And, when the blood of Stephen thy witness was being shed, even I myself, was standing by, and approving, and guarding the mantles of them who were slaying him.

As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?”

Straightway, therefore, they who were about to put him to the test, withdrew from him; and, even the captain, was struck with fear, when he found out he was, a Roman, and because, him, he had bound.

But the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth.

And, they who stood by, said - The High-priest of God, dost thou revile?

A loud commotion developed [in the Council meeting]. Some of the teachers of the law of Moses who belonged to the Pharisee party stood up and argued, saying, "We can find nothing wrong with this man. What if an angel or spirit did speak to him?"

And they were, more than forty, who, this sworn-confederacy, had formed.

who having come near to the chief priests and to the elders said, 'With an anathema we did anathematize ourselves -- to taste nothing till we have killed Paul;

who having sent for one of the centurions, said, introduce this young man to the tribune, for he has something to communicate to him.

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

Thou, therefore, do not be persuaded by them, for there are lying in wait for him, from among them, more than forty men, - who, indeed, have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor drink, till they have killed him; and, now, are they ready, awaiting the promise, from thee.

He further told them to provide horses for Paul to ride, so as to bring him in safety to Felix, the governor, to whom

to whom he wrote a letter to this effect:

This man who was seized by the Jews, and was going to be killed by them, having stood by with the soldiers, I rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman.

And desiring to know the crime of which they accused him, I brought him before their council: Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law,

whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, but, of nothing worthy of death or bonds, to be charged.

And when news was given to me that a secret design was being made against the man, I sent him straight away to you, giving orders to those who are against him to make their statements before you.

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

I will give hearing to your cause, he said, when those who are against you have come. And he gave orders for him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

For we have found this man [to be] a public menace and one who causes riots among all the Jews throughout the Roman Empire and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,

who also attempted to desecrate even, the temple, whom we also seized,

from whom thou shall be able, thyself, by making examination concerning all these things, to ascertain the things of which, we, are accusing him.

Then the governour sign'd to Paul to reply; who said, I enter upon my defence with the greater confidence, by considering you have govern'd this nation several years:

I have a hope in God that there will be a resurrection both for those who have done right and those who have done wrong, just as the Jews themselves also expect.

who ought, before thee, to have presented themselves, and to have been laying accusation, if, anything, they might have had against me: -

Then Felix, who had a fairly clear conception of the principles involved in The Way, adjourned the trial, saying to the Jews, "When Lysias, the colonel, comes down here, I will carefully look into your case."

And, after certain days, Felix having arrived, with Drusilla his own wife, who was, a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith, respecting Christ Jesus.

offer'd him mony in order to obtain his discharge. but two years after he was succeeded by Porcius Festus, who to oblige the Jews left Paul under confinement.

They, therefore, among you (saith he) who are in power, let them go down with me; and, if there is in the man, anything amiss, let them accuse him.

And, when he presented himself, the Jews who, from Jerusalem, had come down, stood round about him, many and grievous charges, bringing against him , which they were not able to prove, -

Then Festus, after conferring with [the men who formed] his council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.”

Since they stayed there many days, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There’s a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix.

concerning whom, when I happened to be in Jerusalem, the High-priests and the Elders of the Jews laid information, claiming against him a condemnation:

unto whom made answer - That it is not a custom with Romans, to grant as a favour any man, before the accused, face to face, should have his accusers, and, opportunity of defence, should receive, concerning the charge.

Concerning whom, taking their stand, his accusers, no accusation at all, were bringing, of the evil things which, I, had been suspecting;

but, certain questions concerning their own demon-worship, had they against him, and concerning one Jesus, who had died, whom Paul was affirming to be alive.

Therefore on the morrow, Agrippa and Bernice having come with great pomp, and having entered into the courtroom, and with the chief captains and the men of prominence who were of the city, and Festus who commanded, Paul was brought

And Festus saith - King Agrippa! and all ye men, here present with us: Ye observe this person, concerning whom, one and all the throng of the Jews, have interceded with me, both in Jerusalem and here, crying aloud that he ought not to be living any longer.

but finding he had done nothing that deserv'd death, I have resolved to send him to the emperor, to whom he had appealed.

