received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News
of the grace of God.
020:025 "Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about
preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
020:026 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from
the blood of all men,
020:027 for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
020:028 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock,
in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd
the assembly of the Lord and{TR, NU omit "the Lord and"} God
which he purchased with his own blood.
020:029 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter
in among you, not sparing the flock.
020:030 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things,
to draw away the disciples after them.
020:031 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years
I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
020:032 Now, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters"
or "siblings."} I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance
among all those who are sanctified.
020:033 I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing.
020:034 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities,
and those who were with me.
020:035 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought
to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
020:036 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed
with them all.
020:037 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
020:038 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken,
that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied
him to the ship.
021:001 When it happened that we had parted from them and had set sail,
we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes,
and from there to Patara.
021:002 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard,
and set sail.
021:003 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand,
we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship
was to unload her cargo.
021:004 Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days.
These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go
up to Jerusalem.
021:005 When it happened that we had accomplished the days, we departed
and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children,
brought us on our way until we were out of the city.
Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed.
021:006 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship,
and they returned home again.
021:007 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais.
We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day.
021:008 On the next day, we, who were Paul's companions, departed, and came
to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist,
who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
021:009 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
021:010 As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus
came down from Judea.
021:011 Coming to us, and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own feet
and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit: 'So will
the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt,
and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"
021:012 When we heard these things, both we and they of that place
begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
021:013 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking
my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die
at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
021:014 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The Lord's
will be done."
021:015 After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
021:016 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us,
bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom
we would stay.
021:017 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
021:018 The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all
the elders were present.
021:019 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things
which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.
021:020 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him,
"You see, brother, how many thousands there are among
the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous
for the law.
021:021 They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews
who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not
to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.
021:022 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will
hear that you have come.
021:023 Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have
taken a vow.
021:024 Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their
expenses for them, that they may shave their heads.
Then all will know that there is no truth in the things
that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself
also walk keeping the law.
021:025 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our
decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they
should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood,
from strangled things, and from sexual immorality."
021:026 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself
and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment
of the days of purification, until the offering was offered
for every one of them.
021:027 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia,
when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude
and laid hands on him,
021:028 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all
men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place.
Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has
defiled this holy place!"
021:029 For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city,
and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
021:030 All the city was moved, and the people ran together.
They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple.
Immediately the doors were shut.
021:031 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding
officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
021:032 Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them.
They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers,
stopped beating Paul.
021:033 Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him,
commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired
who he was and what he had done.
021:034 Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd.
When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise,
he commanded him to be brought into the barracks.
021:035 When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried
by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd;
021:036 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out,
"Away with him!"
021:037 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks,
he asked the commanding officer, "May I speak to you?"
He said, "Do you know Greek?
021:038 Aren't you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up
to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand
men of the Assassins?"
021:039 But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen
of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak
to the people."
021:040 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs,
beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a
great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
022:001 "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now
make to you."
022:002 When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language,
they were even more quiet. He said,
022:003 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up
in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according
to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous
for God, even as you all are this day.
022:004 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering
into prisons both men and women.
022:005 As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify,
from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled
to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem
in bonds to be punished.
022:006 It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close
to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky
a great light around me.
022:007 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul,
why are you persecuting me?'
022:008 I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus
of Nazareth, whom you persecute.'
022:009 "Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid,
but they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me.
022:010 I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Arise,
and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things
which are appointed for you to do.'
022:011 When I couldn't see for the glory of that light, being led
by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
022:012 One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported
of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,
022:013 came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul,
receive your sight!' In that very hour I looked up at him.
022:014 He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know
his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice
from his mouth.
022:015 For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you
have seen and heard.
022:016 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.'
022:017 "It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I
prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,
022:018 and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly,
because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.'
022:019 I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat
in every synagogue those who believed in you.
022:020 When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also
was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding
the cloaks of those who killed him.'
022:021 "He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you out far from here
to the Gentiles.'"
022:022 They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted
up their voice, and said, "Rid the earth of this fellow,
for he isn't fit to live!"
022:023 As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust
into the air,
022:024 the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks,
ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know
for what crime they shouted against him like that.
022:025 When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion
who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is
a Roman, and not found guilty?"
022:026 When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer
and told him, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man
is a Roman!"
022:027 The commanding officer came and asked him, "Tell me, are you
a Roman?" He said, "Yes."
022:028 The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship
for a great price." Paul said, "But I was born a Roman."
022:029 Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him,
and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized
that he was a Roman, because he had bound him.
022:030 But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was
accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded
the chief priests and all the council to come together,
and brought Paul down and set him before them.
023:001 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have
lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
023:002 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him
to strike him on the mouth.
