((chiefly following p45, p38))
Indeed I made the first message, O Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day when he was taken up, after giving the precept through the holy breath to the envoys whom he had chosen.
To them also he had presented himself alive after his suffering in many clear proofs for forty days of being seen by them and saying the things about God's kingdom.
And he gathered them together and charged them "not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father's promise, which you heard from me, that 'John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized in holy breath' after not many of these days."
So, after they came together, they indeed asked him, saying, "Lord, will you restore the kingdom to Israel at that time?"
Now, he said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has placed in his own authority. However, you will receive power when the holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and as far as the farthest part of the land."
And, after saying these things, he was lifted up as they were looking, and a cloud withdrew him from their eyes. And as they looked attentively into the heavens (as he was going away), look! Two men were standing near them in white clothes. And these men said, "Men, Galilaians, why are you standing and looking into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, this one will come back in the same manner that you saw him going into heaven."
1:12 Then they returned into Jerusalem from that mountain called the Mount of Olive Trees, a sabbath's journey distant. And after they went in, they went up into the upper room where Peter, and Johannes, and Jacob and Andreas, Filippos and Thomas, Bar-Talmai and Matthiah, Jacob the son of Alphaius, and Simon the Jealous, and Judah son of Jacob were staying. All of these were constantly involved in prayer with the women and Miriam the mother of Jesus and his brothers with one accord. And in these days, Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers--and it was a crowd of people: in it were about one hundred and twenty. He said, "Men, brothers, it was necessary that the writing be fulfilled which the holy Spirit foretold through the mouth of David about Judah, the one who became a guide to those who seized Jesus. This is necessary because he had been counted among us and had obtained the assignment of this service."
(So indeed, this one bought a field from the wages of wrong, and after falling head-downward, he burst in the middle, and each of his internal organs was poured out. And it became known to all those who dwelt in Jerusalem, so that that field came to be called in his own dialect Hachel-damach, that is, Field of Blood.)
"For it was written in a scroll of psalms, "Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one dwell in it,"
and,
""His oversight let another take."
"Therefore, it is necessary that those men who have associated with us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, starting from John's baptism until the day on which he was taken from us--one of these is to become a witness of his resurrection with us."
And they set apart two: Joseph (the one called Bar-Sabbas) whose surname was Just, and Matthiah. And they prayed, saying, "You, O Lord, knower of all hearts, show which one out of these two you have selected to take the place of this service and sending from which Judah stepped aside, to go into his own place."
And they gave them lots, and the lot fell on Matthiah, and he was counted together with the eleven envoys.
2:1 And on the full day of Pentecost, they were all one at the same place. And suddenly a sound from the sky happened, like that of a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And they observed with them forked tongues, like fire, that sat on each one of them. And they were all filled with holy breath, and they began to speak in other tongues, saying what the Spirit gave them to say.
Now, there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, pious men from every nation under heaven. Now when this sound happened, the crowd came together and were confused because each one heard their speech in his own language. Now they were astonished, and they wondered, saying, "Look, aren't all of these ones who are speaking Galilaians? And how is each one of us hearing in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes, and Elamites, and those who dwell in Mesopotamia, Judea, and also Kappodokia, Pontus and Asia, Frugia and also Pamphulia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia near Kurene, and the Roman strangers--Jews and also proselytes, Cretans and Arabians. We hear them speaking in our own languages the great things of God."
Now they were all astonished and confused, saying (one to another), "What will this be?"
Now others were scoffing and said that "they have been filled with sweet wine."
14Now Peter, standing up with the Eleven, raised his voice and spoke clearly to them:
"Men, Judeans and all those who are staying in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and heed my declarations.
"For these are not drunk as you are assuming, for it is the third hour of the day! On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel,
""And it will be in the last days," says God, "I will pour out from my spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young will see visions, and your elderly will dream dreams.
""And indeed on my male slaves and on my female slaves I will pour out from my spirit in those days," and they will prophesy.
""And I will give wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and majestic day of Yahweh comes. And it shall be that each one who may call on the name of Yahweh will be saved."
"Men, Israelites, listen to these words. Jesus the Nazarene was a man who was pointed out to you as being from God through powerful deeds, and wonders, and signs, which God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.
"After this one was given up according to the fixed plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed and killed him through the hands of lawless ones. God raised him up, after loosing the pains of death, just as he could not be held under it. For David says for him,
""I always saw Yahweh in my presence. Because he is at my right hand, I may not be shaken. On account of this, my heart was gladdened, and my tongue rejoiced; and furthermore, my flesh will also relax in hope--because you will not abandon my soul into Hades, nor will you allow your godly one to see decay.
""You made the ways of life known to me. You will fill me with joy with your face."
"Men, brothers, it is lawful to speak freely to you about our ancestor David: that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is among us until this day.
"So, since he was a prophet, and since he knew that God had sworn an oath to him that God would cause someone from the fruit of his loins to sit on his throne, he spoke with foresight about the resurrection of the Anointed One, that he was not abandoned into Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. This Jesus God raised up; of this we are all witnesses.
"Then when he was exalted to the right hand of God and received the promise of the holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out this, which you see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself said, "Yahweh said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies as a footstool for your feet.'" Therefore, let all of the house of Israel know for sure that God made him both Lord and Anointed One--this Jesus whom you have cruci fied."
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and they said to Peter and to the remaining envoys, "What will we do, men? Brothers?"
Now Peter to them: "Change your minds", he said, "and each of you be baptized on the name of Anointed Jesus into forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the holy breath, for to you is the promise--and to your children, and to all those who are far away--as many as Yahweh our god may call."
And with many other words he testified and advised them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." So indeed, those who received his message were baptized and were added on that day--about three thousand souls. Now they were attending to the teachings of the envoys and to the sharing, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. And fear happened to every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the envoys, and all of those who trusted were at the same place, and had all things in common, and they were selling their possessions and goods and dividing them to all, just as any one had need. And daily they were attending in the temple courts with one accord. And they were breaking bread at home and partaking of food in happiness and in singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with the whole populus. Now the Lord as adding those who were being saved daily onto the same group.
3:1Now Peter and Johannes were going up into the temple court at the hour of prayer (the ninth), and a certain man who was lame from the womb was being carried. By day, they would place him facing the door of the temple called Beautiful to ask for donations from those who entered into the temple court. When he saw Peter and Johannes about to go into the temple court, he asked to receive donations. Now Peter stared at him with Johannes, and he said, "Look at us."
Now he heeded them, expecting to receive something from him. But Peter said, "Silver and gold are not possessed by me, but what I do have, this I am giving you: In the name of Anointed Jesus the Nazarene, [rise and] walk."
And when Peter took him by the right hand, he lifted him up. And his legs and ankles were strengthened immediately, and he leaped up, and stood, and walked with them into the temple court, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all of the people saw him walking and praising God. Now they recognized him, that he was the one who was sitting at the Beautiful Door of the temple with donations as his purpose. And they were filled with wonder and excitement at what happened to him.
And while he held Peter and Johannes close to him, all of the people ran together, awe-struck, to them onto that porch which is called Solomon's. Now Peter noticed this and answered to the people, "Men, Israelites, why are you wondering about this? And why are you staring at US, as though we had made him walk out of our own power and piety? "The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaak, and the God of Jacob"--the God of our ancestors glorified his servant-boy Jesus, whom you indeed delivered up and denied to Pilatus' face, when he had judged to release him. But the holy and just one you denied, and asked that a murderer be granted to you.
"Now, you killed the Prince of the Life, whom God raised from the dead. Of this we are witnesses. And his name has strengthened this man--whom you regard and know--sound, through trust in his name. And that trust, through Jesus, gave him this soundness, in the presence of all of you.
"And now, brothers, I know that you did it according to your ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But what God announced before through the mouths of all of his prophets--that the Anointed One would suffer--he fulfilled in this way. Therefore, change your minds, and turn to God, so that your sins will be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing would come from the Lord's face, and that he may send the one who was previously marked out for you, Anointed Jesus, whom indeed it is necessary for heaven to embrace until times of restoration of all things, which he spoke about from the age through the mouth of his holy prophets.
"Indeed, Moses said that, "Yahweh your god will raise up for you a prophet like me out of your brothers. Hear him in each of the things which he says to you. And it will be that every soul which does not hear that prophet will be wiped out from among the people."
"Now also all the prophets from Samuel (and those who followed), as many as spoke, also announced these days. You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God set up with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, "and in your seed all the families of the land shall be blessed." For you first, when God raised up his servant-boy, he sent him blessing you by turning away each one of you from your evil deeds."
4:1 Now while they were speaking to the people, the high priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Zadokites came upon them, grieved that they were teaching the people and announcing in Jesus the resurrection of the dead. And they laid hands on them and put them in holding until the next day, for it was now evening. But many of those who had heard the message trusted, and the number of the men became about five thousand.
5Now on the next day it happened that their rulers and older people and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem--including Hannas the High Priest, and Kaiaphas, and Johannes, and Alexandros, and as many as were out of a family of high priesthood. And when they placed them in their midst, they inquired, "In what power or in what name did you do this?"
Then Peter, who was filled with holy breath, said to them, "Rulers of the people, and older ones: If we today are being examined about working a good deed on a sick person--in which he has been saved, let it be known to all of you and to all of the people of Israel that in the name of Anointed Jesus the Nazarene--whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--in him this person has stood sound in your presence. This Jesus is the stone, the one "rejected by" you "the builders, which has become a cornerstone." And there is no salvation in any other one, for there is no other name under heaven which has been given among humans in which it is necessary for us to be saved."
Now, when they observed the freedom with which Peter and Johannes spoke, and since they had perceived that they were illiterate idiots, they wondered. And they recognized them--that they had been with Jesus--and when they saw the person who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say against them.
Now when they gave word for them to go outside of the Sanhedrin, they consulted together with one another, saying, "What will we do to these people--for indeed a known sign has been done through them. It is obvious to all those who are staying in Jerusalem, and we weren't able to deny it.
"But so that it might not spread any more among the people, let's threaten them to speak no longer upon this name to anyone."
And when they called them, they charged them to neither say anything at all nor to teach on Jesus' name. But Peter and Johannes responded by saying to them, "You judge if it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than to God. For we are unable to not say what we noticed and heard."
Now those who again threatened let them go away, finding nothing to do to punish them, on account of the people--because everyone was glorifying God over what happened. For the person on whom this sign of healing had been worked was more than forty years old.
23 Now when they were let go, they went to their own friends and related what the high priests and older people had said to them. Now when they heard, they raised a voice with one accord to God and said, "O Sovereign, "you who made the sky and the land and the sea and all which is in them", our Father, who said through the holy breath of your servant-boy David's mouth: "Why did the nations rage and the peoples devise vain things? The kings of the land stood up and the rulers gathered together with the same cause--against Yahweh and against his Anointed One."
