ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES

Chapter One

Indeed I made the first account Oh lover of God, about all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach, until the day in which, having given instruction by the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, he was taken up, to whom too he presented himself alive after he had suffered, with many proofs during forty days, being seen by them and speaking the things about the kingdom of God. And being assembled together he instructed them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to “wait for the promise of the Father which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized with water, but you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit after not many days.”

So they indeed, having come together asked him saying,

“Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

And he said to them,

“It isn’t yours to know times or seasons which the Father has placed under his own authority, but you’ll receive power, the Holy Spirit having come upon you, and you’ll be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem and in all Judaea and Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth.”

And having said these things, while they were watching he was taken up and a cloud withdrew him from their eyes. And as they were looking intently into the sky as he was going, look, two men also stood by them in white clothes, who also said,

“Men of Galilee, why are you standing looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come thus in the manner in which you have seen him going into heaven!”

Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called ‘Olives’ which is near Jerusalem being a Sabbath day’s journey away. And, when they had gone in they went up to the upper room where both Peter and James and John, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alphaeus, and Simon the zealot, and Jude of James were staying. These were all persevering with single mindedness in prayer and supplication with the women and Mary, Jesus’ mother, and with his brethren.

And in those days, having stood up in the middle of the disciples, Peter said, (and the number of names together was about a hundred and twenty),

“Men, brothers, this scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before, through David’s mouth, about Judas who became guide to those who took Jesus, for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry. Indeed this one then got a field from the reward of unrighteousness, and having fallen headlong, burst in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to everyone living in Jerusalem, so that field was called ‘Aceldama’ in their own language, that is: ‘Field of Blood’. For it was written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his house become desolate and let there be no one living in it. Let another take his post.’

“So, of those men accompanying us throughout the time in which the Lord Jesus came in and went out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day in which he was taken up from us, one of these must become with us a witness to his resurrection.”

And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying they said,

“You Lord, who know the heart of all, show of these two which one you’ve chosen to receive the portion of this ministry and apostleship, from which, transgressing, Judas fell to go to his own place.”

And they gave their lots and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Chapter Two

And when the day of Pentecost had finally arrived they were all with one mind in the same place. And suddenly out of heaven there came a sound like a violent rushing of breath, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them divided tongues as if of fire and sat on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them to speak out.

And there were staying in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven, and the news of this having got around, the whole lot of them came together and were astounded because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And everyone was amazed, and wondered, saying to each other, “Look! Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And how do we hear each in our own dialect where we were born? - Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who live in Mesopotamia and Judaea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, both Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and the ones visiting: Romans, Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians, - we hear them speaking in our own languages the great things of God!”

And everyone was amazed and they were perplexed, saying to one another,

“What can this be?”

But others, mocking, said, “They’re full of new wine !”

But Peter, standing up with the eleven raised his voice and spoke out to them,

“Men, Jews, and all you living in Jerusalem: let this be known to you - and mark my words, for these aren’t drunk as you suppose, for it’s the third hour of the day, but this is what’s been spoken by the prophet Joel, ‘And it will be in the last days, God says, I’ll pour out from my Spirit onto all flesh! And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions and your elders will dream dreams. And even on my men-servants and on my maid-servants in those days I’ll pour out of my Spirit and they’ll prophesy. And I’ll give wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, - blood and fire and vapour of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the great and celebrated day of the Lord comes. And it shall be that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved!’

“Men, Israelites, hear these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man proved by God to you by works of power and wonders and signs which God did by him right among you, as you yourselves know, him, given up by the predetermined counsel and foreknowledge of God, having taken by criminal hands, having crucified, you put to death, whom God has raised up, having loosed the anguish of death in so far as it wasn’t possible for him to be held by it!

“For David says about him, ‘I foresaw the Lord before me always because he’s at my right hand, so that I may not be shaken. Because of this my heart rejoiced and my tongue was glad, and moreover my flesh will rest in hope, for you won’t leave my soul in Hades, nor will you give your Holy One to see corruption. You made paths of life known to me, you’ll fill me with joy with your face.’

“Men, brethren, allow me to speak freely to you about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us up to this day. So, being a prophet and knowing that with an oath God had sworn to him, out of the fruit of his loins according to the flesh, to raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, foreseeing, he spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in hell nor did his flesh see corruption.

“This Jesus, God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. So having been lifted up to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this which now you see and hear. For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I place my enemies a footstool for your feet’” Surely therefore let all the house of Israel know that God made him both Lord and Christ - this Jesus whom you have crucified!”

And having heard, they were pricked in their heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,

“What shall we do men, brethren?”

And Peter said to them,

“Repent and be baptised each of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for remission of sins, and you’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For to you is the promise, and to your children and to all those far off, as many as the Lord our God may call.”

And with many other words he earnestly testified and exhorted saying,

“Be saved from this crooked generation!”

So those who had gladly welcomed his word were baptised, and about three thousand souls were added on that day. And they continued earnestly in the teaching of the apostles and in fellowship and the breaking of bread and prayers. And fear came on every soul and many wonders and signs occurred through the apostles. And all those believing were together and had all things in common, and they sold their possessions and goods and divided them to all, according as anyone had need. And every day earnestly with one mind, in the temple, and breaking bread in their houses, they partook of food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people, and the Lord added to the assembly every day those who were being saved.

Chapter Three

And Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer: the ninth, and a certain man being lame from his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they placed every day at the temple door called ‘Beautiful’, to ask alms from those going into the temple, who seeing Peter and John about to enter the temple asked to receive alms.

And Peter, looking intently on him, with John, said,

“Look at us!”

And he paid attention to them expecting to receive something from them.

But Peter said,

“I don’t have silver and gold, but what I do have, this I give to you - In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

And having taken him by the right hand he raised him up and instantly his feet and ankle bones were strengthened, and jumping up he stood and walked and entered with them into the temple, walking and jumping and praising God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God. And they recognized him, that it was he who used to be sitting for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. And as the lame man who had been healed held on to Peter and John, all the people, very much amazed ran together to them in the porch called ‘Solomon’s’.

And seeing, Peter answered the people,

“Men, Israelites, why are you wondering at this? Or why are you scrutinizing us as if by our own power or devoutness we’ve made him walk? The God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over, and you denied him in the presence of Pilate, he having determined to release him. But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised up from the dead - of which we are witnesses - and, by faith in his name, his name has made strong this one whom you see and know: and the faith which is through him gave him complete soundness in front of all of you.

“And now brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance as did your rulers, but what God announced before through the mouth of all his prophets - that the Christ should suffer - he has fulfilled thus. So repent and be converted to the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord may come, and he may send him who was proclaimed before to you: Jesus Christ, whom heaven must indeed receive until the time of the restoration of all things, of which God has spoken through the mouth of all his prophets since ancient times. For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up to you from among your brethren a prophet like me, you’ll listen to him according to everything - whatever he says to you. And it’ll be that every soul who won’t listen to that prophet will be destroyed from among the people.’

“And indeed all the prophets from Samuel and onwards, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God appointed to our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ God, having raised up his servant Jesus sent him first to you, blessing you, in turning each one of you from your wickedness.”

Chapter Four

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came up to them, being upset because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those having heard the word believed, and the number of men was about five thousand.

And it happened on the next day there were gathered together their rulers and elders and scribes at Jerusalem, and Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and as many as were of the high priest’s family.

And having put them in the midst they asked,

“By what power or in what name have you done this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,

“Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, if we’re being examined today about a good work to the infirm man, as to by what he’s been healed, let it be known to all you and to all the people of Israel that in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him this one stands sound before you! This is the stone which was set at nothing, by you - the builders - which has become the head of the corner, and there is salvation in no one else, for neither is there another name under heaven given among men through which we must be saved!”

But seeing the boldness of Peter and John, and having understood that they are illiterate and uneducated men, they were amazed and they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against it. And having commanded them to go outside the sanhedrin they conferred one with another saying,

“What shall we do to these men? Because indeed that a notable sign has occurred through them is obvious to all those living in Jerusalem and we can’t deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people let’s threaten them firmly to speak no longer in this name to anyone!”

And having called them they commanded them not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus at all.

But Peter and John answering said to them,

“Whether it’s right before God to listen to you rather than God, you judge, for we can’t but speak what we’ve seen and heard!”

But they, having further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing as to how they might punish them, by reason of the people - for they were all glorifying God for what had happened. For the man to whom this sign of healing had happened was over forty years old.

And having been let go they came to their own and reported whatever the chief priests and the elders had said to them. And they, having heard, with one mind lifted up their voice to God and said,

“Master! You are the God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who through the mouth of David your servant said, ‘Why did the nations rage haughtily, and the peoples meditate vain things? The kings of the earth stood up and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Christ.’ For in truth there were gathered together against your Holy Son Jesus, whom you did anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do whatever your hand and your counsel had predetermined to happen. And now Lord, look on their threatenings and grant your servants to speak your word with all boldness, in stretching out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may take place through the name of your Holy Son Jesus.”

And they having prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. And the heart and the soul of the host who believed were one, and no one said that anything of what he possessed was his own, but all things were in common to them. And the apostles gave testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them. For neither was anyone among them in want, for as many as were owners of estates or houses, selling, they brought the prices of those sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and distribution was made to each according as anyone had need. And Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, which is, being translated, ‘Son of Consolation’, a Levite, by birth a Cypriot, having land, having sold it, brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Chapter Five

But a certain man, by name Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a possession, and kept back from the price, his wife also being aware; and having brought a certain part laid it at the apostles’ feet.

But Peter said,

“Ananias, why did Satan fill your heart for you to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back from the price of the estate? While it remained to you wasn’t it yours? And having sold it wasn’t it in your control? Why did you decide this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men but to God!”

And Ananias, hearing these words, falling down, expired. And great fear came on all who heard these things. And having got up the younger ones swathed him, and having carried him out buried him.

And it happened about three hours afterwards his wife too, not knowing what had happened, came in.

