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21 And it came to pass, at our sailing, having been parted from them, having run direct, we came to Coos, and the succeeding [day] to Rhodes, and thence to Patara,

and having found a ship passing over to Phenicia, having gone on board, we sailed,

and having discovered Cyprus, and having left it on the left, we were sailing to Syria, and did land at Tyre, for there was the ship discharging the lading.

And having found out the disciples, we tarried there seven days, and they said to Paul, through the Spirit, not to go up to Jerusalem;

but when it came that we completed the days, having gone forth, we went on, all bringing us on the way, with women and children, unto the outside of the city, and having bowed the knees upon the shore, we prayed,

and having embraced one another, we embarked in the ship, and they returned to their own friends.

And we, having finished the course, from Tyre came down to Ptolemais, and having saluted the brethren, we remained one day with them;

and on the morrow Paul and his company having gone forth, we came to Cesarea, and having entered into the house of Philip the evangelist -- who is of the seven -- we remained with him,

and this one had four daughters, virgins, prophesying.

10 And we remaining many more days, there came down a certain one from Judea, a prophet, by name Agabus,

11 and he having come unto us, and having taken up the girdle of Paul, having bound also his own hands and feet, said, `Thus saith the Holy Spirit, The man whose is this girdle -- so shall the Jews in Jerusalem bind, and they shall deliver [him] up to the hands of nations.'

12 And when we heard these things, we called upon [him] -- both we, and those of that place -- not to go up to Jerusalem,

13 and Paul answered, `What do ye -- weeping, and crushing mine heart? for I, not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, am ready, for the name of the Lord Jesus;'

14 and he not being persuaded, we were silent, saying, `The will of the Lord be done.'

15 And after these days, having taken [our] vessels, we were going up to Jerusalem,

16 and there went also of the disciples from Cesarea with us, bringing with them him with whom we may lodge, a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an aged disciple.

17 And we having come to Jerusalem, the brethren did gladly receive us,

18 and on the morrow Paul was going in with us unto James, all the elders also came,

19 and having saluted them, he was declaring, one by one, each of the things God did among the nations through his ministration,

20 and they having heard, were glorifying the Lord. They said also to him, `Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed, and all are zealous of the law,

21 and they are instructed concerning thee, that apostacy from Moses thou dost teach to all Jews among the nations, saying -- Not to circumcise the children, nor after the customs to walk;

22 what then is it? certainly the multitude it behoveth to come together, for they will hear that thou hast come.

23 `This, therefore, do that we say to thee: We have four men having a vow on themselves,

24 these having taken, be purified with them, and be at expence with them, that they may shave the head, and all may know that the things of which they have been instructed concerning thee are nothing, but thou dost walk -- thyself also -- the law keeping.

25 `And concerning those of the nations who have believed, we have written, having given judgment, that they observe no such thing, except to keep themselves both from idol-sacrifices, and blood, and a strangled thing, and whoredom.'

26 Then Paul, having taken the men, on the following day, with them having purified himself, was entering into the temple, announcing the fulfilment of the days of the purification, till the offering was offered for each one of them.

27 And, as the seven days were about to be fully ended, the Jews from Asia having beheld him in the temple, were stirring up all the multitude, and they laid hands upon him,

28 crying out, `Men, Israelites, help! this is the man who, against the people, and the law, and this place, all everywhere is teaching; and further, also, Greeks he brought into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place;'

29 for they had seen before Trophimus, the Ephesian, in the city with him, whom they were supposing that Paul brought into the temple.

30 All the city also was moved and there was a running together of the people, and having laid hold on Paul, they were drawing him out of the temple, and immediately were the doors shut,

31 and they seeking to kill him, a rumour came to the chief captain of the band that all Jerusalem hath been thrown into confusion,

32 who, at once, having taken soldiers and centurions, ran down upon them, and they having seen the chief captain and the soldiers, did leave off beating Paul.

33 Then the chief captain, having come nigh, took him, and commanded [him] to be bound with two chains, and was inquiring who he may be, and what it is he hath been doing,

34 and some were crying out one thing, and some another, among the multitude, and not being able to know the certainty because of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried to the castle,

35 and when he came upon the steps, it happened he was borne by the soldiers, because of the violence of the multitude,

36 for the crowd of the people was following after, crying, `Away with him.'