"For in truth, in this city, on your holy servant-boy Jesus whom you anointed, were gathered Herod and also Pontius Pilatus, with gentiles and people of Israel to do the things that your hand and your plan marked out earlier to be done. And now, O Lord, look on their threats and grant to your slaves to speak your message with all freedom of speech, to stretch out your hand for healing, and to do signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant-boy Jesus."
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with holy breath and spoke God's message with freedom of speech. Now the heart and soul of the multitude of those who had trusted was one, a nd not even one said that any of his possessions was his own. On the contrary, all things were common to them. And with great power the envoys gave the testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great favor was upon them all. For not even one was poor among them, since those who were landowners or homeowners were selling them and bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold, and they were placing them at the envoys' feet. And it was divided to each one, just as anyone mi ght have a need.
36 Now Yosef--the one who was surnamed Bar-Nabas by the envoys [which is, translated, son of advice], a Levite, a Kuprian by birth--who had a field of his own, sold it and brought the money and placed it at the envoys' feet. But a certain man named Hananiah ((protected by Yahweh)) with his wife Sapphira sold a possession and held back some of the price. His wife was also aware of this. And he brought a certain part and placed it at the envoys' feet.
5:3Now Peter said, "Hananiah, why has the Enemy filled your heart for you to deceive the holy Spirit and to hold back some of the price of the land? While it remained, didn't it remain yours? And when it was sold, wasn't it in your authority? Why is it that you have placed this practice in your heart? You haven't lied to humans, but to God."
Now when Hananiah heard these words, he fell down and his spirit left. And great fear happened upon all those who had heard these things. Now the younger ones arose and wrapped him up, and when they had carried him out, they buried him.
Now, it happened about three hours later that his wife (who didn't know what had happened) also came in. Now Peter answered her, "Tell me if you sold the land for this much." Now she said, "Yes, that much." Now Peter said to her, "Why is it that it has been agreed on by you to test the Lord's spirit? Notice that the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door. They will carry you out too." And she fell immediately toward his feet and expired. And when the young ones came in, they foun d her dead, and when they carried her out, they buried her with her husband.
And great fear happened upon the whole of the assembly, and upon those who heard these things. Now through the hands of the envoys many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord at Solomon's Porch.
But none of the others dared to join them. But the people magnified them. Now more who trusted were added to the Lord: crowds of men and also of women, so that they would also bring out the sick into the open areas and would place them on beds and couches, so that the mere shadow of Peter coming by might overshadow some of them. Now also the crowd came together from the surrounding cities into Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those troubled by unclean spirits--all of whom were healed.
17 Now when the High Priest and all those who were with him went up (those who were of the school of thought of the Zadokites), they were filled with jealousy. And they laid hands on the envoys and put them in public prison.
Now a messenger of the Lord opened the doors of the jail by night, brought them out, and said, "Go and speak to the people all the declarations of this life as you stand in the temple court."
Now when they heard, they entered into the temple court at dawn and taught. Now when the High Priest and those who were with him came, they called together the Sanhedrin and all of the Senate of the sons of Israel and sent someone into the prison to have the envoys brought. But when the officers went, they didn't find them in the jail, and when they returned, they reported, saying that, "We found the prison closed with complete security, and the guards were standing in front of the doors. But whe n we opened them, we found no one inside."
Now when they heard these words--both the captain of the temple guard and the high priests--they were confused about them as to what this thing might be. But when a certain one came, he told them that, "Look, the men whom you put in jail are in the t emple court, standing and teaching the people." Then when the captain of the temple guard went there with the high priests, they brought them (not with violence for they feared the people), so that they might be stoned.
Now, after they brought them, the envoys stood before the Sanhedrin. And the High Priest asked them, saying, "We charged you with a charge not to teach in this name, and, look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you wish to bring upon us t his person's blood."
Now Peter and the envoys answered, saying, "It is necessary to obey a divine being rather than human beings. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, on whom you violently laid your hands and hanged on a cross. God has lifted him up (as a prince and a savior) to his right side, to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. And we are witnesses to these declarations, as is the holy Spirit, which God gave to those who obey him."
Now when they heard, they were cut, and they wanted to kill them. But a certain Perush in the Sanhedrin, named Gamaliel, a law-teacher, honored by all the people, stood up and gave word for them to put the people outside for a short time. And he said to them, "Men, Israelites, take heed to yourselves about what you are going to do to these people. For before these days, Theudas stood up claiming to be somebody, to whom a number of men--about four hundred adhered. He was put to death, and and as ma ny as listened to him were dispersed and became nothing.
"After this, in the days of the census, Judah the Galilaian stood up and drew away people after him. And he was destroyed, and all those who listened to him were scattered.
"And I'm telling you now: withdraw from these people and leave them alone, because if this plan or this work is from human beings, it will be wiped out. But if it is from God, you are not able to wipe them out. And do not be found to be fighters against God."
Now they were persuaded by him, and when they called the envoys after beating them, they charged them not to speak on the name of Jesus, and they released them. Therefore indeed they went away from the presence of the Sanhedrin rejoicing, becau se they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the name. And every day, in the temple courts and at home, they did not cease teaching and announcing the good message of Jesus the Anointed One.
6:1 Now in those days when the number of students was increasing, a gripe of the Hellenists happened against the Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily service. Now when the Twelve called the multitude of students to them, the y said, "It isn't appropriate for us to leave God's message to serve at tables. Therefore brothers, find seven well-attested men among you, full of spirit and wisdom, for us to appoint over this need. But we will attend to prayer and to the service of th e message."
And the statement was pleasing in the presence of all the multitude, and they chose Stefanos (a man full of trust and holy breath), and Filippos, and Prochorus, and Nikanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nikolas (a proselyte from Antioch). These they pla ced in the presence of the envoys; and, after praying they laid hands on them. And God's message grew, and the number of the students in Jerusalem was greatly multiplied, and a great crowd of the priests paid attention to the faith.
Now Stefanos, full of favor and power, worked wonders and great signs among the people. Now some of those from that synagogue called the synagogue of the Free (whose people were Kurenians, and Alexandrians, and of those from Kilikia and Asia), stood up an d were disputing with Stefanos. And they did not succeed in resisting the wisdom and the spirit with which he spoke. Then they underhandedly hired men to say that, "We have heard him speaking reviling declarations against Moses and God."
And they stirred up the people and the elderly and the scribes. And when they came upon him, they seized him and led him into the Sanhedrin. And false witnesses stood up, saying, "This person doesn't stop speaking declarations against the holy place and the Torah. For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will wipe out this place, and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us."
And when they gazed at him, all those who were seated in the Sanhedrin noticed that his face was like a Messenger's face. Now the High Priest said, "Are these things so?"
7:2 Now he said, "Men, brothers and fathers, hear this:
"The God of glory appeared to our ancestor Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he was staying in Charran, and he said to him, "Go out from your land and from your relatives, and come into whatever land I will show you." Then he went out from the Chaldean land, and he stayed in Charran. And after his father's death, God removed him from there into this land, in which you are now staying. And he did not give him an inheritance in it, not even a parcel the length of a foot. And he promised "to give it to him as a possession and to his progeny after him," though he had no children. Now God said it this way: that "his progeny will be strangers in a foreign land, and they will enslave and oppress them for for hundred years. And I will judge the nation to which they will be enslaved," said God, "and after these things, they will come out", and 'they will worship me in this place'.
"And God gave him a covenant of circumcision, and in this way he fathered Isaak and circumcised him on the eighth day, as Isaak did Jacob, and Jacob did to the twelve patriarchs. And the patriarchs, since they envied Yosef, sold him into Egypt. And God was with him and delivered him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh (king of Egypt) and placed him as ruler over Egypt, along with his household.
"Now a famine and great affliction came on the whole land of Egypt and Canaan, and our ancestors did not find provisions. Now when Jacob heard that there was food made from grain in Egypt, he sent out our ancestors the first time.
"And during the second time, Yosef was made known to his brothers, and Yosef's family became shown to the Pharaoh. Now Yosef sent and called for his father Jacob and all his relatives (75 souls in all), and Jacob went down into Egypt and passed away, a s did our ancestors also. And they were carried into Shechem and were placed in the tomb which Abraham bought (with silver) from the sons of Hamor in Shechem. But when the time drew near to fulfill the promise that God had agreed to with Abraham, the people were growing in number and were being multiplied in Egypt until "another king stood up, who did not know Yosef." When this one completely tricked our race, he treated our ancestors badly, making them expose their babies so that they might not be preserved.
"In this season, Moses was born, and he was beautiful to God, and he was nursed for three months in his father's house. Now when his father exposed him, Pharaoh's daughter took him and nursed him herself as a son. And Moses was trained in all Egyptia n wisdom. Now he was powerful in words and in his deeds.
"Now when forty years of his lifetime were completed, it came up in his heart to visit his brothers, the sons of Israel. And when he noticed a certain one being mistreated, he defended him and in striking the Egyptian he did justice for the one who was being oppressed.
"Now he thought that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation through his hands, but they didn't understand. Now on the next day, he appeared to those who were arguing, and he urged them to be peaceful, saying, 'Men, brothers, w hy are you mistreating one another?'
"But the one who was mistreating his neighbor pushed him away, saying, "Who set you down to be a ruler and a judge over us? Do you want to kill me the same way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?" But Moses fled at this saying and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons. And afte r forty years were completed, a messenger appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai in a flame of a burning bush. Now when Moses noticed it, he admired what he saw, and when he went near to observe it, a voice of the Lord happened:
""I am the god of your ancestors: the god of Abraham and of Isaak and of Jacob." And since Moses was terrified, he did not dare to look. Now the Lord said to him, "Loosen the sandals on your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. When I looked, I noticed the bad things happening to my people in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and I have come down to rescue them. And com e now, I will send you forth into Egypt."
"This is the Moses that they denied, saying, "Who set you down to be a ruler and a judge?" This one God also sent to be a ruler and a redeemer with the hand of a messenger that appeared to him in the bush. This one led them out, doing w onders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and for forty years in the desert.
"This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, "God will raise up for you a prophet like me out of your brothers." This is the one who was in the assembly in the desert with that messenger speaking to him in Mount Sinai, and with o ur ancestors. He embraced living oracles to give to us.
"To him our ancestors did not wish to become subject. On the contrary, they thrust him away and turned back into Egypt in their hearts, saying to Aaron, "Make gods for us who will go before us, for this Moses who led us out from the land of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him."
"And in those days they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the image, and they rejoiced in the deeds of their hands. But God turned and gave them up to serve heaven's host, as it was written in a scroll of the Prophets, "You didn't offer animal bodies and sacrifices to me for forty years in the desert, O House of Israel. And you took up the tent of Moloch and the star of your god Raifan, of the type that you made" to worship. "And I will carry you away beyond" Babylon.
"The tent of testimony belonged to our ancestors in the desert, just as the one who spoke to Moses arranged it, according to the type which he had seen. This also our ancestors with Joshua received and brought in from the possession of the gentiles, whom God put out from the presence of our ancestors until the days of David. He found favor before God and asked to find a tent for the House of Jacob, and Solomon constructed a house for him.
