , brethren ? And Peter said to them , Repent , and be baptised , each one of you , in the name of Jesus Christ , for remission of sins , and ye will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . For to you is the promise and to your children , and to all who [ are ] afar off , as many as [ the ] Lord our God may call . And with many other words he testified and exhorted them , saying , Be saved from this perverse generation . Those then who had accepted his word were baptised ; and there were added in that day about three thousand souls . And they persevered in the teaching and fellowship of the apostles , in breaking of bread and prayers . And fear was upon every soul , and many wonders and signs took place through the apostles' means . And all that believed were together , and had all things common , and sold their possessions and substance , and distributed them to all , according as any one might have need . And every day , being constantly in the temple with one accord , and breaking bread in [ the ] house , they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart , praising God , and having favour with all the people ; and the Lord added [ to the assembly ] daily those that were to be saved . And Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer , [ which is ] the ninth [ hour ] ; and a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was being carried , whom they placed every day at the gate of the temple called Beautiful , to ask alms of those who were going into the temple ; who , seeing Peter and John about to enter into the temple , asked to receive alms . And Peter , looking stedfastly upon him with John , said , Look on us . And he gave heed to them , expecting to receive something from them . But Peter said , Silver and gold I have not ; but what I have , this give I to thee : In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean rise up and walk . And having taken hold of him [ by ] the right hand he raised him up , and immediately his feet and ankle bones were made strong . And leaping up he stood and walked , and entered with them into the temple , walking , and leaping , and praising God . And all the people saw him walking and praising God ; and they recognised him , that it was * he * who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple ; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him . And as he held Peter and John , all the people ran together to them in the portico which is called Solomon's , greatly wondering . And Peter , seeing it , answered the people , Men of Israel , why are ye astonished at this ? or why do ye gaze on us as if we had by our own power or piety made him to walk ? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob , the God of our fathers , has glorified his servant Jesus , whom * ye * delivered up , and denied him in the presence of Pilate , when * he * had judged that he should be let go . But * ye * denied the holy and righteous one , and asked that a man [ that was ] a murderer should be granted to you ; but the originator of life ye slew , whom God raised from among [ the ] dead , whereof * we * are witnesses . And , by faith in his name , his name has made this [ man ] strong whom ye behold and know ; and the faith which is by him has given him this complete soundness in the presence of you all . And now , brethren , I know that ye did it in ignorance , as also your rulers ; but God has thus fulfilled what he had announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets , that his Christ should suffer . Repent therefore and be converted , for the blotting out of your sins , so that times of refreshing may come from [ the ] presence of the Lord , and he may send Jesus Christ , who was foreordained for you , whom heaven indeed must receive till [ the ] times of [ the ] restoring of all things , of which God has spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since time began . Moses indeed said , A prophet shall [ the ] Lord your God raise up to you out of your brethren like me : him shall ye hear in everything whatsoever he shall say to you . And it shall be that whatsoever soul shall not hear that prophet shall be destroyed from among the people . And indeed all the prophets from Samuel and those in succession after [ him ] , as many as have spoken , have announced also these days . * Ye * are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God appointed to our fathers , saying to Abraham , And in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed . To you first God , having raised up his servant , has sent him , blessing you in turning each one [ of you ] from your wickedness . And as they were speaking to the people , the priests and captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them , being distressed on account of their teaching the people and preaching by Jesus the resurrection from among [ the ] dead ; and they laid hands on them , and put them in ward till the morrow ; for it was already evening . But many of those who had heard the word believed ; and the number of the men had become [ about ] five thousand . And it came to pass on the morrow that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together at Jerusalem , and Annas the high priest , and Caiaphas , and John , and Alexander , and as many as were of [ the ] high priestly family ; and having placed them in the midst they inquired , In what power or in what name have * ye * done this ? Then Peter , filled with [ the ] Holy Spirit , said to them , Rulers of the people and elders [ of Israel ] , if * we * this day are called upon to answer as to the good deed [ done ] to the infirm man , how * he * has been healed , be it known to you all , and to all the people of Israel , that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazaraean , whom * ye * have crucified , whom God has raised from among [ the ] dead , by * him * this [ man ] stands here before you sound [ in body ] . * He * is the stone which has been set at nought by you the builders , which is become the corner stone . And salvation is in none other , for neither is there another name under heaven which is given among men by which we must be saved . But seeing the boldness of Peter and John , and perceiving that they were unlettered and uninstructed men , they wondered ; and they recognised them that they were with Jesus . And beholding the man who had been healed standing with them , they had nothing to reply ; but having commanded them to go out of the council they conferred with one another , saying , What shall we do to these men ? for that indeed an evident sign has come to pass through their means is manifest to all that inhabit Jerusalem , and we cannot deny it . But that it be not further spread among the people , let us threaten them severely no longer to speak to any man in this name . And having called them , they charged [ them ] not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus . But Peter and John answering said to them , If it be righteous before God to listen to you rather than to God , judge ye ; for as for us * we * cannot refrain from speaking of the things which we have seen and heard . But they , having further threatened them , let them go , finding no way how they might punish them , on account of the people , because all glorified God for what had taken place ; for the man on whom this sign of healing had taken place was above forty years old . And having been let go , they came to their own [ company ] , and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them . And they , having heard [ it ] , lifted up [ their ] voice with one accord to God , and said , Lord , * thou * art the God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea , and all that is in them ; who hast said by the mouth of thy servant David , Why have [ the ] nations raged haughtily and [ the ] peoples meditated vain things ? The kings of the earth were there , and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ . For in truth against thy holy servant Jesus , whom thou hadst anointed , both Herod and Pontius Pilate , with [ the ] nations , and peoples of Israel , have been gathered together in this city to do whatever thy hand and thy counsel had determined before should come to pass . And now , Lord , look upon their threatenings , and give to thy bondmen with all boldness to speak thy word , in that thou stretchest out thy hand to heal , and that signs and wonders take place through the name of thy holy servant Jesus . And when they had prayed , the place in which they were assembled shook , and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit , and spoke the word of God with boldness . And the heart and soul of the multitude of those that had believed were one , and not one said that anything of what he possessed was his own , but all things were common to them ; and with great power did the apostles give witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus , and great grace was upon them all . For neither was there any one in want among them ; for as many as were owners of lands or houses , selling them , brought the price of what was sold and laid it at the feet of the apostles ; and distribution was made to each according as any one might have need . And Joseph , who had been surnamed Barnabas by the apostles ( which is , being interpreted , Son of consolation ) , a Levite , Cyprian by birth , being possessed of land , having sold [ it ] , brought the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles . But a certain man , Ananias by name , with Sapphira his wife , sold a possession , and put aside for himself part of the price , [ his ] wife also being privy to it ; and having brought a certain part , laid it at the feet of the apostles . But Peter said , Ananias , why has Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldest lie to the Holy Spirit , and put aside for thyself a part of the price of the estate ? While it remained did it not remain to * thee * ? and sold , was [ it not ] in thine own power ? Why is it that thou hast purposed this thing in thine heart ? Thou hast not lied to men , but to God . And Ananias , hearing these words , fell down and expired . And great fear came upon all who heard [ it ] . And the young men , rising up , swathed him up for burial , and having carried him out , buried him . And it came to pass about three hours afterwards , that his wife , not knowing what had happened , came in . And Peter answered her , Tell me if ye gave the estate for so much ? And she said , Yes , for so much . And Peter said to her , Why [ is it ] that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of [ the ] Lord ? Lo , the feet of those that have buried thy husband [ are ] at the door , and they shall carry thee out . And she fell down immediately at his feet and expired . And when the young men came in they found her dead ; and , having carried her out , they buried her by her husband . And great fear came upon all the assembly , and upon all who heard these things . And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders done among the people ; ( and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch , but of the rest durst no man join them , but the people magnified them ; and believers were more than ever added to the Lord , multitudes both of men and women ; ) so that they brought out the sick into the streets and put [ them ] on beds and couches , that at least the shadow of Peter , when he came , might overshadow some one of them . And the multitude also of the cities round about came together to Jerusalem , bringing sick persons and persons beset by unclean spirits , who were all healed . And the high priest rising up , and all they that were with him , which is the sect of the Sadducees , were filled with wrath , and laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison . But an angel of [ the ] Lord during the night opened the doors of the prison , and leading them out , said , Go ye and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life . And when they heard it , they entered very early into the temple and taught . And when the high priest was come , and they that were with him , they called together the council and all the elderhood of the sons of Israel , and sent to the prison to have them brought . And when the officers were come , they did not find them in the prison ; and returned and reported saying , We found the prison shut with all security , and the keepers standing at the doors ; but when we had opened [ them ] , within we found no one . And when they heard these words , both the priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests were in perplexity as to them , what this would come to . And some one coming reported to them , Lo , the men whom ye put in the prison are in the temple , standing and teaching the people . Then the captain , having gone with the officers , brought them , not with violence , for they feared the people , lest they should be stoned . And they bring them and set them in the council . And the high priest asked them , saying , We strictly enjoined you not to teach in this name : and lo , ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine , and purpose to bring upon us the blood of this man . But Peter answering , and the apostles , said , God must be obeyed rather than men . The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus , whom * ye * have slain , having hanged on a cross . Him has God exalted by his right hand as leader and saviour , to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins . And * we * are [ his ] witnesses of these things , and the Holy Spirit also , which God has given to those that obey him . But they , when they heard [ these things ] , were cut to the heart , and took counsel to kill them . But a certain [ man ] , a Pharisee , named Gamaliel , a teacher of the law , held in honour of all the people , rose up in the council , and commanded to put the men out for a short while , and said to them , Men of Israel , take heed to yourselves as regards these men what ye are going to do ; for before these days Theudas rose up , alleging himself to be somebody , to whom a number of men , about four hundred , were joined ; who was slain , and all , as many as obeyed him , were dispersed and came to nothing . After him rose Judas the Galilean in the days of the census , and drew away [ a number of ] people after him ; and * he * perished , and all , as many as obeyed him , were scattered abroad . And now I say to you , Withdraw from these men and let them alone , for if this counsel or this work have its origin from men , it will be destroyed ; but if it be from God , ye will not be able to put them down , lest ye be found also fighters against God . And they listened to his advice ; and having called the apostles , they beat them , and enjoined them not to speak in the name of Jesus , and dismissed them . They therefore went their way from [ the ] presence of the council , rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonoured for the name . And every day , in the temple and in the houses , they ceased not teaching and announcing the glad tidings that Jesus [ was ] the Christ . But in those days , the disciples multiplying in number , there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration . And the twelve , having called the multitude of the disciples to [ them ] , said , It is not right that we , leaving the word of God , should serve tables . Look out therefore , brethren , from among yourselves seven men , well reported of , full of [ the ] [ Holy ] Spirit and wisdom , whom we will establish over this business : but * we * will give ourselves up to prayer and the ministry of the word . And the saying