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使 徒 行 傳 16-21
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
使 徒 行 傳 16-21
Chinese New Testament: Easy-to-Read Version
提摩太与保罗和西拉同行
16 保罗去了特庇和路司得。那里有一个名叫提摩太的门徒。他母亲是犹太人，是一名信徒，他父亲是非犹太人。 2 路司得和以哥念的弟兄们都对提摩太赞不绝口。 3 保罗要提摩太与他旅行，于是便为他行了割礼，因为住在那个地区的犹太人都知道，提摩太的父亲是个非犹太人。 4 他们走遍了各城镇，一路上向信徒们转达耶路撒冷的使徒和长老们的指示。 5 因此，教会（信徒的团体）的信仰越来越强，信徒们也日益增多。
异象召唤保罗来到马其顿
6 因为圣灵阻止保罗和他的同行人在亚西亚传道，所以，他们路经弗吕家和加拉太一带， 7 当来到每西亚边境时，他们打算进入了庇推尼，可是耶稣的圣灵又制止了他们。 8 因此，他们越过每西亚，来到了特罗亚。 9 那天夜里，保罗看见了异象：一个马其顿人站在那里，肯求他说∶“请到马其顿来，帮帮我们吧！” 10 保罗看见异象后，我们立即准备前往马其顿。因为我们推断，上帝在召唤我们去给那里的人传播福音。
吕底亚归主
11 我们坐船离开了特罗亚，径直去了撒摩特喇。第二天，我们又航行到了尼亚波利。 12 然后，我们又从那儿出发，去了腓立比，那是马其顿地区的重要城市，是罗马人的殖民地。我们在这个城里呆了几天。
13 安息日 [a]那天，我们出了城门，来到河边，在那里我们想会有一个做祷告的地方。我们坐下来，开始向聚在那里的妇女们讲话。 14 其中有一个妇女名字叫吕底亚。她是推雅推喇城人，是卖紫色布匹的商人。她是上帝的崇拜者，倾听着我们。主开启了她的心，让她接受保罗的信息。 15 她和她的家人接受了洗礼 [b]后，她便邀请我们说∶“如果你们认为我真心信主，那么，就请住到我家来吧。”她说服我们去了她家。
保罗和西拉在狱中
16 一次，我们正往那祷告的地方去，遇到一个邪灵附体的女仆，她靠着邪灵给她的预测未来的能力，为她的主人们赚了一大笔钱。 17 她一路跟着保罗和我们，边走边喊∶“这些人是至高无上的上帝的仆人！他们在向你们宣布被拯救的道路！” 18 她一连这样很多天，保罗觉得不耐烦了，转身对这灵说∶“我以耶稣基督的名义命令你，从她身上出去！”立刻，那个灵便离开了她。
19 女仆的主人们一看赚钱的希望没有了，立刻揪住了保罗和西拉，把他们拽到了集市上去见官。 20 他们把保罗和西拉带到了官吏们那里说∶“这些人是犹太人，正在骚扰我们的城市！ 21 他们鼓吹的规矩，是违法的，是我们罗马人既不能接受，也不能实行的。” 22 众人也对他们表示敌意。官吏们于是吩咐剥下他们的衣服，并命令手下人痛打他们。 23 保罗和西拉挨了一顿痛打，然后就被扔进了监狱。官吏们命令狱卒对他们严加看管， 24 于是，狱卒就把他们扔进了监狱里的最里层，还给他们上了足枷。
25 大约在午夜，保罗和西拉做着祷告，唱歌赞美上帝，其他的犯人都倾听着。 26 突然，一场剧烈的大地震发生了。牢房的地基颤动起来，所有的牢门都突然打开了，每个犯人的镣铐都松开了。 27 狱卒醒过来，看见牢门打开时，拔剑就要自杀，因为他以为犯人全都逃跑了。 28 这时保罗大声地喊道∶“别伤害自己！我们都在这里！”
29 狱卒叫人端进来一些灯，然后跑进牢里，吓得浑身直颤抖，匍伏在保罗和西拉的面前。 30 这个狱卒把他们带了出去，问道∶“我必须做什么才能得救？”
31 他们答道∶“信仰主耶稣。那样你们就会得救－你和所有住在你们家的人就会得救。” 32 他们还对他和在他家的人讲了主的信息。 33 当夜狱卒又带保罗和西拉去洗了伤口。然后，他和他的家人也立即受了洗礼 [c]。 34 狱卒把保罗和西拉带到家里，请他们吃了顿饭。他和全家人都非常高兴，因为他们已经信仰上帝了。
35 第二天早晨，官吏们派警官来说∶“把那些人放了。”
36 于是，那个狱卒便把这话告诉了保罗∶“官吏们下令，让把你们释放了。所以，现在出来吧，平平安安地走吧。”
37 但是，保罗却对警官们说∶“他们没发现我们有任何罪状，竟当着人们的面打了我们一顿，尽管我们是罗马公民 [d]，把我们关进了牢里。他们现在想悄悄地把我们送走，当然不行！他们应该亲自来接我们出去！”
38 警官把这些话报告给了官吏们。他们听说保罗和西拉是罗马人时，都非常害怕。 39 所以就去向他们道了歉，并且把他们接了出来，然后请他们离开那个城市。 40 保罗和西拉出监狱后，便来到了吕底亚的家。在那里，他们见到了兄弟们，鼓舞了他们一番，然后走了。
保罗和西拉在帖撒罗尼迦
17 保罗和西拉旅行经过了安非波里、亚波罗尼亚，他们来到了帖撒罗尼迦。那里有一个犹太会堂。 2 按照他通常的习惯，保罗去了他们的集会，一连三个安息日和他们一起讨论经文。 3 保罗向他们讲解《经》文，并据此证明：基督必须受难，然后从死里复活。保罗说∶“这个耶稣，即我正向你们宣讲的，就是基督。” 4 他们中间有些人被说服了，加入了保罗和西拉，很多敬畏上帝的非犹太人也加入了他们，还有许多知名妇女也加入了他们。
5 但是，犹太人却非常嫉妒，他们从集市上聚了些坏人，结成一伙暴徒，在城里引起了骚乱。这些人来到耶孙的家，想找到保罗和西拉，以便把他们带到全城人的集会面前。 6 可是，他们没有找到他们，于是就把耶孙和几个弟兄拽到了市政当局那里。他们喊道∶“在世上到处制造事端的人现在来到这里了！ 7 可是，耶孙却在自己家里收留了他们。他们都在做对抗凯撒法令的事情，说另有一个国王，叫耶稣。”
8 这话引起了人群和此城的权势们的不安。 9 于是，他们让耶孙和其他人交了保金，然后便把他们释放。
保罗和西拉去庇哩亚
10 夜幕一降临，弟兄们立刻连夜带保罗和西拉离开了帖撒罗尼迦，送他们到庇哩亚去了。保罗和西拉一到那儿，便去了当地的犹太会堂。 11 这里的人比帖撒罗尼迦人的心胸要开阔，他们甘心情愿地领受这信息，而且每天都仔细斟酌《经》文，看保罗说的是否真实。 12 结果，很多犹太人信了。许多上流社会的希腊妇女和希腊男子也信了。 13 当帖撒罗尼迦的犹太人听说，保罗在庇哩亚宣讲上帝之道时，他们也来到那里，并开始在人群中煽风点火， 14 所以，弟兄们立即把保罗送到沿海一带，但是，西拉和提摩太却留在了庇哩亚。 15 护送保罗的人把他带到了雅典，然后，他们又返回庇哩亚，他们收到让西拉和提摩太尽快去见保罗的指示。
保罗在雅典
16 保罗在雅典等待西拉和提摩太时，发现那个城市到处都是偶像，因此，他内心感到十分焦急。 17 他在会堂里与犹太人和虔诚的希腊人辩论，每天又在集市上与遇到的人辩论。 18 一些伊壁鸠鲁派和斯多亚派的哲学家也与他争辩。
一些人说道∶“这个家伙不知自己在谈论些什么。他要说什么呢？”其他的人说∶“他好像在谈论异国的神们。”他们这么说，是因为他在宣讲了耶稣以及复活。 19 这帮人把他带到了亚略巴古议会。他们说∶“我们可以知道你在讲的新教导是什么吗？ 20 因为你带来了一些我们听起来陌生的事情，所以我们想知道这些事情意味着什么？”
21 （所有住在那里的雅典人和外国人，除了喜欢把时间花在讲和听新鲜事情上，不干其它的事。）
