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Acts 21-24
New American Standard Bible 1995

Paul Sails from Miletus

21 When (A)we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran (B)a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; 2 and having found a ship crossing over to (C)Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we came in sight of (D)Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to (E)Syria and landed at (F)Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 After looking up (G)the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul [a](H)through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. 5 When [b]our days there were ended, we left and started on our journey, while they all, with wives and children, (I)escorted us until we were out of the city. After (J)kneeling down on the beach and praying, we said farewell to one another. 6 Then we went on board the ship, and they returned (K)home again.

7 When we had finished the voyage from (L)Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting (M)the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. 8 On the next day we left and came to (N)Caesarea, and entering the house of (O)Philip the (P)evangelist, who was (Q)one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who were (R)prophetesses. 10 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named (S)Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he (T)took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This (U)is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will (V)bind the man who owns this belt and (W)deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him (X)not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For (Y)I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for (Z)the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “(AA)The will of the Lord be done!”

Paul at Jerusalem

15 After these days we got ready and (AB)started on our way up to Jerusalem. 16 Some of (AC)the disciples from (AD)Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of (AE)Cyprus, a (AF)disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge.

17 After we arrived in Jerusalem, (AG)the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the following day Paul went in with us to [c](AH)James, and all (AI)the elders were present. 19 After he had greeted them, he (AJ)began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his (AK)ministry. 20 And when they heard it they began (AL)glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many [d]thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all (AM)zealous for the Law; 21 and they have been told about you, that you are (AN)teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them (AO)not to circumcise their children nor to [e]walk according to (AP)the customs. 22 What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who [f](AQ)are under a vow; 24 take them and (AR)purify yourself along with them, and [g]pay their expenses so that they may (AS)shave their [h]heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. 25 But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, (AT)having decided that they should abstain from [i]meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” 26 Then Paul [j]took the men, and the next day, (AU)purifying himself along with them, (AV)went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.

Paul Seized in the Temple

27 When (AW)the seven days were almost over, (AX)the Jews from [k](AY)Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, come to our aid! (AZ)This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has (BA)defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen (BB)Trophimus the (BC)Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was provoked, and [l]the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they (BD)dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. 31 While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the [m]commander of the (BE)Roman [n]cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 At once he (BF)took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the [o]commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the [p]commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be (BG)bound with (BH)two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. 34 But among the crowd (BI)some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the [q]facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into (BJ)the barracks. 35 When he got to (BK)the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the [r]mob; 36 for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, “(BL)Away with him!”

37 As Paul was about to be brought into (BM)the barracks, he said to the [s]commander, “May I say something to you?” And he *said, “Do you know Greek? 38 Then you are not (BN)the Egyptian who some [t]time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out (BO)into the wilderness?” 39 But Paul said, “(BP)I am a Jew of Tarsus in (BQ)Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on (BR)the stairs, (BS)motioned to the people with his hand; and when there [u]was a great hush, he spoke to them in the [v](BT)Hebrew dialect, saying,

Paul’s Defense before the Jews

22 “(BU)Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the [w](BV)Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said,

3 “(BW)I am (BX)a Jew, born in (BY)Tarsus of (BZ)Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated [x]under (CA)Gamaliel, [y](CB)strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as (CC)you all are today. 4 (CD)I persecuted this (CE)Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, 5 as also (CF)the high priest and all (CG)the Council of the elders [z]can testify. From them I also (CH)received letters to (CI)the brethren, and started off for (CJ)Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem [aa]as prisoners to be punished.

6 “(CK)But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, 7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am (CL)Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ 9 And those who were with me (CM)saw the light, to be sure, but (CN)did not [ab]understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, ‘(CO)What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’ 11 But since I (CP)could not see because of the [ac]brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

12 “A certain (CQ)Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and (CR)well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘(CS)Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And [ad](CT)at that very time I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘(CU)The God of our fathers has (CV)appointed you to know His will and to (CW)see the (CX)Righteous One and to hear an [ae]utterance from His mouth. 15 For you will be (CY)a witness for Him to all men of (CZ)what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? (DA)Get up and be baptized, and (DB)wash away your sins, (DC)calling on His name.’

17 “It happened when I (DD)returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I (DE)fell into a trance, 18 and I saw Him saying to me, ‘(DF)Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ 19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another (DG)I used to imprison and (DH)beat those who believed in You. 20 And (DI)when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’ 21 And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away (DJ)to the Gentiles.’”

22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “(DK)Away with such a fellow from the earth, for (DL)he should not be allowed to live!” 23 And as they were crying out and (DM)throwing off their cloaks and (DN)tossing dust into the air, 24 the [af]commander ordered him to be brought into (DO)the barracks, stating that he should be (DP)examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. 25 But when they stretched him out [ag]with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it [ah]lawful for you to scourge (DQ)a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the [ai]commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.” 27 The [aj]commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The [ak]commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.” 29 Therefore those who were about to (DR)examine him immediately [al]let go of him; and the [am]commander also (DS)was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had [an](DT)put him in chains.

30 But on the next day, (DU)wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he (DV)released him and ordered the chief priests and all (DW)the [ao]Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Paul before the Council

23 Paul, looking intently at (DX)the [ap]Council, said, “(DY)Brethren, (DZ)I have [aq]lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 The high priest (EA)Ananias commanded those standing beside him (EB)to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, (EC)you whitewashed wall! Do you (ED)sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” 4 But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘(EE)You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 But perceiving that one group were (EF)Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in (EG)the [ar]Council, “(EH)Brethren, (EI)I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for (EJ)the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7 As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For (EK)the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And there occurred a great uproar; and some of (EL)the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “(EM)We find nothing wrong with this man; (EN)suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And as a great dissension was developing, the [as]commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into (EO)the barracks.

11 But on (EP)the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “(EQ)Take courage; for (ER)as you have (ES)solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

12 When it was day, (ET)the Jews formed a [at]conspiracy and (EU)bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have (EV)bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you [au]and (EW)the [av]Council notify the [aw]commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”

16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, [ax]and he came and entered (EX)the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the [ay]commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and led him to the [az]commander and *said, “Paul (EY)the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.” 19 The [ba]commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20 And he said, “(EZ)The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to (FA)the [bb]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not [bc]listen to them, for more than forty of them are (FB)lying in wait for him who have (FC)bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” 22 So the [bd]commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”

Paul Moved to Caesarea

23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by [be]the third hour of the night to proceed to (FD)Caesarea, [bf]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [bg]spearmen.” 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to (FE)Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter having this form:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to the (FF)most excellent governor Felix, (FG)greetings.

27 “When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, (FH)I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, (FI)having learned that he was a Roman. 28 “And (FJ)wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I (FK)brought him down to their [bh](FL)Council; 29 and I found him to be accused over (FM)questions about their Law, but [bi]under (FN)no accusation deserving death or [bj]imprisonment.

30 “When I was (FO)informed that there would be (FP)a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing (FQ)his accusers to [bk]bring charges against him before you.”

31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But the next day, leaving (FR)the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to (FS)the barracks. 33 When these had come to (FT)Caesarea and delivered the letter to (FU)the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 When he had read it, he asked from what (FV)province he was, and when he learned that (FW)he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing after your (FX)accusers arrive also,” giving orders for him to be (FY)kept in Herod’s [bl]Praetorium.

Paul before Felix

24 After (FZ)five days the high priest (GA)Ananias came down with some elders, [bm]with an [bn]attorney named Tertullus, and they [bo]brought charges to (GB)the governor against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,

“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, (GC)most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you [bp]to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout [bq]the world, and a ringleader of the (GD)sect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to (GE)desecrate the temple; and [br]then we arrested him. [[bs]We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 (GF)The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 When (GG)the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than (GH)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (GI)Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (GJ)causing [bt]a riot. 13 (GK)Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I admit to you, that according to (GL)the Way which they call a (GM)sect I do serve [bu](GN)the God of our fathers, (GO)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which (GP)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this, (GQ)I also [bv]do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17 Now (GR)after several years I (GS)came to bring [bw]alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been (GT)purified, without any (GU)crowd or uproar. But there were some (GV)Jews from [bx]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to (GW)make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before (GX)the [by]Council, 21 other than for this one statement which (GY)I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, [bz]having a more exact knowledge about (GZ)the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the [ca]commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be (HA)kept in custody and yet (HB)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of (HC)his friends from ministering to him.

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his [cb]wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about (HD)faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing (HE)righteousness, (HF)self-control and (HG)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that (HH)money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [cc]was succeeded by Porcius (HI)Festus, and (HJ)wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul (HK)imprisoned.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:4 I.e. because of impressions made by the Spirit
  2. Acts 21:5 Lit we had completed the days
  3. Acts 21:18 Or Jacob
  4. Acts 21:20 Lit ten thousands
  5. Acts 21:21 I.e. observe or live by
  6. Acts 21:23 Lit have a vow on them
  7. Acts 21:24 Lit spend on them
  8. Acts 21:24 Lit head
  9. Acts 21:25 Lit the thing
  10. Acts 21:26 Or took the men the next day, and purifying himself
  11. Acts 21:27 I.e. west coast province of Asia Minor
  12. Acts 21:30 Lit a running together of the people occurred
  13. Acts 21:31 I.e. chiliarch, in command of one thousand troops
  14. Acts 21:31 Or battalion
  15. Acts 21:32 V 31, note 1
  16. Acts 21:33 V 31, note 1
  17. Acts 21:34 Lit certainty
  18. Acts 21:35 Lit crowd
  19. Acts 21:37 V 31, note 1
  20. Acts 21:38 Lit days
  21. Acts 21:40 Lit occurred
  22. Acts 21:40 I.e. Jewish Aramaic
  23. Acts 22:2 I.e. Jewish Aramaic
  24. Acts 22:3 Lit at the feet of
  25. Acts 22:3 Lit according to the strictness of the ancestral law
  26. Acts 22:5 Lit testifies for me
  27. Acts 22:5 Lit having been bound
  28. Acts 22:9 Or hear (with comprehension)
  29. Acts 22:11 Lit glory
  30. Acts 22:13 Or instantly; lit at the very hour
  31. Acts 22:14 Or message; lit voice
  32. Acts 22:24 I.e. chiliarch, in command of one thousand troops
  33. Acts 22:25 Or for the whip
  34. Acts 22:25 Interrogation by torture was a procedure used with slaves
  35. Acts 22:26 V 24, note 1
  36. Acts 22:27 V 24, note 1
  37. Acts 22:28 V 24, note 1
  38. Acts 22:29 Lit withdrew from
  39. Acts 22:29 V 24, note 1
  40. Acts 22:29 Lit bound him
  41. Acts 22:30 Or Sanhedrin
  42. Acts 23:1 Or Sanhedrin
  43. Acts 23:1 Or conducted myself as a citizen
  44. Acts 23:6 Or Sanhedrin
  45. Acts 23:10 I.e. chiliarch, in command of one thousand troops
  46. Acts 23:12 Or mob
  47. Acts 23:15 Lit with
  48. Acts 23:15 Or Sanhedrin
  49. Acts 23:15 V 10, note 1
  50. Acts 23:16 Or having been present with them, and he entered
  51. Acts 23:17 V 10, note 1
  52. Acts 23:18 V 10, note 1
  53. Acts 23:19 V 10, note 1
  54. Acts 23:20 Or Sanhedrin
  55. Acts 23:21 Lit be persuaded by them
  56. Acts 23:22 V 10, note 1
  57. Acts 23:23 I.e. 9 p.m.
  58. Acts 23:23 Lit and
  59. Acts 23:23 Or slingers or bowmen
  60. Acts 23:28 Or Sanhedrin
  61. Acts 23:29 Lit having
  62. Acts 23:29 Lit bonds
  63. Acts 23:30 Lit speak against him
  64. Acts 23:35 I.e. governor’s official residence
  65. Acts 24:1 Lit and
  66. Acts 24:1 Lit orator
  67. Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence or case
  68. Acts 24:4 Lit to hear...briefly
  69. Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
  70. Acts 24:6 Lit also
  71. Acts 24:6 The early mss do not contain the remainder of v 6, v 7, nor the first part of v 8
  72. Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
  73. Acts 24:14 Lit the ancestral God
  74. Acts 24:16 Lit practice myself
  75. Acts 24:17 Or gifts to charity
  76. Acts 24:18 I.e. west coast province of Asia Minor
  77. Acts 24:20 Or Sanhedrin
  78. Acts 24:22 Lit knowing more accurately
  79. Acts 24:22 I.e. chiliarch, in command of one thousand troops
  80. Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
  81. Acts 24:27 Lit received a successor, Porcius Festus
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Acts 21-24
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On to Jerusalem

21 After we(A) 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,(B) went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(C) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples(D) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(E) 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.(F) 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

7 We continued our voyage from Tyre(G) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(H) and stayed with them for a day. 8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(I) and stayed at the house of Philip(J) the evangelist,(K) one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(L)

10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(M) 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,(N) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(O) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(P)

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(Q) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(R) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(S) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(T)

15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(U) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(V) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(W) and one of the early disciples.

Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(X) received us warmly.(Y) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(Z) and all the elders(AA) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(AB) through his ministry.(AC)

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(AD) for the law.(AE) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(AF) telling them not to circumcise their children(AG) or live according to our customs.(AH) 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.(AI) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(AJ) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(AK) 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.”(AL)

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.(AM)

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,(AN) 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.”(AO) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(AP) the Ephesian(AQ) 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,(AR) they dragged him(AS) 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.(AT)

33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(AU) with two(AV) chains.(AW) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(AX) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(AY) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(AZ) 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!”(BA)

Paul Speaks to the Crowd(BB)

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(BC) 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(BD) some time ago?”(BE)

39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(BF) in Cilicia,(BG) 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(BH) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[a]:(BI) 22 1 “Brothers and fathers,(BJ) listen now to my defense.”

2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic,(BK) they became very quiet.

Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew,(BL) born in Tarsus(BM) of Cilicia,(BN) but brought up in this city. I studied under(BO) Gamaliel(BP) and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors.(BQ) I was just as zealous(BR) for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted(BS) the followers of this Way(BT) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,(BU) 5 as the high priest and all the Council(BV) can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from them to their associates(BW) in Damascus,(BX) and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.(BY) 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,(BZ) whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light,(CA) but they did not understand the voice(CB) of him who was speaking to me.

10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked.

“ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’(CC) 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.(CD)

12 “A man named Ananias came to see me.(CE) He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.(CF) 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors(CG) has chosen you to know his will and to see(CH) the Righteous One(CI) and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness(CJ) to all people of what you have seen(CK) and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized(CL) and wash your sins away,(CM) calling on his name.’(CN)

17 “When I returned to Jerusalem(CO) and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance(CP) 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not accept your testimony about me.’

19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison(CQ) and beat(CR) those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr[b] Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’(CS)

21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”(CT)

Paul the Roman Citizen

22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him!(CU) He’s not fit to live!”(CV)

23 As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks(CW) and flinging dust into the air,(CX) 24 the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(CY) He directed(CZ) that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. 25 As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”(DA)

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”

27 The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes, I am,” he answered.

28 Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

29 Those who were about to interrogate him(DB) withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen,(DC) in chains.(DD)

Paul Before the Sanhedrin

30 The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews.(DE) So the next day he released him(DF) and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin(DG) to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin(DH) and said, “My brothers,(DI) I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience(DJ) to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias(DK) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.(DL) 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!(DM) You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”(DN)

4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’[c]”(DO)

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees(DP) and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers,(DQ) I am a Pharisee,(DR) descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.”(DS) 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,(DT) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees(DU) stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,”(DV) they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”(DW) 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.(DX)

11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!(DY) As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”(DZ)

The Plot to Kill Paul

12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy(EA) and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.(EB) 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.(EC) 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin(ED) petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks(EE) and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner,(EF) sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin(EG) tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.(EH) 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty(EI) of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him.(EJ) They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.”

22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

Paul Transferred to Caesarea

23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen[d] to go to Caesarea(EK) at nine tonight.(EL) 24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”(EM)

25 He wrote a letter as follows:

26 Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency,(EN) Governor Felix:

Greetings.(EO)

27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him,(EP) but I came with my troops and rescued him,(EQ) for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.(ER) 28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.(ES) 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law,(ET) but there was no charge against him(EU) that deserved death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed(EV) of a plot(EW) to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers(EX) to present to you their case against him.

31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let the cavalry(EY) go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.(EZ) 33 When the cavalry(FA) arrived in Caesarea,(FB) they delivered the letter to the governor(FC) and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,(FD) 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers(FE) get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard(FF) in Herod’s palace.

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias(FG) went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges(FH) against Paul before the governor.(FI) 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent(FJ) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots(FK) among the Jews(FL) all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene(FM) sect(FN) 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple;(FO) so we seized him. [7] [e] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

9 The other Jews joined in the accusation,(FP) asserting that these things were true.

10 When the governor(FQ) motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days(FR) ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple,(FS) or stirring up a crowd(FT) in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.(FU) 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors(FV) as a follower of the Way,(FW) which they call a sect.(FX) I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,(FY) 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection(FZ) of both the righteous and the wicked.(GA) 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear(GB) before God and man.

17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor(GC) and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean(GD) when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.(GE) 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia,(GF) who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.(GG) 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”(GH)

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,(GI) adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard(GJ) but to give him some freedom(GK) and permit his friends to take care of his needs.(GL)

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.(GM) 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control(GN) and the judgment(GO) to come, Felix was afraid(GP) and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,(GQ) but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews,(GR) he left Paul in prison.(GS)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2
  2. Acts 22:20 Or witness
  3. Acts 23:5 Exodus 22:28
  4. Acts 23:23 The meaning of the Greek for this word is uncertain.
  5. Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.
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