And Peter answered her,

“Tell me if you sold the estate for so much!”,

And she said,

“Yes, for so much!”

And Peter said to her,

“Why have you agreed together to tempt the Lord’s Spirit? Look, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door and they’ll carry you out !”

And she fell down immediately at his feet and expired. And having come in the young men found her dead, and having carried her out they buried her next to her husband. And great fear came on all the assembly and on everyone hearing these things.

And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders occurred among the people, and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch, but of the rest no one dared join them but the people magnified them, and believers were the more added to the Lord, great numbers of both men and women, so that in the streets they brought out the sick and placed them on beds and couches, so that coming at least the shadow of Peter might overshadow some of them. And great numbers of people of the surrounding cities came together to Jerusalem bringing sick ones and those troubled by unclean spirits, who were all healed.

And having risen up, the high priest and all those with him - that is the sect of the Sadducees - were filled with anger and they laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison.

But an angel of the Lord, during the night, opened the prison doors and having brought them out said,

“Go, and standing in the temple speak to the people all the words of this life !”

And having heard, they went into the temple at dawn and taught. But having come, the high priest and those with him called together the sanhedrin and all the elders of the sons of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. But the officers, having come, did not find them in the prison, and having returned they reported saying,

“The prison indeed we found shut with all safety and the guards standing outside in front of the doors, but having opened up we found no one inside !”

And when they heard these words both the priest and the captain of the temple, and the chief priests were perplexed about them, what this might become.

And having come up, a certain one reported to them saying,

“Look, the men who you put in prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people!”

Then, having gone, the captain with the officers brought them, not with violence for they were afraid of the people in case they should be stoned. And having brought them they put them before the sanhedrin, and the high priest asked them saying,

“Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you’ve filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood on us!”

But answering, Peter and the apostles said,

“It’s necessary to obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers has raised up Jesus, whom you killed, having hanged on some wood. God has lifted him up with his right hand, a Prince and Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things, and the Holy Spirit also which God has given to those who obey him.”

But they, having listened were cut up and took counsel to put them to death. But, having got up, a certain one in the sanhedrin, a Pharisee - Gamaliel by name - a teacher of the law, respected by all the people, commanded to put the apostles out for a short while and said to them,

“Men, Israelites, take care of yourselves as regards what you’re about to do to these men, for before these days Theudas rose up, saying he was somebody himself, to whom a number of men were joined - about four hundred - who was put to death and all who had been persuaded by him were dispersed and came to nothing. After this one, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the registration and drew many people away after him and he perished and all who had been persuaded by him were dispersed round about. And now I’m saying to you, withdraw from these men and let them alone, for if this counsel or this work is from men it’ll be overthrown, but if it’s from God you can’t overthrow it, in case you’re found even to be fighters against God!”

And they were persuaded by him. And having summoned the apostles, having beaten them, they instructed them not to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus and released them.

So they went out from the presence of the sanhedrin rejoicing that they had been reckoned worthy to be abused for his name. And every day in the temple and in homes they did not pause in teaching and proclaiming the joyful news - Jesus Christ!

Chapter Six

And in those days, the disciples multiplying, a murmuring arose of the Greeks against the Hebrews because their widows were overlooked in the daily ministration. And the twelve, having summoned the large number of the disciples said,

“It’s not fitting for us to leave the word of God to serve at tables. So brothers, seek out seven men from among yourselves, men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we’ll appoint over this matter, but we will persevere with prayer and the ministry of the word.”

And the saying was pleasing to all the people and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch, whom they put before the apostles, and having prayed they laid their hands on them.

And the word of God increased and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was greatly multiplied, and a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

And Stephen, full of faith and power did wonders and great signs among the people. And there arose certain of those of the synagogue called Libertines and of Cyrenians and of Alexandrians and of those from Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

Then they incited men saying,

“We’ve heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God!”

And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and coming on him they seized him and brought him to the sanhedrin.

And they set up false witnesses saying,

“This man doesn’t stop speaking blasphemous words against this holy place and the law, for we’ve heard him saying that this Jesus, the Nazarene, will destroy this place and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us!”

And looking earnestly on him, all who sat in the sanhedrin saw his face like an angel’s face.

Chapter Seven

Then the high priest said,

“Then are these things so?”

And he said,

“Men, brethren and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, being in Mesopotamia before he lived in Charran, and said to him, ‘Go out from your land and from your relations and come into a land which I’ll show you!’. Then going out from the Chaldeans’ land he lived in Charran and after his father died he moved from there into this land in which you’re living now. And he didn’t give him an inheritance in it - not even a foot’s breadth - and promised to give it him for a possession and to his seed after him, he not having a child. And God spoke thus: that his seed would be a sojourner in a foreign land and they would enslave it and ill-treat it four hundred years. ‘And the nation to which they’ll be in bondage I will judge’, said God, ‘and after these things they’ll come out and serve me in this place.’ And he gave him a covenant of circumcision. And so he fathered Isaac and circumcised him the eighth day, and Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs being jealous of Joseph sold him into Egypt. And God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions and gave him favour and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he appointed him ruler over Egypt and his whole house.

“But a famine came on the whole land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction, and our fathers did not find sustenance. But Jacob having heard there was corn in Egypt sent out our fathers first, and on the second occasion Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to Pharaoh. And having sent, Joseph summoned his father Jacob and all his relations, seventy five souls in all.

“And Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, he and our fathers, and they were carried over to Sychem and they were placed in the tomb which Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Emmor of Sychem.

“But as the time of the promises, which God had sworn to Abraham, drew near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt, until there arose another king who didn’t recognize Joseph.

“He, having dealt treacherously with our race, ill-treated our fathers, exposing their babies so that they might not live, in which time Moses was born, and was beautiful to God, who was brought up three months in his father’s house. And he being exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up and brought him up as her own son. And Moses was taught in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and he was powerful in words and deeds. And when he was forty years old it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel, and seeing a certain one being wronged, he defended him, and avenged the one being oppressed, having killed the Egyptian. For he thought his brethren would understand that God is giving them salvation through his hand. But they didn’t understand. And on the following day he appeared to those who were fighting and urged them to peace saying,

“‘Men you’re brethren, why are you wronging one another?’

“But the one doing wrong to his neighbour thrust him away saying, ‘Who appointed you a ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me in the way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’

“And at this saying Moses went away and became a dweller in the land of Madiam, where he fathered two sons. And after forty years an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the desert of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. And seeing it Moses was amazed at the sight, and he coming near to consider it, the voice of the Lord came to him, ‘I am the God of your fathers: the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob!’ And trembling with fear Moses didn’t dare to look. And the Lord said to him, ‘Loose the shoes from off your feet, for the place on which you’re standing is holy ground! Watching, I have seen the ill-treatment of my people in Egypt and heard their groaning, and have come down to take them out. And now come on, I’ll send you to Egypt!’ This Moses whom they had refused saying, ‘Who appointed you a ruler and judge?’ him God sent as ruler and deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

“This one led them out, having performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘The Lord your God will raise up to you a prophet like me from among your brothers. You’ll listen to him!’ This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him in mount Sinai and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us, to whom our fathers wouldn’t be subject but thrust him away and turned their hearts back to Egypt, saying to Aaron, ‘Make us Gods who’ll go before us - for this Moses who brought us out from the land of Egypt, we don’t know what’s happened to him!’ And they made a calf in those days and offered sacrifice to the idol and they rejoiced in the works of their hands.

“But God turned and gave them up to serve the host of heaven, as it was written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer me slain beasts and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, oh house of Israel? And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your God Remphan, the images which you made to worship them. And I will remove you beyond Babylon.’ The tabernacle of the testimony was with our fathers in the desert, as he who spoke to Moses commanded to make it according to the type which he had seen, which also our fathers having inherited brought in with Joshua, when taking possession of the nations which God drove out from the face of our fathers, until the days of David, who found favour before God and requested to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob, but Solomon built a house for him. However the Most High doesn’t live in temples made with hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is a throne to me and the earth a footstool for my feet: what house will you build me? says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest? Hasn’t my hand made all these things?’

“Oh stiff-necked ones and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit - as your fathers, you too! Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? And they killed those who foretold about the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become, you who received the law by the decree of angels, and haven’t kept it!”

And hearing these things they were cut to their hearts and gnashed their teeth at him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, having looked earnestly into heaven, saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said,

“Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

And crying out with a loud voice they pressed their ears and rushed with one mind at him. And having thrown him out of the city they stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man called Saul. And they stoned Stephen, appealing and saying,

“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’”

And having bowed his knees he cried with a loud voice,

“Lord don’t reckon this sin to them!”

And having said this he fell asleep.

Chapter Eight

And Saul was consenting to his killing. And on that day a great persecution took place against the assembly in Jerusalem and, except the apostles, they were all scattered throughout the districts of Judaea and Samaria. And devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul ravaged the assembly, going from house to house, and dragging out men and women, handed them over into prison. So the ones who had been dispersed passed on, preaching the word of the joyful news.

And Philip, going down to a city of Samaria, preached Christ to them, and the crowds wholeheartedly paid attention to the things spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.

For from many of those having unclean spirits they went out crying with a loud voice. And many having been paralyzed, and lame ones, were healed. And there was great joy in that city.

But a certain man, Simon by name, was formerly in the city, using magic and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying he himself was some great one, to whom all, from small to great, paid attention, saying,

“This one is the great power of God!”

And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had astounded them with magic arts. But when they believed Philip proclaiming the joyful news, the things about the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptised. And Simon himself believed too, and having been baptised was waiting on Philip and seeing the signs and works of great power being done he was amazed.

And the apostles in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent Peter and John to them, who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they were only baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. But Simon, having seen that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, offered them money, saying,

“Give me too this authority so that whoever I lay hands on may receive the Holy Spirit!”