22 此时，保罗在亚略巴古议会 [e]前说∶“雅典人啊，我发现你们在各方面都很虔诚， 23 因为我在四处走动时，看到你们崇拜的对象，我甚至看见一个祭坛上写着∶‘献给不认识的神。’这位你们尽管不认识，却在敬拜的神，就是现在我要告诉你们的。 24 创造了世界和其中一切的上帝，他是天地之主，所以他不住在人类用双手建造的大殿里。 25 上帝赐给全人类以生命、呼吸和其它的一切。他不需要人类的帮助，因为上帝有他所需要的一切。 26 他从一个人造出了万族，使他们居住在地球各地，他确切地定下他们将会在何时何处生活。 27 他的意图是使人们寻求他，也许他们会摸索并找到他，但是他离我们每个人都不遥远。
28 ‘因为我们在他之中生活、行动与存在。’
也正如你们自己的一些诗人所说的那样：
‘我们是他的后代。’
29 那么，既然我们是上帝的后代，我们就不应该认为神像金子、银子或者石头－是靠人类技能和想象做成的塑像。 30 上帝以前忽视人们的无知，但是现在他要求各地的人悔过自新。 31 因为，他已经确定了一个日子，在那天，他要通过他指定的那个人（耶稣）来公正地审判整个世界。通过让那个人从死里复活，他已把这个证据给予所有的人了。”
32 当他们听到死而复活的事情时，一些人便讥笑他，但另一些人却说∶“以后，我们还想多听你讲这个。” 33 保罗离开了议会。一些人信了，加入了他们。 34 这些人当中有亚略巴古议会成员丢尼修、一个名叫大马哩的妇女，和其他的一些人。
保罗在哥林多
18 这之后，保罗离开了雅典，来到了哥林多， 2 在那里，他遇见一个名叫亚居拉的犹太人。亚居拉出生在本都，最近和妻子、百基拉从意大利来。他们离开意大利的原因，是因为克劳迪 [f]命令所有的犹太人离开罗马。保罗去见他们， 3 因为他和他们是同行，保罗和他们呆在一起，与他们一同工作，他们都是受过训练以制做帐篷为生的。 4 每逢安息日，保罗都去会堂与人们辩论，争取说服犹太人和非犹太人。
5 西拉和提摩太从马其顿来到哥林多来见保罗，这之后，保罗把所有的时间都用来传道，向犹太人证明耶稣是基督。 6 当他们反对和恶语攻击他时，他就抖掉衣服上的尘土（警告），并对他们说∶“如果你们毁灭，必归咎于你们自己。我已经做了我所能做的事情了！从现在起，我要到外族人那里去了。” 7 他离开那里，来到一个叫提多犹士都的家里，此人是上帝的崇拜者，他的房子就在会堂隔壁。 8 会堂的管事基利司布和他全家都信仰了主。许多哥林多人听了保罗的话后，也相信了，并受了洗礼。
9 一天夜里，主在梦中对保罗说∶“不要害怕，只管讲，不要沉默， 10 因为我和你同在。没有人会攻击和伤害你，因为我的许多子民在这个城市里。” 11 所以，保罗在那里住了一年半，在人们中间教导上帝的信息。
保罗被带到迦流面前
12 当迦流任亚该亚总督时，犹太人一起来反对保罗，他们把保罗带到法庭， 13 说：这个人教授人们崇拜上帝， 在某种程度上，触犯了我们的律法。
14 保罗正要讲话时，迦流对犹太人说∶“如果你们起诉他有些错误行为，或有严重的罪过，我听你们的控告是合适的， 15 但是，你们犹太人所说的，仅是对一些话、名称以及针对你们的律法的一些争议，那么你们自己去解决吧，我不审理这种事情。” 16 于是，他把他们赶出了法庭。
17 他们都拽住会堂管事所提尼，在法庭前面殴打他，但是，迦流对此丝毫也不过问。
保罗返回安提阿
18 保罗又在那里住了很多天，然后离开兄弟们启航到叙利亚去了，和他同行的还有百基拉和亚居拉。出发之前，保罗在坚革哩剃了头，因为他曾发过誓。 19 他们到达了以弗所，在那里保罗离开了百基拉和亚居拉。保罗来到会堂与犹太人讨论， 20 他们请求他在那里再多住些日子，保罗没有同意。 21 但是，当他离开时，他说∶“如果上帝要我再回到你们这里，我会回来的。”然后，保罗从以弗所启航出发了。
22 他到达该撒利亚后，便到耶路撒冷去探望教会，然后又去了安提阿。 23 在那里，保罗住了一段时间，然后离开了。他走遍了加拉太和弗吕家地区，加强了所有门徒的信仰。
亚波罗在以弗所和哥林多
24 有个名叫亚波罗的犹太人，来到以弗所。他出生在亚力山太，是个有学问的人，对《经》文了如指掌。 25 他在主之道中，受到过指点，他充满激情地宣讲和准确地教导关于耶稣的事情，尽管他只知道约翰的洗礼。 26 他开始在会堂里大胆地讲。百基拉和亚居拉听到他后，就把他带到一边，向他更准确地讲解了上帝之道。
27 当亚波罗要去亚该亚时，兄弟们都鼓励他，他们给那里的门徒写信，请他们接待他。他到达那里后，对那些因为上帝的恩典已信仰耶稣的人，是个极大的帮助。 28 在公开的辩论中，他有力地驳倒了犹太人，根据《经》来证明耶稣就是基督。
保罗在以弗所
19 亚波罗在哥林多时，保罗旅行经过内陆地区，来到以弗所。在那里，他找到了耶稣的一些门徒， 2 对他们说∶“你们信的时候，领受到圣灵了吗？”
他们说∶“我们根本没听说有圣灵这回事。”
3 他又问∶“那么，你们受到的是什么样的洗礼呢？”
他们回答∶“是约翰的洗礼。”
4 保罗说∶“约翰告诉人们受洗是表示要改过自新。他告诉那些人们信仰在他之后来的那位，也就是耶稣。”
5 他们听到这话，就以主耶稣的名义接受了洗礼。 6 保罗把手放在他们身上时，圣灵便降临在他们身上了 [g]。他们都开始用不同的语言讲话和预言。 7 大约共有十二个人。
8 一连三个月，保罗去此会堂大胆地布道，与犹太人辩论，努力劝说他们相信他所讲的上帝王国。 9 可是，有的人十分顽固，就是不肯相信，还在人们面前恶语攻击此道。于是，保罗离开了他们。他带走了这些门徒。每天他都在推喇奴的礼堂举行讨论。
10 这样如此两年，结果住在亚西亚的所有的人，不论犹太人还是非犹太人都听到了主的信息。
士基瓦的儿子
11 上帝通过保罗之手行了许多不凡的奇迹， 12 以至于他碰过的围裙和手帕都被人拿去送到病人那里，这些人的病便被治好了，邪灵也离开了他们。
13 一些四处走动，驱赶邪灵的犹太人，试图用主耶稣的名义对邪灵附体的人说∶“我以保罗宣讲的主耶稣的名义命令你出来。 14 有一个犹太大祭司，名叫士基瓦，他的七个儿子就在做这种事情。”
15 可是，邪灵却对他们说∶“我认识耶稣，也知道保罗，可你们是谁？”
16 被邪灵缠身的那个人跳到他们身上，制服并打垮了他们所有的人。他们赤身裸体，带着伤跑出了那栋房子。 17 住在以弗所的所有的犹太人和非犹太人都听说了这件事，十分害怕。主耶稣的名更加受人尊敬了。 18 信徒中的许多人都来承认并公开坦白他们以往所做的。 19 很多耍法术的人把他们的书籍收拾到一起，当众烧掉了。他们算了一下那些书的价值，总共值五万块银币。 20 用这种有力的方式，主的话得到了广泛的传播，并越来越成功。
保罗定旅行计划
21 这些事情过后，保罗决定经由马其顿和亚该亚到耶路撒冷去。他说∶“我访问那里后，我还必须上路去看看罗马。” 22 因此，他派他的助手中的两位提摩太和以拉都去了马其顿，而自己则在亚西亚多呆了一段时间。
以弗所的骚乱
23 大约在这时，由于上帝之道在以弗所引发了一场严重的骚乱。 24 有个名叫底米丢的银匠，是制作亚底米 [h]的神龛的，他给当地的手工艺者带来很多益处并揽了不少生意。 25 他召集了这些手工艺者和有关行业的工匠们，对他们说∶“你们大家都知道，我们从事这项工作，收入很好。 26 但是，你们看见并且也听说，保罗这个家伙不仅引诱迷惑了在以弗所的一大批人，而且几乎是引诱了整个亚西亚全省的人。他说，用人类双手造的神根本不是神。 27 因此，不仅仅我们这个行业有落下坏名声的危险，而且，伟大的女神亚底米神的大殿也失去其重要性。不但如此，甚至连女神亚底米的神圣尊严－她在全亚西亚省和全世界受到崇拜，也要毁于一旦。”
