be Afty thousand pieces of silver. Junto him, desiring that he would o So mightily grew the word of not venture himself into the theatre: God and was confirmed. 21 And when these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying: After I have been there 1 must see Rome also. 22 And sending into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself remained for a time in Asia. 23 Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord, 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver temples for Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen, 25 Whom he calling together, with the workmen of like occupation, said: Sirs, you know that our gain is by this trade; 26 And you see and hear that this Paul by persuasion hath drawn away a great multitude, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying: They are not gods which are made by hands. 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also the temple of great Diana shall be reputed for nothing, yea and her majesty shall begin to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. 28 Having heard these things they were full of anger, and cried out saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion, and having caught Gaius, and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. 30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people the disciples suffered him not. 31 And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent 32 Now some cried one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not for what cause they were come together. 33 And they drew forth Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander beckoning with his hand for silence would have given the people satisfaction. 34 But as soon as they perceived him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for the space of about two hours, cried out: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35 And when the town-clerk had appeased the multitude, he said: Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana, and of Jupiter's offspring. 36 For as much therefore as these things cannot begainsaid, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege nor of blasphemy against your goddess. 38 But if Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts of justice are open, and there are pro-consuls ; let them accuse one another. 39 And if you inquire after any other matter, it may be decided in a lawful assembly. 40 For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar: there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. CHAP. XX. disciples, and exhorting them, took sailed to Assos, being there to take his leave, and set forward to go into in Paul; for so he had appointed, Macedonia. himself purposing to travel by land. 2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece: 14 And when he had met with us at Assos, we took him in and came to Mitylene. 15 And sailing thence, the day 3 Where when he had spent following we came over-against three months, the Jews laid wait Chios: and the next day we arrifor him, as he was about to sail ved at Samos: and the day followinto Syria: so he took a resolution ing we came to Miletus. to return through Macedonia. 16 For Paul had determined to 4 And there accompanied him sail by Ephesus, lest he should be Sopater the son of Pyrrhus, of Be- stayed any time in Asia. For he rea: and of the Thessalonians, A-hasted, if it were possible for him, ristarchus, and Secundus: and Gai- to keep the day of Pentecost at Jes us of Derbe, and Timothy and of rusalem. Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus, 5 These going before, stayed for us at Troas. 6 But we sailed from Philippi after the days of the azymes, and came to them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days. 7 And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, being to depart on the morrow and he continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were a great number of lamps in the upper chamber where we were assembled. 9 And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window, being oppressed with a deep sleep, (as Paul was long preaching) by occasion of his sleep, fell from the third loft down, and was taken up dead. 17 And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church. 18 And when they were come to him, and were together, he said to them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you for all the time. 19 Serving the Lord with all humility, and with tears, and temptations, which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews. 20 How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house. 21 Testifying both to Jews and gentiles penance towards God, and faith in our Lord JESUS CHRIST. 22 And now behold, being bound in the Spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there. 10 To whom when Paul had gone down, he laid himself upon him; 23 Save that the Holy Ghost and embracing him said: Be not in every city witnesseth to me saytroubled, for his soul is in him. ing that bands and afflictions wait 11 Then going up and breaking for me at Jerusalem. bread and tasting, and having talk-24 But I fear none of these things, ed a long time to them until daylight, so he departed. 12 And they brought the youth alive, and were not a little comforted. 13 But we going aboard the ship, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I recei ved from the Lord JESUS to testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now behold 1 know that all you among whom I have gone CHAP. XXI. Paul goes up to Jerusalem. preaching the kingdom of God, Abeing parted from them we set shall see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to wit-sail, we came with a straight course ness this day that I am clear from to Coos, and the day following to the blood of all men. 27 For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, keeping in memory, that for three years I ceased not with tears to admonish every one of you, night and day. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified. 33 I have not coveted any man's silver, gold or apparel, as 34 You yourselves know for such things as were needful for me and them that are with me, these hands have furnished. 35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring, you ought to support the weak, and to remember the word of the Lord JESUS, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive. 36 And when he had said these things, kneeling down he prayed with them all. 37 And there was much weeping among them all; and falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him, 38 Being grieved most of all for the word which he had said, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the ship. Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. 2 And when we had found a ship sailing over to Phenice, we went aboard and set forth. 