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====== Luke: Acts of the Apostles ======

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===== 1:1 =====
 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began
both to do and to teach, 1:2 until the day in which he was received up,
after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles
whom he had chosen. 1:3 To these he also showed himself alive after he
suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days,
and speaking about God's Kingdom. 1:4 Being assembled together with
them, he commanded them, "Don't depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the
promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 1:5 For John indeed
baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many
days from now."

1:6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, are
you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?"

1:7 He said to them, "It isn't for you to know times or seasons which
the Father has set within his own authority. 1:8 But you will receive
power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to
me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of
the earth."

1:9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken
up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 1:10 While they were
looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by
them in white clothing, 1:11 who also said, "You men of Galilee, why do
you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you
into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into
the sky."

1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet,
which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. 1:13 When they
had come in, they went up into the upper room, where they were staying;
that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew,
Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son
of James. 1:14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer
and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus,
and with his brothers.

1:15 In these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (and
the number of names was about one hundred twenty), and said, 1:16
"Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture should be fulfilled,
which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning
Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. 1:17 For he was numbered
with us, and received his portion in this ministry. 1:18 Now this man
obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and falling
headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. 1:19
It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in their
language that field was called 'Akeldama,' that is, 'The field of
blood.' 1:20 For it is written in the book of Psalms,

'Let his habitation be made desolate. Let no one dwell therein;'* and,

'Let another take his office.'* 1:21 "Of the men therefore who have
accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among
us, 1:22 beginning from the baptism of John, to the day that he was
received up from us, of these one must become a witness with us of his
resurrection."

1:23 They put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed
Justus, and Matthias. 1:24 They prayed, and said, "You, Lord, who know
the hearts of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen 1:25
to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell
away, that he might go to his own place." 1:26 They drew lots for them,
and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven
apostles.

===== 2:1 =====
 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one
accord in one place. 2:2 Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like
the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they
were sitting. 2:3 Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to
them, and one sat on each of them. 2:4 They were all filled with the
Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave
them the ability to speak. 2:5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem
Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. 2:6 When this sound
was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because
everyone heard them speaking in his own language. 2:7 They were all
amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Behold, aren't all these
who speak Galileans? 2:8 How do we hear, everyone in our own native
language? 2:9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia,
Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, 2:10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the
parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and
proselytes, 2:11 Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our
languages the mighty works of God!" 2:12 They were all amazed, and were
perplexed, saying one to another, "What does this mean?" 2:13 Others,
mocking, said, "They are filled with new wine."

2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and
spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at
Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 2:15 For
these aren't drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour
of the day. 2:16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet
Joel:

2:17 'It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my
Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your
young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. 2:18 Yes,
and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out
my Spirit, and they will prophesy. 2:19 I will show wonders in the sky
above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of
smoke. 2:20 The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 2:21 It will
be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'* 2:22
"Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by
God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in
the midst of you, even as you yourselves know, 2:23 him, being delivered
up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by
the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 2:24 whom God raised up,
having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible
that he should be held by it. 2:25 For David says concerning him,

'I saw the Lord always before my face, For he is on my right hand, that
I should not be moved. 2:26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue
rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope; 2:27 because you
will not leave my soul in Hades, neither will you allow your Holy One to
see decay. 2:28 You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me
full of gladness with your presence.'* 2:29 "Brothers, I may tell you
freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his
tomb is with us to this day. 2:30 Therefore, being a prophet, and
knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his
body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his
throne, 2:31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the
Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see
decay. 2:32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses.
2:33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having
received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured
out this, which you now see and hear. 2:34 For David didn't ascend into
the heavens, but he says himself,

'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit by my right hand, 2:35 until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet."'* 2:36 "Let all the house of Israel
therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified."

2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to
Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 2:39 For to you is the promise, and
to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord
our God will call to himself." 2:40 With many other words he testified,
and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked
generation!"

2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were
added that day about three thousand souls. 2:42 They continued
steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of
bread, and prayer. 2:43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and
signs were done through the apostles. 2:44 All who believed were
together, and had all things in common. 2:45 They sold their possessions
and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need.
2:46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple,
and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and
singleness of heart, 2:47 praising God, and having favor with all the
people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being
saved.

===== 3:1 =====
 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer,
the ninth hour. 3:2 A certain man who was lame from his mother's womb
was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which
is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of those who entered
into the temple. 3:3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple,
he asked to receive gifts for the needy. 3:4 Peter, fastening his eyes
on him, with John, said, "Look at us." 3:5 He listened to them,
expecting to receive something from them. 3:6 But Peter said, "Silver
and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" 3:7 He took him by the right
hand, and raised him up. Immediately his feet and his ankle bones
received strength. 3:8 Leaping up, he stood, and began to walk. He
entered with them into the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God.
3:9 All the people saw him walking and praising God. 3:10 They
recognized him, that it was he who used to sit begging for gifts for the
needy at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. They were filled with wonder
and amazement at what had happened to him. 3:11 As the lame man who was
healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in
the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

3:12 When Peter saw it, he responded to the people, "You men of Israel,
why do you marvel at this man? Why do you fasten your eyes on us, as
though by our own power or godliness we had made him walk? 3:13 The God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his
Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up, and denied in the presence of
Pilate, when he had determined to release him. 3:14 But you denied the
Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,
3:15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, to
which we are witnesses. 3:16 By faith in his name, his name has made
this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through
him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

3:17 "Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also
your rulers. 3:18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all
his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.

3:19 "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted
out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the
Lord, 3:20 and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you
before, 3:21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of
all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his holy prophets.
3:22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers, 'The Lord God will raise up a
prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You shall listen to
him in all things whatever he says to you. 3:23 It will be, that every
soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly destroyed from
among the people.'* 3:24 Yes, and all the prophets from Samuel and those
who followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these
days. 3:25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant
which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'In your seed will
all the families of the earth be blessed.'* 3:26 God, having raised up
his servant, Jesus, sent him to you first, to bless you, in turning away
everyone of you from your wickedness."

===== 4:1 =====
 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the captain of the
temple and the Sadducees came to them, 4:2 being upset because they
taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the
dead. 4:3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the
next day, for it was now evening. 4:4 But many of those who heard the
word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

4:5 It happened in the morning, that their rulers, elders, and scribes
were gathered together in Jerusalem. 4:6 Annas the high priest was
there, with Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of
the high priest. 4:7 When they had stood them in the middle of them,
they inquired, "By what power, or in what name, have you done this?"

4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "You rulers
of the people, and elders of Israel, 4:9 if we are examined today
concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man
has been healed, 4:10 be it known to you all, and to all the people of
Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you
crucified, whom God raised from the dead, in him does this man stand
here before you whole. 4:11 He is 'the stone which was regarded as
worthless by you, the builders, which has become the head of the
corner.'* 4:12 There is salvation in none other, for neither is there
any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must
be saved!"

4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived
that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They
recognized that they had been with Jesus. 4:14 Seeing the man who was
healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 4:15 But
when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they
conferred among themselves, 4:16 saying, "What shall we do to these men?
Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be
plainly seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can't deny it. 4:17
But so that this spreads no further among the people, let's threaten
them, that from now on they don't speak to anyone in this name." 4:18
They called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in
the name of Jesus.

4:19 But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight
of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 4:20
for we can't help telling the things which we saw and heard."

4:21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no
way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God
for that which was done. 4:22 For the man on whom this miracle of
healing was performed was more than forty years old.

4:23 Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that
the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 4:24 When they heard
it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, "O
Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that
is in them; 4:25 who by the mouth of your servant, David, said,

'Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? 4:26 The
kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together,
against the Lord, and against his Christ.'* 4:27 "For truly, in this
city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and
Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were
gathered together 4:28 to do whatever your hand and your council
foreordained to happen. 4:29 Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant
to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 4:30 while you
stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done
through the name of your holy Servant Jesus."

4:31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered
together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the
word of God with boldness. 4:32 The multitude of those who believed were
of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that anything of the
things which he possessed was his own, but they had all things in
common. 4:33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all. 4:34 For
neither was there among them any who lacked, for as many as were owners
of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things
that were sold, 4:35 and laid them at the apostles' feet, and
distribution was made to each, according as anyone had need. 4:36 Joses,
who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted,
Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 4:37 having a
field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.