37 And Paul being about to be led into the castle, saith to the chief captain, `Is it permitted to me to say anything unto thee?' and he said, `Greek dost thou know?

38 art not thou, then, the Egyptian who before these days made an uprising, and did lead into the desert the four thousand men of the assassins?'

39 And Paul said, `I, indeed, am a man, a Jew, of Tarsus of Cilicia, of no mean city a citizen; and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.'

40 And he having given him leave, Paul having stood upon the stairs, did beckon with the hand to the people, and there having been a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew dialect, saying:

22 `Men, brethren, and fathers, hear my defence now unto you;' --

and they having heard that in the Hebrew dialect he was speaking to them, gave the more silence, and he saith, --

`I, indeed, am a man, a Jew, having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, and brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, having been taught according to the exactitude of a law of the fathers, being zealous of God, as all ye are to-day.

`And this way I persecuted unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women,

as also the chief priest doth testify to me, and all the eldership; from whom also having received letters unto the brethren, to Damascus, I was going on, to bring also those there bound to Jerusalem that they might be punished,

and it came to pass, in my going on and coming nigh to Damascus, about noon, suddenly out of the heaven there shone a great light round about me,

I fell also to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute?

`And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? and he said unto me, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou dost persecute --

and they who are with me the light did see, and became afraid, and the voice they heard not of him who is speaking to me --

10 and I said, What shall I do, Lord? and the Lord said unto me, Having risen, go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things that have been appointed for thee to do.

11 `And when I did not see from the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those who are with me, I came to Damascus,

12 and a certain one, Ananias, a pious man according to the law, being testified to by all the Jews dwelling [there],

13 having come unto me and stood by [me], said to me, Saul, brother, look up; and I the same hour did look up to him;

14 and he said, The God of our fathers did choose thee beforehand to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice out of his mouth,

15 because thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard;

16 and now, why tarriest thou? having risen, baptize thyself, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.

17 `And it came to pass when I returned to Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, I came into a trance,

18 and I saw him saying to me, Haste and go forth in haste out of Jerusalem, because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me;

19 and I said, Lord, they -- they know that I was imprisoning and was scourging in every synagogue those believing on thee;

20 and when the blood of thy witness Stephen was being poured forth, I also was standing by and assenting to his death, and keeping the garments of those putting him to death;

21 and he said unto me, Go, because to nations far off I will send thee.'

22 And they were hearing him unto this word, and they lifted up their voice, saying, `Away from the earth with such an one; for it is not fit for him to live.'

23 And they crying out and casting up their garments, and throwing dust into the air,

24 the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, saying, `By scourges let him be examined;' that he might know for what cause they were crying so against him.

25 And as he was stretching him with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion who was standing by, `A man, a Roman, uncondemned -- is it lawful to you to scourge;'

26 and the centurion having heard, having gone near to the chief captain, told, saying, `Take heed what thou art about to do, for this man is a Roman;'

27 and the chief captain having come near, said to him, `Tell me, art thou a Roman?' and he said, `Yes;'

28 and the chief captain answered, `I, with a great sum, did obtain this citizenship;' but Paul said, `But I have been even born [so].'

29 Immediately, therefore, they departed from him who are about to examine him, and the chief captain also was afraid, having learned that he is a Roman, and because he had bound him,

30 and on the morrow, intending to know the certainty wherefore he is accused by the Jews, he did loose him from the bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their sanhedrim to come, and having brought down Paul, he set [him] before them.

23 And Paul having earnestly beheld the sanhedrim, said, `Men, brethren, I in all good conscience have lived to God unto this day;'

and the chief priest Ananias commanded those standing by him to smite him on the mouth,

then Paul said unto him, `God is about to smite thee, thou whitewashed wall, and thou -- thou dost sit judging me according to the law, and, violating law, dost order me to be smitten!'

And those who stood by said, `The chief priest of God dost thou revile?'

and Paul said, `I did not know, brethren, that he is chief priest: for it hath been written, Of the ruler of thy people thou shalt not speak evil;'

and Paul having known that the one part are Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, cried out in the sanhedrim, `Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee -- son of a Pharisee -- concerning hope and rising again of dead men I am judged.'

And he having spoken this, there came a dissension of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees, and the crowd was divided,

for Sadducees, indeed, say there is no rising again, nor messenger, nor spirit, but Pharisees confess both.

And there came a great cry, and the scribes of the Pharisees' part having arisen, were striving, saying, `No evil do we find in this man; and if a spirit spake to him, or a messenger, we may not fight against God;'

10 and a great dissension having come, the chief captain having been afraid lest Paul may be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiery, having gone down, to take him by force out of the midst of them, and to bring [him] to the castle.

11 And on the following night, the Lord having stood by him, said, `Take courage, Paul, for as thou didst fully testify the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so it behoveth thee also at Rome to testify.'

12 And day having come, certain of the Jews having made a concourse, did anathematize themselves, saying neither to eat nor to drink till they may kill Paul;

13 and they were more than forty who made this conspiracy by oath,

14 who having come near to the chief priests and to the elders said, `With an anathema we did anathematize ourselves -- to taste nothing till we have killed Paul;

15 now, therefore, ye, signify ye to the chief captain, with the sanhedrim, that to-morrow he may bring him down unto you, as being about to know more exactly the things concerning him; and we, before his coming nigh, are ready to put him to death.'

16 And the son of Paul's sister having heard of the lying in wait, having gone and entered into the castle, told Paul,

17 and Paul having called near one of the centurions, said, `This young man lead unto the chief captain, for he hath something to tell him.'

18 He indeed, then, having taken him, brought him unto the chief captain, and saith, `The prisoner Paul, having called me near, asked [me] this young man to bring unto thee, having something to say to thee.'

19 And the chief captain having taken him by the hand, and having withdrawn by themselves, inquired, `What is that which thou hast to tell me?'

20 and he said -- `The Jews agreed to request thee, that to-morrow to the sanhedrim thou mayest bring down Paul, as being about to enquire something more exactly concerning him;

21 thou, therefore, mayest thou not yield to them, for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who did anathematize themselves -- not to eat nor to drink till they kill him, and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from thee.'

22 The chief captain, then, indeed, let the young man go, having charged [him] to tell no one, `that these things thou didst shew unto me;'

23 and having called near a certain two of the centurions, he said, `Make ready soldiers two hundred, that they may go on unto Caesarea, and horsemen seventy, and spearmen two hundred, from the third hour of the night;

24 beasts also provide, that, having set Paul on, they may bring him safe unto Felix the governor;'

25 he having written a letter after this description:

26 `Claudius Lysias, to the most noble governor Felix, hail:

27 This man having been taken by the Jews, and being about to be killed by them -- having come with the soldiery, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman;

28 and, intending to know the cause for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their sanhedrim,

29 whom I found accused concerning questions of their law, and having no accusation worthy of death or bonds;

30 and a plot having been intimated to me against this man -- about to be of the Jews -- at once I sent unto thee, having given command also to the accusers to say the things against him before thee; be strong.'

31 Then, indeed, the soldiers according to that directed them, having taken up Paul, brought him through the night to Antipatris,

32 and on the morrow, having suffered the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the castle;

33 those having entered into Caesarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, did present also Paul to him.

34 And the governor having read [it], and inquired of what province he is, and understood that [he is] from Cilicia;

35 `I will hear thee -- said he -- when thine accusers also may have come;' he also commanded him to be kept in the praetorium of Herod.

24 And after five days came down the chief priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator -- Tertullus, and they made manifest to the governor [the things] against Paul;

and he having been called, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, `Much peace enjoying through thee, and worthy deeds being done to this nation through thy forethought,

always, also, and everywhere we receive it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness;

and that I may not be further tedious to thee, I pray thee to hear us concisely in thy gentleness;

for having found this man a pestilence, and moving a dissension to all the Jews through the world -- a ringleader also of the sect of the Nazarenes --

who also the temple did try to profane, whom also we took, and according to our law did wish to judge,

and Lysias the chief captain having come near, with much violence, out of our hands did take away,

having commanded his accusers to come to thee, from whom thou mayest be able, thyself having examined, to know concerning all these things of which we accuse him;'

and the Jews also agreed, professing these things to be so.

10 And Paul answered -- the governor having beckoned to him to speak -- `Knowing [that] for many years thou hast been a judge to this nation, the more cheerfully the things concerning myself I do answer;

11 thou being able to know that it is not more than twelve days to me since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,

12 and neither in the temple did they find me reasoning with any one, or making a dissension of the multitude, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city;

13 nor are they able to prove against me the things concerning which they now accuse me.

14 `And I confess this to thee, that, according to the way that they call a sect, so serve I the God of the fathers, believing all things that in the law and the prophets have been written,

15 having hope toward God, which they themselves also wait for, [that] there is about to be a rising again of the dead, both of righteous and unrighteous;

16 and in this I do exercise myself, to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

17 `And after many years I came, about to do kind acts to my nation, and offerings,

18 in which certain Jews from Asia did find me purified in the temple, not with multitude, nor with tumult,

19 whom it behoveth to be present before thee, and to accuse, if they had anything against me,

20 or let these same say if they found any unrighteousness in me in my standing before the sanhedrim,

21 except concerning this one voice, in which I cried, standing among them -- Concerning a rising again of the dead I am judged to-day by you.'

22 And having heard these things, Felix delayed them -- having known more exactly of the things concerning the way -- saying, `When Lysias the chief captain may come down, I will know fully the things concerning you;'

23 having given also a direction to the centurion to keep Paul, to let [him] also have liberty, and to forbid none of his own friends to minister or to come near to him.

24 And after certain days, Felix having come with Drusilla his wife, being a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith toward Christ,

25 and he reasoning concerning righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment that is about to be, Felix, having become afraid, answered, `For the present be going, and having got time, I will call for thee;'

26 and at the same time also hoping that money shall be given to him by Paul, that he may release him, therefore, also sending for him the oftener, he was conversing with him;

27 and two years having been fulfilled, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; Felix also willing to lay a favour on the Jews, left Paul bound.

25 Festus, therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea,

and the chief priest and the principal men of the Jews made manifest to him [the things] against Paul, and were calling on him,

asking favour against him, that he may send for him to Jerusalem, making an ambush to put him to death in the way.

Then, indeed, Festus answered that Paul is kept in Caesarea, and himself is about speedily to go on thither,

`Therefore those able among you -- saith he -- having come down together, if there be anything in this man -- let them accuse him;'

and having tarried among them more than ten days, having gone down to Caesarea, on the morrow having sat upon the tribunal, he commanded Paul to be brought;

and he having come, there stood round about the Jews who have come down from Jerusalem -- many and weighty charges they are bringing against Paul, which they were not able to prove,

he making defence -- `Neither in regard to the law of the Jews, nor in regard to the temple, nor in regard to Caesar -- did I commit any sin.'

And Festus willing to lay on the Jews a favour, answering Paul, said, `Art thou willing, to Jerusalem having gone up, there concerning these things to be judged before me?'

10 and Paul said, `At the tribunal of Caesar I am standing, where it behoveth me to be judged; to Jews I did no unrighteousness, as thou dost also very well know;

11 for if indeed I am unrighteous, and anything worthy of death have done, I deprecate not to die; and if there is none of the things of which these accuse me, no one is able to make a favour of me to them; to Caesar I appeal!'

12 then Festus, having communed with the council, answered, `To Caesar thou hast appealed; to Caesar thou shalt go.'

13 And certain days having passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea saluting Festus,

14 and as they were continuing there more days, Festus submitted to the king the things concerning Paul, saying, `There is a certain man, left by Felix, a prisoner,

15 about whom, in my being at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid information, asking a decision against him,

16 unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against [him].

17 `They, therefore, having come together -- I, making no delay, on the succeeding [day] having sat upon the tribunal, did command the man to be brought,

18 concerning whom the accusers, having stood up, were bringing against [him] no accusation of the things I was thinking of,

19 but certain questions concerning their own religion they had against him, and concerning a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive;

20 and I, doubting in regard to the question concerning this, said, If he would wish to go on to Jerusalem, and there to be judged concerning these things --

21 but Paul having appealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.'