28 听到这里，众人狂怒起来。他们开始高喊∶“以弗所人的亚底米，伟大！伟大！” 29 此时城里到处是一片混乱。他们抓住了和保罗同行的马其顿人－该犹和亚里达古，然后挟持着他们涌进了剧场。 30 保罗想走到人群的面前，但是门徒却没让他这么做。 31 那个省的一些领导是保罗的朋友，他们派人传话给他，请他不要冒险进剧场。 32 这时，整个会场一片混乱，人们有的喊这个，有的喊那个，他们大多数人甚至不知道自己为什么在那里。 33 犹太人把亚力山大推到人群前面，他们告诉他该做些什么。亚力山大挥手，想在众人面前做辩护。 34 但是，当人们发现他是犹太人时，便一齐高呼∶“以弗所的亚底米，伟大！”如此长达两个钟头左右。
35 最后，此城的书记官使众人平静下来，他说∶“以弗所的人们！世上谁不知道，以弗所城是伟大的亚底米殿和那块从天而降的圣石 [i]的看守呢？ 36 既然这些事是不可否认的，那么你们就必须冷静下来，而不能鲁莽行事， 37 你们把这些人带到这里来，可是，他们并没有抢劫大殿、亵渎我们的女神呀。 38 如果底米丢和与他在一起的手艺人，要告什么人的状，有庭日，而且还有地方总督。让他们把互相起诉的案子带到那里去吧。 39 但是，如果你们有其它的事情要问，也该在例行的会议上解决。 40 但是，由于今天发生的事情，我们在冒被人指控暴乱的危险，我们没有任何理由来为这场骚乱辩护。” 41 说完这些，他就叫众人解散了。
保罗去了马其顿和希腊
20 喧嚣一平息，保罗把门徒召集在一起，说了一些鼓励的话后，就和他们道别，出发去了马其顿。 2 他走遍了那个地区，在那些地方对信徒说了许多鼓励的话。然后他又到了希腊。 3 在那儿住了三个月。当他正要启航去叙利亚时，发现犹太人设计要对付他，所以，他便决定经由马其顿返回叙利亚。 4 与他同行的有庇哩亚人毕罗斯的儿子所巴特、帖撒罗尼迦人亚里达古和西公都，特庇人该犹和提摩太，亚西亚人推基古和特罗非摩。 5 这些人先走，在特罗亚等我们。 6 除酵节 [j]后，我们坐船离开了腓立比，五天以后，我们在特罗亚加和他们会合，在那儿呆了七天。
保罗最后一次访问特罗亚
7 星期的第一天（星期天），我们聚在一起分饼 [k]时，保罗对大家讲话，他一直讲到午夜，因为第二天他就要离开。 8 我们聚集的楼上房间里有许多盏灯。 9 一个名叫犹推古的年轻人坐在窗台上，当保罗讲话时，他逐渐陷入沉睡，当他完全被睡意征服后，就从三楼上跌了下来，人们把他扶起来时，发现他已经死了。 10 保罗下楼，扑在他身上，双臂抱住他说∶“不用担心，他还活着。” 11 保罗又回到楼上，掰开饼吃了。他对大家长谈到天明。然后离开了。 12 他们把那个年轻人活着送回家去，众人对此感到莫大的安慰。
从特罗亚到米利都的旅行
13 我们先上船往亚朔航行。准备在那里把保罗接上船。这一切都是保罗安排的，因为他要步行到那里去。 14 他在亚朔与我们碰头后，我们把他接上了船，然后继续朝米推利尼开去。 15 第二天，从那里我们又乘船出发，到了基阿对面的一个地方。第三天。我们又渡到了撒摩岛，第四天便到了米利都。 16 保罗已决定坐船经由以弗所，而不在那里停留，免得在亚西亚耽搁，因为他急于要去耶路撒冷，想尽量争取在五旬节 [l]前赶到那里。
保罗对以弗所的长老讲话
17 保罗从米利都捎话给以弗所，请教会的长老来。 18 他们一到，保罗就对他们说∶“你们知道，自从我来到亚西亚省的第一天起，整个期间我是怎么样和你们生活在一起的。 19 我用我全部的谦卑和眼泪侍奉主，并且还因犹太人的同谋经历了许多苦难。 20 你们知道，凡对你们有利的，我都毫不犹豫地向你们传播，不论在公开场合或挨家挨户，我都毫不犹豫地教导给你们这些事情。 21 无论是对犹太人还是非犹太人，我都警告过他们，在悔改中归顺上帝，信仰我们的主耶稣。 22 现在，我受灵的驱使去耶路撒冷，却不知道我在那里会遇到什么事情。 23 我只知道，在每座城市里圣灵都告诫我，有艰难和囚禁在等待着我。 24 但是，我的生命对我来说毫无价值，我只想完成这场竞赛和这使命，即向人们宣讲上帝恩典的福音，它是我从主耶稣那里领受到的。
25 现在我知道，所有听我传讲过上帝王国上福音的人们，今后你们不会再见到我了。 26 所以，今天我郑重地向你们宣布：如果你们有人得不到拯救，上帝不会责备我的！ 27 因为我已毫无保留地向你们传播了上帝完整的意旨。 28 你们自己要谨慎，也要为全群（上帝的子民）谨慎，圣灵使你们在他们中间成为监督人，牧养好上帝的教会，它是上帝用自己儿子的血换来的。 29 我知道我离开之后，凶猛的狼们会闯到你们中间来伤害羊群。 30 甚至从你们自己中间会出现一些人歪曲真理，诱惑门徒去跟随他们。 31 所以要警惕！要记住三年来，我日夜流着眼泪，从未停止过告诫你们每一个人。
32 现在，我把你们交付给上帝和他恩典的信息，它能坚定你们的信仰，并把上帝赐给他所有圣民的祝福赐给你们。 33 我从没贪图过别人的金银衣物， 34 正如你们所知，我靠双手工作来满足自己和与我在一起的人的需要。 35 凡事我都向你们表明，我们应向这样努力工作，去帮助弱者，我们必须记住主耶稣的话∶‘给予比得到更加有福。’”
36 保罗说完，与他们所有的人一起跪了下来祈祷。 37 大家都哭了，和他拥抱亲吻。 38 最令他们难过的是，因为保罗说过，他们再也见不到他了。然后人们护送保罗上了船。
保罗去耶路撒冷
21 告别长老之后，我们便开船径直到了哥士。第二天，又到了罗底，从那里我们又去了帕大喇。 2 我们发现有一条开往腓尼基的船，就上船出发了。 3 当我们看得见塞浦路斯时，便从它的南边绕了过去向叙利亚开去。我们在推罗登陆，因为船得在那里卸货。 4 在推罗，我们找到了一些门徒，和他们在一起住了七天。他们借助圣灵告诉保罗不要去耶路撒冷。 5 当逗留的时间一过，我们便离开推罗，又上路了。那里所有的信徒与他们的妻子和孩子，陪着我们出了城来到海边，我们跪下来祈告。 6 我们大家相互告别后，我们便登上了船，他们则回家去了。
7 我们从推罗继续我们的航行，在多利买上岸。问候那里的弟兄们，并和他们在一起呆了一天。 8 第二天我们离开那里，来到了该撒利亚，进了传道人腓利家里，并和他同住。他是被选出的七名助手之一。 9 他有四个女儿，她们都是处女，她们凭上帝的启示都有预言的天赋。 10 在那里住了许多日子后，从犹太地区来了一位先知，名叫亚迦布。 11 他来到我们这里，拿起保罗的腰带把自己的手和脚都捆了起来，说∶“圣灵是这样说的∶‘耶路撒冷的犹太人会把系这条腰带的人，像这样绑起来交给外族人。’”
12 听到这些，我们和当地的人都请求保罗不要去耶路撒冷。 13 但保罗却说∶“你们为什么哭哭啼啼的，让我心碎吗？其实我已经做好了准备，不仅要在耶路撒冷被捆绑，还会情愿为主耶稣之名死在那里。”
14 既然我们无法说服他，就停止乞求他，只说∶“让主的意愿得以实现吧。”
15 这以后，我们便做好了准备，到耶路撒冷去了。 16 该撒利亚的一些门徒与我们同行，他们把我们带到了拿孙家里去住。拿孙是塞浦路斯人，他是早期的门徒。
保罗拜访雅各
