Then Peter opening his mouth, said, In truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons:

but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him.

even that which was the common talk through all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

respecting Jesus, who was of Nazareth, how God had anointed him with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were tyrannically oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

him God raised up the third day, and ordained that he should be visibly manifested;

And hath commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to bear our testimony that this is the person who is ordained of God the Judge of the living and the dead.

To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one who believeth in him, shall receive remission of sins.

NOW the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

If God then gave an equal gift to them even as to us, on believing on the Lord Jesus Christ; I, indeed, who was I, that I should be able to restrain God?

and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast multitude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians.

And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the spirit that a great famine was coming upon the whole habitable globe: which also came in the reign of Claudius Caesar.

NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church.

And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision.

And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know assuredly, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the eager expectation of the people of the Jews.

And well knowing Peter's voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door.

But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel.

Then beckoning with the hand that they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren these things. And departing thence he went into another place.

Then Paul arose, and waving his hand, said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hear me.

And from that time they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the son of Kis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during forty years.

For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, being ignorant of him, and the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath-day, by condemning him have fulfilled them.

And though they found no cause of death in him, they besought Pilate that he might be killed.

But when they had finished all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

But that he raised him from the dead, no more in future to return to corruption, he hath thus spoken, "I will give you the holy things of David, which are sure."

Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man remission of sin is proclaimed to you:

and by this man shall every one who believeth be justified from all things, from which it was not possible that he should be justified by the law of Moses.

Take heed then, that this come not upon you, which is spoken by the prophets;

But when the Jews were going out of the synagogue, the Gentiles entreated that these words might be spoken to them the following sabbath.

Then Paul and Barnabas speaking with undaunted boldness, said, It was necessary that the word of God should be first spoken unto you: but since ye have thrust it from you, and judged yourselves not worthy of eternal life, lo! we turn to the Gentiles.

For so hath the Lord enjoined us, "I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mightest be for salvation unto the extremity of the earth."

NOW it came to pass at Iconium, that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake in such a manner, as that a vast multitude both of the Jews and Greek proselytes believed.

this person heard Paul speaking; who fixing his eyes on him, and discovering that he had faith to be healed,

and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We too are mortals subject to the same infirmities with you; preaching to you the gospel, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things which are therein:

And after preaching the gospel in that city, and bringing many to become disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch;

strengthening the souls of the brethren, exhorting them to abide firm in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must pass into the kingdom of heaven.

So when they arrived they called the church together, and related what great things God had done by them, and that he had opened to the heathen the door of faith.

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question.

But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses.

When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe.

But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they.

"After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again:

that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things."

Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God:

but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol [sacrifices], and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge:

that ye abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from whoredom: from which things carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.

Then after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Let us now return and visit our brethren in every city among whom we have preached the word of the Lord, that we may see how they hold on.

So there grew up a sudden quarrel, insomuch that they separated from each other: and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus:

Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek.

So as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them for their observance the ordinances decreed by the apostles and presbyters that were at Jerusalem.

But when he saw the vision, immediately we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

and from thence to Philippi, which is the first city in that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we abode in that city some days.

So when she was baptised, and her house, she entreated, saying, Since ye have judged that I am faithful to the Lord, come and abide at my house. And she constrained us.

And this she did for several days. Then Paul was wearied out, and turning, said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour.

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 forum before the chief rulers,

and presenting them to the magistrates, they said, These are the men that exceedingly disturb the peace of our city, being Jews,

And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken: and instantly all the doors flew open, and every man's chains were loosed.

And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately.

Then the jailor told these words to Paul, That the magistrates had sent to set them at liberty: now therefore, [said he,] get ye out, and pursue your journey in peace.

But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens, and have cast us into prison; and would they now clandestinely send us away? no, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

opening them clearly, and laying it evidently down that the Messiah must suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this man is the Messiah, even Jesus, whom I preach unto you.

whom Jason has entertained in his house: and the practice of all these fellows is in direct opposition to all Caesar's ordinances, for they affirm that another is king, one Jesus.

But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that at Berea also the word of God was preached by Paul, they came thither, and stirred up the populace.

And those who conduced Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving an injunction for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as speedily as possible, they departed.

Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Ye men of Athens, I observe that in all things ye are too much devoted to the worship of daemons.

The God who created the world, and all things in it, he that is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples of man's construction;

that they should seek the Lord, if indeed they might haply grope him out, and find him, though truly he is not far from any individual of us:

Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to imagine that the Divinity is like to gold, or silver, or stone sculptured by human art or contrivance.

and finding a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, lately arrived from Italy, with Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius had issued an order that all Jews should depart from Rome,) he turned in to them.

And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul felt a strong impulse on his spirit, and forcibly testified to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah.

saying, This is the fellow that earnestly persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.

For he strenuously argued with the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

NOW it came to pass that during the time Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, after passing through the upper provinces, came to Ephesus; and finding certain disciples,

Then said Paul, John indeed baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, That they should believe on him who was coming after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.

And entering into the synagogue, he spake boldly during three months, reasoning and persuading the things that concern the kingdom of God.

And this he did for two years; so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

so that even from his skin there were brought handkerchiefs and aprons unto the diseased, and their disorders were chased from them, and the evil spirits came out of them.

And the man sprang upon them, in whom was the evil spirit, and getting the mastery over them, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Now when these things were accomplished, Paul purposed by the Spirit, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, That after I have been there, I must see Rome also.

And there happened at that time no small disturbance about this way.

For a person named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made little temples in silver to represent that of Diana, brought to the artificers no small gain;

whom collecting together, with the workmen also of such trinkets, he said, Sirs, ye know that by this employment we make our advantageous livelihood:

and ye see and hear how not only at Ephesus, but almost through all Asia, this fellow Paul, by his persuasions, hath perverted a vast multitude, affirming that they are not gods which are made with hands:

so that not only is this our trade in danger of falling into contempt, but also that this temple of the great goddess Diana should be counted as nothing, and that henceforth also her magnificence should be utterly destroyed, whom all Asia and the whole world worshippeth.

Then the recorder having quieted the multitude, said, Men of Ephesus, who indeed is the man that doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is wholly devoted to the great goddess Diana, and to the image which fell down from Jupiter?

If then indeed Demetrius and the artificers that are with him have a charge against any man, the courts are held, and there are proconsuls: let them implead one another.

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, that he might not spend the time in Asia: for he hastened on, if it was possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

and that I have suppressed nothing which could conduce to your profiting; not desisting from preaching to you, and teaching you in public, and from house to house,

only this, that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and tribulation await thee.

And now behold, I know that ye shall see my face no more, even ye all, among whom I have gone in and out preaching the kingdom of God.

Wherefore I appeal to you this day as witnesses that I am pure from the blood of all men.

For this I know, that after my departure there will come among you grievous wolves, not sparing the flock:

Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by night and by day, I have never ceased with tears to admonish every individual.

but ye yourselves know that these hands have by labour furnished necessaries for my own wants, and for those who were with me.

In all things I have set you the example, that so labouring hard ye ought to help the infirm, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

most peculiarly afflicted at that word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more: and they accompanied him unto the ship.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: and they said to Paul, by the Spirit, that he should not go up unto Jerusalem.

And they have been informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, apostacy from Moses, saying, That they should not circumcise the children, nor walk after the usual practices.

What then is to be done? The multitude must certainly be assembled; for they will hear that thou art come.

them take with thee, be purified with them, and be at the same expence as they, that they may shave their heads: and all men will know that there is no truth in the things reported of thee, but that thou thyself walkest orderly and observest the law.