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CHAPTERS
Chapter
1. The ascension
of Christ. Matthias is
chosen in place of Judas.
Chapter 2. The disciples
receive the Holy Ghost.
Peter's sermon to the people. The piety of the first converts.
Chapter 3. The miracle
upon the lame man, followed
by the conversion of many.
Chapter 4. Peter and John
are apprehended. Their
constancy. The church is increased.
Chapter 5. The judgment of
God upon Ananias and
Saphira. The apostles are cast into prison.
Chapter 6. The ordination
of the seven deacons.
The zeal of Stephen.
Chapter 7. Stephen's
speech before the council.
His martyrdom.
Chapter 8. Philip converts
the Samaritans and
baptizes the eunuch.
Chapter 9. Paul's
conversion and zeal. Peter heals
Eneas and raises up Tabitha to life.
Chapter 10. Cornelius is
received into the church.
Peter's vision.
Chapter 11. Peter defends
his having received the
Gentiles into the church.
Chapter 12. Herod's
persecution. Peter's
deliverance by an angel. Herod's punishment.
Chapter 13. Saul and
Barnabas are sent forth by the
Holy Ghost. They preach in Cyprus and in Antioch of Pisidia.
Chapter 14. Paul and
Barnabas preach in
Iconium and Lystra. Paul heals a cripple. They are taken for gods. Paul
is stoned. They preach in Derbe and Perge.
Chapter 15. A dissension
about circumcision. The
decision and letter of the council of Jerusalem.
Chapter 16. Paul visits
the churches. He is called
to preach in Macedonia. He is scourged at Philippi.
Chapter 17. Paul preaches
to the Thessalonians and
Bereans. His discourse to the Athenians.
Chapter 18. Paul founds
the church of Corinth and
preaches at Ephesus and in other places. Apollo goes to Corinth.
Chapter 19. Paul
establishes the church at Ephesus.
The tumult of the silversmiths.
Chapter 20. Paul passes
through Macedonia and
Greece. He raises a dead man to life at Troas. His discourse to the
clergy of Ephesus.
Chapter 21. Paul goes up
to Jerusalem. He is
apprehended by the Jews in the temple.
Chapter 22. Paul declares
to the people the history
of his conversion. He escapes scourging by claiming the privilege of a
Roman citizen.
Chapter 23. Paul stands
before the council. The
Jews conspire his death. He is sent away to Cesarea.
Chapter 24. Paul defends
his innocence before Felix
the governor. He preaches the faith to him.
Chapter 25. Paul appeals
to Caesar. King Agrippa
desires to hear him.
Chapter 26. Paul gives an
account to Agrippa of his
life, conversion and calling.
Chapter 27. Paul is
shipped for Rome. His voyage
and shipwreck.
Chapter 28. Paul, after
three months' stay in
Melita, continues his voyage and arrives at Rome. His conference there
with the Jews.
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ACTS
1
The
ascension of Christ. Matthias is chosen in place of Judas.
1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all
that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he
was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit
to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself
alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a
period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom.
4
Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard
from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized
in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked
him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to
them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has
set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in
Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the
earth.” 9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was
taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they
were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, (*) two men
stood by them in white clothing,
11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you
stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you
into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into
the sky.” 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called
Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When
they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were
staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas,
Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and
Judas the son of James.
14 All these with one accord continued steadfastly
in prayer and supplication, along with the women and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with his brothers. 15 In these days, Peter stood up in the
middle of the disciples (and the number of names was about one hundred
twenty), and said,
16 “Brothers, it was necessary that this Scripture
should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of
David concerning Judas, who was guide to those who took Jesus. 17 For
he was counted with us, and received his portion in this ministry. 18
Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness; and
falling headlong, his body burst open and all his intestines gushed
out. 19 It became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem that in
their language that field was called ‘Akeldama,’ that is, ‘The field of
blood.’ 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, ‘Let his habitation
be made desolate. Let no one dwell in it;’ (✡) and, ‘Let another take
his office.’ (✡)
21 “Of the men therefore who have accompanied us all
the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning
from the baptism of John to the day that he was received up from us, of
these one must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” 23 They
put forward two: Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus,
and Matthias. 24 They prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts
of all men, show which one of these two you have chosen 25 to take part
in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he
might go to his own place.”
26 They drew lots for them, and the lot fell on
Matthias; and he was counted with the eleven apostles.
(*) 1:10 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice,
observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
(✡) 1:20 Psalm 69:25
(✡) 1:20 Psalm 109:8
ACTS
2
The
disciples receive the Holy Ghost. Peter's sermon to the people. The
piety of the first converts.
1 Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were
all with one accord in one place. 2 Suddenly there came from the sky a
sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house
where they were sitting. 3 Tongues like fire appeared and were
distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. 4 They were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as
the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. 5 Now there were dwelling in
Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky.
6 When this sound was heard, the multitude came
together and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in
his own language. 7 They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one
another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? 8 How do we
hear, everyone in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes,
Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia,
10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene,
visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,
11 Cretans and Arabians—we hear them speaking in our
languages the mighty works of God!” 12 They were all amazed and were
perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Others,
mocking, said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing
up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, “You men
of Judea and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you,
and listen to my words. 15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose,
seeing it is only the third hour of the day. (*)
16 But this is what has been spoken through the
prophet Joel: 17 ‘It will be in the last days, says God, that I will
pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will
prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream
dreams. 18 Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days,
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show
wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath: blood, and
fire, and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord
comes.
21 It will be that whoever will call on the name of
the Lord will be saved.’ (✡) 22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus
of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders
and signs which God did by him among you, even as you yourselves know,
23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge
of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and
killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of
death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. 25 For
David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before my face, for
he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
26 Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue
rejoiced. Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope, 27 because you
will not leave my soul in Hades, (†) neither will you allow your Holy
One to see decay. 28 You made known to me the ways of life. You will
make me full of gladness with your presence.’ (✡) 29 “Brothers, I may
tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was
buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a
prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the
fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ
(‡) to sit on his throne,
31 he foreseeing this, spoke about the resurrection
of the Christ, that his soul wasn’t left in Hades, (§) and his flesh
didn’t see decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are
witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and
having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has
poured out this which you now see and hear. 34 For David didn’t ascend
into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit
by my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your
feet.” ’ (✡)
36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know
certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom
you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the
heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what
shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and
you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to
you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as
the Lord our God will call to himself.” 40 With many other words he
testified and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked
generation!”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were
baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 They
continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the
breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many
wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed
were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their
possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone
had need.
46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one
accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food
with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God and having favor
with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those
who were being saved.
(*) 2:15 about 9:00 a.m.
(✡) 2:21 Joel 2:28-32
(†) 2:27 or, Hell
(✡) 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11
(‡) 2:30 “Christ” means “Anointed One”.
(§) 2:31 or, Hell
(✡) 2:35 Psalm 110:1
ACTS
3
The miracle upon
the lame man, followed by the conversion of many.
1 Peter and John were going up into the temple at the
hour of prayer, the ninth hour. (*) 2 A certain man who was lame from
his mother’s womb was being carried, whom they laid daily at the door
of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask gifts for the needy of
those who entered into the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go
into the temple, he asked to receive gifts for the needy. 4 Peter,
fastening his eyes on him, with John, said, “Look at us.” 5 He listened
to them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what
I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get
up and walk!” 7 He took him by the right hand and raised him up.
Immediately his feet and his ankle bones received strength. 8 Leaping
up, he stood and began to walk. He entered with them into the temple,
walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 All the people saw him walking
and praising God. 10 They recognized him, that it was he who used to
sit begging for gifts for the needy at the Beautiful Gate of the
temple. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened
to him.
11 As the lame man who was healed held on to Peter
and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch that is
called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. 12 When Peter saw it, he responded
to the people, “You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Why
do you fasten your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness
we had made him walk? 13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God
of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up
and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release
him. 14 But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a
murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom
God raised from the dead, to which we are witnesses.
16 By faith in his name, his name has made this man
strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which is through him has
given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17 “Now,
brothers, (†) I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your
rulers. 18 But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his
prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 “Repent
therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that
there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, 20
and that he may send Christ Jesus, who was ordained for you before,
21 whom heaven must receive until the times of
restoration of all things, which God spoke long ago by the mouth of his
holy prophets. 22 For Moses indeed said to the fathers, ‘The Lord God
will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me. You
shall listen to him in all things whatever he says to you. 23 It will
be that every soul that will not listen to that prophet will be utterly
destroyed from among the people.’ (✡) 24 Yes, and all the prophets from
Samuel and those who followed after, as many as have spoken, also told
of these days. 25 You are the children of the prophets, and of the
covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘All the
families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.’ (‡) (✡)
26 God, having raised up his servant Jesus, sent him
to you first to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your
wickedness.”