17 我们到达耶路撒冷时，受到兄弟们的热情接待。 18 第二天，保罗与我们一起去看望雅各。所有的长老都在场， 19 保罗问候了他们，然后，把上帝通过他在外族人中所做的事情一一向他们做了汇报， 20 听完，他们都赞美上帝。他们对保罗说∶“兄弟，你看成为信徒的犹太人数以万计，他们都热衷于律法。 21 他们听说了关于你的事，说你教导住在外族人中间所有的犹太人，放弃摩西的律法，叫他们既不为他们的孩子行割礼 [m]，也不遵守我们的风俗。 22 那么该如何是好呢？他们肯定将会听说，你已经到这来了。 23 那么，就照我们告诉你们的去做吧：我们这里有四个向上帝许过愿的人。 24 你带着这些人，和他们一同去行洁净仪式，并且付费让他们剃头。然后，大家就会知道，他们听到关于你的事情，都是不实之辞，并且知道你自己也是遵守律法的。 25 至于外族的信徒，我们已把决定写信给他们了，吩咐他们：
不可吃任何祭过偶像的食物，
不可吃血或勒死的牲畜，
也不可有不道德的性行为。”
保罗被捕
26 于是保罗带上了那四个人。第二天又与他们一起行了洁净礼。然后，他走进大殿院，通知祭司洁净礼将要在什么时刻结束和代表每个人献祭的日期。
27 这七天快要过去的时候，一些亚西亚的犹太人在大殿院里见到他，就煽动整个人群把保罗抓了起来。 28 他们喊道∶“噢，以色列人啊，请帮忙！就是这个人，他到处教唆人们，反对我们的人民、律法和这所大殿。并且现在他甚至把外族人带进了大殿。他亵渎了这个神圣的地方。” 29 他们这么说，是因为他们在城里时，看见以弗所人特罗非摩和保罗在一起，于是，便猜想，保罗把他带进过大殿院。
30 整个城市骚动起来。人们都跑过来拥在一起，他们抓住保罗，把他拽出了大殿院，大殿院的门立刻都关上了。 31 那些人正想要杀保罗时，罗马军队的指挥官得到报告，说耶路撒冷全境都陷入了混乱之中。 32 他便立即带着官兵，赶到攻击保罗的人群那里。当那些犹太人看到指挥官和士兵们，便停止殴打保罗。 33 指挥官走到保罗跟前，逮捕了他，还下令给他戴上了两条锁链。然后，他才问保罗是谁，并做了什么事情。 34 人群里人们叫喊不一，因为混乱，指挥官无法查出真相，便下令把保罗押到兵营里去。 35 保罗来到台阶时，因为人群的凶暴，不得不由士兵们把他抬起来走， 36 人群跟着他们，并叫喊着∶“杀了他！”
37 当保罗就要被带进城堡时，保罗对指挥官说∶“我可以对你说话吗？”
指挥官说∶“你懂希腊语吗？ 38 那么你不是那个前些时候，挑动暴乱并带领四千个恐怖分子跑到旷野里去的那个埃及人了？”
39 保罗说道∶“我是犹太人，从基利家的大数来。我是一个重要城市的公民。请你让我对那些人说话。”
40 指挥官同意了，保罗便站在台阶上，向人们挥了挥手。一切安静下来之后，保罗用阿拉米语 [n]对人们讲话。
Footnotes
- 使 徒 行 傳 16:13 安息日： 犹太周的第七天。犹太人的一个特别的宗教日。（星期六）
- 使 徒 行 傳 16:15 洗礼或浸礼： 希腊字，意为短促地把人或东西浸入、浸泡或没入水中。
- 使 徒 行 傳 16:33 洗礼或浸礼： 希腊字，意为短促地把人或东西浸入、浸泡或没入水中。
- 使 徒 行 傳 16:37 罗马公民： 罗马法律说在受审之前，不许打罗马公民。
- 使 徒 行 傳 17:22 亚略巴古议会： 雅典重要的领导团体。他们就如士师。
- 使 徒 行 傳 18:2 克劳迪： 公元后41-54年罗马的皇帝。
- 使 徒 行 傳 19:6 把手放在他们身上： 在此，来表示使徒有上帝的权力或力量，给予人们圣灵的特别力量。
- 使 徒 行 傳 19:24 亚底米： 亚细亚米纳人所崇拜的女神。
- 使 徒 行 傳 19:35 圣石： 也许是一块陨石或岩石，这些人把它们想成尤如亚底米并崇拜。
- 使 徒 行 傳 20:6 除酵节： 犹太人的一个重要圣周。在旧约里，它在逾越节的第二天，但在此时，两个节日已合二为一了。
- 使 徒 行 傳 20:7 分饼： ：吃主的晚餐。也可意为吃一顿饭或主的晚餐，即耶稣告诉他的教徒们为了纪念他而吃的。（《路加福音》22:14-20）
- 使 徒 行 傳 20:16 五旬节： 犹太人庆祝麦收的节日。它在逾越节后的50天。
- 使 徒 行 傳 21:21 割礼： 割去包皮，每个犹太男孩都行割礼，它是上帝与亚伯拉罕所定的契约的标记。
- 使 徒 行 傳 21:40 阿拉米语： 似希伯来语，一世纪犹太人的语言。
Acts 16-21
New International Version
Acts 16-21
New International Version
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,(A) where a disciple named Timothy(B) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer(C) but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers(D) at Lystra and Iconium(E) spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.(F) 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders(G) in Jerusalem(H) for the people to obey.(I) 5 So the churches were strengthened(J) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.(K)
Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia(L) and Galatia,(M) having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.(N) 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus(O) would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.(P) 9 During the night Paul had a vision(Q) of a man of Macedonia(R) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we(S) got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel(T) to them.
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
