1

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus

began to do and to teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven,

after he had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he

had chosen. 3 To these he also presented himself alive after his suffering,

by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days

and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 4 And while

staying with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait

for what the Father had promised, "Which," he said, "you heard of from

me; 5 for John baptized with water, but before many days you will be

baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are

you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to

them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has

fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy

Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in

Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the

earth." 9 And after he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted

up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing

intently into the sky while he was going, behold, two men in white

clothing stood beside them. 11 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do

you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from

you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched him

go into heaven."

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called

Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 13 And

when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were

staying; Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas,

Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the

Zealot and Judas the son of James. 14 All these with one mind devoted

themselves to prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of

Jesus, and with his brothers.

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brethren (the

company of persons was in all about a hundred and twenty), and said, 16

"Brethren, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke

beforehand by the mouth of David, concerning Judas who was guide to

those who arrested Jesus. 17 For he was counted among us and received

his share in this ministry." 18 (Now this man bought a field with the

reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the

middle and all his intestines gushed out. 19 And it became known to all

the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language

Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) 20 For it is written in the book of

Psalms,

'Let his homestead be made desolate,

and let there be no one to dwell in it';

and,

'let another man take his office.'

21 Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all

the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from

the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from usóone of

these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection." 23 So they

put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called

Justus), and Matthias. 24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who

know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen

25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas

turned aside, to go to his own place." 26 And they cast lots for them, and

the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.

2

1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in

one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like the rush

of a violent wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3

And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and

they rested 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

utterance.

5 Now there were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from

every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the crowd came together,

and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his

own language. 7 They were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all

these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear them,

each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and

Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus

and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya around

Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans

and Arabsówe hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty

deeds of God." 12 And they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one

another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others were mocking and said,

"They are full of sweet wine."

14 But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice

and addressed them: "Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let

this be known to you and give heed to my words. 15 For these men are

not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day; 16

but this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17 'And in the last days it shall be, God says,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

18 even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they shall prophesy.

19 And I will show wonders in heaven above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.

20 The sun will be turned into darkness

and the moon into blood,

before the great and glorious day

of the Lord shall come.

21 And it shall be that everyone

who calls on the name of the Lord

will be saved.'

22 "Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a

man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which

God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves knowó23 this

man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God,

you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put him to death.

24 But God raised him up, having loosed the agony of death, because it

was impossible for him to be held in its power. 25 For David says

concerning him,

'I saw the Lord always before me;

for he is at my right hand, so that I will not be shaken.

26 Therefore my heart was glad and my tongue rejoiced;

moreover my flesh also will live in hope,

27 because you will not abandon my soul to hades,

nor let your Holy One see decay.

28 You have made known to me the ways of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.'

29 "Brethren, I may say to you confidently of the patriarch David

that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30

And so, because he was a prophet, and knew that God had sworn with an

oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he

looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,

that he was not abandoned to hades,

nor did his flesh see decay.

32 This Jesus God raised up again, and of that we are all witnesses. 33

Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received

from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this

which you see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into heaven, but he

says himself:

'The Lord said to my Lord,

"Sit at my right hand,

35 until I make your enemies a footstool

for your feet."'

36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has

made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said

to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" 38

And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the

name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive

the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children

and for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call to

himself." 40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them,

saying, "Save yourselves from this perverse generation." 41 So those who

received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about

three thousand souls. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles'

teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

43 Everyone was filled with awe; and many wonders and signs

were done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together

and had all things in common; 45 and they sold their possessions and

goods and distributed them to all, as anyone had need. 46 And day by

day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they

ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and having

favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day

those who were being saved.

3

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of

prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried,

whom they set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called

Beautiful to beg alms of those who entered the temple. 3 When he saw

Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4 And

Peter, along with John, directed his gaze at him, and said, "Look at us." 5

And he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from

them. 6 But Peter said, "I do not have silver and gold, but I give you what

I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 And taking him

by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles

were made strong. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and

he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9

And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and they

recognized him as the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the

temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at

what had happened to him.

11 While he clung to Peter and John, all the people ran together

to them in the porch called Solomon's, astounded. 12 And when Peter saw

this he addressed the people, "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this,

or why do you stare at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made

him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our

fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered and

disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

14 But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a

murderer to be granted to you, 15 but killed the Author of life, whom God

raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses. 16 And his name, by faith

in his name, has made this man strong whom you see and know; and the

faith which comes through Jesus has given him perfect health in the

presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I know that you acted in

ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth

of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19

Repent therefore, and turn again, so that your sins may be wiped out, that

times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that

he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must

receive until the time for establishing all that God spoke by the mouth of

his holy prophets from long ago. 22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise

up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; you shall listen to

everything he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul that does not

listen to that prophet will be destroyed from among the people.' 24 And

likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who

came afterwards, also announced these days. 25 You are the sons of the

prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying

to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be

blessed.' 26 For you first, God raised up his servant and sent him to bless

you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways."

4

1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the

captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 being

greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming

in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they seized them and put

them in jail until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of

those who heard the message believed; and the number of the men came

to about five thousand.

5 On the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes were

gathered together in Jerusalem; 6 and Annas the high priest was there, and

Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly

family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they began to inquire,

"By what power or by 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 for a good deed done to a cripple, as to how

this man has been healed, 10 be it known to you all, and to all the people

of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you

crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man stands before

you healed. 11 He is

the stone which was rejected by you, the builders,

but which has become the chief cornerstone.

12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under

heaven given among men by which we must be saved." 13 Now when they

saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were

uneducated, common men, they were astonished; and they recognized that

they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed

standing with them, they had nothing to say in reply. 15 But when they

had ordered them to leave the Council, they conferred with one another,

16 saying, "What shall we do with these men? For that a noteworthy

miracle has been performed through them is apparent to all the

inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it

may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no

longer to any one in this name." 18 Then they called them in again and

commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But

Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to

listen to you rather than to God, you must judge; 20 for we cannot stop

speaking about what we have seen and heard." 21 And when they had

further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them,

because of the people; for all the people were praising God for what had

happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed

was more than forty years old.

23 When they had been released, they went to their own

companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said

to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God

together and said, "Sovereign Lord, it is you who made the heaven and the

earth and the sea, and everything in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit,

through the mouth of our father David your servant, said,

'Why did the gentiles rage,

and the peoples plot futile things?

26 The kings of the earth took their stand,

and the rulers were gathered together

against the Lord and against his Christ.'

27 For truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy

servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along

with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand

and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look

upon their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all

boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and

wonders take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 And

when they had prayed, the place where they were gathered together was

shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word

of God with boldness.