===== 5:1 =====
 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a
possession, 5:2 and kept back part of the price, his wife also being
aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles'
feet. 5:3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to
lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
5:4 While you kept it, didn't it remain your own? After it was sold,
wasn't it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in
your heart? You haven't lied to men, but to God."

5:5 Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on
all who heard these things. 5:6 The young men arose and wrapped him up,
and they carried him out and buried him. 5:7 About three hours later,
his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in. 5:8 Peter answered
her, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much."

She said, "Yes, for so much."

5:9 But Peter asked her, "How is it that you have agreed together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried
your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."

5:10 She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came
in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her
husband. 5:11 Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who
heard these things. 5:12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and
wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in
Solomon's porch. 5:13 None of the rest dared to join them, however the
people honored them. 5:14 More believers were added to the Lord,
multitudes of both men and women. 5:15 They even carried out the sick
into the streets, and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter
came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some of them. 5:16
Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing
sick people, and those who were tormented by unclean spirits: and they
were all healed.

5:17 But the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which
is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, 5:18
and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public custody. 5:19 But
an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors by night, and brought them
out, and said, 5:20 "Go stand and speak in the temple to the people all
the words of this life."

5:21 When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak,
and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and
called the council together, and all the senate of the children of
Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 5:22 But the
officers who came didn't find them in the prison. They returned and
reported, 5:23 "We found the prison shut and locked, and the guards
standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one
inside!"

5:24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief
priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what
might become of this. 5:25 One came and told them, "Behold, the men whom
you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people."
5:26 Then the captain went with the officers, and brought them without
violence, for they were afraid that the people might stone them.

5:27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The
high priest questioned them, 5:28 saying, "Didn't we strictly command
you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with
your teaching, and intend to bring this man's blood on us."

5:29 But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than
men. 5:30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed,
hanging him on a tree. 5:31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a
Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of
sins. 5:32 We are His witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy
Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."

5:33 But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and
determined to kill them. 5:34 But one stood up in the council, a
Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, honored by all the
people, and commanded to put the apostles out for a little while. 5:35
He said to them, "You men of Israel, be careful concerning these men,
what you are about to do. 5:36 For before these days Theudas rose up,
making himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four
hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed
him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. 5:37 After this man, Judas of
Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some people
after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him, were
scattered abroad. 5:38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and
leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be
overthrown. 5:39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow
it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!"

5:40 They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and
commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 5:41
They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that
they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus' name.

5:42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching
and preaching Jesus, the Christ.

===== 6:1 =====
 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying,
a complaint arose from the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their
widows were neglected in the daily service. 6:2 The twelve summoned the
multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not appropriate for us to
forsake the word of God and serve tables. 6:3 Therefore select from
among you, brothers, seven men of good report, full of the Holy Spirit
and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 6:4 But we will
continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the word."

6:5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They chose Stephen, a man
full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon,
Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch; 6:6 whom they set before
the apostles. When they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 6:7
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem exceedingly. A great company of the priests were obedient to
the faith.

6:8 Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great wonders and signs
among the people. 6:9 But some of those who were of the synagogue called
"The Libertines," and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of
those of Cilicia and Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 6:10 They
weren't able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
6:11 Then they secretly induced men to say, "We have heard him speak
blasphemous words against Moses and God." 6:12 They stirred up the
people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against him and seized
him, and brought him in to the council, 6:13 and set up false witnesses
who said, "This man never stops speaking blasphemous words against this
holy place and the law. 6:14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus
of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which
Moses delivered to us." 6:15 All who sat in the council, fastening their
eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.

===== 7:1 =====
 The high priest said, "Are these things so?"

7:2 He said, "Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to
our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in
Haran, 7:3 and said to him, 'Get out of your land, and from your
relatives, and come into a land which I will show you.'* 7:4 Then he
came out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and lived in Haran. From there,
when his father was dead, God moved him into this land, where you are
now living. 7:5 He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to
set his foot on. He promised that he would give it to him for a
possession, and to his seed after him, when he still had no child. 7:6
God spoke in this way: that his seed would live as aliens in a strange
land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated for four hundred
years. 7:7 'I will judge the nation to which they will be in bondage,'
said God, 'and after that will they come out, and serve me in this
place.'* 7:8 He gave him the covenant of circumcision. So Abraham became
the father of Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day. Isaac became
the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve
patriarchs.

7:9 "The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into
Egypt. God was with him, 7:10 and delivered him out of all his
afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of
Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all his house. 7:11 Now a
famine came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction.
Our fathers found no food. 7:12 But when Jacob heard that there was
grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the first time. 7:13 On the
second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph's race was
revealed to Pharaoh. 7:14 Joseph sent, and summoned Jacob, his father,
and all his relatives, seventy-five souls. 7:15 Jacob went down into
Egypt, and he died, himself and our fathers, 7:16 and they were brought
back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in
silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.

7:17 "But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to
Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 7:18 until there arose
a different king, who didn't know Joseph. 7:19 The same took advantage
of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out
their babies, so that they wouldn't stay alive. 7:20 At that time Moses
was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in
his father's house. 7:21 When he was thrown out, Pharaoh's daughter took
him up, and reared him as her own son. 7:22 Moses was instructed in all
the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. 7:23
But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his
brothers, the children of Israel. 7:24 Seeing one of them suffer wrong,
he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the
Egyptian. 7:25 He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his
hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn't understand.

7:26 "The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged
them to be at peace again, saying, 'Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you
wrong one another?' 7:27 But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him
away, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? 7:28 Do you
want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'* 7:29 Moses fled
at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he
became the father of two sons.

7:30 "When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to
him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. 7:31
When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a
voice of the Lord came to him, 7:32 'I am the God of your fathers, the
God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'* Moses
trembled, and dared not look. 7:33 The Lord said to him, 'Take your
sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
7:34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt,
and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now
come, I will send you into Egypt.'*

7:35 "This Moses, whom they refused, saying, 'Who made you a ruler and a
judge?'--God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of
the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 7:36 This man led them out,
having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the
wilderness for forty years. 7:37 This is that Moses, who said to the
children of Israel, 'The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you
from among your brothers, like me.*'* 7:38 This is he who was in the
assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount
Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,
7:39 to whom our fathers wouldn't be obedient, but rejected him, and
turned back in their hearts to Egypt, 7:40 saying to Aaron, 'Make us
gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of
the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.'* 7:41 They
made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and
rejoiced in the works of their hands. 7:42 But God turned, and gave them
up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the
prophets,

'Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the
wilderness, O house of Israel? 7:43 You took up the tent of Moloch, the
star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship. I will
carry you away* beyond Babylon.' 7:44 "Our fathers had the tent of the
testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him
to make it according to the pattern that he had seen; 7:45 which also
our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered
into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face
of our fathers, to the days of David, 7:46 who found favor in the sight
of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 7:47 But
Solomon built him a house. 7:48 However, the Most High doesn't dwell in
temples made with hands, as the prophet says,

7:49 'heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What
kind of house will you build me?' says the Lord; 'or what is the place
of my rest? 7:50 Didn't my hand make all these things?'* 7:51 "You
stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the
Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do. 7:52 Which of the prophets
didn't your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming
of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and
murderers. 7:53 You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and
didn't keep it!"

7:54 Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and
they gnashed at him with their teeth. 7:55 But he, being full of the
Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of
God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 7:56 and said,
"Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the
right hand of God!"

7:57 But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and
rushed at him with one accord. 7:58 They threw him out of the city, and
stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young
man named Saul. 7:59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, "Lord
Jesus, receive my spirit!" 7:60 He kneeled down, and cried with a loud
voice, "Lord, don't hold this sin against them!" When he had said this,
he fell asleep.

===== 8:1 =====
 Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against
the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered
abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the
apostles. 8:2 Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him.
8:3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and
dragged both men and women off to prison. 8:4 Therefore those who were
scattered abroad went around preaching the word. 8:5 Philip went down to
the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ. 8:6 The
multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by
Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did. 8:7 For unclean
spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying
with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed. 8:8
There was great joy in that city.