(*) 3:1 3:00 p.m.
(†) 3:17 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated
“brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(✡) 3:23 Deuteronomy 18:15,18-19
(‡) 3:25 or, seed
(✡) 3:25 Genesis 22:18; 26:4
ACTS
4
Peter
and John are apprehended. Their constancy. The church is increased.
1 As they spoke to the people, the priests and the
captain of the temple and the Sadducees came to them, 2 being upset
because they taught the people and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection
from the dead. 3 They laid hands on them, and put them in custody until
the next day, for it was now evening. 4 But many of those who heard the
word believed, and the number of the men came to be about five
thousand. 5 In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were
gathered together in Jerusalem.
6 Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas,
John, Alexander, and as many as were relatives of the high priest. 7
When they had stood Peter and John in the middle of them, they
inquired, “By what power, or in what name, have you done this?” 8 Then
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “You rulers of the
people and elders of Israel, 9 if we are examined today concerning a
good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been
healed, 10 may it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom
God raised from the dead, this man stands here before you whole in him.
11 He is ‘the stone which was regarded as worthless
by you, the builders, which has become the head of the corner.’ (✡) 12
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!” 13 Now when
they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they
were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled. They recognized that
they had been with Jesus. 14 Seeing the man who was healed standing
with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had
commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among
themselves,
16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because
indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly
seen by all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we can’t deny it. 17 But so
that this spreads no further among the people, let’s threaten them,
that from now on they don’t speak to anyone in this name.” 18 They
called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the
name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is
right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge
for yourselves, 20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw
and heard.”
21 When they had further threatened them, they let
them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for
everyone glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man on whom
this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old. 23
Being let go, they came to their own company and reported all that the
chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 When they heard it,
they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord,
you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is
in them; 25 who by the mouth of your servant David, said, ‘Why do the
nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing?
26 The kings of the earth take a stand, and the
rulers plot together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’ (*)
(✡) 27 “For truly, (†) both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles
and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy
servant Jesus, whom you anointed, 28 to do whatever your hand and your
counsel foreordained to happen. 29 Now, Lord, look at their threats,
and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, 30
while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may
be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”
31 When they had prayed, the place was shaken where
they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 32 The multitude of those
who believed were of one heart and soul. Not one of them claimed that
anything of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had all
things in common. 33 With great power, the apostles gave their
testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on
them all. 34 For neither was there among them any who lacked, for as
many as were owners of lands or houses sold them, and brought the
proceeds of the things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the
apostles’ feet; and distribution was made to each, according as anyone
had need.
36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called
Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite,
a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it and brought the
money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
(✡) 4:11 Psalm 118:22
(*) 4:26 Christ (Greek) and Messiah (Hebrew) both mean Anointed One.
(✡) 4:26 Psalm 2:1-2
(†) 4:27 nu adds “in this city,”
ACTS
5
The
judgment of God upon Ananias and Saphira. The apostles are cast into
prison.
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his
wife, sold a possession, 2 and kept back part of the price, his wife
also being aware of it, then brought a certain part and laid it at the
apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your
heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of
the land? 4 While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was
sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this
thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.” 5 Ananias,
hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who
heard these things.
6 The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they
carried him out and buried him. 7 About three hours later, his wife,
not knowing what had happened, came in. 8 Peter answered her, “Tell me
whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9
But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt
the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your
husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 10 She fell down
immediately at his feet and died. The young men came in and found her
dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.
11 Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all
who heard these things. 12 By the hands of the apostles many signs and
wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in
Solomon’s porch. 13 None of the rest dared to join them; however, the
people honored them. 14 More believers were added to the Lord,
multitudes of both men and women. 15 They even carried out the sick
into the streets and laid them on cots and mattresses, so that as Peter
came by, at least his shadow might overshadow some of them.
16 The multitude also came together from the cities
around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by
unclean spirits; and they were all healed. 17 But the high priest rose
up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the
Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy 18 and laid hands on the
apostles, then put them in public custody. 19 But an angel of the Lord
opened the prison doors by night, and brought them out and said, 20 “Go
stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.”
21 When they heard this, they entered into the
temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest and those who
were with him came and called the council together, with all the senate
of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But the officers who came didn’t find them in the prison. They
returned and reported, 23 “We found the prison shut and locked, and the
guards standing before the doors, but when we opened them, we found no
one inside!” 24 Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple,
and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about
them and what might become of this. 25 One came and told them, “Behold,
the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching
the people.”
26 Then the captain went with the officers, and
brought them without violence, for they were afraid that the people
might stone them. 27 When they had brought them, they set them before
the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “Didn’t we
strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled
Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood on
us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather
than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed,
hanging him on a tree.
31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a
Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of
sins. 32 We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy
Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” 33 But they, when
they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were determined to kill
them. 34 But one stood up in the council, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a
teacher of the law, honored by all the people, and commanded to put the
apostles out for a little while. 35 He said to them, “You men of
Israel, be careful concerning these men, what you are about to do.
36 For before these days Theudas rose up, making
himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four
hundred, joined themselves. He was slain; and all, as many as obeyed
him, were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of
Galilee rose up in the days of the enrollment, and drew away some
people after him. He also perished, and all, as many as obeyed him,
were scattered abroad. 38 Now I tell you, withdraw from these men and
leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will
be overthrown. 39 But if it is of God, you will not be able to
overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
40 They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and
commanded them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 They therefore departed from the presence of the
council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for
Jesus’ name. 42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never
stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ.
ACTS
6
The
ordination of the seven deacons. The zeal of Stephen.
1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples
was multiplying, a complaint arose from the Hellenists (*) against the
Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily service. 2
The twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not
appropriate for us to forsake the word of God and serve tables. 3
Therefore, select from among you, brothers, seven men of good report,
full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. 4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the
ministry of the word.” 5 These words pleased the whole multitude. They
chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, Philip,
Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of
Antioch,
6 whom they set before the apostles. When they had
prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7 The word of God increased and
the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great
company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 Stephen, full of
faith and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people. 9
But some of those who were of the synagogue called “The Libertines”,
and of the Cyrenians, of the Alexandrians, and of those of Cilicia and
Asia arose, disputing with Stephen. 10 They weren’t able to withstand
the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.
11 Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have
heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They
stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes, and came against
him and seized him, then brought him in to the council, 13 and set up
false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking blasphemous
words against this holy place and the law. 14 For we have heard him say
that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change
the customs which Moses delivered to us.” 15 All who sat in the
council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face
of an angel.
(*) 6:1 The Hellenists used Greek language and culture, even
though they were also of Hebrew descent.
ACTS
7
Stephen's speech
before the council. His martyrdom.
1 The high priest said, “Are these things so?” 2 He
said, “Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our
father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, 3
and said to him, ‘Get out of your land and away from your relatives,
and come into a land which I will show you.’ (✡) 4 Then he came out of
the land of the Chaldaeans and lived in Haran. From there, when his
father was dead, God moved him into this land where you are now living.
5 He gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot
on. He promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to
his offspring after him, when he still had no child.
6 God spoke in this way: that his offspring would
live as aliens in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and
mistreated for four hundred years. 7 ‘I will judge the nation to which
they will be in bondage,’ said God, ‘and after that they will come out
and serve me in this place.’ (✡) 8 He gave him the covenant of
circumcision. So Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised
him the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became
the father of the twelve patriarchs. 9 “The patriarchs, moved with
jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him 10 and
delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom
before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. He made him governor over Egypt and all
his house.
11 Now a famine came over all the land of Egypt and
Canaan, and great affliction. Our fathers found no food. 12 But when
Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers the
first time. 13 On the second time Joseph was made known to his
brothers, and Joseph’s family was revealed to Pharaoh. 14 Joseph sent
and summoned Jacob his father and all his relatives, seventy-five
souls. 15 Jacob went down into Egypt and he died, himself and our
fathers;
16 and they were brought back to Shechem and laid in
the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of
Hamor of Shechem. 17 “But as the time of the promise came close which
God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18
until there arose a different king who didn’t know Joseph. 19 The same
took advantage of our race and mistreated our fathers, and forced them
to abandon their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive. 20 At that
time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome to God. He was
nourished three months in his father’s house.
