Rise up, and be baptized, and wash | departed from him that were about away thy sins, invoking his name. to torture him. The tribune also 17 And it came to pass when I was afraid after he understood that was come again to Jerusalem, and he was a Roman citizen, and bewas praying in the temple, that I cause he had bound him." was in a trance, 18 And saw him saying unto me: Make haste and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. 19 And I said: Lord, they know that I cast into prison and beat in every synagogue them that believed thee. 30 But on the next day meaning to know more diligently, for what cause he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the priests to come together and all the council: and bringing forth Paul, he set him before them. CHAP. XXIII. Paul stands before the council. in the when the blood of Ste-Acil, sad: Men upon the coun phen thy witness was shed, I stood by and consented, and kept the garments of them that killed him. 21 And he said to me: Go, for unto the gentiles afar off will I send thee. 22 And they heard him until this word, and then lifted up their voice, saying: Away with such an one from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. 23 And as they cried out and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air, conversed with all good conscience before God, until this present day. 2 And the high-priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him: God shall strike thee, thou whited wall. For sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and contrary to the law commandest me to be struck? 4 And they that stood by said: Dost thou revile the high-priest of God? 5 And Paul said: I knew not, 24 The tribune commanded him brethren, that he is the high-priest. to be brought into the castle, and For it is written: Thou shalt not that he should be scourged and tor- speak evil of the prince of thy tured; to know for what cause they people. did so cry out against him. 6 And Paul knowing that the one 25 And when they had bound part were Sadducees, and the other him with thongs, Paul saith to the Pharisees, cried out in the council: centurion that stood by him: Is it Men brethren, I am a Pharisee, the lawful for you to scourge a man son of Pharisees: concerning the that is a Roman, and uncondemned? hope and resurrection of the dead 1 26 Which the centurion hearing, am called in question. went to the tribune, and told him, saying: What art thou about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen. 27 And the tribune coming, said to him: Tell me, art thou a Roman? But he said: Yea. 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. 28 And the tribune answered: I obtained the being free of this city with a great sum. And Paul said: 9 And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising 29 Immediately therefore they lup, strove saying: We find no evil But I was born so. in this man. What if a spirit hath | into the council, as if they meant spoken to him, or an angel? to inquire something more certain 10 And when there arose a great touching him, dissension, the tribune fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 11 And the night following the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant; for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. 12 And when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together, and bound themselves undera curse, saying: That they would neither eat, nor drink, till they killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty men that had made this conspiracy. 14 Who came to the chief priests and the ancients, and said: We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing till we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore do you with the council signify to the tribune, that he bring him forth to you, as if you meant to know something more certain touching him. And we, before he come near, are ready to kill him. 16 Which when Paul's sister's son had heard, of their lying in wait, he came, and entered into the castle and told Paul. 17 And Paul calling to him one of the centurions, said: Bring this young man to the tribune, for he hath something to tell him. 18 And he taking him, brought him to the tribune, and said: Paul the prisoner desired me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee. 19 And the tribune taking him by the hand, went aside with him privately and asked him: What is it that thou hast to tell me? 21 But do not thou give credit to them; for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves by oath neither to eat nor to drink till they have killed him: and they are now ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22 The tribune therefore dismissed the young man, charging him that he should tell no man that he had made known these things unto him. 23 Then having called two centurions, he said to them: Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spear-men for the third hour of the night. 24 And provide beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe to Felix the governor. 25 (For he feared lest perhaps the Jews might take him away by force and kill him, and he should afterwards be slandered as if he was to take money.) And he wrote a letter after this manner. 26 Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. 27 This man being taken by the Jews,and ready to be killed by them, I rescued coming in with an army, understanding that he is a Roman: 28 And meaning to know the cause which they objected unto him, I brought him forth into their council. 29 Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law: but having nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bands. 30 And when I was told of ambushes that they had prepared for him, I sent him to thee, signifying also to his accusers to plead before thee. Farewell. 31 Then the soldiers, according 20 And he said: The Jews have as it was commanded them, taking agreed to desire thee, that thou Paul, brought him by night to An wouldst bring forth Paul to-morrow | tipatris. 32 And the next day leaving the 10 Then Paul answered horsemen to go with him, they re- governor making a sign to him to *urned to the castle. speak:) Knowing that for many 33 Who when they were come to years thou hast been judge over this Cesarea, and had delivered the letter nation, I will with good courage to the governor, did also present answer for myself. Paul before him. 11 For thou mayest understand 34 And when he had read it and that there are yet but twelve days, had asked of what province he was: since I went up to adore in Jerusa and understood that he was of lem. Cilicia: 12 And neither in the temple did 35 I will hear thee, said he, when they find me disputing with any thy accusers come. And he com- man, or causing any concourse of manded him to be kept in Herod's the people, neither in the synajudgment-hall. gogues, nor in the city: CHAP. XXIV. Paul's defence before Felix. 