8:9 But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice
sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself
out to be some great one, 8:10 to whom they all listened, from the least
to the greatest, saying, "This man is that great power of God." 8:11
They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with
his sorceries. 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching good news
concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. 8:13 Simon himself also believed. Being
baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles
occurring, he was amazed.

8:14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 8:15 who,
when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the
Holy Spirit; 8:16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had
only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 8:17 Then they laid
their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 8:18 Now when
Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the
apostles' hands, he offered them money, 8:19 saying, "Give me also this
power, that whoever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit." 8:20
But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you
thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 8:21 You have
neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn't right before
God. 8:22 Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if
perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 8:23 For I see
that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

8:24 Simon answered, "Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things
which you have spoken happen to me."

8:25 They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages
of the Samaritans. 8:26 But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,
saying, "Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from
Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert."

8:27 He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a
eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who
was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship. 8:28 He
was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet
Isaiah.

8:29 The Spirit said to Philip, "Go near, and join yourself to this
chariot."

8:30 Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and
said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"

8:31 He said, "How can I, unless someone explains it to me?" He begged
Philip to come up and sit with him. 8:32 Now the passage of the
Scripture which he was reading was this,

"He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is
silent, so he doesn't open his mouth. 8:33 In his humiliation, his
judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life
is taken from the earth."* 8:34 The eunuch answered Philip, "Who is the
prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?"

8:35 Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture,
preached to him Jesus. 8:36 As they went on the way, they came to some
water, and the eunuch said, "Behold, here is water. What is keeping me
from being baptized?"

8:37 * 8:38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went
down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.

8:39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught
Philip away, and the eunuch didn't see him any more, for he went on his
way rejoicing. 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he
preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.

===== 9:1 =====
 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 9:2 and asked for
letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who
were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to
Jerusalem. 9:3 As he traveled, it happened that he got close to
Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 9:4 He
fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do
you persecute me?"

9:5 He said, "Who are you, Lord?"

The Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.* 9:6 But rise up,
and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

9:7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound,
but seeing no one. 9:8 Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes
were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him
into Damascus. 9:9 He was without sight for three days, and neither ate
nor drank.

9:10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The
Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

He said, "Behold, it's me, Lord."

9:11 The Lord said to him, "Arise, and go to the street which is called
Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of
Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 9:12 and in a vision he has seen a
man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might
receive his sight."

9:13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man,
how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. 9:14 Here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."

9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel
to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of
Israel. 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my
name's sake."

9:17 Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on
him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road
by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be
filled with the Holy Spirit." 9:18 Immediately something like scales
fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was
baptized. 9:19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several
days with the disciples who were at Damascus. 9:20 Immediately in the
synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. 9:21 All
who heard him were amazed, and said, "Isn't this he who in Jerusalem
made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here
intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"

9:22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who
lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 9:23 When many days
were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 9:24 but their
plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night
that they might kill him, 9:25 but his disciples took him by night, and
let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. 9:26 When Saul
had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but
they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 9:27
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared to
them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him,
and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 9:28 He
was with them entering into Jerusalem, 9:29 preaching boldly in the name
of the Lord. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were
seeking to kill him. 9:30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him
down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. 9:31 So the assemblies
throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built
up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the
comfort of the Holy Spirit.

9:32 It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down
also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 9:33 There he found a certain man
named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was
paralyzed. 9:34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get
up and make your bed!" Immediately he arose. 9:35 All who lived at Lydda
and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when
translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of
mercy which she did. 9:37 It happened in those days that she fell sick,
and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
9:38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was
there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to
them. 9:39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they
brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping,
and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was
with them. 9:40 Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed.
Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up!" She opened her eyes,
and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 9:41 He gave her his hand, and
raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
9:42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the
Lord. 9:43 It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one
Simon, a tanner.

===== 10:1 =====
 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a
centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 10:2 a devout man,
and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy
generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 10:3 At about the
ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming
to him, and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

10:4 He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, "What is
it, Lord?"

He said to him, "Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up
for a memorial before God. 10:5 Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon,
who is surnamed Peter. 10:6 He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose
house is by the seaside.*"

10:7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two
of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on
him continually. 10:8 Having explained everything to them, he sent them
to Joppa. 10:9 Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and
got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about
noon. 10:10 He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were
preparing, he fell into a trance. 10:11 He saw heaven opened and a
certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four
corners on the earth, 10:12 in which were all kinds of four-footed
animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
10:13 A voice came to him, "Rise, Peter, kill and eat!"

10:14 But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything
that is common or unclean."

10:15 A voice came to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed,
you must not call unclean." 10:16 This was done three times, and
immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. 10:17 Now while
Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen
might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made
inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, 10:18 and called and
asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there. 10:19
While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold,
three men seek you. 10:20 But arise, get down, and go with them,
doubting nothing; for I have sent them."

10:21 Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom you
seek. Why have you come?"

10:22 They said, "Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who
fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was
directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to
what you say." 10:23 So he called them in and lodged them. On the next
day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from
Joppa accompanied him. 10:24 On the next day they entered into Caesarea.
Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and
his near friends. 10:25 When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius
met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. 10:26 But Peter
raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man." 10:27 As he
talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together. 10:28 He
said to them, "You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man
who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God
has shown me that I shouldn't call any man unholy or unclean. 10:29
Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask
therefore, why did you send for me?"

10:30 Cornelius said, "Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and
at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before
me in bright clothing, 10:31 and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer is heard,
and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 10:32
Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He
lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he
will speak to you.' 10:33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was
good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight
of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God."

10:34 Peter opened his mouth and said, "Truly I perceive that God
doesn't show favoritism; 10:35 but in every nation he who fears him and
works righteousness is acceptable to him. 10:36 The word which he sent
to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ-
-he is Lord of all-- 10:37 that spoken word you yourselves know, which
was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the
baptism which John preached; 10:38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God
anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing
good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with
him. 10:39 We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of
the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they also killed, hanging him on a
tree. 10:40 God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be
revealed, 10:41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen
before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the
dead. 10:42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that
this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the
dead. 10:43 All the prophets testify about him, that through his name
everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins."

10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell
on all those who heard the word. 10:45 They of the circumcision who
believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of
the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles. 10:46 For they
heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God.

Then Peter answered, 10:47 "Can any man forbid the water, that these who
have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?"
10:48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then
they asked him to stay some days.

===== 11:1 =====
 Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God. 11:2 When Peter had come up
to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
11:3 saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!"

11:4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying, 11:5 "I
was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a
certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from
heaven by four corners. It came as far as me. 11:6 When I had looked
intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the
earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky. 11:7 I also
heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter, kill and eat!' 11:8 But I
said, 'Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into
my mouth.' 11:9 But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven,
'What God has cleansed, don't you call unclean.' 11:10 This was done
three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11:11 Behold,
immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been
sent from Caesarea to me. 11:12 The Spirit told me to go with them,
without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we
entered into the man's house. 11:13 He told us how he had seen the angel
standing in his house, and saying to him, 'Send to Joppa, and get Simon,
whose surname is Peter, 11:14 who will speak to you words by which you
will be saved, you and all your house.' 11:15 As I began to speak, the
Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. 11:16 I
remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized in
water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.' 11:17 If then God
gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus
Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"

11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified
God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to
life!"

11:19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that
arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. 11:20 But there were
some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to
Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 11:21 The
hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned
to the Lord. 11:22 The report concerning them came to the ears of the
assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as
Antioch, 11:23 who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was
glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should
remain near to the Lord. 11:24 For he was a good man, and full of the
Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

11:25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. 11:26 When he had
found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year
they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people.
The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

11:27 Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
11:28 One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit
that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also
happened in the days of Claudius. 11:29 As any of the disciples had
plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in
Judea; 11:30 which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands
of Barnabas and Saul.

===== 12:1 =====
 Now about that time, Herod the king stretched out his hands to
oppress some of the assembly. 12:2 He killed James, the brother of John,
with the sword. 12:3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded
to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread. 12:4
When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to
four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him
out to the people after the Passover. 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in
the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.
12:6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was
sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of
the door kept the prison.

