Paul is sent to Feliz.

THE ACTS,

His defence

28 And when I would have 8 Commanding his accusers to known the cause wherefore they come unto thee: by examining of accused him, I brought him forth whom, thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things whereof into their council: we accuse him.

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.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying, That these things were so 10 Then Paul, after that the go30 And when it was told me vernor had beckoned unto him to how that the Jews laid wait for speak, answered, Forasmuch as I the man, I sent straightway to know that thou hast been of many thee, and gave commandment to years a judge unto this nation, I do his accusers also, to say before thee the more cheerfully answer for mywhat they had against him. Fare- self: well.

31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipa

tris.

32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33 Who, when they came to Cesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

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. Paul accused by Tertullus. ND after five days, Ananias A the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and 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.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee, that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Naza

renes:

11 Because that thou mayestu derstand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Je rusalem for to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people. neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accom

me.

14 But this I confess unto thes that after the way which they ca heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And herein do I exercise my & self, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

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 tem ple, neither with multitude, n with tumult:

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

20 Or else let these same her say, if they have found any ev doing in me, while I stood before the council,

21 Except it be for this one voice. that I cried, standing among them Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22 And when Felix heard these 6 Who also hath gone about to things, having more perfect knowprofane the temple: whom we ledge of that way, he deferred took, and would have judged ac- them, and said, When Lysias the cording to our law: chief captain shall come down. I will know the uttermost of your

7 But the chief captain Lysins came upon us, and with great vio-matter. tence took him away out of our 23 And he commanded a centu

inds,

rion to keep Paul, and to let hi

CHAP. XXV.

While he answered for himself, either against the law of the vs, neither against the tempe, yet against Cesar have I offendany thing at all.

But Festus, willing to do the vs a pleasure, answered Paul, I said, Wilt thou go up to Jeruem, and there be judged of these ngs before me?

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the 0 Then said Paul, I stand at chief captains and principal men sar's judgment-seat, where I of the city, at Festus' com

THE ACTS,

before Agrippa, brought ceived authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

Paul pleadeth
mandment Paul was
was
forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrip-
pa, and all men which are here
present with us, ye see this man
about whom all the multitude of
the Jews have dealt with me, both
at Jerusalem, and also here, cry-
ing that he ought not to live any
longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

12 Whereupon, as I went to Damascus, with authority and com mission from the chief priests,

13 At mid-day, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me, and them which journeyed with me.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially 14 And when we were all falles before thee, O king Agrippa, that to the earth, I heard a voice speak after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

CHAP. XXVI. Paul pleadeth before Agrippa. HEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

ing 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 thon Lord? And he said, I am Jess whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upst thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a wi ness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unte thee;

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, 17 Delivering thee from the pes touching all the things whereof Iple, and from the Gentiles, unto am accused of the Jews: whom now I send thee,

3 Especially, because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

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.

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 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 prison, having re

146

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unt God, that they may receive forgive ness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa. I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea. and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to Go and do works meet for repent ance.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and west about to kill me.

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto the day, witnessing both to small an great, saying none other things tha those which the prophets and Moses did say should come

23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, s should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles

who is almost a Christian. CHAP. XXVII. Paul's voyage to Rome.

24 And as he thus spake for him- were come over against Cnidus, elf, Festus said with a loud the wind not suffering us, we sailed oice, Paul, thou art beside thy-under Crete, over against Salmone: elf; much learning doth make 8 And hardly passing it, came hee mad. unto a place which is called, The Fair Havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

25 But he said, I am not mad, nost noble Festus; but speak orth the words of truth and sober

ess.

26 For the king knoweth of hese things, before whom also I peak freely. For I am persuaded hat none of these things are hidden rom him; for this thing was not one in a corner.

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

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Imost thou persuadest me to be a 'hristian.

29 And Paul said, I would to od, that not only thou, but also that hear me this day, were oth almost, and altogether such as am, except these bonds.

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

em:

31 And when they were gone ide, they talked between themIves, saying, This man doeth thing worthy of death, or of ends.

32 Then said Agrippa unto FesThis man might have been set liberty, if he had not appealed to Cesar.

CHAP. XXVII. Paul's dangerous Voyage. ND when it was determined, that we should sail into Italy, ey delivered Paul and certain her prisoners unto one named lius, a centurion of Augustus'

nd.

2 And entering into, a ship of dramyttium, we launched, meang to sail by the coasts of Asia, e Aristarchus, a Macedonian of hessalonica, being with us.

And the next day we touched Sidon. And Julius courteously treated Paul, and gave him liberto go unto his friends to refresh nself.

And when we had launched m thence, we sailed under Cyis, because the winds were con

ry.

And when we had sailed over sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found ship of Alexandria sailing into ly; and he put us therein.

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

10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11 Nevertheless, the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is a haven of Crete, and lieth toward the southwest and north-west.

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 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.

21 But after long abstinence, Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be na And when we had sailed loss of any man's life among you wly many days, and scarce but of the ship.

147

towards Rome 23 For there stood by me this | minded, if it were possible, to night the angel of God, whose I thrust in the ship. am, and whom I serve,

Paul's dangerous voyage THE ACTS,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cesar: and lo, God 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.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

20 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.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried, and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat; for this is for your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any of

you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all; and when he had broken it, he began to

eat.

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

And when it was day, they
not the land: but they dis-
da certain creek with a
into the which they were

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder-bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

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:

44 And the rest, some on boards. and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Paul shipwrecked at Melita

AND when they were escaped then they knew that the island was called Melita.

2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the pre sent rain, and because of the cold.

3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid th on the fire, there came a viper o 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 live.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Howbeit, they looked when he should have swollen, or falles down dead suddenly: but aft they had jooked a great while, an saw no harm come to him, ther changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7 In the same quarters were po sessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Pubb who received us, and lodged three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever, and of a bloody-flux whom Paul entered in, and prayed