priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

CHAP. XXIII.

1 As Paul pleadeth his cause, 2 Ananias commanded them to smite him: 7 Dissension among his accusers: 11 God encourageth him. 14 The Jews laying wait for Paul, 20 is declared to the chief captain: 27 He sendeth him to Felix the governor.

A. D. 60.

"Ex. 22. 28.

AND

lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him, to strike him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul to him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest 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 knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other

cc. 24. 21.

him down to you to-morrow, as though ye would inquire something more per fectly concerning him: and we, before he shall come near, are ready to kill him.

16 And when the son of Paul's sister heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centorions to him, and said, Bring this young man to the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him, and prayed me to bring this young man to thee, who hath something to say to thee.

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 wouldst bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, Matt. 22.23. as though they would inquire somewhat concerning him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou 3 yield to them: for there are of them who lie in wait for him more than forty men, who have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed

Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 d For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and contended, saying, We find no evil 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 would have been 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 stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear testimony also at Rome.

12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves 2 under a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

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

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain, that he bring

oath of execration.

3 or, Believe, or, trust.

for a promise from thee.

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

23 And he called to him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and seventy horsemen, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

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

25 And he wrote a letter after this

manner:

26 Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, sendeth greeting.

27 This man was taken by the Jews, and would have been killed by them: then I came with a body of soldiers, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

28 And when I would have known the cause for which they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

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.

30 And when it was told to me that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent forthwith to thee, and gave commandment to his aecusers also, to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

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

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 thy accusers also have come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment-hall.

CHAP. XXIV.

1 Paul being accused by Tertullus the orator, 10 answereth for his life and doctrine: 24 He preacheth Christ to the governor and his wife. 26 The governor hopeth for a bribe, but in vain: 27 At last, going out of his of fice, he leaveth Paul in prison.

A high pre Anathe

ND after five days, Ananias the

ders, 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 to this nation by thy providence,

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

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

5 For we have found this a pestilent man, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

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Felir made procurator over Ju

⚫ A. D. 53.

a c. 21. 27.

7 But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of [b c. 23. 6. our hands,

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

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

10 Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned to him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been for many years a judge to this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

lor, conti

nence.

11 That thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since IA. D. 62. went up to Jerusalem to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither exciting the people to sedition, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

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

16 And in this I exercise myself, to

no more

or, as some copies read, than eight or ten days.

have always a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards men.

a

17 Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Upon which 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.

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

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

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, I will know the uttermost of your mat

ter.

23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister, or come to him.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, 1 temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, depart for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 He hoped also that money would have been given him by 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 as successor to Felix:* and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

CHAP. XXV.

2 The Jews accuse Paul before Festus: 8 He answereth for himself, 11 and appealeth to Cesar; 14 Afterwards Festus openeth his matter to king Agrippa, 23 and he is brought forth: 25 Festus cleareth him of having done any thing worthy of death.

NOW

OW when Festus had come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem.

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,

3 And desired favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

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, who among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there is any wickedness in him.

6 And when he had tarried among them 1 more than ten days, he went down to Cesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he had come, the Jews

who came down from Jerusalem stood around, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove;

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar have I committed any of fense.

9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things before me?

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's tribunal, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

Il For if I am an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there is none of these things of which these accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Cesar.

A. D. 62.

2 or, religion.

3 or, I was doubtful how to inquire hereof.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Cesar? to Cesar thou 4 or, judgshalt go.

13 And after certain days, king Agrippa and Bernice came to Cesarea, to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause to the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

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

17 Therefore, when they had 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 no accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own 2 superstition, and of one Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because 3 I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these matters.

ment.

a c. 8. 3.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved to the 4 hearing of Augustus, I c. 9. 2. commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa had come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and had entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa,

and all men who 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, crying that he ought not to live any lon ger.

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

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

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

CHAP. XXVI.

2 Paul in the presence of Agrippa declareth his life from his childhood, 12′′ and for mi raculously he was converted, and called to his apostle-ship. 24 Festus chargeth him to be insane, to which he answereth modestly. 28 Agrippa is almost persuaded to be a Christian. 31 The whole company prenounce him innocent.

THE

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

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

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 my own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews,

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

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

7 To which promise our twelve tribes, assiduously serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused by 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.

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, struck sail, and so were driv

en.

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.

A. D. 62.

4 or, Men.

thee.

25 Wherefore, 5 sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it will be even as it was told to me.

26 But we must be cast upon a certain isle.

27 When the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen suspected 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.

29 Then fearing lest 6 we should fall 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 color as though they would 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 food, 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 food; 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 they were all of good cheer, and they also took food.

7or, cut the anchors, they left them in the sea, &c.

37 And we were in all in the ship twe hundred and seventy six souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast 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 which they purposed, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

40 And when they had 7 taken up the anchors, they committed themselves to the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted the mainsail to the wind, and made towards the shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained immovable, 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 who 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 all escaped safe to land.

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

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 animal 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 Inow Malta. not to live.

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

6 Yet they looked when he would have swelled, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the isle, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass that the father of Publius lay sick with a fever, and a bloody-flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.