pleased the whole multitude : and they chose Stephen , a man full of faith and [ the ] Holy Spirit , and Philip , and Prochorus , and Nicanor , and Timon , and Parmenas , and Nicolas , a proselyte of Antioch , whom they set before the apostles ; and , having prayed , they laid their hands on them . And the word of God increased ; and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was very greatly multiplied , and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith . And Stephen , full of grace and power , wrought wonders and great signs among the people . And there arose up certain of those of the synagogue called of freedmen , and of Cyrenians , and of Alexandrians , and of those of Cilicia and Asia , disputing with Stephen . And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke . Then they suborned men , saying , We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God . And they roused the people , and the elders , and the scribes . And coming upon [ him ] they seized him and brought [ him ] to the council . And they set false witnesses , saying , This man does not cease speaking words against the holy place and the law ; for we have heard him saying , This Jesus the Nazaraean shall destroy this place , and change the customs which Moses taught us . And all who sat in the council , looking fixedly on him , saw his face as [ the ] face of an angel . And the high priest said , Are these things then so ? And he said , Brethren and fathers , hearken . The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia , before he dwelt in Charran , and said to him , Go out of thy land and out of thy kindred , and come into the land which I will shew thee . Then going out of the land of the Chaldeans he dwelt in Charran , and thence , after his father died , he removed him into this land in which * ye * now dwell . And he did not give him an inheritance in it , not even what his foot could stand on ; and promised to give it to him for a possession , and to his seed after him , when he had no child . And God spoke thus : His seed shall be a sojourner in a strange land , and they shall enslave them and evil entreat [ them ] four hundred years ; and the nation to which they shall be in bondage will * I * judge , said God ; and after these things they shall come forth and serve me in this place . And he gave to him [ the ] covenant of circumcision ; and thus he begat Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day ; and Isaac Jacob , and Jacob the twelve patriarchs . And the patriarchs , envying Joseph , sold him away into Egypt . And God was with him , and delivered him out of all his tribulations , and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt , and he appointed him chief over Egypt and all his house . But a famine came upon all the land of Egypt and Canaan , and great distress , and our fathers found no food . But Jacob , having heard of there being corn in Egypt , sent out our fathers first ; and the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren , and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh . And Joseph sent and called down to him his father Jacob and all [ his ] kindred , seventy-five souls . And Jacob went down into Egypt and died , he and our fathers , and were carried over to Sychem and placed in the sepulchre which Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the [ father ] of Sychem . But as the time of promise drew near which God had promised to Abraham , the people increased and multiplied in Egypt , until another king over Egypt arose who did not know Joseph . * He * dealt subtilly with our race , and evil entreated the fathers , casting out their infants that they might not live . In which time Moses was born , and was exceedingly lovely , who was nourished three months in the house of his father . And when he was cast out , the daughter of Pharaoh took him up , and brought him up for herself [ to be ] for a son . And Moses was instructed in all [ the ] wisdom of the Egyptians , and he was mighty in his words and deeds . And when a period of forty years was fulfilled to him , it came into his heart to look upon his brethren , the sons of Israel ; and seeing a certain one wronged , he defended [ him ] , and avenged him that was being oppressed , smiting the Egyptian . For he thought that his brethren would understand that God by his hand was giving them deliverance . But they understood not . And on the morrow he shewed himself to them as they were contending , and compelled them to peace , saying , * Ye * are brethren , why do ye wrong one another ? But he that was wronging his neighbour thrust him away , saying , Who established thee ruler and judge over us ? Dost * thou * wish to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday ? And Moses fled at this saying , and became a sojourner in the land of Madiam , where he begat two sons . And when forty years were fulfilled , an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai , in a flame of fire of a bush . And Moses seeing it wondered at the vision ; and as he went up to consider it , there was a voice of [ the ] Lord , * I * am the God of thy fathers , the God of Abraham , and of Isaac , and of Jacob . And Moses trembled , and durst not consider [ it ] . And the Lord said to him , Loose the sandal of thy feet , for the place on which thou standest is holy ground . I have surely seen the ill treatment of my people which is in Egypt , and I have heard their groan , and have come down to take them out of it ; and now , come , I will send thee to Egypt . This Moses , whom they refused , saying , Who made thee ruler and judge ? him did God send [ to be ] a ruler and deliverer with the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush . * He * led them out , having wrought wonders and signs in the land of Egypt , and in the Red sea , and in the wilderness forty years . This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel , A prophet shall God raise up to you out of your brethren like me [ him shall ye hear ] . This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness , with the angel who spoke to him in the mount Sinai , and with our fathers ; who received living oracles to give to us ; to whom our fathers would not be subject , but thrust [ him ] from them , and in their hearts turned back to Egypt , saying to Aaron , Make us gods who shall go before us ; for this Moses , who brought us out of the land of Egypt , we know not what has happened to him . And they made a calf in those days , and offered sacrifice to the idol , and rejoiced in the works of their own hands . But God turned and delivered them up to serve the host of heaven ; as it is written in [ the ] book of the prophets , Have ye offered me victims and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness , O house of Israel ? Yea , ye took up the tent of Moloch , and the star of [ your ] god Remphan , the forms which ye made to do homage to them ; and I will transport you beyond Babylon . Our fathers had the tent of the testimony in the wilderness , as he that spoke to Moses commanded to make it according to the model which he had seen ; which also our fathers , receiving from their predecessors , brought in with Joshua when they entered into possession of [ the lands of ] the nations , whom God drove out from [ the ] face of our fathers , until the days of David ; who found favour before God , and asked to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob ; but Solomon built him a house . But the Most High dwells not in [ places ] made with hands ; as says the prophet , The heaven [ is ] my throne and the earth the footstool of my feet : what house will ye build me ? saith [ the ] Lord , or where [ is the ] place of my rest ? has not my hand made all these things ? O stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears , * ye * do always resist the Holy Spirit ; as your fathers , * ye * also . Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted ? and they have slain those who announced beforehand concerning the coming of the Just One , of whom * ye * have now become deliverers up and murderers ! who have received the law as ordained by [ the ] ministry of angels , and have not kept [ it ] . And hearing these things they were cut to the heart , and gnashed their teeth against him . But being full of [ the ] Holy Spirit , having fixed his eyes on heaven , he saw [ the ] glory of God , and Jesus standing at the right hand of God , and said , Lo , I behold the heavens opened , and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God . And they cried out with a loud voice , and held their ears , and rushed upon him with one accord ; and having cast [ him ] out of the city , they stoned [ him ] . And the witnesses laid aside their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul . And they stoned Stephen , praying , and saying , Lord Jesus , receive my spirit . And kneeling down , he cried with a loud voice , Lord , lay not this sin to their charge . And having said this , he fell asleep . And Saul was consenting to his being killed . And on that day there arose a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem , and all were scattered into the countries of Judaea and Samaria except the apostles . And pious men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him . But Saul ravaged the assembly , entering into the houses one after another , and dragging off both men and women delivered them up to prison . Those then that had been scattered went through [ the countries ] announcing the glad tidings of the word . And Philip , going down to a city of Samaria , preached the Christ to them ; and the crowds with one accord gave heed to the things spoken by Philip , when they heard [ him ] and saw the signs which he wrought . For from many who had unclean spirits they went out , crying with a loud voice ; and many that were paralysed and lame were healed . And there was great joy in that city . But a certain man , by name Simon , had been before in the city , using magic arts , and astonishing the nation of Samaria , saying that himself was some great one . To whom they had all given heed , from small to great , saying , This is the power of God which is called great . And they gave heed to him , because that for a long time he had astonished them by his magic arts . But when they believed Philip announcing the glad tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ , they were baptised , both men and women . And Simon also himself believed ; and , having been baptised , continued constantly with Philip ; and , beholding the signs and great works of power which took place , was astonished . And the apostles who were in Jerusalem , having heard that Samaria had received the word of God , sent to them Peter and John ; who , having come down , prayed for them that they might receive [ the ] Holy Spirit ; for he was not yet fallen upon any of them , only they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus . Then they laid their hands upon them , and they received [ the ] Holy Spirit . But Simon , having seen that by the laying on of the hands of the apostles the [ Holy ] Spirit was given , offered them money , saying , Give to me also this power , in order that on whomsoever I may lay hands he may receive [ the ] Holy Spirit . And Peter said to him , Thy money go with thee to destruction , because thou hast thought that the gift of God can be obtained by money . Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter , for thy heart is not upright before God . Repent therefore of this thy wickedness , and supplicate the Lord , if indeed the thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee ; for I see thee to be in the gall of bitterness , and bond of unrighteousness . And Simon answering said , Supplicate * ye * for me to the Lord , so that nothing may come upon me of the things of which ye have spoken . They therefore , having testified and spoken the word of the Lord , returned to Jerusalem , and announced the glad tidings to many villages of the Samaritans . But [ the ] angel of [ the ] Lord spoke to Philip , saying , Rise up and go southward on the way which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza : the same is desert . And he rose up and went . And lo , an Ethiopian , a eunuch , a man in power under Candace queen of the Ethiopians , who was over all her treasure , who had come to worship at Jerusalem , was returning and sitting in his chariot : and he was reading the prophet Esaias . And the Spirit said to Philip , Approach and join this chariot . And Philip , running up , heard him reading the prophet Esaias , and said , Dost thou then know what thou art reading of ? And he said , How should I then be able unless some one guide me ? And he begged Philip to come up and sit with him . And the passage of the scripture which he read was this : He was led as a sheep to slaughter , and as a lamb is dumb in presence of him that shears him , thus he opens not his mouth . In his humiliation his judgment has been taken away , and who shall declare his generation ? for his life is taken from the earth . And the eunuch answering Philip said , I pray thee , concerning whom does the prophet say this ? of himself or of some other ? And Philip , opening his mouth and beginning from that scripture , announced the glad tidings of Jesus to him . And as they went along the way , they came upon a certain water , and the eunuch says , Behold water ; what hinders my being baptised ? And he commanded the chariot to stop . And they went down both to the water , both Philip and the eunuch , and he baptised him . But when they came up out of the water [ the ] Spirit of [ the ] Lord caught away Philip , and the eunuch saw him no longer , for he went on his way rejoicing . And Philip was found at Azotus , and passing through he announced the glad tidings to all the cities till he came to Caesarea . But Saul , still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord , came to the high priest and asked of him letters to Damascus , to the synagogues , so that if he found any who were of the way , both men and women , he might bring [ them ] bound to Jerusalem . But as he was journeying , it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus ; and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven , and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him , Saul , Saul , why dost thou persecute me ? And he said , Who art thou , Lord ? And he [ said ] , * I * am Jesus , whom * thou * persecutest . But rise up and enter into the city , and it shall be told thee what thou must do . But the men who were travelling with him stood speechless , hearing the voice but beholding no one . And Saul rose up from the earth , and his eyes being opened he saw no one . But leading [ him ] by the hand they brought him into Damascus . And he was three days without seeing , and neither ate nor drank . And there was a certain disciple in Damascus by name Ananias . And the Lord said to him in a vision , Ananias . And he said , Behold , [ here am ] I , Lord . And the Lord [ said ] to him , Rise up and go into the street which is called Straight , and seek in the house of Judas one by name Saul , [ he is ] of Tarsus : for , behold , he is praying , and has seen [ in a vision ] a man by name Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him , so that he should see . And Ananias answered , Lord , I have heard from many concerning this man how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem ; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name . And the Lord said to him , Go , for this [ man ] is an elect vessel to me , to bear my name before both nations and kings and [ the ] sons of Israel : for * I * will shew to him how much he must suffer for my name . And Ananias went and entered into the house ; and laying his hands upon him he said , Saul , brother , the Lord has sent me , Jesus that appeared to thee in the way in which thou camest , that thou mightest see , and be filled with [ the ] Holy Spirit . And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales , and he saw , and rising up was baptised ; and , having received food , got strength . And he was with the disciples who [ were ] in Damascus certain days . And straightway in the synagogues he preached Jesus that * he * is the Son of God . And all who heard were astonished and said , Is not this * he * who destroyed in Jerusalem those who called on this name , and here was come for this purpose , that he might bring them bound to the chief priests ? But Saul increased the more in power , and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus , proving that this is the Christ . Now when many days were fulfilled , the Jews consulted together to kill him . But their plot became known to Saul . And they watched also the gates both day and night , that they might kill him ; but the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall , lowering him in a basket . And having arrived at Jerusalem he essayed to join himself to the disciples , and all were afraid of him , not believing that he was a disciple . But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles , and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way , and that he had spoken to him , and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus . And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem , and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord . And he spoke and discussed with the Hellenists ; but they sought to kill him . And the brethren knowing it , brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus . The assemblies then throughout the whole of Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace , being edified and walking in the fear of the Lord , and were increased through the comfort of the Holy Spirit . Now it came to pass that Peter , passing through all [ quarters ] , descended also to the saints who inhabited Lydda . And he found there a certain man , Aeneas by name , who had been lying for eight years upon a couch , who was paralysed . And Peter said to him , Aeneas , Jesus , the Christ , heals thee : rise up , and make thy couch for thyself . And straightway he rose up . And all who inhabited Lydda and the Saron saw him , who turned to the Lord . And in Joppa there was a certain female disciple , by name Tabitha , which being interpreted means Dorcas . She was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did . And it came to pass in those days that she grew sick and died ; and , having washed her , they put her in [ the ] upper room . But Lydda being near to Joppa , the disciples having heard that Peter was there , sent two men to him , beseeching him , Thou must not delay coming to us . And Peter rising up went with them , whom , when arrived , they brought up into the upper chamber ; and all the widows stood by him weeping and shewing him the body-coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them . But Peter , putting them all out , and kneeling down , prayed . And , turning to the body , he said , Tabitha , arise . And she opened her eyes , and , seeing Peter , sat up . And having given her [ his ] hand , he raised her up , and having called the saints and the widows , presented her living . And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa , and many believed on the Lord . And it came to pass that he remained many days in Joppa with a certain Simon , a tanner . But a certain man in Caesarea , -- by name Cornelius , a centurion of the band called Italic , pious , and fearing God with all his house , [ both ] giving much alms to the people , and supplicating God continually , -- saw plainly in a vision , about the ninth hour of the day , an angel of God coming unto him , and saying to him , Cornelius . But he , having fixed his eyes upon him , and become full of fear , said , What is it , Lord ? And he said to him , Thy prayers and thine alms have gone up for a memorial before God . And now send men to Joppa and fetch Simon , who is surnamed Peter . He lodges with a certain Simon , a tanner , whose house is by the sea . And when the angel who was speaking to him had departed , having called two of his household and a pious soldier of those who were constantly with him , and related all things to them , he sent them to Joppa . And on the morrow , as these were journeying and drawing near to the city , Peter went up on the house to pray , about the sixth hour . And he became hungry and desired to eat . But as they were making ready an ecstasy came upon him : and he beholds the heaven opened , and a certain vessel descending , as a great sheet , [ bound ] by [ the ] four corners [ and ] let down to the earth ; in which were all the quadrupeds and creeping things of the earth , and the fowls of the heaven . And there was a voice to him , Rise , Peter , slay and eat . And Peter said , In no wise , Lord ; for I have never eaten anything common or unclean . And [ there was ] a voice again the second time to him , What God has cleansed , do not * thou * make common . And this took place thrice , and the vessel was straightway taken up into heaven . And as Peter doubted in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean , behold also the men who were sent by Cornelius , having sought out the house of Simon , stood at the gate , and having called [ some one ] , they inquired if Simon who was surnamed Peter was lodged there . But as Peter continued pondering over the vision , the Spirit said to him , Behold , three men seek thee ; but rise up , go down , and go with them , nothing doubting , because * I * have sent them . And Peter going down to the men said , Behold , * I * am he whom ye seek : what is the cause for which ye come ? And they said , Cornelius , a centurion , a righteous man , and fearing God , and borne witness to by the whole nation of the Jews , has been divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for thee to his house , and hear words from thee . Having therefore invited them in , he lodged them . And on the morrow , rising up he went away with them , and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him . And on the morrow they came to Caesarea . But Cornelius was looking for them , having called together his kinsmen and [ his ] intimate friends . And when Peter was now coming in , Cornelius met him , and falling down did [ him ] homage . But Peter made him rise , saying , Rise up : * I * myself also am a man . And he went in , talking with him , and found many gathered together . And he said to them , * Ye * know how it is unlawful for a Jew to be joined or come to one of a strange race , and to * me * God has shewn to call no man common or unclean . Wherefore also , having been sent for , I came without saying anything against it . I inquire therefore for what reason ye have sent for me . And Cornelius said , Four days ago I had been [ fasting ] unto this hour , and the ninth [ I was ] praying in my house , and lo , a man stood before me in bright clothing , and said , Cornelius , thy prayer has been heard , and thy alms have come in remembrance before God . Send therefore to Joppa and fetch Simon , who is surnamed Peter ; he lodges in the house of Simon , a tanner , by the sea [ who when he is come will speak to thee ] . Immediately therefore I sent to thee , and * thou * hast well done in coming . Now therefore * we * are all present before God to hear all things that are commanded thee of God . And Peter opening his mouth said , Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons , but in every nation he that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him . The word which he sent to the sons of Israel , preaching peace by Jesus Christ , ( * he * is Lord of all things , ) * ye * know ; the testimony which has spread through the whole of Judaea , beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John preached -- Jesus who [ was ] of Nazareth : how God anointed him with [ the ] Holy Spirit and with power ; who went through [ all quarters ] doing good , and healing all that were under the power of the devil , because God was with him . * We * also [ are ] witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem ; whom they also slew , having hanged him on a cross . This [ man ] God raised up the third day and gave him to be openly seen , not of all the people , but of witnesses who were chosen before of God , * us * who have eaten and drunk with him after he arose from among [ the ] dead . And he commanded us to preach to the people , and to testify that * he * it is who was determinately appointed of God [ to be ] judge of living and dead . To him all the prophets bear witness that every one that believes on him will receive through his name remission of sins . While Peter was yet speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were hearing the word . And the faithful of the circumcision were astonished , as many as came with Peter , that upon the nations also the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out : for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God . Then Peter answered , Can any one forbid water that these should not be baptised , who have received the Holy Spirit as we also [ did ] ? And he commanded them to be baptised in the name of the Lord . Then they begged him to stay some days . And the apostles and the brethren who were in Judaea heard that the nations also had received the word of God ; and when Peter went up to Jerusalem , they of the circumcision contended with him , saying , Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised and hast eaten with them . But Peter began and set forth [ the matter ] to them in order , saying , I was in the city of Joppa praying , and in an ecstasy I saw a vision , a certain vessel descending like a great sheet , let down by four corners out of heaven , and it came even to me : on which having fixed mine eyes , I considered , and saw the quadrupeds of the earth , and the wild beasts , and the creeping things , and the fowls of the heaven . And I heard also a voice saying to me , Rise up , Peter , slay and eat . And I said , In no wise , Lord , for common or unclean has never entered into my mouth . And a voice answered the second time out of heaven , What God has cleansed , do not * thou * make common . And this took place thrice , and again all was drawn up into heaven ; and lo , immediately three men were at the house in which I was , sent to me from Caesarea . And the Spirit said to me to go with them , nothing doubting . And there went with me these six brethren also , and we entered into the house of the man , and he related to us how he had seen the angel in his house , standing and saying [ to him ] , Send [ men ] to Joppa and fetch Simon , who is surnamed Peter , who shall speak words to thee whereby * thou * shalt be saved , thou and all thy house . And as I began to speak , the Holy Spirit fell upon them even as upon us also at the beginning . And I remembered the word of the Lord , how he said , John baptised with water , but * ye * shall be baptised with [ the ] Holy Spirit . If then God has given them the same gift as also to us when we had believed on the Lord Jesus Christ , who indeed was * I * to be able to forbid God ? And when they heard these things they held their peace , and glorified God , saying , Then indeed God has to the nations also granted repentance to life . They then who had been scattered abroad through the tribulation that took place on the occasion of Stephen , passed through [ the country ] to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch , speaking the word to no one but to Jews alone . But there were certain of them , Cyprians and Cyrenians , who entering into Antioch spoke to the Greeks also , announcing the glad tidings of the Lord Jesus . And [ the ] Lord's hand was with them , and a great number believed and turned to the Lord . And the report concerning them reached the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem , and they sent out Barnabas to go through as far as Antioch : who , having arrived and seeing the grace of God , rejoiced , and exhorted all with purpose of heart to abide with the Lord ; for he was a good man and full of [ the ] Holy Spirit and of faith ; and a large crowd [ of people ] were added to the Lord . And he went away to Tarsus to seek out Saul . And having found [ him ] , he brought him to Antioch . And so it was with them that for a whole year they were gathered together in the assembly and taught a large crowd : and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch . Now in these days prophets went down from Jerusalem to Antioch ; and one from among them , by name Agabus , rose up and signified by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine over all the inhabited earth , which also came to pass under Claudius . And they determined , according as any one of the disciples was well off , each of them to send to the brethren who dwelt in Judaea , to minister [ to them ] ; which also they did , sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul . At that time Herod the king laid his hands on some of those of the assembly to do them hurt , and slew James , the brother of John , with the sword . And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews , he went on to take Peter also : ( and they were the days of unleavened bread : ) whom having seized he put in prison , having delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep , purposing after the passover to bring him out to the people . Peter therefore was kept in the prison ; but unceasing prayer was made by the assembly to God concerning him . And when Herod was going to bring him forth , that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers , bound with two chains , and guards before the door kept the prison . And lo , an angel of [ the ] Lord came there , and a light shone in the prison : and having smitten the side of Peter , he roused him up , saying , Rise up quickly . And his chains fell off his hands . And the angel said to him , Gird thyself , and bind on thy sandals . And he did so . And he says to him , Cast thine upper garment about thee and follow me . And going forth he followed [ him ] and did not know that what was happening by means of the angel was real , but supposed he saw a vision . And having passed through a first and second guard , they came to the iron gate which leads into the city , which opened to them of itself ; and going forth they went down one street , and immediately the angel left him . And Peter , being come to himself , said , Now I know certainly that [ the ] Lord has sent forth his angel and has taken me out of the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the people of the Jews . And having become clearly conscious [ in himself ] , he came to the house of Mary , the mother of John who was surnamed Mark , where were many gathered together and praying . And when he had knocked at the door of the entry , a maid came to listen , by name Rhoda ; and having recognised the voice of Peter , through joy did not open the entry , but running in , reported that Peter was standing before the entry . And they said to her , Thou art mad . But she maintained that it was so . And they said , It is his angel . But Peter continued knocking : and having opened , they saw him and were astonished . And having made a sign to them with his hand to be silent , he related [ to them ] how the