3 And when we had discovered Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed into Syria, and came to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden. 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 And the days being expired,departing we went forward, they all bringing us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and we prayed. 6 And when we had bid one another farewell, we took ship; and they returned home. 7 But we having finished the voyage by sea, from Tyre came down to Ptolemais: and saluting the brethren, we abode one day with them. 8 And the next day departing we came to Cesarea. And entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him. 9 And he had four daughters virgins, who did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried there for some days, there came from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11 Who when he was come to us, took Paul's girdle: and binding his own feet and hands he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose girdle this is, the Jews shall bind in this manner in Jerusalem, and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles. 12 Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that not go up to Jerusalem. place, desired him that he would which they have heard of thee, are false but that thou thyself also 13 Then Paul answered, and said: walkest keeping the law. What do you mean weeping and afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but to die also in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord JESUS. 14 And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will of the Lord be done. 15 And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem. 16 And there went also with us some of the disciples from Cesarea, bringing with them one Mnason a Cyprian an old disciple, with whom we should lodge. 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the ancients were assembled. 19 Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things God had wrought among the gentiles by his ministry. 20 But they hearing it, glorified God, and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have believed: and they are all zealots for the law. 21 Now they have heard of thee that thou teachest those Jews, who are among the gentiles, to depart from Moses: saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, nor walk according to the custom. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, who have a vow on them. 25 But as touching the gentiles that believe, we have written, decreeing that they should only refrain themselves from that which has been offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day being purified with them entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every one of them. 27 But when the seven days were drawing to an end those Jews that were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands upon him, crying out: 28 Men of Israel, help: this is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law and this place and moreover hath brought in gentiles into the temple, and hath violated this holy place. 29 (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30 And the whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together. And taking Paul, they drew him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 And as they went about to kill him, it was told the tribune of the band, That all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 Who forthwith taking with him soldiers and centurions, ran down to them. And when they 24 Take these and sanctify thy-saw the tribune and the soldiers, self with them; and bestow on them they left off beating Paul. that they may shave their heads : and all will know that the things 33 Then the tribune coming near took him, and commanded him to Ver. 24. Keeping the law. The law, though now no longer obligatory, was for a time observed by the Christian Jews; to bury, as it were, the synagogue with honour be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was, and what he had done. 34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude. And when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. 35 And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that he was carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people. 36 For the multitude of the people followed after crying: Awaywith him. 37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to the tribune: May I speak something to thee? Who said: Canst thou speak Greek? 38 Art not thou that Egyptian who before these days didst raise a tumult, and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were murderers? 39 But Paul said to him: I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee suffer me to speak to the people. 40 And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. And a great silence being made, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying: CHAP. XXII. Paul's history of his conversion. [EN, brethren, and fathers, now give unto you. 2 (And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence.) 4 Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As the high-priest doth bear me witness, and all the ancients: from whom also receiving letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus, that I might bring them bound from thence to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, as I was going, and drawing nigh to Damascus at mid-day, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great light: 7 And falling on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 8 And I answered: Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me: I am JESUS of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9 And they that were with me, saw indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke with me. 10 And I said: What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me: Arise and go to Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things that thou must do. 11 And whereas I did not see for the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by my companions, I came to Damascus, 12 And one Ananias, a man according to the law, having testimony of all the Jews who dwelt there, 13 Coming to me, and standing by me, said to me: Brother Saul, ed upon him. 14 But he said: The God of our fathers hath pre-ordained thee that thou shouldst know his will, and see 3 And he saith: I am a Jew, born the Just One, and shouldst hear at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought the voice from his mouth. up in this city at the feet of Gama 15 For thou shalt be his witness liel, taught according to the truth of to all men, of those things which the law of the fathers, zealous for thou hast seen and heard. the law, as also all you are this day: [ 16 And now why tarriest thou? Ver. 9. Heard not the voice. That is, they distinguished not the words: though they heard a voice. Acts ix. 7. |