"This fellow," they said, "is persuading men to offer unlawful worship to God."

When they heard this they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus;

This went on for two years, so that all the inhabitants of Asia heard the Lord's message, Jews as well as Greeks.

There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish high priest who used to do this.

And this became known to all the people of Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks. Awe fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus began to be held in honor.

Now just at this time, there arose no small commotion concerning the Way.

He gathered them together with others of like occupation, and said: "Men, you know that by this business we make our money.

"And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost throughout all of Asia, this fellow Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, by telling them that they are no gods at all who are made with hands.

After listening to this they were filled with rage, and cried out again and again, saying,

For indeed we are in danger of being accused in regard to this day's riot, since there is no cause for it, nor shall we be able to give account for this disorderly gathering."

So I testify to you this day that I am clear from the blood of all men;

He came to us, and taking Paul's girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, saying, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'so will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the owner of this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'"

A few days after this we took up our luggage and went up to Jerusalem.

"So do this that we tell you.

"Men of Israel, help! This is the man who goes everywhere preaching to everybody against the people, and the Law, and this place. And he has actually brought Gentiles even into the temple, and has desecrated the holy place."

"I am a Jew," he said, "born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strict manner of the Law of our forefathers, ardent for God, even as you all are this day.

"I persecuted to the death this way, continually binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women.

"To this the high priest and all the council of elders are witnesses. It was from them that I received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I was already on my way to bring those also who were there back to Jerusalem, in bonds, for punishment.

Until they heard this last statement, the people were listening to Paul, but now they roared out. "Away with such a fellow from the earth! He is not fit to live!"

When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him. "What are you intending to do? This man is a Roman citizen."

"I paid a large sum to get this citizenship," said the tribune. "But I was citizen-born," said Paul.

With a stedfast gaze at the Sanhedrin, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived with a good conscience before God to this day."

When he said this, there arose a quarrel between the Pharisees and Sadducees; the meeting was divided.

Then a great clamor arose; some of the scribes who belonged to the Pharisaic party stood up, and contended. "We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel?"

And there were more than forty who had sworn this oath.

And Paul called one of the centurions, and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him."

So he took him, and brought his to the tribune, and said, "Paul, the prisoner, called me to him, and begged me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you."

So the tribune sent the young man home with the injunction, "Tell no man that you have given me this information."

"This man Paul had been seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with the troops, and rescued him, as I had learned that he was a Roman citizen.

So Paul was sent for, and then Tertullus began to accuse him, saying. "As it is owing to your excellency that we enjoy profound peace, and that the state of this nation,

"For we have found this fellow a pest, an inciter of insurrection among all the Jews of the empire, and a ringleader in the heresy of the Nazarenes.

Then at a nod from the governor, Paul spoke. "Because I know that for many years you have been a judge in this nation, I feel encouraged to make my defense.

"But this I confess to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors, according to the Way which they call a heresy, believing everything that is according to the Law, or is written in the Prophets,

"Unless it was for this one sentence which I uttered when I stood and cried, 'It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am on my trial today before you.'"

At this point Felix, who had a pretty accurate knowledge of the Way, adjourned the case, saying to the Jews, "When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will go carefully into the matter."

He was hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he used to send for him often to converse with him.

A short time after this King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before you this day, in regard to all the accusations brought against me by the Jews;

"a promise which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. It is concerning this hope, King Agrippa, that I am accused by the Jews.

"And this also I did in Jerusalem. Armed with authority from the chief priests, I shut up many of the saints in prison, and when they were condemned to death I gave my vote against them.

"On this errand I was traveling to Damascus one day, armed with authority and commission of the chief priests,

"For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple, and tried to kill me.

"But having obtained the help that comes from God, I stand even to this day witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing except what the prophets and Moses said should come;

"Long or short," answered Paul, "my prayer to God is that not only you but all who are my hearers this day might become such as I am, save for these chains."

When they had withdrawn they continued talking to one another. "This man is doing nothing," they said, "for which he deserves death or imprisonment."

For many days we sailed slowly, and then arrived with difficulty over against Cnidus; from this point, as the wind did not further favor us, we ran under the lee of Crete, off Cape Salmone;

By this time the season was far advanced, and sailing had become dangerous (for the Autumn Fast was past); so Paul began to warn them.

When for a long time they had been without food, Paul stood among them and said: "Men, you ought to have listened to me, and not have set sail from Crete, and so have spared yourselves this injury and loss.

And while day was dawning, Paul kept urging them all to take some food. "This is the fourteenth day," he said, "that you have been on the watch, fasting, having eaten nothing.

"So I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety. For there shall not a hair perish from the head of any one of you."

When the natives saw the reptile hanging on his hand, they began saying to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet justice does not allow him to live."

After this all the other sick people on the island came, and continued to be restored to health.

This is the reason why I begged you to see and speak with me. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

"But we are eager to hear from you what it is that you believe; for we all know that as for this sect it is everywhere spoken against."

For this people's heart is grown obtuse, Their ears are heavy of hearing, Their eyes have they closed, Lest they should see with their eyes And hear with their ears, Lest they understand with their heart, And turn again, and heal them.

"Be fully assured, therefore, that this salvation of God is now sent unto the Gentiles. They will listen to it."

After this Paul lived for two whole years in his own rented house, and used to receive all who came to see him.