21 When he was abandoned, Pharaoh’s daughter took
him up and reared him as her own son. 22 Moses was instructed in all
the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. 23
But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his
brothers, (*) the children of Israel. 24 Seeing one of them suffer
wrong, he defended him and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the
Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his
hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn’t understand.
26 “The day following, he appeared to them as they
fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are
brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’ 27 But he who did his neighbor
wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over
us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’
(✡) 29 Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of
Midian, where he became the father of two sons. 30 “When forty years
were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness
of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.
31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As
he came close to see, the voice of the Lord came to him, 32 ‘I am the
God of your fathers: the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob.’ (✡) Moses trembled and dared not look. 33 The Lord said to
him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you stand is holy
ground. 34 I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in
Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them.
Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’ (✡) 35 “This Moses whom they
refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him
as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared
to him in the bush.
36 This man led them out, having worked wonders and
signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.
37 This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our
God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’
(†) (✡) 38 This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with
the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who
received living revelations to give to us, 39 to whom our fathers
wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him and turned back in their hearts
to Egypt, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for
as for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know
what has become of him.’ (✡)
41 They made a calf in those days, and brought a
sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. 42 But
God turned away and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, (‡) as
it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain
animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of
Israel? 43 You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god
Rephan, the figures which you made to worship, so I will carry you away
(✡) beyond Babylon.’ 44 “Our fathers had the tabernacle of the
testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded
him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen; 45 which also
our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered
into the possession of the nations whom God drove out before the face
of our fathers to the days of David,
46 who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to
find a habitation for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him a
house. 48 However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with
hands, as the prophet says, 49 ‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a
footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the
Lord. ‘Or what is the place of my rest? 50 Didn’t my hand make all
these things?’ (✡)
51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and
ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you
do. 52 Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed
those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have
now become betrayers and murderers. 53 You received the law as it was
ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!” 54 Now when they heard these
things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their
teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly
into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right
hand of God,
56 and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened and
the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57 But they cried
out with a loud voice and stopped their ears, then rushed at him with
one accord. 58 They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The
witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59 They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive
my spirit!” 60 He kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, “Lord,
don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell
asleep.
(✡) 7:3 Genesis 12:1
(✡) 7:7 Genesis 15:13-14
(*) 7:23 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may
be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(✡) 7:28 Exodus 2:14
(✡) 7:32 Exodus 3:6
(✡) 7:34 Exodus 3:5,7-8,10
(†) 7:37 TR adds “You shall listen to him.”
(✡) 7:37 Deuteronomy 18:15
(✡) 7:40 Exodus 32:1
(‡) 7:42 This idiom could also be translated “host of heaven”, or
“angelic beings”, or “heavenly bodies.”
(✡) 7:43 Amos 5:25-27
(✡) 7:50 Isaiah 66:1-2
ACTS
8
Philip
converts the Samaritans and baptizes the eunuch.
1 Saul was consenting to his death. A great
persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that
day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and
Samaria, except for the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and
lamented greatly over him. 3 But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering
into every house and dragged both men and women off to prison. 4
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the
word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them
the Christ.
6 The multitudes listened with one accord to the
things that were spoken by Philip when they heard and saw the signs
which he did. 7 For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had
them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been
paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 There was great joy in that city. 9
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice
sorcery in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself
out to be some great one, 10 to whom they all listened, from the least
to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”
11 They listened to him because for a long time he
had amazed them with his sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip
preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself also
believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and
great miracles occurring, he was amazed. 14 Now when the apostles who
were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they
sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed
for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
16 for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They
had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus. 17 Then they laid
their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 Now when
Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the
apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me also this
power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20
But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you
thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for
your heart isn’t right before God. 22 Repent therefore of this, your
wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be
forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are in the poison of bitterness and
in the bondage of iniquity.” 24 Simon answered, “Pray for me to the
Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.” 25
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many
villages of the Samaritans.
26 Then an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip,
saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from
Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.” 27 He arose and went; and behold,
there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace,
queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to
Jerusalem to worship. 28 He was returning and sitting in his chariot,
and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Spirit said to Philip, “Go
near, and join yourself to this chariot.” 30 Philip ran to him, and
heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what
you are reading?”
31 He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it
to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the
passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as
a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he
doesn’t open his mouth. 33 In his humiliation, his judgment was taken
away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the
earth.” (✡) 34 The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking
about? About himself, or about someone else?” 35 Philip opened his
mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him about Jesus.
36 As they went on the way, they came to some water;
and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from
being baptized?” 37 (*) 38 He commanded the chariot to stand still, and
they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he
baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the
Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he
went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing
through, he preached the Good News to all the cities until he came to
Caesarea.
(✡) 8:33 Isaiah 53:7,8
(*) 8:37 TR adds Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you
may.” He answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
ACTS
9
Paul's
conversion and zeal. Peter heals Eneas and raises up Tabitha to life.
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter
against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked
for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found
any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them
bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus, and
suddenly a light from the sky shone around him. 4 He fell on the earth,
and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you
are persecuting. (*)
6 But (†) rise up and enter into the city, then you
will be told what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood
speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one. 8 Saul arose from the
ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by
the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 He was without sight for
three days, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a certain
disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision,
“Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street
which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah (‡) for one
named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying, 12 and in a
vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands
on him, that he might receive his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered,
“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to
your saints at Jerusalem. 14 Here he has authority from the chief
priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to
him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before
the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must
suffer for my name’s sake.” 17 Ananias departed and entered into the
house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who
appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me that you may
receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately
something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He
arose and was baptized. 19 He took food and was strengthened. Saul
stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus. 20
Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the
Son of God.
21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t
this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name?
And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief
priests!” 22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the
Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 23 When
many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 24
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day
and night that they might kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by
night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join
himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not
believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought
him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on
the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had
preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 He was with them entering into
(§) Jerusalem, 29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. (*)
He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, (†) but they were seeking
to kill him. 30 When the brothers (‡) knew it, they brought him down to
Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee,
and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking
in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. 32 As
Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints
who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who
had been bedridden for eight years because he was paralyzed. 34 Peter
said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your
bed!” Immediately he arose. 35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw
him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named
Tabitha, which when translated means Dorcas. (§) This woman was full of
good works and acts of mercy which she did. 37 In those days, she
became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an
upper room. 38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that
Peter was there, sent two men (*) to him, imploring him not to delay in
coming to them. 39 Peter got up and went with them. When he had come,
they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him
weeping, and showing the tunics and other garments which Dorcas had
made while she was with them. 40 Peter sent them all out, and knelt
down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She
opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 He gave her his hand and raised her up. Calling
the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42 This became known
throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 He stayed many
days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
(*) 9:5 TR adds “It’s hard for you to kick against the cattle
prods.”
(†) 9:6 TR omits “But”
(‡) 9:11 or, Judas
(§) 9:28 TR and NU add “and going out”
(*) 9:29 TR and NU omit “Jesus” and reverse the order of verses 28
& 29.
(†) 9:29 The Hellenists were Hebrews who used Greek language and
culture.
(‡) 9:30 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may
also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(§) 9:36 “Dorcas” is Greek for “Gazelle.”
(*) 9:38 Reading from NU, TR; MT omits “two men”
ACTS
10
Cornelius
is received into the church. Peter's vision.
1 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius
by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a
devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts
for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God. 3 At
about the ninth hour of the day, (*) he clearly saw in a vision an
angel of God coming to him and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4 He,
fastening his eyes on him and being frightened, said, “What is it,
Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have
gone up for a memorial before God. 5 Now send men to Joppa, and get
Simon, who is also called Peter.
6 He is staying with a tanner named Simon, whose
house is by the seaside. (†) 7 When the angel who spoke to him had
departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout
soldier of those who waited on him continually. 8 Having explained
everything to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 Now on the next day as
they were on their journey and got close to the city, Peter went up on
the housetop to pray at about noon. 10 He became hungry and desired to
eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.
11 He saw heaven opened and a certain container
descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the
earth, 12 in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth,
wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky. 13 A voice came to him,
“Rise, Peter, kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord; for I
have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 A voice came
to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call
unclean.”
16 This was done three times, and immediately the
thing was received up into heaven. 17 Now while Peter was very
perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean,
behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for
Simon’s house, stood before the gate, 18 and called and asked whether
Simon, who was also called Peter, was lodging there. 19 While Peter was
pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three (‡) men
seek you. 20 But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing;
for I have sent them.”
21 Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I
am he whom you seek. Why have you come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a
centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by
all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you
to his house, and to listen to what you say.” 23 So he called them in
and provided a place to stay. On the next day Peter arose and went out
with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him. 24 On
the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for
them, having called together his relatives and his near friends. 25
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and
worshiped him.