"However, the Highest One does not dwell in handmade places, as the prophet says, "'Heaven is my throne, and the land is my footstool. What house will you construct for me?', says Yahweh. 'Or what is my place of rest? Hasn't my hand made all of these things?'"
"You stiffnecked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the holy Spirit. You are doing as your ancestors did also. Which of the prophets DIDN'T your ancestors persecute? And they killed the ones who were announcing in advance abou t the coming of the Just One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers, you who received the Torah under the direction of messengers and did not keep it."
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to their hearts, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But since he was full of holy breath, he stared into heaven and noticed God's glory and Jesus standing at God's right side, and he said, "Look! I am watching the heavens being opened and the Son of Man standing at God's right side!" Now they cried out with a loud voice and shut their ears, and they charged at him with one accord. And after throwing him out of the city, they stoned him. And the witn esses put down their clothes at the feet of a young man called Saul. And they stoned Stefanos, who cried out, saying, "O Lord Jesus, embrace my spirit." Now he dropped to his knees and shouted with a loud voice, "O Lord, don't charge them with this sin!" And when he said this, he fell asleep. And Saul was consenting to his murder.
8:1 Now on that day, a great persecution happened to the assembly at Jerusalem. Now everyone was scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the envoys. Now devout men took Stefanos and made a great lamentation over him. But Saul w as tearing apart the assembly, entering each of their homes and dragging both men and women and putting them in jail.
Therefore indeed, the ones who had been scattered were announcing the message as they passed through. Now when Filippos went down into the city of Samaria, he heralded the Anointed One to them. Now the crowds held on to the things being said by Filip pos with one accord, as they heard and saw the signs that he was doing. For many of those who had unclean spirits came out, crying with a loud voice. And many who were paralyzed and lame were healed, and much joy happened in that city.
Now a certain man, Simon by name, had been in the city before, working magic and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying that he was someone great. Everyone paid attention to him, from small to great, saying, "This one is God's power, called the Great One." Now they were paying attention to him on account of the long time that he had been astonishing them with his feats of magic.
But when they trusted Filippos, who was announcing about God's kingdom and the name of Anointed Jesus, they were baptized, both men and women. Now Simon also himself trusted, and after being baptized, he attached himself to Filippos. And he was amaz ed as he observed the signs and great wonders that were happening.
Now when the envoys in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had embraced God's message, they sent Peter and Johannes to them, who prayed for them as they were going down, so that they might receive holy breath. For it had not yet fallen on any of them, but t hey had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received holy breath. Now when Simon noticed that the breath was given through the laying on of the envoys' hands, he offered them money, saying, " Give me also this authority, so that the one on whom I lay my hands may receive holy breath."
But Peter said to him, "May your silver be with you until you are destroyed, because you assumed that you could buy God's gift with money! There is for you no part or lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore, change your mind away from this bad thing of yours, and beg the Lord that the thought on your heart will possibly be forgiven you. For I see you as being in gall of bitterness and in a bond of wrong."
Now Simon answered, saying, "You beg the Lord on my behalf, so that none of the things that you said will come upon me." Therefore indeed, when they had solemnly testified and had spoken the message about the Lord, they returned into Jerusalem, and ma ny villages of the Samaritans heard the good message.
26 Now a messenger of Yahweh spoke to Filippos, saying, "Get up and go south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza--this is the desert road." And he got up and went. And, look, there was a man: an Ethiopian eunuch, a treasurer of Kandake the Queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all of her treasure, who had come worshiping in Jerusalem. Now he was returning home and was seated in his chariot and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Now the Spirit said to Filippos, "Approach this chariot, and accompany it."
Now when Filippos ran up to it, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and he said, "So, do you know what you are reading about?" Now the eunuch said, "Well, how can I be able to if no one guides me?" And he begged Filippos as he came up to sit wi th him.
Now, the portion of the writing that he was reading was this: "Like a sheep to the slaughter he was led, and as a lamb is mute before the one who shears it, so he does not open his mouth. In humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who wil l tell of his generation, because his life was taken from the land?"
Now the eunuch answered Filippos, saying, "I ask you: Who is the prophet saying this about? Is it about himself, or about a certain other person?" Now Filippos opened his mouth, and announced Jesus to him, beginning from that writing. And as the y were going along the road, they came upon a certain spring. And the eunuch said, "Look, a spring. What prevents my being baptized?" And he had the chariot stop, and they both went down into the water, Filippos and the eunuch, and he baptized him .
Now when they came up out of the spring, the Lord's Spirit snatched Filippos, and the eunuch did not notice him any longer, for he was going on his way rejoicing. Now Filippos was found to be in Azotus, and as he passed through he announced to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
9:1 Now Saul, still breathing out threatening and slaughter against the Lord's students, went to the High Priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damaskus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, men or also women, he might bring the m bound to Jerusalem. Now in the journey, it happened that he neared Damaskus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And as he fell to the ground, he heard a voice telling him, "Oh Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
Now he said, "Who are you, sir?"
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Instead of persecuting, get up and enter the city, and you will be told what it is necessary for you to do."
Now the men who were travelling with him were standing speechless, hearing indeed the voice but observing no one. Now Saul was lifted up from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they brought him into Damaskus, leading him by the hand. And he was sightless for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a certain student in Damaskus named Hananiah. And the Lord said to him in a vision, "Hananiah?" And he said, "Look, it is I, Lord." Now the Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight and seek a person from Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judah. For look, he is praying, and he noticed a man named Hananiah coming in and placing his hands on him, so that he might see again."
Now Hananiah answered, "O Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how many bad things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the high priests to bind all of the ones who call on your name."
But the Lord said to him, "You go, because this one is a vessel of my choosing to carry my name before nations, and kings, and the sons of Israel. For I will show him how much it is necessary for him to suffer on behalf of my name." Now Hananiah went a way and entered into the house, and after placing his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me--Jesus, the one who appeared to you on the road by which you came here--so that you might see again and might be filled with holy breath."
And immediately something like scales fell away from his eyes, and he could see again. And he got up and was baptized and was strengthened after eating food. Now it happened that he was with the students in Damaskus for a considerable number of days. And immediately he was in the gatherings heralding Jesus--that he is God's son. Now all the ones who heard were amazed, and they said, "Isn't this the one who had been wiping out the ones in Jerusalem who called upon this name? And didn't he come for t his reason: so that he could bring them bound to the high priests?"
But Saul was filled with more power, and he confused the Jews who lived in Damaskus, proving that this Jesus is the Anointed One. Now when a considerable number of days had been completed, the Jews conferred together to kill him. But their plot was known to Saul. Now, they were also monitoring the gates by day and also by night, so that they might destroy him. But the students took him by night and lowered him in a basket through a hole in the wall.
26 Now when he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join up with the students, and everyone was afraid of him, not believing that he was a student. But Bar-Nabas grabbed onto him and led him to the envoys, and he related to them how he noticed the Lord in the road, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damaskus he spoke freely in Jesus' name. And Saul was with them going into and out of Jerusalem, speaking freely in the name of the Lord. He both spoke with and debated the Hellenists, and they tried t o kill him. But when the brothers recognized this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Therefore indeed all the assembly throughout Judea and Galilaiah and Samaria had peace; and it was being constructed and was walking in the fear of the Lord, and was being multiplied in the advice of the holy Spirit.
32 Now it happened that Peter was passing throughout the region to come down to the holy ones who lived in Ludda. Now he found a certain person there named Aineus, who had been lying on a bed for eight years, since he was paralyzed. And Peter said to h im, "Aineus, Anointed Jesus heals you. Get up and make your bed."
And immediately he got up. All the ones who lived in Ludda and Sharon noticed him and turned to the Lord.
36 Now in Yoppa was a certain student named Tabitha (who is called Gazelle in translation). Her life was full of good deeds and of doing charitable works. Now it happened in those days that she became sick and died, and after bathing her, they put her in an upper room. Now since Ludda was near Yoppa, when the students heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him asking him, "Don't delay to come to us." Now Peter got up and went with them, and when they arrived, they led Peter into the upper room. And all the widows were standing around, crying and showing him the tunics and garments that she (Gazelle) had made while she was with them.
Now Peter put them all outside and dropped to his knees and prayed. And, turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up." Now she opened her eyes, and she noticed Peter and sat up. And he held out his hand for her and lifted her up. Now after c alling the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. Now it became known in all of Yoppa, and many trusted in the Lord.
Now it happened that he remained in Yoppa for a considerable number of days with a certain Simon, a tanner.
10:1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea named Kornelius, who was a centurion of that manipule called the Italian Manipule. He was pious and feared God, as did all of his household. He did many charitable works for the people, and always prayed to G od.
In a vision, he noticed clearly at about the ninth hour of the day a messenger of God coming to him and saying to him, "Kornelius!" Now he looked directly at him, became afraid and said, "What is it, sir?" Now he said to him, "All of your prayers and you r charitable works have gone as a memorial before God. And now, send some men into Yoppa to find a certain Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He is rooming with a certain Simon, a tanner, who owns a house by the sea."
Now when the messenger who had spoken to him went away, he called two of his household servants and a pious soldier who attended him and related all things to them. And he sent them into Yoppa.
Now on the next day, as they went along the road, and as they were nearing the city, Peter went up to the roof to pray. It was about the sixth hour. Now he became very hungry and wanted to eat. Now while they were preparing his lunch, a trance cam e upon him, and he observed the sky opening up, and a certain vessel like a great sheet was coming down. It was being lowered by its four corners to the ground. In it were all the four-footed creatures of the earth and the wild animals and the c reeping things and the birds of the sky.
And a voice happened, which was directed at him: "Get up, Peter, and make a sacrifice, and eat." Now Peter said, "No way, Lord! Because I have never eaten any common or unclean thing."
And a voice said to him again a second time, "Do not make common what God has cleansed." Now this happened three times, and the vessel was taken up into the sky.
Now as Peter was considering to himself what the vision that he saw might mean, look again! The men who had been sent from Kornelius asking for the house of Simon were standing at the gate. And they made a sound and asked if Simon surnamed Pete r was rooming there.
Now Peter was reflecting on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Look, three men are seeking you. But you get up, go down, and go with them. Doubt nothing, because I have sent them."
Now after going down, Peter said to the men, "Look, I am the one you are seeking. What is the reason for which you are here?"
Now they said, "Kornelius, a centurion, a just man who fears God and about whom the whole nation of the Jewish people testifies, was divinely admonished by a holy messenger to send after you to his house and to hear declarations from you."
Then he rested after calling them in. Now on the next day, after getting up, he went out with them, and certain of the brothers from Yoppa went with him.
24 And on the next day they entered into Caesarea. Now Kornelius called his relatives and close friends together because he was expecting them. Now when it happened that Peter was to enter, Kornelius met him. He bowed down to him, falling to Peter's f eet. But Peter lifted him up, saying, "Get up. I myself am a human being also." And he started a conversation with him and went in and found many people gathered together.