12:7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in
the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, "Stand
up quickly!" His chains fell off from his hands. 12:8 The angel said to
him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." He did so. He said to him,
"Put on your cloak, and follow me." 12:9 And he went out and followed
him. He didn't know that what was being done by the angel was real, but
thought he saw a vision. 12:10 When they were past the first and the
second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which
opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and
immediately the angel departed from him.

12:11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, "Now I truly know that
the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of
Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting." 12:12
Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John
whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were
praying. 12:13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named
Rhoda came to answer. 12:14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she
didn't open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was
standing in front of the gate.

12:15 They said to her, "You are crazy!" But she insisted that it was
so. They said, "It is his angel." 12:16 But Peter continued knocking.
When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. 12:17 But he,
beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the
Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, "Tell these things to
James, and to the brothers." Then he departed, and went to another
place.

12:18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the
soldiers about what had become of Peter. 12:19 When Herod had sought for
him, and didn't find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that
they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and
stayed there. 12:20 Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and
Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the
king's personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their
country depended on the king's country for food. 12:21 On an appointed
day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and
gave a speech to them. 12:22 The people shouted, "The voice of a god,
and not of a man!" 12:23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him,
because he didn't give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and
died.

12:24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 12:25 Barnabas and Saul
returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also
taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

===== 13:1 =====
 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets
and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,
Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 13:2 As they
served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate Barnabas and
Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them."

13:3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them,
they sent them away. 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they
went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. 13:5 When they
were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish
synagogues. They had also John as their attendant. 13:6 When they had
gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a
false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus, 13:7 who was with the
proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned
Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. 13:8 But Elymas
the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them,
seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. 13:9 But Saul, who
is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on
him, 13:10 and said, "Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the
devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the
right ways of the Lord? 13:11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on
you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!"

Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking
someone to lead him by the hand. 13:12 Then the proconsul, when he saw
what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

13:13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga
in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. 13:14
But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went
into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. 13:15 After the
reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to
them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the
people, speak."

13:16 Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, "Men of Israel,
and you who fear God, listen. 13:17 The God of this people* chose our
fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land
of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it. 13:18 For a
period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 13:19
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them
their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years. 13:20
After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 13:21
Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of
Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 13:22 When he had
removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also
testified, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart,
who will do all my will.' 13:23 From this man's seed, God has brought
salvation to Israel according to his promise, 13:24 before his coming,
when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel. 13:25
As John was fulfilling his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I
am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose
feet I am not worthy to untie.' 13:26 Brothers, children of the stock of
Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is
sent out to you. 13:27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their
rulers, because they didn't know him, nor the voices of the prophets
which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 13:28
Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have
him killed. 13:29 When they had fulfilled all things that were written
about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
13:30 But God raised him from the dead, 13:31 and he was seen for many
days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are
his witnesses to the people. 13:32 We bring you good news of the promise
made to the fathers, 13:33 that God has fulfilled the same to us, their
children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the
second psalm,

'You are my Son. Today I have become your father.'* 13:34 "Concerning
that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to
corruption, he has spoken thus: 'I will give you the holy and sure
blessings of David.'* 13:35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,
'You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.'* 13:36 For David, after
he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and
was laid with his fathers, and saw decay. 13:37 But he whom God raised
up saw no decay. 13:38 Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that
through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins, 13:39 and by
him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you
could not be justified by the law of Moses. 13:40 Beware therefore, lest
that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:

13:41 'Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work
in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if one declares
it to you.'"* 13:42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the
Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next
Sabbath. 13:43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of
the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them,
urged them to continue in the grace of God. 13:44 The next Sabbath
almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with
jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and
blasphemed.

13:46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, "It was necessary
that God's word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust
it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we
turn to the Gentiles. 13:47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying,

'I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring
salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.'"* 13:48 As the Gentiles
heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as
were appointed to eternal life believed. 13:49 The Lord's word was
spread abroad throughout all the region. 13:50 But the Jews stirred up
the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out
of their borders. 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet
against them, and came to Iconium. 13:52 The disciples were filled with
joy with the Holy Spirit.

===== 14:1 =====
 It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the
synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews
and of Greeks believed. 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and
embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. 14:3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord,
who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be
done by their hands. 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided.
Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 14:5 When some of
both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent
attempt to mistreat and stone them, 14:6 they became aware of it, and
fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding
region. 14:7 There they preached the Good News.

14:8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from
his mother's womb, who never had walked. 14:9 He was listening to Paul
speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be
made whole, 14:10 said with a loud voice, "Stand upright on your feet!"
He leaped up and walked. 14:11 When the multitude saw what Paul had
done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia,
"The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" 14:12 They
called Barnabas "Jupiter," and Paul "Mercury," because he was the chief
speaker. 14:13 The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their
city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a
sacrifice along with the multitudes. 14:14 But when the apostles,
Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into
the multitude, crying out, 14:15 "Men, why are you doing these things?
We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that
you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the
sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them; 14:16 who in the
generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
14:17 Yet he didn't leave himself without witness, in that he did good
and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness."

14:18 Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from
making a sacrifice to them. 14:19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and
dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

14:20 But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered
into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe. 14:21
When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 14:22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the
faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom
of God. 14:23 When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly,
and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom
they had believed.

14:24 They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. 14:25 When
they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 14:26 From
there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the
grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. 14:27 When they had
arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the
things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of
faith to the nations. 14:28 They stayed there with the disciples for a
long time.

===== 15:1 =====
 Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you
are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved." 15:2
Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion
with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to
go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 15:3
They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both
Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They
caused great joy to all the brothers. 15:4 When they had come to
Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the
elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.

15:5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying,
"It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law
of Moses."

15:6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about
this matter. 15:7 When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and
said to them, "Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a
choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of
the Good News, and believe. 15:8 God, who knows the heart, testified
about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. 15:9 He
made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by
faith. 15:10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a
yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were
able to bear? 15:11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace
of the Lord Jesus,* just as they are."

15:12 All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and
Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations
through them. 15:13 After they were silent, James answered, "Brothers,
listen to me. 15:14 Simeon has reported how God first visited the
nations, to take out of them a people for his name. 15:15 This agrees
with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

15:16 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tent of
David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
15:17 That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who
are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.* 15:18
All his works are known to God from eternity.' 15:19 "Therefore my
judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn
to God, 15:20 but that we write to them that they abstain from the
pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and
from blood. 15:21 For Moses from generations of old has in every city
those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole
assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men
among the brothers. 15:23 They wrote these things by their hand:

"The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of
the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 15:24 Because we
have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words,
unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the
law,' to whom we gave no commandment; 15:25 it seemed good to us, having
come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our
beloved Barnabas and Paul, 15:26 men who have risked their lives for the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and
Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of
mouth. 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no
greater burden on you than these necessary things: 15:29 that you
abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things
strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep
yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."

15:30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered
the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 15:31 When they had
read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 15:32 Judas and Silas,
also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words,
and strengthened them. 15:33 After they had spent some time there, they
were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. 15:34 *
15:35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching
the word of the Lord, with many others also.

15:36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and visit
our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord,
to see how they are doing." 15:37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was
called Mark, with them also. 15:38 But Paul didn't think that it was a
good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in
Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do the work. 15:39 Then the
contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas
took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus, 15:40 but Paul chose
Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of
God. 15:41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the
assemblies.

===== 16:1 =====
 He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was
there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father
was a Greek. 16:2 The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a
good testimony about him. 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go out with him,
and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those
parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 16:4 As they went
on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to
keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at
Jerusalem. 16:5 So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and
increased in number daily.

16:6 When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they
were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 16:7 When
they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the
Spirit didn't allow them. 16:8 Passing by Mysia, they came down to
Troas. 16:9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of
Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, "Come over into Macedonia
and help us." 16:10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought
to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach
the Good News to them. 16:11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made
a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;
16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the
foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in
this city.

16:13 On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a
riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat
down, and spoke to the women who had come together. 16:14 A certain
woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who
worshiped God, heard us; whose heart the Lord opened to listen to the
things which were spoken by Paul. 16:15 When she and her household were
baptized, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be faithful
to the Lord, come into my house, and stay." So she persuaded us.