Lord had brought him out of prison ; and he said , Report these things to James and to the brethren . And he went out and went to another place . And when it was day there was no small disturbance among the soldiers , what then was become of Peter . And Herod having sought him and not found him , having examined the guards , commanded [ them ] to be executed . And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea and stayed [ there ] . And he was in bitter hostility with [ the ] Tyrians and Sidonians ; but they came to him with one accord , and , having gained Blastus the king's chamberlain , sought peace , because their country was nourished by the king's . And on a set day , clothed in royal apparel and sitting on the elevated seat [ of honour ] , Herod made a public oration to them . And the people cried out , A god's voice and not a man's . And immediately an angel of [ the ] Lord smote him , because he did not give the glory to God , and he expired , eaten of worms . But the word of God grew and spread itself . And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem , having fulfilled the service [ entrusted to them ] , taking also with them John , surnamed Mark . Now there were in Antioch , in the assembly which was [ there ] , prophets and teachers : Barnabas , and Simeon who was called Niger , and Lucius the Cyrenian , and Manaen , foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch , and Saul . And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting , the Holy Spirit said , Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them . Then , having fasted and prayed , and having laid [ their ] hands on them , they let [ them ] go . They therefore , having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit , went down to Seleucia , and thence sailed away to Cyprus . And being in Salamis , they announced the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews . And they had John also as [ their ] attendant . And having passed through the whole island as far as Paphos , they found a certain man a magician , a false prophet , a Jew , whose name was Bar-jesus , who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus , an intelligent man . * He * , having called Barnabas and Saul to [ him ] , desired to hear the word of God . But Elymas the magician ( for so his name is by interpretation ) opposed them , seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith . But Saul , who also [ is ] Paul , filled with [ the ] Holy Spirit , fixing his eyes upon him , said , O full of all deceit and all craft : son of [ the ] devil , enemy of all righteousness ; wilt thou not cease perverting the right paths of [ the ] Lord ? And now behold , [ the ] Lord's hand [ is ] upon thee , and thou shalt be blind , not seeing the sun for a season . And immediately there fell upon him a mist and darkness ; and going about he sought persons who should lead him by the hand . Then the proconsul , seeing what had happened , believed , being amazed at the teaching of the Lord . And having sailed from Paphos , Paul and his company came to Perga of Pamphylia ; and John separated from them and returned to Jerusalem . But they , passing through from Perga , came to Antioch of Pisidia ; and entering into the synagogue on the sabbath day they sat down . And after the reading of the law and the prophets , the rulers of the synagogue sent to them , saying , Brethren , if ye have any word of exhortation to the people , speak . And Paul , rising up and making a sign with the hand , said , Israelites , and ye that fear God , hearken . The God of this people Israel chose our fathers , and exalted the people in their sojourn in [ the ] land of Egypt , and with a high arm brought them out of it , and for a time of about forty years he nursed them in the desert . And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan , he gave them their land as an inheritance . And after these things he gave [ them ] judges till Samuel the prophet , [ to the end of ] about four hundred and fifty years . And then they asked for a king , and God gave to them Saul , son of Kis , a man of the tribe of Benjamin , during forty years . And having removed him he raised up to them David for king , of whom also bearing witness he said , I have found David , the son of Jesse , a man after my heart , who shall do all my will . Of this man's seed according to promise has God brought to Israel a Saviour , Jesus ; John having proclaimed before the face of his entry [ among the people ] [ the ] baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel . And as John was fulfilling his course he said , Whom do ye suppose that I am ? * I * am not [ he ] . But behold , there comes one after me , the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to loose . Brethren , sons of Abraham's race , and those who among you fear God , to you has the word of this salvation been sent : for those who dwell in Jerusalem , and their rulers , not having known him , have fulfilled also the voices of the prophets which are read on every sabbath , [ by ] judging [ him ] . And having found no cause of death [ in him ] , they begged of Pilate that he might be slain . And when they had fulfilled all things written concerning him , they took him down from the cross and put him in a sepulchre ; but God raised him from among [ the ] dead , who appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem , who are now his witnesses to the people . And * we * declare unto you the glad tidings of the promise made to the fathers , that God has fulfilled this to us their children , having raised up Jesus ; as it is also written in the second psalm , * Thou * art my Son : this day have * I * begotten thee . But that he raised him from among [ the ] dead , no more to return to corruption , he spoke thus : I will give to you the faithful mercies of David . Wherefore also he says in another , Thou wilt not suffer thy gracious one to see corruption . For David indeed , having in his own generation ministered to the will of God , fell asleep , and was added to his fathers and saw corruption . But he whom God raised up did not see corruption . Be it known unto you , therefore , brethren , that through this man remission of sins is preached to you , and from all things from which ye could not be justified in the law of Moses , in him every one that believes is justified . See therefore that that which is spoken in the prophets do not come upon [ you ] , Behold , ye despisers , and wonder and perish ; for * I * work a work in your days , a work which ye will in no wise believe if one declare it to you . And as they went out they begged that these words might be spoken to them the ensuing sabbath . And the congregation of the synagogue having broken up , many of the Jews and of the worshipping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas , who speaking to them , persuaded them to continue in the grace of God . And on the coming sabbath almost all the city was gathered together to hear the word of God . But the Jews , seeing the crowds , were filled with envy , and contradicted the things said by Paul , [ contradicting and ] speaking injuriously . And Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and said , It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken to you ; but , since ye thrust it from you , and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life , lo , we turn to the nations ; for thus has the Lord enjoined us : I have set thee for a light of the nations , that thou shouldest be for salvation to the end of the earth . And [ those of ] the nations , hearing it , rejoiced , and glorified the word of the Lord , and believed , as many as were ordained to eternal life . And the word of the Lord was carried through the whole country . But the Jews excited the women of the upper classes who were worshippers , and the first people of the city , and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas , and cast them out of their coasts . But they , having shaken off the dust of their feet against them , came to Iconium . And the disciples were filled with joy and [ the ] Holy Spirit . And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews , and so spake that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks believed . But the Jews who did not believe stirred up the minds of [ those of ] the nations and made [ them ] evil-affected against the brethren . They stayed therefore a good while , speaking boldly , [ confiding ] in the Lord , who gave witness to the word of his grace , giving signs and wonders to be done by their hands . And the multitude of the city was divided , and some were with the Jews and some with the apostles . And when an assault was making , both of [ those of ] the nations and [ the ] Jews with their rulers , to use [ them ] ill and stone them , they , being aware of it , fled to the cities of Lycaonia , Lystra and Derbe , and the surrounding country , and there they were announcing the glad tidings . And a certain man in Lystra , impotent in his feet , sat , [ being ] lame from his mother's womb , who had never walked . This [ man ] heard Paul speaking , who , fixing his eyes on him , and seeing that he had faith to be healed , said with a loud voice , Rise up straight upon thy feet : and he sprang up and walked . But the crowds , who saw what Paul had done , lifted up their voices in Lycaonian , saying , The gods , having made themselves like men , are come down to us . And they called Barnabas Jupiter , and Paul Mercury , because he took the lead in speaking . And the priest of Jupiter who was before the city , having brought bulls and garlands to the gates , would have done sacrifice along with the crowds . But the apostles Barnabas and Paul , having heard [ it ] , rent their garments , and rushed out to the crowd , crying and saying , Men , why do ye these things ? * We * also are men of like passions with you , preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the living God , who made the heaven , and the earth , and the sea , and all things in them ; who in the past generations suffered all the nations to go in their own ways , though indeed he did not leave himself without witness , doing good , and giving to you from heaven rain and fruitful seasons , filling your hearts with food and gladness . And saying these things , they with difficulty kept the crowds from sacrificing to them . But there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium , and having persuaded the crowds and stoned Paul , drew him out of the city , supposing him to have died . But while the disciples encircled him , he rose up and entered into the city . And on the morrow he went away with Barnabas to Derbe . And having announced the glad tidings to that city , and having made many disciples , they returned to Lystra , and Iconium , and Antioch , establishing the souls of the disciples , exhorting them to abide in the faith , and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God . And having chosen them elders in each assembly , having prayed with fastings , they committed them to the Lord , on whom they had believed . And having passed through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia , and having spoken the word in Perga , they came down to Attalia ; and thence they sailed away to Antioch , whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled . And having arrived , and having brought together the assembly , they related to them all that God had done with them , and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations . And they stayed no little time with the disciples . And certain persons , having come down from Judaea , taught the brethren , If ye shall not have been circumcised according to the custom of Moses , ye cannot be saved . A commotion therefore having taken place , and no small discussion on the part of Paul and Barnabas against them , they arranged that Paul and Barnabas , and certain others from amongst them , should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question . They therefore , having been set on their way by the assembly , passed through Phoenicia and Samaria , relating the conversion of [ those of ] the nations . And they caused great joy to all the brethren . And being arrived at Jerusalem , they were received by the assembly , and the apostles , and the elders , and related all that God had wrought with them . And some of those who were of the sect of the Pharisees , who believed , rose up from among [ them ] , saying that they ought to circumcise them and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses . And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter . And much discussion having taken place , Peter , standing up , said to them , Brethren , * ye * know that from the earliest days God amongst you chose that the nations by my mouth should hear the word of the glad tidings and believe . And the heart-knowing God bore them witness , giving [ them ] the Holy Spirit as to us also , and put no difference between us and them , having purified their hearts by faith . Now therefore why tempt ye God , by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples , which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear ? But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus , in the same manner as they also . And all the multitude kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul relating all the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the nations by them . And after they had held their peace , James answered , saying , Brethren , listen to me : Simon has related how God first visited to take out of [ the ] nations a people for his name . And with this agree the words of the prophets ; as it is written : After these things I will return , and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen , and will rebuild its ruins , and will set it up , so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord , and all the nations on whom my name is invoked , saith [ the ] Lord , who does these things known from eternity . Wherefore * I * judge , not to trouble those who from the nations turn to God ; but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols , and from fornication , and from what is strangled , and from blood . For Moses , from generations of old , has in every city those who preach him , being read in the synagogues every sabbath . Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders , with the whole assembly , to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch , Judas called Barsabas and Silas , leading men among the brethren , having by their hand written [ thus ] : The apostles , and the elders , and the brethren , to the brethren who are from among [ the ] nations at Antioch , and [ in ] Syria and Cilicia , greeting : Inasmuch as we have heard that some who went out from amongst us have troubled you by words , upsetting your souls , [ saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law ] ; to whom we gave no commandment ; it seemed good to us , having arrived at a common judgment , to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul , men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . We have therefore sent Judas and Silas , who themselves also will tell you by word [ of mouth ] the same things . For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things : to abstain from things sacrificed to idols , and from blood , and from what is strangled , and from fornication ; keeping yourselves from which ye will do well . Farewell . They therefore , being let go , came to Antioch , and having gathered the multitude delivered to [ them ] the epistle . And having read it , they rejoiced at the consolation . And Judas and Silas , being themselves also prophets , exhorted the brethren with much discourse , and strengthened them . And having passed some time [ there ] , they were let go in peace from the brethren to those who sent them . And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch , teaching and announcing the glad tidings , with many others also , of the word of the Lord . But after certain days Paul said to Barnabas , Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city where we have announced the word of the Lord , [ and see ] how they are getting on . And Barnabas proposed to take with [ them ] John also , called Mark ; but Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them , [ going back ] from Pamphylia , and had not gone with them to the work . There arose therefore very warm feeling , so that they separated from one another ; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus ; but Paul having chosen Silas went forth , committed by the brethren to the grace of God . And he passed through Syria and Cilicia , confirming the assemblies . And he came to Derbe and Lystra : and behold , a certain disciple was there , by name Timotheus , son of a Jewish believing woman , but [ the ] father a Greek , who had a [ good ] testimony of the brethren in Lystra and Iconium . Him would Paul have go forth with him , and took [ him and ] circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places , for they all knew his father that he was a Greek . And as they passed through the cities they instructed them to observe the decrees determined on by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem . The assemblies therefore were confirmed in the faith , and increased in number every day . And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian country , having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia , having come down to Mysia , they attempted to go to Bithynia , and the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them ; and having passed by Mysia they descended to Troas . And a vision appeared to Paul in the night : There was a certain Macedonian man , standing and beseeching him , and saying , Pass over into Macedonia and help us . And when he had seen the vision , immediately we sought to go forth to Macedonia , concluding that the Lord had called us to announce to them the glad tidings . Having sailed therefore away from Troas , we went in a straight course to Samothracia , and on the morrow to Neapolis , and thence to Philippi , which is [ the ] first city of that part of Macedonia , a colony . And we were staying in that city certain days . And on the sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river , where it was the custom for prayer to be , and we sat down and spoke to the women who had assembled . And a certain woman , by name Lydia , a seller of purple , of the city of Thyatira , who worshipped God , heard ; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul . And when she had been baptised and her house , she besought [ us ] , saying , If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord , come into my house and abide [ there ] . And she constrained us . And it came to pass as we were going to prayer that a certain female slave , having a spirit of Python , met us , who brought much profit to her masters by prophesying . She , having followed Paul and us , cried saying , These men are bondmen of the Most High God , who announce to you [ the ] way of salvation . And this she did many days . And Paul , being distressed , turned , and said to the spirit , I enjoin thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her . And it came out the same hour . And her masters , seeing that the hope of their gains was gone , having seized Paul and Silas , dragged [ them ] into the market before the magistrates ; and having brought them up to the praetors , said , These men utterly trouble our city , being Jews , and announce customs which it is not lawful for us to receive nor practise , being Romans . And the crowd rose up too against them ; and the praetors , having torn off their clothes , commanded to scourge [ them ] . And having laid many stripes upon them they cast [ them ] into prison , charging the jailor to keep them safely ; who , having received such a charge , cast them into the inner prison , and secured their feet to the stocks . And at midnight Paul and Silas , in praying , were praising God with singing , and the prisoners listened to them . And suddenly there was a great earthquake , so that the foundations of the prison shook , and all the doors were immediately opened , and the bonds of all loosed . And the jailor being awakened out of his sleep , and seeing the doors of the prison opened , having drawn a sword was going to kill himself , thinking the prisoners had fled . But Paul called out with a loud voice , saying , Do thyself no harm , for we are all here . And having asked for lights , he rushed in , and , trembling , fell down before Paul and Silas . And leading them out said , Sirs , what must I do that I may be saved ? And they said , Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved , thou and thy house . And they spoke to him the word of the Lord , with all that were in his house . And he took them the same hour of the night and washed [ them ] from their stripes ; and was baptised , he and all his straightway . And having brought them into his house he laid the table [ for them ] , and rejoiced with all his house , having believed in God . And when it was day , the praetors sent the lictors , saying , Let those men go . And the jailor reported these words to Paul : The praetors have sent that ye may be let go . Now therefore go out and depart in peace . But Paul said to them , Having beaten us publicly uncondemned , us who are Romans , they have cast us into prison , and now they thrust us out secretly ? no , indeed , but let them come themselves and bring us out . And the lictors reported these words to the praetors . And they were afraid when they heard they were Romans . And they came and besought them , and having brought them out , asked them to go out of the city . And having gone out of the prison , they came to Lydia ; and having seen the brethren , they exhorted them and went away . And having journeyed through Amphipolis and Apollonia , they came to Thessalonica , where was the synagogue of the Jews . And according to Paul's custom he went in among them , and on three sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures , opening and laying down that the Christ must have suffered and risen up from among the dead , and that this is the Christ , Jesus whom * I * announce to you . And some of them believed , and joined themselves to Paul and Silas , and of the Greeks who worshipped , a great multitude , and of the chief women not a few . But the Jews having been stirred up to jealousy , and taken to [ themselves ] certain wicked men of the lowest rabble , and having got a crowd together , set the city in confusion ; and having beset the house of Jason sought to bring them out to the people ; and not having found them , dragged Jason and certain brethren before the politarchs , crying out , These [ men ] that have set the world in tumult , are come here also , whom Jason has received ; and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar , saying , that there is another king , Jesus . And they troubled the crowd and the politarchs when they heard these things . And having taken security of Jason and the rest , they let them go . But the brethren immediately sent away , in the night , Paul and Silas to Berea ; who , being arrived , went away into the synagogue of the Jews . And these were more noble than those in Thessalonica , receiving the word with all readiness of mind , daily searching the scriptures if these things were so . Therefore many from among them believed , and of Grecian women of the upper classes and men not a few . But when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that the word of God was announced in Berea also by Paul , they came there also , stirring up the crowds . And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go as to the sea ; but Silas and Timotheus abode there . But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens ; and , having received a commandment to Silas and Timotheus , that they should come to him as quickly as possible , they departed . But in Athens , while Paul was waiting for them , his spirit was painfully excited in him seeing the city given up to idolatry . He reasoned therefore in the synagogue with the Jews , and those who worshipped , and in the market-place every day with those he met with . But some also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers attacked him . And some said , What would this chatterer say ? and some , He seems to be an announcer of foreign demons , because he announced the glad tidings of Jesus and the resurrection [ to them ] . And having taken hold on him they brought [ him ] to Areopagus , saying , Might we know what this new doctrine which is spoken by thee [ is ] ? For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears . We wish therefore to know what these things may mean . Now all [ the ] Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else than to tell and to hear the news . And Paul standing in the midst of Areopagus said , Athenians , in every way I see you given up to demon worship ; for , passing through and beholding your shrines , I found also an altar on which was inscribed , To the unknown God . Whom therefore ye reverence , not knowing [ him ] , him I announce to you . The God who has made the world and all things which are in it , * he * , being Lord of heaven and earth , does not dwell in temples made with hands , nor is served by men's hands as needing something , himself giving to all life and breath and all things ; and has made of one blood every nation of men to dwell upon the whole face of the earth , having determined ordained times and the boundaries of their dwelling , that they may seek God ; if indeed they might feel after him and find him , although he is not far from each one of us : for in him we live and move and exist ; as also some of the poets amongst you have said , For we are also his offspring . Being therefore [ the ] offspring of God , we ought not to think that which is divine to be like gold or silver or stone , [ the ] graven form of man's art and imagination . God therefore , having overlooked the times of ignorance , now enjoins men that they shall all everywhere repent , because he has set a day in which he is going to judge the habitable earth in righteousness by [ the ] man whom he has appointed , giving the proof [ of it ] to all [ in ] having raised him from among [ the ] dead . And when they heard [ of the ] resurrection of the dead , some mocked , and some said , We will hear thee again also concerning this . Thus Paul went out of their midst . But some men joining themselves to him believed ; among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite , and a woman by name Damaris , and others with them . And after these things , having left Athens , he came to Corinth ; and finding a certain Jew by name Aquila , of Pontus by race , just come from Italy , and Priscilla his wife , ( because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome , ) came to them , and because they were of the same trade abode with them , and wrought . For they were tent-makers by trade . And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath , and persuaded Jews and Greeks . And when both Silas and Timotheus came down from Macedonia , Paul was pressed in respect of the word , testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ . But as they opposed and spoke injuriously , he shook his clothes , and said to them , Your blood be upon your own head : * I * [ am ] pure ; from henceforth I will go to the nations . And departing thence he came to the house of a certain [ man ] , by name Justus , who worshipped God , whose house adjoined the synagogue . But Crispus the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all his house ; and many of the Corinthians hearing , believed , and were baptised . And the Lord said by vision in [ the ] night to Paul , Fear not , but speak and be not silent ; because * I * am with thee , and no one shall set upon thee to injure thee ; because I have much people in this city . And he remained [ there ] a year and six months , teaching among them the word of God . But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia , the Jews with one consent rose against Paul and led him to the judgment-seat , saying , This [ man ] persuades men to worship God contrary to the law . But as Paul was going to open his mouth , Gallio said to the Jews , If indeed it was some wrong or wicked criminality , O Jews , of reason I should have borne with you ; but if it be questions about words , and names , and the law that ye have , see to it yourselves ; [ for ] * I * do not intend to be judge of these things . And he drove them from the judgment-seat . And having all laid hold on Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue , they beat him before the judgment-seat . And Gallio troubled himself about none of these things . And Paul , having yet stayed [ there ] many days , took leave of the brethren and sailed thence to Syria , and with him Priscilla and Aquila , having shorn his head in Cenchrea , for he had a vow ; and he arrived at Ephesus , and left them there . But entering himself into the synagogue he reasoned with the Jews . And when they asked him that he would remain for a longer time [ with them ] he did not accede , but bade them farewell , saying , [ I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem ] ; I will return to you again , if God will : and he sailed away from Ephesus . And landing at Caesarea , and having gone up and saluted the assembly , he went down to Antioch . And having stayed [ there ] some time , he went forth , passing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia , establishing all the disciples . But a certain Jew , Apollos by name , an Alexandrian by race , an eloquent man , who was mighty in the scriptures , arrived at Ephesus . He was instructed in the way of the Lord , and being fervent in his spirit , he spoke and taught exactly the things concerning Jesus , knowing only the baptism of John . And * he * began to speak boldly in the synagogue . And Aquila and Priscilla , having heard him , took him to [ them ] and unfolded to him the way of God more exactly . And when he purposed to go into Achaia , the brethren wrote to the disciples engaging them to receive him , who , being come , contributed much to those who believed through grace . For he with great force convinced the Jews publicly , shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ . And it came to pass , while Apollos was at Corinth , Paul , having passed through the upper districts , came to Ephesus , and finding certain disciples , he said to them , Did ye receive [ the ] Holy Spirit when ye had believed ? And they [ said ] to him , We did not even hear if [ the ] Holy Spirit was [ come ] . And he said , To what then were ye baptised ? And they said , To the baptism of John . And Paul said , John indeed baptised [ with ] the baptism of repentance , saying to the people that they should believe on him that was coming after him , that is , on Jesus . And when they heard that , they were baptised to the name of the Lord Jesus . And Paul having laid [ his ] hands on them , the Holy Spirit came upon them , and they spoke with tongues and prophesied . And all the men were about twelve . And entering into the synagogue , he spoke