But Peter said to him,

“May your money be destroyed with you, because you’ve thought the gift of God could be obtained with money. There’s no part or portion to you in this matter for your heart isn’t right before God. So repent of this your wickedness and beseech God if indeed your heart’s thought may be forgiven you, for I see you’re in a gall of bitterness and a bond of unrighteousness!”

And Simon answering said,

“Beg the Lord on my behalf so that nothing may come on me of what you’ve said!”

So they, having earnestly testified and having spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem and preached the joyful news to many villages of the Samaritans.

And an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying,

“Get up and go towards the south, on the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza which is a desert.”

And having got up he went. And look, an Ethiopian man, a eunuch, one in power under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship in Jerusalem, and was returning and sitting in his chariot, was reading the prophet Isaiah.

And the Spirit said to Philip,

“Go near, and join yourself to this chariot!”

And running up Philip heard him reading the prophet Isaiah and said,

“Do you understand then what you’re reading?”

But he said,

“How could I unless someone guides me?”

And he begged Philip having come up to sit with him. And the passage of the scripture which he was reading was this,

‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter and as a lamb is dumb before the one shearing him, so he doesn’t open his mouth. In his humiliation his judgement was taken away and who will declare his generation, for his life is taken from the earth?’

And answering, the eunuch said to Philip,

“I pray you: about whom is the prophet saying this? About himself or about someone else?”

And Philip, having opened his mouth and having begun from this scripture, preached the joyful news - Jesus - to him. And as they were going along the road they came to some water and the eunuch says,

“Look, water! What prevents me from being baptised?”

And Philip said,

“If you believe with all your heart, it’s permissible!”

And answering he said,

“I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God!”

And he commanded that the chariot halt. And they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch and he baptised him. But when they came up out of the water the Lord’s Spirit caught Philip away and the eunuch saw him no longer though he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus and going through he preached the joyful news in all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

Chapter Nine

But Saul, still breathing out threats and death on the disciples of the Lord, having come to the high priest asked for letters to Damascus from him, to the synagogues so that if he found any of the way, both men and women, he could, having bound them, bring them to Jerusalem.

But as he was going, it happened that he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him. And having fallen to the ground he heard a voice saying to him,

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”

And he said,

“Who are you Lord?”

And the Lord said,

“I am Jesus whom you’re persecuting! It’s hard for you to kick against the goads.”

And trembling and amazed he said,

“Lord, what do you want me to do?”

And the Lord said to him,

“Rise up and enter into the city and you’ll be told what you must do!”

But the men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing a voice indeed, but seeing no one. And Saul got up from the ground, and his eyes having been opened he saw no one, but leading him by the hand they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days not seeing and he neither ate nor drank.

But there was a certain disciple in Damascus, Ananias by name, and the Lord said to him in a vision,

“Ananias!”

And he said,

“Look, I’m here Lord!”

And the Lord said to him,

“Having got up, go into the street called ‘Straight’ and look in Judas’ house for one by the name of Saul of Tarsus for look, he’s praying, and he has seen in a vision a man, Ananias by name, coming and laying his hand on him so that he’d receive his sight.”

And Ananias answered,

“Lord I’ve heard from many about this man, how many evil things he’s done to your saints in Jerusalem, and here he’s got authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name!”

And the Lord said to him,

“Go, for this one is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before Gentiles, and kings, and Israel’s sons, for I’ll show him how much he must suffer on account of my name.”

And Ananias went off and entered into the house and having laid his hands on him said,

“Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, so that you may receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit!”

And at once there fell from his eyes as it were scales and he received sight instantly. And having got up he was baptised. And having taken food he was strengthened.

And Saul was some days in Damascus with the disciples. And at once he was in the synagogues preaching Christ that he is the Son of God. And all who heard were amazed and said,

“Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”

And Saul increased in power rather, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

Now when many days were up, the Jews consulted together to put him to death. But their plot became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates both day and night so they might put him to death, but taking him, the disciples let him down through the wall by night, letting him down in a basket.

And, having arrived at Jerusalem, Saul attempted to join himself to the disciples, and everyone was afraid of him not believing that he is a disciple. But Barnabas having taken him, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the road and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he spoke and debated with the Hellenists but they sought to put him to death. But having learned of it the brethren brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. Then indeed the assemblies throughout the whole of Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being built up and carrying on in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were increased.

Now it happened that Peter, visiting everyone, went down too to those saints living at Lydda, and there he found a certain man, Aeneas by name, who was paralyzed, lying eight years on a bed.

And Peter said to him,

“Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed!”

And at once he got up. And all those living in Lydda and Saron saw him and turned to the Lord.

And in Joppa there was a certain disciple, Tabitha by name, which being translated is called Dorcas. She was full of good works and alms which she did. And in those days it happened that having become ill she died. And having washed her they put her in an upper room. And Lydda being near to Joppa the disciples having heard that Peter is in it sent two men to him begging him not to delay coming to them. And Peter having risen up went with them.

Having arrived they brought him into the upper room, and all the widows were standing by him weeping and showing tunics and garments Dorcas had made being with them. But having put them all out, Peter, having bowed his knees, prayed. And having turned to the body he said,

“Tabitha, get up!”

And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. And having given her his hand he raised her up, and having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout the whole of Joppa and many believed on the Lord. And it happened that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

Chapter Ten

Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, by name Cornelius, a centurion of the guard called the Italian, devout and God-fearing, with all his household, both giving a lot of alms to the people and praying continually to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw in a vision plainly an angel of God coming to him and saying,

“Cornelius!”

And having looked at him earnestly and becoming afraid he said,

“What is it Lord?”

And he said to him,

“Your prayers and your alms have gone up as a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa and send for Simon who is surnamed Peter. He’s lodging with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea, he’ll tell you what you must do.”

And when the angel who had spoken to Cornelius had gone away, having called two of his servants and a devout soldier of those continually waiting on him, and having related everything to them he sent them to Joppa.

And on the next day, as those are travelling and drawing near to the city, Peter went up onto the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour, and he became very hungry and wanted to eat. But as they were getting ready he fell into a trance, and he saw heaven opened, and coming down to him a certain vessel like a big sheet, bound by four corners, and let down onto the earth, in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the sky.

And a voice came to him,

“Having got up Peter, kill and eat!”

But Peter said,

“By no means Lord, for I’ve never eaten anything common or unclean.”

And a voice came again a second time to him,

“What God has cleansed, don’t you call common.”

And this happened three times and the vessel was taken up again into heaven. And as Peter was puzzled in himself what the vision he saw might be, look, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having asked for Simon’s house, were standing at the gateway. And having called out they asked if Simon surnamed Peter is lodging here. And as Peter was thinking about the vision the Spirit said to him,

“Look, three men are looking for you, so having risen go down and go along with them doubting nothing because I’ve sent them.”

And Peter, having gone down to the men sent to him from Cornelius said,

“Look, it’s me you’re looking for, why have you come?”

And they said,

“Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man and testified to by all the Jewish nation was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to his house and to hear words from you.”

So having called them inside he put them up and on the next day Peter went out with them and certain of the brethren from Joppa went with him. And on the day after they entered into Caesarea, and Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relations and close friends. And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius, having met him, having fallen at his feet, worshipped him. But Peter raised him up saying,

“Get up, I’m a man too myself!”

And talking to him he went in and finds many assembled.

And he said to them,

“You know that it’s unlawful for a man who’s a Jew to join or come near one of another race, but God has shown me to call no man common or unclean. So I’ve come without argument having been sent for. I’m asking therefore for what reason you’ve sent for me.

And Cornelius said,

“Four days ago I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour praying in my house, and look, a man stood in front of me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms remembered before God, so send to Joppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter. He’s lodging in the home of Simon, a tanner, by the sea, who having come will speak to you.’ So I sent to you at once and having come you did well. So now we’re all present before God to hear everything that you’ve been instructed by God.”

And Peter opening his mouth said,

“In truth I see that God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation the one fearing him and working righteousness is acceptable to him. The word which he sent to the sons of Israel announcing the joyful news: peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), you know, the word which came through all of Judaea beginning at Galilee after the baptism which John preached: Jesus, from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went around doing good and healing all who were being oppressed by the devil, because God was with him. And we are witnesses of everything which he has done both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they put to death, having hanged on some wood. This one God raised up on the third day and enabled him to show himself not to all the people but to witnesses chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he had risen from the dead. And he instructed us to proclaim to the people and testify thoroughly that it is he who has been appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets bear witness to him. Everyone believing in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name!”

As Peter is speaking these words the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the word. And the believers of the circumcision - as many as many as had come with Peter - were amazed that on the Gentiles too the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out, for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

Then Peter answered,

“Can anyone forbid water that these shouldn’t be baptised who’ve received the Holy Spirit even like us?”

And he instructed them to be baptised in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay for some days.

Chapter Eleven

And the apostles and the brethren who were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision argued with him saying,

“You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”

But, having begun, Peter set out to them in order saying,

“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain vessel like a great sheet, let down by four corners out of heaven, and it came up to me, on which having looked carefully, I considered and saw the four footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the sky. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Having got up Peter, kill and eat!’ But I said, ‘By no means Lord, for nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth!’ But a voice answered me a second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call common.’ And this happened three times, and everything was drawn up into heaven again. And look, at once three men were standing at the house in which I was, sent to me from Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with them doubting nothing. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered into the man’s house, and he related to us how he had seen the angel in his house standing and saying to him, ‘Send men to Joppa and send for Simon surnamed Peter, who’ll speak words to you by which you and all your house will be saved.’ And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord how he said, ‘John indeed baptised with water, but you’ll be baptised with the Holy Spirit!’ So if God gave them the same gift as also to us, having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and I, who was I? Able to forbid God?”

And having listened to these things they were silent. And they glorified God saying,

“Then indeed even to the Gentiles God has given repentance into life!”

So indeed those who had been scattered by the tribulation by reason of Stephen, passed through to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch speaking the word to no one, except only to Jews.