32 Now the company of those who believed were of one heart

and soul, and no one claimed that any of the things which he possessed

was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great

power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord

Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 For there was not a needy

person among them, For all who were owners of land or houses sold them

and brought the proceeds of the sales 35 and laid it at the apostles' feet,

and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph who was

called by the apostles Barnabas (which means, Son of Encouragement) , a

Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field which he owned, and brought

the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

5

1 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece

of property, 2 and with his wife's full knowledge he kept back some of the

money for himself, and brought only a part and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the

Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land? 4 While it

remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it

not at your disposal? How is it that you have conceived this deed in your

heart? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard

these words, he fell down and died. And great fear came upon all who

heard of it. 6 The young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out,

and buried him. 7 After an interval of about three hours his wife came in,

not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter said to her, "Tell me whether

you sold the land for such and such a price." And she said, "Yes, that was

the price." 9 Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed

together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have

buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out." 10

Immediately she fell down at his feet and died. When the young men came

in they found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her

husband. 11 And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all

who heard of these things.

12 Now many signs and wonders were done among the people

by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's

Porch. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in

high honor. 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men

and women, were constantly added to their number, 15 so that they even

carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and pallets, so

that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16

The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the

sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

17 But the high priest rose up and all who were with him, that is,

the party of the Sadducees, and they were filled with jealousy. 18 They

arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the

night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison, and brought

them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple

the whole message of this Life." 21 And when they heard this, they

entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach. Now when the

high priest and his associates came, they called the Council together, even

all the Senate of the sons of Israel, and sent orders to the prison house for

them to be brought. 22 But when the officers came, they did not find them

in the prison, and they returned and reported back, 23 "We found the

prison securely locked, and the guards standing at the doors; but when we

opened them, we found no one inside." 24 Now when the captain of the

temple guard and the chief priests heard these words, they were much

perplexed about them, wondering what would come of this. 25 And

someone came and told them, "Look! The men whom you put in prison

are standing in the temple and teaching the people." 26 Then the captain

went along with the officers and brought them back without violence, for

they were afraid of the people, that they might be stoned.

27 When they had brought them, they set them before the

council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, "We gave you strict

orders not to teach in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with

your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us." 29 But Peter

and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. 30 The

God of our fathers raised Jesusówhom you had killed by hanging him on

a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior, to

give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32 We are witnesses of

these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who

obey him."

33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to kill

them. 34 But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the

law, held in honor by all the people, stood up and ordered the men to be

put outside for a while. 35 And he said to them, "Men of Israel, take care

what you propose to do with these men. 36 For some time ago Theudas

rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men

joined him. But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed

and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the

days of the census and drew away some people after him; he too perished,

and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 So in the present case I

tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or

action is of men, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to

overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." 40

So they took his advice, and they called the apostles in and had them

flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and

let them go. 41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that

they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. 42 And

every day, in the temple and from house to house, they never stopped

teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

6

1 Now in those days when the number of disciples was

increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the

native Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily

distribution of food. 2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the

disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God in

order to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, pick out from among you

seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we

may appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to

the ministry of the word." 5 And the statement pleased the whole

congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy

Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a

proselyte from Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they

prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples

multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were

obedient to the faith.

8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and

signs among the people. 9 Then some of those who belonged to the

synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and

of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, arose and

disputed with Stephen. 10 But they could not stand against the wisdom

and the Spirit with which he spoke. 11 Then they secretly induced men to

say, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and

against God." 12 They stirred up the people and the elders and the

scribes, and they came on him and seized him, and brought him before the

council. 13 They put forward false witnesses who said, "This man never

stops speaking against this holy place, and the law; 14 for we have heard

him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will

change the customs which Moses handed down to us." 15 And fixing

their gaze on him, all who were sitting in the Council saw that his face

was like the face of an angel.

7

1 The high priest said, "Are these things so?" 2 And he said:

"Hear me, brethren and fathers! The God of glory appeared to our father

Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3 and

said to him, 'Leave your country and your relatives, and go into the land

that I will show you.' 4 Then he left the land of the Chaldeans and settled

in Haran. From there, after his father died, God had him move to this

country in which you are now living. 5 But He gave him no inheritance in

it, not even a foot of ground, and yet, even though he had no child, he

promised that he would give it to him as a possession, and to his

descendants after him. 6 But God spoke to this effect, that his

descendants would be aliens in a foreign land, and that they would be

enslaved and mistreated for four hundred years. 7 'But I will judge the

nation which they serve,' said God, 'and after that they will come out and

worship me in this place.' 8 And he gave him the covenant of

circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and

circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac became the father of Jacob,

and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

9 "And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt.

But God was with him, 10 and rescued him from all his afflictions, and

gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he

made him governor over Egypt and all his household. 11 Now there came

a famine throughout all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our

fathers could find no food. 12 But when Jacob heard that there was grain

in Egypt, he sent our fathers there the first time. 13 At the second visit

Joseph made himself known to his brothers, and Joseph's family was

made known to Pharaoh. 14 Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob

and all his relatives to him, seventy-five persons in all. 15 And Jacob went

down to Egypt, and there he and our fathers died. 16 They were carried

back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham had bought for a sum

of money from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

17 "But as the time of the promise drew near, which God had

granted to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt 18

until there arose another king over Egypt who knew nothing about

Joseph. 19 He dealt craftily with our race and forced our fathers to expose

their infants, so that they would not survive. 20 At this time Moses was

born, and was beautiful before God. And he was brought up for three

months in his father's house; 21 and when he was placed outside,

Pharaoh's daughter took him and brought him up as her own son. 22

Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was

mighty in his words and deeds.

23 "When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit

his brethren, the sons of Israel. 24 And when he saw one of them being

treated unjustly, he defended him and avenged the oppressed by striking

down the Egyptian. 25 And he supposed that his brethren understood that

God was granting them deliverance through him, but they did not

understand. 26 On the following day he appeared to two of them as they

were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, 'Men, you are brethren;

why do you wrong each other?' 27 But the man who was wronging his

neighbor pushed him aside, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge

over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'

29 At this remark Moses fled, and became an exile in the land of Midian,

where he became the father of two sons.

30 "After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the

wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When

Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight; and as he approached to look

more closely, there came the voice of the Lord: 32 'I am the God of your

fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob.' Moses trembled with

fear and did not dare to look. 33 And the Lord said to him, 'Take off the

sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy

ground. 34 I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt and

have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. Come

now, and I will send you to Egypt.' 35 This Moses whom they rejected,

saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge?' is the one God sent to be

both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him

in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in

the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.

