The Jews conspire to kill Paul. THE ACTS.

24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

He is sent to Felix. 9 And there arose a great cry: and the soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen Scribes that were of the Pharisees' part threescore and ten, and spearmen two hunarose, and strove, saying, We find no evil dred, at the third hour of the night; in this man but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. 10 ¶ And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to 26 Claudius Lysias, unto the most exceltake him by force from among them, and lent governor Felix, sendeth greeting. to bring him into the castle. 27 This man was taken of the Jews, and

25 And he wrote a letter after this man

ner:

11 And the night following the Lord should have been killed of them: then stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, came I with an army, and rescued him, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in having understood that he was a Roman. Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also 28 And when I would have known the at Rome. cause wherefore they accused him, I 12 ¶ And when it was day, certain of brought him forth into their council: the Jews banded together, and bound them- 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of selves under a curse, saying, that they questions of their law, but to have nothing would neither eat nor drink till they had laid to his charge worthy of death, or of killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

bonds.

30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent 14 And they came to the chief priests straightway to thee, and gave commandand elders, and said, We have bound our- ment to his accusers also, to say before thee selves under a great curse, that we will eat what they had against him. Farewell. nothing until we have slain Paul. 31 Then the soldiers, as it was com

15 Now therefore ye with the council manded them, took Paul, and brought him signify to the chief captain, that he bring by night to Antipatris.

him down unto you to-morrow, as though 32 On the morrow they left the horseye would inquire something more perfectly men to go with him, and returned to the concerning him: and we, or ever he come castle:

near, are ready to kill him.

33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, 16 And when Paul's sister's son heard and delivered the epistle to the governor, of their lying in wait, he went and entered presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read 17 Then Paul called one of the centu- the letter, he asked of what province he rions unto him, and said, Bring this young was. And when he understood that he

into the castle, and told Paul.

man unto the chief captain; for he hath a was of Cilicia; certain thing to tell him.

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine 18 So he took him, and brought him to accusers are also come. And he comthe chief captain, and said, Paul the manded him to be kept in Herod's judgprisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

ment-hall.

CHAP. XXIV.

19 Then the chief captain took him by AND after five days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and the hand, and went with him aside privately, with a certain orator named Tertullus, who and asked him, What is that thou hast to informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Ter

tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed tullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and down Paul to-morrow into the council, as that very worthy deeds are done unto this though they would inquire somewhat of nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places,

him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. for there lie in wait for him of them more 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further than forty men, which have bound them- tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou selves with an oath, that they will neither wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few eat nor drink till they have killed him: words.

and now are they ready, looking for a 5 For we have found this man a pestipromise from thee. lent fellow, and a mover of sedition among 22 So the chief captain then let the all the Jews throughout the world, and a young man depart, and charged him, See ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes: thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these 6 Who also hath gone about to profane things to me. the temple: whom we took, and would 23 ¶ And he called unto him two centu- have judged according to our law: rions, saying, Make ready two hundred 7 But the chief captain Lysias came

Tertullus accuses Paul. CHAP. XXV. upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee by examining of whom, thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying, That these things were so.

Paul's defence.

this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 ¶ He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's room and Felix, willing 10 Then Paul, after that the governor to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

bound.

Now

CHAP. XXV.

TOW when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascend

ed from Cesarea to Jerusalem.

11 Because that thou mayest under- 2 Then the high priest and the chief of stand, that there are yet but twelve days the Jews informed him against Paul, and since I went up to Jerusalem for to wor- besought him, ship. 3 And desired favour against him, that 12 And they neither found me in the he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying temple disputing with any man, neither wait in the way to kill him. raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after among you are able, go down with me, and the way which they call heresy, so worship accuse this man, if there be any wickedness I the God of my fathers, believing all things in him. which are written in the law and in the

6 And when he had tarried among them prophets : more than ten days, he went down unto 15 And have hope toward God, which Cesarea; and the next day sitting on the they themselves also allow, that there shall judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be be a resurrection of the dead, both of the brought.

just and unjust.

