The Jews conspire to kill Paul:

THE ACTS.

He is sent to Felix. and the chief captain also was afraid, after and elders, and said, We have bound ourhe knew that he was a Roman, and be-selves under a great curse, that we will cause he had bound him. eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

30 On the morrow, because he would 15 Now therefore ye with the council have known the certainty wherefore he signify to the chief captain, that he bring was accused of the Jews, he loosed him him down unto you to-morrow, as though from his bands, and commanded the chief ye would inquire something more perpriests and all their council to appear, fectly concerning him: and we, or ever and brought Paul down, and set him be- he come near, are ready to kill him. fore them.

CHAP. XXIII.

16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered

AND Paul, earnestly beholding the into the castle, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centu

council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before rions unto him, and said, Bring this young God until this day. man unto the chief captain; for he hath

2 And the high priest Ananias com- a certain thing to tell him. manded them that stood by him, to smite 18 So he took him, and brought him to him on the mouth. the chief captain, and said, Paul the 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall prisoner called me unto him, and prayed smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest me to bring this young man unto thee, thou to judge me after the law, and com- who hath something to say unto thee. mandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4 And they that stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Phari- 21 But do not thou yield unto them: sees, he cried out in the council, Men and for there lie in wait for him of them more brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a than forty men, which have bound themPharisee of the hope and resurrection of selves with an oath, that they will neither the dead I am called in question. eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the 23 And he called unto him two centu Scribes that were of the Pharisees' part rions, saying, Make ready two hundred arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath threescore and ten, and spearmen two spoken to him, let us not fight against God. hundred, at the third hour of the night;

10 And when there arose a great dis- 24 And provide them beasts, that they sension, the chief captain, fearing lest may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Paul should have been pulled in pieces of Felix the governor.

them, commanded the soldiers to go down, 25 And he wrote a letter after this and to take him by force from among manner: them, and to bring him into the castle.

26 Claudius Lysias, unto the most ex

11 And the night following the Lord cellent governor Felix, sendeth greeting. stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, 27 This man was taken of the Jews, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in and should have been killed of them: then Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also came I with an army, and rescued him, at Rome. having understood that he was a Roman. 12 And when it was day, certain of the 28 And when I would have known the Jews banded together, and bound them-cause wherefore they accused him, I selves under a curse, saying, that they brought him forth into their council: would neither eat, nor drink till they had 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death, or of bonds.

killed Paul.

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

14 And they came to the chief priests

30 And when it was told me how that

Tertullus accuses Paul.

CHAP. XXIV, XXV.

Paul's defence. the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent 14 But this I confess unto thee, that straightway to thee, and gave command- after the way which they call heresy, so ment to his accusers also, to say before worship I the God of my fathers, believing thee what they had against him. Farewell. all things which are written in the law 31 Then the soldiers, as it was com- and in the prophets:

manded them, took Paul, and brought him 15 And have hope toward God, which by night to Antipatris. they themselves also allow, that there shall 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen be a resurrection of the dead, both of the to go with him, and returned to the castle: just and unjust.

33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to and delivered the epistle to the governor, have always a conscience void of offence presented Paul also before him. toward God, and toward men.

34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall.

CHAP. XXIV.

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:

19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had aught against

me.

ND after five days, Ananias the high 20 Or else let these same here say, if

A priest descended with the elders, they have found any evil-doing in me,

and with a certain orator named Tertullus, while I stood before the council, who informed the governor against Paul. 21 Except it be for this one voice, that 2 And when he was called forth, Ter- I cried, standing among them, Touching tullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing the resurrection of the dead I am called that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and in question by you this day. that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further I will know the uttermost of your matter. tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou 23 And he commanded a centurion to wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and words. that he should forbid none of his acquaint

5 For we have found this man a pesti-ance to minister, or come unto him. lent fellow, and a mover of sedition among 24 And after certain days, when Felix all the Jews throughout the world, and a came with his wife Drusilla, which was ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes: a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him 6 Who also hath gone about to profane concerning the faith in Christ. the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law:

7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

8 Commanding his accusers to come 26 He hoped also that money should unto thee: by examining of whom, thy-have been given him of Paul, that he self mayest take knowledge of all these might loose him: wherefore he sent for things whereof we accuse him. him the oftener, and communed with him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying, 27 But after two years Porcius Festus That these things were so. came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing 10 Then Paul, after that the governor to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, CHAP. XXV. Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been TOW when Festus was come into the of many years a judge unto this nation, I province, after three days he ascenddo the more cheerfully answer for myself: ed from Cesarea to Jerusalem.