26 But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I
myself am also a man.” 27 As he talked with him, he went in and found
many gathered together. 28 He said to them, “You yourselves know how it
is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to
one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any
man unholy or unclean. 29 Therefore I also came without complaint when
I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?” 30 Cornelius
said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth
hour, (§) I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in
bright clothing
31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and
your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God. 32 Send
therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, who is also called Peter. He is
staying in the house of a tanner named Simon, by the seaside. When he
comes, he will speak to you.’ 33 Therefore I sent to you at once, and
it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in
the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by
God.” 34 Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God
doesn’t show favoritism; 35 but in every nation he who fears him and
works righteousness is acceptable to him.
36 The word which he sent to the children of
Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—
37 you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout
all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John
preached; 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit
and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 We are witnesses of
everything he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem;
whom they also (*) killed, hanging him on a tree. 40 God raised him up
the third day and gave him to be revealed,
41 not to all the people, but to witnesses who were
chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose
from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to
testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the
living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him, that
through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of
sins.” 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit
fell on all those who heard the word. 45 They of the circumcision who
believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of
the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
46 For they heard them speaking in other languages
and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid these
people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy
Spirit just like us.” 48 He commanded them to be baptized in the name
of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
(*) 10:3 3:00 p.m.
(†) 10:6 TR adds “This one will tell you what it is necessary for you
to do.”
(‡) 10:19 Reading from TR and NU. MT omits “three”
(§) 10:30 3:00 p.m.
(*) 10:39 TR omits “also”
ACTS
11
Peter
defends his having received the Gentiles into the church.
1 Now the apostles and the brothers (*) who were in
Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 When
Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision
contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate
with them!” 4 But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision:
a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from
heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.
6 When I had looked intently at it, I considered,
and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping
things, and birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me,
‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing
unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’ 9 But a voice
answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed,
don’t you call unclean.’ 10 This was done three times, and all were
drawn up again into heaven.
11 Behold, immediately three men stood before the
house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me. 12 The Spirit
told me to go with them without discriminating. These six brothers also
accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house. 13 He told us how
he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying to him, ‘Send to
Joppa and get Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak to you
words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’ 15 As I
began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the
beginning.
16 I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said,
‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy
Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave to them the same gift as us when we
believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand
God?” 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace and
glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles
repentance to life!” 19 They therefore who were scattered abroad by the
oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia,
Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when
they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, (†) preaching the
Lord Jesus.
21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great
number believed and turned to the Lord. 22 The report concerning them
came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out
Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, 23 who, when he had come, and had
seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with
purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. 24 For he was a
good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people
were added to the Lord. 25 Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
26 When he had found him, he brought him to
Antioch. For a whole year they were gathered together with the
assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called
Christians in Antioch. 27 Now in these days, prophets came down from
Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and
indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over
the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius. 29 As any of
the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the
brothers who lived in Judea; 30 which they also did, sending it to the
elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
(*) 11:1 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows
may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(†) 11:20 A Hellenist is someone who keeps Greek customs and culture.
ACTS
12
Herod's
persecution. Peter's deliverance by an angel. Herod's punishment.
1 Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his
hands to oppress some of the assembly. 2 He killed James, the brother
of John, with the sword. 3 When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he
proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened
bread. 4 When he had arrested him, he put him in prison and delivered
him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to
bring him out to the people after the Passover. 5 Peter therefore was
kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God
for him.
6 The same night when Herod was about to bring him
out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.
Guards in front of the door kept the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of
the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter
on the side and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains
fell off his hands. 8 The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on
your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak and follow
me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was
being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision. 10 When
they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron
gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They
went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed
from him.
11 When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I
truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of
the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were
expecting.” 12 Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the
mother of John who was called Mark, where many were gathered together
and were praying. 13 When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a
servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 When she recognized Peter’s
voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in and reported that
Peter was standing in front of the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are
crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”
16 But Peter continued knocking. When they had
opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But he, beckoning to them with
his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him
out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James and to the
brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. 18 Now as soon
as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what
had become of Peter. 19 When Herod had sought for him and didn’t find
him, he examined the guards, then commanded that they should be put to
death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there. 20 Now
Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with
one accord to him and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide,
their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on
the king’s country for food.
21 On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in
royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them. 22 The
people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately
an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory.
Then he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God grew and
multiplied. 25 Barnabas and Saul returned to (*) Jerusalem when they
had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John who was called
Mark.
(*) 12:25 TR reads “from” instead of “to”
A.
SAINT PAUL'S FIRST JOURNEY (Ch. 13 – Ch. 14)
ACTS
13
Saul and Barnabas
are sent forth by the Holy Ghost. They preach in Cyprus and in Antioch
of Pisidia.
1 Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were
some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,
Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and
Saul. 2 As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,
“Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called
them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on
them, they sent them away. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit,
they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When
they were at Salamis, they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish
synagogues. They also had John as their attendant.
6 When they had gone through the island to Paphos,
they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was
Bar Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of
understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear
the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by
interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from
the faith. 9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy
Spirit, fastened his eyes on him 10 and said, “You son of the devil,
full of all deceit and all cunning, you enemy of all righteousness,
will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11 Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and
you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist
and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by
the hand. 12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed,
being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. 13 Now Paul and his
company set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John
departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But they, passing on
from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on
the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 After the reading of the law and the
prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers,
if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”
16 Paul stood up, and gesturing with his hand said,
“Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people
(*) chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as
aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out
of it. 18 For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the
wilderness. 19 When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of
Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance for about four
hundred fifty years. 20 After these things, he gave them judges until
Samuel the prophet.
21 Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to
them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty
years. 22 When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king,
to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man
after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 From this man’s offspring,
God has brought salvation (†) to Israel according to his promise, 24
before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of
repentance to Israel. (‡) 25 As John was fulfilling his course, he
said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one
comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and
those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to
you. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because
they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read
every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 Though they found
no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed. 29 When
they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took
him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him
from the dead,
31 and he was seen for many days by those who came
up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the
people. 32 We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers,
33 that God has fulfilled this to us, their children, in that he raised
up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son.
Today I have become your father.’ (✡) 34 “Concerning that he raised him
up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken
thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ (✡) 35
Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy
One to see decay.’ (✡)
36 For David, after he had in his own generation
served the counsel of God, fell asleep, was laid with his fathers, and
saw decay. 37 But he whom God raised up saw no decay. 38 Be it known to
you therefore, brothers, (§) that through this man is proclaimed to you
remission of sins; 39 and by him everyone who believes is justified
from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of
Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in
the prophets:
41 ‘Behold, you scoffers! Wonder and perish, for I
work a work in your days, a work which you will in no way believe, if
one declares it to you.’ ” (✡) 42 So when the Jews went out of the
synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to
them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the
Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who,
speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The
next Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the
word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled
with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul,
and blasphemed.
46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said,
“It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since
indeed you thrust it from yourselves, and judge yourselves unworthy of
eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so has the Lord
commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that
you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’ ” (✡)
48 As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of
God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The Lord’s
word was spread abroad throughout all the region. 50 But the Jews
stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the
city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw
them out of their borders.
51 But they shook off the dust of their feet
against them, and came to Iconium. 52 The disciples were filled with
joy and with the Holy Spirit.
(*) 13:17 TR, NU add “Israel”
(†) 13:23 TR, NU read “a Savior, Jesus” instead of “salvation”
(‡) 13:24 TR, NU read “to all the people of Israel” instead of “to
Israel”
(✡) 13:33 Psalm 2:7
(✡) 13:34 Isaiah 55:3
(✡) 13:35 Psalm 16:10
(§) 13:38 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may
also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(✡) 13:41 Habakkuk 1:5
(✡) 13:47 Isaiah 49:6
ACTS
14
Paul
and Barnabas preach in Iconium and Lystra. Paul heals a cripple. They
are taken for gods. Paul is stoned. They preach in Derbe and Perge.
1 In Iconium, they entered together into the
synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews
and of Greeks believed. 2 But the disbelieving (*) Jews stirred up and
embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 Therefore
they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who
testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be
done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided. Part
sided with the Jews and part with the apostles. 5 When some of both the
Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to
mistreat and stone them,
6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of
Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region. 7 There they
preached the Good News. 8 At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his
feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. 9 He was
listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him and seeing that
he had faith to be made whole, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand
upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked.
