10

9 into Damascus. And he was three days without sight; and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ana11 nias." And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord." And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, of Tarsus*: for, behold, he 12 prayeth; and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias; who came in, and put his hand on him, that he might 13 recover his sight." Then Ananias answered, Lord, I

have heard from many of this man, how much evil he 14 hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem and here he hath

authority from the chief-priests to bind all who are call15 ed by thy name t." But the Lord said unto him, "Go:

for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before 16 the gentiles, and kings, and the sons of Israel. For I

will shew him what things he must suffer because of my 17 name." Then Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and when he had put his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to thee on the way as thou camest, hath sent me that thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with the holy 18 spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it

were scales; and he recovered his sight forthwith, and 19 arose, and was baptized. And when he had taken food, he was strengthened.

Then Saul continued some days with the disciples that

"Strabo, who lived under Augustus and Tiberius, says of the inhabitants of Tarsus, that they so studied philosophy, and the whole circle of knowledge, as to exceed Athens, Alexandria, and any other place in which philosophy and letters were cultivated. L. xiv. p. 673, marg. ed. Casaub." Newcome.

+ Or, "who appeal to thy name." See Lindsey's Second Address, p. 107. "Who call on thy name." Newcome. But in his note, he refers to Dr. Hammond on 1 Cor. i. 2. who renders the phrase in the former sense.

+ "Here one who is not an apostle is the instrument of communicating the spirit But this is an extraordinary case." Newcome.

U

20 were at Damascus. And immediately he preached Jesus* 21 in the synagogues, that he was the son of God. But all

that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this he who destroyed those who call themselves after† this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for this purpose, that he 22 might bring them bound to the chief-priests?" But Saul increased more in strength, and perplexed the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this man is the Christ. And after many days were fulfilled, the Jews took 24 counsel to kill him: (but their lying in wait was known

23

by Saul) and they watched the gates day and night, 25 that they might kill him. Then the disciples took him

by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And when Saul came to Jerusalem, he attempted to join

himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, 27 not believing that he was a disciple. Then Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles; and related to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, who had spoken to him; and how he had spoken freely at Da28 mascus in the name of Jesus. And Saul consorted § with 29 them at Jerusalem; and he spake freely in the name of

the Lord Jesus. And he talked and disputed with the 30 Hellenists; but they tried to kill him: which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cesarea, and 31 sent him away to Tarsus. Then the churches had quiet

Galilee and Samaria, being

throughout all Judea and edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord; and they were filled with the comfort of the holy spirit.

32 AND it came to pass that, as Peter went through all parts, he came down to the saints also who dwelt at 33 Lydda. And there he met with a certain man named Eneas, that had kept his bed eight years, and was sick 34 of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Eneas, Jesus

Christ, R. T.

+ N. m. called on, N. See ver. 14.

this was the Christ, N. See bishop Pearce.
Gr. was with them coming in and going out. Symonds, 131. N. m

who is the Christ cureth thee: arise, and make thy 35 bed." And he arose immediately. And all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which, being interpreted into Greek, signifieth Dorcas: this woman abounded in good works and in 37 alms which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died: so when they had washed 38 her, they laid her in an upper-room. And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who had heard that Peter was there, sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would 39 not delay coming to them. Then Peter arose, and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper-room and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the vests and mantles which Dor40 cas made while she was with them. But Peter sent them all out, and kneeled down, and prayed, and turned to the body, and said, Tabitha, arise." And she opened 41 her eyes and, when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he

gave her his hand, and raised her up; and, when he had 42 called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And

it was known throughout all Joppa: and many believed 43 in the Lord. And it came to pass that he remained many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

CH. X. Now [there was] a certain man in Cesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian 2 band; a religious man, and a gentile who feared God with all his household; who likewise gave much alms to the 3 people, and prayed to God continually: [he] saw in a vision evidently, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God, who came in unto him, and said to him, 4" Cornelius." And when he had stedfastly looked on the angel, he was afraid, and said, "What is it, Sir ?” And the angel said unto him, "Thy prayers and thine

* Jesus Christ, N.

alms are come up for a memorial of thee before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon, whose 6 surname is Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, 7 whose house is by the sea-side *." And when the angel who spake to him departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants, and a religious soldier of those who 8 attended on him; and when he had told them all these things, he sent them to Joppa.

9

Now on the morrow, as they journeyed, and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the house-top to pray, about 10 the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and wished to eat but while they were making ready †, he fell into 11 a trance; and seeth heaven opened, and somewhat de

scending like a great sheet, bound together at the four 12 ends, and let down to the earth in which were all kinds of four-footed beasts of the earth, [and wild beasts,] and 13 creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a 14 voice to him, Arise, Peter; slay, and eat." But Peter said, By no means, Lord: for I have never eaten any 15 thing common or unclean." And the voice spake to him again a second time, "What

66

16 regard thou not as common."

God hath cleansed, that And this was done thrice:

17 and the sheet was taken up again into heaven. Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen might be, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had found § Simon's house, and stood before the 18 porch, and called, and asked whether Simon, who was 19 surnamed Peter, lodged there. So while Peter thought

intently on the vision, the spirit said unto him, "Behold, 20 [three] men scek thee. Arise therefore, and go down, and depart with them, not doubting: for I have sent 21 them." Then Peter went down to the men ||; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek; what is the cause for

*He shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. R. T.

+ made ready, N.

to him, R. T. and N.

who were sent to him from Cornelius, R. T.

§ Gr. enquired out, N. m.

22 which ye are come?" And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man, and a gentile who feareth God, and one of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel, to send for thee 23 to his house, and to hear thy words." Then Peter called them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow he arose* and went with them; and some of the brethren from 24 Joppa accompanied him. And on the morrow after, they entered into Cesarea. Now Cornelius expected t them; and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Peter entered in, Cornelius met him, and fell 26 down at his feet, and did him obeisance. But Peter raised 27 him up, saying, "Rise: I myself also am a man." And

Peter went in, talking with him; and findeth many that 28 were come together. And he said unto them, "Ye know that it is unlawful for a Jew, to join himself, or come near, to one of another nation: but God hath shewn me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29 Wherefore I came also to you without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore; On what account have 30 ye sent for me?" Then Cornelius said, "Four days ago I continued fasting until this hour; and at the ninth [hour] I prayed in my house: and, behold, a man 31 stood before me in bright clothing, and saith, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remem32 brance before God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter: he lodgeth in the house of one Simon, a tanner, by the sea-side: who, when 33 he is come, will talk with thee.' Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast done well that thou art come. Now therefore all we are present before God, to 34 hear all things which God hath commanded thee." Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, "In truth I perceive

*"he arose," omitted in R. T.

Or, was expecting them.