11 From Troas(U) we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi,(V) a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia.(W) And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath(X) we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira(Y) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart(Z) to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household(AA) were baptized,(AB) she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer,(AC) we were met by a female slave who had a spirit(AD) by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God,(AE) who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.(AF)
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money(AG) was gone, they seized Paul and Silas(AH) and dragged(AI) them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar(AJ) 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans(AK) to accept or practice.”(AL)
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.(AM) 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer(AN) was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.(AO)
25 About midnight(AP) Paul and Silas(AQ) were praying and singing hymns(AR) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.(AS) At once all the prison doors flew open,(AT) and everyone’s chains came loose.(AU) 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.(AV) 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.(AW) 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(AX)
31 They replied, “Believe(AY) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved(AZ)—you and your household.”(BA) 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night(BB) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.(BC) 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he(BD) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer(BE) told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”(BF)
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,(BG) and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.(BH) 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.(BI) 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,(BJ) where they met with the brothers and sisters(BK) and encouraged them. Then they left.
In Thessalonica
17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica,(BL) where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue,(BM) and on three Sabbath(BN) days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,(BO) 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer(BP) and rise from the dead.(BQ) “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,”(BR) he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,(BS) as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.(BT) They rushed to Jason’s(BU) house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.[b] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged(BV) Jason and some other believers(BW) before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world(BX) have now come here,(BY) 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”(BZ) 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason(CA) and the others post bond and let them go.
In Berea
10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas(CB) away to Berea.(CC) On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.(CD) 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,(CE) for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures(CF) every day to see if what Paul said was true.(CG) 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.(CH)
13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea,(CI) some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers(CJ) immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas(CK) and Timothy(CL) stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens(CM) and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.(CN)
In Athens
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue(CO) with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news(CP) about Jesus and the resurrection.(CQ) 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus,(CR) where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching(CS) is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians(CT) and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus(CU) and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.(CV) 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship(CW)—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it(CX) is the Lord of heaven and earth(CY) and does not live in temples built by human hands.(CZ) 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.(DA) 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.(DB) 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.(DC) 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[c](DD) As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[d]
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.(DE) 30 In the past God overlooked(DF) such ignorance,(DG) but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.(DH) 31 For he has set a day when he will judge(DI) the world with justice(DJ) by the man he has appointed.(DK) He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”(DL)
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead,(DM) some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus,(DN) also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
In Corinth
18 After this, Paul left Athens(DO) and went to Corinth.(DP) 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,(DQ) because Claudius(DR) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.(DS) 4 Every Sabbath(DT) he reasoned in the synagogue,(DU) trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas(DV) and Timothy(DW) came from Macedonia,(DX) Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.(DY) 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,(DZ) he shook out his clothes in protest(EA) and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!(EB) I am innocent of it.(EC) From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”(ED)
7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.(EE) 8 Crispus,(EF) the synagogue leader,(EG) and his entire household(EH) believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:(EI) “Do not be afraid;(EJ) keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you,(EK) and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.(EL)
12 While Gallio was proconsul(EM) of Achaia,(EN) the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law(EO)—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes(EP) the synagogue leader(EQ) and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters(ER) and sailed for Syria,(ES) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.(ET) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae(EU) because of a vow he had taken.(EV) 19 They arrived at Ephesus,(EW) where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”(EX) Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,(EY) he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(EZ)
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia(FA) and Phrygia,(FB) strengthening all the disciples.(FC)
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,(FD) a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.(FE) He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[e](FF) and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.(FG) 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila(FH) heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia,(FI) the brothers and sisters(FJ) encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures(FK) that Jesus was the Messiah.(FL)
Paul in Ephesus
19 While Apollos(FM) was at Corinth,(FN) Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.(FO) There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit(FP) when[f] you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism(FQ) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”(FR) 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(FS) 6 When Paul placed his hands on them,(FT) the Holy Spirit came on them,(FU) and they spoke in tongues[g](FV) and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 Paul entered the synagogue(FW) and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.(FX) 9 But some of them(FY) became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.(FZ) So Paul left them. He took the disciples(GA) with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years,(GB) so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia(GC) heard the word of the Lord.(GD)
11 God did extraordinary miracles(GE) through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured(GF) and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits(GG) tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus(GH) whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus,(GI) they were all seized with fear,(GJ) and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[h] 20 In this way the word of the Lord(GK) spread widely and grew in power.(GL)
21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[i] to go to Jerusalem,(GM) passing through Macedonia(GN) and Achaia.(GO) “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”(GP) 22 He sent two of his helpers,(GQ) Timothy(GR) and Erastus,(GS) to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia(GT) a little longer.
