Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Messiah to sit upon his throne;

saying, Did we not lay our strict injunction upon you, that you should not teach in this name? and, lo, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and would fain bring this man's blood upon us.

but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; and in that case would be found fighters against God.

For he thought that his brethren would understand that God by his hand would give them deliverance: but they understood not.

to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt,

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.

But though Paul wished to go in to the people, the disciples would not permit him.

Then out of the crowd they brought forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him on: and Alexander, waving his hand, would fain have addressed his apology to the people.

Then Paul took the men, and the following day being purified with them, he entered into the temple, declaring when the days of their purification would be completed, in order whereunto an oblation was to be offered for every one of them.

Then as soon as it was day, some of the Jews forming a conspiracy, bound themselves under the direst imprecation, declaring that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Indeed he had also entertained hope that money would be given him by Paul, in order to release him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him.

begging it as a favour from him, that he would send him back to Jerusalem, lying in wait for him to kill him on the road.

But being in doubt respecting a question of this sort, I demanded if he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things.

And Paul replied, would to God, that not only thou, but also that all who are hearing me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these chains.

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.

Who, after a full examination, would have discharged me, because there was not the least cause found in me for death.