11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they
lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods
have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 They called Barnabas
“Jupiter”, and Paul “Mercury”, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The
priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought
oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along
with the multitudes. 14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard
of it, they tore their clothes and sprang into the multitude, crying
out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the
same nature as you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from
these vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the
sea, and all that is in them;
16 who in the generations gone by allowed all the
nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he didn’t leave himself
without witness, in that he did good and gave you (†) rains from the
sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from
making a sacrifice to them. 19 But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and
dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But as the
disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On
the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.
21 When they had preached the Good News to that
city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and
Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to
continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter
into God’s Kingdom. 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every
assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord
on whom they had believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia and came to
Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to
Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, from where
they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had
fulfilled. 27 When they had arrived and had gathered the assembly
together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and
that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. 28 They stayed there
with the disciples for a long time.
(*) 14:2 or, disobedient
(†) 14:17 TR reads “us” instead of “you”
ACTS
15
A
dissension about circumcision. The decision and letter of the council
of Jerusalem.
1 Some men came down from Judea and taught the
brothers, (*) “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses,
you can’t be saved.” 2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small
discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul, Barnabas, and
some others of them to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders
about this question. 3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly,
passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of
the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they
had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the
apostles and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done
with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose
up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to
keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together
to see about this matter. 7 When there had been much discussion, Peter
rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God
made a choice among you that by my mouth the nations should hear the
word of the Good News and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart,
testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to
us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their
hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should
put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor
we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that we are saved through the
grace of the Lord Jesus, (†) just as they are.” 12 All the multitude
kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what
signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them. 13 After
they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon
has reported how God first visited the nations to take out of them a
people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As
it is written,
16 ‘After these things I will return. I will again
build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its
ruins. I will set it up 17 that the rest of men may seek after the
Lord: all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who
does all these things.’ (✡) 18 “All of God’s works are known to him
from eternity. 19 Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those
from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but that we write to them
that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality,
from what is strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses from generations of old has in every
city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole
assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men
among the brothers. (‡) 23 They wrote these things by their hand: “The
apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the
Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 24 Because we have
heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words,
unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the
law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; 25 it seemed good to us, having
come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our
beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who
themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For
it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden
on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things
sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual
immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with
you. Farewell.” 30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch.
Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the
encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves,
encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33 After
they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the
brothers to the apostles. 34 (§) 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in
Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others
also.
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s
return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed
the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas planned
to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 38 But Paul didn’t
think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had
withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the
work. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from
each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40
but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to
the grace of God.
41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening
the assemblies.
(*) 15:1 The word for “brothers” here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or
“siblings.”
(†) 15:11 TR adds “Christ”
(✡) 15:17 Amos 9:11-12
(‡) 15:22 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may
also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(§) 15:34 Some manuscripts add: But it seemed good to Silas to stay
there.
ACTS
16
Paul
visits the churches. He is called to preach in Macedonia. He is
scourged at Philippi.
1 He came to Derbe and Lystra; and behold, a certain
disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed,
but his father was a Greek. 2 The brothers who were at Lystra and
Iconium gave a good testimony about him. 3 Paul wanted to have him go
out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who
were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the
decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and
elders who were at Jerusalem. 5 So the assemblies were strengthened in
the faith, and increased in number daily.
6 When they had gone through the region of Phrygia
and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word
in Asia. 7 When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into
Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them. 8 Passing by Mysia, they
came down to Troas. 9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was
a man of Macedonia standing, begging him and saying, “Come over into
Macedonia and help us.” 10 When he had seen the vision, immediately we
sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us
to preach the Good News to them.
11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a
straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; 12
and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost
of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this
city. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside of the city by a riverside,
where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and
spoke to the women who had come together. 14 A certain woman named
Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped
God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart to listen to the things which
were spoken by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she
begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,
come into my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
16 As we were going to prayer, a certain girl
having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain
by fortune telling. 17 Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men
are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of
salvation!” 18 She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming
greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the
name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” It came out that very hour.
19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they
seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the
rulers. 20 When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said,
“These men, being Jews, are agitating our city
21 and advocate customs which it is not lawful for
us to accept or to observe, being Romans.” 22 The multitude rose up
together against them and the magistrates tore their clothes from them,
then commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 When they had laid many
stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to
keep them safely. 24 Having received such a command, he threw them into
the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks. 25 But about
midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the
prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that
the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the
doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were loosened. 27 The jailer,
being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his
sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had
escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm
yourself, for we are all here!” 29 He called for lights, sprang in,
fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, 30 brought them out, and
said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 They spoke the word
of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house. 33 He took them
the same hour of the night and washed their stripes, and was
immediately baptized, he and all his household. 34 He brought them up
into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly with all
his household, having believed in God. 35 But when it was day, the
magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Let those men go.”
36 The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying,
“The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore come out and go
in peace.” 37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly
without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do
they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come
themselves and bring us out!” 38 The sergeants reported these words to
the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were
Romans, 39 and they came and begged them. When they had brought them
out, they asked them to depart from the city. 40 They went out of the
prison and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers,
they encouraged them, then departed.
ACTS
17
Paul
preaches to the Thessalonians and Bereans. His discourse to the
Athenians.
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and
Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish
synagogue. 2 Paul, as was his custom, went in to them; and for three
Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and
demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the
dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4 Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas: of the devout
Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women. 5 But the
unpersuaded Jews took along (*) some wicked men from the marketplace
and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house
of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.
6 When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and
certain brothers (†) before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who
have turned the world upside down have come here also, 7 whom Jason has
received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that
there is another king, Jesus!” 8 The multitude and the rulers of the
city were troubled when they heard these things. 9 When they had taken
security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. 10 The brothers
immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they
arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now these were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of
mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were
so. 12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the prominent Greek
women, and not a few men. 13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had
knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also,
they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes. 14 Then the
brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and
Silas and Timothy still stayed there. 15 But those who escorted Paul
brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and
Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his
spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols. 17 So
he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and
in the marketplace every day with those who met him. 18 Some of the
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also (‡) were conversing with him.
Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems
to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the
resurrection. 19 They took hold of him and brought him to the
Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which you
are speaking about? 20 For you bring certain strange things to our
ears. We want to know therefore what these things mean.”
21 Now all the Athenians and the strangers living
there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear
some new thing. 22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said,
“You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all
things. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your
worship, I also found an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN
GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, I announce to you. 24
The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of
heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands. 25 He isn’t
served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself
gives to all life and breath and all things.
26 He made from one blood every nation of men to
dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed
seasons and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 that they should seek
the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though
he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live, move, and
have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also
his offspring.’ 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to
think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone,
engraved by art and design of man. 30 The times of ignorance therefore
God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should
repent,
31 because he has appointed a day in which he will
judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of
which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from
the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some
mocked; but others said, “We want to hear you again concerning this.”
33 Thus Paul went out from among them. 34 But certain men joined with
him and believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named
Damaris, and others with them.
(*) 17:5 TR reads “And the Jews who were unpersuaded, becoming
envious and taking along” instead of “But the unpersuaded Jews took
along”
(†) 17:6 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may
be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(‡) 17:18 TR omits “also”
ACTS
18
Paul
founds the church of Corinth and preaches at Ephesus and in other
places. Apollo goes to Corinth.
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens and
came to Corinth. 2 He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus
by race, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,
because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome. He
came to them, 3 and because he practiced the same trade, he lived with
them and worked, for by trade they were tent makers. 4 He reasoned in
the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas
and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit,
testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
6 When they opposed him and blasphemed, he shook out
his clothing and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am
clean. From now on, I will go to the Gentiles!” 7 He departed there and
went into the house of a certain man named Justus, one who worshiped
God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler
of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house. Many of the
Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized. 9 The Lord
said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and
don’t be silent; 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to
harm you, for I have many people in this city.”
11 He lived there a year and six months, teaching
the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia,
the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before
the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades men to worship God
contrary to the law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth,
Gallio said to the Jews, “If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of
wicked crime, you Jews, it would be reasonable that I should bear with
you; 15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own
law, look to it yourselves. For I don’t want to be a judge of these
matters.”
16 So he drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then
all the Greeks seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat
him before the judgment seat. Gallio didn’t care about any of these
things. 18 Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his
leave of the brothers, (*) and sailed from there for Syria, together
with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had
a vow. 19 He came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself
entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they
asked him to stay with them a longer time, he declined;
21 but taking his leave of them, he said, “I must
by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem, but I will return
again to you if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he
had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went
down to Antioch.
