Chapter 25

THEN after the tumult was quieted, Paul called to him the disciples, and taking his leave, departed to go into Macedonia. (2)And passing through those parts, and having exhorted them with much discourse, he went into Greece. (3)And after three months stay, as the Jews were lying in wait for him, when he was just embarking for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. (4)And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater a Berean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus, Asiatics. (5)These going before tarried for us at Troas. (6)And we sailed from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas after five days; where we stayed seven days. (7)And on the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled to break bread, Paul preached unto them (ready to depart on the morrow), and extended his discourse until midnight. (8)Now there were many lamps in the upper room, where they were assembled. (9)And a certain youth named Eutytchus, who sat in the window, fell into a profound sleep: as Paul discoursed much longer than usual, quite overpowered with sleep, he fell down from a third story, and was taken up dead. (10)But Paul came down, and fell upon him, and taking him in his arms, said, Trouble not yourselves, for his life is yet in him. (11)And when he had gone up, and broken bread, and eaten, and conversed a long time, even to the break of day, he then departed. (12)And they brought the lad alive, and were comforted exceedingly.

(13)Then we going before to the ship, sailed for Assos, intending there to take in Paul: for so he had ordered, meaning himself to walk thither. (14)And when he met us at Assos, we took him up, and came to Mytelene. (15)And sailing from thence, on the following day we advanced over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos, and staying at Trogyllium, the day following we came to Miletus. (16)For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, that he might not spend the time in Asia: for he hastened on, if it was possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. (17)So he sent to Ephesus from Miletus, and called the presbyters of the church to attend him. (18)And when they were come unto him, he said unto them,

Ye know, from the very first day in which I entered into Asia, how I have been among you at every season, (19)serving the Lord with all humility, and with many tears and trials, which have befallen me through the lying in wait of the Jews: (20)and that I have suppressed nothing which could conduce to your profiting; not desisting from preaching to you, and teaching you in public, and from house to house, (21)repeatedly urging both on Jews and Greeks repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. (22)And now behold I am going, bound by the Spirit, unto Jerusalem, not knowing what things shall there befal me: (23)only this, that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying, that bonds and tribulation await thee. (24)Yet I make no account of any _suffering_, nor regard my life as of any value to myself, farther than as I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord, to testify fully the Gospel of the grace of God. (25)And now behold, I know that ye shall see my face no more, even ye all, among whom I have gone in and out preaching the kingdom of God. (26)Wherefore I appeal to you this day as witnesses that I am pure from the blood of all men. (27)For I have concealed nothing, so as not repeatedly to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (28)Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you bishops, to feed as shepherds the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. (29)For this I know, that after my departure there will come among you grievous wolves, not sparing the flock: (30)Yea, from among yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverting doctrines, to draw away disciples after them. (31)Therefore watch, remembering that for three years, by night and by day, I have never ceased with tears to admonish every individual. (32)And now, brethren, I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to finish the superstructure, and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33)The silver, or gold, or apparel of no man have I coveted: (34)but ye yourselves know that these hands have by labour furnished necessaries for my own wants, and for those who were with me. (35)In all things I have set you the example, that so labouring hard ye ought to help the infirm, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, because he himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

(36)And when he had spoken these things, he fell on his knees, and prayed with them all. (37)And all of them shed floods of tears, and fell upon Paul's neck, and kissed him again and again, (38)most peculiarly afflicted at that word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more: and they accompanied him unto the ship.

CHAP. XXI.