But there were certain men among them, Cypriots and Cyrenians who, having come into Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists announcing the joyful news: the Lord Jesus. And the Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number, having believed, turned to the Lord. And word about them came to the ears of the assembly in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go through as far as Antioch, who having come and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced and encouraged everyone with steadfastness of heart to adhere to the Lord. For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large number of people were added to the Lord.

And Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul, and having found him he brought him to Antioch. And it happened for a whole year they were gathered together in the assembly and taught a large number of people. And the disciples were first called ‘Christians’ in Antioch.

And in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, And having got up, one of them, Agabus by name, signified through the Spirit that there is about to be a great famine throughout the world, which also happened under Claudius Caesar. And the disciples decided according to each one’s means to send, each of them, help to the brethren living in Judaea, and they did so, sending to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Chapter Twelve

And at that time Herod the king put out his hands to ill-treat some of those from the assembly, and he put James, John’s brother, to death with a sword. And having seen that it is pleasing to the Jews, in addition he took Peter also (and it was in the days of unleavened bread), whom having seized he put in prison having handed him over to four sets of four soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.

So Peter was indeed kept in prison but earnest prayer about him was made to God by the assembly.

And when Herod was about to bring him out, during that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards also in front of the door guarded the prison. And look, an angel of the Lord stood by and a light shone in the building. And having struck Peter’s side, he woke him up saying,

“Get up quickly!”

And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said to him,

“Get dressed and put on your sandals!”

And he did so.

And he says to him,

“Put your garment round you and follow me!”

And going out he followed him and did not know that what is happening through the angel is real, but thought he saw a vision. And having passed the first guard and the second they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself, and having gone out they went on through one street and at once the angel went away from him.

And Peter having come to himself said,

“Now I know truly that the Lord has sent his angel out and has delivered me out of Herod’s hand and from all the expectations of the Jewish people.”

And pondering this he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John surnamed Mark, where there were many gathered together and praying. And Peter having knocked at the door of the gate a girl named Rhoda came to listen, and having recognized Peter’s voice she did not open the door for joy but having run in she reported Peter as standing in front of the gate.

But they said to her,

“You’re mad!”

But she insisted it was so. And they said, “It’s his angel!”

But Peter carried on knocking, and having opened they saw him and were amazed. And having made a sign to them, with his hand, to be silent he told them how the Lord had brought him out of prison.

And he said,

“Report these things to James and to the brethren!”

And having gone out he went to another place,

And day having come there was no little disturbance among the soldiers as to what had become then of Peter. And Herod having looked for him and not having found him, having examined the guards commanded them to be dispatched, and having gone down from Judaea to Caesarea he stayed there. And Herod was bitterly hostile to the Tyrians and Sidonians, but with one mind they came to him, and having won over Blastus, who was over the king’s bedchamber, sued for peace, because their county was nourished by the king’s. And on a set day Herod, having put on royal clothing and having sat on the rostrum, was making a speech to them. And the people shouted out,

“It’s a God’s voice and not a man’s!”

And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he hadn’t given the glory to God, and having been eaten by worms he expired.

But the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem having completed the service, having taken along also John surnamed Mark.

Chapter Thirteen

Now there were certain in the assembly which was in Antioch, prophets and teachers: both Barnabas and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen a foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

And as they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,

“Separate indeed to me both Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I’ve called them.”

Then having fasted and prayed and having laid their hands on them they let them go. So they indeed having been sent out by the Holy Spirit went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed off to Cyprus. And having come to Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John as a minister. And having passed through the island as far as Paphos they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Barjesus who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus - a sensible man. He, having summoned Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer, for so his name is translated, opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

But Saul, who is also Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and having looked intently at him said,

“Oh full of all deceit and all intrigue, son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, won’t you stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? And now look, the Lord’s hand is on you and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a time!”

And immediately a mist and darkness fell on him and he went around looking for someone to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, having seen what had happened, believed, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.

And having sailed from Paphos those with Paul came to Perga of Pamphylia, but John having departed from them went back to Jerusalem. And they having passed on from Perga came to Antioch in Pisidia and having gone into the synagogue on the Sabbath day they sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent to them saying,

“Men, brethren, if there is a word of encouragement to the people in you, speak!”

And Paul having got up and motioning with his hand said,

“Men, Israelites and those fearing God, listen! The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and raised up the people when they lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm brought them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with their behaviour in the desert. And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan he allotted their land to them. And after these things for about four hundred and fifty years he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. And then they asked for a king and God gave them Saul, Kis’s son, a man out of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And, having removed him, he raised up for them David as king, to whom also having testified he said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man agreeing with my heart, who’ll do all my will’

“From this one’s seed, God, according to his promise has raised to Israel a Saviour, Jesus, John having previously, before his entrance, preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was near the end of his road he said, ‘Who do you think I am? It’s not me, but look he’s coming after me, whose shoes on his feet I’m not worthy to loosen.’ Men, brethren, sons of Abraham’s race, and those among you fearing God, the word of this salvation was sent to you, for the ones living in Jerusalem and their rulers, not having known him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read on every Sabbath, having condemned him, fulfilled them.

“And having found not one cause of death they asked Pilate to put him to death. And when they had fulfilled everything that had been written about him, having taken him down from the wood they put him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and he appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem who are his witnesses to the people.

“And we’re announcing the joyful news to you, the promise made to the fathers, that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, having raised up Jesus, as also it’s been written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you,’ And that he raised him from the dead, no more to be going to return to corruption he spoke thus, ‘I’ll give you the faithful mercies of David.’ So also in another he says, ‘You will not suffer your Holy One to see corruption.’ For David indeed having served his own generation, by the counsel of God fell asleep and was added to his fathers and he saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption,

“So let it be known to you men, brethren, that through this one, forgiveness of sins is announced to you and in him everyone believing is justified from all things - from which you couldn’t by the law of Moses be justified.

“See therefore that what’s been said in the prophets may not come upon you, ‘Look you despisers and wonder and perish, for I’m performing a work in your days which in no way will you believe even if someone declares it to you’.”

And the Jews having gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged these words to be spoken to them on the next Sabbath, And the assembly having dispersed, many of the Jews and of the worshipping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in God’s grace.

And on the coming Sabbath almost all the city had gathered together to hear the word of God. But having seen the crowds, the Jews were filled with jealousy and contradicted the things spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

But speaking boldly Paul and Barnabas said,

“It was necessary for the word of God to be spoken to you first, but since you’re turning it down and don’t deem yourselves worthy of everlasting life, look, we’re turning to the Gentiles, for so the Lord has instructed us: ‘I have set you as a light of the Gentiles, for you to be for salvation to the last part of the earth.’”

And hearing it the Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to everlasting life believed. And the word of the Lord was carried through the whole country.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out from their borders. But they, having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Chapter Fourteen

And it happened in Iconium they went together into the Jews’ synagogue and spoke so that a large number both of Jews and Hellenists believed.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. So they stayed for a long time speaking boldly in the Lord who bore witness to the word of his grace, giving signs and wonders to be performed through their hands. And the population of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews but some with the apostles. And when there was an impulse, both of the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers, to insult and to stone them, being aware, they fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding country, and they were proclaiming the joyful news.

And there sat in Lystra a certain man without power in his feet, who had never walked, being lame from his mother’s womb. This one heard Paul speaking, who having looked at him intently and, seeing he has faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!”

And he jumped up and walked.

And the crowds having seen what Paul had done lifted up their voices saying in Lycaonian,

“The Gods, having become like men, have come down to us!”

And they even called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes because he was the leader in speaking. And the priest of Zeus for their city, having brought oxen and garlands to the gates, wanted, along with the people, to make a sacrifice to them.

But the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having heard, having torn their garments ran into the crowd crying out, and saying,

“Men, why are you doing these things? We too are men with feelings like you, proclaiming the joyful news to you, to turn from these vanities to the living God, who made heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, who in the past allowed all the nations to go their own ways, though indeed he didn’t leave us without a witness to himself, doing good to us from heaven, giving us rain and fruitful seasons: filling our hearts with food and gladness!”

And they, saying these things, hardly stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them. But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, and having stoned Paul, they drew him outside the city supposing him to have died. But the disciples having surrounded him, he, having got up, entered into the city. And on the next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.

And having proclaimed the joyful news to that city and taught many, they went back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. And having chosen for them elders in every assembly, having prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed.

And having passed through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia, and having spoken the word in Perga they came down to Attalia, and from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed by the grace of God to the work they had fulfilled. And having arrived and gathered the assembly together they declared all that God had done with them and that he had opened faith’s door to the Gentiles. And they stayed there not a little time with the disciples.

Chapter Fifteen

And certain men having come down from Judaea were teaching the brethren that ‘unless you’re circumcised after the custom of Moses you can’t be saved.’ So, there having been not a little dispute and discussion between Paul and Barnabas and them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from them, to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this question. So indeed, having been sent on their way by the assembly, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling about the conversion of the Gentiles, and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

And having come to Jerusalem they were welcomed by the assembly and the apostles and the elders and they declared all that God had done with them.

And certain of those from the sect of the believing Pharisees got up saying,

“It is necessary to circumcise them and instruct them to keep the law of Moses.”

And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. And much discussion having taken place, having got up Peter said to them,

“Men, brethren, you know that from the early days God chose from among us that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the joyful news and believe. And God knowing the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit even as to us, and put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. So now why are you tempting God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved even in the same way as they also.”

And all the number were silent and listened to Barnabas and Saul telling what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. And after they were quiet James answered saying,

“Men, brethren, listen to me: Simeon has told how God first took care to take out of the nations a people for his name. And with this the word of the prophets agree, as it’s been written,

“After these things I’ll return again and build anew David’s tabernacle which has fallen, and build anew its ruins and I’ll set it up, so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord and all the Gentiles to whom my name has been proclaimed’, says the Lord who does all these things.” God’s works are known to him from eternity, so I don’t reckon to trouble those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, but to write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and of fornication and of what has been strangled and of blood. For Moses from ancient generations in every city has those proclaiming him in the synagogues, being read every Sabbath.”