16:16 It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl
having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain
by fortune telling. 16:17 Following Paul and us, she cried out, "These
men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of
salvation!" 16:18 She was doing this for many days.

But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I
command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!" It came out
that very hour. 16:19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their
gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the
marketplace before the rulers. 16:20 When they had brought them to the
magistrates, they said, "These men, being Jews, are agitating our city,
16:21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or
to observe, being Romans."

16:22 The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates
tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with
rods. 16:23 When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them
into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, 16:24 who, having
received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured
their feet in the stocks.

16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns
to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 16:26 Suddenly there
was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were
shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds
were loosened. 16:27 The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing
the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself,
supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 16:28 But Paul cried with a
loud voice, saying, "Don't harm yourself, for we are all here!"

16:29 He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling
before Paul and Silas, 16:30 and brought them out and said, "Sirs, what
must I do to be saved?"

16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be
saved, you and your household." 16:32 They spoke the word of the Lord to
him, and to all who were in his house.

16:33 He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes,
and was immediately baptized, he and all his household. 16:34 He brought
them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly,
with all his household, having believed in God.

16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying,
"Let those men go."

16:36 The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates
have sent to let you go; now therefore come out, and go in peace."

16:37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, without a
trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now
release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves
and bring us out!"

16:38 The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they
were afraid when they heard that they were Romans, 16:39 and they came
and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to
depart from the city. 16:40 They went out of the prison, and entered
into Lydia's house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged
them, and departed.

===== 17:1 =====
 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they
came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 17:2 Paul, as
was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned
with them from the Scriptures, 17:3 explaining and demonstrating that
the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This
Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."

17:4 Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the
devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 17:5
But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the
marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar.
Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the
people. 17:6 When they didn't find them, they dragged Jason and certain
brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, "These who have turned
the world upside down have come here also, 17:7 whom Jason has received.
These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is
another king, Jesus!" 17:8 The multitude and the rulers of the city were
troubled when they heard these things. 17:9 When they had taken security
from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 17:10 The brothers
immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they
arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.

17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the
Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. 17:12 Many of them
therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek women, and not a few
men. 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word
of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise,
agitating the multitudes. 17:14 Then the brothers immediately sent out
Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed
there. 17:15 But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens.
Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to
him very quickly, they departed.

17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked
within him as he saw the city full of idols. 17:17 So he reasoned in the
synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace
every day with those who met him. 17:18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic
philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, "What does this
babbler want to say?"

Others said, "He seems to be advocating foreign deities," because he
preached Jesus and the resurrection.

17:19 They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying,
"May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you? 17:20
For you bring certain strange things to our ears. We want to know
therefore what these things mean." 17:21 Now all the Athenians and the
strangers living there spent their time in nothing else, but either to
tell or to hear some new thing.

17:22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, "You men of
Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. 17:23 For
as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found
also an altar with this inscription: 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.' What therefore
you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. 17:24 The God who made
the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth,
doesn't dwell in temples made with hands, 17:25 neither is he served by
men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to
all life and breath, and all things. 17:26 He made from one blood every
nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having
determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings,
17:27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out
for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 17:28
'For in him we live, and move, and have our being.' As some of your own
poets have said, 'For we are also his offspring.' 17:29 Being then the
offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like
gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. 17:30 The
times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that
all people everywhere should repent, 17:31 because he has appointed a
day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he
has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has
raised him from the dead."

17:32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked;
but others said, "We want to hear you again concerning this."

17:33 Thus Paul went out from among them. 17:34 But certain men joined
with him, and believed, among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite,
and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

===== 18:1 =====
 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.
18:2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, who
had recently come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius
had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He came to them, 18:3
and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with them and worked,
for by trade they were tent makers. 18:4 He reasoned in the synagogue
every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 18:5 But when Silas and
Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit,
testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 18:6 When they opposed
him and blasphemed, he shook out his clothing and said to them, "Your
blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on, I will go to the
Gentiles!"

18:7 He departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named
Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the
synagogue. 18:8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the
Lord with all his house. Many of the Corinthians, when they heard,
believed and were baptized. 18:9 The Lord said to Paul in the night by a
vision, "Don't be afraid, but speak and don't be silent; 18:10 for I am
with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many people
in this city."

18:11 He lived there a year and six months, teaching the word of God
among them. 18:12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with
one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment
seat, 18:13 saying, "This man persuades men to worship God contrary to
the law."

18:14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the
Jews, "If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked crime, you Jews,
it would be reasonable that I should bear with you; 18:15 but if they
are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it
yourselves. For I don't want to be a judge of these matters." 18:16 He
drove them from the judgment seat.

18:17 Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the
synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn't care
about any of these things.

18:18 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of
the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla
and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow. 18:19 He
came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself entered into the
synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 18:20 When they asked him to stay
with them a longer time, he declined; 18:21 but taking his leave of
them, and saying, "I must by all means keep this coming feast in
Jerusalem, but I will return again to you if God wills," he set sail
from Ephesus.

18:22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the
assembly, and went down to Antioch. 18:23 Having spent some time there,
he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in
order, establishing all the disciples. 18:24 Now a certain Jew named
Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He
was mighty in the Scriptures. 18:25 This man had been instructed in the
way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught
accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the
baptism of John. 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But
when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained
to him the way of God more accurately.

18:27 When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers
encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had
come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 18:28 for
he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that
Jesus was the Christ.

===== 19:1 =====
 It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed
through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.
19:2 He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you
believed?"

They said to him, "No, we haven't even heard that there is a Holy
Spirit."

19:3 He said, "Into what then were you baptized?"

They said, "Into John's baptism."

19:4 Paul said, "John indeed baptized with the baptism of repentance,
saying to the people that they should believe in the one who would come
after him, that is, in Jesus."

19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. 19:6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came
on them, and they spoke with other languages and prophesied. 19:7 They
were about twelve men in all. 19:8 He entered into the synagogue, and
spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading
about the things concerning the Kingdom of God.

19:9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the
Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the
disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 19:10 This
continued for two years, so that all those who lived in Asia heard the
word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

19:11 God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul, 19:12 so that
even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the
sick, and the evil spirits went out. 19:13 But some of the itinerant
Jews, exorcists, took on themselves to invoke over those who had the
evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, "We adjure you by Jesus
whom Paul preaches." 19:14 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish
chief priest, who did this.

19:15 The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who
are you?" 19:16 The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and
overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of
that house naked and wounded. 19:17 This became known to all, both Jews
and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the name of
the Lord Jesus was magnified. 19:18 Many also of those who had believed
came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 19:19 Many of those who
practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them in
the sight of all. They counted the price of them, and found it to be
fifty thousand pieces of silver. 19:20 So the word of the Lord was
growing and becoming mighty.

19:21 Now after these things had ended, Paul determined in the spirit,
when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem,
saying, "After I have been there, I must also see Rome."

19:22 Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served him, Timothy
and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 19:23 About that
time there arose no small stir concerning the Way. 19:24 For a certain
man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis,
brought no little business to the craftsmen, 19:25 whom he gathered
together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, "Sirs, you know
that by this business we have our wealth. 19:26 You see and hear, that
not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has
persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods,
that are made with hands. 19:27 Not only is there danger that this our
trade come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess
Artemis will be counted as nothing, and her majesty destroyed, whom all
Asia and the world worships."

19:28 When they heard this they were filled with anger, and cried out,
saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" 19:29 The whole city was
filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater,
having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions
in travel. 19:30 When Paul wanted to enter in to the people, the
disciples didn't allow him. 19:31 Certain also of the Asiarchs, being
his friends, sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater.
19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly
was in confusion. Most of them didn't know why they had come together.
19:33 They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him
forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense
to the people. 19:34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with
one voice for a time of about two hours cried out, "Great is Artemis of
the Ephesians!"