AND tearing ourselves away from them, when we had set sail, we came in a direct course to Coos, and the day after to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. (2)And finding a ship passing over to Phenice, we went on board and set sail: (3)and coming in sight of Cyprus, and leaving it on the left, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to discharge her cargo. (4)And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: and they said to Paul, by the Spirit, that he should not go up unto Jerusalem. (5)But when we had stayed out those days, we departed, and went on our journey, all of them attending us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the sea shore, we joined in prayer; (6)and embracing one another, we went on ship-board, and they returned to their own homes, (7)So completing our voyage, we arrived from Tyre at Ptolemais, and saluting the brethren, tarried with them one day. (8)And on the morrow we who were Paul's companions departed with him, and went to Caesarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist (who was one of the seven deacons), we abode with him. (9)Now this man had four maiden daughters endued with the gift of prophecy. (10)And as we tarried there several days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea named Agabus. (11)And coming to us, he took Paul's girdle, and binding both his own hands and feet together, said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, The man, whose girdle this is, shall the Jews bind in like manner at Jerusalem, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. (12)Then when we heard these things, both we and all who were in the place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13)But Paul replied, Why do ye thus--weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. (14)And when he could not be persuaded, we desisted, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

(15)Then after those days, packing up our baggage, we went up to Jerusalem: (16)and there went also with us some disciples from Caesarea, bringing one Mnason a Cyprian, an ancient disciple, at whose house we were to lodge. (17)And when we arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received us with delight. (18)And on the morrow Paul went in with us unto James: and all the presbyters were present. (19)And after embracing them, he related every particular of the things which God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry. (20)And they, when they heard it, glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed; and they are all zealots for the law: (21)And they have been informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, apostacy from Moses, saying, That they should not circumcise the children, nor walk after the usual practices. (22)What then is to be done? The multitude must certainly be assembled; for they will hear that thou art come. (23)Do this therefore which we say to thee: we have four men, who have a vow upon themselves; (24)them take with thee, be purified with them, and be at the same expence as they, that they may shave their heads: and all men will know that there is no truth in the things reported of thee, but that thou thyself walkest orderly and observest the law. (25)Concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have already written, deciding that they should observe no such thing, except that they should guard themselves from idol sacrifices, and blood, and what is strangled, and from whoredom.

(26)Then Paul took the men, and the following day being purified with them, he entered into the temple, declaring when the days of their purification would be completed, in order whereunto an oblation was to be offered for every one of them. (27)But as the seven days were now drawing to their period, some Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple, excited all the populace to tumult, and laid hands upon him, (28)crying out, Men of Israel, help! This is the man, who, by his preaching, sets all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: yea and more still, hath brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy place: (29)(for they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they imagined that Paul had introduced into the temple.) (30)And the whole city was in motion, and there was a concourse of people assembled: and laying hands on Paul, they dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut. (31)And as they were attempting to murder him, the report reached the military tribune of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. (32)Who instantly taking soldiers and centurions ran down unto them: and when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul.

(33)Then the tribune approaching him, laid hold on him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and asked who he was, and what he had done. (34)Then some among the multitude bellowed out one thing, and some another: so unable to know the certainty of the case because of the tumult, he ordered him to be brought into the fortress. (35)But when he was on the stairs, it happened that he was borne up by the soldiers, because of the press of the crowd. (36)For a multitude of the people followed, crying, Away with him! (37)And when he was just ready to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the military tribune, May I be permitted to speak a word to thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek? (38)Art not thou certainly that Egyptian who some time since raised a sedition, and led out into the desert four thousand cutthroats? (39)But Paul replied, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus, of Cilicia, a citizen of no contemptible city: and, I entreat thee, permit me to speak to the people. (40)So having his permission, Paul standing on the stairs, waved his hand to the people. And profound silence being obtained, he spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

CHAP. XXII.

MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my apology which I now offer unto you. (2)Then when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence: and he said, (3)I am indeed a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed accurately in the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as ye all are this day: (4)so much so that I persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women. (5)As also the high-priest will bear me witness, and all the body of elders: from whom also having received letters unto the brethren, I went unto Damascus, to bring those who were there in chains unto Jerusalem, that they might be punished. (6)But as I went and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great light from heaven around me. (7)And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? (8)And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarean, whom thou persecutest. (9)Now they who were with me saw the light indeed, and were terrified; but the voice of him that spake to me heard they not. (10)Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, go into Damascus; and there information shall be given thee of all things which are ordained for thee to do.

