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.

THE END