And he said to them, "You are familiar that it is unlawful for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner. God has also shown me not to say that anyone is common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I also came without hesitation. Therefore, I ask: for what matter have you sent for me?"
And Kornelius said, "Four days ago at about this hour, I was fasting, and on the ninth hour I was praying in my house. And look, a man was standing before me in glowing clothing. And he said, 'Kornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your charitable w orks have been remembered before God. Therefore send into Yoppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter. He is rooming by the sea in the house of Simon, a tanner.'
"Therefore, I sent to you at once, and you have done well in coming. Therefore, we are all now present before God to hear all the things that were arranged with you from the Lord."
Now Peter opened his mouth and said, "I perceive in truth that God is not a respecter of persons. But in every nation whoever fears him and works what is right is acceptable to him.
"The message that he sent to the sons of Israel announced the good message of peace through Anointed Jesus. This is the Lord of all things. You know that declaration that happened throughout all Judea, beginning at Galilaiah, after the baptism t hat John was heralding: how God anointed that Jesus from Nazareth with holy breath and power, who went about doing good deeds and healing all those who were oppressed by the Accuser, because God was with him.
"And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the countryside of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also killed him, hanging him on a cross. God raised this one up on the third day and allowed him to show himself, not to all the people, but to those wi tnesses who had been previously hand picked by God: to us, ate and drank with him after he was raised from the dead.
"And he charged us to herald to the people and to testify fully that he is the one who was marked out by God to be a judge of the living and the dead. All of the prophets testify about him: that every one who trusts in him is to receive forgiveness o f sins through his name."
While Peter was speaking these declarations, the holy Spirit fell on all those who were hearing the message. And those believers of the circumcision group, as many as came with Peter, were surprised because the gift of the holy breath was being poured ou t even on the gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God.
Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid the water, that these people who have received the holy Spirit just as we have should not be baptized?" And he arranged for them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay on for a few da ys.
11:1 Now the envoys and those brothers who were in Judea heard that the gentiles had also embraced God's message. And when Peter went up into Jerusalem, those of the circumcision argued with him, saying that, "You went in to men who are uncircumcis ed, and you ate with them." Now Peter started, laying it all out in order for them, saying:
"I was in the city of Yoppa praying, and while in a trance I noticed a vision of a certain vessel coming down like a great sheet, being lowered from the sky by its four corners. And it came down as far as me. As I looked into it, I saw clearly and not iced the four footed animals of the land and the wild animals, and the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
"Now I heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter. Sacrifice and eat.' But I said, 'No way, Lord, because nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.' But a voice answered me a second time out of the sky: 'Do not make common what God h as cleansed.' Now this happened three times, and everything was drawn up again into the sky.
"And, look, immediately three men were standing in the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. Now the Spirit said to me, 'Go with them. Doubt nothing.'
"Now these six brothers went with me also, and we entered into the man's house. And he relayed to us how he noticed the messenger standing in his house and saying, 'Send someone into Yoppa, and send after Simon that is surnamed Peter who will speak decla rations to you by which you and all your household may be saved.'
"Now as I began to speak, the holy Spirit fell on them, just as on us also in the beginning. And I remembered the declarations of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you will be baptized in holy breath.' Therefore, since God gave them, who trusted in the Lord Anointed Jesus, the same gift as he gave also to us, now who was I to be able to restrain God?"
Now when they heard these things, they were quiet, and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also given to the gentiles the change of mind that leads into life!"
19 Then indeed those who had been scattered due to the affliction that happened around Stefanos went through to Phoenix and Kupros and Antiochus, not speaking the message except to Jews alone. Now some of the men were Kuprians and Kurenians, who spoke to the Hellenists after coming into Antiochus, announcing the good message of the Lord Jesus. And the Lord's hand was with them, and a large number trusted and turned to the Lord. And the matter about them was reported to the ears of that assemb ly in Jerusalem, and they sent out Bar-Nabas into Antiochus. When he happened by and noticed God's generosity, he rejoiced and advised all to continue in the Lord with purpose of heart. For he was a good man, and was full of holy breath and trust. And a considerably large crowd was added to the Lord.
Now he went out into Tarsus to seek Saul, and when he found him, he brought him into Antiochus. And it happened that for a whole year they met together in the assembly and taught a crowd of considerable size. And the students were first known as "Anointeds" in Antiochus.
27 Now in those days prophets came down from Jerusalem into Antiochus. Now one of them who had arisen, named Agabos, indicated through the breath that, "A great famine is about to go over the whole empire," as it also happened under Claudius. Now each of the students determined to send a service (so much as was possible) to those brothers dwelling in Judea. And they did this, sending it to the older men through the hands of Bar-Nabas and Saul.
12:1 Now during that season Herod the King put forth his hands to harm some of those from the assembly. Now he killed Jacob the brother of Johannes with a sword. And when he noticed that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to capture Peter also.
Now these were the days of the Unleavened Bread. And when they caught him, they put him into a jail and delivered him over to four groups of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to lead him out to the people after the Passover.
So indeed Peter was watched over by the guard, but an earnest prayer was being directed to God by the assembly on his behalf. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. He was bound with two chai ns, and the guards were in front of the door watching the jail. And look! A messenger of Yahweh was standing by, and a light shone in the building. Now he nudged Peter's side and woke him up, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off of his han ds.
And the messenger said to him, "Wrap yourself and tie your sandals." Now he did this. And he said to him, "Throw your cloak around you, and follow me. And he went out and followed, and he didn't know that what was happening through the messenger was real; instead, he thought he was seeing a vision.
Now after passing through the first and second guard, they came upon the iron gate which leads into the city, which moved by itself and opened for them. And after going out, he went forward one block, and immediately the messenger left him.
And when Peter came to his senses, he said, "Now I truly know that the Lord sent out his messenger and delivered me out of Herod's hand, and out of all the expectations of the Jewish people.
And as he was reflecting, he came upon the house of Miriam the mother of that Yohanan who is surnamed Markus, where there was a considerable number of people assembled and praying. Now after he knocked on the door of the gateway, a household servant nam ed Rhoda came to listen, and when she recognized Peter's voice she didn't open the door due to her joy. But she ran and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
But they said to her, "You're crazy!" But she forcefully asserted that it was so. Now they said, "It's his messenger." But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened the door they noticed him and were amazed. But he waved his hand to them to be silent, and he related to them how the Lord led him out of the jail. Now he said, "Announce these things to Jacob and to the brothers." And after going out, he went someplace else.
18 Now when morning happened, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had happened to Peter. Now when Herod hunted him and did not find him, he questioned the guards and gave word for them to be led off from there to be executed. And he went down from Judea into Caesarea and remained there. Now he was aggravated with the Turians and the Sidonians, but they were present with him with one accord, since they had persuaded that Blastus who was in charge of the king's bed chamber th at they wanted peace, on account of the fact that their country was being fed by the king's.
Now on an arranged day, when Herod had put on his kingly robes and had seated himself on the throne, he made a speech to them. Now the populus shouted, "It is a god's voice, and not a human's!" And immediately a messenger of Yahweh struck him because he did not give glory to God, and he was eaten by maggots and expired. But God's message grew and was multiplied.
25 Now Bar-Nabas and Saul returned rfrom Jerusalem after fulfilling the service, bringing along Yohanan surnamed Markus with them. Now there were prophets and teachers at the assembly that was in Antiochus: Bar-Nabas; and Simon who is called Black; and Lukius the Kurenian; and Manaen (Herod the Tetrarch's adopted brother); and Saul. Now while they were performing temple service for the Lord and fasting, the holy Spirit said, "Indeed, separate out for me Bar-Nabas and Saul for the work for which I ha ve called them." Then after fasting, and praying, and laying hands on them, they let them go out.
13:4 Therefore, after these indeed were sent out by the holy Spirit, they went down into Seleukia, and sailed from there into Kupros. And when they happened into Salamis, they announced God's message in the gatherings of the Jews. Now they also had Yohan an as an assistant.
Now after going through the whole island as far as Pafos, they found a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet, who was named Bar-Yeshua. He was with the Proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This one called Bar-Nabas and Saul to him, strongl y seeking to hear God's message. But Elumas the Magician [for his name is translated this way] stood against them, seeking to turn the Proconsul away from the faith.
But Saul (who is also Paulus), filled with holy breath, stared at him and said, "O man full of all craftiness and of all trickery! You son of an accuser! You enemy of all that is right! Won't you stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord?! And n ow look! The Lord's hand is upon you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season." And a fog and a darkness immediately fell on him, and he went about seeking guides. Then when the Proconsul noticed what had happened, he was astonished at th e teaching of the Lord, and he trusted.
13 Now after setting sail from Pafos, those around Paulus went into Perge, a city of Pamphulia. Now Yohanan left them and returned into Jerusalem. Now after they had passed through Perge, they went into Pisidian Antiochus, and after entering into the gath ering on the sabbath day, they sat down.
Now after the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, the rulers of the gathering sent to them, saying, "Men, brothers, if there is a message of advice for the people among you, speak."
Then Paulus stood up, waved his hand, and said, "Men, Israelites and those who fear God, hear this: The god of the people of Israel, this one chose your ancestors and lifted up the people during the stay in the land of Egypt, and He brought them o ut from there with an uplifted arm.
"And for about forty years time, he bore with them in the desert, and after casting out seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their land by lot. All of this took about four hundred and fifty years. And after these things he gave judges, until the time of Samuel the prophet.
"And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Ben-Yamin, for forty years. And after removing him, he raised up David to be King for them. He also said to him, testifying, "I have found that David, son of Yeshai, a man according to my heart, who will do all of what I want."
"From this one's progeny, according to a promise, God brought forth a savior for Israel: Jesus. John had announced to all the people of Israel a baptism of mental change before Jesus showed his face. Now as John was finishing the race, he said, 'Who are you assuming me to be? I am not the one. But look, someone is coming after me whose foot-sandals I am not worthy to loosen.'
"Men, brothers, sons of the race of Abraham, and those among you who fear God: this message of salvation is sent to you. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, knowing neither him nor the voices of those prophets which are read on every sa bbath day, have fulfilled them by judging him. And though no one found a reason for him to die, they asked Pilatus to kill him. Now when they had finished doing all the things that had been written about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb.
"But God raised him up from among the dead. This one appeared over a period of many days to those who had gone up with him from Galilaiah into Jerusalem--who are [now] his witnesses to the people. And we are announcing a good message to you, that prom ise that was made to the ancestors, which God has fulfilled for <:f240,rSymbol,0,0,0><:f>our children by raising up this Jesus, as it is also written in the psalms, "You are my son. Today I have fathered you."
"Now because he raised him up from among the dead, to return no longer to decay, he said this: "I will give you the godly and trustworthy things of David."
"Therefore also, he said in another place, "You will not allow your godly one to see decay." For David indeed fell asleep, after serving his own generation as God planned it, and he was laid with his ancestors and saw decay. But the one that God DID raise up did not see decay.
