The Acts of Paul

Chapter 9

1 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Master, went unto the high priest,

2 and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any who were of The Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Yerusalem.

3 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew near unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:

4 and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

5 And he said, Who are you, Master? And He said, I am Yeshua whom you persecute:

6 but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told to you what you must do.

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Master said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Master.

11 And the Master said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prays;

12 and he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 But Ananias answered, Master, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Yerusalem:

14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon your Name.

15 But the Master said unto him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my Name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:

16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my Name's sake.

17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Master, even Yeshua, who appeared unto you in the way which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

18 And straightaway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was immersed;

19 and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples who were at Damascus.

20 And straightaway in the synagogues he proclaimed Yeshua, that He is the Son of Adonai.

21 And all who heard him were amazed, and said, Is this not he who in Yerusalem made havoc of them who called on this Name? And he had come here for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is Ha Mashiyach.

23 And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:

24 but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:

25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26 And when he was come to Yerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Master in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the Name of Yeshua.

28 And he was with them going in and going out at Yerusalem,

29 preaching boldly in the Name of the Master: and he spoke and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.

30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 So the assembly throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of Adonai and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

Chapter 12

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Yerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them Yahchanan whose surname was Mark.

Chapter 13

1 Now there were at Antioch, in the assembly that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 And as they ministered to Adonai, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the Word of Adonai in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also Yahchanan as their attendant.

6 And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Yahudi, whose name was Bar-jesus; [Son of ZEUS]

7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the Word of Adonai.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.

9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,

10 and said, O full of all guile and all villany, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of Adonai?

11 And now, behold, the hand of Adonai is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of Adonai.

13 Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and Yahchanan departed from them and returned to Yerusalem.

14 But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and you who fear Adonai, hearken:

17 The Father of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm He led them forth out of it.

18 And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father He bore them in the wilderness.

19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years:

20 and after these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they asked for a king: and Adonai gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.

22 And when He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king; to whom also He bore witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will.

23 Of this man's seed has Adonai according to promise brought unto Israel a Savior, Yeshua;

24 when Yahchanan had first preached before His coming the immersion of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as Yahchanan was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose you that I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose.

26 Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear Adonai, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth.

27 For they who dwell in Yerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew Him not, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning Him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in Him, yet they asked of Pilate that He should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of Him, they took Him down from the tree, and laid Him in a tomb.

30 But Adonai raised Him from the dead:

31 and He was seen for many days of them who came up with Him from Galilee to Yerusalem, who are now His witnesses unto the people.

32 And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers,

33 that Adonai has fulfilled the same unto our children, in that He raised up Yeshua; as also it is written in the second psalm, you are my Son, this day have I begotten you.

34 And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, He has spoken this way, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.

35 Because He said also in another psalm, you will not give your Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of Adonai, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 but He whom Adonai raised up saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins:

39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moshe.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets:

41 Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which you shall in no way believe, if one declare it unto you.

42 And as they went out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them the next sabbath.

43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of Adonai.

44 And the next sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of Adonai.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the Word of Adonai should first be spoken to you. Seeing you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so has Adonai commanded us, saying, I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth.

48 And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the Word of Adonai: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the Word of Adonai was spread abroad throughout all the region.

50 But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 14

1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

2 But the Jews who were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.

3 Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in Adonai, who bore witness unto the Word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5 And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,

6 they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about:

7 and there they preached the evangel.

8 And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked.

9 The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,

10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and walked.

11 And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The elohim are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.

13 And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out

15 and saying, Sirs, why do you these things? We are also men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that you should turn from these vain things unto a living Adonai, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them:

16 who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.

17 And yet He left Himself not without witness, in that He did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

18 And with these sayings they scarcely restrained the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.

19 But there came Jews to there from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

20 But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And when they had preached the evangel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,

22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of Adonai.

23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to Adonai, on whom they had believed.

24 And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.

25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;

26 and then they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of Adonai for the work which they had fulfilled.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the assembly together, they rehearsed all things that Adonai had done with them, and that He had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.

28 And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

Chapter 15

1 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except you be circumcised after the law of Moshe, you cannot be saved.

