And as they were staring into the sky [while] he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them [ability] to speak out.

For these [men] are not drunk, as you assume, because it is the third hour of the day.

"Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as [you] yourselves know--

For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those [who are] far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself."

And a certain man was being carried who was lame {from birth}. {He} was placed every day at the gate of the temple called "Beautiful," [so that he] could ask for charitable gifts from those who were going into the temple [courts].

And [when he] saw [it], Peter replied to the people, "Men [and] Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as [if] by our own power or godliness we have made him walk?

And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also.

And they made them stand in [their] midst [and] began to ask, "By what power or by what name did you do this?"

[as] you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus."

and placing [them] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need.

Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, [as to] what this might be.

This one God has exalted to his right hand [as] Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

Now in these days, [as] the disciples were increasing [in number], a complaint arose by the {Greek-speaking Jews} against the {Hebraic Jews} because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution [of food].

But some of those from the Synagogue of the Freedmen ({as it was called}), both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up [and] disputed with Stephen.

And [as they] looked intently at him, all those who were sitting in the Sanhedrin saw his face [was] like the face of an angel.

and the nation {that} they will serve as slaves, I will judge,' God said, 'and after these [things] they will come out and will worship me in this place.'

"But as the time of the promise that God had made to Abraham was drawing near, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt

and [when] he was abandoned, the daughter of Pharaoh took him [up] and brought him [up] {as her own son}.

This Moses whom they had repudiated, saying, 'Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?'--this man God sent [as] both ruler and redeemer with {the help} of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.

But God turned away and gave them over to worship the host of heaven, just as it is written in the book of the prophets: 'You did not bring offerings and sacrifices to me [for] forty years in the wilderness, [did you], house of Israel?

The tabernacle of the testimony {belonged} to our fathers in the wilderness, just as the one who spoke to Moses directed [him] to make it according to the design that he had seen,

But the Most High does not live in [houses] made by human hands, just as the prophet says,

"[You] stiff-necked [people] and uncircumcised in hearts and in [your] ears! You constantly resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers [did], [so] also [do] you!

And they kept on stoning Stephen [as he] was calling out and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!"

And the crowds with one mind were paying attention to what was being said by Philip, [as] they heard [him] and saw the signs that he was performing.

But when they believed Philip [as he] was proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were being baptized.

Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and ask the Lord if perhaps the intent of your heart may be forgiven you!"

And the eunuch answered [and] said to Philip, "I ask you, about whom does the prophet say this--about himself or about someone else?"

And as they were traveling down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?"

But Philip found himself at Azotus, and [as he] passed through, he proclaimed the good news [to] all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

Now as [he] proceeded, it happened that [when] he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.

Now it happened that [as] Peter was traveling through all [the places], [he] also came down to the saints who lived [in] Lydda.

This man is staying as a guest with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea."

And the next day, [as] they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray [at] about the sixth hour.

Now while Peter was greatly perplexed within himself [as to] what the vision that he had seen might be, behold, the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having found the house of Simon by asking around, stood at the gate.

And they called out [and] asked if Simon who was also called Peter was staying there as a guest.

So he invited them in [and] entertained them as guests, and on the next day he got up [and] went away with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

And [as he] conversed with him, he went in and found many [people] gathered.

Therefore--and without raising any objection--I came [when I] was sent for. So I ask for what reason you sent for me."

Therefore send to Joppa and summon Simon who is also called Peter. This man is staying as a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.

[As for] the message that he sent to the sons of Israel, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ--this one is Lord of all--

not to all the people but to us who had been chosen beforehand by God [as] witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify solemnly that this one is the one appointed by God [as] judge of the living and of the dead.

"Surely no one can withhold the water for these [people] to be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also did!"

[As I] looked intently into it, I was considering [it], and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild animals and the reptiles and the birds of the sky.

And [as] I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as also on us at the beginning.

Therefore if God gave them the same gift as also to us [when we] believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I [to be] able to hinder God?"

Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message to no one except Jews alone.

{And the report came to the attention} of the church that was in Jerusalem about them, and they sent out Barnabas as far as Antioch,

Now [when] day came, there was not a little commotion among the soldiers [as to] what then had become of Peter.

And [when they] came to Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John [as] assistant.

And [when they] had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name [was] Bar-Jesus,

And [after] destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave their land [to his people] as an inheritance.

this [promise] God has fulfilled to our children [by] raising Jesus, as it is also written in the second psalm, 'You are my Son; today I have fathered you.'

And [as] they were going out, they began urging [that] these things be spoken about to them on the next Sabbath.

and saying, "Men, why are you doing these [things]? We also are men with the same nature as you, proclaiming the good news [that] you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things [that are] in them--

And God, who knows the heart, testified to them [by] giving [them] the Holy Spirit, just as he also [did] to us.