37 This is the Moses who said to the Israelites, 'God will raise up for you

a prophet like me from your brethren.' 38 This is he who was in the

congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount

Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to

us. 39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and

in their hearts turned back to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, 'Make for us

gods who will go before us; as for this Moses who led us out from the

land of Egyptówe do not know what has happened to him.' 41 At that

time they made a calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were

rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave

them over to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the

prophets:

'Did you offer to me slain beasts and sacrifices,

forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

43 You took up the tent of Moloch,

and the star of the god Rephan,

the figures which you made to worship.

And I will remove you beyond Babylon.'

44 "Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the

wilderness, just as he who spoke to Moses directed him to make it

according to the pattern which he had seen. 45 And having received it in

their turn, our fathers brought it in with Joshua when they took the land

from the nations whom God drove out before our fathers. So it was until

the time of David, 46 who found favor in God's sight, and asked that he

might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. 47 But it was Solomon

who built a house for him. 48 However, the Most High does not dwell in

houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

49 'Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool.

What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord,

or what is the place of my rest?

50 Has not my hand made all these things?'

51 "You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears,

you always resist the Holy Spirit. You are doing just as your fathers did.

52 Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed

those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One,

whom you have now betrayed and murdered, 53 you who received the law

as delivered by angels, and yet did not keep it."

54 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and they

gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed

intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the

right hand of God; 56 and he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and

the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." 57 But they cried out

with a loud voice, and covered their ears and rushed together upon him

with. 58 Then they cast him out of the city and began to stone him; and

the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named

Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, "Lord Jesus,

receive my spirit." 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out with a loud

voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said

this, he fell asleep. 1 Saul was consenting to his death.

8

And on that day a great persecution arose against the church in

Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the region of Judea and

Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen, and made

great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul began ravaging the church, and,

entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and put them

in prison.

4 Now those who had been scattered went about preaching the

word. 5 Philip went down to a city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to

them. 6 The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was

said by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 7 For

unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were

possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 So

there was much joy in that city.

9 Now there was a man named Simon, who had formerly

practiced magic in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He

boasted that he was someone great, 10 and they all, from the least to the

greatest, gave attention to him, saying, "This man is what is called the

Great Power of God." 11 And they gave heed to him, because for a long

time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed

Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name

of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon

himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And

seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.

14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had

received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, 15 who came

down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For

he had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in

the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid their hands on them, and

they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit

was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them

money, 19 saying, "Give me also this power, so that everyone on whom I

lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." 20 But Peter said to him,

"May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain

the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this matter,

for your heart is not right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this

wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of

your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the gall of

bitterness and in the bond of iniquity." 24 And Simon answered, "Pray

for me to the Lord, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon

me."

25 Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the

Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of

the Samaritans.

26 But an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go

toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza."

This is a desert road. 27 So he got up and went. And there was an

Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians,

who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to

worship, 28 and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was

reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and

join this chariot." 30 So Philip ran up to him, and heard him reading

Isaiah the prophet, and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

31 And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited

Philip to come up and 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 before its shearer is silent,

so he does not open his mouth.

33 In his humiliation justice was denied him.

Who can describe his generation?

For his life is taken up from the earth."

34 And the eunuch said to Philip, "Please tell me, of whom does

the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" 35 Then

Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this scripture he told him

the good news of Jesus. 36 And as they went along the road they came to

some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What prevents me

from being baptized?" 38 And he commanded the chariot to stop, and

they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he

baptized him. 39 And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of

the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but

went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as

he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the towns until he

came to Caesarea.

9

1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the

disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from

him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to

the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light

from heaven flashed around him. 4 And he fell to the ground and 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 are

persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what

you must do." 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless,

hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground; and

when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the

hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was

without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and

the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Here I am,

Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called

Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named

Saul, for he is praying, 12 and in a vision he has seen a man named

Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his

sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about

this man, how much harm he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and

here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your

name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of

mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of

Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my

name." 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And after laying

his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to

you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may

regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately

there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight.

And he got up and was baptized, 19 and he took food and was

strengthened.

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at

Damascus. 20 And immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the

synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 All those who heard him

were amazed, and said, "Is this not he who made havoc in Jerusalem of

those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of

bringing them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul increased all

the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus by

proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24

but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day

and night, to kill him; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him

down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but

they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But

Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to

them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that he had spoken to

him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out

boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with

the Hellenistic Jews; but they were seeking to kill him. 30 But when the

brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him

off to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria

enjoyed peace and was built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and

in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

32 Now as Peter went through all those regions, he came down

also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named

Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. 34

Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your

bed." Immediately he got up. 35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon

saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha

(which is translated Dorcas). She was full of good works and acts of

charity. 37 And at that time she fell sick and died; and when they had

washed her, they laid her body in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was

near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men

to him, imploring him, "Please come to us without delay." 39 So Peter

rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper

room. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing the tunics

and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 But

Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the

body, he said, "Tabitha, arise." And she opened her eyes, and when she

saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up.

Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. 42 It became

known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter

stayed for many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.

10

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of

what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man and one who

feared God with all his household, and gave alms generously to the

people and prayed to God continually. 3 About the ninth hour of the day

he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had just come in and said

to him, "Cornelius!" 4 And he stared at him in terror, and said, "What is

it, Lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a

memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and bring a man named

Simon who is called Peter; 6 he is staying with a tanner named Simon,

whose house is by the sea." 7 When the angel who spoke to him had left,

he called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those who were his

personal attendants, 8 and after he had explained everything to them, he

sent them to Joppa.

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching

the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10

And he became hungry and was desiring something to eat; but while they

were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and he saw heaven opened, and

something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners to the

earth. 12 In it were all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles of the

earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter. Kill

and eat!" 14 But Peter said, "No, Lord; for I have never eaten anything

that is common or unclean." 15 And the voice came to him again a second

time, "What God has cleansed, you must not call common." 16 This

happened three times, and immediately the thing was taken up to heaven.

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the

vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by

Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, appeared at the gate.

18 They called out, asking whether Simon who was known as Peter was

staying there. 19 While Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said

to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 But get up, go

downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them

myself." 21 Peter went down to the men and said, "Behold, I am the one

you are looking for; what is the reason you have come?" 22 They said,

"Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, who is well

spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to

send for you to come to his house, and to hear what you have to say." 23

So he invited them in to be his guests.