2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Yerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

4 And when they were come to Yerusalem, they were received of the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that Adonai had done with them.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moshe.

6 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

7 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, you know that a good while ago Adonai made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the evangel, and believe.

8 And Adonai, who knows the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us;

9 and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why do you make trial of Adonai, that you should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Master Yeshua, in like manner as they.

12 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders Adonai had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

14 Symeon has rehearsed how first Adonai visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name.

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16 After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:

17 That the residue of men may seek after Adonai, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my Name is called, said Adonai, who do all these things.

18 says the Master, who makes these things known from of old.

19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them who from among the Gentiles turn to Adonai;

20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moshe from generations of old has in every city them who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

23 and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:

24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;

25 it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 men who have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Master Yeshua Mashiyach.

27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if you keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare you well.

30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.

31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those who had sent them forth.

34 But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.

35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of Adonai, with many others also.

36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the Word of Adonai, and see how they fare.

37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them Yahchanan also, who was called Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;

40 but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of Adonai.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.

Chapter 16

1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Yahudiess that believed; but his father was a Greek.

2 The same was well reported of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.

3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

4 And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders who were at Yerusalem.

5 So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

7 and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Yeshua suffered them not;

8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

10 And when he had seen the vision, straightaway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that Adonai had called us to preach the evangel to them.

11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;

12 and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.

13 And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women who were come together.

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one who worshipped Adonai, heard us: whose heart Adonai opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

15 And when she was immersed, and her household, she besought us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to Adonai, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16 And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.

17 The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High Adonai, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.

18 And she did this for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge you in the Name of Yeshua Ha Mashiyach to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,

20 and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods.

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24 who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto Adonai, and the prisoners were listening to them;

26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed.

27 And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here.

29 And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,

30 and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Master Yeshua, and you shall be saved, you and your house.

32 And they spoke the Word of Adonai unto him, with all who were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was immersed, he and all his, immediately.

34 And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in Adonai.

35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.

36 And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace.

37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they cast us out secretly? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.

38 And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;

39 and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Chapter 17

1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

2 and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

3 opening and alleging that it behooved Ha Mashiyach to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Yeshua, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is Ha Mashiyach.

4 And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5 But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.

6 And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come here also;

7 whom Jason has received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Yeshua.

8 And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9 And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come there went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the Word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.

13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the Word of Adonai was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.

14 And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.

15 But they who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.

17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them who met him.

18 And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? Others, He seems to be a setter forth of strange elohim: because he preached Yeshua and the resurrection.

19 And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you?

20 For you bring certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)

22 And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, you men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that you are very religious.

23 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN ELOHIM. What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.

24 Adonai, who made the world and all things therein, He, being Master of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands;

25 neither is He served by men's hands, as though He needed anything, seeing He Himself gives to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 and He made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 that they should seek Adonai, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us:

28 for in Him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.

29 Being then the offspring of Adonai, we ought not to think that the likeness of Adonai is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man.

30 The times of ignorance therefore Adonai overlooked; but now He commands men that they should all everywhere repent:

31 inasmuch as He has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained; whereof He has given assurance unto all men, in that He has raised Him from the dead.

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear you concerning this yet again.

33 Thus Paul went out from among them.

34 But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Chapter 18

1 After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.

2 And he found a certain Yahudi named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and he came unto them;

3 and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought, for by their trade they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the Word, testifying to the Jews that Yeshua was Ha Mashiyach.

6 And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

7 And he departed there, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one who worshipped Adonai, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Master with all his house; and many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed, and were immersed.

9 And the Master said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and not hold your peace:

10 for I am with you, and no man shall set on you to harm you: for I have many people in this city.

11 And he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching the Word of Adonai among them.

12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat,

13 saying, This man persuades men to worship Adonai contrary to the law.

14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O you Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters.

16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat.

17 And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.

18 And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed then for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.

19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

20 And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;

21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if Adonai will, he set sail from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.

23 And having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.

24 Now a certain Yahudi named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.

25 This man had been instructed in the way of Adonai; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Yeshua, knowing only the immersion of Yahchanan:

26 and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of Adonai more accurately.