"Let it be known therefore, men, brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is being announced to you. And everyone who trusts in him is justified from all the things from which you are unable to be justified by Moses' Torah. See then that what was spoken by the prophets does not come upon you, "You scoffers: look, and wonder, and disappear. Because I am working a work in your days--a work which you would by no means believe, even if someone told you.""
Now as they were going out, they besought that these declarations might be spoken to them on the next sabbath. Now after the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and worshiping proselytes followed Paulus and Bar-Nabas, who by speaking to them convi nced them to continue in God's favor. And on the next sabbath, almost all of the city came together to hear the message about the Lord.
Now when the Jews noticed the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and spoke against the things that were being said by Paulus and said evil things. Now Paulus and Bar-Nabas spoke freely, saying, "It was a necessity for God's message to be spoken to you first. Since you have thrust him away and are judging yourselves unworthy of the eternal life, look! We are turning to the gentiles. For the Lord has given us this precept: "I have set you to be a light of nations, that you are to be for salvation to the last part of the land.""
Now when the gentiles heard this, they rejoiced, and they glorified the Lord's message, and as many people trusted as had been arranged for eternal life. Now the message about the Lord was carried throughout the whole country. But the Jews were sti rring up the devout women of high standing and the city chiefs, and they raised up a persecution against Paulus and Bar-Nabas, and they cast them out from their borders. Now they shook the dust off of their feet in protest against them, and they went into Ikonium.
14:1 Now it happened in Ikonium that they went at the same time into the synagogue of the Jews, and they spoke spoke in such a way that a great multitude of Jews and also Hellenists trusted. But the Jews who did not trust stirred up the gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. Then for a considerable time they remained, speaking freely about the Lord; they testified to the message of God's generosity by giving out signs and wonders which happened through the their hands. Now the multitude of the city was divided: some indeed were with the Jews; but some were with the envoys.
Now as an assault by the gentiles and also Jews occurred, to insult and to stone them, when they noticed this together, they fled into the cities of Lukaonia, Lustra, and Derbe, and to the surrounding countryside. And there they were announcing th e good message.
8 And a certain man in Lustra was sitting--his feet were powerless--who was lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked around. This one heard Paulus speaking. When Paulus gazed at him and noticed that he had the trust to be saved, he said with a loud voice, "Stand erect on your feet!" And he leaped up and walked around. Now when the crowds noticed what Paulus had done, they raised their voices and said in Lukaonian, "The gods have come down to us in human form!"
And they indeed called Bar-Nabas "Zeus"; and Paulus "Hermes", because he was leading the presentation of the message. Now the priest of that Zeus image that was in front of the city brought bulls and wreaths to the gates and with the crowds wanted to m ake a sacrifice.
But the envoys, Bar-Nabas and Paulus, hearing this, tore their cloaks and rushed out into the crowd, calling out, saying, "Men, why are you doing these things?! We are also human beings, with the same emotions as you have. We are announcing a good messa ge to you to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made the sky and the land and the sea--and all the things in them--who in generations past allowed all the nations to travel their own paths. Although indeed he didn't do this without leaving testimony about himself--doing good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with gladness."
And by saying these things, with difficulty they prevented the crowds from making a sacrifice to them. But Jews came from Antiochus and Ikonium, and after persuading the crowds, they stoned Paulus and dragged him out of the city, assuming him to be de ad.
But when the students surrounded him, he got up and entered into the city. And on the next day he went with Bar-Nabas into Derbe. And after announcing the good message in that city and after instructing many students, they returned into Lus tra and Ikonium and Antiochus, strengthening the souls of the students and advising them to remain trusting and advising that it is necessary for us to enter into God's kingdom through many afflictions.
Now after picking older men with a show of hands for them by assembly and after praying and fasting with them, they committed them to the Lord, in whom they trusted.
24 And after passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphulia. And after speaking the message in Perge, they went down into Attaleia. And from there they sailed to Antiochus, where they were they had been committed to God's generosity for the work which they fulfilled. Now after arriving and after calling the assembly together, they related the things that God had done with them and that he had opened a door of trust for the nations. Now they remained for no short time with the stude nts.
15:1 And some who had come down from Judea were teaching the brothers that, "If you are not circumcised with the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
Therefore, since there was a dispute and since Paulus and Bar-Nabas had no small debate with them, they arranged to send Paulus and Bar-Nabas and some of their other people up into Jerusalem to the envoys and the older people, about this question. Ther efore indeed, they were sent up by the assembly, and they went through Phoenix and Samaria, telling about the converting of the gentiles, and they made great joy for all the brothers.
Now when they came into Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the envoys, and the elderly, and they related the things that God had done with them. Now some of those from the school of thought of the Perushim who trusted stood up, saying that, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to charge them to keep Moses' Torah."
Now the envoys and the elderly got together to look into this matter. Now since there was much debate, Peter got up and said to them, "Men, brothers: you are familiar that from days past God chose from among you, that through my mouth the gentil es would hear the account of the good message and would trust. And God, who knows hearts, testified to them, giving them the holy Spirit just as he gave to us. And he judged no differently between us and them also, having cleansed their hearts throug h trust.
"Therefore, why are you now testing God by placing a yoke on the students' necks that neither our ancestors nor we succeeded in bearing? On the contrary, we trust to be saved through the generosity of the Lord Jesus, as do they in the same manner."
Now all the multitude was silent, and they heard Bar-Nabas and Paulus telling about what signs and wonders God did through them among the gentiles. Now after they were silent, Jacob answered, saying, "Men, brothers: hear me. Simeon told how God first v isited to take from the nations a people for his name. And the words of the prophets harmonize with this, as it is written, "'After these things, I will return and will construct again David's tent which has fallen down. And I will construct its ruins again, and I will set it up, so that the rest of humanity may seek out Yahweh--even all the nations on whom my name has been called,' saysYahweh, who is doing these things," which were known from the age.
"So I judge not to cause trouble for those from the nations who turn to God, but to write to them to abstain from the pollutions of the idols, [and the prostitution], and the strangled animals, and the blood. For from ancient generations, Moses has h ad in every city those who herald him; he is read in the gatherings on every sabbath."
22 Then it seemed good to the envoys and the elderly after choosing with the whole assembly men among themselves, and, after writing a letter by their hands, to send them into Antiochus with Paulus and Bar-Nabas. These were Judah surnamed Bar-Sabba s and Silas, men who were leading among the brothers.
"The envoys and the elderly brothers--
To those brothers in Antiochus and Syria and Kilikia, those who are of the gentiles:
"Hello.
"Since we have heard that some who went out from us stirred you up with words and unsettled your souls, to whom we had issued no statement, it seemed good to us (who were of one accord) to choose out men to send to you with our beloved Bar-Nabas and Pa ulus, people who have given up their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord, Anointed Jesus.
"Therefore, we have sent out Judah and Silas--and through their message the same things will be announced. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit and to us to lay no more of a burden on you than these things that are necessities:
"To abstain from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled animals, and from prostitution. You will do well if you are keeping yourselves from these.
"Goodbye."
Then indeed, when they were dismissed, they went into Antiochus, and after gathering a crowd together, they delivered the letter. Now when they read it, they rejoiced over the advice. And Judah and Silas, who were themselves also prophets, advi sed and confirmed the brothers through a long statement. Now after spending some time there, they were dismissed with peace from the brothers to those who had sent them. Now Paulus and Bar-Nabas remained in Antiochus, teaching and announcing the good m essage--the message about the Lord--with also many others.
36 Now after some days, Paulus said to Bar-Nabas, "Let's go back, and indeed we can visit the brothers in every city in which we have announced the message about the Lord, and we can see how they are."
Now Bar-Nabas considered taking that Yohanan who is called Markus along with them. But Paulus thought it proper not to take this one along--the one who had left them from Pamphulia, and who did not go with them to the work.
Therefore a sharp division happened, so that they were separated from one another. And Bar-Nabas, taking along Markus, sailed to Kupros. But Paulus, choosing Silas, left, after being committed by the brothers to rGod's generosity. Now he passed through Syria and Kilikia, confirming the assemblies.
16:1 Now he came to Derbe and Lustra, and look, a certain student was there, Timotheos by name, son of a Jewish woman who trusted; but his father was a Greek. Those brothers in Lustra and Ikonium testified to him. Paulus wanted for this one to go out with him, and so he took and circumcised him, on account of those Jews who were in those places, for they all knew his father--that he was Greek.
Now as they went through the cities, they delivered those decrees that had been handed down by the envoys and those older ones in Jerusalem for them to keep. Then indeed, the assemblies were strengthened in trust, and they were increased in number every day.
XXXI
6 Now they were going through the Frugian and Galatian countryside, since they were forbidden by the holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia. Passing by Musia, they tried to go into Bithunia, and the spirit of Jesus did not allow them to do this. Now after passing by Musia, they came down into Troas.
And at night a vision was seen by Paulus: a certain man of Makedon was standing and begging him, saying, "Pass over into Makedonia and help us." Now when he saw the vision, we immediately sought to go out into Makedonia, inferring from the vision th at God had called us to announce the good message to them.
Now after we sailed from Troas, we headed directly to Samothrakia, and to New City on the following day. And from there, we went to Filippi, which is a leading city of the region of the colony of Makedonia. Now we were remaining in this city for se veral days.
And on the sabbath day, we went out of the gate by a river, where there was a place allowed for prayer, and after sitting down we spoke to the women who had come together. And a certain woman, Ludia by name, who was a seller of purple cloth from th e city of Thuatira, and who was a worshiper of God, heard. The Lord opened her heart to hold on to those things that Paulus was saying. Now when she was baptized, along with her household, she begged us, saying, "If you have judged me to be trusting t o the Lord, enter my house and stay there." And she made us go.
Now it happened, as we were going to a place of prayer, a certain female servant who was possessed by a spirit of Puthonos ((Apollo)) came to meet us. She brought her lords much financial gain through divination. She was following Paulus and us close ly, and she called out, saying, "These people are slaves of the highest god, who are announcing a way of salvation to us!" Now she did this for many days.
But Paulus was grieved, and he turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Anointed Jesus to come out from her." And it came out at that hour. Now when her lords noticed that their hope for financial gain had gone out, they grabbed ont o Paulus and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the rulers, and they led them to the captains of the militia and said, "These people are disrupting our city! They are Jews, and they are announcing certain customs which it is illegal for us to accept or do, since we are Romans."
22 And the crowd rose up together against them, and the captains tore off their cloaks and gave word for them to be beaten with rods. And after many had thumped them, they threw them in jail, charging the jailor to keep them securely. And when he receive d such a charge, he cast them into the inner jail, and their feet were bound into stocks.
Now at midnight, Paulus and Silas were praying and singing a song to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Now suddenly a great earthquake occurred which shook the foundations of the prison. And immediately all of the doors were opened, and all of the bonds were broken.