The next day he rose and went off with them, and some of the

brethren from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On the following day he

entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was expecting them and had called

together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius

met him and fell down at his feet and worshipped him. 26 But Peter

raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I too am just a man." 27 As he talked

with him, he went in and found many people assembled. 28 And he said

to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate

with a foreigner or to visit him; but God has shown me that I should not

call any man common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came

without raising any objection. I ask then why you sent for me." 30

Cornelius said, "Four days ago to this hour, I was praying in my house

during the ninth hour; and behold, a man stood before me in shining

garments, 31 and he said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your

alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and

ask for Simon who is called Peter; he is lodging in the house of Simon, a

tanner, by the sea.' 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you have been

kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of

God, to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord."

34 And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly

understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every

nation the man who fears him and does what is right is welcome to him.

36 You know the word which he sent to Israel, preaching good news of

peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all). 37 You know what has

happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism

which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the

Holy Spirit and with power, and how he went about doing good and

healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39

We are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in

Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; 40 but God

raised him up on the third day and caused him to be seen, 41 not to all the

people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and

drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to

preach to the people, and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to

be judge of the living and the dead. 43 Of him all the prophets bear

witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins

through his name."

44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit

fell on all who heard the message. 45 All the circumcised believers who

came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been

poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in

tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone refuse the

water for these people to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit

just as we have?" 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of

Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

11

1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea

heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when

Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3

saying, "You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." 4 But Peter

began and explained to them in order: 5 "I was in the city of Joppa

praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending like a great

sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came down to me. 6

And when I looked into it I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild

beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice saying to me,

'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat!' 8 But I said, 'No, Lord; for nothing common

or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9 But the voice answered a

second time from heaven, 'What God has cleansed you must not call

common.' 10 This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into

heaven. 11 And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house

in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The

Spirit told me to go with them with no hesitation. These six brethren also

went with me, and we entered the man's house. 13 And he told us how he

had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and

bring Simon, who is also called Peter; 14 he will declare to you a message

by which you will be saved, you and all your household.' 15 As I began to

speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. 16 And

I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with

water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17 So if God gave

them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,

who was I that I could oppose God?" 18 When they heard this, they

quieted down and glorified God, saying, "So then, God has granted to the

Gentiles also the repentance unto life."

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution

that arose in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and

Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But

there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to

Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and

turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at

Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and

saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true

to the Lord with all their hearts; 24 for he was a good man, full of the

Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great number of people were brought to

the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when

he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year they

met with the church and taught great numbers of people; and the disciples

were called Christians first in Antioch.

27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to

Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the

Spirit that there would be a great famine all over the world. And this took

place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And the disciples determined, each

according to his ability, to send relief for the brethren living in Judea. 30

And this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

12

1 Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who

belonged to the church in order to persecute them. 2 He had James the

brother of John put to death with the sword. 3 When he saw that it

pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the

days of Unleavened Bread. 4 When he had seized him, he put him in

prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him,

intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter

was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the

church.

6 The very night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter

was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries

before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the

Lord suddenly appeared, and a light shone in the cell; and he struck

Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains

fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, "Dress yourself and put on

your sandals." And he did so. And he said to him, "Wrap your cloak

around you and follow me." 9 So he went out and followed him; and he

did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he

was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second

guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them

by itself, and they went out and passed on through one street; and

immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said,

"Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me

from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were

expecting." 12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the

mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered

together and were praying. 13 And when he knocked at the door of the

gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she

recognized Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in

and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said

to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she kept insisting that it was 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 But motioning

to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had

brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell this to James and to the

brethren." Then he left and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no small disturbance among

the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had searched

for him and could not find him, he examined the guards and ordered that

they be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and

stayed there a while.

20 Now he was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; and

they came to him in a body, and having persuaded Blastus, the king's

chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the

king's country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal

robes, took his seat upon the throne, and made an address to them. 22

And the people shouted, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" 23

Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God

the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.

24 But the word of God continued to grow and to be multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had

fulfilled their mission, taking along with them John, who was also called

Mark.

13

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were prophets and

teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,

Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2

While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,

"Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called

them." 3 Then after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on

them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to

Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at

Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews.

And they had John as their helper. 6 When they had gone through the

whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a

Jewish false prophet, named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul,

Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and

Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for

that is the meaning of his name) was opposing them, seeking to turn the

proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul,

filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, "You who

are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all

righteousness, will you not stop making crooked the straight ways of the

Lord? 11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be

blind and unable to see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a

darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him

by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had

happened, for he was amazed at the teaching of the Lord.

13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos

and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to

Jerusalem. 14 But they passed on from Perga and came to Pisidian

Antioch. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat

down. 15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the

synagogue sent to them, saying, "Brethren, if you have any word of

exhortation for the people, say it." 16 Paul stood up, and motioning with

his hand said,

"Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 the God of this

people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay

in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 For

about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 When he had

destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as

an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years. 20 After these

things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked

for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of

Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And after he had removed him, he raised up

David to be their king; concerning whom he testified and said, 'I have

found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my

will.' 23 From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior,

Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming John had preached a baptism

of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was completing

his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but

after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to

untie.'

26 "Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among

you that fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27

For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not

recognize him nor the utterances of the prophets which are read every

Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning him. 28 Though they found no

ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29

When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him

down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from

the dead; 31 and for many days he appeared to those who came up with

him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.

32 And we preach to you the good news that what God promised to the

fathers, 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it

is also written in the second Psalm:

'You are my Son;

today I have begotten you.'

34 As for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to

decay, he spoke in this way:

'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.'

35 Therefore he also says in another Psalm,

'You will not let your Holy One see decay.'

36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own

generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers and saw decay; 37

but he whom God raised did not see decay. 38 Therefore let it be known

to you, brethren, that through him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to

you, 39 and through him everyone who believes is freed from everything

from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Therefore

take care, so that what is said in the prophets may not come upon you:

41 'Behold, you scoffers,

and wonder, and perish;

for I am going to do a deed in your days,

a deed you will never believe,

if someone declares it to you.'"

42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people begged that

these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. 43 When the

meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to

Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them

to continue in the grace of God.

44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the

word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled

with jealousy, and contradicted what was spoken by Paul, and

blasphemed. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, "It was

necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it

and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the

Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

'I have made you a light for the Gentiles,

that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of

the Lord; and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And

the word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews

incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the

city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove

them out of their district. 51 So they shook off the dust from their feet in

protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were

filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

14

1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish

synagogue, and so spoke that a great number believed, both of Jews and

of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles

and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 So they spent a long time

there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his

grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the

people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with

the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the

Jews with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they became

aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and to the

surrounding country; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

8 At Lystra there was a man sitting who had no strength in his

feet, lame from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul

speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to

be made well, 10 said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet."

