Chapter 1

I made the first account concerning all things, O Theophilus, which Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day on which he was taken up after he had given injunctions to the apostles whom he chose through the Holy Spirit; to whom also after he suffered he presented himself alive by many infallible proofs, being seen by them through forty days and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God; 4 and meeting with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to "await the promise of the Father, which you heard of me: because John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit after not many days." 6 So those who came together then questioned him, saying, "Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them, "It is not yours to know times nor seasons which the Father placed in his own authority, 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria and unto the extremity of the earth.” 9 And after he said these things he was taken up as they looked, and a cloud received him from their eyes. 10 And as they were gazing to heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white garments, 11 who also said, "Galilean men, why do you stand looking to heaven? This Jesus who has been taken up from you to heaven will come in the same way you beheld him going to heaven.” 12 They returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called ‘of the olive grove’, which is near Jerusalem a Sabbath journey off. 13 And when they entered, they went up into the upper room where they were waiting, both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the zealot and Judas brother of James. 14 These were all continuing steadfastly with one mind in prayer with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

15 And in these days Peter stood up in the middle of the brothers, and the crowd of names together was about a hundred twenty, and said, 16 "Men and brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before through the mouth of David concerning Judas who became the guide to those who took Jesus, 17 because he was numbered among us and obtained his portion of this ministry. 18 This one therefore bought a field out of the reward of his unrighteousness, and having become swollen up he burst asunder in the middle, and all his bowels were poured out; 19 (and it became known to all those inhabiting Jerusalem, so as that field was called Akeldamach in their own language, that is Field of Blood.) 20 For it has been written in the scroll of Psalms, "Let his estate become deserted and do not let him dwell in it," and, "Let another take his office." 21 Therefore it seems good that one of these men who accompanied us all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John's baptism until the day when he was taken up from us, who was a witness of his resurrection, should become one of these with us.” 23 And they set two, Joseph who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And praying they said, "You Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show whom you have chosen of these two one 25 to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas fell to go to his own place.” 26 And they gave lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was reckoned along with the eleven apostles.

Chapter 2

And when the day of Pentecost was completed they were all together; 2 and suddenly there was a sound that was borne out of heaven by a violent wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting, 3 and there appeared tongues of fire that were distributed to them, and it sat on each one of them, 4 and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them to speak out. 5 Now, there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation of those under heaven; 6 and when this sound happened the multitude came together and were confounded, because they heard them speaking each one in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and marveled, saying, "Behold, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how we hear each one of us in his own language in which we were born, 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who inhabit Maesopotamia, both Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the Libyan regions over against Cyrene, and the temporarily residing Romans, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking the great deeds of God in our tongues?" 12 And all were amazed and were troubled, saying one to another, "What is happening?" 13 But others mockingly said, "They are filled with sweet wine!"

14 But Peter standing with the eleven lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, "Jewish men and all you who inhabit Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these men are not drunk as you imagine, for it is the third hour of the day, 16 but this is that which was spoken through the prophet Joel, 17 'And it shall be in the last days says God, I will pour out from my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams; 18 and in those days I will pour out from my Spirit on both my males slaves and my female slaves, and they will prophesy. 19 And I will give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness and moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord comes. 21 And it will be that whoever invokes the name of the Lord will be saved.'

22 Israelite men, hear these words:  Jesus the Nazarene, a man who had been approved from God among you by powerful deeds and wonders and signs, which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know, 23 this man was given up by the fixed counsel and foreknowledge of God, whom you killed fastening him to the cross through the hands of lawless men, 24 whom God raised up, loosening the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. 25 For David says about him, 'I foresaw the Lord always before me, because he is on my right, lest I be moved. 26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue exulted, and now also my flesh will dwell in hope, 27 because you will not abandon my soul in hades nor will you give your holy one to see corruption. 28 You made known to me the ways of life, you will fill me with gladness with your presence.'

29 Brothers, it is permitted to speak with plainness to you concerning the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is among us until this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet and knowing that God swore to him with an oath that the fruit of his loins would sit on his throne, 31 foreseeing this he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that he was neither abandoned in hades nor did his flesh see corruption. 32 God raised up this Jesus, of which we are all witnesses; 33 therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God and receiving the promised Holy Spirit from the Father he poured out this which you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to the heavens, but he says, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right, until I put your enemies a footstool of your feet.'" 36 Therefore, let all the house of Israel assuredly know that God made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 And hearing this they were stung in their hearts, and said to Peter and the remaining apostles, "What may we do, men and brothers?" 38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized on the name of Jesus Christ with a view to forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God may call to himself." 40 And he solemnly witnessed with many other words, and exhorted them saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." 41 Therefore those who welcomed his word were baptized, and there were about three thousand souls added that day; 42 and they were continuing steadfastly in the apostle's teaching and in the fellowship, in the breaking of the loaf and in the prayers. 43 And fear came to every soul; and many signs and wonders happened through the apostles. 44 And all those who believed had all things together in common, 45 and they sold their properties and their possessions and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 And from day to day, continuing steadfastly with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they shared food in gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to them from day to day those who were being saved.

Chapter 3

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man who was lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they used to put from day to day at the door of the temple that is called Beautiful to ask alms from those entering the temple; 3 who seeing that Peter and John were about to go into the temple asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter, gazing at him with John, said, "Look at us."  5 And he paid heed to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 And Peter said, "I have no silver or gold, but what I have, this I give to you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."  7 And seizing him by the right hand he raised him; and at once his feet and his ankle bones were made firm, 8 and leaping up, he stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they recognized him, that this was the one who sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and bewilderment at the thing that had happened to him. 11 And as he held Peter and John all the people ran together to them at the porch that is called "Solomon's" greatly amazed. 12 And seeing this Peter answered the people, "Israelite men, why do you marvel at this man, or why do you gaze at us as if by our own power or piety we made him to walk? 13 The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him; 14 but you denied the holy and just one, and asked for a murderer to be granted you, 15 and you killed the author of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. 16 And on the faith in his name, his name made this man firm, whom you know and behold, and the faith through him gave him this soundness before all of you. 17 And now, brothers, I know that you acted by way of ignorance, as also did your rulers; 18 but God thus fulfilled the things which he fore-announced through the mouths of all the prophets, that his Christ was to suffer. 19 Therefore, repent and turn that your sins may be wiped away, 20 so as times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord and he may send Christ Jesus who was fore-appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time of restitution of all things which God spoke from the age through the mouths of his holy prophets. 22 Moses indeed said, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet like me for you from your brothers; you must listen to him according to all things whatever he may speak to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul, whoever does not listen to that prophet, will be utterly destroyed out of the people." 24 And also all the prophets from Samuel and the rest in order, as many as spoke, also announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, "And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first to bless you in turning each one away from your iniquities.”

Chapter 4

And while they were speaking to the people the priests and the commandant of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 being greatly troubled because they taught the people and announced the resurrection of the dead by Jesus, 3 and laid their hands on them and put them in guard until the next day; for it was evening now. 4 But many of them who heard the word believed, and the number of the men became about five thousand.

5 Now it came to pass on the next day their rulers and elders and scribes were assembled in Jerusalem, 6 Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and Jon and Alexander and as many as were of the high-priestly race, 7 and having stood them in their midst inquired, "By what power or in what name did you do this?" 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today on a good deed done to an infirm man, by which this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, who God raised from the dead, in this name this man stands before you whole. 11 This is the stone despised by you the builders, which has become the head of the corner. 12 And there is not salvation in any other, 'for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.'" 13 And beholding the boldness of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were unlettered men and laymen, they marveled, and recognized them that they had been with Jesus, 14 and seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing contrary to say. 15 So having commanded them to go outside the council, they discussed with one another, saying, "What may we do to these men?  For a notable sign has happened through them, manifest to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it; 17 but lest it is spread abroad further to the people, let us threaten them to no longer speak on this name to anyone of men." 18 And calling them, they charged them not to utter or to teach on the name of Jesus at all. 19 But Peter and John, answering, said to them, "If it is right before God, to hear you rather than God, you decide; 20 for we cannot but speak the things we saw and heard." 21 And they released them after adding threats, finding nothing for which they might punish them, because of the people, because all men glorified God over the thing that had happened; 22 for the man on whom this sign of cure had happened was more than forty years old. 23 And being released they went to their own people and reported the things the chief priests and the elders said to them. 24 And hearing this, with one mind they lifted voice to God and said, "Master, you who have made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all things in them, 25 who spoke through the Holy Spirit by the mouth of our father David, your servant, 'Why did nations rage and peoples devise vain things? 26 The kings of the earth came and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against his Christ.' 27 For truly in this city both Herod and Pilate, with nations and the people of Israel, assembled against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do what things your hand and counsel foreordained to happen. 29 And now, Lord, look on their threatenings, and give to your slaves ability to speak your word with all boldness, 30 by the stretching forth of your hand for cure and signs and wonders to happen through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 And as they were making this request the place in which they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

32 Now the heart and soul of the multitude that had believed were one, and no one claimed any of his possession to be his own, but all things were common to them. 33 And with great power the apostles gave the testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there were none needy among them; for as many as were owners of lands or of houses, they sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold 35 and placed them at the feet of the apostles; and it was distributed to each according as anyone had need. 36 And Joseph who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which is, being translated, 'Son of Consolation', a Levite, a Cypriote by race, 37 as he had a field, and had sold it, brought the proceeds and placed them at the feet of he apostles.