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders and the whole assembly to send men chosen out of them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, having written by their hand thus,

“The apostles and the elders and the brethren to those in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, brethren from among the Gentiles: Greeting! In so far as we have heard that certain ones, having gone out from us, have troubled you with words, upsetting your souls, saying you must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no commandment, it seemed good to us, having come with one mind to send to you chosen men with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we have sent Judas and Silas also saying the same things in their own words. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no further burden on you than these necessary things: to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled and from fornication, keeping yourself from which you’ll do well. Farewell.”

So having been dismissed, they went to Antioch and having gathered the people together they delivered the letter. And having read it they rejoiced at the encouragement. And Judas and Silas being also prophets themselves through many words encouraged the brethren and strengthened them. And having continued a while they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to the apostles, but it seemed good to Silas to stay there. And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch and with many others too, teaching and proclaiming the joyful news;: the word of the Lord.

But after some days Paul said to Barnabas,

“Having turned back, let’s indeed visit our brethren in every city in which we’ve proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are.”

And Barnabas intended to take John called Mark with them, but Paul did not think it well to take with them he who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. So there arose a sharp dispute so that they departed from each other, and Barnabas having taken Mark sailed to Cyprus, but Paul having chosen Silas went out, having been committed to God’s grace by the brethren. And he passed through Syria and Cilicia encouraging the assemblies.

Chapter Sixteen

And he arrived at Derbe and Lystra and look, a certain disciple was there, Timotheus by name, son of a certain believing Jewish woman but his father a Greek, who was given a good report by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. This one Paul wanted to go on with him, and having taken him he circumcised him because of the Jews who were in these places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they passed through the cities they delivered them the decrees to keep, decided on by the apostles and the elders in Jerusalem. So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith and increased in number every day.

And having passed through Phrygia and the Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, having come down to Mysia they attempted to go to Bithynia, and the Spirit did not allow them. And having passed by Mysia they came down to Troas.

And during the night a vision appeared to Paul: a certain man of Macedonia was standing, begging him and saying,

“Having passed over into Macedonia, help us!”

And when he had seen the vision we at once tried to go out to Macedonia, understanding that the Lord had called us to announce the joyful news to them. So having sailed from Troas we came on a straight course to Samothrace and on the following day to Neapolis, and thence to Philippi which is the first city, of that part of Macedonia: a colony. And we were staying for some days in this city. And on the Sabbath day we went off outside the city beside a river where it was customary to have prayers, and having sat down we spoke to the women who came together. And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, was listening, whose heart the Lord opened to be attentive to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptised she begged us saying,

“If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, having entered into my house, stay.”

And she persuaded us.

And it happened as we were going to prayer a certain girl having a spirit of Python, who brought her masters much gain by divining, met us. She, having followed Paul and us cried out saying,

“These men are servants of the most high God who are proclaiming to us the way of salvation!”

And she did this for many days, but Paul being distressed and having turned said to the spirit,

“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out the same hour.

And her masters, seeing that the hope of their gains had gone away, having taken hold of Paul and Silas dragged them into the market place up to the rulers.

And having brought them to the magistrates said,

“These men being Jews are disturbing our city very much and are proclaiming customs which it’s not lawful for us to receive or to perform, being Romans.”

And the crowd rose up together against them, and the magistrates having torn off their garments commanded them to be beaten. And having given them many lashes they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them safely, who, having received such an order, threw them into the inner prison and secured their feet to the stocks.

And towards midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God and the prisoners listened to them. And suddenly a great earthquake occurred so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s bonds were loosened. And the jailer being woken up, and seeing the opened doors of the prison, having drawn a sword was about to put himself to death, thinking the prisoners had escaped.

But Paul called out in a loud voice saying,

“Do yourself no harm, for we’re all here!”

And having asked for lights he rushed in, and trembling fell down in front of Paul and Silas. And having brought them out he said,

“Sirs, what must I do so that I may be saved?”

And they said,

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you’ll be saved - you and your household!”

And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all those in his house. And having taken them, in that same hour of the night he washed their wounds and he and all his were baptised immediately.

And having brought them into his house he laid out a meal and rejoiced with all his household having believed in God.

And day having come the magistrates sent the officers saying ,

“Let those men go!”

And the jailer reported these words to Paul,

“The magistrates have sent so that you may be freed. So now, having gone out, go on your way in peace.”

But Paul said to them,

“Having publicly beaten us, uncondemned men being Romans, they throw us into prison, and are they now putting us out secretly? No indeed: but, having come themselves, let them bring us out!”

And the officers reported these words to the magistrates. And having heard that they are Romans they were afraid. And having come they entreated them, and having brought them out asked them to go out of the city. And having gone out of the prison they came to Lydia, and having seen the brethren they exhorted them and went away.

Chapter Seventeen

And having travelled through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica where the synagogue of the Jews was. And, as was his custom, Paul went in to them and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the scriptures, opening and expounding that the Christ had to have suffered and risen again from the dead and that ‘this is the Christ Jesus whom I’m proclaiming to you!’

And some of them believed and joined themselves to Paul and Silas, and of the worshipping Greeks a great number, and not a few of the chief women. But having become jealous, the unbelieving Jews, having both gathered certain evil men of the loungers in the market place, and having collected a crowd, raised an uproar in the city. And having assaulted Jason’s house they were looking for them to bring them out to the people. But not having found them they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the city authorities crying out,

“Those who’ve set the world in confusion, these have come here too, whom Jason has received, and these men are all doing contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying there’s another king - Jesus!”

And they stirred up the crowd and the city authorities listening to these things. And having taken security from Jason and the rest they let them go. But the brethren at once sent Paul and Silas off to Beroea by night who, having arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. And these were better mannered than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all readiness, examining the scriptures every day if these things were so. So indeed many of them believed and of the honourable Greek women and of men not a few.

But when the Jews from Thessalonica knew that in Beroea also the word of God was announced by Paul they came there too, stirring up the crowds.

And at once then the brethren sent Paul away to go as if to the sea, but both Silas and Timothy stayed there. But those guiding Paul brought him as far as Athens, and having received an order to Silas and Timotheus, that they should come to him as quickly as possible, they departed.

But in Athens, waiting for them, Paul’s spirit was painfully moved in him seeing the city to be full of idols. So indeed he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those who worshipped, and in the market place every day with those who met with him. And some of the Epicureans and the Stoics, philosophers, encountered him. And some said,

“What does this babbler want to say?”

And some,

“He seems to be a preacher of foreign gods,” - because he announced to them the joyful news of Jesus and the resurrection.

And having taken hold of him they brought him to Mars’ hill saying,

“Can we know what this new teaching spoken of by you is? For you’re bringing certain strange things to our ears, so we wish to know what these things may mean.”

Now all the Athenians and the strangers staying there spent their leisure in nothing else except to tell and to hear something new.

And Paul, having stood on the middle of Mars’ hill, said,

“Men, Athenians, I see in everything you are very religious, for coming through and seeing your objects of veneration I discovered also an altar on which had been inscribed, ‘To an Unknown God’. So he whom you reverence not knowing: him I’m proclaiming to you! The God who made the world and all things in it, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands, nor is he served by men’s hands as if he needs anything, himself giving life and breath to all in every way. And he made out of one blood every nation of men, to live on all the face of the earth, having pre-determined the time and the boundaries of their dwelling, to seek the Lord if perhaps they might feel after him and find him, though indeed being not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and are, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’

“So, being offspring of God we ought not to think the Divine One is like gold or silver or stone, a graven thing of art and man’s imagination. So indeed God, having overlooked the times of our ignorance, now commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has set a day in which he is going to judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, having given proof to everyone, having raised him from the dead.”

And when they heard about the resurrection of the dead some mocked and some said,

“We’ll hear you again about this!”

And so Paul went out from among them. However some men sticking to him believed, among whom was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Chapter Eighteen

And after these things Paul, haring departed from Athens, came to Corinth. And having found a certain Jew named Aquila, of Pontus by race, recently come from Italy, and his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome, he came to them, and because they were of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tent-makers by trade. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

And, when both Silas and Timotheus came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in spirit, earnestly testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

But they set themselves against him and were blaspheming. He, having shaken his garments, said to them,

“Your blood be on your head. I, clean, from now on will go to the Gentiles!”

And having gone away from there he came to the house of a certain one named Justus, who worshipped God and whose house was adjoining the synagogue. And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptised.

And the Lord said to Paul through a vision in the night,

“Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent, because I’m with you and no one will set on you to mistreat you, because there are a lot of people for me in this city!”

And he stayed a year and six months teaching the word of God among them.

But Gallio being proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up against Paul with one accord and led him to the judgement seat saying,

“This one is persuading men to worship God in a manner contrary to the law.”

But Paul being about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews,

“So, if indeed, oh Jews, it was some unrighteousness or wicked criminal act it would have been reasonable to put up with you, but if it’s a question about a word and names and your law, see to it yourselves, for I don’t wish to be a judge of these things!”

And he drove them from the seat of judgement. And all the Greeks, having laid hold on Sosthenes - the ruler of the synagogue - beat him before the judgement seat. And none of these things mattered to Gallio.

And Paul having still stayed there many days, having taken leave of the brethren sailed off to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shaved his head in Cenchrea for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus and left them there. But he himself, having gone into the synagogue, reasoned with the Jews. And on their asking him to remain with them he did not consent, but took leave of them saying,

“I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem, but I’ll return again to you, God willing.”

And he sailed from Ephesus. And having landed at Caesarea, having gone up and greeted the assembly, he went down to Antioch. And having stayed some time he went out, passing through the Galatian and Phrygian country in turn, encouraging all the disciples.

But a certain Jew, Apollos by name, Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, being mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This one was instructed in the way of the Lord and being earnest in spirit spoke and taught accurately the things about the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. And having heard him Aquila and Priscilla took him to themselves and expounded the way of God more accurately to him. And he intending to pass through into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples encouraging them to welcome him, who having arrived greatly helped those who had believed through grace. For powerfully he publicly confuted the Jews showing by the scriptures Jesus to be the Christ.

Chapter Nineteen

And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper districts came to Ephesus, and having found certain disciples said to them,

“Have you, having believed, received the Holy Spirit?”

And they said to him,

“We haven’t even heard if there is a Holy Spirit!”

And he said to them,

“Into what then were you baptised?”

And they said,

“Into the baptism of John.”

And Paul said,

“John indeed baptised a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on the one coming after him, that is in Christ Jesus.”

And having heard, they were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul having put his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came onto them, and they were speaking with tongues and prophesying. And there were about twelve men in all. And having gone into the synagogue he spoke boldly for three months reasoning and persuading about the things about the kingdom of God. But when some were evil and did not believe, saying bad things about the way, in front of the crowds, having departed from them he separated the disciples, reasoning every day in the school of a certain Tyrannus. And this went on for two years so that everyone living in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, Jews and Greeks.

And God performed uncommon works of power by Paul’s hand, so that even to those who were ill, handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his person and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out from them.

But cetain of the nomadic Jews, exorcists, took it upon themselves to call out the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying,

“We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul is preaching!”

And there were certain sons of Sceva, a high priest, a Jew - seven of them - who were doing this.

But the evil spirit answering said,

“Jesus I know, and I’m acquainted with Paul, but you, who are you?”

And jumping on them, the man in whom the evil spirit was, having overcome them, was stronger than them so that they escaped out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to everyone, both Jews and Greeks, living in Ephesus., and fear fell on all of them and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of those believing came, confessing and declaring their acts. And many of those who practised occult arts, having brought the books burnt them in front of everyone. And they reckoned up their prices and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So with power the word of the Lord increased and was strong. And when these things were over, Paul decided in his spirit, having passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem saying,

“After having been there I must see Rome too!”

And having sent to Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he stayed for a while in Asia.

And it happened at that time that there was no small disturbance about the way. For a certain silversmith, Demetrius by name, making silver temples of Artemis, brought no little work to the craftsmen, whom having brought together, and the workmen in such things, said,

“Men you know that from this work we get our money, and you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but almost in all Asia this Paul, having persuaded them, has turned away a great number of people saying that they which are made with hands are not gods. And not only is this dangerous to us in case the business come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be set at nought and her majesty is about to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships!”

And having listened and having become full of anger they cried out saying,

“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

And the whole city was filled with confusion and they rushed with one accord to the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s fellow travellers. But Paul intending to go in to the people, the disciples did not let him, and some also of the chief men of Asia being his friends, having sent to him urged him not to venture himself into the theatre.

So some were crying out one thing and some another for the assembly was confused and most of them did not know for what cause they had come together. But they put forward Alexander from out of the crowd, the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, having made a sign with his hand wanted to make a defence to the people.

But having recognized that he is a Jew there was a shout from everyone, for about two hours crying out,

“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”

And, having calmed the crowd, the recorder says,

“Men, Ephesians, what man is there who doesn’t know the city of the Ephesians to be keepers of the temple of the great goddess Artemis and of that which fell down from Zeus. So these things being undeniable, it is necessary for you to be calm, and do nothing headstrong. For you have brought these men who are neither sacrilegious nor blaspheming your goddess. So if indeed Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against anybody, courts are held and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another. And if you’re asking anything about other matters it’ll be resolved in a lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being accused of revolt concerning today, there not existing a single cause we’ll be able to give as a reason for this disturbance!”

And having said these things he dismissed the assembly.

Chapter Twenty

And after the uproar had stopped, Paul, having summoned the disciples and greeted them, went away to go to Macedonia. And having passed through those parts and having encouraged them with many words he came to Greece. And having continued there three months, a plot having been made against them by the Jews, he, being about to sail to Syria, decided to return through Macedonia.

And there accompanied him as far as Asia Sopater a Beroean, and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe and Timotheus, and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

These, having gone before, waited for us in Troas, but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.

And on the first day of the week, the disciples having come together to break bread, Paul preached to them, being about to depart on the next day. And he continued his sermon till midnight. And there were many lamps in the upper room where they were assembled. And a certain young man, Eutychus by name, was sitting by the window, overcome by deep sleep as Paul preached for a long time. Having been overcome by sleep he fell down from the third storey and was picked up dead. But having gone down Paul fell on him, and having embraced him said,

“Don’t worry, for his life is in him!”

And having gone up and having broken bread and eaten and having talked a long time until dawn, so he departed. And they brought the boy alive and were not a little comforted.

But we, having gone before on the boat, sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on, for so he had directed, intending to go on foot himself.

And when he met us at Assos, having taken him on, we came to Mytilene, and having sailed from there, on the following day arrived over against Chios and the next day we arrived at Samos. And having stayed at Trogyllium, the next day we came to Miletus, for Paul had decided to sail by Ephesus so as not to spend time in Asia, for he was in a hurry to be, if possible, in Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus, having sent to Ephesus, he called for the elders of the assembly. And when they had come to him he said to them,

“You know how that from the first day on which I arrived in Asia I was with you all the time, serving the Lord with all humility and many tears and trials which happened to me because of the plots of the Jews, how I kept back nothing of what is profitable to you declaring it and teaching you publicly and in your homes, earnestly witnessing, both to Jews and Greeks, repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. And now look, I, bound in the spirit, am going to Jerusalem not knowing the things which will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies fully in every city saying that bonds and tribulation are awaiting me. But I don’t take account of anything, nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so long as I finish my course with joy and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to witness fully to the joyful news of the grace of God. And now, look, I know that all you among whom I’ve gone about preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.

“Therefore I bear witness to you today that I’m clean from the blood of all, for I didn’t hold back from announcing to you all the counsel of God. So be careful for yourselves and for all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has set you overseers to shepherd the assembly of God which he has bought with his own blood. For I know this: that after my departure grievous wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock, even from among your own - men speaking perverted things will rise up to draw away the disciples after themselves. So keep awake, remembering that for three years, night and day, I haven’t paused in admonishing each one with tears. And now brethren I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have desired silver or gold or clothing from no one, but you yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my needs and to those who were with me. I’ve shown you in every way so that working thus we must aid those who are weak and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, - ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

And having said these things, having knelt down, he prayed with them all. And there was much weeping on everyone’s part, and falling on Paul’s neck they ardently kissed him, upset most of all at the words he said that they would see his face no more. And they went with him to the boat.

Chapter Twenty One

And when we had set sail, having drawn away from them, having made a straight course we came to Kos, and next to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And having found a boat passing over into Phoenicia, having gone on board we sailed. And having sighted Cyprus, and having drawn away from it on the left, we sailed to Syria and came down to Tyre for there the boat was discharging its cargo. And we stayed there seven days, having found the disciples, who told Paul by the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem. But when those days were over, having set out, we travelled on, everyone accompanying us, with their wives and children, until we were outside the city. And having knelt down on the shore we prayed. And having said goodbye to one another we went up on board the boat, and they returned to their homes.

And having completed the voyage from Tyre we arrived at Ptolemais, and having greeted the brethren we stayed one day with them. And on the next day Paul and those with him having gone out, they came to Caesarea, and having gone into the house of Philip the evangelist, being of the seven, we stayed with him. Now this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied. And we staying many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judaea and, having come to us, and having taken Paul’s belt, and having bound his own hands and feet, said,

“Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man whose girdle this is, and they’ll hand him over into the hands of the Gentiles’.”

And when we heard these things both we and those of the place begged him no to go up to Jerusalem. But Paul answered,

“What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I’m ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!”

And he not being persuaded, we were silent saying,

“The Lord’s will be done!”

And after these days, having packed our things we went up to Jerusalem. And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us too, bringing a certain Mnason, a Cypriot, with whom we would lodge, an old disciple. And we having arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And on the following day Paul went in with us to James and all the assembled elders

And having greeted them he related one by one what things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And they, having listened, glorified the Lord. And they said to him,

“You see brother how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they’re all ones zealous of the law, and they’ve been informed about you that you’re teaching apostasy from Moses, to all the Jews among the Gentiles, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to walk according to custom. What is it then? Certainly a lot of people must come together for they’ll hear that you’ve come. So do this that we’re telling you: there are with us four men having taken a vow upon themselves. Having taken these, be purified with them and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and everyone may know that what they’ve been informed about you is nothing, but you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the law. But about those of the Gentiles who have believed: we wrote judging them to observe no such thing except to keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.”

Then Paul, having taken the men, on the next day, having been purified with them, entered into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of the purification until the offering was offered for each one of them. But when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having seen him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out,

“Men, Israelites: help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place, and furthermore too he brought Greeks into the temple and polluted this holy place!”

For they had seen before Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. And the whole city was moved, and the people ran together and, having laid hold of Paul, they drew him outside the temple, and at once the doors were shut. But as they were seeking to kill him a report came to the chief officer of the cohort that all of Jerusalem was in an uproar, who immediately, having taken soldiers and centurions with him, ran down to them. And they, on seeing the chief officer and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul. Then, having drawn near, the chief officer laid hold of him and commanded he be bound with two chains and asked who he might be and what he had been doing.

But some were shouting one thing and some another among the crowd. And not being able to know the truth because of the noise, he commanded that he be brought into the barracks. And when he came onto the steps it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, for the throng of people followed crying,

“Away with him!”

And on being about to be brought into the barracks Paul says to the chief officer,

“May I say something to you?”

And he said,

“Do you know Greek? You’re not that Egyptian then, who before these days caused a riot and led four thousand assassins out into the desert?”

And Paul said,

“I indeed am a man, a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city, and I beg you, let me speak to the people.”

And having given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, made a sign with his hand to the people. And when it was very quiet he addressed them in the Hebrew language saying,

Chapter Twenty Two

“Men, brethren, and fathers, listen now to my defence before you!”