boldly during three months , reasoning and persuading [ the things ] concerning the kingdom of God . But when some were hardened and disbelieved , speaking evil of the way before the multitude , he left them and separated the disciples , reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus . And this took place for two years , so that all that inhabited Asia heard the word of the Lord , both Jews and Greeks . And God wrought no ordinary miracles by the hands of Paul , so that even napkins or aprons were brought from his body [ and put ] upon the sick , and the diseases left them , and the wicked spirits went out . And certain of the Jewish exorcists also , who went about , took in hand to call upon those who had wicked spirits the name of the Lord Jesus , saying , I adjure you by Jesus , whom Paul preaches . And there were certain [ men ] , seven sons of Sceva , Jewish high priest , who were doing this . But the wicked spirit answering said to them , Jesus I know , and Paul I am acquainted with ; but * ye * , who are ye ? And the man in whom the wicked spirit was leaped upon them , and having mastered both , prevailed against them , so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded . And this became known to all , both Jews and Greeks , who inhabited Ephesus , and fear fell upon all of them , and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified . And many of those that believed came confessing and declaring their deeds . And many of those that practised curious arts brought their books [ of charms ] and burnt them before all . And they reckoned up the prices of them , and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver . Thus with might the word of the Lord increased and prevailed . And when these things were fulfilled , Paul purposed in his spirit to go to Jerusalem , passing through Macedonia and Achaia , saying , After I have been there I must see Rome also . And having sent into Macedonia two of those ministering to him , Timotheus and Erastus , he remained himself awhile in Asia . And there took place at that time no small disturbance about the way . For a certain [ man ] by name Demetrius , a silver-beater , making silver temples of Artemis , brought no small gain to the artisans ; whom having brought together , and those who wrought in such things , he said , Men , ye know that our well-living arises from this work , and ye see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great crowd , not only of Ephesus , but almost of all Asia , saying that they are no gods which are made with hands . Now not only there is danger for us that our business come into discredit , but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be counted for nothing , and that her greatness should be destroyed whom the whole of Asia and the world reveres . And having heard [ this ] , and being filled with rage , they cried out , saying , Great [ is ] Artemis of the Ephesians . And the [ whole ] city was filled with confusion , and they rushed with one accord to the theatre , having seized and carried off with [ them ] Gaius and Aristarchus , Macedonians , fellow-travellers of Paul . But Paul intending to go in to the people , the disciples suffered him not ; and some of the Asiarchs also , who were his friends , sent to him and urged him not to throw himself into the theatre . Different persons therefore cried out some different thing ; for the assembly was tumultuous , and the most did not know for what cause they had come together . But from among the crowd they put forward Alexander , the Jews pushing him forward . And Alexander , beckoning with his hand , would have made a defence to the people . But , recognising that he was a Jew , there was one cry from all , shouting for about two hours , Great [ is ] Artemis of the Ephesians . And the townclerk , having quieted the crowd , said , Ephesians , what man is there then who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of Artemis the great , and of the [ image ] which fell down from heaven ? These things therefore being undeniable , it is necessary that ye should be calm and do nothing headlong . For ye have brought these men , [ who are ] neither temple-plunderers , nor speak injuriously of your goddess . If therefore Demetrius and the artisans who [ are ] with him have a matter against any one , the courts are being held , and there are proconsuls : let them accuse one another . But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters , it will be settled in the regular assembly . For also we are in danger to be put in accusation for sedition for this [ affair ] of to-day , no cause existing in reference to which we shall be able to give a reason for this concourse . And having said these things , he dismissed the assembly . But after the tumult had ceased , Paul having called the disciples to [ him ] and embraced [ them ] , went away to go to Macedonia . And having passed through those parts , and having exhorted them with much discourse , he came to Greece . And having spent three months [ there ] , a treacherous plot against him having been set on foot by the Jews , as he was going to sail to Syria , [ the ] resolution was adopted of returning through Macedonia . And there accompanied him as far as Asia , Sopater [ son ] of Pyrrhus , a Berean ; and of Thessalonians , Aristarchus and Secundus , and Gaius and Timotheus of Derbe , and of Asia , Tychicus and Trophimus . These going before waited for us in Troas ; but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread , and we came to them to Troas in five days , where we spent seven days . And the first day of the week , we being assembled to break bread , Paul discoursed to them , about to depart on the morrow . And he prolonged the discourse till midnight . And there were many lights in the upper room where we were assembled . And a certain youth , by name Eutychus , sitting at the window-opening , overpowered by deep sleep , while Paul discoursed very much at length , having been overpowered by the sleep , fell from the third story down to the bottom , and was taken up dead . But Paul descending fell upon him , and enfolding [ him ] [ in his arms ] , said , Be not troubled , for his life is in him . And having gone up , and having broken the bread , and eaten , and having long spoken until daybreak , so he went away . And they brought [ away ] the boy alive , and were no little comforted . And we , having gone before on board ship , sailed off to Assos , going to take in Paul there ; for so he had directed , he himself being about to go on foot . And when he met with us at Assos , having taken him on board , we came to Mitylene ; and having sailed thence , on the morrow arrived opposite Chios , and the next day put in at Samos ; and having stayed at Trogyllium , the next day we came to Miletus : for Paul thought it desirable to sail by Ephesus , so that he might not be made to spend time in Asia ; for he hastened , if it was possible for him , to be the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem . But from Miletus having sent to Ephesus , he called over [ to him ] the elders of the assembly . And when they were come to him , he said to them , * Ye * know how I was with you all the time from the first day that I arrived in Asia , serving the Lord with all lowliness , and tears , and temptations , which happened to me through the plots of the Jews ; how I held back nothing of what is profitable , so as not to announce [ it ] to you , and to teach you publicly and in every house , testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance towards God , and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ . And now , behold , bound in my spirit * I * go to Jerusalem , not knowing what things shall happen to me in it ; only that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city , saying that bonds and tribulations await me . But I make no account of [ my ] life [ as ] dear to myself , so that I finish my course , and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus , to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God . And now , behold , I know that ye all , among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom [ of God ] , shall see my face no more . Wherefore I witness to you this day , that I am clean from the blood of all , for I have not shrunk from announcing to you all the counsel of God . Take heed therefore to yourselves , and to all the flock , wherein the Holy Spirit has set you as overseers , to shepherd the assembly of God , which he has purchased with the blood of his own . [ For ] * I * know [ this , ] that there will come in amongst you after my departure grievous wolves , not sparing the flock ; and from among your own selves shall rise up men speaking perverted things to draw away the disciples after them . Wherefore watch , remembering that for three years , night and day , I ceased not admonishing each one [ of you ] with tears . And now I commit you to God , and to the word of his grace , which is able to build [ you ] up and give [ to you ] an inheritance among all the sanctified . I have coveted [ the ] silver or gold or clothing of no one . Yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my wants , and to those who were with me . I have shewed you all things , that thus labouring [ we ] ought to come in aid of the weak , and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus , that he himself said , It is more blessed to give than to receive . And having said these things , he knelt down and prayed with them all . And they all wept sore ; and falling upon the neck of Paul they ardently kissed him , specially pained by the word which he had said , that they would no more see his face . And they went down with him to the ship . And when , having got away from them , we at last sailed away , we came by a direct course to Cos , and on the morrow to Rhodes , and thence to Patara . And having found a ship passing over into Phoenicia , we went on board and sailed ; and having sighted Cyprus , and left it on the left hand , we sailed to Syria , and made the land at Tyre , for there the ship was to discharge her cargo . And having found out the disciples , we remained there seven days ; who said to Paul by the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem . But when we had completed the days , we set out and took our journey , all of them accompanying us , with wives and children , till [ we were ] out of the city . And kneeling down upon the shore we prayed . And having embraced one another , we went on board ship , and they returned home . And we , having completed the voyage , arrived from Tyre at Ptolemais , and having saluted the brethren , we remained one day with them . And leaving on the morrow , we came to Caesarea ; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist , who was of the seven , we abode with him . Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied . And as we stayed there many days , a certain man , by name Agabus , a prophet , came down from Judaea , and coming to us and taking the girdle of Paul , and having bound his own hands and feet , said , Thus saith the Holy Spirit , The man whose this girdle is shall the Jews thus bind in Jerusalem , and deliver him up into the hands of [ the ] Gentiles . And when we heard these things , both we and those of the place besought [ him ] not to go up to Jerusalem . But Paul answered , What do ye , weeping and breaking my heart ? for * I * am ready not only to be bound , but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus . And when he would not be persuaded , we were silent , saying , The will of the Lord be done . And after these days , having got our effects ready , we went up to Jerusalem . And [ some ] of the disciples from Caesarea went with us , bringing [ with them ] a certain Mnason , a Cyprian , an old disciple , with whom we were to lodge . And when we arrived at Jerusalem the brethren gladly received us . And on the morrow Paul went in with us to James , and all the elders came there . And having saluted them , he related one by one the things which God had wrought among the nations by his ministry . And they having heard [ it ] glorified God , and said to him , Thou seest , brother , how many myriads there are of the Jews who have believed , and all are zealous of the law . And they have been informed concerning thee , that thou teachest all the Jews among the nations apostasy from Moses , saying that they should not circumcise their children , nor walk in the customs . What is it then ? a multitude must necessarily come together , for they will hear that thou art come . This do therefore that we say to thee : We have four men who have a vow on them ; take these and be purified with them , and pay their expenses , that they may have their heads shaved ; and all will know that [ of those things ] of which they have been informed about thee nothing is [ true ] ; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly , keeping the law . But concerning [ those of ] the nations who have believed , we have written , deciding that they should [ observe no such thing , only to ] keep themselves both from things offered to idols , and from blood , and from things strangled , and from fornication . Then Paul , taking the men , on the next day , having been purified , entered with them into the temple , signifying the time the days of the purification would be fulfilled , until the offering was offered for every one of them . And when the seven days were nearly completed , the Jews from Asia , having seen him in the temple , set all the crowd in a tumult , and laid hands upon him , crying , Israelites , help ! this is the man who teaches all everywhere against the people , and the law , and this place , and has brought Greeks too into the temple , and profaned this holy place . For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city , whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple . And the whole city was moved , and there was a concourse of the people ; and having laid hold on Paul they drew him out of the temple , and immediately the doors were shut . And as they were seeking to kill him , a representation came to the chiliarch of the band that the whole of Jerusalem was in a tumult ; who , taking with him immediately soldiers and centurions , ran down upon them . But they , seeing the chiliarch and the soldiers , ceased beating Paul . Then the chiliarch came up and laid hold upon him , and commanded [ him ] to be bound with two chains , and inquired who he might be , and what he had done . And different persons cried some different thing in the crowd . But he , not being able to know the certainty on account of the uproar , commanded him to be brought into the fortress . But when he got upon the stairs it was so that he was borne by the soldiers on account of the violence of the crowd . For the multitude of the people followed , crying , Away with him . But as he was about to be led into the fortress , Paul says to the chiliarch , Is it allowed me to say something to thee ? And he said , Dost thou know Greek ? Thou art not then that Egyptian who before these days raised a sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the assassins ? But Paul said , * I * am a Jew of Tarsus , citizen of no insignificant city of Cilicia , and I beseech of thee , allow me to speak to the people . And when he had allowed him , Paul , standing on the stairs , beckoned with his hand to the people ; and a great silence having been made , he addressed them in the Hebrew tongue , saying , Brethren and fathers , hear my defence which I now make to you . And hearing that he addressed them in the Hebrew tongue , they kept the more quiet ; and he says , * I * am a Jew , born in Tarsus of Cilicia , but brought up in this city , at the feet of Gamaliel , educated according to [ the ] exactness of the law of [ our ] fathers , being zealous for God , as * ye * are all this day ; who have persecuted this way unto death , binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women ; as also the high priest bears me witness , and all the elderhood : from whom also , having received letters to the brethren , I went to Damascus to bring those also who were there , bound , to Jerusalem , to be punished . And it came to pass , as I was journeying and drawing near to Damascus , that , about mid-day , there suddenly shone out of heaven a great light round about me . And I fell to the ground , and heard a voice saying to me , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me ? And * I * answered , Who art thou , Lord ? And he said to me , * I * am Jesus the Nazaraean , whom * thou * persecutest . But they that were with me beheld the light , [ and were filled with fear ] , but heard not the voice of him that was speaking to me . And I said , What shall I do , Lord ? And the Lord said to me , Rise up , and go to Damascus , and there it shall be told thee of all things which it is appointed thee to do . And as I could not see , through the glory of that light , being led by the hand of those who were with me , I came to Damascus . And a certain Ananias , a pious man according to the law , borne witness to by all the Jews who dwelt [ there ] , coming to me and standing by me , said to me , Brother Saul , receive thy sight . And * I * , in the same hour , received my sight and saw him . And he said , The God of our fathers has chosen thee beforehand to know his will , and to see the just one , and to hear a voice out of his mouth ; for thou shalt be a witness for him to all men of what thou hast seen and heard . And now why lingerest thou ? Arise and get baptised , and have thy sins washed away , calling on his name . And it came to pass when I had returned to Jerusalem , and as I was praying in the temple , that I became in ecstasy , and saw him saying to me , Make haste and go quickly out of Jerusalem , for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me . And * I * said , Lord , they themselves know that * I * was imprisoning and beating in every synagogue those that believe on thee ; and when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed , I also myself was standing by and consenting , and kept the clothes of them who killed him . And he said to me , Go , for * I * will send thee to the nations afar off . And they heard him until this word , and lifted up their voice , saying , Away with such a one as that from the earth , for it was not fit he should live . And as they were crying , and throwing away their clothes , and casting dust into the air , the chiliarch commanded him to be brought into the fortress , saying that he should be examined by scourging , that he might ascertain for what cause they cried thus against him . But as they stretched him forward with the thongs , Paul said to the centurion who stood [ by ] , Is it lawful for you to scourge a man [ who is ] a Roman and uncondemned ? And the centurion , having heard it , went and reported it to the chiliarch , saying , What art thou going to do ? for this man is a Roman . And the chiliarch coming up said to him , Tell me , Art * thou * a Roman ? And he said , Yes . And the chiliarch answered , * I * , for a great sum , bought this citizenship . And Paul said , But * I * was also [ free ] born . Immediately therefore those who were going to examine him left him , and the chiliarch also was afraid when he ascertained that he was a Roman , and because he had bound him . And on the morrow , desirous to know the certainty [ of the matter ] why he was accused of the Jews , he loosed him , and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet , and having brought Paul down set him before them . And Paul , fixing his eyes on the council , said , Brethren , I have walked in all good conscience with God unto this day . But the high priest Ananias ordered those standing by him to smite his mouth . Then Paul said to him , God will smite thee , whited wall . And * thou * , dost thou sit judging me according to the law , and breaking the law commandest me to be smitten ? And those that stood by said , Dost thou rail against the high priest of God ? And Paul said , I was not conscious , brethren , that he was high priest ; for it is written , Thou shalt not speak evilly of the ruler of thy people . But Paul , knowing that the one part [ of them ] were of the Sadducees and the other of the Pharisees , cried out in the council , Brethren , * I * am a Pharisee , son of Pharisees : * I * am judged concerning the hope and resurrection of [ the ] dead . And when he had spoken this , there was a tumult of the Pharisees and the Sadducees , and the multitude was divided . For Sadducees say there is no resurrection , nor angel , nor spirit ; but Pharisees confess both of them . And there was a great clamour , and the scribes of the Pharisees' part rising up contended , saying , We find nothing evil in this man ; and if a spirit has spoken to him , or an angel . . . And a great tumult having arisen , the chiliarch , fearing lest Paul should have been torn in pieces by them , commanded the troop to come down and take him by force from the midst of them , and to bring [ him ] into the fortress . But the following night the Lord stood by him , and said , Be of good courage ; for as thou hast testified the things concerning me at Jerusalem , so thou must bear witness at Rome also . And when it was day , the Jews , having banded together , put themselves under a curse , saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they should kill Paul . And they were more than forty who had joined together in this oath ; and they went to the chief priests and elders , and said , We have cursed ourselves with a curse to taste nothing until we kill Paul . Now therefore do ye with the council make a representation to the chiliarch so that he may bring him down to you , as about to determine more precisely what concerns him , and we , before he draws near , are ready to kill him . But Paul's sister's son , having heard of the lying in wait , came and entered into the fortress and reported [ it ] to Paul . And Paul , having called one of the centurions , said , Take this youth to the chiliarch , for he has something to report to him . He therefore , having taken him with [ him ] , led him to the chiliarch , and says , The prisoner Paul called me to [ him ] and asked me to lead this youth to thee , who has something to say to thee . And the chiliarch having taken him by the hand , and having gone apart in private , inquired , What is it that thou hast to report to me ? And he said , The Jews have agreed together to make a request to thee , that thou mayest bring Paul down to-morrow into the council , as about to inquire something more precise concerning him . Do not thou then be persuaded by them , for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men , who have put themselves under a curse neither to eat nor drink till they kill him ; and now they are ready waiting the promise from thee . The chiliarch then dismissed the youth , commanding [ him ] , Utter to no one that thou hast represented these things to me . And having called to [ him ] certain two of the centurions , he said , Prepare two hundred soldiers that they may go as far as Caesarea , and seventy horsemen , and two hundred light-armed footmen , for the third hour of the night . And [ he ordered them ] to provide beasts , that they might set Paul on them and carry [ him ] safe through to Felix the governor , having written a letter , couched in this form : Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix , greeting . This man , having been taken by the Jews , and being about to be killed by them , I came up with the military and took out [ of their hands ] , having learned that he was a Roman . And desiring to know the charge on which they accused him , I brought him down to their council ; whom I found to be accused of questions of their law , but to have no charge laid against him [ making him ] worthy of death or of bonds . But having received information of a plot about to be put in execution against the man [ by the Jews ] , I have immediately sent him to thee , commanding also his accusers to say before thee the things that are against him . [ Farewell . ] The soldiers therefore , according to what was ordered them , took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris , and on the morrow , having left the horsemen to go with him , returned to the fortress . And these , having entered into Caesarea , and given up the letter to the governor , presented Paul also to him . And having read [ it ] , and asked of what eparchy he was , and learned that [ he was ] of Cilicia , he said , I will hear thee fully when thine accusers also are arrived . And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's praetorium . And after five days came down the high priest Ananias , with the elders , and a certain orator called Tertullus , and laid their informations against Paul before the governor . And he having been called , Tertullus began to accuse , saying , Seeing we enjoy great peace through thee , and that excellent measures are executed for this nation by thy forethought , we receive [ it ] always and everywhere , most excellent Felix , with all thankfulness . But that I may not too much intrude on thy time , I beseech thee to hear us briefly in thy kindness . For finding this man a pest , and moving sedition among all the Jews throughout the world , and a leader of the sect of the Nazaraeans ; who also attempted to profane the temple ; whom we also had seized , [ and would have judged according to our law ; but Lysias , the chiliarch , coming up , took [ him ] away with great force out of our hands , having commanded his accusers to come to thee ; ] of whom thou canst thyself , in examining [ him ] , know the certainty of all these things of which we accuse him . And the Jews also joined in pressing the matter against [ Paul ] , saying that these things were so . But Paul , the governor having beckoned to him to speak , answered , Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge to this nation , I answer readily as to the things which concern myself . As thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem , and neither in the temple did they find me discoursing to any one , or making any tumultuous gathering together of the crowd , nor in the synagogues , nor in the city ; neither can they make good the things of which they now accuse me . But this I avow to thee , that in the way which they call sect , so I serve my fathers' God , believing all things which are written throughout the law , and in the prophets ; having hope towards God , which they themselves also receive , that there is to be a resurrection both of just and unjust . For this cause I also exercise [ myself ] to have in everything a conscience without offence towards God and men . And after a lapse of many years I arrived , bringing alms to my nation , and offerings . Whereupon they found me purified in the temple , with neither crowd nor tumult . But it was certain Jews from Asia , who ought to appear before thee and accuse , if they have anything against me ; or let these themselves say what wrong they found in me when I stood before the council , [ other ] than concerning this one voice which I cried standing amongst them : I am judged this day by you touching [ the ] resurrection of [ the ] dead . And Felix , knowing accurately the things concerning the way , adjourned them , saying , When Lysias the chiliarch is come down I will determine your affair ; ordering the centurion to keep him , and that he should have freedom , and to hinder none of his friends to minister to him . And after certain days , Felix having arrived with Drusilla his wife , who was a Jewess , he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ . And as he reasoned concerning righteousness , and temperance , and the judgment about to come , Felix , being filled with fear , answered , Go for the present , and when I get an opportunity I will send for thee ; hoping at the same time that money would be given him by Paul : wherefore also he sent for him the oftener and communed with him . But when two years were completed , Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus as his successor ; and Felix , desirous to oblige the Jews , to acquire their favour , left Paul bound . Festus therefore , being come into the eparchy , after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea . And the chief priests and the chief of the Jews laid informations before him against Paul , and besought him , asking as a grace against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem , laying people in wait to kill him on the way . Festus therefore answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea , and that he himself was about to set out shortly . Let therefore the persons of authority among you , says he , going down too , if there be anything in this man , accuse him . And having remained among them not more than eight or ten days , he went down to Caesarea ; and on the next day , having sat down on the judgment-seat , commanded Paul to be brought . And when he was come , the Jews who were come down from Jerusalem stood round , bringing many and grievous charges which they were not able to prove : Paul answering for himself , Neither against the law of the Jews , nor against the temple , nor against Caesar , have I offended [ in ] anything . But Festus , desirous of obliging the Jews , to acquire their favour , answering Paul , said , Art thou willing to go up to Jerusalem , there to be judged before me concerning these things ? But Paul said , I am standing before the judgment-seat of Caesar , where I ought to be judged . To the Jews have I done no wrong , as * thou * also very well knowest . If then I have done any wrong and committed anything worthy of death , I do not deprecate dying ; but if there is nothing of those things of which they accuse me , no man can give me up to them . I appeal to Caesar . Then Festus , having conferred with the council , answered , Thou hast appealed to Caesar . To Caesar shalt thou go . And when certain days had elapsed , Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to salute Festus . And when they had spent many days there , Festus laid before the king the matters relating to Paul , saying , There is a certain man left prisoner by Felix , concerning whom , when I was at Jerusalem , the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid informations , requiring judgment against him : to whom I answered , It is not [ the ] custom of the Romans to give up any man before that the accused have the accusers face to face , and he have got opportunity of defence touching the charge . When therefore they had come together here , without putting it off , I sat the next day on the judgment-seat and commanded the man to be brought : concerning whom the accusers , standing up , brought no such accusation of guilt as * I * supposed ; but had against him certain questions of their own system of worship , and concerning a certain Jesus who is dead , whom Paul affirmed to be living . And as I myself was at a loss as to an inquiry into these things , I said , Was he willing to go to Jerusalem and there to be judged concerning these things ? But Paul having appealed to be kept for the cognisance of Augustus , I commanded him to be kept till I shall send him to Caesar . And Agrippa [ said ] to Festus , I myself also would desire to hear the man . To-morrow , said he , thou shalt hear him . On the morrow therefore , Agrippa being come , and Bernice , with great pomp , and having entered into the hall of audience , with the chiliarchs and the men of distinction of the city , and Festus having given command , Paul was brought . And Festus said , King Agrippa , and all men who are here present with us , ye see this person , concerning whom all the multitude of the Jews applied to me both in Jerusalem and here , crying out against [ him ] that he ought not to live any longer . But I , having found that he had done nothing worthy of death , and this [ man ] himself having appealed to Augustus , I have decided to send him ; concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord . Wherefore I have brought him before you , and specially before thee , king Agrippa , so that an examination having been gone into I may have something to write : for it seems to me senseless , sending a prisoner , not also to signify the charges against him . And Agrippa said to Paul , It is permitted thee to speak for thyself . Then Paul stretching out his hand answered in his defence : I count myself happy , king Agrippa , in having to answer to-day before thee concerning all of which I am accused by the Jews , especially because thou art acquainted with all the customs and questions which are among the Jews ; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently . My manner of life then from my youth , which from its commencement was passed among my nation in Jerusalem , know all the Jews , who knew me before from the outset [ of my life ] , if they would bear witness , that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee . And now I stand to be judged because of the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers , to which our whole twelve tribes serving incessantly day and night hope to arrive ; about which hope , O king , I am accused of [ the ] Jews . Why should it be judged a thing incredible in your sight if God raises the dead ? * I * indeed myself thought that I ought to do much against the name of Jesus the Nazaraean . Which also I did in Jerusalem , and myself shut up in prisons many of the saints , having received the authority from the chief priests ; and when they were put to death I gave my vote . And often punishing them in all the synagogues , I compelled them to blaspheme . And , being exceedingly furious against them , I persecuted them even to cities out [ of our own land ] . And when , [ engaged ] in this , I was journeying to Damascus , with authority and power from the chief priests , at mid-day , on the way , I saw , O king , a light above the brightness of the sun , shining from heaven round about me and those who were journeying with me . And , when we were all fallen to the ground , I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew tongue , Saul , Saul , why persecutest thou me ? [ it is ] hard for thee to kick against goads . And I said , Who art thou , Lord ? And the Lord said , * I * am Jesus whom * thou * persecutest : but rise up and stand on thy feet ; for , for this purpose have I appeared to thee , to appoint thee to be a servant and a witness both of what thou hast seen , and of what I shall appear to thee in , taking thee out from among the people , and the nations , to whom * I * send thee , to open their eyes , that they may turn from darkness to light , and from the power of Satan to God , that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me . Whereupon , king Agrippa , I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision ; but have , first to those both in Damascus and Jerusalem , and to all the region of Judaea , and to the nations , announced that they should repent and turn to God , doing works worthy of repentance . On account of these things the Jews , having seized me in the temple , attempted to lay hands on and destroy me . Having therefore met with [ the ] help which is from God , I have stood firm unto this day , witnessing both to small and great , saying nothing else than those things which both the prophets and Moses have said should happen , [ namely , ] whether Christ should suffer ; whether he first , through resurrection of [ the ] dead , should announce light both to the people and to the nations . And as he answered for his defence with these things , Festus says with a loud voice , Thou art mad , Paul ; much learning turns thee to madness . But Paul said , I am not mad , most excellent Festus , but utter words of truth and soberness ; for the king is informed about these things , to whom also I speak with all freedom . For I am persuaded that of these things nothing is hidden from him ; for this was not done in a corner . King Agrippa , believest thou the prophets ? I know that thou believest . And Agrippa [ said ] to Paul , In a little thou persuadest me to become a Christian . And Paul [ said ] , I would to God , both in little and in much , that not only thou , but all who have heard me this day , should become such as * I * also am , except these bonds . And the king stood up , and the governor and Bernice , and those who sat with them , and having gone apart , they spoke to one another saying , This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds . And Agrippa said to Festus , This man might have been let go if he had not appealed to Caesar . But when it had been determined that we should sail to Italy , they delivered up Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion , by name Julius , of Augustus' company . And going on board a ship of Adramyttium about to navigate by the places along Asia , we set sail , Aristarchus , a Macedonian of Thessalonica , being with us . And the next day we arrived at Sidon . And Julius treated Paul kindly and suffered him to go to his friends and refresh himself . And setting sail thence we sailed under the lee of Cyprus , because the winds were contrary . And having sailed over the waters of Cilicia and Pamphylia we came to Myra in Lycia : and there the centurion having found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy , he made us go on board her . And sailing slowly for many days , and having with difficulty got abreast of Cnidus , the wind not suffering us , we sailed under the lee of Crete abreast of Salmone ; and coasting it with difficulty we came to a certain place called Fair Havens , near to which was [ the ] city of Lasaea . And much time having now been spent , and navigation being already dangerous , because the fast also was already past , Paul counselled them , saying , Men , I perceive that the navigation will be with disaster and much loss , not only of the cargo and the ship , but also of our lives . But the centurion believed rather the helmsman and the shipowner than what was said by Paul . And the harbour being ill adapted to winter in , the most counselled to set sail thence , if perhaps they might reach Phoenice to winter in , a port of Crete looking north-east and south-east . And [ the ] south wind blowing gently , supposing that they had gained their object , having weighed anchor they sailed close in shore along Crete . But not long after there came down it a hurricane called Euroclydon . And the ship being caught and driven , and not able to bring her head to the wind , letting her go we were driven [ before it ] . But running under the lee of a certain island called Clauda , we were with difficulty able to make ourselves masters of the boat ; which having hoisted up , they used helps , frapping the ship ; and fearing lest they should run into Syrtis and run aground , and having lowered the gear they were so driven . But the storm being extremely violent on us , on the next day they threw cargo overboard , and on the third day with their own hands they cast away the ship furniture . And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days , and no small storm lying on us , in the end all hope of our being saved was taken away . And when they had been a long while without taking food , Paul then standing up in the midst of them said , Ye ought , O men , to have hearkened to me , and not have made sail from Crete and have gained this disaster and loss . And now I exhort you to be of good courage , for there shall be no loss at all of life of [ any ] of you , only of the ship . For an angel of the God , whose I am and whom I serve , stood by me this night , saying , Fear not , Paul ; thou must stand before Caesar ; and behold , God has granted to thee all those that sail with thee . Wherefore be of good courage , men , for I believe God that thus it shall be , as it has been said to me . But we must be cast ashore on a certain island . And when the fourteenth night was come , we being driven about in Adria , towards the middle of the night the sailors supposed that some land neared them , and having sounded found twenty fathoms , and having gone a little farther and having again sounded they found fifteen fathoms ; and fearing lest we should be cast on rocky places , casting four anchors out of the stern , they wished that day were come . But the sailors wishing to flee out of the ship , and having let down the boat into the sea under pretext of being about to carry out anchors from the prow , Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers , Unless these abide in the ship * ye * cannot be saved . Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let her fall . And while it was drawing on to daylight , Paul exhorted them all to partake of food , saying , Ye have passed the fourteenth day watching in expectation without taking food . Wherefore I exhort you to partake of food , for this has to do with your safety ; for not a hair from the head of any one of you shall perish . And , having said these things and taken a loaf , he gave thanks to God before all , and having broken it began to eat . And all taking courage , themselves also took food . And we were in the ship , all the souls , two hundred and seventy-six . And having satisfied themselves with food , they lightened the ship , casting out the wheat into the sea . And when it was day they did not recognise the land ; but they perceived a certain bay having a strand , on which they were minded , if they should be able , to run the ship ashore ; and , having cast off the anchors , they left [ them ] in the sea , at the same time loosening the lashings of the rudders , and hoisting the foresail to the wind , they made for the strand . And falling into a place where two seas met they ran the ship aground , and the prow having stuck itself fast remained unmoved , but the stern was broken by the force of the waves . And [ the ] counsel of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners , lest any one should swim off and escape . But the centurion , desirous of saving Paul , hindered them of their purpose , and commanded those who were able to swim , casting themselves first [ into the sea ] , to get out on land ; and the rest , some on boards , some on some of the things [ that came ] from the ship ; and thus it came to pass that all got safe to land . And when we got safe [ to land ] we then knew that the island was called Melita . But the barbarians shewed us no common kindness ; for , having kindled a fire , they took us all in because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold . And Paul having gathered a [ certain ] quantity of sticks together in a bundle and laid [ it ] on the fire , a viper coming out from the heat seized his hand . And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand , they said to one another , This man is certainly a murderer , whom , [ though ] saved out of the sea , Nemesis has not allowed to live . * He * however , having shaken off the beast into the fire , felt no harm . But * they * expected that he would have swollen or fallen down suddenly dead . But when they had expected a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him , changing their opinion , they said he was a god . Now in the country surrounding that place were the lands belonging to the chief man of the island , by name Publius , who received us and gave [ us ] hospitality three days in a very friendly way . And it happened that the father of Publius lay ill of fever and dysentery ; to whom Paul entered in , and having prayed and laid his hands on him cured him . But this having taken place , the rest also who had sicknesses in the island came and were healed : who also honoured us with many honours , and on our leaving they made presents to us of what should minister to our wants . And after three months we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island , an Alexandrian , with [ the ] Dioscuri for its ensign . And having come to Syracuse we remained three days . Whence , going in a circuitous course , we arrived at Rhegium ; and after one day , the wind having changed to south , on the second day we came to Puteoli , where , having found brethren , we were begged to stay with them seven days . And thus we went to Rome . And thence the brethren , having heard about us , came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Tres Tabernae , whom when Paul saw , he thanked God and took courage . And when we came to Rome , [ the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the praetorian prefect , but ] Paul was allowed to remain by himself with the soldier who kept him . And it came to pass after three days , that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews ; and when they had come together he said to them , Brethren , * I * having done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers , have been delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans , who having examined me were minded to let me go , because there was nothing worthy of death in me . But the Jews speaking against it , I was compelled to appeal to Caesar , not as having anything to accuse my nation of . For this cause therefore I have called you to [ me ] to see and to speak to you ; for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me . And they said to him , For our part , we have neither received letters from Judaea concerning thee , nor has any one of the brethren who has arrived reported or said anything evil concerning thee . But we beg to hear of thee what thou thinkest , for as concerning this sect it is known to us that it is everywhere spoken against . And having appointed him a day many came to him to the lodging , to whom he expounded , testifying of the kingdom of God , and persuading them concerning Jesus , both from the law of Moses and the prophets , from early morning to evening . And some were persuaded of the things which were said , but some disbelieved . And being disagreed among themselves they left ; Paul having spoken one word , Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Esaias the prophet to our fathers , saying , Go to this people , and say , Hearing ye shall hear and not understand , and seeing ye shall see and not perceive . For the heart of this people has become fat , and they hear heavily with their ears , and they have closed their eyes ; lest they should see with their eyes , and hear with their ears , and understand with their heart , and be converted , and I should heal them . Be it known to you therefore , that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations ; * they * also will hear [ it ] . [ And he having said this , the Jews went away , having great reasoning among themselves . ] And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging , and received all who came to him , preaching the kingdom of God , and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ , with all freedom unhinderedly .