27 And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;

28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Yeshua was Ha Mashiyach.

Chapter 19

1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:

2 and he said unto them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.

3 And he said, Into what then were you immersed? And they said, Into Yahchanan's immersion.

4 And Paul said, Yahchanan immersed with the immersion of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on Him who should come after him, that is, on Yeshua.

5 And when they heard this, they were immersed into the Name of the Master Yeshua.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And they were in all about twelve men.

8 And he entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of Adonai.

9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

10 And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Master, both Jews and Greeks.

11 And Adonai wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the evil spirits went out.

13 But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them who had the evil spirits the Name of the Master Yeshua, saying, I adjure you by Yeshua whom Paul preaches.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Yahudi, a chief priest, who did this.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Yeshua I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the Name of the Master Yeshua was magnified.

18 Many also of them who had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.

19 And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So mightily grew the Word of Adonai and prevailed.

21 Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Yerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them who ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;

25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.

26 And you see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no elohim, that are made with hands:

27 and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great elohim Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worships.

28 And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus.

29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel.

30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

31 And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him to not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people.

34 But when they perceived that he was a Yahudi, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he said, you men of Ephesus, what man is there who knows not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, you ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.

37 For you have brought here these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our elohim.

38 If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen who are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.

39 But if you seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.

40 For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day's riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.

41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Chapter 20

1 And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

2 And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.

3 And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

5 But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.

7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.

8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.

9 And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make you no ado; for his life is in him.

11 And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

12 And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so he had appointed, intending himself to go by land.

14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

15 And sailing from there, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.

16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Yerusalem the day of Pentecost.

17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the assembly.

18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, you yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,

19 serving the Master with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;

20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,

21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward Adonai, and faith toward our Master Yeshua Ha Mashiyach.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Yerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 save that the Holy Spirit testifies unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Master Yeshua, to testify the evangel of the grace of Adonai.

25 And now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of Adonai.

28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the assembly of Yeshua which He purchased with His own blood.

29 I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;

30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

31 Wherefore watch, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish everyone night and day with tears.

32 And now I commend you to Adonai, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them who are sanctified.

33 I coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them who were with me.

35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Master Yeshua, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,

38 sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.

Chapter 21

1 And when it came to pass that they were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from there unto Patara:

2 and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.

3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

4 And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Yerusalem.

5 And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;

6 and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.

7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

8 And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.

9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.

10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

11 And coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Yerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him to not go up to Yerusalem.

13 Then Paul answered, What do you, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Yerusalem for the Name of the Master Yeshua.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of Adonai be done.

15 And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Yerusalem.

16 And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Yerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which Adonai had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20 And they, when they heard it, glorified Adonai; and they said unto him, you see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them who have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:

21 and they have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moshe, telling them to not circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that you are come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to you: We have four men that have a vow on them;

24 these take, and purify yourself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning you; but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the law.

25 But as touching the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him,

28 crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and has defiled this holy place.

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

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightaway the doors were shut.

31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Yerusalem was in confusion.

32 And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul.

33 Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;

36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.

37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I say something unto you? And he said, Do you know Greek?

38 Are you not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?

39 But Paul said, I am a Yahudi, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech you, give me leave to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,

Chapter 22

1 Brethren and fathers, hear the defence which I now make unto you.

2 And when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he said,

3 I am a Yahudi, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for Adonai, even as you all are this day:

4 and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 As also the high priest does bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also who were there unto Yerusalem in bonds to be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew near unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

8 And I answered, Who are you, Master? And He said unto me, I am Yeshua of Nazareth, whom you persecute.

9 And they who were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of Him who spoke to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, Master? And the Master said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told you of all things which are appointed for you to do.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them who were with me I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who dwelt there,

13 came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.

14 And he said, The Father of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from His mouth.

15 For you shall be a witness for Him unto all men of what you have seen and heard.

16 And now why do you tarry? Arise, and be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of Adonai.

17 And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Yerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,

18 and saw Him saying unto me, Make haste, and get you quickly out of Yerusalem; because they will not receive of your testimony concerning Me.

19 And I said, Master, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believed on you:

20 and when the blood of Stephen your witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of those who slew him.

