Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me:

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

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:

For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden except these things which are of absolute necessity;

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.

Now Barnabas had resolved to take with him John, whose surname is Mark.

But Paul did not think him a fit person to take with them, who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and no longer went with them to the service.

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.

Now it happened as we were going to the oratory, a certain damsel having a pythonic spirit met us, who produced for her masters much gain as a fortuneteller:

But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no injury: for we are all here.

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.

Then the disciples immediately by night sent off both Paul and Silas to Berea; who were no sooner arrived, than they went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Now these were more liberally minded men than those of Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, daily, examining the Scriptures if these things were really so.

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.

Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit within him was greatly grieved, beholding the city so devoted to idolatry.

So they took him and led him to the hill of Mars, saying, May we know what this novel doctrine taught by thee is?

For thou bringest some strange stories to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean.

Now all the Athenians and the strangers who come to sojourn there, take pleasure in spending their time in nothing else but in talking, or hearing of some novelty.

These times indeed of ignorance God then overlooked; but he now commands all men in every place to repent:

for I am with thee, and no man shall set himself against thee to do thee harm; because I have much people in this city.

If indeed this was now a matter of injustice, or wicked knavery, with reason I should hear you patiently; but if it be merely a controversy about the word, and names, and a law peculiar to yourselves, settle it yourselves: for I will be no judge of these matters.

Then all the Greeks laid hold on Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the tribunal. And Gallio paid no regard to any of these things.

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, a man of eloquence, who was powerful in the Scriptures, had come to Ephesus.

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,

Now when they heard it, they were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then the evil spirit replied, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

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:

So they were crying out some one thing and some another: for the assembly was a scene of confusion, and the greater part knew not on what account they were collected together.

But when they knew he was a Jew, one shout burst from all, crying for about the space of two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

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?

For we are even in danger of being called to account for this day's insurrection, there being no cause on account of which we can justify this tumultuary concourse:

Now there were many lamps in the upper room, where they were assembled.

And when they were come unto him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the very first day in which I entered into Asia, how I have been among you at every season,

And now behold I am going, bound by the Spirit, unto Jerusalem, not knowing what things shall there befal me:

Yet I make no account of any [suffering], nor regard my life as of any value to myself, farther than as I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord, to testify fully the Gospel of the grace of God.

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.

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

And now, brethren, I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to finish the superstructure, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

The silver, or gold, or apparel of no man have I coveted:

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

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.

Now this man had four maiden daughters endued with the gift of prophecy.

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.

Concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have already written, deciding that they should observe no such thing, except that they should guard themselves from idol sacrifices, and blood, and what is strangled, and from whoredom.

But as the seven days were now drawing to their period, some Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple, excited all the populace to tumult, and laid hands upon him,

Then some among the multitude bellowed out one thing, and some another: so unable to know the certainty of the case because of the tumult, he ordered him to be brought into the fortress.

And when he was just ready to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the military tribune, May I be permitted to speak a word to thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?

But Paul replied, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus, of Cilicia, a citizen of no contemptible city: and, I entreat thee, permit me to speak to the people.

MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my apology which I now offer unto you.

But as I went and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great light from heaven around me.

Now they who were with me saw the light indeed, and were terrified; but the voice of him that spake to me heard they not.

Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to Damascus.

And he said, The God of our fathers hath predestinated thee to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.

And now why delay? arise, to be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.

Now it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance;

And I said, Lord, they know that I was imprisoning and scourging from synagogue to synagogue those who believe on thee:

the military tribune commanded him to be brought into the fortress, ordering that he should be put to the question by scourging; that he might know for what cause they clamoured so loudly against him.

Immediately then they who were about to put him to the question, withdrew from him: and indeed the tribune dreaded the consequences, when he knew that he was a Roman citizen, that he had even gone so far as to bind him.

So on the morrow, desirous to know of a certainty what it was of which he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him from the bonds, and commanded the high-priest and all the sanhedrim to appear, and bringing Paul down, set him before them.

Now when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried in the sanhedrim, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I brought to this bar.

For the Sadducees say indeed, that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

And a great clamour arose: and the scribes rising up who were of the party of the Pharisees, contended stoutly, saying, We find no fault in this man: but if a spirit have spoken to him, or an angel, let us not fight against God.

Now there were more than forty who had on oath formed this conspiracy.

Now therefore do ye with the sanhedrim give notice to the military tribune, that to-morrow he bring him down to you, as if intending to make more accurate inquiries into the things concerning him: but we, ere he come nigh, are ready to kill him.

Now Paul's sister's son having heard of their lying in wait, came, and entering into the fortress told Paul.

But do not thou consent to them: for more than forty men of them are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under an anathema, neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now they are in readiness, waiting only to procure the promise from thee.

and found him accused of some disputed points of their law; but to have no charge laid against him worthy of death or of bonds.

Now that I may not be unnecessarily tedious to thee, I entreat thee to hear us briefly with thy wonted candour.

commanding his accusers to appear before thee: whereby thou mayest thyself be able after examination to know the certainty of those things whereof we accuse him.

Now after many years absence I was returned bringing alms to my countrymen, and oblations [to the temple].

When Felix then heard these things he put them off, (for he knew very exactly all that related to that way,) saying, When Lysias the tribune is come down, I will inquire thoroughly into the matters between you.

And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.

Now after some days, Felix returning with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

Then said Paul, I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar, where I have a right to be judged: against the Jews I have committed no offence, as thou also clearly perceivest.

For indeed if I have committed any crime, or done aught worthy of death, I object not to be put to death: but if there is nothing in those things whereof they accuse me, no man dare gratify them by abandoning me to them.

Now when some days were passed, Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus.

When therefore they were come here together, making no demur, the very next day I sat on the tribunal, and commanded the man to be brought.

Against whom his accusers standing forth, brought no charge of such things as I expected:

The manner of my life even from my youth, which from its beginning was spent amidst my own nation at Jerusalem, know indeed all the Jews;

who previously knew me a long while ago, (if they chose to bear testimony,) that according to the most precise sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee,

King Agrippa! believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

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

And much time being consumed, and sailing now becoming dangerous, because the fast was already past, Paul admonished them,

So when neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days, and no small tempest beating on us, all hope of our being preserved was entirely taken from us.

Now after being a long while without food, then stood up Paul in the midst of them, and said, Ye ought, my friends, to have been persuaded by me, and not have sailed from Crete, and got this loss and damage.

Yet even now I exhort you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.

Now as the fourteenth night was passing, whilst we were driving about in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the sailors imagined that some land was near to them:

Now as the sailors were seeking to escape out of the ship, and had hoisted out the boat into the sea, under pretence as if they were going to carry out anchors a-head,

Now all the souls which were in the ship amounted to two hundred seventy-six:

And when the day broke, they knew not the land: but they observed a certain creek with a beach, into which they resolved, if they could, to run the vessel aground.

Now when the rude people saw the venomous animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, Surely this man is a murderer, whom though preserved from the sea, righteous vengeance suffereth not to live.

But he then shaking off the venomous animal into the fire, suffered no manner of inconvenience.

Now they expected that a violent inflammation would ensue, or that he would have fallen suddenly dead: but when, after waiting a considerable time, they saw no inconvenience arise to him, they changed their opinion, and said that he was a divinity.

Now in the vicinity of that place was the estate of the principal person on the island, named Publius, who received us into his house, and lodged us with great humanity three days.

Now it came to pass that after three days Paul called together the principal persons of the Jews. And when they were assembled, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have done nothing contrary to the people and the customs of our ancestors, yet have I been delivered up a prisoner into the hands of the Romans.