NOW

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 worship. besought him,

12 And they neither found me in the 3 And desired favour against him, that temple disputing with any man, neither he would send for him to Jerusalem, layraising up the people, neither in the syna-ing wait in the way to kill him.

gogues, nor in the city:

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should 13 Neither can they prove the things be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself whereof they now accuse me would depart shortly thither.

1

Paul brought before Festus.

THE ACTS. He declares his life to Agrippa.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which would go to Jerusalem, and there be judg among you are able, go down with me, and ed of these matters. accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I 6 And when he had tarried among them commanded him to be kept till I might more than ten days, he went down unto send him to Cesar. Cesarea; and the next day sitting on the 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be would also hear the man myself. brought. morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

To

7 And when he was come, the Jews 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa which came down from Jerusalem stood was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, round about, and laid many and grievous and was entered into the place of hearing, complaints against Paul, which they could with the chief captains and principal men not prove; of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and

8 While he answered for himself, Nei- was brought forth. ther against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar all men which are here present with us, ye have I offended any thing at all. see this man about whom all the multitude

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a of the Jews have dealt with me, both at pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be ought not to live any longer. judged of these things before me?

25 But when I found that he had com

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's mitted nothing worthy of death, and that judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I to the Jews have I done no wrong, as have determined to send him. thou very well knowest. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to

11 For if I be an offender, or have com-write unto my lord. Wherefore I have mitted any thing worthy of death, I refuse brought him forth before you, and spenot to die: but if there be none of these cially before thee, O king Agrippa, that things whereof these accuse me, no man after examination had, I might have somemay deliver me unto them. I appeal unto what to write.

Cesar.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred to send a prisoner, and not withal to sigwith the council, answered, Hast thou ap-nify the crimes laid against him. pealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go.

CHAP. XXVI.

13 And after certain days, king Agrippa Tart permitted to speak for thyself. AgrippaHEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou and Bernice came unto Cesarea, to salute Festus.

Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and

14 And when they had been there many answered for himself: days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto 2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, the king, saying, There is a certain man because I shall answer for myself this day left in bonds by Felix: before thee, touching all the things where

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusa- of I am accused of the Jews: lem, the chief priests and the elders of the 3 Especially, because I know thee to be Jews informed me, desiring to have judg-expert in all customs and questions which ment against him. are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech

16 To whom I answered, It is not the thee to hear me patiently. manner of the Romans to deliver any man 4 My manner of life from my youth, to die, before that he which is accused which was at the first among mine own nahave the accusers face to face, and have tion at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, licence to answer for himself concerning 5 Which knew me from the beginning, the crime laid against him. (if they would testify,) that after the most straitest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth;

18 Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

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 hel

6 And now I stand, and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. 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

and speaks in his defence.

ought to do many things contrary to the] 26 For the king knoweth of these things, name of Jesus of Nazareth. before whom also I speak freely. For 1 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusa- am persuaded that none of these things are lem and many of the saints did I shut up hidden from him; for this thing was not

:

in prison, having received authority from done in a corner. the chief priests; and when they were 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the put to death, I gave my voice against them. prophets? I know that thou believest. 11 And I punished them oft in every syna- 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Algogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; most thou persuadest me to be a Christian. and being exceedingly mad against them, I 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that persecuted them even unto strange cities. not only thou, but also all that hear me 12 Whereupon, as I went to Damascus, this day, were both almost, and altogether with authority and commission from the such as I am, except these bonds. chief priests,