23 Having spent some time there, he departed and
went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, establishing
all the disciples. 24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian
by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the
Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and
being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things
concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John.
26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But
when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained
to him the way of God more accurately. 27 When he had determined to
pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him; and wrote to the
disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who
had believed through grace; 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews,
publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
(*) 18:18 The word for “brothers” here and where the context
allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or
“siblings.”
ACTS
19
Paul
establishes the church at Ephesus. The tumult of the silversmiths.
1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed
through the upper country, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples.
2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
They said to him, “No, we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy
Spirit.” 3 He said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said,
“Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John indeed baptized with the
baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe in
the one who would come after him, that is, in Christ Jesus.” (*) 5 When
they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy
Spirit came on them and they spoke with other languages and prophesied.
7 They were about twelve men in all. 8 He entered into the synagogue
and spoke boldly for a period of three months, reasoning and persuading
about the things concerning God’s Kingdom. 9 But when some were
hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the
multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples, reasoning
daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so
that all those who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both
Jews and Greeks.
11 God worked special miracles by the hands of
Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from
his body to the sick, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil
spirits went out. 13 But some of the itinerant Jews, exorcists, took on
themselves to invoke over those who had the evil spirits the name of
the Lord Jesus, saying, “We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preaches.” 14
There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did
this. 15 The evil spirit answered, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but
who are you?”
16 The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on
them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled
out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all, both
Jews and Greeks, who lived at Ephesus. Fear fell on them all, and the
name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 Many also of those who had
believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds. 19 Many of those
who practiced magical arts brought their books together and burned them
in the sight of all. They counted their price, and found it to be fifty
thousand pieces of silver. (†) 20 So the word of the Lord was growing
and becoming mighty.
21 Now after these things had ended, Paul
determined in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and
Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must
also see Rome.” 22 Having sent into Macedonia two of those who served
him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while. 23
About that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. 24
For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver
shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen, 25
whom he gathered together with the workmen of like occupation, and
said, “Sirs, you know that by this business we have our wealth.
26 You see and hear that not at Ephesus alone, but
almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away
many people, saying that they are no gods that are made with hands. 27
Not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute, but
also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be counted as
nothing and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world
worships.” 28 When they heard this they were filled with anger, and
cried out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 The whole
city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into
the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia,
Paul’s companions in travel. 30 When Paul wanted to enter in to the
people, the disciples didn’t allow him.
31 Certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends,
sent to him and begged him not to venture into the theater. 32 Some
therefore cried one thing, and some another, for the assembly was in
confusion. Most of them didn’t know why they had come together. 33 They
brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward.
Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the
people. 34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one
voice for a time of about two hours cried out, “Great is Artemis of the
Ephesians!” 35 When the town clerk had quieted the multitude, he said,
“You men of Ephesus, what man is there who doesn’t know that the city
of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great goddess Artemis, and of
the image which fell down from Zeus?
36 Seeing then that these things can’t be denied,
you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought
these men here, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of
your goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with
him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open and there are
proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another. 39 But if you
seek anything about other matters, it will be settled in the regular
assembly. 40 For indeed we are in danger of being accused concerning
today’s riot, there being no cause. Concerning it, we wouldn’t be able
to give an account of this commotion.”
41 When he had thus spoken, he dismissed the
assembly.
(*) 19:4 NU omits Christ.
(†) 19:19 The 50,000 pieces of silver here probably referred to 50,000
drachmas. If so, the value of the burned books was equivalent to about
160 man-years of wages for agricultural laborers
ACTS
20
Paul
passes through Macedonia and Greece. He raises a dead man to life at
Troas. His discourse to the clergy of Ephesus.
1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the
disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia. 2
When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many
words, he came into Greece. 3 When he had spent three months there, and
a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for
Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. 4 These accompanied
him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea, Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of
Asia. 5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of
Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we
stayed seven days. 7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples
were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending
to depart on the next day; and continued his speech until midnight. 8
There were many lights in the upper room where we (*) were gathered
together. 9 A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window,
weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed
down by his sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up
dead. 10 Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him said,
“Don’t be troubled, for his life is in him.”
11 When he had gone up, had broken bread and eaten,
and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he
departed. 12 They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
13 But we, going ahead to the ship, set sail for Assos, intending to
take Paul aboard there; for he had so arranged, intending himself to go
by land. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and came to
Mitylene. 15 Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite
Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and
the day after we came to Miletus.
16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus,
that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if
it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to himself the elders of
the assembly. 18 When they had come to him, he said to them, “You
yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was
with you all the time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many
tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
20 how I didn’t shrink from declaring to you anything that was
profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance
toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus. (†) 22 Now, behold, I go
bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me
there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions wait for me. 24 But these things don’t
count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my
race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus,
to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. 25 “Now, behold,
I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom,
will see my face no more.
26 Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean
from the blood of all men, 27 for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you
the whole counsel of God. 28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves and to
all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to
shepherd the assembly of the Lord and (‡) God which he purchased with
his own blood. 29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves
will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Men will arise from
among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the
disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period
of three years I didn’t cease to admonish everyone night and day with
tears. 32 Now, brothers, (§) I entrust you to God and to the word of
his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance
among all those who are sanctified. 33 I coveted no one’s silver, gold,
or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands served my
necessities, and those who were with me. 35 In all things I gave you an
example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember
the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed
to give than to receive.’”
36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down
and prayed with them all. 37 They all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s
neck and kissed him, 38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which
he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. Then they
accompanied him to the ship.
(*) 20:8 TR reads “they” instead of “we”
(†) 20:21 TR adds “Christ”
(‡) 20:28 TR, NU omit “the Lord and”
(§) 20:32 The word for “brothers” here and where the context allows may
also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
ACTS
21
Paul
goes up to Jerusalem. He is apprehended by the Jews in the temple.
1 When we had departed from them and had set sail,
we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and
from there to Patara. 2 Having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,
we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus,
leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for
the ship was there to unload her cargo. 4 Having found disciples, we
stayed there seven days. These said to Paul through the Spirit that he
should not go up to Jerusalem. 5 When those days were over, we departed
and went on our journey. They all, with wives and children, brought us
on our way until we were out of the city. Kneeling down on the beach,
we prayed.
6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on
board the ship, and they returned home again. 7 When we had finished
the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers
and stayed with them one day. 8 On the next day, we who were Paul’s
companions departed and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of
Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9
Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. 10 As we stayed
there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 Coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, he bound
his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘So the Jews
at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him
into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard these things, both
we and the people of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my
heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at
Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When he would not be
persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.” 15 After these
days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.
16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went
with us, bringing one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we
would stay. 17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us
gladly. 18 The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all
the elders were present. 19 When he had greeted them, he reported one
by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his
ministry. 20 They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him,
“You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those
who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.
21 They have been informed about you, that you
teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling
them not to circumcise their children and not to walk after the
customs. 22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will
hear that you have come. 23 Therefore do what we tell you. We have four
men who have taken a vow. 24 Take them and purify yourself with them,
and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then
all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been
informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law. 25
But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision
that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep
themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled
things, and from sexual immorality.”
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day
purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the
fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered
for every one of them.
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the
Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the
multitude and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help!
This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and
the law, and this place. Moreover, he also brought Greeks into the
temple and has defiled this holy place!” 29 For they had seen Trophimus
the Ephesian, with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had
brought him into the temple. 30 All the city was moved and the people
ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple.
Immediately the doors were shut.
31 As they were trying to kill him, news came up to
the commanding officer of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in an
uproar. 32 Immediately he took soldiers and centurions and ran down to
them. They, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, stopped
beating Paul. 33 Then the commanding officer came near, arrested him,
commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and
what he had done. 34 Some shouted one thing and some another, among the
crowd. When he couldn’t find out the truth because of the noise, he
commanded him to be brought into the barracks. 35 When he came to the
stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the
crowd;
36 for the multitude of the people followed after,
crying out, “Away with him!” 37 As Paul was about to be brought into
the barracks, he asked the commanding officer, “May I speak to you?” 39
But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no
insignificant city. I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40
When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs,
beckoned with his hand to the people. When there was a great silence,
he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
ACTS
22
Paul
declares to the people the history of his conversion. He escapes
scourging by claiming the privilege of a Roman citizen.
1 “Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which
I now make to
you.” 2 When they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language,
they were even more quiet. He said, 3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in
Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel,
instructed according to the strict tradition of the law of our fathers,
being zealous for God, even as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this
Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and
women, 5 as also the high priest and all the council of the elders
testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and
traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Jerusalem in
bonds to be punished.