Now when it happened that the jailor came out of his sleep and noticed that the doors of the jail had been opened, he drew a sword and was about to kill himself, assuming that the prisoners had fled. But Paulus called out with a loud voice, saying , "Don't do anything bad to yourself, for we are all here!" Now he asked for lights and rushed in, and becoming terrified he fell down before Paulus and Silas.
And after leading them out, he said, "Sirs, what is it necessary for me to do so that I might be saved?" Now they said, "Trust in the Lord, Anointed Jesus, and you will be saved, as will your household." And they spoke the message about the Lord to him , with all those in his household. And after taking them in that hour of the night, he washed their wounds. And he and all those who were his were baptized. And he led them up into his house and prepared a table, and he and all his household rejoiced, trusting in God.
Now when it became day, the captains sent the rod-bearers, saying, "Release those people." Now the jailor passed these words on to Paulus, that, "The captains have sent for you to be released. Therefore, go out now, and go in peace." But Paulus said to them, "After flogging us publicly--uncondemned, since we are people of Rome--and throwing us in jail, now they are casting us out privately? Indeed, no! On the contrary, let them come themselves and lead us out."
Now the rod-bearers passed the message of these declarations on to the captains, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they went and begged them. And they led them out and asked them to leave the city. Now after going out of t he jail, they went in to Ludia, and when they noticed the brothers, they advised them, and they went out.
17:1 Now when they passed through Amfipolis and Apollonia, they came into Thessalonike, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Now according to Paulus' custom, they went in to them, and for three sabbaths they held discussions with them from the writings, proposing and proving that it was necessary for the Anointed One to have suffered and to have been raised from among the dead, and that "This Jesus, whom I am announcing to you, is the Anointed One." And some of them were persuaded, and they adhered to Paulus and Silas--including a great number of pious Greeks and not a few of the chief women.
But the Jews became jealous, and they gathered up some evil men who hung around the marketplace, and formed a crowd, and disrupted the city, assailing the house of Jason, seeking to lead them out to the mob. But when they did not find them, they dra gged Jason and some of the brothers to the rulers of the city, calling out that, "These ones who have overturned the Empire are also present here. Jason has received them, and all of these are opposed to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king: Jesus." Now they stirred up the crowd and the rulers of the city (when they heard these things). And they took the bail money from Jason and the rest, and they released them.
10 Now the brothers immediately and by night sent both Paulus and Silas away into Beroia, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more open than those in Thessalonike, for they embraced the message with all eager ness, examining the writings every day to see if these things were so. Therefore indeed, many of them trusted, including prominent Greek women, and not a few men.
But when those Jews from Thessalonike learned that God's message was also being announced in Beroia by Paulus, they went there also, stirring up the crowds. Now then, Paulus immediately sent out the brothers to go as if to the sea, but both Silas and Tim otheos remained there. Now those who were conducting Paulus led him to Athens, and they departed after receiving a precept for Silas and Timotheos, that they should come to him as soon as possible.
16 Now while Paulus was waiting for them in Athens, his spirit was stirred up within him when he observed that the city was full of idols. So indeed, he started discussions with the Jews in the synagogue, and with the pious people, and in the market every day with those he happened to meet. Now some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him, and certain ones said, "Indeed, what is this seed picker intending to say?" And they said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign spirits," because he was announcing the good message of Jesus and the resurrection.
And they took hold of him and led him to the Areopagos, saying, "Can we know what this new teaching is that you are talking about? For you are bringing certain foreign things to our ears. So, we want to know what these things are supposed to mean."
Now all the Athenians and all those strangers who were staying there enjoy nothing more than to tell and to hear something new. Now Paulus stood up in the midst of the Areopagos and said, "Men, Athenians: I observe that in all things you are devoted in your spirit worship. For as I passed through and observed the things you worship, I also found an altar which was inscribed, 'To an unknown god.'
"Therefore, since you don't know whom you are worshiping, I announce this to you: The god who made the creation and everything in it, the one who is Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not dwell in handmade temples, nor is he served by human hands (as thoug h he lacked something). He gave to all creatures life and breath and all things, and he made from one every nation of people to dwell on the face of the land, fixing the seasons and the limits of their habitation, for them to seek God, if indeed they might feel after him and find him.
"And indeed he is not far from each one of us, for in him we live and are moved and exist, just as also some of those poets with you have said, "For we are also his offspring." Therefore, since we are God's offspring, we are bound not to imagine that g old or silver or stone--a sculpture of art and of human skill--is like the Divine One.
"Therefore indeed, overlooking the times of ignorance, God now announces to all people in all places to change their minds, because he has established a day in which he is about to judge the Empire in what is right, by a man whom he selected, having prov ided proof to all by raising him from the dead.
Now when they heard about a resurrection from the dead, they mocked him. Yet they said, "We will listen to you again about this." And so Paulus went out from their midst. Now some men associated with him and trusted, among whom also were Dion ysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
18:1 Now after these things, Paulus departed from Athens and went into Korinth. And he found a certain Jew named Akila, a Pontian who had recently come from Italia (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome), and Priscilla his w ife. He went to them, and he stayed with them and worked with them, because they were in the same business. For they were tent makers by trade. Now he held a discussion each sabbath day in the synagogue, and he persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Now when both Silas and Timotheos came down from Makedonia, Paulus was held to the message, testifying earnestly to the Jews about Jesus the Anointed One. But when they resisted him and spoke bad of him, he shook off his clothes and said to them, "Let your blood be on your head. From now on, I will go to the gentiles." And after leaving from there, he went into the house of a certain one named Titius Justus, who worshiped God and whose house adjoined the synagogue.
Now Krispus, the ruler of the gathering, trusted in the Lord, along with his whole household, and many of the Korinthians who heard trusted and were baptized.
Now the Lord said to Paulus through a vision at night, "Do not be afraid. On the contrary, speak and do not be silent, because I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, because there are many of my people in this city." And he remai ned there for a year and six months, teaching God's message among them.
12 Now when Gallio was Proconsul of Achaia, the Jews charged at Paulus with one accord, and they led him to the tribunal, saying that, "This one is persuading people to worship God apart from the Torah." But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "So, if indeed there was any injustice or the commission of evil acts, O Jews, I would bear with you according to reason. But if it is a question about a message, and about names, and about that Torah of yours, you will see to it y ourselves. I choose not to be a judge of these things." And he drove them out of the tribunal.
Now they all took hold of Sosthenes, the ruler of the gathering, and they beat him before the tribunal; and Gallio cared nothing about these things. Now after Paulus remained for a considerable number of days, he said goodbye to the brothers and sailed o ut into Syria. And Priscilla and Akila were with him. He had shaved his head in Kenchrea, for he had taken a vow.
Now they came to Ephesus, and he left them there. But he entered into the gathering and discussed with the Jews. Now they were asking for more time, but he did not consent. Instead, he said goodbye, saying, "I will return to you again if God is willing." He sailed from Ephesus, and after going down into Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and he went down to Antiochus. And after spending some time there, he went out, passing through the Galatian country and Frugia, in order, str engthening all of the students.
24 Now a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man who was powerful in his knowledge of the writings, came into Ephesus. Since he had been instructed in the Lord's way and was on fire in the spirit, this one spoke and ta ught accurately the things about Jesus, being familiar only with John's baptism. And this one began to speak freely in the gathering. Now when Priscilla and Akila heard of him, they took him and explained more accurately God's way to him.
Now when he wanted to pass through into Achaia, the brothers advised the students to receive him. When he arrived, he helped greatly those who trusted by means of generosity. For he was strongly discussing with the Jews in public, proving Jesus to be the Anointed One through the writings.
19:1 Now it happened while Apollos was in Korinth that Paulus was passing through the upper parts and came into Ephesus. And when he found some students, he said to them, "Did you receive holy breath after trusting?"
Now they said to him, "We haven't heard if there is holy breath." And he said, "Into what were you baptized?" Now they said, "Into John's baptism."
Now Paulus said, "John baptized with a baptism of mental change, telling the people that they should trust in the one who was coming after him...that is, in Jesus." Now after hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. And whe n Paulus placed his hands on them, the holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. Now the entire number of the men was about twelve.
8 Now after entering into the synagogue, he spoke freely for three months, discussing and persuading [the things] about God's kingdom. Now when some were hardened and distrusted, saying bad things about the Way in the presence of the multitude, he departed from them and separated out the students, holding discussions every day in the School of Turannus. Now this happened for two years, so that all those who were staying in Asia heard the message about the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. And God d id uncommon deeds of power through Paulus' hands, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that were brought from his skin to those who were sick set them free from their diseases, and the evil spirits were cast out.
13 Now certain of those Jews who went around binding spirits by oath took it upon themselves to name the name of Jesus on those who had evil spirits, saying, "I bind you with an oath by Jesus, whom Paulus heralds." Now there were seven sons of a certain Skeua, a Jewish high priest, who were doing this. Now the evil spirit said, "Jesus I know, and Paulus I am familiar with, but who are you?" And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and after mastering them, it prevailed against them, so t hat they fled that house naked and wounded. Now this became known to all those who were staying in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and fear fell on all of them, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of those who trusted came, acknowledging and declaring their deeds.
Now considerable number of those who practiced magic brought together their scrolls and burned them in the presence of everyone, and they added together their values, and found it to be 50,000 silver pieces. In this way, the message of the Lord g rew powerfully and succeeded.
21 Now when these things were fulfilled, after passing through Makedonia and Achaia, Paulus disposed in the spirit to go into Jerusalem, saying: "After I have been there, it is necessary for me to see Rome too."
Now after sending two of those who were serving him into Makedonia, Timotheos and Erastus, he remained for a time in Asia. Now during this season no small commotion occurred concerning the way. For a certain silversmith, Demetrius by name, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no small financial gain to the workmen. He brought them together, and those who were workmen in the same business, saying, "Men: you are familiar with the fact that our wealth comes from this work, and y ou observe and hear that this Paulus has persuaded and misled a considerable crowd, not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia, by saying that those things that are made with hands are not gods.
"Now, not only is our craft in danger of getting a bad reputation, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be spoken of as nothing, and its magnificence (which all of Asia and the Empire worships) will be wiped out as well."
Now when they heard, they also became filled with emotion, and they cried out, saying, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" And the city was filled with confusion, and after grabbing on to Gaius and Aristarchos, Makedonians, Paulus' fellowtravelle rs, they charged into the theatre with one accord. Now Paulus was wanting to enter into the mob; the students did not allow him. Now even some of the rulers of Asia who were his friends sent to him, begging him not to venture into the theatre.
So others indeed called out another thing, for the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know why they had come together. Now they pushed Alexandros together out of the crowd, with the Jews throwing him forward. Now Alexandros, waving his han d, wanted to make his defense before the mob. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, one voice came down from all for two hours, calling out, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!"
Now after the scribe calmed the crowd down, he said, "Men, Ephesians: For what person is there who doesn't know that the city of the Ephesians is the keeper of the shrine which belongs to the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from Zeus? Th erefore, since these things cannot be declared against, it is necessary that you shut up and do nothing rashly. For you brought these men, who are neither temple robbers nor those who speak evil of your goddess. Therefore, if indeed Demetrius and those cr aftsmen with him have a legal matter against any one of them, court proceedings are held, and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another.