The Riot in Ephesus
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.(GU) 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.(GV) 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus(GW) and in practically the whole province of Asia.(GX) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.(GY) 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(GZ) 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius(HA) and Aristarchus,(HB) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,(HC) and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples(HD) would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.(HE) Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned(HF) for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(HG)
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians,(HH) doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples(HI) nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen(HJ) have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.(HK) They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Through Macedonia and Greece
20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples(HL) and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.(HM) 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him(HN) just as he was about to sail for Syria,(HO) he decided to go back through Macedonia.(HP) 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus(HQ) and Secundus from Thessalonica,(HR) Gaius(HS) from Derbe, Timothy(HT) also, and Tychicus(HU) and Trophimus(HV) from the province of Asia.(HW) 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us(HX) at Troas.(HY) 6 But we sailed from Philippi(HZ) after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas,(IA) where we stayed seven days.
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
7 On the first day of the week(IB) we came together to break bread.(IC) Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room(ID) where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man(IE) and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”(IF) 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread(IG) and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.(IH) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(II) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(IJ) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(IK) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(IL)
17 From Miletus,(IM) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(IN) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(IO) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(IP) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(IQ) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(IR) 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything(IS) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews(IT) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance(IU) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.(IV)
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,(IW) not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me(IX) that prison and hardships are facing me.(IY) 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;(IZ) my only aim is to finish the race(JA) and complete the task(JB) the Lord Jesus has given me(JC)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.(JD)
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom(JE) will ever see me again.(JF) 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.(JG) 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.(JH) 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock(JI) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.(JJ) Be shepherds of the church of God,[j](JK) which he bought(JL) with his own blood.[k](JM) 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves(JN) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.(JO) 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples(JP) after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years(JQ) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.(JR)
32 “Now I commit you to God(JS) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance(JT) among all those who are sanctified.(JU) 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.(JV) 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.(JW) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.(JX) 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.(JY) 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.(JZ) Then they accompanied him to the ship.(KA)
On to Jerusalem
21 After we(KB) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(KC) went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(KD) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples(KE) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(KF) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.(KG) 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
7 We continued our voyage from Tyre(KH) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(KI) and stayed with them for a day. 8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(KJ) and stayed at the house of Philip(KK) the evangelist,(KL) one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(KM)
10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(KN) came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,(KO) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(KP) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(KQ)
12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die(KR) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(KS) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(KT) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(KU)
15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(KV) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(KW) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(KX) and one of the early disciples.
Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(KY) received us warmly.(KZ) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(LA) and all the elders(LB) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(LC) through his ministry.(LD)
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(LE) for the law.(LF) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(LG) telling them not to circumcise their children(LH) or live according to our customs.(LI) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(LJ) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(LK) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(LL) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(LM)
26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(LN)
Paul Arrested
27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(LO) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(LP) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(LQ) the Ephesian(LR) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(LS) they dragged him(LT) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(LU)
33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(LV) with two(LW) chains.(LX) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(LY) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(LZ) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(MA) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(MB)
Paul Speaks to the Crowd(MC)
37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(MD) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”
“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(ME) some time ago?”(MF)
39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(MG) in Cilicia,(MH) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”
40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(MI) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[l]:(MJ)
Footnotes
- Acts 16:12 The text and meaning of the Greek for the leading city of that district are uncertain.
- Acts 17:5 Or the assembly of the people
- Acts 17:28 From the Cretan philosopher Epimenides
- Acts 17:28 From the Cilician Stoic philosopher Aratus
- Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit
- Acts 19:2 Or after
- Acts 19:6 Or other languages
- Acts 19:19 A drachma was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages.
- Acts 19:21 Or decided in the Spirit
- Acts 20:28 Many manuscripts of the Lord
- Acts 20:28 Or with the blood of his own Son
- Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2
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