And he leaped up and began to walk. 11 And when the crowds saw what

Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the Lycaonian

language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 12

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker,

they called Hermes. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside

the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer

sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul

heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

15 "Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with

you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain

things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and

all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go

their own ways; 17 yet he did not leave himself without witness, in that

he did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons,

satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." 18 Even with these words,

they had difficulty keeping the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium; and having

won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city,

supposing that he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered

around him, he got up and entered the city. And the next day he went with

Barnabas to Derbe.

21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made

many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in

the faith, and saying, "Through many tribulations we must enter the

kingdom of God." 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in

every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in

whom they believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia, and came into

Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went

down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had

been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had

completed. 27 When they arrived, they gathered the church together and

declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door

of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.

15

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the

brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses,

you cannot be saved." 2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small

dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the

others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders

about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they

passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting the conversion of

the Gentiles, and they gave great joy to all the brethren. 4 When they

came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles

and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But

some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up, and

said, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the

Law of Moses."

6 The apostles and the elders came together to consider this

matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to

them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice

among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the

gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to

them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us; 9 and he made

no distinction between us and them, but cleansed their hearts by faith. 10

Now therefore why do you test God by putting upon the neck of the

disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,

just as they are."

12 All the assembly kept silent; and they listened to Barnabas

and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through

them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied,

"Brethren, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first showed his

concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 With this

the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written,

16 'After this I will return,

and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen;

I will rebuild its ruins,

and I will restore it,

17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,'

18 says the Lord, who makes these things

known from long ago.

19 Therefore it is my judgment that we should not trouble those who are

turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20 but that we should write to

them to abstain from the pollutions of idols and from fornication and

from what is strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses from ancient

generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the

synagogues every Sabbath."

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the

whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch

with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas,

leading men among the brethren, 23 and they sent the following letter

with them: "The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren

in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. 24

Since we have heard that some persons from us have disturbed you with

words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25

it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and

send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have

risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have

therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same

things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to

us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you

abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things

strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves free from these,

you will do well. Farewell."

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and

having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31

And when they read it, they rejoiced at its encouragement. 32 And Judas

and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged the brethren with

many words and strengthened them. 33 And after they had spent some

time there, they were sent off in peace by the brethren to those who had

sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and

preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and

visit the brethren in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord,

and see how they are." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called

Mark, with them. 38 But Paul kept insisting that they should not take

along one who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with

them to the work. 39 There arose such a sharp disagreement that they

separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed

away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left, being commended by

the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and

Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

16

1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there,

named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his

father was a Greek, 2 and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were

in Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted this man to accompany him; and he

took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those

places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on

their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the

decisions which had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in

Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased

in numbers daily.

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia,

having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7

And when they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the

Spirit of Jesus did not allow them; 8 so passing by Mysia, they went

down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of

Macedonia was standing and begging him, and saying, "Come over to

Macedonia and help us." 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately

we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to

preach the gospel to them.

11 So putting out to sea from Troas, we ran a straight course to

Samothrace, and on the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from there to

Philippi, which is the leading city of the district of Macedonia, and a

Roman colony. We stayed in this city some days; 13 and on the Sabbath

day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there

was a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women

who had come together. 14 A woman named Lydia, from the city of

Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, who was a worshiper of God, was

listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by

Paul. 15 When she and her household had been baptized, she urged us,

saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my

house and stay." And she prevailed upon us.

16 It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, we

were met by a slave-girl who had a spirit of divination. She brought her

owners much profit by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest

of us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are

telling you the way of salvation." 18 She continued doing this for many

days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I

command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" And it

came out at that very moment. 19 But when her owners saw that their

hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into

the marketplace before the authorities, 20 and when they had brought

them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are

throwing our city into an uproar. 21 They advocate customs which it is

not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined

against them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and ordered

them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows

upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to guard them

securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner

prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing

hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly

there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were

shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains

were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors

were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing

that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do

not harm yourself, for we are all here!" 29 And he called for lights and

rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30

He brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31

They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and

your household." 32 They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all

who were in his house. 33 He took them that very hour of the night and

washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his

family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before

them; and he rejoiced with his whole household that he had believed in

God.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent their police, saying,

"Release those men." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul,

saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come

out now and go in peace." 37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us

publicly, without trial, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us

into prison; and do they now cast us out secretly? No! Let them come

themselves and take us out." 38 The police reported these words to the

magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman

citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them, and they took them out

and asked them to leave the city. 40 They went out of the prison and

entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they

encouraged them and departed.

17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and

Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the

Jews. 2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and for three weeks he

reasoned with them from the scriptures, 3 explaining and proving that the

Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus

whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ." 4 And some of them were

persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas; as did a large number of the God-

fearing Greeks and not a few of the leading women. 5 But the Jews were

jealous, and taking some wicked men from the market place, they formed

a mob and set the city in an uproar; they attacked the house of Jason,

seeking to bring them out to the people. 6 When they did not find them,

they dragged Jason and some of the brethren before the city authorities,

shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come

here also, 7 and Jason has welcomed them, and they are all acting against

the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus." 8 The

crowd and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard this. 9 And

when they had taken a pledge from Jason and the others, they let them go.

10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night

to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11

Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they

received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to

see if these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, along

with a number of prominent Greek women and men. 13 But when the

Jews of Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by

Paul in Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the

crowds. 14 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul out to go as far as the

sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 Now those who escorted

Paul brought him as far as Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and

Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they left.

16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit

was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. 17 So

he was reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing

Greeks, and in the market place every day with those who happened to be

there. 18 And also some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers were

conversing with him. Some said, "What would this idle babbler wish to

say?" Others, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign deities,"óbecause

he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. 19 And they took hold of

him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this

new teaching is which you present? 20 For you are bringing some strange

things to our ears; so we want to know what these things mean." 21 (Now

all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time in

nothing other than telling or hearing something new.)

22 So Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said:

"Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I

passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an

altar with this inscription,

'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.'

What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The

God who made the world and everything in it, since he is Lord of heaven

and earth, does not live in temples made by hands; 25 nor is he served by

human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all

men life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every

nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their

appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they

would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for him and find him,

though he is not far from each one of us.

28 'For in him we live and move and have our being,'

as even some of your own poets have said,

'We are his offspring.'

29 Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Divine

Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and

imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now

he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a

day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he

has appointed, and of this he has given proof to all men by raising him

from the dead."

32 Now when they heard about the resurrection of the dead,

some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this

subject." 33 So Paul went out from among them. 34 But some men joined

him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a

woman named Damaris and others with them.