"But if you are chasing after further things, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly. For we are also danger of being accused of today's riot, since there is no reason that we can give for this gathering." And after saying these things, he let t he assembly go.
20:1 Now after the riot was restrained, Paulus called the students to him, and he embraced them, and he went out to go into Makedonia. Now after passing through those parts and after advising them with a great message, he went into Greece. And after sta ying there for three months, a conspiracy by the Jews happened to him as he was about to sail into Syria. A resolution was done that he return through Makedonia. Now Sopater of Purros, a Beroian, went with him. But the Thessalonikans Aristarchos an d Sekundus; and Gaius of Derbe; and Timotheos; and the Asians Tuchikos and Trofimus--these rcame to us in Troas and awaited us.
6 Now we sailed out from Filippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and we came to Troas to them in five days, where we remained for seven days. Now during the first day of the week, while we were gathered together to break bread, Paulus held a discussion with them, since he was about to depart on the next day. And he continued the talk until midnight. (Now there was a considerable number of lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together.)
Now a certain young man named Eutuchus was sitting on the windowsill and was carried off into a deep sleep, since Paulus was prolonging the discussion. Overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
Now Paulus went down, fell on him, threw his arms around him, and said, "Don't be troubled, for his soul is in him." Now after going up and breaking and enjoying bread, and after conversing for a considerable time until dawn, he so departed. Now th ey brought the boy up alive and were comforted in no small way.
13 But we had gone ahead to the ship, and we sailed to Assos, intending to take Paulus on board again. For it had been arranged this way, since he was intending to go on foot. Now when he threw together with us at Assos, after we received him again we came into Mutilene. And after sailing from there on the following day, we went across from Chios. Now on another day, we crossed over to Samos.
15 Now on the following day, we came into Miletos. For Paulus had judged it good to sail by Ephesus, so that it would not happen that he would spend time in Asia. For he was hurrying, in case it was possible for him to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pe ntecost.
Now he sent into Ephesus from Miletos, calling for the older people of the assembly. Now when they happened by him, he said to them,
"You realize how I happened to be with you for the whole time, since the first day when I came into Asia, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and tears, and those trials that were done to me as part of the Jews' conspiracies. And you r ealize how I kept back nothing that was profitable, not failing to declare to you and to instruct you publicly and in homes, as I earnestly testified both to Jews and to Greeks of a mental change in God and that trust in our Lord, Anointed Jesus.
"And now, look! I have been bound spiritually to go into Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will be happening to me there, except that the holy Spirit is solemnly testifying to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me.
"But I make my life totally valueless to me, so as to finish my race and the service that I received from the Lord Jesus to solemnly testify the good message of God's generosity.
"And now, look! I know that you all (among whom I have gone around heralding the kingdom) will no longer observe my face. Therefore, I am testifying to you on this day, that I am clean from the blood of all people, for I did not restrain from de claring God's entire plan to you.
"Pay attention to yourselves and to the flock in which the holy Spirit placed you, as overseers to feed God's assembly, which he bought with the blood of his own.
"I know that ravenous wolves will enter among you after my departure, who will not spare the flock. And from among you men will arise speaking distortions, to draw away students after them. Therefore, watch out, remembering that for t hree years (night and day) I didn't stop admonishing every one with tears.
"And now I commit you all to God and to the message of his generosity, to what is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who have been made holy.
"I have strongly desired no one's silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands supplied my needs and the needs of those who were with me. All these things I have pointed out to you because it is necessary to work like this to grant to those who are weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
And after saying these things, he put down his knees, and he prayed with them all. Now there was a considerable amount of crying among them all, and they fell on Paulus' neck and strongly kissed him. They were sorrowful most of all over the saying that he said, that they were about to observe his face no longer. Now they accompanied him to the ship.
XLVI
21:1 Now it happened that when we separated from them and sailed, that we travelled directly and came to Kos, and next to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. And after finding a ship which was going over to Phoenix, we boarded it and set sail.
Now when Kupros came into view, we passed it by on the left, sailed into Syria, and we were brought to Ture, for the ship was unloading its cargo there. And after finding the students, we remained there for seven days. These ones told Paulus thro ugh the breath not to go up into Jerusalem.
5 Now when it happened that we concluded the days there, we left and went on our way. All of them were accompanying us, with women and children, until we were outside of the city. And we put our knees on the beach and prayed. And after embracing one another, we entered into the ship, and they returned to their own homes.
Now when we had gone through the trip, we went down from Ture into Ptolemais, and we embraced the brothers and remained with them for one day.
8 After going out the following day, we came into Caesarea, and we entered the house of Filippos the good messenger, who was one of the seven, and we stayed with him. Now this one had four virgin daughters who could prophesy.
Now as we stayed on for many days, a certain prophet named Agabos came down, and when he came to us, he also grabbed Paulus' belt, and after binding his feet and hands, he said, "The holy Spirit says this, 'The Jews in Jerusalem will bind this way the man who owns this belt, and they will deliver him into the hands of gentiles.'"
Now when we heard these things, both we and those in the place begged him not to go up into Jerusalem. Then Paulus answered, "What are you doing, crying and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem on b ehalf of the name of the Lord Jesus." Now when he was not persuaded, we were quiet, saying, "Let the Lord's wishes occur."
15 Now after these days, we packed our bags and went up into Jerusalem. Now some of the students from Caesarea went with us also, leading us to someone with whom we might stay, a certain Mnason, a Kuprian, an early student. Now when we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers gladly received us.
Now on the next day, Paulus went in with us to Jacob, and all of the elderly happened to be around. And after greeting them, he laid out for them one by one the things that God had done among the gentiles through his service. Now when they heard, t hey glorified God and said to him, "Brother, you observe how many tens of thousands among the Jews there are who trust and who are all Zealots of the Torah. Now they have been notified about you, that you are teaching all of the Jews among the gentiles to depart from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor to follow the customs.
"What is it then? They will surely hear that you have come! Therefore, do as we say.
"There are four of our men who hold themselves to a vow. Take these ones and be purified with them, and pay their expenses, so that they can shave their heads. And all will know that the things that they have been notified about concerning you are no thing. On the contrary, you are walking in an orderly way and are keeping the Torah.
"Now we have sent word about the gentiles who trust, judging that they are keeping themselves away from the idol sacrifices, and from the blood, and from strangled animals and prostitution."
26 Then Paulus took away the men. On the following day, he was purified with them and entered into the temple courts, announcing when the conclusion of the days of purification would be, when they would offer the offering on behalf of each of them . But when the seven days were about to be finished, the Jews from Asia observed him in the temple. They stirred up all the crowd and took hold of him with their hands, calling out, "Men, Israelites: help! This is the person who is teaching all peo ple everywhere against the people and the Torah and this place. And furthermore, he also led Greeks into the temple and has made this holy place common."
(For they had seen Trofimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they assumed that Paulus had led into the temple.)
And the whole city was agitated, and a stampede of the people occurred, and they laid hold of Paulus, and they dragged him out of the temple court, and the gates were closed immediately.
Now when they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the commander of the manipule that the whole of Jerusalem was in confusion. He immediately took soldiers and centurions and charged down at them.
Now when they noticed the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paulus. Then the commander came near, laid hold of him, and gave word for him to be bound with two chains, and he asked who indeed this was and what it is that he had done.
Now others were shouting another thing in the crowd. Now since he was unable to know the facts because of the riot, he gave word for him to be brought into the fortress. But when it happened that he was on the steps, he had to be carried by the sold iers on account of the crowd's violence. For the multitude of the people were following, calling out, "Take him away!"
37 And when Paulus was about to be led into the fortress, he said to the commander, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?"
Now he said, "You know Greek? Aren't you that Egyptian who before these days created rebellion and led four thousand men of rebels out into the desert?"
Now Paulus said, "Indeed, I am a Jewish person of Tarsus of Kilikia, a citizen of no inconsiderable city. Now I beg you: allow me to to speak to the people."
Now when he permitted him, Paulus sat down on the steps and waved his hand to the people. Now a great silence occurred, and he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
22:1 "Men, brothers and fathers, hear now my defense before you."
(Now when they heard that he was speaking to them in the Hebrew dialect, they kept quiet some more.)
And he spoke this, "I am indeed a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Kilikia. Now, I was brought up in this city, being accurately schooled in the ancestral Torah at the feet of Gamaliel, being a person possessing jealousy for God--just as all of you do today . So I persecuted this Way to the point of death, binding both men and women and delivering them into jails, just as also the High Priest testifies to me; all of the group of older people does also. Also, I received from them letters to the brothers and went to Damaskus to lead those who had been bound there into Jerusalem, so that they might be punished.
"Now it happened as I was travelling and nearing Damaskus at about midday that a great light out of heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell onto the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' Now I answe red, 'Who are you, sir?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.'
"Now those who were with me observed indeed the light, but they did not hear the voice that was speaking to me. Now I said, 'What should I do, sir?' Now the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go into Damaskus. It will be told to you there about everyth ing that it has been arranged for you to do.'
Now since I could not see, due to the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and I came into Damaskus. Now a certain Hananiah, a pious man according to the Torah who was testified to by all the Jews who lived t here, came to me, and stood nearby, and said to me, 'Brother Saul: see.' And in that hour I saw him.
"Now he said, 'The God of our ancestors destined for you to know what he wants and to notice the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth. Because you will be his witness for all people of what you have seen and heard. And now, why are you delay ing? Get up, be baptized, and wash yourself from your sins, calling on his name.'
"Now it happened after I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple court, that I went into a prophetic trance. And I noticed him saying to me, 'Hurry, and go out quickly from Jerusalem, because they will not receive your testimony abou t me.'
"And I said, 'O Lord, they are familiar with the fact that I was jailing those who trusted in you and was beating them in the synagogues. And when the blood of Stefanos your witness was poured out, I was also standing there and consenting, and I was ke eping the cloaks of those who were killing him.'
"And he said to me, 'You go, because I will send you to far away nations.'"
Now they listened to him until this statement, and they raised their voices, saying, "Take such a person from the land, for it is not fit for him to live!" Now as they were calling out, and throwing off their cloaks, and throwing dust into the air , the commander gave the word to lead him into the fortress, telling them to examine him by torture, so that he might recognize the reason why they were shouting about Paulus.
Now as they stretched him out for the leather whip, Paulus said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to whip someone who is an uncondemned Roman?" Now when the centurion heard, he went to the commander and reported, saying, "W hat are you about to do? For this man is a Roman." Now the commander went to him and said, "Tell me: are you a Roman?"
Now he said, "Yes." And the commander answered, "I bought this citizenship with a great sum of money." Now Paulus said, "But I was born this way." Then those who were about to examine him went away from him immediately. And the commander was also afraid, recognizing that he was a Roman, and that he was having him bound.