(11)Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to Damascus. (12)And one Ananias, a religious man according to the law, and in high repute with all the Jews dwelling there, (13)came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, recover sight. And the same hour I looked up at him. (14)And he said, The God of our fathers hath predestinated thee to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. (15)For thou shalt be a witness for him to all men, of the things which thou hast seen and heard. (16)And now why delay? arise, to be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.

(17)Now it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance; (18)and beheld him saying to me, Make haste, and depart quickly from Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony of me. (19)And I said, Lord, they know that I was imprisoning and scourging from synagogue to synagogue those who believe on thee: (20)and when the blood of Stephen thy martyr was shed, I myself even stood by, and took delight in his execution, and guarded the garments of those who slew him. (21)And he said to me, Go: for I will send thee forth to the Gentiles afar off.

(22)And they gave him audience to this sentence, and lifted up their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. (23)So when they began raising a vast clamour, and stripping off their garments, and casting dust into the air, (24)the military tribune commanded him to be brought into the fortress, ordering that he should be put to the question by scourging; that he might know for what cause they clamoured so loudly against him. (25)So as they were tying him up for the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by him, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen, and uncondemned? (26)And when the centurion heard this, he came and told the military tribune, saying, Consider what you are going to do: for this man is a Roman citizen. (27)Then the tribune came, and said to him, Tell me, art thou a Roman citizen? And he said, Yes. (28)And the tribune replied, With a large sum of money I purchased this citizenship. And Paul said, But I enjoy it as my birthright. (29)Immediately then they who were about to put him to the question, withdrew from him: and indeed the tribune dreaded the consequences, when he knew that he was a Roman citizen, that he had even gone so far as to bind him. (30)So on the morrow, desirous to know of a certainty what it was of which he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him from the bonds, and commanded the high-priest and all the sanhedrim to appear, and bringing Paul down, set him before them.

CHAP. XXIII.

THEN Paul, looking earnestly at the sanhedrim, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience unto God even to this day.

(2)Then the high-priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

(3)Then said Paul unto him, God is ready to smite thee, thou whited wall: for art thou sitting to judge me according to the law, and violating that law, commandest me to be smitten?

(4)Then they who stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high-priest? (5)And Paul said, I had not observed, brethren, that he was high-priest: for it is written, "Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people [47]."

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

(7)So when he had said this, a great dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. (8)For the Sadducees say indeed, that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. (9)And a great clamour arose: and the scribes rising up who were of the party of the Pharisees, contended stoutly, saying, We find no fault in this man: but if a spirit have spoken to him, or an angel, let us not fight against God. (10)Then a great tumult arising, the tribune, apprehensive that Paul might be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the guard to go down, and take him by force from the midst of them, and bring him into the fortress.

(11)And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good courage, Paul: for as thou hast borne testimony of the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear a testimony at Rome also.

(12)Then as soon as it was day, some of the Jews forming a conspiracy, bound themselves under the direst imprecation, declaring that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. (13)Now there were more than forty who had on oath formed this conspiracy. (14)So they came to the high-priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves by the direst imprecation, to taste nothing till we have killed Paul. (15)Now therefore do ye with the sanhedrim give notice to the military tribune, that to-morrow he bring him down to you, as if intending to make more accurate inquiries into the things concerning him: but we, ere he come nigh, are ready to kill him.