18

1 After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found

a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy

with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to

leave Rome. He went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade

he stayed with them, and they worked, for by trade they were tentmakers.

4 And every Sabbath he was reasoning in the synagogue, and trying to

persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted

himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the

Christ. 6 But when they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his

garments and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am

clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 Then he left there and

went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God,

whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the

synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household; and

many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 9

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go

on speaking and do not be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no man will

attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city." 11 And he

stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 But while Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a

united attack upon Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 13

saying, "This man is persuading men to worship God contrary to the law."

14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews,

"If it were a matter of wrong or of vicious crime, O Jews, it would be

reasonable for me to put up with you; 15 but since it is a matter of

questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves;

I refuse to be a judge of these things." 16 And he drove them from the

judgment seat. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the

synagogue, and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But Gallio paid no

attention to this.

18 After this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave

of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and

Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he had taken a vow. 19 They

came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself went into the

synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay

for a longer time, he declined; 21 but on taking leave of them he said, "I

will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When

he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then

went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed

and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia,

strengthening all the disciples.

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to

Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures. 25 He

had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he

spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew

only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak out boldly in the

synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside

and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he

wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to

the disciples to welcome him. When he had arrived, he greatly helped

those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the

Jews in public, proving by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

19

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the upper

country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he

said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And

they said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And

he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's

baptism." 4 Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance,

telling the people to believe in the one who was coming after him, that is,

in Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord

Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit

came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. 7 There were

about twelve men in all.

8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke

boldly, arguing and persuading about the kingdom of God. 9 But when

some were stubborn and disbelieved, speaking evil of the Way before the

congregation, he withdrew from them, and took the disciples with him,

reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This took place for two years,

so that all who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord,

both Jews and Greeks.

11 God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 so

that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick,

and diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. 13 But also some of

the Jewish exorcists, who went from place to place, attempted to name

over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "I

adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a

Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 But the evil spirit answered them,

"Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" 16 And the man

in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered all of them, and

prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and

wounded. 17 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived

in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all and the name of the Lord Jesus

was being magnified. 18 Many also of those who believed now came,

confessing and disclosing their practices. 19 And a number of those who

practiced magic arts brought their books together and burned them in the

sight of all; and they counted the value of them and found it came to fifty

thousand pieces of silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and

prevailed.

21 Now after these things were finished, Paul purposed in the

spirit to go to Jerusalem after he had passed through Macedonia and

Achaia, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." 22 And

having sent into Macedonia two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, he

himself stayed in Asia for a while.

23 About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning

the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver

shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These

he gathered together, with the workmen of similar trades, and said, "Men,

you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and

hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has

persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that

gods made with hands are no gods at all. 27 Not only is there danger that

this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great

goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia

and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence."

28 When they heard this, they were enraged and began crying

out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 29 The city was filled with the

confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, dragging

along Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from

Macedonia. 30 Paul wanted to go in among the crowd, but the disciples

would not let him. 31 Some of the Asiarchs also, who were friends of his,

sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 32 Now some

were shouting one thing, some another; for the assembly was in

confusion, and most of the people did not know why they had come

together. 33 Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, since the Jews had

put him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to

make a defense to the people. 34 But when they recognized that he was a

Jew, for about two hours they all with one voice shouted, "Great is

Artemis of the Ephesians!" 35 And when the town clerk had quieted the

crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, what man is there after all who does

not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the

great Artemis and of the image which fell down from heaven? 36

Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and do

nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither

robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If then Demetrius

and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts

are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges against one

another. 39 But if you want anything further, it shall be settled in the

lawful assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with

rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to

account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." 41 After he

had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

20

1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and

when he had exhorted them and taken his leave of them, he set out for

Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those parts and had given them

much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months,

and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set

sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 He was

accompanied by Sopater of Berea, the son of Pyrrhus, and by Aristarchus

and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy,

and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 5 These went on ahead and were

waiting for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed away from Philippi after the Days

of Unleavened Bread, and in five days came to them at Troas, where we

stayed seven days.

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together

to break bread, Paul began talking to them, intending to leave the next

day, and he prolonged his message until midnight. 8 There were many

lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. 9 And there was a

young man named Eutychus sitting in the window sill, sinking into a deep

sleep. And as Paul talked on and on, he was overcome by sleep and fell

down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went

down and fell on him, and after embracing him, he said, "Do not be

alarmed, for his life is in him." 11 When he had gone back up and had

broken the bread and eaten, he talked with them a long while until

daybreak, and then left. 12 They took away the boy alive, and were greatly

comforted.

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending

to take Paul aboard there; for so he had arranged, intending himself to go

by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and

came to Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, we arrived the following day

opposite Chios; and the next day we crossed over to Samos; and the day

after that we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past

Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was

hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders

of the church. 18 And when they came to him, he said to them: "You

yourselves know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first

day that I set foot in Asia, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with

tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews;

20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was

profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21

testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and faith

in our Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, bound in the Spirit, I am

going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except

that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that

bonds and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not consider my life of any

account nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the

ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of

the grace of God.

25 And now, behold, I know that all of you among whom I have

gone about preaching the kingdom will see my face no more. 26

Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all

men. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of

God. 28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which

the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God

which he purchased with the blood of his Own. 29 I know that after my

departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;

30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse

things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert,

remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to

admonish each one with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to

the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the

inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one's

silver or gold or clothes. 34 You yourselves know that these hands

ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. 35 In

everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must

help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is

more blessed to give than to receive.'"

36 When he had said this, he knelt down and prayed with them

all. 37 And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving

most of all over the word which he had spoken, that they would not see

his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

21

1 When we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a

straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to

Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went

aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on

the left we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to

unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there

for seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go on to

Jerusalem. 5 And when our days there were ended, we left and started on

our journey, while they all, with wives and children, brought us on our

way until we were out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach and

praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we went on board the

ship, and they returned home.

7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at

Ptolemais; and we greeted the brethren and stayed with them for a day. 8

On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of

Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 He

had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. 10 As we were staying

there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11

And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands,

and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says, 'In this way the Jews at

Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the

hands of the Gentiles.'" 12 When we heard this, we and the people there

begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, "What are

you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be

bound but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14

And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "The will of

the Lord be done."

15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16

And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the

house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to

lodge.

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received us

gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all

the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he related one by

one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his

ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to

him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of

those who have believed; they are all zealous for the law, 21 and they

have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the

Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or

to walk according to the customs. 22 What then is to be done? They will

certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you. We

have four men who are under a vow; 24 take these men and purify

yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave

their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have

been told about you, but that you yourself live in observance of the law.