And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

And as they went through the towns, they passed on to them to observe the rules that had been decided by the apostles and elders [who were] in Jerusalem.

And it happened that [as] we were going to the place of prayer, a certain female slave who had a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing a large profit to her owners [by] fortune-telling.

{And as was his custom}, Paul went in to them and on three Sabbath [days] he discussed with them from the scriptures,

whom Jason has entertained as guests! And these [people] [are] all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king, Jesus!"

And [after] taking money as security from Jason and the rest, they released them.

And those who conducted Paul brought [him] as far as Athens, and [after] receiving an order for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as soon as possible, they went away.

For [as I] was passing through and observing carefully your objects of worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed, 'To an unknown God.' Therefore what you worship without knowing [it], this I proclaim to you--

nor is he served by human hands [as if he] needed anything, [because] he himself gives to everyone life and breath and everything.

for in him we live and move and exist, as even some of {your own} poets have said: 'For we also are {his} offspring.'

So not only is there a danger this line of business of ours [will] come into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Artemis [will] be regarded as nothing--and [she] is about to be brought down even from her grandeur, [she] whom the whole [of] Asia and the [entire] world worship!"

and stayed three months. [Because] a plot was made against him by the Jews [as he] was about to set sail for Syria, he came to a decision to return through Macedonia.

But I consider [my] life [as] worth {nothing} to myself, in order to finish my mission and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify [to] the gospel of the grace of God.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock among which the Holy Spirit has appointed you [as] overseers, to shepherd the church of God which he obtained through the blood of his own [Son].

And it happened that when our days were over, we departed [and] went on our way, [while] all [of them] accompanied us, together with [their] wives and children, as far as outside the city. And [after] falling to our knees on the beach [and] praying,

And [some] of the disciples from Caesarea also traveled together with us, bringing [us] to a certain Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing, with whom we were to be entertained as guests.

And [as they] were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the military tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

And [as he] was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the military tribune, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?

But Paul said, "I am a Jewish man from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no unimportant city. Now I ask you, allow me to speak to the people."

"I am a Jewish man born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to the exactness of the law received from our fathers, being zealous for God, just as all [of] you are today.

as indeed the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me, from whom also I received letters to the brothers in Damascus, [and] was traveling [there] to lead away those who were there also tied up to Jerusalem so that they could be punished.

"And it happened that [as] I was traveling and approaching Damascus around noon, suddenly a very bright light from heaven flashed around me,

And as I could not see as a result of the brightness of that light, I arrived in Damascus led by the hand of those who were with me.

And the next night the Lord stood by him [and] said, "Have courage, for as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."

Therefore, now you along with the Sanhedrin explain to the military tribune that he should bring him down to you, as [if you] were going to determine more accurately the things concerning him. And we are ready to do away with him before he comes near."

And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you that you bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as [if they] were going to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.

And he summoned two of the centurions [and] said, "Make ready from the third hour of the night two hundred soldiers and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, in order that they may proceed as far as Caesarea.

At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul. For this reason also he sent for him as often as possible [and] talked with him.

And [when] two years had passed, Felix received as successor Porcius Festus. And [because he] wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind {as a prisoner}.

But Paul said, "I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where it is necessary [for] me to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.

And while they were staying there many days, Festus laid out the [case] against Paul to the king, saying, "There is a certain man left behind by Felix [as] a prisoner,

having known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that in accordance with the strictest party of our religion I lived [as] a Pharisee.

to which our twelve tribes hope to attain as [they] earnestly serve [him] night and day. Concerning this hope I am being accused by the Jews, O king!

And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often [and] tried to force [them] to blaspheme, and [because I] was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing [them] even as far as to foreign cities.

that the Christ was to suffer [and] that [as] the first of the resurrection from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles."

And [as] he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "You are out of your mind, Paul! [Your] great learning {is driving} you {insane}!"

And Paul [replied], "I pray to God, whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who are listening to me today may become such [people] as I also am, except for these bonds!"

And [as they] were going out, they were talking to one another, saying, "This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment."

And when the fourteenth night had come, [as] we were being driven in the Adriatic Sea about the middle of the night, the sailors suspected {they were approaching some land}.

And [when] the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and were lowering the ship's boat into the sea, pretending as if they were going to lay out anchors from the bow,

Now after three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian [one] {with the twin gods Castor and Pollux as its insignia}.

And from there the brothers, [when they] heard the [news] about us, came to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns. [When he] saw them, Paul gave thanks to God [and] took courage.