6 “As I made my journey and came close to Damascus,
about noon suddenly a great light shone around me from the sky. 7 I
fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are
you persecuting me?’ 8 I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ He said to me,
‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you persecute.’ 9 “Those who were with me
indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they didn’t understand the
voice of him who spoke to me. 10 I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ The
Lord said to me, ‘Arise, and go into Damascus. There you will be told
about all things which are appointed for you to do.’
11 When I couldn’t see for the glory of that light,
being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 “One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by
all the Jews who lived in Damascus, 13 came to me, and standing by me
said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ In that very hour I
looked up at him. 14 He said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you
to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice
from his mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for him to all men of what
you have seen and heard.
16 Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and
wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ 17 “When I had
returned to Jerusalem and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a
trance 18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem
quickly, because they will not receive testimony concerning me from
you.’ 19 I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat
in every synagogue those who believed in you. 20 When the blood of
Stephen, your witness, was shed, I also was standing by, consenting to
his death, and guarding the cloaks of those who killed him.’
21 “He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you out
far from here to the Gentiles.’” 22 They listened to him until he said
that; then they lifted up their voice and said, “Rid the earth of this
fellow, for he isn’t fit to live!” 23 As they cried out, threw off
their cloaks, and threw dust into the air, 24 the commanding officer
commanded him to be brought into the barracks, ordering him to be
examined by scourging, that he might know for what crime they shouted
against him like that. 25 When they had tied him up with thongs, Paul
asked the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a
man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?”
26 When the centurion heard it, he went to the
commanding officer and told him, “Watch what you are about to do, for
this man is a Roman!” 27 The commanding officer came and asked him,
“Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” 28 The commanding officer
answered, “I bought my citizenship for a great price.” Paul said, “But
I was born a Roman.” 29 Immediately those who were about to examine him
departed from him, and the commanding officer also was afraid when he
realized that he was a Roman, because he had bound him. 30 But on the
next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the
Jews, he freed him from the bonds and commanded the chief priests and
all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him
before them.
ACTS
23
Paul
stands before the council. The Jews conspire his death. He is sent away
to Cesarea.
1 Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said,
“Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
2 The high priest, Ananias, commanded those who stood by him to strike
him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you
whitewashed wall! Do you sit to judge me according to the law, and
command me to be struck contrary to the law?” 4 Those who stood by
said, “Do you malign God’s high priest?” 5 Paul said, “I didn’t know,
brothers, that he was high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not
speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” (✡)
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were
Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men
and brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. Concerning the hope
and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” 7 When he had said
this, an argument arose between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the
crowd was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess all of
these. 9 A great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the
Pharisees’ part stood up, and contended, saying, “We find no evil in
this man. But if a spirit or angel has spoken to him, let’s not fight
against God!” 10 When a great argument arose, the commanding officer,
fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the
soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them and bring him
into the barracks.
11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and
said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem,
so you must testify also at Rome.” 12 When it was day, some of the Jews
banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they
would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were
more than forty people who had made this conspiracy. 14 They came to
the chief priests and the elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves
under a great curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now
therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he
should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to
judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes
near.”
16 But Paul’s sister’s son heard they were lying in
wait, and he came and entered into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul
summoned one of the centurions and said, “Bring this young man to the
commanding officer, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took
him and brought him to the commanding officer and said, “Paul, the
prisoner, summoned me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He
has something to tell you.” 19 The commanding officer took him by the
hand, and going aside, asked him privately, “What is it that you have
to tell me?” 20 He said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul
down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat
more accurately concerning him.
21 Therefore don’t yield to them, for more than
forty men lie in wait for him, who have bound themselves under a curse
to neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. Now they are
ready, looking for the promise from you.” 22 So the commanding officer
let the young man go, charging him, “Tell no one that you have revealed
these things to me.” 23 He called to himself two of the centurions, and
said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, with
seventy horsemen and two hundred men armed with spears, at the third
hour of the night.” (*) 24 He asked them to provide mounts, that they
might set Paul on one, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25
He wrote a letter like this:
26 “Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor
Felix: Greetings. 27 “This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to
be killed by them when I came with the soldiers and rescued him, having
learned that he was a Roman. 28 Desiring to know the cause why they
accused him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found him to be
accused about questions of their law, but not to be charged with
anything worthy of death or of imprisonment. 30 When I was told that
the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately,
charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him
before you. Farewell.”
31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took
Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But on the next day
they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks. 33
When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor,
they also presented Paul to him. 34 When the governor had read it, he
asked what province he was from. When he understood that he was from
Cilicia, he said, 35 “I will hear you fully when your accusers also
arrive.” He commanded that he be kept in Herod’s palace.
(✡) 23:5 Exodus 22:28
(*) 23:23 about 9:00 p.m.
ACTS
24
Paul
defends his innocence before Felix the governor. He preaches the faith
to him.
1 After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came
down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed
the governor against Paul. 2 When he was called, Tertullus began to
accuse him, saying, “Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that
prosperity is coming to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it
in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all
thankfulness. 4 But that I don’t delay you, I entreat you to bear with
us and hear a few words. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague,
an instigator of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world,
and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we
arrested him. (*) 7 (†) 8 (‡)By examining him yourself you may
ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also
joined in the attack, affirming that these things were so. 10 When the
governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Because I know
that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully
make my defense,
11 seeing that you can verify that it is not more
than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. 12 In the
temple they didn’t find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a
crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove
to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to
you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, so I serve the
God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the
law, and which are written in the prophets; 15 having hope toward God,
which these also themselves look for, that there will be a resurrection
of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 In this I also practice always having a
conscience void of offense toward God and men. 17 Now after some years,
I came to bring gifts for the needy to my nation, and offerings; 18
amid which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not
with a mob, nor with turmoil. 19 They ought to have been here before
you and to make accusation if they had anything against me. 20 Or else
let these men themselves say what injustice they found in me when I
stood before the council,
21 unless it is for this one thing that I cried
standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am
being judged before you today!’ ” 22 But Felix, having more exact
knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, “When Lysias, the
commanding officer, comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered
the centurion that Paul should be kept in custody and should have some
privileges, and not to forbid any of his friends to serve him or to
visit him. 24 After some days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who
was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in
Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and
the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, “Go your way
for this time, and when it is convenient for me, I will summon you.”
26 Meanwhile, he also hoped that money would be
given to him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore also he sent
for him more often and talked with him. 27 But when two years were
fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain
favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
(*) 24:6 TR adds “We wanted to judge him according to our law,”
(†) 24:7 TR adds “but the commanding officer, Lysias, came by and with
great violence took him out of our hands,”
(‡) 24:8 TR adds “commanding his accusers to come to you.”
ACTS
25
Paul
appeals to Caesar. King Agrippa desires to hear him.
1 Festus therefore, having come into the province,
after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 Then the high
priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and
they begged him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him
to Jerusalem, plotting to kill him on the way. 4 However Festus
answered that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he
himself was about to depart shortly. 5 “Let them therefore”, he said,
“that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything
wrong in the man, let them accuse him.”
6 When he had stayed among them more than ten days,
he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment
seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews
who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him
many and grievous charges which they could not prove, 8 while he said
in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the
temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.” 9 But Festus,
desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, “Are you
willing to go up to Jerusalem and be judged by me there concerning
these things?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s
judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the
Jews, as you also know very well.
11 For if I have done wrong and have committed
anything worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die; but if none of those
things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I
appeal to Caesar!” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the
council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall
go.” 13 Now when some days had passed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived
at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 As he stayed there many days, Festus
laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a certain man left
a prisoner by Felix; 15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief
priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence
against him.
16 I answered them that it is not the custom of the
Romans to give up any man to destruction before the accused has met the
accusers face to face and has had opportunity to make his defense
concerning the matter laid against him. 17 When therefore they had come
together here, I didn’t delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment
seat and commanded the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood
up, they brought no charges against him of such things as I supposed;
19 but had certain questions against him about their own religion and
about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 Being
perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he
was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these
matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the
decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept until I could send
him to Caesar.” 22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear
the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.” 23 So on
the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and
they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers
and the principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was
brought in. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all men who are here
present with us, you see this man about whom all the multitude of the
Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought
not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed
nothing worthy of death, and as he himself appealed to the emperor, I
determined to send him,
26 of whom I have no certain thing to write to my
lord. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially
before you, King Agrippa, that, after examination I may have something
to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner,
not to also specify the charges against him.”
ACTS
26
Paul
gives an account to Agrippa of his life, conversion and calling.