19:35 When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said, "You men
of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn't know that the city of the
Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of the
image which fell down from Zeus? 19:36 Seeing then that these things
can't be denied, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash. 19:37
For you have brought these men here, who are neither robbers of temples
nor blasphemers of your goddess. 19:38 If therefore Demetrius and the
craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are
open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one
another. 19:39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it will be
settled in the regular assembly. 19:40 For indeed we are in danger of
being accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause.
Concerning it, we wouldn't be able to give an account of this
commotion." 19:41 When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

===== 20:1 =====
 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took
leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 20:2 When he had gone
through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came
into Greece. 20:3 When he had spent three months there, and a plot was
made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he
determined to return through Macedonia. 20:4 These accompanied him as
far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of
Asia. 20:5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
20:6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread,
and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.

20:7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered
together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on
the next day, and continued his speech until midnight. 20:8 There were
many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together. 20:9 A
certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with
deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep,
he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead. 20:10 Paul
went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, "Don't be
troubled, for his life is in him."

20:11 When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had
talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
20:12 They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.

20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to
take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go
by land. 20:14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to
Mitylene. 20:15 Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite
Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and
the day after we came to Miletus. 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail
past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was
hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of
Pentecost.

20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders
of the assembly. 20:18 When they had come to him, he said to them, "You
yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was
with you all the time, 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility, with
many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the
Jews; 20:20 how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that was
profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house, 20:21
testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus.* 20:22 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to
Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there; 20:23 except that
the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions wait for me. 20:24 But these things don't count; nor do I
hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and
the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to
the Good News of the grace of God.

20:25 "Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about
preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 20:26 Therefore
I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,
20:27 for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of
God. 20:28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in
which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly
of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood. 20:29 For I
know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you,
not sparing the flock. 20:30 Men will arise from among your own selves,
speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. 20:31
Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't
cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears. 20:32 Now,
brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is
able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who
are sanctified. 20:33 I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing.
20:34 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and
those who were with me. 20:35 In all things I gave you an example, that
so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the
Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to
receive.'"

20:36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with
them all. 20:37 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed
him, 20:38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had
spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him
to the ship.

===== 21:1 =====
 When it happened that we had parted from them and had set sail, we
came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from
there to Patara. 21:2 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we
went aboard, and set sail. 21:3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus,
leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre, for
there the ship was to unload her cargo. 21:4 Having found disciples, we
stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit, that he
should not go up to Jerusalem. 21:5 When it happened that we had
accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey. They all,
with wives and children, brought us on our way until we were out of the
city. Kneeling down on the beach, we prayed. 21:6 After saying goodbye
to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again.

21:7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais.
We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. 21:8 On the next
day, we, who were Paul's companions, departed, and came to Caesarea.

We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the
seven, and stayed with him. 21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters
who prophesied. 21:10 As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet
named Agabus came down from Judea. 21:11 Coming to us, and taking Paul's
belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy
Spirit: 'So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt,
and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

21:12 When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged
him not to go up to Jerusalem. 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What are you
doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be
bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

21:14 When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, "The Lord's
will be done."

21:15 After these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
21:16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us, bringing
one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we would stay.

21:17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
21:18 The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the
elders were present. 21:19 When he had greeted them, he reported one by
one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his
ministry. 21:20 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to
him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of
those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law. 21:21
They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are
among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise
their children neither to walk after the customs. 21:22 What then? The
assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
21:23 Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a
vow. 21:24 Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their
expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know
that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about
you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 21:25 But
concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that
they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep
themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled
things, and from sexual immorality."

21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and
went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of
purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
21:27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia,
when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid
hands on him, 21:28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man
who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this
place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the temple, and has defiled
this holy place!" 21:29 For they had seen Trophimus, the Ephesian, with
him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the
temple.

21:30 All the city was moved, and the people ran together. They seized
Paul and dragged him out of the temple. Immediately the doors were shut.
21:31 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to the commanding
officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 21:32
Immediately he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. They,
when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped beating Paul.
21:33 Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him, commanded him
to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had
done. 21:34 Some shouted one thing, and some another, among the crowd.
When he couldn't find out the truth because of the noise, he commanded
him to be brought into the barracks.

21:35 When he came to the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the
soldiers because of the violence of the crowd; 21:36 for the multitude
of the people followed after, crying out, "Away with him!" 21:37 As Paul
was about to be brought into the barracks, he asked the commanding
officer, "May I speak to you?"

He said, "Do you know Greek? 21:38 Aren't you then the Egyptian, who
before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness
the four thousand men of the Assassins?"

21:39 But Paul said, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of
no insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people."

21:40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs,
beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence, he
spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,

===== 22:1 =====
 "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to
you."

22:2 When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they
were even more quiet. He said, 22:3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus
of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,
instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers,
being zealous for God, even as you all are this day. 22:4 I persecuted
this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and
women. 22:5 As also the high priest and all the council of the elders
testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled
to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in bonds to
be punished. 22:6 It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close
to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light
around me. 22:7 I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me,
'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 22:8 I answered, 'Who are you,
Lord?' He said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.'

22:9 "Those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but
they didn't understand the voice of him who spoke to me. 22:10 I said,
'What shall I do, Lord?' The Lord said to me, 'Arise, and go into
Damascus. There you will be told about all things which are appointed
for you to do.' 22:11 When I couldn't see for the glory of that light,
being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
22:12 One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of
by all the Jews who lived in Damascus, 22:13 came to me, and standing by
me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' In that very hour I
looked up at him. 22:14 He said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed
you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice
from his mouth. 22:15 For you will be a witness for him to all men of
what you have seen and heard. 22:16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be
baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

22:17 "It happened that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I
prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 22:18 and saw him saying to
me, 'Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not
receive testimony concerning me from you.' 22:19 I said, 'Lord, they
themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who
believed in you. 22:20 When the blood of Stephen, your witness, was
shed, I also was standing by, and consenting to his death, and guarding
the cloaks of those who killed him.'

22:21 "He said to me, 'Depart, for I will send you out far from here to
the Gentiles.'"

22:22 They listened to him until he said that; then they lifted up their
voice, and said, "Rid the earth of this fellow, for he isn't fit to
live!"

22:23 As they cried out, and threw off their cloaks, and threw dust into
the air, 22:24 the commanding officer commanded him to be brought into
the barracks, ordering him to be examined by scourging, that he might
know for what crime they shouted against him like that. 22:25 When they
had tied him up with thongs, Paul asked the centurion who stood by, "Is
it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found
guilty?"

22:26 When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and
told him, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!"

22:27 The commanding officer came and asked him, "Tell me, are you a
Roman?"

He said, "Yes."

22:28 The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship for a
great price."

Paul said, "But I was born a Roman."

22:29 Immediately those who were about to examine him departed from him,
and the commanding officer also was afraid when he realized that he was
a Roman, because he had bound him. 22:30 But on the next day, desiring
to know the truth about why he was accused by the Jews, he freed him
from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to
come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

===== 23:1 =====
 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, "Brothers, I have
lived before God in all good conscience until this day."

23:2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to
strike him on the mouth.

23:3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!
Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck
contrary to the law?"

23:4 Those who stood by said, "Do you malign God's high priest?"

23:5 Paul said, "I didn't know, brothers, that he was high priest. For
it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"*
23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the
other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brothers, I am a
Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope and resurrection of
the dead I am being judged!"

23:7 When he had said this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and
Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 23:8 For the Sadducees say that
there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees
confess all of these. 23:9 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes
of the Pharisees part stood up, and contended, saying, "We find no evil
in this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let's not fight
against God!"

23:10 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer, fearing that
Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down
and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.

23:11 The following night, the Lord stood by him, and said, "Cheer up,
Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must
testify also at Rome."

23:12 When it was day, some of the Jews banded together, and bound
themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink
until they had killed Paul. 23:13 There were more than forty people who
had made this conspiracy. 23:14 They came to the chief priests and the
elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste
nothing until we have killed Paul. 23:15 Now therefore, you with the
council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to
you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly.
We are ready to kill him before he comes near."

23:16 But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came
and entered into the barracks and told Paul. 23:17 Paul summoned one of
the centurions, and said, "Bring this young man to the commanding
officer, for he has something to tell him."

23:18 So he took him, and brought him to the commanding officer, and
said, "Paul, the prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young
man to you, who has something to tell you."

23:19 The commanding officer took him by the hand, and going aside,
asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?"

23:20 He said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to
the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more
accurately concerning him. 23:21 Therefore don't yield to them, for more
than forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a
curse neither to eat nor to drink until they have killed him. Now they
are ready, looking for the promise from you."

23:22 So the commanding officer let the young man go, charging him,
"Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." 23:23 He called
to himself two of the centurions, and said, "Prepare two hundred
soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen, and two
hundred men armed with spears, at the third hour of the night." 23:24 He
asked them to provide animals, that they might set Paul on one, and
bring him safely to Felix the governor. 23:25 He wrote a letter like
this:

23:26 "Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.

23:27 "This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by
them, when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that
he was a Roman. 23:28 Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I
brought him down to their council. 23:29 I found him to be accused about
questions of their law, but not to be charged with anything worthy of
death or of imprisonment. 23:30 When I was told that the Jews lay in
wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers
also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell."

23:31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought
him by night to Antipatris. 23:32 But on the next day they left the
horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 23:33 When they
came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also
presented Paul to him. 23:34 When the governor had read it, he asked
what province he was from. When he understood that he was from Cilicia,
he said, 23:35 "I will hear you fully when your accusers also arrive."
He commanded that he be kept in Herod's palace.

===== 24:1 =====
 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain
elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against
Paul. 24:2 When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,
"Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are
coming to this nation, 24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places,
most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 24:4 But, that I don't
delay you, I entreat you to bear with us and hear a few words. 24:5 For
we have found this man to be a plague, an instigator of insurrections
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of
the Nazarenes. 24:6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we arrested
him.* 24:7 * 24:8 *By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these
things of which we accuse him."

24:9 The Jews also joined in the attack, affirming that these things
were so. 24:10 When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul
answered, "Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for
many years, I cheerfully make my defense, 24:11 seeing that you can
recognize that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to
worship at Jerusalem. 24:12 In the temple they didn't find me disputing
with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the synagogues, or in the
city. 24:13 Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now
accuse me. 24:14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way, which
they call a sect, so I serve the God of our fathers, believing all
things which are according to the law, and which are written in the
prophets; 24:15 having hope toward God, which these also themselves look
for, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and
unjust. 24:16 Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of
offense toward God and men. 24:17 Now after some years, I came to bring
gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 24:18 amid which
certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mob,
nor with turmoil. 24:19 They ought to have been here before you, and to
make accusation, if they had anything against me. 24:20 Or else let
these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I stood
before the council, 24:21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried
standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being
judged before you today!'"

24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way,
deferred them, saying, "When Lysias, the commanding officer, comes down,
I will decide your case." 24:23 He ordered the centurion that Paul
should be kept in custody, and should have some privileges, and not to
forbid any of his friends to serve him or to visit him. 24:24 But after
some days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and
sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 24:25
As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to
come, Felix was terrified, and answered, "Go your way for this time, and
when it is convenient for me, I will summon you." 24:26 Meanwhile, he
also hoped that money would be given to him by Paul, that he might
release him. Therefore also he sent for him more often, and talked with
him. 24:27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by
Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left
Paul in bonds.

===== 25:1 =====
 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days
went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 25:2 Then the high priest and the
principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged
him, 25:3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to
Jerusalem; plotting to kill him on the way. 25:4 However Festus answered
that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was
about to depart shortly. 25:5 "Let them therefore," said he, "that are
in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in
the man, let them accuse him."

25:6 When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to
Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded
Paul to be brought. 25:7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down
from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous
charges which they could not prove, 25:8 while he said in his defense,
"Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor
against Caesar, have I sinned at all."

25:9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and
said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there
concerning these things?"

25:10 But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat, where
I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know
very well. 25:11 For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything
worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is
true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to
Caesar!"

25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered,
"You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go."

25:13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice
arrived at Caesarea, and greeted Festus. 25:14 As he stayed there many
days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, "There is a
certain man left a prisoner by Felix; 25:15 about whom, when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me,
asking for a sentence against him. 25:16 To whom I answered that it is
not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before
the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity
to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him. 25:17 When
therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay, but on the next
day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought. 25:18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of
such things as I supposed; 25:19 but had certain questions against him
about their own religion, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul
affirmed to be alive. 25:20 Being perplexed how to inquire concerning
these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and
there be judged concerning these matters. 25:21 But when Paul had
appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to
be kept until I could send him to Caesar."

25:22 Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man
myself."

"Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."

25:23 So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great
pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding
officers and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul
was brought in. 25:24 Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are
here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of
the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought
not to live any longer. 25:25 But when I found that he had committed
nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor I
determined to send him. 25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write
to my lord. Therefore I have brought him forth before you, and
especially before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have
something to write. 25:27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a
prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him."

===== 26:1 =====
 Agrippa said to Paul, "You may speak for yourself."

Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. 26:2 "I think
myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this
day concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews, 26:3
especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are
among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.

26:4 "Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which
was from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 26:5 having
known me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the
strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 26:6 Now I stand here
to be judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,
26:7 which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving night and day, hope to
attain. Concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa!
26:8 Why is it judged incredible with you, if God does raise the dead?

26:9 "I myself most certainly thought that I ought to do many things
contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 26:10 This I also did in
Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received
authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave
my vote against them. 26:11 Punishing them often in all the synagogues,
I tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them,
I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

26:12 "Whereupon as I traveled to Damascus with the authority and
commission from the chief priests, 26:13 at noon, O King, I saw on the
way a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and
those who traveled with me. 26:14 When we had all fallen to the earth, I
heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are
you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

26:15 "I said, 'Who are you, Lord?'

"He said, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 26:16 But arise, and
stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose: to
appoint you a servant and a witness both of the things which you have
seen, and of the things which I will reveal to you; 26:17 delivering you
from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, 26:18 to
open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the
power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an
inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

26:19 "Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly
vision, 26:20 but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and
throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they
should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. 26:21
For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.
26:22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to
this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the
prophets and Moses said would happen, 26:23 how the Christ must suffer,
and how, by the resurrection of the dead, he would be first to proclaim
light both to these people and to the Gentiles."

26:24 As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul,
you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!"

26:25 But he said, "I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but boldly
declare words of truth and reasonableness. 26:26 For the king knows of
these things, to whom also I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none
of these things is hidden from him, for this has not been done in a
corner. 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you
believe."

26:28 Agrippa said to Paul, "With a little persuasion are you trying to
make me a Christian?"

26:29 Paul said, "I pray to God, that whether with little or with much,
not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I
am, except for these bonds."

26:30 The king rose up with the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat
with them. 26:31 When they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another,
saying, "This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds." 26:32
Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not
appealed to Caesar."

===== 27:1 =====
 When it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they
delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius,
of the Augustan band. 27:2 Embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was
about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea;
Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 27:3 The next
day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him
permission to go to his friends and refresh himself. 27:4 Putting to sea
from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were
contrary. 27:5 When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia
and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 27:6 There the
centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy, and he put us on
board. 27:7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and had come with
difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not allowing us further, we sailed
under the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. 27:8 With difficulty sailing
along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of
Lasea.

27:9 When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, because
the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them, 27:10 and said
to them, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much
loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 27:11
But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the
ship than to those things which were spoken by Paul. 27:12 Because the
haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised going to sea
from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there,
which is a port of Crete, looking northeast and southeast.

27:13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained
their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to
shore. 27:14 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore, which
is called Euroclydon. 27:15 When the ship was caught, and couldn't face
the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven along. 27:16 Running under
the lee of a small island called Clauda, we were able, with difficulty,
to secure the boat. 27:17 After they had hoisted it up, they used cables
to help reinforce the ship. Fearing that they would run aground on the
Syrtis sand bars, they lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.
27:18 As we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began
to throw things overboard. 27:19 On the third day, they threw out the
ship's tackle with their own hands. 27:20 When neither sun nor stars
shone on us for many days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope
that we would be saved was now taken away.

27:21 When they had been long without food, Paul stood up in the middle
of them, and said, "Sirs, you should have listened to me, and not have
set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss. 27:22 Now I
exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but
only of the ship. 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel,
belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, 27:24 saying, 'Don't
be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted
you all those who sail with you.' 27:25 Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I
believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me. 27:26 But
we must run aground on a certain island."