023:003 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!
Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me
to be struck contrary to the law?"
023:004 Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God's high priest?"
023:005 Paul said, "I didn't know, brothers, that he was high priest.
For it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler
of your people.'"{Exodus 22:28}
023:006 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees
and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council,
"Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees.
Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I
am being judged!"
023:007 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees
and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
023:008 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel,
nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these.
023:009 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part
stood up, and contended, saying, "We find no evil in this man.
But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not
fight against God!"
023:010 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that
Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers
to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring
him into the barracks.
023:011 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said,
"Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem,
so you must testify also at Rome."
023:012 When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound
themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat
nor drink until they had killed Paul.
023:013 There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy.
023:014 They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said,
"We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing
until we have killed Paul.
023:015 Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding
officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow,
as though you were going to judge his case more exactly.
We are ready to kill him before he comes near."
023:016 But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait,
and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul.
023:017 Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this
young man to the commanding officer, for he has something
to tell him."
023:018 So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer,
and said, "Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring
this young man to you, who has something to tell you."
023:019 The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside,
asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"
023:020 He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul
down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire
somewhat more accurately concerning him.
023:021 Therefore don't yield to them, for more than forty men lie
in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse
neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him.
Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you."
023:022 So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him,
"Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me."
023:023 He called to himself two of the centurions, and said,
"Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea,
with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears,
at the third hour of the night{about 9:00 PM}."
023:024 He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one,
and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
023:025 He wrote a letter like this:
023:026 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
023:027 "This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed
by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him,
having learned that he was a Roman.
023:028 Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought
him down to their council.
023:029 I found him to be accused about questions of their law,
but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death
or of bonds.
023:030 When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent
him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring
their accusations against him before you. Farewell."
023:031 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought
him by night to Antipatris.
023:032 But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him,
and returned to the barracks.
023:033 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor,
they also presented Paul to him.
023:034 When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from.
When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said,
023:035 "I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive."
He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace.
024:001 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down
with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus.
They informed the governor against Paul.
024:002 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,
"Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent
measures are coming to this nation,
024:003 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix,
with all thankfulness.
024:004 But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us
and hear a few words.
024:005 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator
of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world,
and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
024:006 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.{TR
adds "We wanted to judge him according to our law,"}
024:007 {TR adds "but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with
great violence took him out of our hands,"}
024:008 {TR adds "commanding his accusers to come to you."}By examining
him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which
we accuse him."
024:009 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these
things were so.
024:010 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered,
"Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation
for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
024:011 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve
days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem.
024:012 In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or stirring
up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city.
024:013 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me.
024:014 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call
a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all
things which are according to the law, and which are written
in the prophets;
024:015 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,
that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of
the just and unjust.
024:016 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense
toward God and men.
024:017 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy
to my nation, and offerings;
024:018 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple,
not with a mob, nor with turmoil.
024:019 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation,
if they had anything against me.
024:020 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found
in me when I stood before the council,
024:021 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them,
'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged
before you today!'"
024:022 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way,
deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer,
comes down, I will decide your case."
024:023 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody,
and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his
friends to serve him or to visit him.
024:024 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife,
who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning
the faith in Christ Jesus.
024:025 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the
judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered,
"Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me,
I will summon you."
024:026 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul,
that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him
more often, and talked with him.
024:027 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by
Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left
Paul in bonds.
025:001 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days
went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
025:002 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed
him against Paul, and they begged him,
025:003 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem;
plotting to kill him on the way.
025:004 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody
at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
025:005 "Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you
go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man,
let them accuse him."
025:006 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down
to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat,
and commanded Paul to be brought.
025:007 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem
stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous
charges which they could not prove,
025:008 while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law
of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar,
have I sinned at all."
025:009 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul
and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged
by me there concerning these things?"
025:010 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat,
where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews,
as you also know very well.
025:011 For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy
of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things
is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them.
I appeal to Caesar!"
025:012 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered,
"You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go."
025:013 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice
arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
025:014 As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before
the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;
025:015 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders
of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
025:016 To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans
to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met
the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make
his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
025:017 When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay,
but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded
the man to be brought.
025:018 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought
no charge of such things as I supposed;
025:019 but had certain questions against him about their own religion,
and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed
to be alive.
025:020 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things,
I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there
be judged concerning these matters.
025:021 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of
the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send
him to Caesar."
025:022 Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself."
"Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."
025:023 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with
great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing
with the commanding officers and principal men of the city,
at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
025:024 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here present
with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude
of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here,
crying that he ought not to live any longer.
025:025 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death,
and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined
to send him.
025:026 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord.
Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially