signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them. 015:013 After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me. 015:014 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name. 015:015 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 015:016 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up, 015:017 That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.{Amos 9:11-12} 015:018 All his works are known to God from eternity.' 015:019 "Therefore my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 015:020 but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. 015:021 For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath." 015:022 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} 015:023 They wrote these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 015:024 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment; 015:025 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 015:026 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 015:027 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 015:028 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 015:029 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell." 015:030 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 015:031 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 015:032 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them. 015:033 After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. 015:034 {Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to stay there.} 015:035 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. 015:036 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing." 015:037 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 015:038 But Paul didn't think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the work. 015:039 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus, 015:040 but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 015:041 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies. 016:001 He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek. 016:002 The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him. 016:003 Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 016:004 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 016:005 So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. 016:006 When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 016:007 When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn't allow them. 016:008 Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 016:009 A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, "Come over into Macedonia and help us." 016:010 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them. 016:011 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; 016:012 and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city. 016:013 On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together. 016:014 A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the things which were spoken by Paul. 016:015 When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay." So she persuaded us. 016:016 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling. 016:017 Following Paul and us, she cried out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation!" 016:018 She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" It came out that very hour. 016:019 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 016:020 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are agitating our city, 016:021 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans." 016:022 The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 016:023 When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, 016:024 who, having received such a charge, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks. 016:025 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 016:026 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were loosened. 016:027 The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 016:028 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, "Don't harm yourself, for we are all here!" 016:029 He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, 016:030 and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 016:031 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." 016:032 They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. 016:033 He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. 016:034 He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God. 016:035 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, "Let those men go." 016:036 The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out, and go in peace." 016:037 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!" 016:038 The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 016:039 and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city. 016:040 They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia's house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed. 017:001 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 017:002 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 017:003 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ." 017:004 Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 017:005 But the unpersuaded Jews took along{TR reads "And the Jews who were unpersuaded, becoming envious and taking along" instead of "But the unpersuaded Jews took along"} some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people. 017:006 When they didn't find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} before the rulers of the city, crying, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here also, 017:007 whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!" 017:008 The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things. 017:009 When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 017:010 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. 017:011 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 017:012 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few men. 017:013 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. 017:014 Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there. 017:015 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed. 017:016 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. 017:017 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him. 017:018 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also{TR omits "also"} were conversing with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be advocating foreign deities," because he preached Jesus and the resurrection. 017:019 They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you? 017:020 For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean." 017:021 Now all the Athenians and the strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing. 017:022 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, "You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. 017:023 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. 017:024 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, 017:025 neither is he served by men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. 017:026 He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings, 017:027 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 017:028 'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' 017:029 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. 017:030 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 017:031 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead." 017:032 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, "We want to hear you again concerning this." 017:033 Thus Paul went out from among them. 017:034 But certain men joined with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. 018:001 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. 018:002 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 018:003 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers. 018:004 He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 018:005 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 018:006 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!" 018:007 He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 018:008 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized. 018:009 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Don't be afraid, but speak and don't be silent; 018:010 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people in this city." 018:011 He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 018:012 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, 018:013 saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law." 018:014 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with you; 018:015 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. For I don't want to be a judge of these matters." 018:016 He drove them from the judgment seat. 018:017 Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn't care about any of these things. 018:018 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow. 018:019 He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 018:020 When they asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined; 018:021 but taking his leave of them, and saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills," he set sail from Ephesus. 018:022 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch. 018:023 Having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples. 018:024 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures. 018:025 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. 018:026 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 018:027 When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 018:028 for he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. 019:001 It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples. 019:002 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They said to him, "No, we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 019:003 He said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." 019:004 Paul said, "John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come after him, that is, in Jesus." 019:005 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 019:006 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied. 019:007 They were about twelve men in all. 019:008 He entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading about the things concerning the Kingdom of God. 019:009 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 019:010 This continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. 019:011 God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, 019:012 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and the evil spirits went out. 019:013 But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches." 019:014 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. 019:015 The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?" 019:016 The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 019:017 This became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 019:018 Many also of those who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 019:019 Many of those who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.{The 50,000 pieces of silver here probably referred to 50,000 drachmas. If so, the value of the burned books was equivalent to about 160 man-years of wages for agricultural laborers} 019:020 So the word of the Lord was growing and becoming mighty. 019:021 Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome." 019:022 Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 019:023 About that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 019:024 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, 019:025 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, "Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth. 019:026 You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands. 019:027 Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worships." 019:028 When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 019:029 The whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. 019:030 When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the disciples didn't allow him. 019:031 Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 019:032 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in confusion. Most of them didn't know why they had come together. 019:033 They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people. 019:034 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 019:035 When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 019:036 Seeing then that these things can't be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 019:037 For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 019:038 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. 019:039 But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular assembly. 019:040 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn't be able to give an account of this commotion." 019:041 When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. 020:001 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 020:002 When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. 020:003 When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 020:004 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia. 020:005 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas. 020:006 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. 020:007 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight. 020:008 There were many lights in the upper chamber where we{TR reads "they" instead of "we"} were gathered together. 020:009 A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. 020:010 Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, "Don't be troubled, for his life is in him." 020:011 When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed. 020:012 They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted. 020:013 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land. 020:014 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene. 020:015 Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus. 020:016 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. 020:017 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly. 020:018 When they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time, 020:019 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews; 020:020 how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 020:021 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.{TR adds "Christ"} 020:022 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 020:023 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 020:024 But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. 020:025 "Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 020:026 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men, 020:027 for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 020:028 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and{TR, NU omit "the Lord and"} God which he purchased with his own blood. 020:029 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 020:030 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 020:031 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 020:032 Now, brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where the context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 020:033 I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing. 020:034 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me. 020:035 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" 020:036 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. 020:037 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, 020:038 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. 021:001 When it happened that we had parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 021:002 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. 021:003 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload her cargo. 021:004 Having found disciples, we stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 021:005 When it happened that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed. 021:006 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. 021:007 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. 021:008 On the next day, we, who were Paul's companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 021:009 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 021:010 As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 021:011 Coming to us, and taking Paul's belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit: 'So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" 021:012 When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 021:013 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 021:014 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The Lord's will be done." 021:015 After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. 021:016 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay. 021:017 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 021:018 The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 021:019 When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry. 021:020 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. 021:021 They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. 021:022 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come. 021:023 Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow. 021:024 Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 021:025 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality." 021:026 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them. 021:027 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, 021:028 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled this holy place!" 021:029 For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 021:030 All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut. 021:031 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 021:032 Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul. 021:033 Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. 021:034 Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd. When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded him to be brought into the barracks. 021:035 When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 021:036 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!" 021:037 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, "May I speak to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek? 021:038 Aren't you then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?" 021:039 But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people." 021:040 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying, 022:001 "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you." 022:002 When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were even more quiet. He said, 022:003 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as you all are this day. 022:004 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 022:005 As also the high priest and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. 022:006 It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me. 022:007 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 022:008 I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.' 022:009 "Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me. 022:010 I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed for you to do.' 022:011 When I couldn't see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 022:012 One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus, 022:013 came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' In that very hour I looked up at him. 022:014 He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 022:015 For you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 022:016 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' 022:017 "It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 022:018 and saw him saying to me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from you.' 022:019 I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed in you. 022:020 When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.' 022:021 "He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.'" 022:022 They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their voice, and said, "Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn't fit to live!" 022:023 As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into the air, 022:024 the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted against him like that. 022:025 When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?" 022:026 When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!" 022:027 The commanding officer came and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" He said, "Yes." 022:028 The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship for a great price." Paul said, "But I was born a Roman." 022:029 Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him. 022:030 But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them. 023:001 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day." 023:002 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 023:003 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law?" 023:004 Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God's high priest?" 023:005 Paul said, "I didn't know, brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"{Exodus 22:28} 023:006 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" 023:007 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 023:008 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 023:009 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, "We find no evil in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight against God!" 023:010 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. 023:011 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome." 023:012 When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 023:013 There were more than forty people who had made this conspiracy. 023:014 They came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 023:015 Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near." 023:016 But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul. 023:017 Paul summoned one of the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man to the commanding officer, for he has something to tell him." 023:018 So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and said, "Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to tell you." 023:019 The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside, asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" 023:020 He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him. 023:021 Therefore don't yield to them, for more than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, looking for the promise from you." 023:022 So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." 023:023 He called to himself two of the centurions, and said, "Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night{about 9:00 PM}." 023:024 He asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 023:025 He wrote a letter like this: 023:026 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. 023:027 "This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 023:028 Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council. 023:029 I found him to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 023:030 When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell." 023:031 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 023:032 But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 023:033 When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 023:034 When the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, 023:035 "I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive." He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace. 024:001 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul. 024:002 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation, 024:003 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 024:004 But, that I don't delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 024:005 For we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 024:006 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested him.{TR adds "We wanted to judge him according to our law,"} 024:007 {TR adds "but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,"} 024:008 {TR adds "commanding his accusers to come to you."}By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him." 024:009 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so. 024:010 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense, 024:011 seeing that you can recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 024:012 In the temple they didn't find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the city. 024:013 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 024:014 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 024:015 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 024:016 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. 024:017 Now after some years, I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 024:018 amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob, nor with turmoil. 024:019 They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 024:020 Or else let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood before the council, 024:021 unless it is for this one thing that I cried standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged before you today!'" 024:022 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case." 024:023 He ordered the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 024:024 But after some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 024:025 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you." 024:026 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with him. 024:027 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds. 025:001 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 025:002 Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him, 025:003 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way. 025:004 However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly. 025:005 "Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him." 025:006 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 025:007 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove, 025:008 while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all." 025:009 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?" 025:010 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well. 025:011 For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!" 025:012 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go." 025:013 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. 025:014 As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 025:015 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him. 025:016 To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 025:017 When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 025:018 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed; 025:019 but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 025:020 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 025:021 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar." 025:022 Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him." 025:023 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 025:024 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 025:025 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him. 025:026 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have something to write. 025:027 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him." 026:001 Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. 026:002 "I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews, 026:003 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 026:004 "Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 026:005 having known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 026:006 Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers, 026:007 which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa! 026:008 Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead? 026:009 "I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 026:010 This I also did in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them. 026:011 Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. 026:012 "Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests, 026:013 at noon, O King, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. 026:014 When we had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 026:015 "I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' "He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 026:016 But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you; 026:017 delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, 026:018 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 026:019 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 026:020 but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 026:021 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me. 026:022 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, 026:023 how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the Gentiles." 026:024 As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!" 026:025 But he said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness. 026:026 For the king knows of these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner. 026:027 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." 026:028 Agrippa said to Paul, "With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?" 026:029 Paul said, "I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds." 026:030 The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. 026:031 When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds." 026:032 Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." 027:001 When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band. 027:002 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 027:003 The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself. 027:004 Putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 027:005 When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 027:006 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and he put us on board. 027:007 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 027:008 With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. 027:009 When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them, 027:010 and said to them, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 027:011 But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul. 027:012 Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast. 027:013 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to shore. 027:014 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which is called Euroclydon.{Or, "a northeaster."} 027:015 When the ship was caught, and couldn't face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along. 027:016 Running under the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat. 027:017 After they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along. 027:018 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things overboard. 027:019 On the third day, they threw out the ship's tackle with their own hands. 027:020 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved was now taken away. 027:021 When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. 027:022 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 027:023 For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, 027:024 saying, 'Don't be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.' 027:025 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me. 027:026 But we must run aground on a certain island." 027:027 But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land. 027:028 They took soundings, and found twenty fathoms.{20 fathoms = 120 feet = 36.6 meters} After a little while, they took soundings again, and found fifteen fathoms.{15 fathoms = 90 feet = 27.4 meters} 027:029 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for daylight. 027:030 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow, 027:031 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these stay in the ship, you can't be saved." 027:032 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off. 027:033 While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. 027:034 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads." 027:035 When he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it, and began to eat. 027:036 Then they all cheered up, and they also took food. 027:037 In all, we were two hundred seventy-six souls on the ship. 027:038 When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea. 027:039 When it was day, they didn't recognize the land, but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the ship onto it. 027:040 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach. 027:041 But coming to a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. 027:042 The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape. 027:043 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land; 027:044 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely to the land. 028:001 When we had escaped, then they{NU reads "we"} learned that the island was called Malta. 028:002 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 028:003 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 028:004 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live." 028:005 However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn't harmed. 028:006 But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 028:007 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously entertained us for three days. 028:008 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. 028:009 Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured. 028:010 They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed. 028:011 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers." 028:012 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 028:013 From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 028:014 where we found brothers,{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome. 028:015 From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. 028:016 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 028:017 It happened that after three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 028:018 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 028:019 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 028:020 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain." 028:021 They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or speak any evil of you. 028:022 But we desire to hear from you what you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against." 028:023 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until evening. 028:024 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 028:025 When they didn't agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers, 028:026 saying, 'Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive. 028:027 For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn again, and I would heal them.'{Isaiah 6:9-10} 028:028 "Be it known therefore to you, that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also listen." 028:029 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves. 028:030 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him, 028:031 preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. Book 45 Romans 001:001 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, 001:002 which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 001:003 concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 001:004 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 001:005 through whom we received grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's sake; 001:006 among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ; 001:007 to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 001:008 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. 001:009 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the Good News of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you always in my prayers, 001:010 requesting, if by any means now at last I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 001:011 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; 001:012 that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. 001:013 Now I don't desire to have you unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, and was hindered so far, that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. 001:014 I am debtor both to Greeks and to foreigners, both to the wise and to the foolish. 001:015 So, as much as is in me, I am eager to preach the Good News to you also who are in Rome. 001:016 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. 001:017 For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith."{Habakkuk 2:4} 001:018 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 001:019 because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. 001:020 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. 001:021 Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. 001:022 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 001:023 and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. 001:024 Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, 001:025 who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 001:026 For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions. For their women changed the natural function into that which is against nature. 001:027 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural function of the woman, burned in their lust toward one another, men doing what is inappropriate with men, and receiving in themselves the due penalty of their error. 001:028 Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 001:029 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers, 001:030 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 001:031 without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unforgiving, unmerciful; 001:032 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. 002:001 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, whoever you are who judge. For in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself. For you who judge practice the same things. 002:002 We know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 002:003 Do you think this, O man who judges those who practice such things, and do the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 002:004 Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? 002:005 But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; 002:006 who "will pay back to everyone according to their works:"{Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12} 002:007 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; 002:008 but to those who are self-seeking, and don't obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation, 002:009 oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who works evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 002:010 But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 002:011 For there is no partiality with God. 002:012 For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without the law. As many as have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 002:013 For it isn't the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified 002:014 (for when Gentiles who don't have the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are a law to themselves, 002:015 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them) 002:016 in the day when God will judge the secrets of men, according to my Good News, by Jesus Christ. 002:017 Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, and rest on the law, and glory in God, 002:018 and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 002:019 and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 002:020 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babies, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth. 002:021 You therefore who teach another, don't you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn't steal, do you steal? 002:022 You who say a man shouldn't commit adultery. Do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 002:023 You who glory in the law, through your disobedience of the law do you dishonor God? 002:024 For "the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,"{Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:22} just as it is written. 002:025 For circumcision indeed profits, if you are a doer of the law, but if you are a transgressor of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 002:026 If therefore the uncircumcised keep the ordinances of the law, won't his uncircumcision be accounted as circumcision? 002:027 Won't the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfills the law, judge you, who with the letter and circumcision are a transgressor of the law? 002:028 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; 002:029 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God. 003:001 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? 003:002 Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God. 003:003 For what if some were without faith? Will their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? 003:004 May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, "That you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you come into judgment."{Psalm 51:4} 003:005 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what will we say? Is God unrighteous who inflicts wrath? I speak like men do. 003:006 May it never be! For then how will God judge the world? 003:007 For if the truth of God through my lie abounded to his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 003:008 Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, that good may come?" Those who say so are justly condemned. 003:009 What then? Are we better than they? No, in no way. For we previously charged both Jews and Greeks, that they are all under sin. 003:010 As it is written, "There is no one righteous; no, not one. 003:011 There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God. 003:012 They have all turned aside. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not, so much as one."{Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20} 003:013 "Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit."{Psalm 5:9} "The poison of vipers is under their lips;"{Psalm 140:3} 003:014 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness."{Psalm 10:7} 003:015 "Their feet are swift to shed blood. 003:016 Destruction and misery are in their ways. 003:017 The way of peace, they haven't known."{Isaiah 59:7-8} 003:018 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."{Psalm 36:1} 003:019 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. 003:020 Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin. 003:021 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 003:022 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, 003:023 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 003:024 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 003:025 whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice{or, a propitiation}, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance; 003:026 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. 003:027 Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 003:028 We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 003:029 Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn't he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 003:030 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. 003:031 Do we then nullify the law through faith? May it never be! No, we establish the law. 004:001 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather, has found according to the flesh? 004:002 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not toward God. 004:003 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."{Genesis 15:6} 004:004 Now to him who works, the reward is not counted as grace, but as debt. 004:005 But to him who doesn't work, but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness. 004:006 Even as David also pronounces blessing on the man to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, 004:007 "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 004:008 Blessed is the man whom the Lord will by no means charge with sin."{Psalm 32:1-2} 004:009 Is this blessing then pronounced on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. 004:010 How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. 004:011 He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might also be accounted to them. 004:012 The father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had in uncircumcision. 004:013 For the promise to Abraham and to his seed that he should be heir of the world wasn't through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 004:014 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. 004:015 For the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there disobedience. 004:016 For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace, to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. 004:017 As it is written, "I have made you a father of many nations."{Genesis 17:5} This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were. 004:018 Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, "So will your seed be."{Genesis 15:5} 004:019 Without being weakened in faith, he didn't consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. 004:020 Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, 004:021 and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 004:022 Therefore it also was "reckoned to him for righteousness."{Genesis 15:6} 004:023 Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, 004:024 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead, 004:025 who was delivered up for our trespasses, and was raised for our justification. 005:001 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; 005:002 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 005:003 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; 005:004 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope: 005:005 and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 005:006 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 005:007 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die. 005:008 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 005:009 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him. 005:010 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life. 005:011 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 005:012 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned. 005:013 For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law. 005:014 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come. 005:015 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 005:016 The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification. 005:017 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. 005:018 So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life. 005:019 For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous. 005:020 The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; 005:021 that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 006:001 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 006:002 May it never be! We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? 006:003 Or don't you know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 006:004 We were buried therefore with him through baptism to death, that just like Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. 006:005 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we will also be part of his resurrection; 006:006 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be in bondage to sin. 006:007 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 006:008 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him; 006:009 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no more has dominion over him! 006:010 For the death that he died, he died to sin one time; but the life that he lives, he lives to God. 006:011 Thus consider yourselves also to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 006:012 Therefore don't let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 006:013 Neither present your members to sin as instruments of unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 006:014 For sin will not have dominion over you. For you are not under law, but under grace. 006:015 What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? May it never be! 006:016 Don't you know that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? 006:017 But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered. 006:018 Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness. 006:019 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh, for as you presented your members as servants to uncleanness and to wickedness upon wickedness, even so now present your members as servants to righteousness for sanctification. 006:020 For when you were servants of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 006:021 What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 006:022 But now, being made free from sin, and having become servants of God, you have your fruit of sanctification, and the result of eternal life. 006:023 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 007:001 Or don't you know, brothers{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} (for I speak to men who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man for as long as he lives? 007:002 For the woman that has a husband is bound by law to the husband while he lives, but if the husband dies, she is discharged from the law of the husband. 007:003 So then if, while the husband lives, she is joined to another man, she would be called an adulteress. But if the husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is no adulteress, though she is joined to another man. 007:004 Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit to God. 007:005 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were through the law, worked in our members to bring forth fruit to death. 007:006 But now we have been discharged from the law, having died to that in which we were held; so that we serve in newness of the spirit, and not in oldness of the letter. 007:007 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? May it never be! However, I wouldn't have known sin, except through the law. For I wouldn't have known coveting, unless the law had said, "You shall not covet."{Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21} 007:008 But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead. 007:009 I was alive apart from the law once, but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 007:010 The commandment, which was for life, this I found to be for death; 007:011 for sin, finding occasion through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. 007:012 Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. 007:013 Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. 007:014 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin. 007:015 For I don't know what I am doing. For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. 007:016 But if what I don't desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. 007:017 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 007:018 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. 007:019 For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice. 007:020 But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 007:021 I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. 007:022 For I delight in God's law after the inward man, 007:023 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. 007:024 What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? 007:025 I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God's law, but with the flesh, the sin's law. 008:001 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.{NU omits "who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit"} 008:002 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. 008:003 For what the law couldn't do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh; 008:004 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 008:005 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 008:006 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; 008:007 because the mind of the flesh is hostile towards God; for it is not subject to God's law, neither indeed can it be. 008:008 Those who are in the flesh can't please God. 008:009 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his. 008:010 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 008:011 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. 008:012 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 008:013 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 008:014 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God. 008:015 For you didn't receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba{Abba is an Aramaic word for father or daddy, often used affectionately and respectfully in prayer to our Father in heaven.}! Father!" 008:016 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 008:017 and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him. 008:018 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. 008:019 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 008:020 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 008:021 that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. 008:022 For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. 008:023 Not only so, but ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for adoption, the redemption of our body. 008:024 For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees? 008:025 But if we hope for that which we don't see, we wait for it with patience. 008:026 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered. 008:027 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God. 008:028 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. 008:029 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.{The word for "brothers" here and where context allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."} 008:030 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. 008:031 What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 008:032 He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? 008:033 Who could bring a charge against God's chosen ones? It is God who justifies. 008:034 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 008:035 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Could oppression, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 008:036 Even as it is written, "For your sake we are killed all day long. We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter."{Psalm 44:22} 008:037 No, in all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 008:038 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 008:039 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 009:001 I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit, 009:002 that I have great sorrow and unceasing pain in my heart. 009:003 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers' sake, my relatives according to the flesh, 009:004 who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; 009:005 of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen. 009:006 But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel. 009:007 Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your seed be called."{Genesis 21:12} 009:008 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed. 009:009 For this is a word of promise, "At the appointed time I will come, and Sarah will have a son."{Genesis 18:10,14} 009:010 Not only so, but Rebecca also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. 009:011 For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, 009:012 it was said to her, "The elder will serve the younger."{Genesis 25:23} 009:013 Even as it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."{Malachi 1:2-3} 009:014 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be! 009:015 For he said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."{Exodus 33:19} 009:016