Chapter 5

And a certain man, Ananias by name, and his wife Sapphira, sold a property, 2 appropriated from the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and placed it at the apostles' feet. 3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart, that you should deceive the Holy Spirit and to appropriate from the price of the land? 4 While it remained to you did it not remain yours, and when it was sold was it not in your authority?  Why was this action put in your heart?  You did not lie to men but to God." 5 And Ananias, hearing these words, fell and expired. 6 And the young men, rising up, wrapped him, and carrying him out, buried him. 7 And there was an interval of about three hours and his wife entered, not knowing that this thing had happened. 8 And Peter answered to her, "Tell me, if you sold the land for so much?"  And she said, "Yes, for so much." 9 And Peter to hear, "Why was it agreed with you two to tempt the Spirit of the Lord?  Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10 And she fell at once at his feet and expired; and entering, the young men found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her beside her husband. 11 And great fear came on all the church and on all those who heard these things.

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders happened among the people; and all were with one mind in the porch of Solomon; 13 and no one of the rest dared to be joined to them, but the people magnified them; 14 and more believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women; 15 so as they even brought out the ailing into the streets and placed them on pallets and mattresses, that when Peter came if even his shadow might overshadow someone of them. 16 And also the multitude of the cities round about Jerusalem came together, carrying those who ailed and were tormented by unclean spirits, who were all healed.

17 The high priest and all those with him, the existing sect of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy and rose up 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and publicly put them in custody. 19 But an angel of he Lord opened the doors of the prison during the night and, leading them out, said, "Go and, standing in the temple, speak to the people all the words of this life.” 21 And after hearing this, they entered into the temple about the dawn and taught.  And when they had come, the high priest and those with him called together the council and all the senate of the sons of Israel, and sent to the jail to have them brought. 22 But when the attendants arrived they did not find them in the prison; and when they returned they reported, saying, "We found the jail shut securely and the guards standing at the doors, but when we opened it we found no one inside." 24 And as both the commandant of the temple and the chief priest heard these words, they were in doubt about them, what this thing might become. 25 Someone arrived and reported to them, "Behold, the men, whom you put in the prison, are standing in the temple and teaching the people.” 26 Then the commandant with his attendants went and brought them, not with force, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned; 27 and when they had brought them they stood them in the council.  And the high priest questioned them, saying, "We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring the blood of this man on us." 29 And answering, Peter and the apostles said, "We must obey God rather than men.  The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging on a tree; 31 God exalted this man to his right hand as a Ruler and a Savior to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit which God gave to those who obey him.” 32 And those who heard were cut to the heart and intended to kill them. 34 But a certain Pharisee in the council stood up, Gamaliel by name, a teacher of the law honored by all the people, and commanded to put the men outside a little while, and said to them, "Israelite men, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do to these men. 36 For before these days Theudas stood up, claiming himself to be someone, to whom were attached a number of about four hundred of men; who was killed, and all those who obeyed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this Judas the Galilaean stood up in the days of enrollment and drew people away after him; and that man perished, and all those who obeyed him were scattered. 38 And now I say to you, stand away from these men and leave them; because if this counsel or work is of men, it will be destroyed; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to destroy them, lest even you be found as fighters against God."  And they obeyed him, 40 and having called the apostles to them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. 41 Therefore they went rejoicing from the presence of the council, because they were deemed worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name; 42 and every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching the Christ, Jesus.

Chapter 6

Now in these days as the disciples were multiplied there was a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were overlooked in the daily service. 2 Having called the multitude of the disciples to them, the twelve said, "It is not pleasing for us to leave the word of God to serve tables. 3 But search, brothers, for seven men of you who are witnessed as full of Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint over this office; 4 but we will keep to the prayer and to the service of the word." 5 And the word was pleasing to all the multitude, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip and Prochorus and Nicanor and Timon and Parmenas and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles, and, having prayed, they placed their hands on them.

7 And the word of God grew, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem was multiplied greatly, and a great crowd of the priests obeyed the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and of power, did wonders and great signs among the people. 9 But some of the ones of the synagogue called Freedmen, of Cyrenians and of Alexandrians and the ones from Cilicia and Asia, rose up discussing with Stephen, 10 and were not able to withstand the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. 11 Then they suborned men, saying, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God;" 12 and they stirred up the people and the elders  and the scribes, and they came on him and seized him and led him to the council, 13 and stood as false witnesses, saying, "This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place and the law; 14 for we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us." 15 And, gazing at him, all those who sat in the council saw his face as a face of an angel.

Chapter 7

And the high priest said, "Have these things been so?"

And he said, "Men, brothers and fathers, listen.  The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia before he dwelt in Charran, 3 and said to him, 'Go forth out of your land and your kindred, and come into the land whichever I may show to you.' 4 Then, going forth out of the land of the Chaldaeans, he dwelt in Charran.  And then after his father died God removed him into this land in which you now dwell, 5 and did not give to him an inheritance in it nor a foot's space, and promised to give it as a possession to him and to his seed after him, while he had no child. 6 And God spoke thus, that his seed will be a sojourner in a land that belongs to others, and they will enslave it and will ill treat it four hundred years; 7 and God said, 'I will judge whichever nation they will serve , and after these things they will come forth and will worship me in this place.' 8 And he gave him a covenant of circumcision; and thus he begat Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs. 9 And, becoming jealous, the patriarchs sold Joseph into Egypt; and God was with him, 10 and rescued him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he appointed him governor over Egypt and all his household. 11 But a famine and great affliction came over all Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers did not find sustenance. 12 But, having heard there was corn in Egypt, Jacob first sent forth our fathers; 13 and at the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and the Joseph's race became manifest to Pharaoh. 14 And Joseph sent and called for his father Jacob and all his kindred, seventy-five souls in all. 15 And Jacob went down to Egypt, and he and our fathers died, 16 and were transferred to Sychem and were put in the tomb which Abraham bought for a price of silver from the sons of Emmor in Sychem. 17 And as the time of the promise which God declared to Abraham drew near, the people grew and were multiplied in Egypt, 18 until another king rose up over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 19 This man, dealing craftily with our race, forced our fathers to make their babies exposed so that they should not be preserved alive. 20 At which time Moses was born, and was fair to God; who was reared three months in the house of his father; 21 and when he was exposed the daughter of Pharaoh took him up and reared him as her own son. 22 And Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was powerful in his words and works. 23 But when a time of forty years was fulfilled to him, it came up upon his heart to visit his brothers the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one being injured he defended him, and he wrought vengeance for the one who got the worse and struck the Egyptian. 25 Now he supposed that his brothers would understand that through his hand God would give salvation to them; but they did not understand. 26 And on the next day he appeared to them as they were fighting, and attempted to reconcile them in peace, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers; why do you injure each other?’ 27 But the one who injured his neighbor thrust him away, saying, ‘Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us?  Don't you wish to kill me in the same way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 So Moses fled at this word, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons. 30 And when forty years were fulfilled an angel appeared to him in the desert of the Sinai mountain in a burning thorn bush. 31 And Moses marveled at seeing the vision; as he approached to take notice there was a voice of the Lord, 32 ‘I, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’  But Moses, becoming overcome by trembling, dared not take notice. 33 And the Lord said to him, ‘Loosen the sandals from your feet; for the place on which you stand is holy ground. 34 I looked and saw the ill-treatment of my people in Egypt, and I heard the groan of it, and I came down to rescue them; and come now, I will send you to Egypt.’ 35 This Moses, whom they denied saying, ‘Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?’, is the same man that God sent as both a ruler and a redeemer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them forth, doing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the desert for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘God will raise up a prophet like me for you from your brothers.’ 38 This is the one who was in the church in the desert with our fathers and with the angel speaking to him in the Sinai mount, who received living oracles to give to you, 39 to whom our fathers wished not to be obedient, but thrust him away and turned to Egypt in their hearts, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make gods for us, which will go before us; for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what happened to him.’ 41 And they made a model of a calf in those days, and brought up a sacrifice to the idol, and made merry in the works of their hands. 42 And God turned and delivered them to worship the host of heaven, as it has been written in the roll of the prophets, ‘Didn't you offer victims and sacrifices for forty years in the desert, o house of Israel, 43 and yet you took up the tent of Moloch and the star of the god Rompha, the models which you made, to worship them?  And I will deport you beyond Babylon.’  44 Our fathers had the tent of witness in the desert, as the one who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the model which he had seen; 45 which also our fathers who received it brought in with Joshua into the possession of the nations, whom God put out from the face of our fathers; until the days of David; who found favor before God and asked to find a tent for the house of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built a house for him. 48 But the Most High does not dwell in places made by hand; as the prophet says, ‘the heaven is a throne to me, and the earth is a footstool of my feet; what house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what place of my rest? 59 Has not my hand made all these things?’ 51 Hard-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always oppose the Holy Spirit, just like your fathers. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute?  And they killed those who announced beforehand concerning the coming of the righteous one, of whom you now became betrayers and murderers, 53 who received the law by dispositions of angels, and did not keep it."

54 And hearing these things, they were cut to their hearts and gnashed their teeth. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, gazing into heaven he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, "Behold I see the heavens opened up and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 And, crying out with a great voice, they closed their ears, and rushed on him with one mind, 58 and cast him out of the city and stoned him.  And the witnesses put off their garments at the feet of a young man who was called Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen, who invoked God and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." 60 And kneeling down, he cried with a great voice, "Lord, do not place this sin to them."  And saying this, he fell asleep.

Chapter 8

And Saul was consenting to his killing.

And in that day there was a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem; and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countries of Judaea and Samaria. 2 And devout men recovered Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul ravaged the church, entering house by house, dragging both men and women, and delivered them to prison.