7 And when he was come, the Jews 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to which came down from Jerusalem stood have always a conscience void of offence round about, and laid many and grievous toward God, and toward men. complaints against Paul, which they could not prove;

17 Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult:

me.

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all.

19 Who ought to have been here before 9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews thee, and object, if they had ought against a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be 20 Or else let these same here say, if judged of these things before me? they have found any evil-doing in me, 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's while I stood before the council, judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried, standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in 11 For if I be an offender, or have comquestion by you this day. mitted any thing worthy of death, I refuse 22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, not to die: but if there be none of these having more perfect knowledge of that things whereof these accuse me, no man way, he deferred them, and said, When may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Lysias the chief captain shall come down, Cesar.

I will know the uttermost of your matter. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred 23 And he commanded a centurion to with the council, answered, Hast thou apkeep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and pealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou that he should forbid none of his acquaint-go. ance to minister, or come unto him.

13 And after certain days, king 24 And after certain days, when Felix Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea, came with his wife Drusilla, which was a to salute Festus.

Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him 14 And when they had been there ma concerning the faith in Christ. ny days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix left in bonds by Felix:

trembled and answered, Go thy way for 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusa

Paul cleared by Festus.

THE ACTS. His defence before Agrippa.

lem, the chief priests and the elders of the are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech Jews informed me, desiring to have judg-thee to hear me patiently. ment against him.

16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews,

5 Which knew me from the beginning, (if they would testify,) that after the most straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.

17 Therefore, when they were come 6 And now I stand, and am judged for hither, without any delay on the morrow I the hope of the promise made of God unto sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded our fathers: the man to be brought forth;

7. Unto which promise our twelve tribes, 18 Against whom, when the accusers instantly serving God day and night, hope stood up, they brought none accusation of to come. For which hope's sake, king such things as I supposed: Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.

8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in 21 But when Paul had appealed to be prison, having received authority from the reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I chief priests; and when they were put to commanded him to be kept till I might death, I gave my voice against them. send him to Cesar. 11 And I punished them oft in every

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I synagogue, and compelled them to blaswould also hear the man myself. To-pheme; and being exceedingly mad against morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. them, I persecuted them even unto strange 23 ¶ And on the morrow, when Agrippa cities.

was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, 12 Whereupon, as I went to Damascus, and was entered into the place of hearing, with authority and commission from the with the chief captains and principal men chief priests,

of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul 13 At mid-day, O king, I saw in the way was brought forth. a light from heaven, above the brightness

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and of the sun, shining round about me, and all men which are here present with us, ye them which journeyed with me.

see this man about whom all the multitude 14 And when we were all fallen to the of the Jews have dealt with me, both at earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, ought not to live any longer. Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou persehave determined to send him.

cutest.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: write unto my lord. Wherefore I have for I have appeared unto thee for this purbrought him forth before you, and specially pose, to make thee a minister and a witness before thee, O king Agrippa, that after ex-both of these things which thou hast seen, amination had, I might have somewhat to and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to 17 Delivering thee from the people, and send a prisoner, and not withal to signify from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send the crimes laid against him. thee,

CHAP. XXVI.

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them

THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou from darkness to light, and from the power Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among answered for himself: them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Da3 Especially, because I know thee to be mascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout expert in all customs and questions which all the coasts of Judea, and then to the

Paul is pronounced innocent. CHAP. XXVII. He sails toward Rome. Gentiles, that they should repent and turn | 7 And when we had sailed slowly many to God, and do works meet for repent-days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sail

ance.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me ed under Crete, over against Salmone: in the temple, and went about to kill me.