25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote to them our

decision that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from

blood and from what is strangled and from fornication." 26 The next day

Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to

the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would

end and the offering would be made for each one of them.

27 When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia,

upon seeing him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on

him, 28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching

all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place; and

besides he also brought Greeks into the temple, and he has defiled this

holy place." 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in

the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the

temple. 30 Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together,

and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and

immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, a

report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem

was in confusion. 32 At once he took along some soldiers and centurions

and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the

soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander came up and

arrested him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired

who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one

thing, and some another; and as he could not learn the facts because of

the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 When he

came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the

violence of the mob; 36 for the mob of the people followed, shouting,

"Away with him!"

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to

the commander, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you

know Greek? 38 Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred

up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the

wilderness?" 39 Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a

citizen of no insignificant city; I beg you, let me speak to the people." 40

When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned

to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to

them in the Hebrew language, saying,

22

1 "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to

you." 2 And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew

language, they became more quiet. And he said: 3 "I am a Jew, born in

Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel,

strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as

you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and

delivering into prison both men and women, 5 as also the high priest and

all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters

to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those

who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished.

6 "As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about

noon a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around 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 of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' 9 And those who

were with me saw the light, but did not hear the voice of the one who was

speaking to me. 10 And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said

to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all

that has been appointed for you to do.' 11 But since I could not see

because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who

were with me and came into Damascus.

12 "A certain Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, and

well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and

standing near said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that

very time I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has

appointed you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear

words from his mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for him to all men of

what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be

baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'

17 "When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the

temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste, and

get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony

about me.' 19 And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one

synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in

you. 20 When the blood of Stephen your witness was shed, I also was

standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who were

killing him.' 21 And he said to me, 'Go; for I will send you far away to

the Gentiles.'"

22 Up to this word they listened to him, and then they raised

their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he

ought not to live." 23 And as they were crying out and throwing off their

cloaks and tossing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be

brought into the barracks, and commanded him to be examined by

scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting

against him that way. 25 But when they stretched him out with thongs,

Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to

scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?" 26 When the

centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying,

"What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." 27 So the

commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?"

And he said, "Yes." 28 The commander answered, "I bought this

citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." 29 So

those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately;

and the commander also was afraid when he realized that Paul was a

Roman citizen and that he had put him in chains.

30 But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had

been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests

and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him

before them.

23

1 And Paul, looking intently at the council, said, "Brethren, I

have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." 2

The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike

him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, "God shall strike you, you

whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and yet

contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" 4 Those who stood by

said, "Would you revile God's high priest?" 5 And Paul said, "I did not

know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall

not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the

other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a

son of Pharisees; with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead

I am on trial." 7 When he said this, a dissension broke out between the

Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the

Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but

the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 There occurred a great uproar; and

some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and began to argue

heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit

or an angel has spoken to him?" 10 The dispute became so violent that the

commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered

the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring

him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take

courage, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must bear

witness also at Rome."

12 When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound

themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.

13 There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 They went to the

chief priests and the elders and said, "We have bound ourselves under a

solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 You therefore,

along with the council, give notice now to the commander to bring him

down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more

exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near." 16 But the

son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, and he went and entered the

barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said,

"Take this young man to the commander; for he has something to tell

him." 18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said,

"Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to

you, since he has something to tell you." 19 The commander took him by

the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have

to tell me?" 20 And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring

Paul down tomorrow to the Council, as though they were going to inquire

somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 But do not yield to them; for

more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him, having bound

themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they have killed him;

and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you." 22 So the

commander dismissed the young man, instructing him, "Tell no one that

you have informed me of this."

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, "At the third

hour of the night get ready two hundred soldiers with seventy horsemen

and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea. 24 Also provide

mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor." 25

And he wrote a letter having this form: 26 "Claudius Lysias, to His

Excellency, Governor Felix: greetings. 27 This man was seized by the

Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with

the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.

28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I

brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was accused over

questions about their Law, but there was no accusation against him

deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when I was informed that there

would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also

instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you."

31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul

and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But the next day, leaving the

horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks. 33 When these

had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also

presented Paul to him. 34 When he had read the letter, he asked from

what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35

he said, "I will hear you when your accusers arrive also." And he

commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.

24

1 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some

elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought their charges

against Paul before the governor. 2 And when Paul was called, Tertullus

began to accuse him, saying to Felix: "Since through you we have

enjoyed much peace, and since by your provision, reforms are introduced

on behalf of this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and

everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. 4 But, that I may not

weary you further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we

have found this man a pestilent fellow who stirs up dissension among all

the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the

Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8

By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all

these charges of which we accuse him." 9 The Jews also joined in the

attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 When the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul

replied: "Realizing that for many years you have been a judge over this

nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 Since you can easily verify that

no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 They

did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the

temple or in the synagogues, or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to

you the charges they are now making against me. 14 But this I admit to

you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do worship the

God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the

Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which

these men cherish themselves, that there will certainly be a resurrection of

both the righteous and the wicked. 16 And so I do my best always to have

a clear conscience before God and men. 17 Now after several years I came

to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 As I was doing

this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar.

But there were some Jews from Asiaó19 who ought to be here before

you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20

Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I

stood before the Council, 21 except this one thing which I shouted out

while standing among them, 'With respect to the resurrection of the dead

I am on trial before you today.'"

22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put

them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide

your case." 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in

custody but have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from

ministering to his needs.

24 But some days later Felix came with Drusilla, his wife who

was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ

Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the

judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the

present, and when I find time I will summon you." 26 At the same time,

he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him

often and conversed with him.

27 But when two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by

Porcius Festus, and desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in

prison.

25

1 Festus then, three days after arriving in the province, went up

to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men

of the Jews brought charges against Paul; and they urged him, 3 as a favor

to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an

ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Festus answered that Paul was being

kept at Caesarea, and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5

"Therefore," he said, "let the men of authority among you go there with

me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them prosecute

him."

6 After he had spent not more than eight or ten days among

them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on

the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 And when Paul arrived, the

Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing

many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. 8 Paul

said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the

temple, nor against Caesar have I offended at all." 9 But Festus, wishing

to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to

Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?" 10 But Paul

said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I

have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 If, then, I

am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not

refuse to die; but if none of the charges brought against me is true, no one

can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." 12 Then when Festus had

conferred with his council, he answered, "You have appealed to Caesar,

to Caesar you shall go."