4 Therefore those who were scattered passed through preaching the word. 5 But Philip, going down to the city of Samaria, proclaimed the Christ to them. 6 And the crowds gave heed with one mind to the things that were said by Philip as they heard and saw the signs which he was doing. 7 For many unclean spirits cried with a loud voice and came out of those who had them; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed; 8 and there was much joy in that city. 9 And a certain man, Simon by name, was in the city practicing sorcery and astonishing the nation of Samaria, claiming himself to be someone great, 10 to whom all from small to great gave heed, saying, "This man is what is called the great power of God." 11 And they gave heed to him because for a considerable time he had astonished them by his sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip's preaching about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 And Simon himself also believed, and after being baptized was attaching himself to Philip, and he was amazed when he beheld great signs and powerful deeds happening. 14 And when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who went down and prayed concerning them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16 for he had not yet fallen on any one of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 And when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this authority that on whomever I lay my hands he may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver go into perdition with you, because you supposed to get the gift of God through money.  You have no part or lot in this matter; for your heart is not right before God.  Therefore, repent from this your wickedness, and petition the Lord if perhaps you will be forgiven the thought of your heart; 23 for I see you that you are in gall of bitterness and bond of unrighteousness." 24 And answering, Simon said, "You petition to the Lord for me, so that not one of the things you have spoken may come on me."  25 Therefore, having solemnly witnessed and having spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, and evangelized many of the Samaritan villages.

26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Rise up and go along south on the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza; which is desert." 27 And he rose up and went.  And behold, an Ethiopian man, a eunuch courtier of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all of her treasure, who had come to worship in Jerusalem, 28 and was returning and sitting on his chariot and was reading the prophet Esaias. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Approach and keep company with this chariot." 30 And running up, Philip heard him reading Esaias the prophet, and said, "Then, do you understand what things you are reading?" 31 And he said, " Indeed how should I be able unless someone shall guide me?"  And he besought Philip to come up to sit with him. 32 Now the passage of scripture which he was reading was this, "He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb is dumb before the shearer, so he does not open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation the judgment was taken away; who will relate his generation, because his life is taken from the earth?" 34 And answering, Philip said to the Eunuch, "I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this?  About himself or about someone else?" 38 And opening his mouth and beginning from this scripture, Philip preached Jesus to him. 36 And as they were going along the way, they came upon some water, and the eunuch says, "Behold, water; what prevents me to be baptized?" 38 And he commanded to stop the chariot, and both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord seized Philip, and the eunuch did not see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found in Azotus, and as he passed through he evangelized all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

Chapter 9

But Saul, still breathing threatening and murder against the disciples of the Lord, approached the high priest and 2 asked from him letters to Damascus for the synagogues, so that if he found any who were of the way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went to go, it came to pass he drew near to Damascus, and suddenly a light out of heaven shone round him, 4 and falling on the earth he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?"  And he said, "I am Jesus whom you persecute; 6 but rise up, and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do." 7 Now the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, indeed hearing the sound, but beholding no man. 8 And Saul was raised from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and did not eat or drink.

10 Now there was certain disciple in Damascus, Ananias by name, and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias."  And he said, "It is I, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street that is called Straight and seek in the house of Judas a Tarsian named Saul; for behold, he is praying, 12 and saw in a vision a man named Ananias coming and putting hands on him, so that he may see again." 13 And Ananias answered, "Lord, I heard from many about this man, how he did many evil things to your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and he has authority here from the chief priests to bind all those who invoke your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, because this man is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before both the kings of the nations and of the sons Israel; 16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer on behalf of my name.” 17 And Ananias went away and entered into the house, and putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, the one who appeared to you in the way which you came, so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And immediately something like scales fell away from his eyes, and he saw again, and, rising up, was baptized, 19 and taking food, was strengthened.

Now he was some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, that this one is the Son of God. 21 And all those who heard were amazed and said, "Is not this man the one who had in Jerusalem destroyed those who invoked this name, and he had come here for this, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul was filled with more power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this one is the Christ.  23 And when considerable many days were fulfilled, 24 the Jews consulted together to kill him; but their plot was known to Saul.  And they also carefully watched the gates both by day and by night so that they might destroy him; 25 but the disciples, taking him through the wall by night and lowering him in a basket, let him down. 26 And when he arrived at Jerusalem he tried to be joined to the disciples; and all feared him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and led him to the apostles, and narrated to them how he saw the Lord in the way and that the Lord spoke to him, and how in Damascus he spoke boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them in Jerusalem, going in and going out, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord, 29 and both spoke and discussed with the Hellenists; and they attempted to kill him. 30 But when they knew, the brothers brought him down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Therefore the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace as it was built and went in the fear of the Lord, and was multiplied in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

32 Now it came to pass that Peter passed through all quarters to come down also to the saints who inhabited Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man named Aeneas who lay for eight years on a mattress, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ cures you; rise up and gird yourself."  And immediately he rose up. 35 And all those who inhabited Lydda and Sara saw him, and turned to the Lord.  Now a certain disciple was in Joppa named Tabitha, who's name is translated Dorcas; this woman was full of good works and of alms which she did. 37 And it happened in those days she died of an illness; and after washing her they put her in an upper room. 38 Now Lydda being near to Joppa, and the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him beseeching, "Do not hesitate to come to us." 39 And rising up, Peter went with them; whom when they arrived they led up into the upper room, and all the widows stood by him weeping and showing tunics and garments, which Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 And putting all outside and kneeling down, Peter prayed, and turning to the body, said, "Tabitha, rise up."  And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up. 41 And giving her a hand, he raised her up; and calling the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. 43 And it came to pass he remained many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Chapter 10

Now a certain man named Cornelius, a centutrion of a cohort called Italian, 2 devout and fearing God with all his household, doing many alms to the people and continually petitioning God, 3 saw clearly in a vision, as it was around the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God entering to him and saying to him, "Cornelius." 4 And gazing at him and becoming terrified, he said, "What is it, lord?"  And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms went up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and summon one Simon who is surnamed Peter; 6 this man is lodged with one Simon a tanner, who has a house by the sea." 7 And as the angel who spoke to him went away, he called two of his household slaves and a devout soldier of those who waited on him, 8 and, explaining all things to them, sent them to Joppa. 9 And on the morrow as they journeyed and drew near to the city, Peter went up onto the roof about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wished to eat; and while they prepared, an ecstasy came on him, 11 and he beheld the heaven had been opened and a certain vessel like a great sheet was coming down, being let down onto the earth by four corners, 12 in which were all the quadrupeds and reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, "Rise up, Peter, slay and eat." 14 But Peter said, "Not at all, Lord, because I have never eaten any common and unclean thing." 15 And a voice again came a second time to him, "What things God cleansed you must not treat as unclean.” 16 And this occurred on three occasions, and immediately the vessel was taken up into heaven. 17 Now as Peter was doubting in himself what the vision which he saw might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius had asked for the house of Simon and stood at the porch, and calling, inquired if "Simon who is surnamed Peter is lodged here." 19 And while Peter pondered about the vision the Spirit said, "Behold, two men are seeking you; 20 but rise up, go down, and go with them, doubting nothing, because I have sent them." 21 And going down to the men, Peter said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek; what is the cause for which you are here?" 22 And they said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a man who is just and fears God, and is witnessed to by all the Jewish nation, was warned by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to hear words from you." 23 Therefore, he called them in and lodged them.  And on the morrow he rose up and went forth with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 And on the next morrow he entered into Caesarea; and Cornelius was awaiting them, having called together his relatives and intimate friends. 25 Now it came to pass when Peter entered, Cornelius met him and, falling at his feet, worshipped him. 26 But Peter raised him, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man." 27 And talking with him he entered and, finding many who had come together, 28 said to them, "You understand how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to adhere or to approach a foreigner; but God showed me not to call any man common or unclean; 29 wherefore indeed I came unquestioningly when I was summoned.  I inquire therefore, for what reason did you summon me?" And Cornelius said, "Four days ago I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer was heard and your alms were remembered before God. 32 Therefore, send to Joppa and send for Peter who is surnamed Peter; this man is lodged in the house of Simon the tanner by the sea.’ 33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and you did well to come.  Now therefore we are all present before God to hear all the things that have been commanded you by the Lord." 34 And opening his mouth, Peter said, "In truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons, 35 but in every nation the one who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him; 36 the word which he sent to the sons of Israel preaching peace through Jesus Christ:  this one is Lord of all.  37 You know that which took place throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed, 38 how God anointed Jesus the one from Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, who went about doing good and curing all those who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with him; 39 and we are witnesses of all the things which he did, both in the country of the Jews and Jerusalem; whom indeed they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 God raised this one on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were previously appointed by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose again out of the dead; 42 and he commanded us to proclaim to the people and to solemnly witness that this man is the one who has been designated by God as judge of the living and of the dead. 43 All the prophets witness to this man, everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was still speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the discourse. 45 And the faithful who were of the circumcision were amazed, as many as accompanied Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had also been poured out on the nations; 46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.  Then Peter answered, 47 "Can anyone forbid the water, that these, who also received the Holy Spirit as we did, should not be baptized?" 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  Then they asked him to remain some days.

Chapter 11

Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judaea heard that the nations received the word of God. 2 And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him, saying, "You entered to men who were uncircumcised and ate with them." 4 And from the beginning, Peter explained to them in order, saying, 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw a vision in an ecstasy, a certain vessel like a great sheet coming down out of heaven, that was let down by four corners, and it came up to me; 6 into which I gazed and perceived, and I saw the quadrupeds and the wild beasts and the reptiles of the earth and the birds of the air. 7 And I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise up Peter, slay and eat.'  And I said, 'Not at all, Lord, because no common or unclean thing ever entered into my mouth.'  And a voice out of heaven answered a second time, 'Do not regard common what things God has cleansed.' 10 And this happened three times, and all things were pulled to heaven again. 11 And behold, at once three men stood at the house in which I was, who had been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 And the Spirit told me to go with them without doubting.  And these six brothers also came with me, and we entered into the man's house. 13 And he reported to us how he saw the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and summon Simon, surnamed Peter, 14 who will speak words to you by which you and all your household may be saved.' 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them as it did on us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.' 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as also to us, who have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could hinder God?" 18 And hearing these things, they kept silence and glorified God, saying, "Then God also gave repentance unto life to the nations."

19 Those who were therefore scattered from the affliction which occurred over Stephen passed through to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking to no one except only to Jews. 20 But some of them were Cypriot and Cyrenian men, who, when they came to Antioch, also spoke to the Greeks, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 And the account about them was heard in the ears of the church that was in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to Antioch; 23 who rejoiced when he arrived and saw the grace of God, and exhorted all to remain with the Lord with purpose of heart, 24 because he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. 25 And he went forth to Tarsus to seek Saul, 26 and, when he found him, brought him to Antioch.  And it happened for them to also be assembled in the church a whole year and to teach a considerable crowd, and for the disciples to be called Christians firstly in Antioch.

27 And in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch; 28 and rising up, one of them named Agubus signified through the Spirit a great famine to be about to be over all the inhabited earth; which happened in the time of Claudius. 29 So as anyone of the disciples was prosperous, they determined for each of them to send ministration to the brothers who dwelt in Judaea; 30 which indeed they did, sending to the elders through the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Chapter 12

Now at that time, Herod the king laid his hands on some of those from the church to ill-treat them. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with a sword. 3 And seeing that it was pleasing to the Jews, and they were the days of unleavened bread, he added to arrest Peter also, whom he also seized and put in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him up to the people after the Passover. 5 Therefore Peter was kept in the prison; but prayer was being earnestly made to God by the church concerning him. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him forward, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains, and guards were before the door keeping the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord came upon them, and a light shone in the building; and striking the side of Peter he raised him, saying, "Rise up in haste."  And his chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, "Gird yourself and put on your sandals."  And he did so.  And he told him, "Cast your garment round yourself and follow me." 9 And going forth, he followed, and did not know if the thing happening through the angel was true, but he thought he saw a vision. 10 And they first went through the prison and second they came on the iron gate leading to the city, which by itself was opened to them, and going out they went forward one street, and the angel immediately departed from him. 11 And when Peter come to his senses he said, "Now I know truly that the Lord sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod and of all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” 13 And as he knocked on the door of the porch a maidservant named Rhoda approached to listen, 14 and, recognizing Peter's voice, she did not open the porch out of joy, but running in announced Peter was standing before the porch. 15 But they said to her, "You rave." 15 But she emphatically asserted it to be so.  So they said, "It is his angel." 16 But Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door they saw him and were amazed. 17 And, beckoning to them with his hand to be quiet, he related to them how the Lord led him out of the prison, and said, "Report these things to James and to the brothers."  And, going out, he went to another place. 18 And when it became day, there was not a little disturbance among the soldiers as to what then became of Peter. 19 And Herod, searching for and not finding him, examined the guards and commanded for them to be led away for execution, then went down from Judaea to Caesarea and stayed. 20 Now he had been furiously angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians; and with one mind they came to him, and, having persuaded Blastus who oversaw the king's bedchamber, they asked peace, because their country was fed from the royal supply. 21 And on an appointed day, Herod, having been arrayed with regal clothing and sitting on the tribunal, made a public speech to them; 22 and the mob cried out, "A voice of a god, and not of a man." 23 And at once an angel of the Lord smote him because he did not give the glory to God, and, becoming eaten by worms, he expired.

24 But the word of the Lord grew and increased. 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned out of Jerusalem, having completed the ministration, taking John, surnamed Mark, with them.

Chapter 13

Now among the church that was in Antioch there were prophets and teachers:  Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch and Saul. 2 And as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "So then, separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them;" 3 then after fasting and praying they dismissed them.

4 Therefore, sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and thence sailed away to Cyprus, 5 and arriving in Salamis, they announced the word of God in the Jewish synagogues; and they also had John as their attendant. 6 And passing through all the island unto Paphos, they found a certain man, a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Barjesus, 7 who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man.  This man, calling Barnabas and Saul to him, sought to hear the word of God; 8 but Elymas the sorcerer, for so his name is translated, opposed them, seeking to divert the proconsul from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, gazed at him and said, "O full of all deceit and of all fraud, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 And now behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a long time."  And at once a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then when he saw this thing which had occurred, the proconsul believed, being astounded at the teaching of the Lord.

13 And setting sail from Paphos, Paul and those with him came to Perga of Pamphylia; and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 And going through from Perga, they arrived in the Pisidian Antioch, and went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the law and of the prophets the synagogue rulers sent to them saying, "Men and brothers, if there is among you any word of exhortation to the people, say it." 16 And rising up and beckoning with his hand, Paul said, "Israelite men and those who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this Israelite people chose our fathers, and exalted the people in the sojourn in the land of Egypt, and led them forth out of it with a high arm, 18 and endured them in the desert for about forty years' time, 19 and having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, gave their land to them as an inheritance, taking about four hundred and fifty years.  And after these things he gave judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 And when they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years; 22 and removing him, he raised David for a king to them, to whom he also said giving witness, "I found David, the son of Jesse, a man according to my heart, who will do all my wishes." 23 From the seed of this man, God, according to his promise, brought a Savior to Israel, Jesus, 24 before whose entrance John had previously proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 Now as John completed his course, he said, 'What do you suppose me to be?  I am nothing; but behold, he comes after me of whom I am not worthy to loosen the sandal of his feet.' 26 Men and brothers, sons of the race of Abraham and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation was sent forth to us. 27 For those who dwelt in Jerusalem and their rulers did not know this man, yet by judging him they fulfilled the voices of the prophets that are read on every Sabbath, 28 and finding no cause of death, they asked Pilate for him to be destroyed; and when they finished all the things concerning him that had been written, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him out of the dead; 31 who appeared over many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we preach to you that the promise to the fathers has come, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to us their children by raising up Jesus, as also it has been written in the second Psalm, 'You are my son, today I have begotten you.' 34 And that he raised him up out of the dead, no more being about to return to corruption, he has said thus, 'I will give you the faithful, holy things of David.' 35 Wherefore he also says in another psalm, 'You will not allow your holy one to see corruption.' 36 For indeed David, after having served his own generation by the counsel of God, fell asleep and was added to his fathers and saw corruption; 37 but whom God raised did not see corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that forgiveness of sins is announced to you through this man, and from all things which you could not be justified by the law of Moses, everyone who believes is justified by this man. 40 Watch out therefore lest the thing that was said in the prophets come on you, 41 'See, you despisers, and marvel and perish, because I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe even if someone declares it to you.'" 42 And as they went out they asked that these words be spoken to them in the next Sabbath. 43 And when the assembly was broken up many of the Jews and of the worshipping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 And on the coming Sabbath almost all the city was assembled to hear the word of God. 45 But when they saw the crowds, the Jews were filled with jealousy, and contradicted and blasphemed the things that were spoken by Paul. 46 And speaking boldly, Paul and Barnabas said, "It was necessary for the word of God to be spoken to you firstly; since you put it away and do not judge yourselves worthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the nations. 47 For thus has the Lord commanded us, 'I have set you for a light of nations, for you to be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 48 And hearing this, the nations rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were disposed to eternal life believed; 49 and the word of the Lord was carried through all the country. 50 But the Jews urged on the honorable worshipping women and the chief men of the city, and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their borders. 51 But they shook off the dust of their feet on them and came to Iconium, 52 and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.  

Chapter 14

Now it happened in Iconium they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and so spoke that a great multitude of both Jews and Greeks came to believe. 2 But the disobedient Jews excited and embittered the minds of the nations against the brothers. 3 They continued therefore a considerable time speaking boldly on the Lord who witnessed to this word of his grace, causing signs and wonders to happen through their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews, but others with the apostles. 5 And when there was a rush both of the nations and the Jews with their leaders to insult and to stone them, 6 they perceived it and escaped to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe and the neighborhood; and they were evangelizing there. 8 And in Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, lame from his mother's womb, who never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking; who, gazing at him and seeing he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand up erect on your feet!"  And he leaped up and walked. 11 And the crowds who saw what Paul did lifted up their voice in Lyconian, saying, "The gods have come down to us made like men!", 12 and they called Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, since he was the leader of the discourse. 13 And the priest of Zeus who was before the city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates, wishing to sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles heard this, they rended their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying and saying, "Men, why do you do these things?   We are also of like nature to you men, preaching to you to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them; 16 who in the generations that have passed allowed the nations to go in their ways; 17 and yet did not leave himself unwitnessed by doing good, giving us rain from heaven and fruit-bearing seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." 18 And saying these things, they scarcely restrained the crowds from sacrificing to them. 19 And Jews from Antioch and Iconium came upon the scene, and persuaded the crowd to stone Paul, then dragged him out of the city, supposing him to have died. 20 But as the disciples surrounded him, he rose up and entered he city.  And on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And after evangelizing that city and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 confirming the minds of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must enter into the kingdom of God through many afflictions. 23 And having appointed elders for them in every church, and with praying and fastings they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And passing through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia, 25 and after speaking the word in Perga they came down to Attalia, and thence sailed away to Antioch, 26 from where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they accomplished. 27 And having arrived and assembling the church, they reported what things God did with them, and that he opened a door of faith to the nations. 28 And they continued a long time with the disciples.

Chapter 15

And some who went down from Judaea taught the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised by the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 And when there took place not a little discord and questioning of them by Paul and Barnabas, they assigned Paul and Barnabas and some others to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this question. 3 Therefore being set forward by the church they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the nations, and caused great joy to all the brothers. 4 And having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported what things God did with them. 5 But some of those from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood forth, saying, "They must be circumcised and charged to keep the law of Moses."