S And hardly passing it, came unto a 22 Having therefore obtained help of place which is called, The Fair Havens; God, I continue unto this day, witnessing nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea. both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come :

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admo23 That Christ should suffer, and that nished them, he should be the first that should rise from 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive the dead, and should shew light unto the that this voyage will be with hurt and people, and to the Gentiles. much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

24 ¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou 11 Nevertheless, the centurion believed art beside thyself; much learning doth the master and the owner of the ship more make thee mad. than those things which were spoken by

25 But he said, I am not mad, most no- Paul. ble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part ad26 For the king knoweth of these things, vised to depart thence also, if by any means before whom also I speak freely. For I they might attain to Phenice, and there to am persuaded that none of these things are winter; which is an haven of Crete, and hidden from him; for this thing was not lieth toward the south-west and north-west. done in a corner,

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

31. And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death, or of bonds.

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cesar.

CHAP. XXVII.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:

17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with

AND when it was determined, that we our own hands the tackling of the ship.

should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

2 And entering into a ship of Adramyt- 21 ¶ But after long abstinence, Paul tium, we launched, meaning to sail by the stood forth in the midst of them, and said, coasts of Asia, one Aristarchus, a Macedo- Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, nian of Thessalonica, being with us. and not have loosed from Crete, and to have 3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. gained this harm and loss. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I

serve,

5 And when we had sailed over the sea 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to My-be brought before Cesar: and lo, God hath ra, a city of Lycia. given thee all them that sail with thee. 6 And there the centurion found a ship 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he for I believe God, that it shall be even as it put us therein.

was told me.

Paul's dangerous voyage.

THE ACTS.

And

Paul heals many in Mehta. 26 Howbeit, we must be cast upon a cer- some on broken pieces of the ship. tain island. so it came to pass, that they escaped all

27 But when the fourteenth night was safe to land. come, as we were driven up and down in

CHAP. XXVIII.

ND when they were escaped, then

Adria, about midnight the shipmen deem-A they knew that the island was called

ed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty Melita. fathoms and when they had gone a little 2 And the barbarous people shewed us further, they sounded again, and found it no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, fifteen fathoms. and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

29 Then fearing lest they should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion, and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

3 ¶ And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Howbeit, they looked when he should 33 And while the day was coming on, have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenPaul besought them all to take meat, say-ly: but after they had looked a great while, ing, This day is the fourteenth day that ye and saw no harm come to him, they chang have tarried, and continued fasting, having ed their minds, and said that he was a taken nothing. god.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some 7 In the same quarters were possesmeat; for this is for your health for there sions of the chief man of the island, whose shall not an hair fall from the head of any name was Publius; who received us, and of you. lodged us three days courteously. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he 8 And it came to pass, that the father took bread, and gave thanks to God in of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a presence of them all; and when he had bloody-flux: to whom Paul entered in, and broken it, he began to eat. prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

9 So when this was done, others also which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land but they discovered a certain 11 ¶ And after three months we depart creek with a shore, into the which they ed in a ship of Alexandria, which had winwere minded, if it were possible, to thrust tered in the isle, whose sign was Castor in the ship. and Pollux..

40 And when they had taken up the

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried anchors, they committed themselves unto there three days.

the sea, and loosed the rudder-bands, and 13 And from thence, we fetched a comhoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and pass, and came to Rhegium: and after one made toward shore. day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and 14 Where we found brethren, and were the forepart stuck fast, and remained un- desired to tarry with them seven days: and moveable, but the hinder part was broken so we went toward Rome. with the violence of the waves.

15 And from thence when the brethren

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill heard of us, they came to meet us as far as the prisoners, lest any of them should swim Appii-forum, and the Three Taverns; out, and escape. whom when Paul saw, he thanked God,

43 But the centurion, willing to save and took courage. Paul, kept them from their purpose, and 16 And when we came to Rome, the commanded that they which could swim, centurion delivered the prisoners to the should cast themselves first into the sea, and captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered get to land: to dwell by himself, with a soldier that kep*

44 And the rest, some on boards, and him.