27:27 But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and
forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they
were drawing near to some land. 27:28 They took soundings, and found
twenty fathoms. After a little while, they took soundings again, and
found fifteen fathoms. 27:29 Fearing that we would run aground on rocky
ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for
daylight. 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and
had lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out
anchors from the bow, 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the
soldiers, "Unless these stay in the ship, you can't be saved." 27:32
Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off.

27:33 While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some
food, saying, "This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue
fasting, having taken nothing. 27:34 Therefore I beg you to take some
food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any
of your heads." 27:35 When he had said this, and had taken bread, he
gave thanks to God in the presence of all, and he broke it, and began to
eat. 27:36 Then they all cheered up, and they also took food. 27:37 In
all, we were two hundred seventy-six souls on the ship. 27:38 When they
had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into
the sea. 27:39 When it was day, they didn't recognize the land, but they
noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to drive the
ship onto it. 27:40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea,
at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the foresail to
the wind, they made for the beach. 27:41 But coming to a place where two
seas met, they ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained
immovable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.

27:42 The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of
them would swim out and escape. 27:43 But the centurion, desiring to
save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who
could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the
land; 27:44 and the rest should follow, some on planks, and some on
other things from the ship. So it happened that they all escaped safely
to the land.

===== 28:1 =====
 When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called
Malta. 28:2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness; for they kindled a
fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of
the cold. 28:3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid
them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on
his hand. 28:4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand,
they said one to another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though
he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not allowed to live." 28:5
However he shook off the creature into the fire, and wasn't harmed. 28:6
But they expected that he would have swollen or fallen down dead
suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and saw nothing bad
happen to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.

28:7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the
chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and courteously
entertained us for three days. 28:8 It happened that the father of
Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed,
and laying his hands on him, healed him. 28:9 Then when this was done,
the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured. 28:10
They also honored us with many honors, and when we sailed, they put on
board the things that we needed.

28:11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had
wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers." 28:12
Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 28:13 From there we
circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind
sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 28:14 where we
found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So
we came to Rome. 28:15 From there the brothers, when they heard of us,
came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns.
When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. 28:16 When we
entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain
of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier
who guarded him.

28:17 It happened that after three days Paul called together those who
were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to
them, "I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the
customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into
the hands of the Romans, 28:18 who, when they had examined me, desired
to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 28:19 But
when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar,
not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 28:20 For this
cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of
the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

28:21 They said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea
concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and report or
speak any evil of you. 28:22 But we desire to hear from you what you
think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere
it is spoken against."

28:23 When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his
lodging. He explained to them, testifying about the Kingdom of God, and
persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from
the prophets, from morning until evening. 28:24 Some believed the things
which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 28:25 When they didn't agree
among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, "The
Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah, the prophet, to our fathers,
28:26 saying,

'Go to this people, and say, in hearing, you will hear, but will in no
way understand. In seeing, you will see, but will in no way perceive.
28:27 For this people's heart has grown callous. Their ears are dull of
hearing. Their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their
eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and would turn
again, and I would heal them.'* 28:28 "Be it known therefore to you,
that the salvation of God is sent to the nations. They will also
listen."

28:29 When he had said these words, the Jews departed, having a great
dispute among themselves.

28:30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received
all who were coming to him, 28:31 preaching the Kingdom of God, and
teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness,
without hindrance.

===== Notes: =====


[1] back to 1:20 Psalm 69:25

[2] back to 1:20 Psalm 109:8

[3] back to 2:15 about 9:00 AM

[4] back to 2:21 Joel 2:28-32

[5] back to 2:27 or, Hell

[6] back to 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11

[7] back to 2:31 or, Hell

[8] back to 2:35 Psalm 110:1

[9] back to 3:1 3:00 PM

[10] back to 3:17 The word for "brothers" here may be also correctly
translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."

[11] back to 3:23 Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19

[12] back to 3:25 Genesis 22:18; 26:4

[13] back to 4:11 Psalm 118:22

[14] back to 4:26 Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean Anointed
One.

[15] back to 4:26 Psalm 2:1-2

[16] back to 6:1 The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even
though they were also of Hebrew descent.

[17] back to 7:3 Genesis 12:1

[18] back to 7:7 Genesis 15:13-14

[19] back to 7:23 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[20] back to 7:28 Exodus 2:14

[21] back to 7:32 Exodus 3:6

[22] back to 7:34 Exodus 3:5,7-8,10

[23] back to 7:37 TR adds "You shall listen to him."

[24] back to 7:37 Deuteronomy 18:15

[25] back to 7:40 Exodus 32:1

[26] back to 7:42 This idiom could also be translatted "host of heaven,"
or "angelic beings," or "heavenly bodies."

[27] back to 7:43 Amos 5:25-27

[28] back to 7:50 Isaiah 66:1-2

[29] back to 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8

[30] back to 8:37 TR adds "Philip said, 'If you believe with all your
heart, you may.' He answered, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of
God.'"

[31] back to 9:5 TR adds "It's hard for you to kick against the goads."

[32] back to 9:6 TR omits "But"

[33] back to 9:11 or, Judas

[34] back to 9:28 TR and NU add "and going out"

[35] back to 9:29 The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language
and culture.

[36] back to 9:30 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[37] back to 9:36 "Dorcas" is Greek for "Gazelle."

[38] back to 9:38 Reading from NU, TR; MT omits "two men"

[39] back to 10:3 3:00 PM

[40] back to 10:6 TR adds "This one will tell you what it is necessary
for you to do."

[41] back to 10:19 Reading from TR and NU. MT omits "three"

[42] back to 10:30 3:00 P. M.

[43] back to 10:39 TR omits "also"

[44] back to 11:1 The word for "brothers" here and where context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."

[45] back to 11:20 A Hellenist is someone who keeps Greek customs and
culture.

[46] back to 12:25 TR reads "from" instead of "to"

[47] back to 13:17 TR, NU add "Israel"

[48] back to 13:23 TR, NU read "a Savior, Jesus" instead of "salvation"

[49] back to 13:24 TR, NU read "to all the people of Israel" instead of
"to Israel"

[50] back to 13:33 Psalm 2:7

[51] back to 13:34 Isaiah 55:3

[52] back to 13:35 Psalm 16:10

[53] back to 13:38 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[54] back to 13:41 Habakkuk 1:5

[55] back to 13:47 Isaiah 49:6

[56] back to 14:2 or, disobedient

[57] back to 14:17 TR reads "us" instead of "you"

[58] back to 15:3 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[59] back to 15:11 TR adds "Christ"

[60] back to 15:17 Amos 9:11-12

[61] back to 15:22 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[62] back to 15:34 Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to
stay there.

[63] back to 17:5 TR reads "And the Jews who were unpersuaded, becoming
envious and taking along" instead of "But the unpersuaded Jews took
along"

[64] back to 17:6 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may be also correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[65] back to 17:18 TR omits "also"

[66] back to 18:18 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[67] back to 19:19 The 50,000 pieces of silver here probably referred to
50,000 drachmas. If so, the value of the burned books was equivalent to
about 160 man-years of wages for agricultural laborers

[68] back to 20:8 TR reads "they" instead of "we"

[69] back to 20:21 TR adds "Christ"

[70] back to 20:28 TR, NU omit "the Lord and"

[71] back to 20:32 The word for "brothers" here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or
"siblings."

[72] back to 23:5 Exodus 22:28

[73] back to 23:23 about 9:00 PM

[74] back to 24:6 TR adds "We wanted to judge him according to our law,"

[75] back to 24:7 TR adds "but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by
and with great violence took him out of our hands,"

[76] back to 24:8 TR adds "commanding his accusers to come to you."

[77] back to 27:14 Or, "a northeaster."

[78] back to 27:28 20 fathoms = 120 feet = 36.6 meters

[79] back to 27:28 15 fathoms = 90 feet = 27.4 meters

[80] back to 28:1 NU reads "we"

[81] back to 28:14 The word for "brothers" here and where context allows
may also be correctly translated "brothers and sisters" or "siblings."

[82] back to 28:27 Isaiah 6:9-10