6 And the apostles and the elders were assembled to see about this matter. 7 When much questioning had taken place, Peter rose up and said, "Men and brothers, you understand that from olden days God chose among you for the nations to hear the gospel through my mouth and believe. 8 And God the heart-knower witnessed to them by giving the Holy Spirit as also to us, 9 and nothing distinguished between both us and them. 10 Now therefore why do you test God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as those also." 12 And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul relating what signs and wonders God did among the nations through them. 13 And after they kept silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brothers, hear me.  Simeon declared how God visited firstly to take a people out of the nations for his name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree to this, even as it has been written, 16 ‘After these things, I will return and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen, and I will build its ruins and I will rear it again, 17 so that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on whom my name has been invoked, says the Lord who has done these things 18 known from eternity.' 19 Wherefore I decide not to trouble those from the nations who turn to God, 20 but to write word to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and fornication and strangled things and blood. 21 For Moses has from ancient generations been read on the Sabbath in every synagogue in every city by those who proclaim him." 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with all the church, to send men chosen of them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas who is called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 writing through their hand, "The apostles and the elder brothers to the brothers of the nations throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting. 24 Since we heard that some of us troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, to whom we did not give commission, 25 it seemed good to us, becoming of one mind, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have given up their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, and they will announce the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us that no more burden be put on you than these necessary things, 29 to abstain from idol sacrifices and blood and strangled things and fornication; from which if you keep yourselves you will do well.  Farewell."

30 Therefore, being dismissed, they went down to Antioch, and assembling the multitude, handed in the letter. 31 And having read it they rejoiced at the exhortation. 32 And Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, greatly exhorted and confirmed the brothers by speech; 33 and having continued a time, they were dismissed with peace from the brothers back to the ones who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 Now after some days Barnabas said to Paul, "Let us return then and visit the brothers throughout every city in which we announced the word of the Lord, to see how they are." 37 And Barnabas wished to also take with them John who is called Mark; 38 but Paul did not think it fit to take this one with them, who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there was sharp feeling, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark to sail away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and went forth, being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers; 41 and he went through Syria and Cilicia confirming the Churches.

Chapter 16

And he came down also to Derbe and to Lystra.  And behold, a certain disciple was there by the name of Timothy, son of a faithful Jewish woman, but of a Greek father, 2 who was witnessed to by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul desired this one to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews that were in those places; for they all knew that a Greek was his father. 4 Now they delivered to them to keep the decrees that had been decided on by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 5 Therefore the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.

6 And they went through the Phrygian and Galatian country, having been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the word in Asia; 7 but when they came against Mysia they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so passing by Mysia they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul during the night, a certain Macedonian man was standing and beseeching him and saying, “Cross into Macedonia and help us.” 10 So when he saw the vision, we immediately sought to go forth to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to evangelize them.

11 And setting sail from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothracia, and on the next day to Neapolis, 12 and thence to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, a colony.  And we stayed in this city some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day, we went forth outside the gate by a river, where we supposed a place of prayer to be, and we sat and spoke to the women who had come together. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple-dyed garments of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard; whose heart the Lord opened up to take heed to the things that were spoken by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized and her household, she besought, saying, “If you have decided that I am faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and remain.”  And she urged us. 16 And it happened as we went to the place of prayer, a certain maid who had a spirit of a python met us, who brought much gain to her masters practicing soothsaying. 17 This one followed after Paul and us and cried out, saying, “These men are slaves of the most high God, who announce to you the way of salvation.” 18 And she did this over many days.  But Paul became greatly troubled and turning to the spirit he said, “I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her.’”  And it came out in the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gain went out, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them to the marketplace before the rulers, 20 and when they had brought them to the praetors, said, "These men are greatly troubling our city.  They are Jews, 21 and they announce customs which it is not lawful for us who are Romans to receive or to do." 22 And the crowd rose up together against them, and the praetors tore off their garments and commanded them to be flogged, 23 and after laying many stripes on them threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them securely; 24 who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. 25 And about midnight Paul and Silas prayed and praised God in a hymn, and the prisoners listened to them; 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the jail were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened, and all of the bonds were loosened. 27 And the jailer, having awoken and seeing that the prison doors had been opened, had drawn his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29 And asking for lights, he rushed in, and came trembling and he fell before Paul and Silas, 30 and leading them forward outside, said, "Sirs, what must I do that I may be saved?" 31 And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your household shall be saved." And they spoke the word of God to him with all those in his house. 33 And in that hour of the night he took them and washed their stripes, and he and all of his were baptized at once, 34 and he brought them up to the house and set a table before them, and exulted with all the household that had believed God. 35 And when day came, the praetors sent their tipstaffs to say, "Release those men." 36 And the jailer announced these words to Paul, "The praetors have sent that you may be released.  Now therefore go forth and proceed in peace." 37 But Paul said to them, "They have publicly beaten us who are uncondemned Roman men, and now they expel us secretly?  No indeed, but let them come and bring us out themselves." 38 And the tipstaffs reported these words to the praetors.  And then they heard that they were Romans, they were afraid, 39 and came and besought them, and brought them out and asked them to go away from the city. 40 And they went out from the prison and entered Lydia's house, and after seeing and exhorting the brothers, they went forth.

Chapter 17

And after traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where a synagogue of the Jews was. 2 And according to the custom with Paul he entered unto them, and lectured from the scriptures to them on three Sabbaths, 3 opening up and setting before them that the Christ had to suffer and to rise again out of the dead, and that "This Jesus, whom I announce to you, was the Christ." 4 And some of them were persuaded and threw in their lot with Paul and Silas, both a great multitude of the worshipping Greeks and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the Jews, having become jealous and taken aside some wicked men from the loungers in the marketplace and gathered a crowd, disturbed the city, and came on Jason's house and sought them to bring Paul and Silas forward to the mob; 6 but not finding them they dragged Jason and some brothers to the politarchs, crying, "These men who have turned the inhabited earth upside down have also arrived here, 7 whom Jason has received; and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, proclaiming Jesus to be another king." 8 And they troubled the crowd and the politarchs who heard these things, 9 and after taking the surety from Jason and the rest released them. 10 And the brothers immediately sent forth both Paul and Silas to Beroea during the night, who after arriving went into the synagogue of the Jews; 11 and these were more noble than they in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and not a few of the honorable Greek women and men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that the word of God was also announced by Paul in Beroea, they came there also, shaking and troubling the crowds. 14 So then the brothers immediately sent Paul away to go as far as to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 And they who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and, after receiving a command to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

16 And while Paul awaited them in Athens, his spirit was provoked in him when he beheld the city was full of images. 17 Therefore he addressed the Jews and those who worshipped in the synagogue and in the marketplace every day to those who chanced to be there. 18 But some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also fell in with him, and some said, "What may this ignorant plagiarist wish to say?"  And others said, "He seems to an announcer of foreign demons," because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took hold of him and led him to the Areopagus, "May we know what this new teaching is that is being spoken by you? 20 For you bring some startling things in our ears; therefore we are minded to know what these things wish to be." 21 Now all Athenians and the strangers who dwell there have leisure for nothing other than either to say or to hear something newer. 22 And standing in the midst of the Areopagus, Paul said, "Athenian men, I behold in everything how very religious you are. 23 For as I passed along and looked up at your objects of worship, I also found an altar in which had been inscribed, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.'  Therefore that which you reverence ignorantly, this I announce to you. 24 The God who has made the world and all the things in it, this one who is Lord of heaven and of earth does not dwell in hand-made shrines, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as if he needs anything, who gives to all life and breath and all things; 26 and he made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, fixing the appointed seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 that they should seek God, if perchance they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and are, as indeed some of the poets among you have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' Therefore being offspring of God, we ought not to suppose the divine nature to be like to gold or silver or stone, to an engraved work of art and the meditation of man. 30 So then, having overlooked times of ignorance, God now declares to all men everywhere to repent, 31 because he set a day in which he is about to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness, by a man whom he designated, offering a guarantee to all by raising him up out of the dead." 32 And, when they heard of a resurrection of dead persons, some scoffed, others said, "We will also hear you concerning this again." 33 Thus Paul went forth from their midst. 34 But some men believed and adhered to him, among whom were both Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Chapter 18

After these things, Paul departed out of Athens and came to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, belonging to Pontus by race, recently having come from Italy, and his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome, and came to them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he remained with them, and they worked together; for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he lectured in the synagogue on every Sabbath, he persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 5 And when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed by the word, and solemnly witnessed to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6 But when they resisted and blasphemed he shook off his garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your heads; I am clean; from now on I will go to the nations." 7 And leaving there he went into the house of one named Titus Justus, who worshipped God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8 Now Crispus the synagogue ruler believed the Lord with all his household, and many Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night through a vision, "Do not fear, but speak and do not keep silence, 10 because I am with you and no one shall set on you to ill treat you, because I have many people in this city." 11 And he sat among them a year and six months teaching the word of God. 12 And when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia the Jews with one mind set on Paul and brought him to the tribunal, saying, "This man urges men to worship God differently from the law." 14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it was some crime or evil villainy, O Jews, I would rightly endure you; 15 but if it is questions concerning a word and names and your law, you will see to it yourselves; I do not intend to be a judge of these things." 16 And he drove them away from the tribunal. 17 But they all seized Sosthenes, the synagogue ruler, and struck him in front of the tribunal; and not one of these things mattered to Gallio. 18 But Paul, after having remained many days, bid farewell to the brothers and sailed away to Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila, who had shorn his head in Cenchrea; for he had made a vow. 19 And they came down to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he entered into the synagogue and lectured to the Jews. 20 And as they asked him to remain a longer time he did not consent, 21 but, bidding farewell and saying, "I will return to you again if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus, 22 and coming down to Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch, 23 and after spending some time he went forth, passing through in order the Galatian country and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, who was powerful in the scriptures. 25 This man was orally instructed in the way of the Lord, and burning in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, but understood only the baptism of John; 26 and this man began to speak boldly in the synagogue.  And hearing him, Priscilla and Aquila took him and more accurately explained to him the way of God. 27 And when he intended to go through into Achaia, the brothers were encouraged and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; who, upon arriving, contributed much to those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vehemently confused the Jews, publicly proving through the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Chapter 19

Now it came to pass while Apollos was in Corinth Paul had passed through the higher parts and come to Ephesus to find some disciples, 2 and he said to them, "Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?"  And they said to him, "But we have not heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "To what therefore were you baptized."  And they said, "To John's baptism." 4 And Paul said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, and told the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is Jesus." 5 And hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And as Paul laid his hands on them the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 And there were about twelve men in all. 8 And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly over three months, lecturing and persuading concerning the kingdom of God. 9 But as some were hardened and disobeyed, speaking ill of the way before the multitude, he withdrew from them and separated the disciples, lecturing daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And this happened over two years, so that all who inhabited Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11 And God did extraordinary powerful deeds through Paul's hands, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought away from his skin onto those who ailed and the diseases were rid from them, and the evil spirits went out. 13 But some of wandering Jewish exorcists attempted to name the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "I exorcise you by Jesus whom Paul proclaims." 14 And there were seven sons of Sceva, a chief Jewish priest, doing this. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said to them, "I know Jesus, and I understand Paul; but who are you?" 16 And the man leaped on them, in whom was the evil spirit, and was both strong and overmastering against them, so that they escaped out of the house naked and wounded. 17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that inhabited Ephesus, and fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified; 18 and many of those who had believed came confessing and telling their doings. 19 And a considerable number of those who did curious things brought their rolls together and burnt them before everyone; and they reckoned the price of them and found it to be five thousand pieces of silver. 20 By such might the word of the Lord increased and was strong.