13 Now when a few days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice

arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. 14 While they were

spending many days there, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying,

"There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was at

Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges

against him, asking for sentence against him. 16 I answered them that it is

not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused

meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his

defense against the charges. 17 When therefore they came together here, I

did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and

ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When the accusers stood up, they

did not charge him of such crimes as I had expected, 19 but they simply

had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a

dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how

to investigate such matters, I asked whether he was willing to go to

Jerusalem and there stand trial on these matters. 21 But when Paul

appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him

to be kept in custody until I could send him to Caesar. 22 Then Agrippa

said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow,"

he said, "you shall hear him."

23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great

pomp and entered the audience room with the high ranking officers and

the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was

brought in. 24 Festus said, "King Agrippa and all who are present with

us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me,

both at Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving of death; and as he

himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to send him. 26 But I have

nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought

him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after

the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 For it

seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the

charges against him."

26

1 Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for

yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2 "I

consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to

make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 because

you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews;

therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 So then, all the Jews know

my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent

among my own nation and at Jerusalem. 5 They have known about me for

a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee

according to the strictest sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing

trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the

promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve

God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by

Jews. 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the

dead? 9 I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things to oppose

the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in

Jerusalem; I not only shut up many of the saints in prison, by authority

from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote

against them. 11 And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I

tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged against

them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

12 "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the

authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O King, I

saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around

me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to

the ground, 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 are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet; for

this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a

witness to the things which you have seen of me, and also to the things in

which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and

from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes, so

that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to

God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those

who are sanctified by faith in me.'

19 "So, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly

vision, 20 but declared first to those at Damascus, then at Jerusalem and

throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they

should repent and turn to God and perform deeds worthy of their

repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried

to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so

I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the

prophets and Moses said would happen: 23 that the Christ must suffer,

and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light

both to the people and to the Gentiles."

24 And as he was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a

loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving

you mad." 25 But Paul said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I

am speaking the sober truth. 26 For the king knows about these things,

and to him I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things has

escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do

you believe the prophets? I know that you do." 28 And Agrippa said to

Paul, "In a short time you think to persuade me to become a Christian!"

29 And Paul said, "Whether in a short or a long time, I would to God that

not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I

amóexcept for these chains."

30 The king rose and the governor and Bernice, and those who

were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began

talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything worthy of

death or imprisonment." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could

have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

27

1 When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, they

delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan

cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship from Adramyttium,

which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put out to

sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The

next day we put in at Sidon; and Julius treated Paul kindly, and allowed

him to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 We put out to sea from there

and sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5

When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and

Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an

Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had

sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off

Cnidus, since the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the

lee of Crete, off Salmone. 8 We sailed along it with difficulty and came to

a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 As much time had been lost, and the voyage was now

dangerous because the fast had already gone by, Paul advised them, 10

and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and

great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 11

But the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the owner of the

ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 Because the harbor was not

suitable to winter in, the majority reached a decision to put out to sea

from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a

harbor of Crete, facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter

there.

13 When a gentle south wind came up, supposing that they had

obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began sailing along

Crete, close inshore. 14 But before very long there rushed down from the

land a violent wind, called the northeaster; 15 and when the ship was

caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were

driven along. 16 And running under the lee of a small island called

Cauda, we were scarcely able to secure the boat. 17 After they had

hoisted it up, they used supporting cables to undergird the ship; and

fearing that they might run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they

lowered the sea anchor and in this way let themselves be driven along. 18

The next day as we were being violently storm-tossed, they began to

throw the cargo overboard; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship's

tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars

appeared for many days, and no small storm was raging on us, all hope of

our being saved was finally abandoned.

21 When they had gone a long time without food, then Paul

stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have followed my

advice and not to have set sail from Crete and incurred this damage and

loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage; for there will be no

loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night an

angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, 24

and he said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and

behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 25 So keep up

your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen exactly as I

have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island."

27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven

across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to sense that

they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found it to be

twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took soundings again and

found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might run aground

somewhere on the rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and prayed

for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship

and had let down the lifeboat into the sea, on the pretense of laying out

anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers,

"Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." 32 Then the

soldiers cut the ropes of the lifeboat and let it fall away.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some

food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have been in suspense

and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take

some food; it will give you strength, since not a hair is to perish from the

head of any of you." 35 Having said this, he took bread and gave thanks

to God in the presence of all, and he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then

they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 All of us in

the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. 38 When they had

eaten enough, they lightened the ship by throwing out the wheat into the

sea.

39 When day came, they could not recognize the land, but they

did observe a bay with a beach, and they resolved to drive the ship onto it

if they could. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at

the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders; then hoisting the

foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a sandbar

they ran the vessel aground; the bow stuck fast and remained immovable,

and the stern was broken up by the pounding of the surf. 42 The soldiers'

plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and

escape. 43 But the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept

them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to

jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest on planks or on

various pieces of the ship. And so it happened that they were all brought

safely to land.

28

1 When we had been brought safely through, then we found out

that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us unusual

kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had

begun to rain and was cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of

sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and

fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging

from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a

murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed

him to live." 5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and

suffered no harm. 6 They waited, expecting him to swell up or suddenly

fall down dead; but after they had waited a long time and saw nothing

unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a

god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the

chief man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained

us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius was

lying in bed sick with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to

see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him.

9 When this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had

diseases also came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways;

and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we

needed.

11 After three months we set sail in a ship which had wintered in

the island, an Alexandrian ship, with the Twin Brothers as figurehead. 12

After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 From there

we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind

sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found

some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so

we came to Rome. 15 And the brethren, when they heard of us, came from

there as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. When

Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by

himself, with the soldier that guarded him.

17 After three days Paul called together the local leaders of the

Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brethren, though I

had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I

was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18

And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because

there was no ground for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews

objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesarónot that I had any charge

to bring against my own nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have asked

to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel

that I am bound with this chain." 21 They said to him, "We have not

received letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brethren who

have come here has reported or spoken anything bad about you. 22 But

we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect,

we know that everywhere it is spoken against."

23 When they had appointed a day for Paul, they came to him at

his lodging in great numbers. And he explained the matter to them from

morning till evening, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to

convince them about Jesus both from the law of Moses and from the

prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not

believe. 25 When they disagreed among themselves, they began to leave,

after Paul had made one final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth

to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 saying,

'Go to this people and say,

"you will be ever hearing, but will never understand;

and you will be ever seeing, but will never perceive.

27 For this people's heart has become dull,

and with their ears they scarcely hear,

and their eyes they have closed;

otherwise they might see with their eyes,

and hear with their ears,

and understand with their heart and turn,

and I would heal them."'

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been

sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."

30 And he stayed there two whole years in his own rented

quarters and welcomed all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of

God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and

unhindered.