---(and when they heard that he spake to them in the Hebrew dialect, they the more readily kept silence, and he said,)

As the high priest is my witness, and all the elders: from whom I received letters to our brethren, and went to Damascus to bring those also, that were there, bound to Jerusalem, to be punished.

And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me:

And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me.

And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus.

And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there,

And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and scourged in the synagogues them that believed on Thee.

And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also stood by and consented to his death, and kept the clothes of them that slew him.

And they heard him to this word, and then they exalted their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live.

the tribune commanded him to be brought into the castle, and ordered him to be put to the question by scourging; that he might know for what reason they so cried out against him.

And as they were binding him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, uncondemned?

Immediately therefore those who were going to put him to the question quitted him: and the tribune also was afraid, when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

but the high priest Ananias ordered those that stood next him, to smite him on the mouth.

But they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high-priest?

And Paul said, I was not aware, brethren, that it was the high-priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

But Paul, knowing that the one part were sadducees, and the other pharisees, cried out in the sanhedrim, "Brethren, I am a pharisee, the son of a pharisee: for the hope of a resurrection of the dead I am now prosecuted."

For the sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the pharisees acknowledge both.

So there was a great clamor: and the scribes that were of the party of the pharisees rose up and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

And when it was day, some of the Jews, having formed a conspiracy, bound themselves with a curse, saying, that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

And they were more than forty that had made this oath:

Now therefore do ye with the rest of the sanhedrim signify to the tribune, that he would bring him down to you to-morrow, as if you would examine more accurately some things concerning him: and we are ready to dispatch him before he come near you."

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee, that thou wouldest bring down Paul to-morrow to the council, as if they would inquire something more strictly concerning him.

Then the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, Tell no one that thou hast discovered these things to me.

And provide beasts, that they may set Paul on and bring him safe to Felix the governor.

This man being seized by the Jews, and about to be killed by them, I came upon them with some soldiers and rescued him: for I understand that he is a Roman.

And when the governor had read the letter, and asked of what province he was; being informed that he was of Cilicia, he said,

But that I may not trespass upon thee too far, I beg thou wouldst hear us a few words with thy wonted goodness.

And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.

Then Paul, when the governor permitted him to speak, answered in this manner, "As I know that thou hast been many years a judge to this nation, I do the more chearfully answer for myself:

because thou mayst know, that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way, which they call heresy, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law, and the prophets:

having hope in God, (which they themselves also expect) that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

unless for this one expression, that I cried out when I stood among them, For the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day."

And hoping also that money would be given him by Paul, that he might discharge him; he sent for him the more frequently, and conversed with him.

begging the favor of him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; for they were preparing an ambush to kill him by the way.

But Festus answered, that Paul was in custody at Cesarea, and that he himself should go thither soon.

And when he was come, the Jews that came down from Jerusalem, stood round about, bringing many heavy charges against Paul, which they were not able to prove:

To whom I answered, it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, till he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and have an opportunity of making his defence concerning the accusation.

but had certain questions against him concerning their own religion; and of one Jesus that was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

And Festus said, "King Agrippa and all that are here present with us, ye see this man, concerning whom all the Jews have applied to me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out, that he ought not to live.

But when I found that he had done nothing worthy of death, and as he himself has appealed to the emperor, I have determined to send him.

Concerning whom I have nothing certain to write to our sovereign: wherefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination is made I may have somewhat to write.

"O king Agrippa, I think myself happy, that I am this day to make my defence before thee, concerning all the things which I am accused of by the Jews:

knowing me before, (if they would testify it,) that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a pharisee.

What! is it judged incredible by you, that God should raise the dead?

I indeed once thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarene:

O king, as I was on the way thither I saw a light from heaven exceeding the splendor of the sun, shining round about me and those that were going with me.

to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.

but declared first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and through all the country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and turn unto God, performing works suitable to repentance.

But having obtained help of God, I continue until this day, testifying both to small and great, and saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses declared should come to pass; even that the Messiah should suffer,

For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with freedom; because I am persuaded that none of them are unknown to him; for this was not done in a corner.

I know that thou believest them. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian.

And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

And when he had said this, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those that sat with them.

Now as it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort.

saying, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage is like to be prejudicial and with much damage, not only of the lading and of the ship, but also of our lives.

But the centurion regarded the pilot and the master of the vessel, more than the things that were said by Paul.

And the haven not being commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they could possibly reach to Phenice to winter at that haven of Crete, which looks both to the south-west and north-west.

Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Cesar, and behold God hath given thee all that are sailing with thee.

Wherefore, Sirs, be of good courage; for I trust in God, that it shall be so, according as it was told me.

But the mariners endeavouring to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea, under pretence that they were going to stretch out anchors from the head of the ship,

But the centurion, desirous to save Paul, hindered them from their purpose, and ordered those that could swim to throw themselves out first, and get off to land:

and the rest, some on planks, and others on some other things out of the ship. And so it came to pass that they all got safe to land.

And when they were safe on shore, they understood, that the island was called Melita.

They however were expecting that he would swell, or suddenly fall down dead: but when they had waited a good while, and saw no hurt come to him, they changed their opinion and said that he was a god.

And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery: to whom Paul went in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, that had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was permitted to live by himself with the soldier that had him in custody.

For this reason therefore I desired to see and to speak to you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

And they said to him, We have neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, nor has any of the brethren, that is come hither, related or spoken any ill of thee.

But we would willingly hear from thee what thou thinkest: for as to this sect, we know that it is every where spoken against.

And some regarded the things that were spoken, but others did not believe.

And so disagreeing one with another they separated, when Paul had said one word, to wit, that the holy Spirit spake rightly by Esaias the prophet to our fathers,

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

And Paul abode two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came to him:

to all that are in Rome beloved of God, called and holy: grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

And first I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is celebrated through the whole world:

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be established:

that is to say, that being among you we may be comforted together by the faith of each, both yours and mine.

And I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that I often purposed to come unto you, (but have been hindered hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among the other Gentiles.

therefore am I ready, as much as in me lies, to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, both Jew and Greek:

so that they are inexcusable; because having thus known God they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful; but were infatuated by their own reasonings, and their heart being void of understanding was darkened.

Therefore God gave them up to infamous passions: for even their women changed the natural use into that which is unnatural,

And as they were not careful to acknowledge God, God gave them up to an undiscerning mind to do things that were not fit to be done:

who though they knew the just judgement of God, (that they who commit such practises are worthy of death) yet not only do these very things, but also countenance and encourage others in the practice of them.

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whoever thou art, that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost the same things.

But we know that the judgement of God is according to truth against those that do such things.

And thinkest thou, O man, who judgest those that do such things, and dost the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Tribulation and anguish shall be upon every soul of man that worketh evil, both of the Jew, and of the Gentile:

but glory, and honor, and peace to every one that worketh good, both to the Jew, and to the Greek:

and knowest his will, and approvest things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,

and art persuaded that thou art a guide of the blind,

a light to them that are in the darkness, an instructor of the simple, a teacher of babes, having the form of the knowledge and of the truth which is in the law.

Thou then, who teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou, that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?

Thou, that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? Thou, that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?

Thou, that boastest in the law, dost thou by transgression of the law dishonour God?

and shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the law? for he is not a Jew, who is only so in appearance;

nor is that circumcision, which is only in appearance, in the flesh;