21 And when these things were fulfilled, Paul purposed in his spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I go there, I must also see Rome." 22 And sending into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he delayed a time in Asia. 23 Now about that time there was no little trouble concerning the way. 24 For one named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis and provided the artisans no little trade, 25 whom he assembled with the workmen in similar things and said, "Men, you understand that our gain is from this trade, 26 and you behold and hear that this Paul has persuaded and perverted a considerable crowd of not only Ephesus but almost all of Asia, saying that they that come into being through hands are not gods. 27 Now not only is this our share in danger of coming into disrepute, but also the temple of our great goddess Artemis is about to be reckoned as nothing, and also her greatness is about to be diminished, whom all of Asia and the inhabited earth worships." 28 And hearing and becoming full of anger they cried out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." 29 And the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one mind into the theater, keeping a firm grip on Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, traveling companions of Paul. 30 And as Paul intended to enter into the mob the disciples did not allow him; 31 and also some of the Asiarchs, who were his friends, sent to him and besought him not to give himself in the theater. 32 Indeed, some cried out therefore something different than others; for the assembly was confounded, and the majority did not know on account of what they had come together. 33 But some of the crowd crowded Alexander, as the Jews put him forward; and Alexander waved his hand, wishing to defend himself to the mob. 34 But knowing that he was a Jew, there was one voice from them all, crying out over about two hours, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians." And after the town clerk had quieted the crowd he said, "Ephesian men, who indeed is there of men who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple-warden of the great Artemis and her image that fell from the sky? 36 As these things are undeniable, it is necessary for you to quiet yourselves and to do nothing rash. 37 For you brought these men who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38 If indeed Demetrius and the artisans with him have an account against anyone, assizes are being held and there are proconsuls, let them bring a charge against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it will be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being charged with insurrection concerning today, there being no cause, concerning which we shall not be able to give account concerning this crowding together." 41 And saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Chapter 20

And after the uproar ceased, Paul summoned and exhorted the disciples, then took leave and went forth to Macedonia. 2 And having gone through those parts and having exhorted them with much speech, he came into Greece, 3 and after spending three months, there being a plot against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he was of a mind to return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, a Beroean, and Aristarchus and Secundus of Thessalonica, and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus, Asians. 5 And these men went forward and awaited us in Troas; 6 and we sailed away after the days of unleavened bread from Philippi, and came to them after five days, where we stayed seven days. 7 And on the first day of the week, as we were assembled to break bread, Paul lectured to them, being about to depart on the morrow, and continued the speech until midnight. 8 Now there were a considerable number of lamps in the upper room where we were assembled. 9 And a certain young man named Eutychus, who sat on the window sill, was overcome by a deep sleep, while Paul lectured for a longer time, and having been overcome from the sleep he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead. 10 But going down, Paul fell on him, and closely embracing him, said, "Do not be terrified; for his life is in him." 11 And going up and breaking the bread and tasting, and conversing over a considerable time until light, he then went forth. 12 And they brought the lad alive, and were not moderately comforted. 13 And we went before onto the ship and set sail for Assos, intending to pick up Paul there; for it had been arranged thus, as he intended to go afoot. 14 Now when he met with us in Assos, we picked him up and came to Mitylene; 15 and sailing away from there on the next day, we arrived off Chios, and on the next we crossed over to Samos, and on the next we came Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he should not spend time in Asia ; for he hasted, if it might be possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.

17 And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he summoned the elders of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them, "You understand, from the first day from which I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and tears and trials that happened to me by the plots of the Jews, 20 as I kept back nothing of the beneficial things, to declare to you and to teach you publicly and from house to house, solemnly witnessing to both Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. 22 And now behold that I have been bound by the Spirit and am going to Jerusalem, not knowing the things in it that are going to meet me, 23 except that in every city the Holy Spirit solemnly witnesses to me saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24 But I make my life of no account precious to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to solemnly witness the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now behold I know that all you among whom I went about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I witness to you on this day that I am clean from the blood of all men; 27 for I did not keep back to declare all the counsel of God to you. 28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit placed you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he acquired through his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure grievous wolves will come in to you, not sparing the flock, 30 and men of you yourselves will rise up speaking perverted things to drag away the disciples after themselves. 31 Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease admonishing each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to the Lord and to the word of his grace that is able to build up and to give the inheritance among all those who have been sanctified. 33 I coveted the silver or gold or raiment of no one; 34 you know that these hands ministered to the needs of myself and those who were with me. 35 I showed you all things, that laboring like this you must succor those who ail, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, 'It is more blessed to give rather than to receive.'" 36 And having said these things, he knelt down on his knees with them all and prayed. 37 And there was considerable weeping of all, and they fell on Paul's neck and kissed him fervently, 38 suffering most over the word which he had said, that they were to behold his face no more.  And they escorted him to the ship.

Chapter 21

Now when it came to pass we withdrew from them to set sail, we took a straight course and came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenice, we embarked and set sail. 3 And sighting Cyprus and leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria, and came down to Tyre; for the ship was unloading the cargo there. 4 And we found the disciples and remained there seven days; they told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. 5 But when we accomplished the days, we went forth on our journey, and they all, with women and children, escorted us as far as outside the city, and kneeling on the shore praying, we gave parting greetings to one another, and embarked in the ship, and they returned to their own home. 7 But we finished the voyage from Tyre and arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brothers we remained one day with them. 8 And going forth on the morrow, we came to Caesarea, and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and remained with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 And after remaining there many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judaea, 11 and came to us and took Paul's girdle, and after binding his own hands and feet, said, "The Holy Spirit says these things, 'Thus the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this girdle and will deliver him into the hands of the nations.'" 12 And when we heard these things, both we and the residents besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing weeping and weakening my heart? For I am ready not ony to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem on behalf of the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 And when he was not persuaded, we kept silence after saying, "Let the will of the Lord be done."

15 And after these days we made ready and went up to Jerusalem; 16 and some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing one Mnason, a Cypriote, an early disciple with whom we might be lodged. 17 And when we were in Jerusalem, the brothers received us joyfully. 18 And on the next day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders came. 19 And after greeting them he related singly each of the things which God did among the nations through his ministry. 20 And when they heard, they glorified God, and said to him, "You behold, brother, how many ten thousands there are among the Jews who have believed, and all are zealots of the law; 21 and they were informed about you that you teach all the Jews throughout the nations apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk in the customs. 22 What shall we do?  At all events they will hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this which we tell you:  We have four men who have a vow on themselves; 24 take these and purify yourselves with them, and pay for them to have their heads shaved, and all men will know that there is nothing to the things they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 25 And concerning the nations who have believed, we joined in writing our judgment to keep themselves from idol sacrifice and blood and a strangled thing and fornication." Then on the next day Paul took the men and purified himself with them and went in to the temple, thus announcing the completion of the days of their purification, and when the offering should be offered on behalf of each one of them.

27 Now when the seven days were about to be fulfilled, the Jews from Asia saw him in the temple and stirred up all the crowd, and laid their hands on him, crying out, "Israelite men, help!  This is the man who has taught all men everywhere against the people and the law and this place, and has even also brought Greeks into the temple and has profaned this holy place." 29 For they were those who had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul brought into the temple. 30 And the whole city was moved and there was a running together of the people, and laying hold of Paul, they dragged him outside the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 And while they were seeking to kill him, information came up to the chiliarch of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion; 32 who at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down on them; and when they saw the chiliarch and the soldiers they ceased beating Paul. 33 Then drawing near, the chiliarch laid hold of him and commanded he be bound with two chains, and inquired who he might be and what he had done. 34 And others called out different things among the crowd; and as he was not able to know the certainty because of the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the fort. 35 And when he was on the steps, it happened he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 36 for the multitude of the people followed crying out, "Take him away." 37 And as he was about to be brought into the fort, Paul said to the chiliarch, "Is it lawful for me to say something to you?"  And he said, "You know how to speak in Greek?  Then you are not the Egyptian who before these days unsettled and led into the desert the four thousand men of the Sicarii?" 39 And Paul said, "I am indeed a Jewish man, a Tarsian, a citizen of not a mean city of Cilicia; and I beg of you, permit me to speak to the people." 40 And when he gave permission, Paul stood on the steps and beckoned with his hand to the people; and when there was great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Chapter 22

"Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to you now."  2 (And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew language, they showed more quietness.) 3 And he said, "I am a Jewish man, who was born in Tarsus of Ciliscia, and who was brought up in this city, who was trained at the feet of Gamaliel according to the exactness of the ancestral law, and was a zealot of God even as you all are today; 4 who persecuted this way as far as to death, binding and delivering both men and women to prisons. 5 As even the high priest and all the senate witness to me; from whom I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, where I journeyed and led those who had been bound there to Jerusalem that they might be punished. 6 Now it happened to me as I journeyed and drew near to Damascus that about midday a considerable light out of heaven suddenly shone round me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?' 8 And I answered, ' Who are you, Lord?'  And he said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you persecute.' 9 Now those who were with me indeed beheld the light, but they did not hear the one who spoke to me. 10 And I said, 'What may I do, Lord?'  And the Lord said to me, 'Rise up and go into Damascus, and there it will be told to you concerning all the things which have been arranged for you to do.' 11 And as I did not see from the glory of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and went into Damascus. 12 And a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who was witnessed to by all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 came to me and stood by me and said to me, 'Brother Saul, look up.'  And in that hour I looked up at him. 14 And he said, 'The God of our fathers previously appointed you to know his will and to see the Just One and to hear a voice out of his mouth, 15 because you will be a witness to him to all men of the things which you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for?  Rise up; be baptized and wash away your sins, and invoke his name.’ 17 And it happened to me, after I returned to Jerusalem and as I was praying in the temple, I became in an ecstasy, and I saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and go forth quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not receive your witness concerning me.' 19 And I said, 'Lord, they understand that I was imprisoning and beating throughout the synagogues those who believe on you; 20 and when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was even standing by and consenting and keeping the garments of those who killed him.' 21 And he said to me, 'Go, because I will send you forth afar to the nations.'" 22 And they listened to him as far as to this word, and lifted up their voice, saying, "Take such a man from the earth; for it is not fitting for him to live." 23 And as they shouted and tore their garments and threw dust in the air, 24 the chiliarch commanded him to be brought into the fort, bidding him to be examined with scourges, that he might fully know for what crime they were thus calling against him. 25 But as they stretched him 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?" 26 And hearing this, the Centurion approached the chiliarch and reported, saying, "What are you about to do?  For this man is a Roman." 27 And the chiliarch approached and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?"  And he said, "Yes." 28 And the chiliarch answered, "I acquired this citizenship for a great sum of money."  So Paul said, "Indeed, but I have been born Roman." 29 Therefore, those who were about to examine him immediately stood away from him; and the chiliarch also feared, fully knowing that he was a Roman and he had had him bound.

30 And on the morrow, he was minded to know the certain thing, why he was accused by the Jews, and released him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and after bringing Paul down, he set him among them.

Chapter 23

And gazing at the council, Paul said, "Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience to God until this day." 2 And the high priest, Ananias, gave order to those who stood by him to strike his mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God is about to strike you, you whitened wall; and you sit judging me according to the law, and yet contravening law you command that I be struck?” 4 And one who stood by said, "You revile the high priest?" 5 And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he is the high priest; for it has been written, 'You shall not speak evilly of a ruler of the people.'" 6 And knowing that one part was of Sadduces, but the other of Pharisees, Paul cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am being judged concerning hope and the resurrection of  the dead." 7 And as he said this there was a discord of the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude was divided. 8 For Sadducees say there is not a resurrection, nor angels nor spirit, but Pharisees confess both. 9 And there was a great cry, and some of the scribes of the part of the Pharisees rose up and argued, saying, "We find nothing evil in this man; and what if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?" 10 And when much discord arose, the chiliarch, fearing lest Paul should be torn asunder by them, commanded the soldiery to come down and seize him out of their midst and to bring him into the fort. 11 And in the following night, the Lord came to him and said, "Be of good courage; for as you did solemnly witness the things concerning me in Jerusalem, so you must also witness in Rome." 12 And when it became day, the Jews made a conspiracy and cursed themselves, saying they would neither eat not drink until they should kill Paul. 13 And there were more than forty who made this plot; 14 who approached the chief priests and the elders and said, "We cursed ourselves with a curse to taste nothing until we may kill Paul.  Now therefore, you with the council inform the chiliarch so that he may bring him down to you, as you intend to ascertain more accurately the things concerning him; and we are ready to kill him before he draws near." 16 And when the son of Paul's sister heard the treachery, he came and entered the fort and reported to Paul. 17 And Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, "Bring this youth up to the chiliarch, for he has something to report to him." 18 Therefore he took him and brought him to the chiliarch, and said, "The prisoner Paul called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you." 19 And laying hold of his hand and retiring, the chiliarch inquired privately, "What is it you have to report to me?" And he said, "The Jews agreed to ask you so that tomorrow you should bring Paul down to the council, as if intending to more accurately inquire something concerning him. 21 Do not be therefore persuaded by them; for there are more than forty men who lie in wait for him, who cursed themselves neither to eat nor to drink until they kill him, and now they are ready, awaiting the promise from you.” 22 Therefore the chiliarch dismissed the young man, charging him "to divulge to no one these things that you have reported to me." 23 And calling to himself a certain two of the centurions, he said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers, and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, so that they may go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night, and beasts to stand by, that they may put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor; and he wrote a letter that had this pattern, "Claudius Lysia to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. 27 This man had been arrested by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came on the scene with soldiers and rescued him, and learned later he is a Roman; 28 and being minded to fully know the cause on account of which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council; 29 I found him being accused about questions of their law, and not having been charged with anything worthy of death or having bonds. 30 And when it was revealed to me that there was to be a plot against the man, I sent him at once to you, also commanding the accusers to speak to you about him." 31 Therefore the soldiers took up Paul and, according to what had been appointed to them, brought him through the night to Antipatris; 32 and on the morrow they allowed the horsemen to depart with him and returned to the fort; the horsemen entered into Caesarea, handed the letter to the governor and also presented Paul to him. 34 And after reading the letter and asking of what province he was, and learning he was from Cilicia, he said, "I will hear you, when your accusers also arrive;" then commanded that he be kept in Herod's praetorium.

Chapter 24

And after five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and an orator, one named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "We have obtained much peace through you, and much reform has come to this nation through your forethought, 3 both of which we welcome everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But that I not hinder you more, I beseech you to hear us briefly in your forbearance.  For we have found this man to be pestilent, and a mover of seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6 who also attempted to profane the temple, whom we also laid hold of, 8 from whom you will be able to fully know all these things of which we accuse him when you have examined him yourself.” 9 And the Jews also joined in, alleging these things to be so. 10 And Paul answered, after the governor beckoned to him to speak, "Understanding that you have been a judge to this nation for many years, I cheerfully defend myself as to the things concerning myself, as you are able to fully know that there are no more than twelve days since I went up worshipping in Jerusalem. 12 And they found me in the temple neither discoursing with anyone nor making a collection of a crowd, neither in the synagogue nor throughout the city, 13 nor are they able to prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But I confess this to you, that according to the way which they call a sect, thus I worship our ancestral God, believing all the things according to the law and the things that have been written in the prophets, 15 having hope toward God, which these also expect themselves, that there will be a resurrection of both just and unjust. 16 By this I also exercise to always have a blameless conscience toward God and man. 17 And after many years I arrived, bringing alms and offerings to my nation, 18 among which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor with uproar, 19 but with some Jews from Asia, who should be before you to be present and to accuse if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these say themselves what misdeed they found while I stood before the council, 21 unless concerning this one voice which I have cried out standing among them, 'I am being judged before you today concerning a resurrection of dead persons.'" 22 And Felix, who knew more exactly the things concerning the way, postponed them, saying, "When Lysias the chiliarch comes down, I will determine the things as to you." 23 Then he commanded the centurion to keep him and to let him have indulgence and to forbid no one of his own people to attend him. 24 And after some days Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him about the faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he discoursed concerning righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and answered, "You go for the present, but I will take time later and send for you." 26 At the same time, he hoped that money would be given to him by Paul; wherefore he also sent for him more frequently and conversed with him. 27 And after two years were completed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; and wishing to show the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

Chapter 25

After Festus was in the province three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea, 2 and the chief priests and the chiefs of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they besought him, 3 asking a favor against him, so that he might summon him to Jerusalem, and made a plot to kill him by the way. 4 Therefore Festus answered that Paul would be kept in Caesarea, and intended to go forth shortly himself. 5 He said, "Therefore let the able men among you go down with me, and let them accuse him, if there is anything amiss in this man." 6 And having stayed among them no more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the morrow he sat on the tribunal and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, and many brought heavy charges against him, which they were not able to prove, while Paul defended himself, "I have sinned nothing against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar." 9 But Festus, wishing to show the Jews a favor, answered Paul, saying, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem to be judged before me there concerning these things?" 10 And Paul said, "I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar, where I should be judged.  I have wronged the Jews in nothing, as you know very well indeed. 11 Therefore if I do wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if there is nothing of which these accuse me, no one can grant me to them; I appeal to Caesar." 12 Then, after having talked with the council, Festus answered, "You have appealed to Caesar, you shall go before Caesar."

13 And when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there more days, Festus set forth to the king the matters regarding Paul, saying, "There is a certain man who was left behind by Felix as a prisoner, 15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me when I was in Jerusalem, who asked a sentence against him; 16 whom I answered that it is not the custom with Romans to hand over any man before the one who is accused should have the accusers face to face and receive opportunity of defense concerning the charge. 17 Therefore, when we arrived here together, I made no delay and on the next day sat on the tribunal and commanded the man to be brought; 18 concerning whom his accusers stood and brought no charge of which I suspected evil things, 19 but they had certain questions with him about their own religion and about one Jesus who had died, whom Paul asserted to live. 20 And being perplexed at the debate about these things, I asked if he wished to go to Jerusalem and to be judged there about these things. 21 But when Paul appealed that he be kept until the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept until I may send him up to Caesar." 22 And Agrippa said to Festus, "I was minded also to hear the man myself."  "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him." 23 Therefore, on the morrow when Agrippa and Bernice came with much display and entered into the place of audience with both chiliarchs and the chief men of the city, and when Festus commanded, Paul was brought. 24 And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all the men present together with us, you behold this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me both in Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I discovered him to have done nothing worthy of death, but when he himself appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him; wherefore I brought him forth before you, and most of all before you, king Agrippa, so that when there has been an examination I may have what I may write; 27 for it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner and to not also signify the charges against him.”