30 Now on the next day, and since he wanted to know for certain what he was being accused of by the Jews, he freed him and gave word for the high priests and all the Sanhedrin to come together, and he led Paulus down and stood him among them.
23:1 Now Paulus looked attentively at the Sanhedrin and said, "Men, brothers: I have been a citizen for God in all good conscience until this day." Now Hananiah the High Priest arranged for those who were standing by him to strike him on the mouth.
Then Paulus said to him, "God is about to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there judging me according to the Torah, and you are violating the Torah by giving word for me to be struck!"
Now the ones who were standing by said, "Are you verbally abusing God's High Priest?" And Paulus said, "Brothers: I didn't know that he was the High Priest. For it is written, "You will not say bad things about a ruler of your people.""
Now Paulus knew that one part of them were Zadokites and the other were Perushim. He called out in the Sanhedrin, "Men, brothers: I am a Perush, a son of Perushim. I am being judged about hope and the resurrection of the dead."
Now when he said this, a dispute between the Perushim and the Zadokites occurred, and the multitude was divided. For indeed Zadokites say there is no resurrection, nor a messenger, nor a spirit. But Perushim acknowledge both.
Now a great outcry occurred, and certain of those from the group of scribes who were Perushim contended, saying, "We find nothing bad in this person. Now what if a spirit or a messenger spoke to him?"
Now when the dispute became a great one, the commander, fearing that Paulus would be rended by them, gave word that the troops should go down and snatch him out of their midst and lead him into the fortress.
11 Now on the next night, the Lord stood by Paulus and said, "Be courageous, for as you testified the things about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary also for you to testify in Rome."
Now as day happened, the Jews, making a conspiracy, bound themselves with a curse--saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they killed Paulus. Now there were more than forty of them who were making this conspiracy. When they came to the high priests and older ones, they said, "We have cursed ourselves, with a curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paulus. Therefore now, you make the commander aware of this, along with the Sanhedrin, in order that he might lead him down to you, as if you were about to examine his matters more accurately. And before he nears you, we will have killed him."
But when the son of Paulus' sister (who was hiding), he went up to and entered the fortress, he related it to Paulus. Now Paulus called one of the centurions to him and said, "Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to relate to him ." Then indeed he took him around and led him to the commander, and he said, "The prisoner Paulus called me to him and asked that I lead to you this young man, who has something to say to you."
Now when the commander took him by the hand and retired privately, he inquired, "What is it that you have to relate to me?" Now he said, "That the Jews have agreed together to ask you to lead Paulus down tomorrow into the Sanhedrin, as though you were about to investigate about him more accurately.
"Therefore, you shouldn't be persuaded by them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him. They have bound themselves with a curse to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him, and now they are ready, expecting the promise from you."
Then indeed the commander released the young man, after charging him to "tell no one that you have reported these things to me." And he called a certain two of the centurions to him, and he said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready, and seventy horsemen a nd two hundred spearmen, to go as far as Caesarea after the third hour of the night. And have animals standing around, so that Paulus can mount them, that they might carry him safely to Felix the Governor."
25 He wrote a letter which had about it this style:
"Claudius Ludias to the excellent Governor Felix:
"Hello. After learning that he is a Roman, I rescued this man, who had been apprehended by the Jews and who was about to be killed by them. Now since I wanted to know the reason for which they were accusing him, I led him down into their 'Sanhe drin'. I found him being accused regarding questions of their 'Torah', but he had no accusations worthy of death or bondage.
"But when it was disclosed to me that there was a conspiracy by the Jews against the man, I sent to you immediately and charged his accusers to say before you the things directed at him."
31 So indeed, the soldiers took Paulus according to their direction and led him by night to Antipatris. Now on the next day, they returned to the fortress, leaving the horsemen to go with him. These ones went into Caesarea, and after delivering the le tter to the Governor, they also presented Paulus to him.
Now after reading, and after asking him what province he was from, and after understanding the he was from Kilikia, he said, "I will hear you out when your accusers also arrive." And he gave word for him to be jailed in Herod's Praetorium.
24:1 Now after five days, the High Priest Hananiah went down with the older ones and a certain orator, Tertullus. These appeared before the Governor against Paulus. Now when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse, saying, "We were enjoying great peace on your account and right things were happening to this nation on account of your forethought, and we also accept everything everywhere with all thankfulness, O Excellent Felix. Now so that I should not detain you any longer, I beg you to hear us briefly, with your kindness.
"For we have found this man to be a plague, and he is inciting revolutions among all those Jews in the Empire. And he is a chief person of the school of thought of the Nazarenes, who also attempted to defile the Temple. We also appreh ended him. From him you will be able to recognize for yourself what we are accusing him of, after you have examined him." Now also the Jews jointly accused him, asserting that the things were so.
10 Now after the Governor nodded to him to speak, Paulus replied, "Recognizing that you have been a judge to this nation for many years, I am cheerfully defending the matters about me.
"You are also able to know that it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. And they neither found me discussing with someone in the temple court, nor making the crowd riot (neither in the synagogues nor in the ci ty). Nor are they able to prove what they are now accusing me of.
"But I acknowledge this to you: that according to the Way, which they call a school of thought, so I serve the God of the ancestors, believing all those things according to the Torah and those which have been written by the prophets. I hold a hope i n God, which they themselves are also expecting: a future resurrection of the just and also of the unjust.
"Now in this I am taking action, to have a clear consciousness always toward God and humans. But through many years I happened by, doing charitable works and giving offerings to my nation. They found me doing this in the Temple after being pu rified, not with a crowd, nor with a riot.
"Now there are certain Jews from Asia who need to be present before you, and to accuse me if they have anything against me. Or let these people speak themselves of what wrong they found in me as I stood before the Sanhedrin. Or maybe it is abo ut this sound that I called out while standing among them: that 'about the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you today.'"
Now Felix cast them aside since he knew more accurately about that Way. He said, "When Lusias the Commander comes down, I will inquire into your matters." And he arranged for the centurion to keep him and to let him have liberty, and to not prohibit any of his own people from helping him.
24 Now after certain days, Felix happened by with Drusilla (his own wife, who was a Jew). He sent for Paulus and listened to him about the trust in Anointed Jesus. Now as he was discussing about justice, and self-control, and the judgment to come, F elix became afraid and answered, "Go for the time being. Now when I find the time, I will call for you." He was also hoping at this time that money would be given to him by Paulus, and so he would send for him more frequently, and he talked with h im.
27 But when two years were over, Felix received a successor, Porkius Festus. And since Felix was wishing to store up favors with the Jews, he left Paulus emprisoned. So when Festus entered office, he went up into Jerusalem from Caesarea after three d ays. Now the high priests and the foremost Jews appeared before him against Paulus, and they begged him--asking a favor against Paulus: that he would send into Jerusalem for him; they were making an ambush to kill him on the way.
Then indeed Festus answered that Paulus should be kept in Caesarea. Now he was about to go out there himself in haste. "Therefore," he said, "let those among you who are able go down with me. If there is any thing wrong with the man, let them a ccuse him."
25:6 Now after remaining among them for not more than eight or ten days, he went down into Caesarea. On the next day, he sat down on the judgment seat and gave word for Paulus to be led out to him. Now when he happened by, the ones who had come from Jerusalem were standing around, bringing many heavy accusations which they were not capable of showing. Paulus defended himself: "I have not sinned in anything: neither against the Torah of the Jews, nor against the Temple, nor against Caes ar."
Wishing to store up a favor with the Jews, Festus answered Paulus, saying, "Are you willing to go up into Jerusalem, to be judged before me there concerning these things?"
Now Paulus said, "I am standing at the judgment seat of Caesar, where it is necessary for me to be judged. I have done the Jews nothing unjust, as you also recognize fully. Therefore, if indeed I am in the wrong and if I have done anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if there is nothing to what they are accusing me of, no one is able to give me to them as a favor. I call on Caesar."
LXI
13 Now after some days passed by, Agrippa the King and Bernike came down into Caesarea, paying respect to Festus. Now when they had remained there many days, Festus submitted the things against Paulus to the king, saying, "There is a certain man who was left behind as a prisoner by Felix. Concerning him: when I was in Jerusalem, the high priests and the older ones of the Jews informed me, asking for condemnation against him. To them I replied that it is not a custom for Romans to give any person as a favor before the accused has the accusers face to face and takes the opportunity to make a defense to the charge.
"So when they came here, I made no delay: on the next day I sat down on the judgment seat and gave word for the man to be brought. The accusers stood up; none brought a charge concerning him of such evil things as I assumed. But they held certain q uestionable matters with him about their own religion, and about a certain Jesus who was dead, whom Paulus insisted was alive.
"Now since I was in doubt about this question, I asked if he would be willing to go into Jerusalem and to be judged there about these things. But Paulus called for himself to be kept for the decision of the Venerable One, and I gave word for him t o be kept until I send him to Caesar."
22 "Now Agrippa said to Festus, "I too was wishing to hear the person for myself." Now he said, "Tomorrow you will hear him." Therefore when the next day came, Agrippa and Bernike came with a great display, and when they entered into the place of hearing with both the commanders and those leading men of the city, Festus gave word, and Paulus was brought.
And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all those men who are present with us: observe this one, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, calling out that it is necessary for him to live no longer.
"Now when I detected that he had done nothing worthy of death, and also that this one had called upon the Venerable One, I resolved to send him. I have nothing certain to write to the Lord about him. Therefore, I led him out before you all, and espec ially before you, King Agrippa, so that when the examination has happened, I may have something to write. For it seems ridiculous to me to send a prisoner and to not specify any charges against him."
26:1 Now Agrippa said to Paulus, "It is permitted for you to speak on your behalf." Then Paulus raised his hand and defended himself:
"Concerning all things of which I am being accused by the Jews, King Agrippa, I regard myself blessed to be about to make a defense before you, especially since you are acquainted with all the customs and religious questions of the Jews. Therefore, I beg you to suffer long in hearing me.
"So indeed, my way of life--that one from my youth, which was from the beginning among my nation and in Jerusalem--is known to all Jews. Since they have known me previously from the start, if they would be willing to testify, they would say, that I live d as a Perush according to the strictest school of thought of our religion. And now I have been standing to be judged for the hope of that promise which was made by God to our ancestors. Our twelve tribes hope to attain to this hope, serving in tensely night and day. I am being accused by the Jews regarding this hope, O King.
"What? Do you judge it an untrustworthy thing that God raises the dead? Therefore indeed, I thought to myself about the name of Jesus the Nazarene--that it was necessary to practice many things against it. This also I did in Jerusalem, and I shut up m any of the holy ones in jails after receiving authority from the high priests. And when they were killed, I cast my vote against them. And I forced them to say bad things as I punished them often in all the gatherings. And since I was exceptionally furious with them, I pursued them even into foreign cities.
"At this time, while I was going to Damaskus with authority and that commission of the high priests, in the middle of the day I saw in the road, O King, a light from heaven shini