30 And when he had thus spoken, the 13 At mid-day, O king, I saw in the king rose up, and the governor, and Berway a light from heaven, above the bright-nice, and they that sat with them: ness of the sun, shining round about me, 31 And when they were gone aside, and them which journeyed with me. they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death, or of bonds.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me! It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And

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

he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. AND when it was determined, that red 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: should sail into Italy, they delivered for I have appeared unto thee for this pur-Paul and certain other prisoners unto one pose, to make thee a minister and a wit-named Julius,a centurion of Augustus' band. ness both of these things which thou hast 2 And entering into a ship of Adramytseen, and of those things in the which I tium, we launched, meaning to sail by the will appear unto thee; coasts of Asia, one Aristarchus, a Macedo17 Delivering thee from the people, and nian of Thessalonica, being with us. from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send 3 And the next day we touched at Sithee, don. And Julius courteously entreated 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his from darkness to light, and from the power friends to refresh himself.

of Satan unto God, that they may receive] 4 And when we had launched from forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because them which are sanctified by faith that is the winds were contrary.

in me.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Mynot disobedient unto the heavenly vision: ra, a city of Lycia.

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone:

20 But shewed first unto them of Da- 6 And there the centurion found a ship mascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he all the coasts of Judea, and then to the put us therein. Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:

8 And hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called, The Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9 Now, when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should. shew light unto the 10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive people, and to the Gentiles. that this voyage will be with hurt and 24 And as he thus spake for himself, much damage, not only of the lading and Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou ship, but also of our lives. art beside thyself; much learning doth 11 Nevertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more 25 But he said, I am not mad, most no-than those things which were spoken by. ble Festus; but speak forth the words of Paul. truth and soberness.

make thee mad.

12 And because the haven was not com

Paul's dangerous voyage.

THE ACTS

He suffers shipwreck. modious to winter in, the more part advised the soldiers, Except these abide in the to depart thence also, if by any means they ship, ye cannot be saved. might attain to Phenice, and there to win- 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of ter; which is a haven of Crete, and lieth the boat, and let her fall off. toward the south-west and north-west. 33 And while the day was coming on, 13 And when the south wind blew soft-Paul besought them all to take meat, sayly, supposing that they had obtained their ing, This day is the fourteenth day that ye purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close have tarried, and continued fasting, having by Crete. taken nothing. 14 But not long after there arose against 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, meat; for this is for your health: for there 15 And when the ship was caught, and shall not a hair fall from the head of any could not bear up into the wind, we let of you. her drive. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he 16 And running under a certain island took bread, and gave thanks to God in which is called Clauda, we had much presence of them all; and when he had work to come by the boat: broken it, he began to eat.

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 our own hands the tackling of the ship.

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.

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.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the 21 But after long abstinence, Paul stood anchors, they committed themselves unto forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, the sea, and loosed the rudder-bands, and ye should have hearkened unto me, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have made toward shore. gained this harm and loss.

41 And falling into a place where two 22 And now I exhort you to be of good seas met, they ran the ship aground; and cheer: for there shall be no loss of any the forepart stuck fast, and remained unman's life among you, but of the ship. moveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

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

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must the prisoners, lest any of them should be brought before Cesar: and lo, God swim out, and escape. hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain island.

43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they which could swim, should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

CHAP. XXVIII.

44 And the rest, some on boards, and 27 But when the fourteenth night was some on broken pieces of the ship And so it come, as we were driven up and down in came to pass, that they escaped all safe to Adria, about midnight the shipmen deem- land. ed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded, and found it twenty ND when they were escaped, then fathoms: and when they had gone a little they knew that the island was called further, they sounded again, and found it Melita. fifteen fathoms. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us 29 Then fearing lest they should have no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors and received us every one, because of out of the stern, and wished for the day. the present rain, and because of the cold. 30 And as the shipmen were about to 3 And when Paul had gathered a bunflee out of the ship, when they had let dle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, down the boat into the sea, under colour as there came a viper out of the heat, and though they would have cast anchors out fastened on his hand.

of the foreship,

4 And when the barbarians saw the 31 Paul said to the centurion, and to venomous beast hang on his hand, they said