21 And He said unto me, Depart: for I will send you forth far from here unto the Gentiles.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23 And as they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air,

24 the chief captain commanded he be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.

25 And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion who stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.

27 And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me, are you a Roman? And he said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am born a Roman.

29 They then who were about to examine him straightaway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30 But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

Chapter 23

1 And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before Adonai in all good conscience until this day.

2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them who stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, Adonai shall smite you, you whited wall: and you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4 And they who stood by said, You revile Adonai's high priest?

5 And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, you shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither malak, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit has spoken to him, or a malak? Let us not fight against Adonai.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.

11 And the following night the Master stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as you have testified concerning Me at Yerusalem, so you must bear witness also at Rome.

12 And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty that made this conspiracy.

14 And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul.

15 Now therefore do you with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though you would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.

16 But Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, and he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

17 And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he has something to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto you, who has something to say to you.

19 And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that you have to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though you would inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

21 Do not therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from you.

22 So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that you have signified these things to me.

23 And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:

24 and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this form:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix, greeting.

27 This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

28 And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:

29 whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before you.

31 So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33 and they, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

34 And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia,

35 I will hear you fully, he said, when your accusers are also come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.

Chapter 24

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,

3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 But, that I not be further tedious unto you, I entreat you to hear us of your clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6 who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.

7 But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 commanding his accusers to come before you. From whom you will be able, by examining him yourself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.

10 And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that you have been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:

11 Seeing that you can take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Yerusalem:

12 and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

13 Neither can they prove to you the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess unto you, that after the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the Father of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

15 having hope toward Adonai, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.

16 Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward Adonai and men always.

17 Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:

18 amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia--

19 who ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.

20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,

21 except it be for this one voice, that I standing cried among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.

22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.

23 And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and to not forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

24 But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Yahudiess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Mashiyach Yeshua.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go your way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call you unto me.

26 He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.

Chapter 25

1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Yerusalem from Caesarea.

2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him,

3 asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Yerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.

4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart there shortly.

5 Let them therefore, said he, who are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.

6 And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

7 And when he was come, the Jews who had come down from Yerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;

8 while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.

9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, will you go up to Yerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews I have done no wrong, as you also very well know.

11 If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, you have appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shall you go.

13 Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus.

14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

15 about whom, when I was at Yerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.

16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

17 When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;

19 but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Yeshua, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

20 And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Yerusalem and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar.

22 And Agrippa said unto Festus, I also could wish to hear the man myself. Tomorrow, he said, you shall hear him.

23 So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, you behold this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews made suit to me, both at Yerusalem and here, crying that he ought to not live any longer.

25 But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my master. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before you, king Agrippa, that, after examination, I may have somewhat to write.

27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not being able to signify the charges against him.

Chapter 26

1 And Agrippa said unto Paul, you are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and made his defence:

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews:

3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently.

4 My manner of life then from my youth up, which was from the beginning among my own nation and at Yerusalem, know all the Jews;

5 having knowledge of me from the first, if they be willing to testify, that after the straightest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the promise made of Adonai unto our fathers;

7 unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving Adonai night and day, hope to attain. And concerning this hope I am accused by the Jews, O king!

8 Why is it judged incredible with you, if Adonai does raise the dead?

9 I verily thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Yeshua of Nazareth.

10 And this I also did in Yerusalem: and I both shut up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.

11 And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

12 Whereupon as I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests,

13 at midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them who journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.

15 And I said, Who are you, Master? And the Master said, I am Yeshua whom you persecute.

16 But arise, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared unto you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things wherein you have seen Me, and of the things wherein I will appear unto you;

17 delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send you,

18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto Adonai, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them who are sanctified by faith in Me.

19 Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 but declared both to them of Damascus first and at Yerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to Adonai, doing works worthy of repentance.

21 For this cause the Jews seized me in the temple, and assayed to kill me.

22 Having therefore obtained the help that is from Adonai, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moshe did say should come;

23 how that Ha Mashiyach must suffer, and how that He first by the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.

24 And as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are mad; your much learning is turning you mad.

25 But Paul said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth words of truth and soberness.

26 For the king knows of these things, unto whom I also speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden from him; for this has not been done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.

28 And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion you would fain make me a Messianic.

29 And Paul said, I would to Adonai, that whether with little or with much, not you only, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except these bonds.

30 And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with them:

31 and when they had withdrawn, they spoke one to another, saying, This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

32 And Agrippa said unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

Chapter 27

1 And when it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan band.

2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail unto the places on the coast of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

3 And the next day we touched at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him leave to go unto his friends and refresh himself.

4 And putting to sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5 And when we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy; and he put us therein.

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and were come with difficulty over against Cnidus, the wind not further suffering us, we sailed under the lee of Crete, over against Salmone;

8 and with difficulty coasting along it we came unto a certain place called Fair Havens; near whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9 And when much time was spent, and the voyage was now dangerous, because the Fast was now already gone by, Paul admonished them,

10 and said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives.

11 But the centurion gave more heed to the master and to the owner of the ship, than to those things which were spoken by Paul.

12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to put to sea from there, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking northeast and south-east.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close in shore.

14 But after no long time there beat down from it a tempestuous wind, which is called Euraquilo:

15 and when the ship was caught, and could not face the wind, we gave way to it, and were driven.

16 And running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat:

17 and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship; and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and so were driven.

18 And as we labored exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw the the freight overboard;

19 and the third day they cast out with their own hands the tackling of the ship.

20 And when neither sun nor stars shone upon us for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was now taken away.

21 And when they had been long without food, then Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, you should have hearkened unto me, and have not set sail from Crete, and have gotten this injury and loss.

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

23 For there stood by me this night a malak of Adonai whose I am, whom also I serve,

24 saying, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar: and lo, Adonai has granted you all them who sail with you.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe Adonai, that it shall be even so as it has been spoken unto me.

26 But we must be cast upon a certain island.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven to and fro in the sea of Adria, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some country:

28 and they sounded, and found twenty fathoms; and after a little space, they sounded again, and found fifteen fathoms.

29 And fearing lest haply we should be cast ashore on rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for the day.

30 And as the sailors were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had lowered the boat into the sea, under color as though they would lay out anchors from the foreship,

31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take some food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had said this, and had taken bread, he gave thanks to Adonai in the presence of all; and he broke it, and began to eat.

36 Then they were all of good cheer, and themselves also took food.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they perceived a certain bay with a beach, and they took counsel whether they could drive the ship upon it.

40 And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.

41 But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained unmoveable, but the stern began to break up by the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to the land;

44 and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land.

Chapter 28

1 And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island was called Melita.

2 And the barbarians showed us no common kindness; for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the barbarians saw the venomous creature hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not suffered to live.

5 Howbeit he shook off the creature into the fire, and took no harm.

6 But they expected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were long in expectation and beheld nothing amiss came to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was an elohim.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us, and entertained us three days courteously.

8 And it was so, that the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him.

9 And when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came, and were cured:

10 who also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed.

11 And after three months we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers.

12 And touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 And from there we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli;

14 where we found brethren, and were entreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we came to Rome.

15 And from there the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns; whom when Paul saw, he thanked Adonai, and took courage.

16 And when we entered into Rome, Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those who were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Yerusalem into the hands of the Romans:

18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had anything whereof to accuse my nation.

20 For this cause therefore did I entreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judaea concerning you, nor did any of the brethren come here and report or speak any harm of you.

22 But we desire to hear of you what you think: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against.

23 And when they had appointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of Adonai, and persuading them concerning Yeshua, both from the law of Moshe and from the prophets, from morning till evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed after Paul had spoken one word, Well spoke the Holy Spirit through Yermeyah the prophet unto your fathers,

26 saying, Go you unto this people, and say, By hearing you shall hear, and shall in no way understand; And seeing you shall see, and shall in no way perceive:

27 For this people's heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest, haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of Adonai is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.

29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves.

30 And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all who went in unto him,

31 preaching the kingdom of Adonai, and teaching the things concerning the Master Yeshua Ha Mashiyach with all boldness, none forbidding him.

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