(16)Now Paul's sister's son having heard of their lying in wait, came, and entering into the fortress told Paul. (17)Then Paul calling to him one of the centurions, said, Carry this young man to the tribune: for he hath something to communicate to him. (18)Then he took him, and brought him to the tribune, and said, The prisoner Paul calling me to him, entreated me to bring this young man to thee, having something to say to thee. (19)Hereupon the tribune taking him by the hand, and leading him aside, inquired, What is it that thou hast to communicate to me? (20)And he said, The Jews have agreed together to entreat thee that to-morrow thou wouldest bring down Paul into the sanhedrim, as about to make some more accurate inquiry concerning him. (21)But do not thou consent to them: for more than forty men of them are lying in wait for him, who have bound themselves under an anathema, neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now they are in readiness, waiting only to procure the promise from thee.

(22)Hereupon the tribune dismissed the youth, with an injunction, not to mention it to any body that thou hast discovered these things to me. (23)And calling to him two certain persons of the centurions, he said, Get ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night; (24)and provide beasts, that setting Paul thereon, you may convey him safely to Felix the governor.

(25)And he wrote a letter containing this form of words:

(26)Claudius Lysias to his excellence the governor Felix, greeting.

(27)This person had been seized by the Jews, and was ready to be slain by them: but coming on them with the guard, I rescued him out of their hands, having understood that he was a Roman citizen. (28)And desirous of knowing the crime of which they accused him, I brought him down into their sanhedrim (29)and found him accused of some disputed points of their law; but to have no charge laid against him worthy of death or of bonds. (30)But it being discovered to me that a design was forming against the man's _life_ by the Jews, immediately I sent him to thee, commanding his accusers also to produce what they have against him before thee. Farewel.

(31)Hereupon then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night unto Antipatris. (32)And on the morrow, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the fortress. (33)So when they came to Caesarea, and had delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also to him. (34)Then when the governor had read it, and asked of what province he was, and understood he was of Cilicia; (35)I will give thee a thorough hearing, said he, when thy accusers are also come hither. And he commanded them to be kept under guard in Herod's praetorium.

CHAP. XXIV.

SO after five days Ananias the high-priest went down with the elders, and a certain rhetorician, Tertullus, who made their appearance before the governor against Paul. (2)And he being summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,

Since by thee we enjoy so much peace, and such noble acts are happily performed for this nation by thy provident administration, (3)always and in all places we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with all gratitude. (4)Now that I may not be unnecessarily tedious to thee, I entreat thee to hear us briefly with thy wonted candour. (5)For we found this fellow a pest _to society_, and exciting sedition among all the Jews throughout the whole world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazareans: (6)who even attempted to profane the temple: we seized him therefore, and intended to judge him according to our own law. (7)But Lysias the tribune came, and with great violence took him out of our hands, (8)commanding his accusers to appear before thee: whereby thou mayest thyself be able after examination to know the certainty of those things whereof we accuse him.

(9)Then the Jews also joined in affirming, that these things were so.

(10)But Paul (the governor having made him a sign to speak) replied,

Knowing that for so many years thou hast been the judge of this nation, I with the more confidence offer my defence respecting the matters which concern me: (11)as thou mayest be ascertained, that it is not more than twelve days ago since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. (12)And neither in the temple found they me disputing with any man, nor raising any sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: (13)neither can they produce any proof of the facts of which they accuse me. (14)But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call a sect, so worship I the God of our ancestors, believing all things that are written in the law, and in the prophets: (15)and having hope in God, the same which they also profess to look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust. (16)For this cause indeed I exert my utmost care to keep my conscience ever unoffending towards God and towards man. (17)Now after many years absence I was returned bringing alms to my countrymen, and oblations _to the temple_. (18)In the discharge of which offices certain Jews of Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a multitude, nor with any tumult. (19)Who ought to have appeared before thee, and prefer their accusation, if they had any thing against me. (20)Or let the persons themselves here present say, if they found any thing criminal in me, when I stood before the sanhedrim, (21)except for this one sentence, which I uttered aloud when I was standing among them, For the resurrection of the dead am I this day judged by you.

(22)When Felix then heard these things he put them off, (for he knew very exactly all that related to that way,) saying, When Lysias the tribune is come down, I will inquire thoroughly into the matters between you. (23)And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.