13 Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now AND after five days the high-accuse me. priest Ananias came down, 14 But this I confess to thee that with some of the ancients, and one according to the sect, which they Tertullus an orator, who went to call heresy, so I serve the Father the governor against Paul. and my God, believing all things 2 And Paul being called for, Ter-which are written in the law and tullus began to accuse him, saying: the prophets : Whereas through thee we live in 15 Having hope in God, which much peace, and many things are these also themselves look for, tha rectified by thy providence, there shall be a resurrection of the 3 We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving. 4 But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in few words. 5. We have found this to be a pestilent man, and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes. just and unjust. 16 And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence towards God and towards men. 17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and of ferings and vows. 18 In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude nor with tumult: 6 Who also hath gone about to 19 By certain Jews of Asia, who profane the temple: whom we ha- ought to have been here before thee ving apprehended would also have and to accuse, if they had any thing judged according to our law. against me: But Lysias the tribune coming upon us with great violence took him away out of our hands. 20 Or let these men themselves say, if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before their council, 8 Commanding his accusers to 21 Except it be for this one voice ome to thee: of whom thou may- only that I cried standing among est thyself, by examination, have them, concerning the resurrection knowledge of all these things, of the dead am I judged this day by whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also added, and said that these things were so. you. 22 And Felix put them off, ha|ving most certain knowledge of this 24 And after some days, Felix coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul, and heard of him the faith, that is in CHRIST JESUS. went down to Cesarea, and the next 7 Who being brought, the Jews 8 Paul making answer for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Cesar have I offended in any thing. 25 And as he treated of justice, 9 But Festus willing to shew the and chastity and of the judgment Jews a pleasure, answering Paul, to come, Felix being terrified, an- said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusaswered: For this time go thy way: lem, and there be judged of these but when I have a convenient time things before me? I will send for thee. 10 Then Paul said: 1 stand at Ce 26 Hoping also withal, that money sar's judgment-seat where I ought should be given him by Paul; for to be judged: To the Jews I have which cause also oftentimessending done no injury, as thou very well for him, he spoke with him. knowest. 27 But when two years were 11 For if I have injured them, or ended, Felix had for successor Por- have committed any thing worthy tius Festus. And Felix being wil- of death, I refuse not to die. But ling to shew the Jews a pleasure, if there be none of these things, whereof they accuse me, no man may deliver me to them: I appeal to Cesar. left Paul bound. CHAP. XXV. Now when Festus was come days he went up to Jerusalem from Cesarea. 2 And the chief priests, and principal men of the Jews went unto him against Paul: and they besought him, 3 Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way. 12 with Then Festus having conferred thou appealed to Cesar? To Cesar shalt thou go. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul was kept in Cesarea; and that he himself would very shortly depart thither. 13 And after some days king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Cesarea to salute Festus. 14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus told the king of Paul, saying: A certain man was left prisoner by Felix. 15 About whom when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the ancients of the Jews came unto me, desiring condemnation against him. 16 To whom I answered: It is 5 Let them therefore, saith he, not the custom of the Romans to among you that are able, go down condemn any man before that he with me and accuse him, if there who is accused have his accusers be any crime in the man. present, and have liberty to make 6 And having tarried among them his answer, to clear himself of the no more than eight or ten days, he things laid to his charge. 17 When therefore they were sonable, to send a prisoner, and come hither, without any delay, on not to signify the things laid to his the day following, sitting in the charge. judgment-seat, I commanded the man to be brought. 18 Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no ac CHAP. XXVI. Paul gives an account of his life, &c. cusation of things which I thought for thyself. Then Paul stretching ill of: forth his hand, began to make his 2 I think myself happy, O king 19 But had certain questions of answer. their own superstition against him, and of one JESUS deceased, whom Agrippa, that I am to answer for Paul affirmed to be alive. myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews, 20 1 therefore being in a doubt of this manner of question, asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, 3 Especially as thou knowest all, and there be judged of these things. both customs and questions that are 21 But Paul appealing to be re- among the Jews: wherefore I beserved unto the hearing of Augus-seech thee to hear me patiently. tus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Cesar. 22 And Agrippa said to Festus: I would also hear the man myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 4 And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know : 5 Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 23 And on the next day when Agrippa and Bernice were come with great pomp, and had entered 6 And now for the hope of the into the hall of audience with the promise that was made by God to tribunes and principal men of the the fathers, do I stand subject to city at Festus's commandment Paul judgment: was brought forth. 24 And Festus said: King Agrippa, and all ye men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews dealt with me at Jerusalem, requesting and crying out that he ought not to live any longer. 25 Yet have I found nothing that he hath committed worthy of death. But for as much as he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. For which cause I have brought him forth before you,and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that examination being made, I may have what to 7 Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day,hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible, that God should raise the dead? 9 And I indeed did formerly think that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of JESUS of Nazareth. 10 Which also I did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints did I shut up in prisons, having received authority of the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I brought the sentence. 11 And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue I compelled them to blaspheme: and 27 For it seemeth to me unrea-being yet more mad against them write. |