And having heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language they kept even quieter, and he says,

“I indeed am a man, a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, having been instructed according to the preciseness of the law of the fathers, being a zealous one for God, even as you all are today.

“And I persecuted this way to death, binding and handing over to prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness and all the elderhood, from whom also, having received letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus to bring also those who were there bound to Jerusalem so that they might be punished.

“And it happened to me, travelling and coming near to Damascus at about midday, suddenly a great light out of the sky shone around me. And I fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus,the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ But those being with me did indeed see the light and were frightened, but they didn’t hear his voice speaking to me. And I said, ‘What shall I do Lord?’And the Lord said to me, ‘Having got up, go to Damascus and there it will be told you about everything it’s been appointed for you to do.’ And as I couldn’t see from the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those who were with me, I came to Damascus. And a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, borne witness to by all the Jews living there, coming to me and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, look up!’ And in the same hour I looked upon him.

“And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice out of his mouth. For you will be a witness for him, to all men, of what you’ve seen and heard. And why are you hesitating? Having got up, be baptised and wash your sins away calling on the name of the Lord!’

“And it happened to me, having returned to Jerusalem, on my praying in the temple I came to be in a trance, and I saw him saying to me, ‘Hurry and go quickly out from Jerusalem, because they won’t receive your testimony about me!’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that from every synagogue I was imprisoning and beating those believing in you, and when the blood of Stephen your witness was poured out I also was standing by and consenting to his being put to death, even keeping the garments of those who killed him.’

“And he said to me, ‘Go, for I’ll send you out to Gentiles far away.’”

And they heard him up to this word and lifted up their voice saying,

“Away from the earth with such a one, for it isn’t fit he should live!”

And as they were crying out and throwing off their clothes and throwing dust into the air, the chief officer commanded that he be brought into the barracks, saying he should be examined by scourging, so that he might know for what cause they were crying out against him.

And as they were stretching him out with the thongs Paul said to the centurion standing by,

“Is it lawful for you to scourge an uncondemned Roman man?”

And having heard, the centurion, having gone out, reported to the chief officer saying,

“Do you see what you are about to do? For this man’s a Roman!”

And, having come up, the chief officer said to him,

“Tell me, are you a Roman?”

And he said,

“Yes!”

And the chief officer answered,

“I bought this citizenship for a great sum.”

And Paul said,

“But I was born free!”

So at once those about to examine him departed from him, and the chief officer was afraid too, having found out that he is a Roman, and because he had bound him.

And on the next day, wanting to know exactly what he was accused of by the Jews, he loosed him from his bonds and instructed the chief priests and their entire sanhedrin to come, and having brought Paul down he set him before them.

Chapter Twenty Three

And, having looked earnestly at the sanhedrin, Paul said,

“Men, brothers, I have conducted myself in all good conscience towards God up until this day.”

But the high priest Ananias, ordered those standing by him to strike him on the mouth.

Then Paul said to him,

“God is going to strike you, you whitened wall! And are you sitting judging me according to the law, and contrary to the law command me to be struck?”

And the ones standing by said,

“Are you railing at God’s high priest?”

And Paul said,

“I wasn’t aware brethren that he is a high priest, for it’s been written, ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.’”

And Paul, having realized that the one part consists of Sadducees, and the other of Pharisees, cried out in the sanhedrin,

“Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, a Pharisee’s son. I am being judged about the hope and resurrection of the dead!”

And he having said this, there was a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the bulk of them were divided, for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but Pharisees confess both. And there was a great clamour, and having got up, the scribes, contending on the part of the Pharisees, were saying,

“We find nothing evil in this man, and if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him let’s not fight against God!”

And a great dissension arising, the chief officer, fearing in case Paul should be torn apart by them, commanded the soldiers, having gone down, to take him by force from among them and to bring him into the barracks.

And the following night standing by him the Lord said,

“Take courage Paul, for as you have testified to the things about me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome!”

And when it was day some of the Jews, having joined together, put themselves under a curse, saying they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. And there were more than forty who formed this conspiracy who, having come to the chief priests and the elders said,

“We have cursed ourselves with a curse to taste nothing until we’ve killed Paul! So you now make an arrangement between the chief officer and the sanhedrin so that he may bring him down to you tomorrow, as if you’re about to examine more accurately the things about him, and we, before he arrives, are ready to kill him!”

But Paul’s sister’s son, having heard about the lying in wait, having approached and entered into the barracks, reported to Paul. And Paul, having summoned one of the centurions, said,

“Take this young man to the chief officer for he has something to report to him.”

So then, having taken him, he brought him to the chief officer and says,

“The prisoner, Paul, having summoned me, asked me to bring this young man to you as he has something to say to you.”

And the chief officer, having taken hold of his hand, and having gone aside privately, asked,

“What is it that you have to report to me?”

And he said,

“The Jews have agreed to ask you that tomorrow you bring Paul down to the sanhedrin as if they are about to ask something in more detail about him. So you, don’t be persuaded by them, for there are lying in wait for him more than forty men, who have put themselves under a curse neither to eat nor drink until they’ve put him to death, and now they’re ready, waiting for the word from you!”

So the chief officer dismissed the young man having instructed him,

“Don’t tell anyone that you’ve shown these things to me!”

And having summoned two of the centurions he said,

“Get two hundred soldiers ready so that they may go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night, and provide animals so that having set Paul on they may carry him safely to Felix the governor.”

And he wrote a letter after this fashion,

“Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. This man, having been seized by the Jews, and being about to be put to death by them, I, having come with a troop of soldiers, rescued, having learnt that he is a Roman. And wanting to know the charge on which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their sanhedrin. Him I found to be accused about questions of their law, but having no accusation worthy of death or of bonds. And it having been told me of a plot against this man, by the Jews, about to occur, I have at once sent him to you, having instructed also the accusers to say the things against him before you. Farewell.”

So the soldiers according to the orders given them, having taken Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris, and on the next day, having left the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the barracks.

Having entered into Caesarea and handed over the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. And the governor having read the letter and having asked from what province he is, and having learnt that he is from Cilicia, said,

“I will hear you properly when your accusers have arrived too.”

And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s praetorium.

Chapter Twenty Four

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with the elders and a certain orator, Tertullus, who presented the case against Paul to the governor. And having been called, he, Tertullus, began his accusation saying,

“Obtaining great peace through you, and excellent things being done for this nation by your forethought, in every way and in every place we gladly accept it, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But so that I may be a hindrance to you no longer, I beg you of your clemency to hear me briefly.

“For having found this man a pest, and instigating revolt among all the Jews in the world, and a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also attempted to profane the temple, whom also we seized and wanted to judge accordding to our law, but Lysias the chief officer, having come up with great force, took him away out of our hands, having ordered his accusers to come to you, from whom you will be able yourself, having examined them about all these things, to know what we are accusing him of.”

And the Jews also agreed declaring these things to be thus.

But Paul, the governor having signified to him to speak, answered,

“Knowing you to have been a judge to this nation for many years, I make my defence more cheerfully about the things concerning myself. You must know that it’s not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and neither in the temple did they find me reasoning with anyone or making a tumultuous gathering of people, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. Nor can they prove the things about which they are now accusing me. But I confess this to you, that according to the way which they call a sect, thus I serve the God of the fathers, believing all things which have been written according to the law and the prophets, having hope in God, which they also themselves receive, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust. And in this I exercise myself continually to have a conscience without offence towards God and men.

“And after many years I came bringing alms to my nation and offerings. In the middle of which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd, nor with a tumult, who ought to appear before you and accuse me if they have anything against me! Or let these say themselves if they have found any unrighteousness in me when I stood before the sanhedrin, except this single shout which I cried out standing among them, that ‘Concerning the resurrection from the dead I’m judged by you today.’”

And having heard these things Felix put them off, knowing in more detail the things about this way, saying,

“When Lysias the chief officer comes down I’ll examine these things for you.”

And he commanded the centurion to guard Paul and to let him have ease, and to forbid none of his own people to help or to come to him. And after some days Felix and his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, having arrived, sent for Paul and listened to him about the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the judgement about to occur, Felix becoming frightened answered,

“For the time being go away, and having found a convenient moment I’ll call for you.”

At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given him by Paul so he could free him, so that he sent for him more frequently and talked with him. But after two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and, wanting to get favours for himself from the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.

Chapter Twenty Five

So Festus, having come into the province, went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea after three days. And the high priest and the first ones of the Jews spoke before him against Paul and begged him, asking a favour against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death on the way.

Festus answered however that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and he himself was shortly about to set out.

“So those in power among you,” he says, “having gone down too, let them accuse him if there is anything wrong in this man.”

And having spent more than ten days among them, having gone down to Caesarea, on the next day, having sat on the judgement seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. And he being come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round, bringing many and serious charges against Paul which they could not prove.

He said in his defence,

“Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned in anything!”

But Festus, wanting to get favour with himself for the Jews, said answering Paul,

“Are you willing, having gone up to Jerusalem, to be judged there before me about these things?”

And Paul said,

“I am standing before Caesar’s judgement seat where I ought to be judged! I have done nothing wrong to the Jews as you too know very well! For if indeed I do wrong and have done anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die, but if there is nothing in what they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered,

“You’ve appealed to Caesar: to Caesar you shall go!”

And some days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea, greeting Festus. And when they had stayed there many days Festus laid before the king the things about Paul, saying,

“There’s a certain man left, a prisoner under Felix, about whom, on my being in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews put their case, asking for judgement against him; to whom I answered, ‘It isn’t usual with Romans to surrender any man to destruction before the one being accused may have the accusers face to face, and may get an opportunity of defence about the accusation.’ So they, having come together here, having made no delay, the next day, having sat on the judgement seat, I ordered the man to be brought, about whom the accusers, standing up, brought no charge such as I’d supposed, but certain questions about their own religious system they had against him, and about one, Jesus, who is dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And I, being puzzled as to the enquiry about this, said would he be willing to go to Jerusalem and be judged there about these things? But Paul, having appealed himself to be kept for the hearing of Augustus, I ordered him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.”