Chapter 26

And Agrippa said to Paul, "It is permitted to you to speak on behalf of yourself."  Then Paul stretched out his hand and defended himself, "Concerning all things of which I am being accused, king Agrippa, I consider myself happy to be about to defend myself before you today, 3 most of all that you are an expert of all the customs and questions among the Jews; wherefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 So then what from the beginning has been my manner of life in my nation and in Jerusalem all Jews know, 5 who have previously known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that according to the most exact sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.  And now I stand being judged in hope of the promise that was made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes worshipping with earnestness night and day hope to arrive; concerning which hope I am accused by the Jews, o king. 8 Why is it judged incredible by you if God raises dead persons? 9 Indeed, then I thought to myself I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarene; 10 which indeed I did in Jerusalem, and I shut up many of the saints in prisons when I received the authority from the chief priests, and when they were killed I cast a vote, 11 and throughout all the synagogues I often punished them and compelled them to blaspheme, and excessively raging against them I persecuted even as far as to the outside cities. 12 In which as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and power to decide from the chief priests, 13 at midday along the way I saw, o king, a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun shining round me and the ones who journeyed with me; 14 and when we had all fallen down to the earth I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?'  And the Lord said, ' I am Jesus whom you persecute. 16 But rise up and stand on your feet; for I appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you an attendant and a witness both of the things which you saw of me and of the things I will show to you, 17 and will deliver you from the people and from the nations, to whom I send you, 18 to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a portion among those who have been sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 Whence, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but I preached firstly to those in Damascus, and then in Jerusalem, and all the country of Judaea and to the nations to repent and to turn to God, doing works worthy of the repentance. 21 On account of these things the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 Therefore, having attained succor from God until this day, I stand witnessing both to small and to great, saying nothing apart from the things which both the prophets and Moses said were about to happen, 23 that the Christ would be subject to suffering, that by being first of a resurrection of dead persons he is about to announce a light to both the people and to the nations.” 24 As he defended himself with these things, Festus said with his great voice, "You rave, Paul! Your great learning turns you to madness." 25 But Paul said, "I do not rave, most excellent Festus, but speak forth words of truth and of good sense. 26 For the king understands about these things, to whom I indeed speak with boldness of speech; for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this is not what has been done in a corner. 27 Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa?  I know that you believe." 28 Agrippa said to Paul, "In such a little time you persuade to make me a Christian?" 29 And Paul said, "I would pray to God that both in a little and a great time not only you but also all those who hear me today would indeed become such of what kind I am, except these bonds." 30 Both the king and the governor, and Bernice and those who sat with them, rose up, 31 and spoke to one another after leaving, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man was able to have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Chapter 27

And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius of the Augustan cohort. 2 And embarking in a ship belonging to Adramyttium that was about to sail for the places along the coast of Asia we set sail, and Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us; 3 and on the next day we were brought to land at Sidon. Treating Paul kindly, Julius allowed him to go to his friends and obtain attention. 4 And putting to sea from there, we sailed close to Cyprus because the winds were contrary, 5 and sailing over the sea against Cilicia and Pamphylia we came down to Myra of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy and he embarked us in it. 7 And in a number of days of sailing slowly and with difficulty coming against Cnidus, as the wind did not allow us, we sailed close to Crete against Salmone, 8 and sailing hardly along it we came to a certain place that was called Fair Havens, near to which was the city of Lasaea. 9 And when much time had passed and as the voyage was now dangerous because the fast had now also gone by, 10 Paul said to the them, "Men, I see that the voyage will be one with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but also our lives." 11 But the centurion was persuaded by the steersman and the shipmaster, rather than by the things Paul said. 12 And as the port was unsuitable for wintering, the majority decided to set sail from there, if somehow they might be able to arrive at Phoenix to pass the winter, a port of Crete that looks toward both the southwest and northwest. 13 And when a south wind blew gently, and thinking they had obtained their purpose, they raised anchor and coasted close inshore by Crete. 14 And after not much time, a tempetuous wind called Euraquilo beat down it; 15 and as the ship was seized and was not able to beat against the wind, we gave way and were borne. 16 And running under the lee of a certain islet that was called Clauda, we were barely able to get control of the boat, 17 which they took and used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might fall off into Syrtis and run aground, they lowered the tackle, and thus they were borne. 18 But as we were exceedingly in the grip of a storm, they made a jettisoning on the next day, 19 and on the third day they threw out the ship's tackle with their own hands. 20 And when neither sun nor stars appeared over many days, and no little stormy weather pressed hard, now all hope was taken away that we might be saved. 21 And when there was a long abstinence Paul stood in the midst of them and said, "O men, you should have obeyed me and not set sail from Crete and come by this injury and loss. 22 And now I advise you to be of good cheer, for there will be no throwing away of your lives but of the ship. 23 For this night there stood by me an angel of God, whose I am and whom I also serve, who said, ‘Do not fear, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold God has given you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Wherefore, be of good cheer, men; for I believe God, that it will be in the way which it has been spoken to me. 26 But we must fall off onto a certain island.” 27 Now when the fourteenth night came, while we were being carried about in the Adria, about the middle of the night the sailors supposed they were approaching some country. 28 And they sounded and found twenty fathoms, and after moving a little they sounded again and found fifteen fathoms; 29 and fearing lest we might fall off against rough places, they threw four anchors  out of the stern and prayed it to become day. 30 And when the sailors sought to flee out of the ship and lowered the boat into the sea under pretence of intending to cast the anchors out of the prow, 31 Paul said to the Centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these remain in the ship, you cannot be saved." 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it fall off. 33 And until day was about to come, Paul besought all to partake of food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day you continued waiting without food, taking nothing. 34 Wherefore, I beseech you to partake of food; for this is to your salvation; for not one of the hairs of your heads shall perish." 35 And after saying these things, he took bread, gave thanks to God before all and broke it and began to eat. 36 And they all became in good spirits and also took food. 37 Now we in the ship were two hundred seventy-six souls in all. 38 And after being satisfied with food, they lightened ship by throwing out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when day came, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay that had a shore, into which they wondered if they were able to drive the ship. 40 And they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time they loosened the rudder fastenings, and raised the foresail to the breeze and held the ship to the shore. 41 And when they came to a place between two seas they drove the vessel, and while the prow had run abround and remained immovable, the stern was yet broken by the force of the waves. 42 Now the mind of the soldiers was that they should kill the prisoners, lest anyone should swim out and escape; 43 but the centurion was minded to save Paul and forbade them their intention, and commanded those who were able to swim to cast themselves overboard first to go out onto the land, 44 and the rest on some planks, and others on some of the things from the ship.  And thus it came to pass all were saved on the land.

Chapter 28

And after we were saved, we then found out that the island was called Melita. 2 And the foreigners showed us unusual kindness; for they lit a fire and welcomed us all because of the rain coming on and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul collected a quantity of sticks and put them on the fire, a snake came out from the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the foreigners saw the animal hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "To be sure this man is a murderer, whom justice did not allow to live after he had been saved out of the sea.” 5 He shook off the beast into the fire and then suffered no harm; 6 but they expected him to be about to swell or to suddenly fall down dead.  But while they waited a long time and beheld nothing amiss happening to him, they changed their minds and called him a god. 7 Now in the area around that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, Publius by name, who welcomed us and lodged us hospitably three days. 8 Now it happened the father of Publius was lying down suffering from feverish attacks and dysentery, to whom Paul entered and prayed, putting his hands on him, and cured him. 9 And when this happened the rest in the island who had ailments also came up and were healed, 10 who also honored us with many honors, and when we put to sea placed on us the things for our needs.

11 And after three months we embarked in a ship that had passed the winter in the island, an Alexandrian, with a sign of Dioscuri. 12 And being brought to land at Syracuse, we remained three days, 13 from there we tacked and arrived at Rhegium.  And after one day a south wind came on, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found some brothers and were besought to remain with them seven days; and thus we went to Rome. 15 And the brothers who had heard the things concerning us came there to a meeting with us from as far as Appii Forum and Three Taverns, whom when he saw them Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we entered into Rome, the receiving officer permitted Paul to remain by himself with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 And it came to pass after three days he called together those who were the chief Jews; and when they came together he said to them, "I, men and brothers, having done nothing contrary to the people or to the ancestral customs, was delivered in to the hands of the Romans, 18 who after examining me were minded to release me on account there was no cause of death in me; 19 but when the Jews spoke against this, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not as if I had anything to accuse of my nation. 20 On account of this cause therefore I called to see and to speak to you; for I have this chain around me for the sake of the hope of Israel." 21 And they said to him, "We have neither received letters about you from Judaea, nor has anyone of the brothers arrived and told or spoke anything evil about you. 22 But we think fit to hear from you what things you are thinking; for indeed it is known to us concerning this sect that it is spoken against everywhere." 23 And they arranged with him a day and many came to him in his lodging, to whom he solemnly witnessed and set forth the kingdom of God, and persuaded them concerning Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning to evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things that were said, others disbelieved; and being in disagreement with one another they were dismissed, after Paul had said one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke well through Esaias the prophet to your fathers, saying, 'Go to this people and say, 'In hearing you will hear and by no means understand, and in looking you will look and by no means see; for the heart of this people was thickened, and they heard heavily with their ears, and they closed their eyes; lest at anytime they might see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I shall cure them.’ 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God was sent to the nations; and they will hear." 

30 And he remained a whole two years in his own hired apartment, and welcomed all those who came in to him, 31 unhinderedly proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness.