Acts 23-27
New American Standard Bible
Paul before the Council
23 Now looking intently at (A)the [a]Council, Paul said, “[b](B)Brothers, (C)I have [c]lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 But the high priest (D)Ananias commanded those standing beside him (E)to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, (F)you whitewashed wall! Do you (G)sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law, order me to be struck?” 4 But those present said, “Are you insulting God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘(H)You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 But Paul, perceiving that one group were (I)Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in (J)the [d]Council, “[e](K)Brothers, (L)I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for (M)the hope and resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For (N)the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And a great uproar occurred; and some of (O)the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “(P)We find nothing wrong with this man; (Q)suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into (R)the barracks.
11 But on (S)the following night, the Lord stood near him and said, “(T)Be courageous! For (U)as you have (V)testified to the truth about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome also.”
A Conspiracy to Kill Paul
12 When it was day, (W)the Jews formed a [f]conspiracy and (X)put themselves under an [g]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 (Y)put ourselves under an [h]oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you [i]and (Z)the [j]Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly; and as for us, we are ready to kill him before he comes near the place.”
16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard about their ambush, [k]and he came and entered (AA)the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions to himself and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and led him to the commander and *said, “Paul (AB)the prisoner called me over to him and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19 The 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, “(AC)The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to (AD)the [l]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not [m]listen to them, for more than forty [n]of them are (AE)in hiding to ambush him, and these men have (AF)put themselves under an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him; and now they are ready and waiting for assurance from you.” 22 Then the 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 [o]the third hour of the night to proceed to (AG)Caesarea, [p]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [q]spearmen.” 24 They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to (AH)Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter [r]with the following content:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to the (AI)most excellent governor Felix: (AJ)Greetings.
27 When this man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, (AK)I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, (AL)after learning that he was a Roman. 28 And (AM)wanting to ascertain the basis for the charges they were bringing against him, I (AN)brought him down to their [s](AO)Council; 29 and I found that he was being accused regarding (AP)questions in their Law, but [t]was (AQ)not charged with anything deserving death or [u]imprisonment.
30 When I was (AR)informed that there would be (AS)a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing (AT)his accusers to [v]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 on the next day they let (AU)the horsemen go on with him, and they returned to (AV)the barracks. 33 When these horsemen had come to (AW)Caesarea and delivered the letter to (AX)the governor, they also presented Paul to him. 34 Now when he had read it, he also asked from what (AY)province Paul was, and when he learned that (AZ)he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your (BA)accusers arrive as well,” giving orders for [w]Paul to be (BB)kept in Herod’s [x]Praetorium.
Paul before Felix
24 Now after (BC)five days the high priest (BD)Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they [y]brought charges against Paul to (BE)the governor. 2 After [z]Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began accusing him, saying to the governor,
“Since we have attained great peace through you, and since reforms are being carried out for this nation by your foresight, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, (BF)most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not [aa]weary you further, I beg you [ab]to grant us a brief hearing, by your kindness. 5 For we have found this man a public menace and one who stirs up dissensions among all the Jews throughout [ac]the world, and a ringleader of the (BG)sect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to (BH)desecrate the temple, so indeed we arrested him.[ad] 8 By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters, you will be able to ascertain the things of which we are accusing him.” 9 (BI)The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.
10 And when (BJ)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 (BK)twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 (BL)And neither in the temple did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or (BM)causing [ae]a riot, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself. 13 (BN)Nor can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But I confess this to you, that in accordance with [af](BO)the Way, which they call a (BP)sect, I do serve (BQ)the God of our fathers, (BR)believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which (BS)these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this (BT)I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always. 17 Now (BU)after several years I (BV)came to bring charitable gifts to my nation and to present offerings, 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been (BW)purified, without any (BX)crowd or uproar. But there were some (BY)Jews from [ag]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to have been (BZ)bringing charges, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else have these men themselves declare what violation they discovered when I stood before (CA)the [ah]Council, 21 other than in regard to this one declaration which (CB)I shouted while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today!’”
22 But Felix, [ai]having quite accurate knowledge about [aj](CC)the Way, adjourned them, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He gave orders to the centurion for [ak]Paul to be (CD)kept in custody and yet (CE)have some freedom, and not to prevent any of (CF)his friends from providing for his needs.
24 Now some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla his [al]wife, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (CG)faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing (CH)righteousness, (CI)self-control, and (CJ)the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and responded, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that (CK)money would be given to him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and talk with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [am]was succeeded by Porcius (CL)Festus; and Felix, (CM)wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul (CN)imprisoned.
Paul before Festus
25 Festus, then, after arriving in (CO)the province, went up to Jerusalem from (CP)Caesarea three days later. 2 And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews (CQ)brought charges against Paul, and they were pleading with [an]Festus, 3 requesting a [ao]concession against [ap]Paul, that he might [aq]have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, (CR)setting an ambush to kill him on the way). 4 Festus then (CS)answered that Paul (CT)was being kept in custody in (CU)Caesarea, and that he himself was about to leave shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he *said, “have the influential men among you [ar]go there with me, and if there is anything wrong [as]about the man, have them bring charges against him.”
6 After Festus had spent no more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to (CV)Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on (CW)the tribunal and ordered that Paul be brought. 7 After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing (CX)many, and serious, charges against him (CY)which they could not prove, 8 while Paul said in his own defense, “(CZ)I have not done anything wrong either against the Law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.” 9 But Festus, (DA)wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul and said, “(DB)Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and [at]stand trial before me on these charges?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s (DC)tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 If, therefore, I am in the wrong and have committed something deserving death, I am not trying to avoid execution; but if there is nothing to the accusations which these men are bringing against me, no one can hand me over to them. I (DD)appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then when Festus had conferred with [au]his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”
13 Now when several days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in (DE)Caesarea, paying their respects to Festus. 14 And while they were spending many days there, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There is a man who was (DF)left as a prisoner by Felix; 15 and when I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews (DG)brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I (DH)replied to them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any person before (DI)the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 17 So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on (DJ)the tribunal and ordered that the man be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they did not begin bringing any charges [av]against him of crimes that I suspected, 19 but they simply had some (DK)points of disagreement with him about their own [aw](DL)religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 And (DM)being at a loss how to investigate [ax]such matters, I [ay]asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these matters. 21 But when Paul (DN)appealed to be held in custody for [az]the Emperor’s decision, I ordered that he be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” 22 Then (DO)Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he *said, “you shall hear him.”
Paul before Agrippa
23 So, on the next day when (DP)Agrippa and (DQ)Bernice came amid great pomp and entered the auditorium, [ba]accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought before them. 24 And Festus *said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen present with us, you see this man about whom (DR)all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that (DS)he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had committed (DT)nothing deserving death; and since he himself (DU)appealed to [bb]the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 [bc]Yet, I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore, I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him as well.”
Paul’s Defense before Agrippa
26 (DV)Now Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul extended his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
2 “Regarding all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today, 3 [bd]especially because you are an expert in all (DW)customs and [be]questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “So then, all Jews know (DX)my way of life since my youth, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and in Jerusalem, 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a (DY)Pharisee (DZ)according to the strictest (EA)sect of our religion. 6 And now I am standing trial (EB)for the hope of (EC)the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise (ED)to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. For this (EE)hope, O king, I am being (EF)accused by Jews. 8 Why is it considered incredible among you people (EG)if God raises the dead?
9 “So (EH)I thought to myself that I had to act in strong opposition to (EI)the name of Jesus [bf]of Nazareth. 10 And this is [bg]just what I (EJ)did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the [bh]saints in prisons, after (EK)receiving authority from the chief priests, but I also (EL)cast my vote against them when they were being put to death. 11 And (EM)as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and since I was (EN)extremely enraged at them, I kept pursuing them (EO)even to [bi]foreign cities.
12 “[bj]While so engaged, (EP)as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, [bk]brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 And when we had (EQ)all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the [bl](ER)Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? [bm]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But get up and (ES)stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to (ET)appoint you as a (EU)servant and (EV)a witness not only to the things in which you have seen Me, but also to the things in which I will appear to you, 17 (EW)rescuing you (EX)from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to (EY)open their eyes so that they may turn from (EZ)darkness to light, and from the [bn]power of (FA)Satan to God, that they may receive (FB)forgiveness of sins and an (FC)inheritance among those who have been sanctified by (FD)faith in Me.’
19 “For that reason, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but continually proclaimed (FE)to those in Damascus first, and (FF)in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even (FG)to the Gentiles, that they are to (FH)repent and turn to God, performing deeds (FI)consistent with repentance. 21 For these reasons some Jews (FJ)seized me in the temple and tried (FK)to murder me. 22 So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day (FL)testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what (FM)the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place, 23 as to (FN)whether the [bo]Christ was [bp]to suffer, and whether, as (FO)first from the resurrection of the dead, He would proclaim (FP)light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 While [bq]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [br]Your great (FQ)learning is [bs]driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, (FR)most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with [bt]truthful and rational words. 26 For the king [bu](FS)knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [bv]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “[bw]In a short time you are going to persuade me to [bx]make a (FT)Christian of myself.” 29 And Paul said, “I would [by]wish to God that even [bz]in a short or long time not only you, but also all who hear me this day would become such as I myself am, except for these (FU)chains.”
30 (FV)The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone out, they began talking to one another, saying, “(FW)This man is not doing anything deserving death or [ca]imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been (FX)set free if he had not (FY)appealed to Caesar.”
Paul Is Sent to Rome
27 Now when it was decided that (FZ)we (GA)would sail for (GB)Italy, they proceeded to turn Paul and some other prisoners over to a centurion of the Augustan [cb](GC)cohort, named Julius. 2 And we boarded an Adramyttian ship that was about to sail to the regions along the coast of [cc](GD)Asia, and put out to sea accompanied by (GE)Aristarchus, a (GF)Macedonian of (GG)Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at (GH)Sidon; and Julius (GI)treated Paul with consideration and (GJ)allowed him to go to his friends and receive care. 4 From there we put out to sea and sailed under the shelter of (GK)Cyprus, because (GL)the winds were contrary. 5 When we had sailed through the sea along the coast of (GM)Cilicia and (GN)Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an (GO)Alexandrian ship sailing for (GP)Italy, and he put us aboard it. 7 When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, (GQ)since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of (GR)Crete, off Salmone; 8 and with difficulty (GS)sailing past it, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even (GT)the [cd]fast was already over, Paul started admonishing them, 10 saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with (GU)damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion was more persuaded by the (GV)pilot and the [ce]captain of the ship than by what was being said by Paul. 12 The harbor was not suitable for wintering, so the majority reached a decision to put out to sea from there, if somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of (GW)Crete facing southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
13 [cf]When a moderate south wind came up, thinking that they had attained their purpose, they weighed anchor and began (GX)sailing along (GY)Crete, closer to shore.
Shipwreck
14 But before very long a violent wind, called [cg]Euraquilo, (GZ)rushed down from [ch]the land; 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not head up into the wind, we gave up and let ourselves be driven by the wind. 16 Running under the shelter of a small island called Cauda, we were able to get the ship’s [ci]boat under control only with difficulty. 17 After they had hoisted it up, they used [cj]supporting cables in undergirding the ship; and fearing that they might (HA)run aground on the shallows of Syrtis, they let down the [ck]sea anchor and let themselves be driven along in this way. 18 The next day as we were being violently tossed by the storm, [cl]they began to (HB)jettison the cargo; 19 and on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was slowly abandoned.
21 [cm]When many had lost their appetites, Paul then stood among them and said, “[cn](HC)Men, you should have followed my advice and not have set sail from (HD)Crete, and thereby spared yourselves this (HE)damage and loss. 22 And yet now I urge you to (HF)keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night (HG)an angel of the God to whom I belong, (HH)whom I also serve, (HI)came to me, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; (HJ)you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has graciously granted you (HK)all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 Therefore, (HL)keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that [co]it will turn out exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must (HM)run aground on a certain (HN)island.”
27 But when the fourteenth night came, as we were being driven about in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors began to suspect that [cp]they were approaching some land. 28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and a little farther on they took another sounding and found it to be fifteen fathoms. 29 Fearing that we might (HO)run aground somewhere on the [cq]rocks, they cast four anchors from the stern and [cr]prayed for daybreak. 30 But as the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had let down (HP)the ship’s boat into the sea, on the pretense that they were going to lay out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain on the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the (HQ)ropes of the ship’s boat and let it fall away.
33 Until the day was about to dawn, Paul kept encouraging them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been constantly watching and going without eating, having taken in nothing. 34 Therefore, I encourage you to take some food, for this is for your survival, for (HR)not a hair from the head of any of you will perish.” 35 Having said this, he took bread and (HS)gave thanks to God in the presence of them all, and he broke it and began to eat. 36 All (HT)of them [cs]were encouraged and they themselves also took food. 37 We were 276 [ct](HU)people on the ship in all. 38 When they had eaten enough, they began lightening the ship by (HV)throwing the wheat out into the sea.
39 Now when day came, (HW)they [cu]could not recognize the land; but they did notice a bay with a beach, and they resolved to run the ship onto it if they could. 40 And casting off (HX)the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and they hoisted the foresail to the wind and were heading for the beach. 41 But they struck a [cv]reef where two seas met and ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck firmly and remained immovable, while the stern started to break up due to the force of the waves. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to (HY)kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape; 43 but the centurion, (HZ)wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention, and commanded that those who could swim were to [cw]jump overboard first and get to land, 44 and the rest were to follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that (IA)they all were brought safely to land.
Footnotes
- Acts 23:1 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 23:1 Lit Men, brothers
- Acts 23:1 Or conducted myself as a citizen
- Acts 23:6 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 23:6 Lit Men, brothers
- Acts 23:12 Or mob
- Acts 23:12 I.e., an oath with a self-imposed curse
- Acts 23:14 See note 2 v 12
- Acts 23:15 Lit with
- Acts 23:15 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 23:16 Or having been present with them, and he also entered
- Acts 23:20 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 23:21 Lit be persuaded by them
- Acts 23:21 Lit men of them
- Acts 23:23 I.e., 9 p.m.
- Acts 23:23 Lit and
- Acts 23:23 Or slingers; or bowmen
- Acts 23:25 Or to this effect
- Acts 23:28 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 23:29 Lit had no charge of
- Acts 23:29 Lit bonds
- Acts 23:30 Lit speak against him
- Acts 23:35 Lit him
- Acts 23:35 I.e., governor’s official residence
- Acts 24:1 Or presented their evidence or case
- Acts 24:2 Lit he
- Acts 24:4 Or impose on
- Acts 24:4 Lit to hear...briefly
- Acts 24:5 Lit the inhabited earth
- Acts 24:6 Late mss add as the remainder of v 6: We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. v 7: But Lysias the commander came along and took him out of our hands with much violence, and the first part of v 8: ordering his accusers to come before you.
- Acts 24:12 Lit an attack of a mob
- Acts 24:14 See John 14:6
- Acts 24:18 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
- Acts 24:20 Or Sanhedrin
- Acts 24:22 Lit knowing more accurately
- Acts 24:22 See John 14:6
- Acts 24:23 Lit him
- Acts 24:24 Lit own wife
- Acts 24:27 Lit received as a successor, Porcius Festus
- Acts 25:2 Lit him
- Acts 25:3 Or favor
- Acts 25:3 Lit him
- Acts 25:3 Lit summon him to Jerusalem
- Acts 25:5 Lit go down
- Acts 25:5 Lit in
- Acts 25:9 Lit be judged
- Acts 25:12 A different group from that mentioned in Acts 4:15 and 24:20
- Acts 25:18 Lit in regard to him
- Acts 25:19 Or superstition
- Acts 25:20 Lit these
- Acts 25:20 Lit said
- Acts 25:21 Lit the Augustus’ (in this case Nero)
- Acts 25:23 Lit and with
- Acts 25:25 See note v 21
- Acts 25:26 Lit About whom I
- Acts 26:3 Or because you are especially expert
- Acts 26:3 Or controversial issues
- Acts 26:9 Or the Nazarene
- Acts 26:10 Lit also
- Acts 26:10 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Acts 26:11 Or outlying
- Acts 26:12 Lit In which things
- Acts 26:13 Lit above the brightness of
- Acts 26:14 I.e., Jewish Aramaic
- Acts 26:14 An idiom referring to an animal’s futile resistance to being prodded with a spiked stick
- Acts 26:18 Or dominion
- Acts 26:23 I.e., Messiah
- Acts 26:23 Lit subject to suffering
- Acts 26:24 Lit he
- Acts 26:24 Lit The many letters; i.e., education
- Acts 26:24 Lit turning you to madness
- Acts 26:25 Lit words of truth and rationality
- Acts 26:26 Or understands
- Acts 26:26 I.e., a hidden or secret place
- Acts 26:28 Or With a little
- Acts 26:28 Or act as a Christian
- Acts 26:29 Or pray to
- Acts 26:29 Or with a little or with much
- Acts 26:31 Lit bonds
- Acts 27:1 Normally 600 men (the number varied)
- Acts 27:2 I.e., west coast province of Asia Minor
- Acts 27:9 I.e., Day of Atonement in September or October, which was a dangerous time of year for navigation
- Acts 27:11 Or owner
- Acts 27:13 Lit a south wind having gently blown
- Acts 27:14 I.e., a northeaster
- Acts 27:14 Lit it
- Acts 27:16 Or skiff: a small boat in tow for emergencies, transportation to and from shore, etc.
- Acts 27:17 Lit helps
- Acts 27:17 Lit implement, an object designed to stabilize a boat from the stern against the wind.
- Acts 27:18 Lit they were doing a throwing out
- Acts 27:21 Lit there being much lack of appetite
- Acts 27:21 Lit O men
- Acts 27:25 Lit it will be
- Acts 27:27 Lit some land was approaching them
- Acts 27:29 Lit rough places
- Acts 27:29 Or wished for
- Acts 27:36 Lit became cheerful
- Acts 27:37 Lit souls
- Acts 27:39 Lit were not recognizing
- Acts 27:41 Lit place
- Acts 27:43 Lit throw themselves
Acts 23-27
King James Version
23 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.
15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.
19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?
20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;
24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.
25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:
26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.
34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
24 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
25 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
26 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God, unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
27 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