And Agrippa said to Festus,

“I myself also desired to hear the man!”

And he says,

“You’ll hear him tomorrow!”

So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice having come with great pomp, and having gone into the place of hearing with the chief officers and the eminent men of the city, and Festus having given orders, Paul was brought.

And Festus says,

“King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews have pleaded with me both in Jerusalem and here, crying out that he must no longer live. But I, having found that he had done nothing worthy of death and he himself also having appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him, about whom I haven’t got anything certain to write to my lord. So I’ve brought him before you, and specifically before you, king Agrippa, so that, the examination having been made, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable sending a prisoner and not to signify the charges against him!”

Chapter Twenty Six

And Agrippa said to Paul,

“You are allowed to speak for yourself!”

Then Paul, stretching out his hand, made his defence,

“Concerning all the things of which I’m accused by Jews, King Agrippa, I count myself blessed being about to make my defence before you today, especially since you are acquainted with all the customs and questions among the Jews, for which I beg you to listen patiently to me.

“The manner of my life from my youth, which from its beginning was among my nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews are aware of, having known me before from the first, if they would testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I am standing and being judged for the hope of the promise made by God to the fathers, to which our twelve tribes serving intently night and day hope to arrive, about which hope, King Agrippa, I’m being accused by the Jews. Why do you deem it incredible that God should raise the dead? So I indeed thought to myself that I ought to do many things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene, and which I did in Jerusalem, and I shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and the saints being put to death I gave my vote against them, and in all the synagogues often punishing them, I compelled them to blaspheme. And being absolutely furious with them I persecuted them even into foreign cities.

“And while travelling to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, in the middle of the day on the way I saw, oh king, a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and those travelling with me. And all of us having fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It’s hard for you to kick against the goads!’ And I said, ‘Who are you Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting! But get up and stand on your feet, because for this I’ve appeared to you: to appoint you a minister and a witness, both of what you’ve seen and in the things in which I’ll appear to you, taking you out from the people and the Gentiles to whom I’m sending you now, to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light, and from Satan’s authority to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in me!’

“Upon which, King Agrippa, I wasn’t disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declaring first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judaea and to the Gentiles that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. On account of these things the Jews, having seized me in the temple, tried to kill me. So having obtained help from God I’ve continued to this day, bearing witness both to small and great saying nothing else but what the prophets and Moses said was going to happen: that the Christ should suffer and be the first that should rise from the dead, and should announce light to the people and to the Gentiles.”

And as he uttered these things in his defence, Festus said in a loud voice,

“Paul, you’re mad! Your great learning is turning you mad!”

But he says,

“I’m not mad, most noble Festus, but I’m speaking words of truth and discretion, for the king is informed about these matters, to whom also I’m talking with boldness. For I’m persuade that none of these matters are hidden from him, for this hasn’t been done in a corner. Do you believe the prophets King Agrippa? I know that you believe!”

And Agrippa said to Paul,

“You’re almost persuading me to become a Christian!”

And Paul said,

“I’d wish to God, both almost and a lot, not only you but also those hearing me today should become like I am too - except for these bonds!”

And he having said these things, the king got up and the governor and Bernice too, and the ones who were sitting with them, and having gone aside they spoke to each other saying,

“This man is doing nothing worthy of death or of bonds!”

And Agrippa said to Festus,

“This man might have been freed if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar!”

Chapter Twenty Seven

And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion, Julius by name, of Augustus’ cohort. And, having boarded a ship of Adramyttium, about to sail the coasts of Asia, we set off, Aristarchus - a Macedonian of Thessalonica - being with us. And the next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius having treated Paul kindly allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.

And setting sail from there we sailed under Cyprus because the winds were contrary. And having sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia we came to Myra of Lycia. And there the centurion having found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy made us get on it. And sailing slowly for many days and hardly having come by Cnidus, the wind not allowing us, we sailed under Crete by Salmone, and barely coasting along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens near which was a city, Lasaia.

And a lot of time having passed, and the voyage already being dangerous, because the fast had already past, Paul spoke up saying to them,

“Men, I see that the voyage is going to be with disaster and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but even of our lives!”

But the centurion was persuaded rather by the captain and the ship owner, than by the things said by Paul. And the port being ill equipped to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there too, so that they might get to Phoenice and winter there too, a port of Crete looking to the South West and the North West. And a south wind blowing softly, thinking they had attained their purpose, having let go, they coasted along the coast of Crete.

But not long after there came a tempestuous wind down on it called Euroclydon. And the ship having been caught, and not being able to bring her head to the wind, giving up we were driven along. And running under a certain island called Clauda we were hardly able to get control of the ship, which having taken up they used helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing in case they should fall into the quicksands, having lowered sail, so they were driven. But we being violently tossed about by the tempest they made a casting out of cargo, on the next day, and on the third day we cast away the tackling of the ship with our own hands.

And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small tempest lying on us, all hope of our being saved was then taken away.

And they were a long time without taking food, then Paul standing up among them said,

“Men, you should indeed have listened to me and not have sailed from Crete and suffered this disaster and loss. And now I tell you take courage, for there won’t be any loss of life among you, only of the ship. For this night an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid Paul, you must stand before Caesar, and look, God has given you all those sailing with you!’ So be of good courage, men, for I believe God, that thus it shall be according to the way it’s been told me. But we must fall on a certain island!”

And when the fourteenth night had come, we being driven about in the Adriatic, towards the middle of the night the sailors supposed some land neared them, and having sounded they found twenty fathoms, and having gone a little further and again having sounded they found fifteen fathoms; and being afraid of falling on rocky places, having dropped four anchors out of the stern, they wished for day to come. But the sailors looking to get away from the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea, under the pretext of being about to drop anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers,

“Unless these stay in the ship you can’t be saved!”

Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it fall. And until day was dawning Paul called on everyone to take food saying,

“Today’s the fourteenth day that you’ve been watching and you’re continuiing without food, having taken nothing, so I’m telling you to take food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will fall from the head of any one of you!”

And having said these things, and having taken a loaf of bread, he gave thanks to God before all, and having broken it he began to eat.

And everyone having become cheerful they themselves took food too.

And we were in all two hundred and seventy six souls in the ship. And being satisfied with food they lightened the ship, throwing the wheat out into the sea. And when it was day they did not recognize the land, but they spied a certain bay with a beach into which they decided, if they could, to drive the ship. And having cut away the anchors they left them in the sea, at the same time having loosed the bands of the rudders and having hoisted the foresail to the wind, they made for the shore.

And having fallen into a place where two seas met they ran the vessel aground and the bows having stuck fast remained immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves. And the soldiers’ recommendation was that they should kill the prisoners in case anyone, having swum out, escaped. But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their decision and ordered those who could to swim, having thrown themselves off first, to get out onto the land, and the rest, some on planks and others on some things from the ship. And so it happened that everyone was brought safely to the land.

Chapter Twenty Eight

And having been saved, then they discovered that the island was called Melita. And the barbarians showed us not a little kindness, for having kindled a fire they received all of us because of the present rain and because of the cold. And Paul, having gathered a number of sticks, and having put them on the fire, a viper, having come out of the heat, wound about his hand. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging from his hand they said to each other,

“No doubt this man is a murderer who, having been saved from the sea, Justice hasn’t allowed to live!”

He, however, having then shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no harm. But they were expecting him to swell up, or suddenly fall down dead, but waiting for a long time and seeing nothing bad happen to him, changing their minds they said he was a god!

Now in the region round that place, there were lands belonging to the chief of the island, Publius by name, who, having received us in a friendly manner, gave us lodging for three days. And it happened that Publius’ father lay sick with fevers and dysentery, whom Paul, having gone in to him, and having prayed and laid his hands on him, healed. So this having happened, the rest of those with infirmities on the island, came and were healed, who also honoured us with many honours and gave us what we needed on our setting sail.

And after three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship which had wintered in the island, with the sign of Dioscuri.

And having been brought into Syracuse we stayed three days. From there, having gone round, we arrived at Rhegium. And after one day, a south wind having got up, we came to Puteoli, where, having found brethren, we were pressed to stay with them for seven days. And thus we came to Rome. And from there the brethren, having heard about us, came out to meet us as far as the forum of Appius and the Three Taverns, on seeing whom, Paul, having given thanks to God, took courage.

And when we got to Rome the centurion handed over the prisoners to the camp commander, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. And it happened after three days that Paul called together those who were chief among the Jews. And they having come together, he said to them,

“Men, brethren, I, having done nothing against the people or the customs of the fathers was handed over, a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans, who having examined me wanted to free me because there was not one cause of death in me. But the Jews speaking against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not having anything to lay against my people. So for this reason I’ve called for you, to see you and to speak to you, for on account of the hope of Israel I have this chain about me!”

And they said to him,

“We’ve neither received letters about you from Judaea, nor, having come here, have any of the brethren reported or said anything bad about you. But we think it well to hear from you what you think, for indeed it is known to us that everywhere this sect is spoken against.”

And having appointed him a day, many came to his lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying fully as to the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning to evening. And some indeed were persuaded of the things spoken, but some disbelieved. And disagreeing with each other they departed, Paul having spoken one word,

“The Holy Spirit spoke well through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers saying, ‘Go to this people and say - hearing you will hear and not understand at all, and seeing you will see and perceive not at all, for the heart of this people has grown fat, and they have heard hardly with their ears, and they have closed their eyes in case they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and should be converted, and I should heal them.’ So, let it be known to you that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear.”

And he having said these things, the Jews went away having much discussion among themselves.

And Paul remained two whole years in his own rented house and welcomed all who came in to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things about the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom, and without hindrance.

This translation,

from the Greek Text used for the ‘Authorized’ or ‘King James’ Version

Copyright © David Lawrie 1998

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