22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, `I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, `To-morrow thou shalt hear him;'

23 on the morrow, therefore -- on the coming of Agrippa and Bernice with much display, and they having entered into the audience chamber, with the chief captains also, and the principal men of the city, and Festus having ordered -- Paul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, `King Agrippa, and all men who are present with us, ye see this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews did deal with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying out, He ought not to live any longer;

25 and I, having found him to have done nothing worthy of death, and he also himself having appealed to Sebastus, I decided to send him,

26 concerning whom I have no certain thing to write to [my] lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that the examination having been made, I may have something to write;

27 for it doth seem to me irrational, sending a prisoner, not also to signify the charges against him.'

26 And Agrippa said unto Paul, `It is permitted to thee to speak for thyself;' then Paul having stretched forth the hand, was making a defence:

`Concerning all things of which I am accused by Jews, king Agrippa, I have thought myself happy, being about to make a defence before thee to-day,

especially knowing thee to be acquainted with all things -- both customs and questions -- among Jews; wherefore, I beseech thee, patiently to hear me.

`The manner of my life then, indeed, from youth -- which from the beginning was among my nation, in Jerusalem -- know do all the Jews,

knowing me before from the first, (if they may be willing to testify,) that after the most exact sect of our worship, I lived a Pharisee;

and now for the hope of the promise made to the fathers by God, I have stood judged,

to which our twelve tribes, intently night and day serving, do hope to come, concerning which hope I am accused, king Agrippa, by the Jews;

why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?

`I, indeed, therefore, thought with myself, that against the name of Jesus of Nazareth it behoved [me] many things to do,

10 which also I did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I in prison did shut up, from the chief priests having received the authority; they also being put to death, I gave my vote against them,

11 and in every synagogue, often punishing them, I was constraining [them] to speak evil, being also exceedingly mad against them, I was also persecuting [them] even unto strange cities.

12 `In which things, also, going on to Damascus -- with authority and commission from the chief priests --

13 at mid-day, I saw in the way, O king, out of heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me a light -- and those going on with me;

14 and we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why me dost thou persecute? hard for thee against pricks to kick!

15 `And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou dost persecute;

16 but rise, and stand upon thy feet, for for this I appeared to thee, to appoint thee an officer and a witness both of the things thou didst see, and of the things [in which] I will appear to thee,

17 delivering thee from the people, and the nations, to whom now I send thee,

18 to open their eyes, to turn [them] from darkness to light, and [from] the authority of the Adversary unto God, for their receiving forgiveness of sins, and a lot among those having been sanctified, by faith that [is] toward me.

19 `Whereupon, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,

20 but to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem, to all the region also of Judea, and to the nations, I was preaching to reform, and to turn back unto God, doing works worthy of reformation;

21 because of these things the Jews -- having caught me in the temple -- were endeavouring to kill [me].

22 `Having obtained, therefore, help from God, till this day, I have stood witnessing both to small and to great, saying nothing besides the things that both the prophets and Moses spake of as about to come,

23 that the Christ is to suffer, whether first by a rising from the dead, he is about to proclaim light to the people and to the nations.'

24 And, he thus making a defence, Festus with a loud voice said, `Thou art mad, Paul; much learning doth turn thee mad;'

25 and he saith, `I am not mad, most noble Festus, but of truth and soberness the sayings I speak forth;

26 for the king doth know concerning these things, before whom also I speak boldly, for none of these things, I am persuaded, are hidden from him; for this thing hath not been done in a corner;

27 thou dost believe, king Agrippa, the prophets? I have known that thou dost believe!'

28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, `In a little thou dost persuade me to become a Christian!'

29 and Paul said, `I would have wished to God, both in a little, and in much, not only thee, but also all those hearing me to-day, to become such as I also am -- except these bonds.'

30 And, he having spoken these things, the king rose up, and the governor, Bernice also, and those sitting with them,

31 and having withdrawn, they were speaking unto one another, saying -- `This man doth nothing worthy of death or of bonds;'

32 and Agrippa said to Festus, `This man might have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.'

27 And when our sailing to Italy was determined, they were delivering up both Paul and certain others, prisoners, to a centurion, by name Julius, of the band of Sebastus,

and having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, we, being about to sail by the coasts of Asia, did set sail, there being with us Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica,

on the next [day] also we touched at Sidon, and Julius, courteously treating Paul, did permit [him], having gone on unto friends, to receive [their] care.

And thence, having set sail, we sailed under Cyprus, because of the winds being contrary,

and having sailed over the sea over-against Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myria of Lycia,

and there the centurion having found a ship of Alexandria, sailing to Italy, did put us into it,

and having sailed slowly many days, and with difficulty coming over-against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over-against Salmone,

and hardly passing it, we came to a certain place called `Fair Havens,' nigh to which was the city [of] Lasaea.

And much time being spent, and the sailing being now dangerous -- because of the fast also being already past -- Paul was admonishing,

10 saying to them, `Men, I perceive that with hurt, and much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives -- the voyage is about to be;'

11 but the centurion to the pilot and to the shipowner gave credence more than to the things spoken by Paul;

12 and the haven being incommodious to winter in, the more part gave counsel to sail thence also, if by any means they might be able, having attained to Phenice, [there] to winter, [which is] a haven of Crete, looking to the south-west and north-west,

13 and a south wind blowing softly, having thought they had obtained [their] purpose, having lifted anchor, they sailed close by Crete,

14 and not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, that is called Euroclydon,

15 and the ship being caught, and not being able to bear up against the wind, having given [her] up, we were borne on,

16 and having run under a certain little isle, called Clauda, we were hardly able to become masters of the boat,

17 which having taken up, they were using helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they may fall on the quicksand, having let down the mast -- so were borne on.

18 And we, being exceedingly tempest-tossed, the succeeding [day] they were making a clearing,

19 and on the third [day] with our own hands the tackling of the ship we cast out,

20 and neither sun nor stars appearing for more days, and not a little tempest lying upon us, thenceforth all hope was taken away of our being saved.

21 And there having been long fasting, then Paul having stood in the midst of them, said, `It behoved [you], indeed, O men -- having hearkened to me -- not to set sail from Crete, and to save this hurt and damage;

22 and now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of life among you -- but of the ship;

23 for there stood by me this night a messenger of God -- whose I am, and whom I serve --

24 saying, Be not afraid Paul; before Caesar it behoveth thee to stand; and, lo, God hath granted to thee all those sailing with thee;

25 wherefore be of good cheer, men! for I believe God, that so it shall be, even as it hath been spoken to me,

26 and on a certain island it behoveth us to be cast.'

27 And when the fourteenth night came -- we being borne up and down in the Adria -- toward the middle of the night the sailors were supposing that some country drew nigh to them;

28 and having sounded they found twenty fathoms, and having gone a little farther, and again having sounded, they found fifteen fathoms,

29 and fearing lest on rough places we may fall, out of the stern having cast four anchors, they were wishing day to come.

30 And the sailors seeking to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat to the sea, in pretence as [if] out of the foreship they are about to cast anchors,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, `If these do not remain in the ship -- ye are not able to be saved;'

32 then the soldiers did cut off the ropes of the boat, and suffered it to fall off.

33 And till the day was about to be, Paul was calling upon all to partake of nourishment, saying, `Fourteen days to-day, waiting, ye continue fasting, having taken nothing,

34 wherefore I call upon you to take nourishment, for this is for your safety, for of not one of you shall a hair from the head fall;'

35 and having said these things, and having taken bread, he gave thanks to God before all, and having broken [it], he began to eat;

36 and all having become of good cheer, themselves also took food,

37 (and we were -- all the souls in the ship -- two hundred, seventy and six),

38 and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightening the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea.

39 And when the day came, they were not discerning the land, but a certain creek were perceiving having a beach, into which they took counsel, if possible, to thrust forward the ship,

40 and the anchors having taken up, they were committing [it] to the sea, at the same time -- having loosed the bands of the rudders, and having hoisted up the mainsail to the wind -- they were making for the shore,

41 and having fallen into a place of two seas, they ran the ship aground, and the fore-part, indeed, having stuck fast, did remain immoveable, but the hinder-part was broken by the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one having swam out should escape,

43 but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel, and did command those able to swim, having cast themselves out first -- to get unto the land,

44 and the rest, some indeed upon boards, and some upon certain things of the ship; and thus it came to pass that all came safe unto the land.

28 And having been saved, then they knew that the island is called Melita,

and the foreigners were shewing us no ordinary kindness, for having kindled a fire, they received us all, because of the pressing rain, and because of the cold;

but Paul having gathered together a quantity of sticks, and having laid [them] upon the fire, a viper -- out of the heat having come -- did fasten on his hand.

And when the foreigners saw the beast hanging from his hand, they said unto one another, `Certainly this man is a murderer, whom, having been saved out of the sea, the justice did not suffer to live;'

he then, indeed, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered no evil,

and they were expecting him to be about to be inflamed, or to fall down suddenly dead, and they, expecting [it] a long time, and seeing nothing uncommon happening to him, changing [their] minds, said he was a god.

And in the neighbourhood of that place were lands of the principal man of the island, by name Publius, who, having received us, three days did courteously lodge [us];

and it came to pass, the father of Publius with feverish heats and dysentery pressed, was laid, unto whom Paul having entered, and having prayed, having laid [his] hands on him, healed him;

this, therefore, being done, the others also in the island having infirmities were coming and were healed;

10 who also with many honours did honour us, and we setting sail -- they were lading [us] with the things that were necessary.

11 And after three months, we set sail in a ship (that had wintered in the isle) of Alexandria, with the sign Dioscuri,

12 and having landed at Syracuse, we remained three days,

13 thence having gone round, we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a south wind having sprung up, the second [day] we came to Puteoli;

14 where, having found brethren, we were called upon to remain with them seven days, and thus to Rome we came;

15 and thence, the brethren having heard the things concerning us, came forth to meet us, unto Appii Forum, and Three Taverns -- whom Paul having seen, having given thanks to God, took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered up the prisoners to the captain of the barrack, but Paul was suffered to remain by himself, with the soldier guarding him.

17 And it came to pass after three days, Paul called together those who are the principal men of the Jews, and they having come together, he said unto them: `Men, brethren, I -- having done nothing contrary to the people, or to the customs of the fathers -- a prisoner from Jerusalem, was delivered up to the hands of the Romans;

18 who, having examined me, were wishing to release [me], because of their being no cause of death in me,

19 and the Jews having spoken against [it], I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar -- not as having anything to accuse my nation of;

20 for this cause, therefore, I called for you to see and to speak with [you], for because of the hope of Israel with this chain I am bound.'

21 And they said unto him, `We did neither receive letters concerning thee from Judea, nor did any one who came of the brethren declare or speak any evil concerning thee,

22 and we think it good from thee to hear what thou dost think, for, indeed, concerning this sect it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against;'

23 and having appointed him a day, they came, more of them unto him, to the lodging, to whom he was expounding, testifying fully the reign of God, persuading them also of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and the prophets, from morning till evening,

24 and, some, indeed, were believing the things spoken, and some were not believing.

25 And not being agreed with one another, they were going away, Paul having spoken one word -- `Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers,

26 saying, Go on unto this people and say, With hearing ye shall hear, and ye shall not understand, and seeing ye shall see, and ye shall not perceive,

27 for made gross was the heart of this people, and with the ears they heard heavily, and their eyes they did close, lest they may see with the eyes, and with the heart may understand, and be turned back, and I may heal them.

28 `Be it known, therefore, to you, that to the nations was sent the salvation of God, these also will hear it;'

29 and he having said these things, the Jews went away, having much disputation among themselves;

30 and Paul remained an entire two years in his own hired [house], and was receiving all those coming in unto him,

31 preaching the reign of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness -- unforbidden.

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. We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(B) went on board and set sail. 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. 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. 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) After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

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. Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(I) and stayed at the house of Philip(J) the evangelist,(K) one of the Seven. 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 “Brothers and fathers,(BJ) listen now to my defense.”

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

Then Paul said: “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. I persecuted(BS) the followers of this Way(BT) to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison,(BU) 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.

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

“‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.

‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,(BZ) whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 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.” At this the high priest Ananias(DK) ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.(DL) 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)

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

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)

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) When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,(DT) and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

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) 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. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent(FJ) Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

“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) and even tried to desecrate the temple;(FO) so we seized him. [7] [e] By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

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)

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus(GT) went up from Caesarea(GU) to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul.(GV) They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.(GW) Festus answered, “Paul is being held(GX) at Caesarea,(GY) and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court(GZ) and ordered that Paul be brought before him.(HA) When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him,(HB) but they could not prove them.(HC)

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple(HD) or against Caesar.”

Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor,(HE) said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”(HF)

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews,(HG) as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”(HH)

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea(HI) to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner.(HJ) 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him(HK) and asked that he be condemned.

16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.(HL) 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in.(HM) 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute(HN) with him about their own religion(HO) and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.(HP) 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”(HQ)

22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”

He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”(HR)

Paul Before Agrippa(HS)

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice(HT) came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community(HU) has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.(HV) 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death,(HW) but because he made his appeal to the Emperor(HX) I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”(HY)

So Paul motioned with his hand(HZ) and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you(IA) today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews,(IB) and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs(IC) and controversies.(ID) Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,(IE) from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time(IF) and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect(IG) of our religion, living as a Pharisee.(IH) And now it is because of my hope(II) in what God has promised our ancestors(IJ) that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes(IK) are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.(IL) King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me.(IM) Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?(IN)

“I too was convinced(IO) that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose(IP) the name of Jesus of Nazareth.(IQ) 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people(IR) in prison,(IS) and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.(IT) 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished,(IU) and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice(IV) saying to me in Aramaic,[f](IW) ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet.(IX) I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.(IY) 17 I will rescue you(IZ) from your own people and from the Gentiles.(JA) I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes(JB) and turn them from darkness to light,(JC) and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins(JD) and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’(JE)

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient(JF) to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus,(JG) then to those in Jerusalem(JH) and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles,(JI) I preached that they should repent(JJ) and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.(JK) 21 That is why some Jews seized me(JL) in the temple courts and tried to kill me.(JM) 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen(JN) 23 that the Messiah would suffer(JO) and, as the first to rise from the dead,(JP) would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”(JQ)

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(JR) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(JS) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(JT) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(JU) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(JV)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(JW)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(JX) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(JY)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(JZ) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(KA)

Paul Sails for Rome

27 When it was decided that we(KB) would sail for Italy,(KC) Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.(KD) We boarded a ship from Adramyttium about to sail for ports along the coast of the province of Asia,(KE) and we put out to sea. Aristarchus,(KF) a Macedonian(KG) from Thessalonica,(KH) was with us.

The next day we landed at Sidon;(KI) and Julius, in kindness to Paul,(KJ) allowed him to go to his friends so they might provide for his needs.(KK) From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us.(KL) When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia(KM) and Pamphylia,(KN) we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship(KO) sailing for Italy(KP) and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course,(KQ) we sailed to the lee of Crete,(KR) opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.

Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.[g](KS) So Paul warned them, 10 “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.”(KT) 11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete,(KU) facing both southwest and northwest.

The Storm

13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force,(KV) called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat(KW) secure, 17 so the men hoisted it aboard. Then they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Because they were afraid they would run aground(KX) on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor[h] and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard.(KY) 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.

21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice(KZ) not to sail from Crete;(LA) then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage,(LB) because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel(LC) of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve(LD) stood beside me(LE) 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar;(LF) and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’(LG) 25 So keep up your courage,(LH) men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.(LI) 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground(LJ) on some island.”(LK)

The Shipwreck

27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic[i] Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet[j] deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet[k] deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat(LL) down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved.”(LM) 32 So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it drift away.

33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.”(LN) 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it(LO) and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged(LP) and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.(LQ)

39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach,(LR) where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting loose the anchors,(LS) they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41 But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.(LT)

42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43 But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life(LU) and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get there on planks or on other pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land safely.(LV)

Paul Ashore on Malta

28 Once safely on shore, we(LW) found out that the island(LX) was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand,(LY) they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”(LZ) But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.(MA) The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.(MB)

There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer,(MC) placed his hands on him(MD) and healed him.(ME) When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us(MF) in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Paul’s Arrival at Rome

11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship(MG) with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters(MH) who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters(MI) there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged.

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. But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, ordering his accusers to come before you.
  6. Acts 26:14 Or Hebrew
  7. Acts 27:9 That is, Yom Kippur
  8. Acts 27:17 Or the sails
  9. Acts 27:27 In ancient times the name referred to an area extending well south of Italy.
  10. Acts 27:28 Or about 37 meters
  11. Acts 27:28 Or about 27 meters