1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak for
yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand, and made his defense. 2 “I
think myself happy, King Agrippa, that I am to make my defense before
you today concerning all the things that I am accused by the Jews, 3
especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which
are among the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4
“Indeed, all the Jews know my way of life from my youth up, which was
from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 having known
me from the first, if they are willing to testify, that after the
strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 Now I stand here to be judged for the hope of the
promise made by God to our fathers, 7 which our twelve tribes,
earnestly serving night and day, hope to attain. Concerning this hope I
am accused by the Jews, King Agrippa! 8 Why is it judged incredible
with you if God does raise the dead? 9 “I myself most certainly thought
that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth. 10 I also did this in Jerusalem. I both shut up many of the
saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests;
and when they were put to death I gave my vote against them.
11 Punishing them often in all the synagogues, I
tried to make them blaspheme. Being exceedingly enraged against them, I
persecuted them even to foreign cities. 12 “Whereupon as I traveled to
Damascus with the authority and commission from the chief priests, 13
at noon, O king, I saw on the way a light from the sky, brighter than
the sun, shining around me and those who traveled with me. 14 When we
had all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew
language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you
to kick against the goads.’ 15 “I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ “He said,
‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But arise, and stand on your feet, for I have
appeared to you for this purpose: to appoint you a servant and a
witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which
I will reveal to you; 17 delivering you from the people and from the
Gentiles, to whom I send you, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn
from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they
may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are
sanctified by faith in me.’ 19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not
disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to them of
Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and
also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing
works worthy of repentance.
21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple
and tried to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained the help that is
from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great,
saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen, 23
how the Christ must suffer, and how, by the resurrection of the dead,
he would be first to proclaim light both to these people and to the
Gentiles.” 24 As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud
voice, “Paul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you
insane!” 25 But he said, “I am not crazy, most excellent Festus, but
boldly declare words of truth and reasonableness.
26 For the king knows of these things, to whom also
I speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things is hidden
from him, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do
you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 Agrippa said to
Paul, “With a little persuasion are you trying to make me a Christian?”
29 Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much,
not only you, but also all that hear me today, might become such as I
am, except for these bonds.” 30 The king rose up with the governor and
Bernice, and those who sat with them.
31 When they had withdrawn, they spoke to one
another, saying, “This man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had
not appealed to Caesar.”
ACTS
27
Paul
is shipped for Rome. His voyage and shipwreck.
1 When it was determined that we should sail for
Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion
named Julius, of the Augustan band. 2 Embarking in a ship of
Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places on the coast of Asia, we
put to sea, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us. 3
The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly and gave
him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself. 4 Putting to
sea from there, we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds
were contrary. 5 When we had sailed across the sea which is off Cilicia
and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria
sailing for Italy, and he put us on board. 7 When we had sailed slowly
many days, and had come with difficulty opposite Cnidus, the wind not
allowing us further, we sailed under the lee of Crete, opposite
Salmone. 8 With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place
called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. 9 When much time had passed
and the voyage was now dangerous because the Fast had now already gone
by, Paul admonished them 10 and said to them, “Sirs, I perceive that
the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and
the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion gave more heed to the master
and to the owner of the ship than to those things which were spoken by
Paul. 12 Because the haven was not suitable to winter in, the majority
advised going to sea from there, if by any means they could reach
Phoenix and winter there, which is a port of Crete, looking southwest
and northwest. 13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they
had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete,
close to shore. 14 But before long, a stormy wind beat down from shore,
which is called Euroclydon. (*) 15 When the ship was caught and
couldn’t face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
16 Running under the lee of a small island called
Clauda, we were able, with difficulty, to secure the boat. 17 After
they had hoisted it up, they used cables to help reinforce the ship.
Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand bars, they
lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along. 18 As we labored
exceedingly with the storm, the next day they began to throw things
overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw out the ship’s tackle with
their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars shone on us for many
days, and no small storm pressed on us, all hope that we would be saved
was now taken away.
21 When they had been long without food, Paul stood
up in the middle of them and said, “Sirs, you should have listened to
me, and not have set sail from Crete and have gotten this injury and
loss. 22 Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of
life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this
night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, 24
saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold,
God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore, sirs,
cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken
to me.
26 But we must run aground on a certain island.” 27
But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and
forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that
they were drawing near to some land. 28 They took soundings and found
twenty fathoms. (†) After a little while, they took soundings again,
and found fifteen fathoms. (‡) 29 Fearing that we would run aground on
rocky ground, they let go four anchors from the stern, and wished for
daylight. 30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship and had
lowered the boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out
anchors from the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers,
“Unless these stay in the ship, you can’t be saved.” 32 Then the
soldiers cut away the ropes of the boat and let it fall off. 33 While
the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying,
“Today is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having
taken nothing. 34 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is
for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.” 35
When he had said this and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the
presence of all; then he broke it and began to eat.
36 Then they all cheered up, and they also took
food. 37 In all, we were two hundred seventy-six souls on the ship. 38
When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the
wheat into the sea. 39 When it was day, they didn’t recognize the land,
but they noticed a certain bay with a beach, and they decided to try to
drive the ship onto it. 40 Casting off the anchors, they left them in
the sea, at the same time untying the rudder ropes. Hoisting up the
foresail to the wind, they made for the beach.
41 But coming to a place where two seas met, they
ran the vessel aground. The bow struck and remained immovable, but the
stern began to break up by the violence of the waves. 42 The soldiers’
counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out
and escape. 43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them
from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should
throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land; 44 and the rest
should follow, some on planks and some on other things from the ship.
So they all escaped safely to the land.
(*) 27:14 Or, “a northeaster”.
(†) 27:28 20 fathoms = 120 feet = 36.6 meters
(‡) 27:28 15 fathoms = 90 feet = 27.4 meters
ACTS
28
Paul,
after three months' stay in Melita, continues his voyage and arrives at
Rome. His conference there with the Jews.
1 When we had escaped, then they (*) learned that
the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us uncommon kindness;
for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present
rain and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of
sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat
and fastened on his hand. 4 When the natives saw the creature hanging
from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a
murderer, whom, though he has escaped from the sea, yet Justice has not
allowed to live.” 5 However he shook off the creature into the fire,
and wasn’t harmed.
6 But they expected that he would have swollen or
fallen down dead suddenly, but when they watched for a long time and
saw nothing bad happen to him, they changed their minds and said that
he was a god. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands
belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received
us and courteously entertained us for three days. 8 The father of
Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him,
prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. 9 Then when this was
done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured.
10 They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put
on board the things that we needed.
11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of
Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The
Twin Brothers.” 12 Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13
From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a
south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14
where we found brothers, (†) and were entreated to stay with them for
seven days. So we came to Rome. 15 From there the brothers, when they
heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The
Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion
delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was
allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him. 17 After
three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews.
When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I
had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers,
still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the
Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free,
because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke
against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had
anything about which to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore I
asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of
Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 They said to him, “We neither received letters
from Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brothers come here and
report or speak any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what
you think. For, as concerning this sect, it is known to us that
everywhere it is spoken against.” 23 When they had appointed him a day,
many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them,
testifying about God’s Kingdom, and persuading them concerning Jesus,
both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning until
evening. 24 Some believed the things which were spoken, and some
disbelieved. 25 When they didn’t agree among themselves, they departed
after Paul had spoken one message: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly
through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, in hearing,
you will hear, but will in no way understand. In seeing, you will see,
but will in no way perceive. 27 For this people’s heart has grown
callous. Their ears are dull of hearing. Their eyes they have closed.
Lest they should see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand
with their heart, and would turn again, then I would heal them.’ (✡) 28
“Be it known therefore to you that the salvation of God is sent to the
nations, and they will listen.” 29 When he had said these words, the
Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves. (‡) 30 Paul
stayed two whole years in his own rented house and received all who
were coming to him,
31 preaching God’s Kingdom and teaching the things
concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
(*) 28:1 NU reads “we”
(†) 28:14 The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may
also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
(✡) 28:27 Isaiah 6:9-10
(‡) 28:29 NU omits verse 29.
--- o O o ---
(*) "The World English Bible"
- 2020 stable text edition
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(**) What are MT, TR, and NU in
the footnotes?
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New Testament, which is the authoritative basis for this translation.
- TR stands for Textus
Receptus, which is the Greek Text from which the King James Version New
Testament was translated.
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Nestle-Aland/UBS critical text of the Greek New Testament, which is
used as a basis for some other Bible translations.
Last
revision of this document: January 13th, 2023