Concerning whom, anything certain to write unto my lord, I have not; wherefore, I have brought him forth before you, - and especially before thee, King Agrippa! in order that, after examination had, I might have something I could write;

Who art accurately acquainted with all the customs and questions which are among the Jews, wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

who knew me before from the outset of my life, if they would bear witness, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

This is the promise our twelve tribes [i.e., family groups], who earnestly serve God night and day, hope to see fulfilled. It is because [I advocate] this hope, O King, that I am being charged [with wrongdoing] by the Jews.

at midday, on the road, I saw, O King, from heaven, above the splendour of the sun, shining around me, a light, and around them who, with me, were journeying;

And, I, said - Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said - I, am Jesus, whom, thou, art persecuting!

And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to ordain thee a minister and a witness, both of the things which thou hast seen,

Rescuing thee from among the people, and from among the nations, unto whom, I, am sending thee -

To open their eyes; that they turn from darkness unto light, and the authority of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among them who have been made holy by the faith respecting me.

but first to the people of Damascus and Jerusalem and then all over Judea, and even to the heathen I preached that they must repent and turn to God and live as men who have repented should.

That the Christ having suffered, and being the first who rose from the dead, should shew light to the people and to the Gentiles.

For well-knoweth, the king, concerning these things, unto whom, with boldness of utterance, am I speaking; for, that these things are not hidden from him, I am well persuaded, - for, not in a corner, hath this thing been done.

And, Paul, answered - I could pray unto God that, both almost and altogether, not only thou but all they who are hearing me this day, might become such, - as even, I, am, excepting these bonds.

And the king rose up, and the governor, Bernice also, and they who had been sitting with them;

When it was decided that we should sail to Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were transferred to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the emperor's division.

the next day we touch'd at Sidon, where the centurion, who was very civil to Paul, gave him leave to go, and refresh himself at his friends.

And being long without food, then Paul, who stood in the midst of them, said, Ye truly ought, O men, to have complied with me, not to launch from Crete, and gain this damage and loss.

For there stood by me this night, belonging unto the God whose I am, unto whom also I am doing divine service, a messenger,

saying - Be not afraid, Paul! for, before Caesar, must thou needs stand. And lo! God hath granted to thee as a favour, all them who are sailing with thee.

But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.

and [then] the rest, [some] of whom [floated] on planks and [some] of whom on anything [that was] from the ship. And in this way all were brought safely to the land.

The people who lived there were unusually kind to us. It had started to rain and was cold, so they started a bonfire and invited us to join them around it.

And, when the natives saw the brute hanging out from his hand, they began to say, one to another - Doubtless, this man is, a murderer, whom, though brought safely through out of the sea, Justice, hath not suffered, to live.

Who truly then, having shaken off the beast into the fire, suffered nothing evil.

Now, in the neighbourhood of that place, were lands, belonging to the chief man of the island, by name Publius, - who, making us welcome, for three days, hospitably entertained us.

And it so happened that, the father of Publius, with feverish heats and dysentery distressed, was lying prostrate: unto whom Paul entering in and praying, laid his hands on him, and healed him.

And, when this happened, the rest also, even they in the island who were sick, were coming in and getting cured;

who also, with many honours, honoured us, and, when we were about to sail, put on board such things as we might need.

Where we came across some of the brothers, who kept us with them for seven days; and so we came to Rome.

And, when from thence the brethren heard the tidings concerning us, they came to meet us, as far as The Market of Appius and the Three Taverns - seeing whom, Paul thanked God, and took courage.

When we entered Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

And it came to pass, after three days, that he called together those who were the chief of the Jews; and, when they came together, he began to say unto them - I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, as a prisoner, out of Jerusalem, was delivered into the hands of the Romans;

who, indeed, when they had examined me, were minded to set me at liberty, because there was, nothing worthy of death, in me.

For these reasons, then, I have invited you here, that I might see you and speak to you; for it is for the sake of Him who is the hope of Israel that this chain hangs upon me."

And, they, said unto him - We, have neither received letters concerning thee from the Jews, nor hath anyone of the brethren who hath arrived reported or spoken concerning thee, anything ill.

And, having arranged with him a day, there came unto him, to the lodging, a larger number; unto whom he proceeded to expound, bearing full witness as to the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and from the prophets, - from morning till evening.

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, -