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.

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

and begged the governor as a favor to have Paul come to Jerusalem, because they were plotting an ambush to kill him on the way.

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

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

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

I told them Romans were not in the habit of giving up any man until the accused met the accusers face to face and had a chance of defending himself against the impeachment.

Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

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

But I found that there were certain questions in dispute between them about their own religion, and about some dead man called Jesus, whom Paul declared to be alive.

Because I was at a loss how I could investigate these matters, I asked if he were willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried there on these charges.

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.

inasmuch as they were aforetime observing me, from the outset, - if they please to bear witness, - that, according to the strictest sect of our own religion, I lived, a Pharisee.

I truly thought within myself [that it was right] to do many things which were opposed to the name of Jesus from Nazareth.

That was what I did at Jerusalem; yes, I received authority from the high priests and shut behind the prison bars many of God's people. Yes, when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them, and often in all the synagogues

On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me.

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

I announced to those at Damascus and at Jerusalem in the first instance, then all over the land of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles, that they were to repent and turn to God by acting up to their repentance.

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

Therefore I have experienced help from God until this day, [and] I stand here testifying to both small and great, saying nothing except what both the prophets and Moses have said were going to happen,

"I am speaking words of sober truth. For the King, to whom I am speaking freely, knows of these matters. I am persuaded that not one of these things has escaped his notice; for these things were not done in a corner.

Paul answered, "In brief or at length, I would to God that not only you but all my hearers today were what I am -- excepting these chains!"

Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and those who were sitting with him got up.

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

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

And having embarked in a ship of Adramyttium, being about to navigate places in Asia, we were conveyed; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.

And on the next day we were landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul courteously and gave him liberty to go to his friends to receive care.

And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

And sailing down the side of it, as well as we were able, we came to a certain place named Fair Havens, near which was the town of Lasea.

Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.

And the harbor being inconvenient to winter in, the greater part advised to depart thence, and, if they were able, to come to Phenice to winter, a harbor of Crete, which opens to the South and Southwest.

And as the south wind blew gently, thinking they were secure of their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed close by Crete.

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

As we passed under the lee of a small island called Cauda, with great difficulty we were able to secure the ship's boat.

After hoisting it on board, they used ropes to brace the ship, and since they were afraid of being stranded on the Syrtis quicksands, they lowered the sail and let her drift.

The next day, because we were so violently beaten by the storm, they began to throw the cargo overboard,

For a number of days neither the sun nor the stars were to be seen, and the storm continued to rage, until at last all hope of being saved was now vanishing,

And [because] many were experiencing lack of appetite, at that time Paul stood up in their midst [and] said, "Men, [you] ought to have followed my [advice] not to put out to sea from Crete, and [thus] avoided this damage and loss!

But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;

So, they tested for depth and found [they were in] feet [of water]. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 Feet.

Since they were afraid of our going on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and kept wishing for daylight to come.

Although the sailors were trying to escape from the ship and had actually lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they were going to run out anchors from the bow,

while they were waiting for day, Paul advis'd the whole company to take some refreshment: "these fourteen days, said he, you have been very abstemious, and not made a meal:

Then they all were cheered and took something to eat themselves.

There were 276 of us on the ship.

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

And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

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

Then the armed men were for putting the prisoners to death, so that no one would get away by swimming.

But the centurion, desirous to preserve Paul, withheld them from their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim to jump overboard first, and reach the land:

The rest were to follow, some on planks and others on various pieces of the ship. In this way everyone got to shore safely.

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

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

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

In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

Because this cure was performed, the rest of the sick people on the island kept coming to him and by degrees were cured.

Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

And after three months we were conveyed in a ship, having wintered in the island, of Alexandria, marked, Sons of Jove.

And going into the harbour at Syracuse, we were waiting there for three days.

Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

[So], hearing that we were coming, the brothers [from Rome] traveled from there as far [south] as "The Market of Appius" and "The Three Inns" to meet us. When Paul saw them he thanked God and was [very] encouraged.

And when we were come to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but he permitted Paul to have an apartment by himself, with a soldier only who guarded him.

And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

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

So they arranged a day with him and came to him in considerable numbers at the house of the friends who were entertaining him. And then, with solemn earnestness, he explained to them the subject of the Kingdom of God, endeavouring from morning till evening to convince them about Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.

Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.

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

For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears were thick of hearing, and their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should be converted, and I should heal them.'

30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him,

And he abode two whole years in his own hired house, and made welcome all who were coming in unto him, -

Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ without fear, and no orders were given that he was not to do so.