Chapter 208

21:17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

21:18. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James: and all the ancients were assembled.

21:19. Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

21:20. But they hearing it, glorified God and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have believed: and they are all zealous for the law.

21:21. Now they have heard of thee that thou teachest those Jews, who are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses: saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, nor walk according to the custom.

21:22. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

21:23. Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, who have a vow on them.

21:24. Take these and sanctify thyself with them: and bestow on them, that they may shave their heads. And all will know that the things which they have heard of thee are false: but that thou thyself also walkest keeping the law.

Keeping the law.... The law, though now no longer obligatory, was for a time observed by the Christian Jews: to bury, as it were, the synagogue with honour.

21:25. But, as touching the Gentiles that believe, we have written, decreeing that they should only refrain themselves from that which has been offered to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.

21:26. Then Paul took the men and, the next day being purified with them, entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every one of them.

21:27. But when the seven days were drawing to an end, those Jews that were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people and laid hands upon him, crying out:

21:28. Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people and the law and this place; and moreover hath brought in Gentiles into the temple and hath violated this holy place.

21:29. (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him. whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

21:30. And the whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together. And taking Paul, they drew him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.

21:31. And as they went about to kill him, it was told the tribune of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

21:32. Who, forthwith taking with him soldiers and centurions, ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul.

21:33. Then the tribune, coming near, took him and commanded him to be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was and what he had done.

21:34. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude. And when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

21:35. And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that he was carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people.

21:36. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: Away with him!

21:37. And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to the tribune: May I speak something to thee? Who said: Canst thou speak Greek?

21:38. Art not thou that Egyptian who before these days didst raise a tumult and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were murderers?

21:39. But Paul said to him: I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the people.

21:40. And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. And a great silence being made, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:

Acts Chapter 22

Paul declares to the people the history of his conversion. He escapes scourging by claiming the privilege of a Roman citizen.

22:1. Men, brethren and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you.

22:2. (And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence.)

22:3. And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day:

22:4. Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,

22:5. As the high priest doth bear me witness and all the ancients. From whom also receiving letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus, that I might bring them bound from thence to Jerusalem to be punished.

22:6. And it came to pass, as I was going and drawing nigh to Damascus, at mid-day, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great light:

22:7. And falling on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

22:8. And I answered: Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me: I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

22:9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light: but they heard not the voice of him that spoke with me.

Heard not the voice.... That is, they distinguished not the words; though they heard the voice. Acts 9. 7.

22:10. And I said: What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me: Arise and go to Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things that thou must do.

22:11. And whereas I did not see for the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by my companions, I came to Damascus,

22:12. And one Ananias, a man according to the law, having testimony of all the Jews who dwelt there,

22:13. Coming to me and standing by me, said to me: Brother Saul, look up. And I, the same hour, looked upon him.

22:14. But he said: The God of our fathers hath preordained thee that thou shouldst know his will and see the Just One and shouldst hear the voice from his mouth.

Just One.... Our Saviour, who appeared to St. Paul, Acts 9. 17.

22:15. For thou shalt be his witness to all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard.

22:16. And now why tarriest thou? Rise up and be baptized and wash away thy sins, invoking his name.

22:17. And it came to pass, when I was come again to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance,

22:18. And saw him saying unto me: Make haste and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

22:19. And I said: Lord, they know that I cast into prison and beat in every synagogue them that believed in thee.

22:20. And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I stood by and consented: and kept the garments of them that killed him.

22:21. And he said to me: Go, for unto the Gentiles afar off will I send thee.

22:22. And they heard him until this word and then lifted up their voice, saying: Away with such an one from the earth. For it is not fit that he should live.

22:23. And as they cried out and threw off their garments and cast dust into the air,

22:24. The tribune commanded him to be brought into the castle, and that he should be scourged and tortured: to know for what cause they did so cry out against him.

22:25. And when they had bound him with thongs, Paul saith to the centurion that stood by him: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?

22:26. Which the centurion hearing, went to the tribune and told him, saying: What art thou about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.

22:27. And the tribune coming, said to him: Tell me. Art thou a Roman? But he said: Yea.

22:28. And the tribune answered: I obtained the being free of this city with a great sum. And Paul said: But I was born so.

22:29. Immediately therefore they departed from him that were about to torture him. The tribune also was afraid after he understood that he was a Roman citizen and because he had bound him.

22:30. But on the next day, meaning to know more diligently for what cause he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him and commanded the priests to come together and all the council: and, bringing forth Paul, he set him before them.

Acts Chapter 23

Paul stands before the council. The Jews conspire his death. He is sent away to Cesarea.

23:1. And Paul, looking upon the council, said: Men, brethren, I have conversed with all good conscience before God until this present day.

23:2. And the high priest, Ananias, commanded them that stood by him to strike him on the mouth.

23:3. Then Paul said to him: God shall strike thee, thou whited wall. For, sittest thou to judge me according to the law and, contrary to the law, commandest me to be struck?

23:4. And they that stood by said: Dost thou revile the high priest of God?

23:5. And Paul said: I knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest. For it is written: Thou shalt not speak evil of the prince of thy people.

23:6. And Paul, knowing that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council: Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

23:7. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And the multitude was divided.

23:8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

23:9. And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising up, strove, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

23:10. And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune, fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him by force from among them and to bring him into the castle.

23:11. And the night following, the Lord standing by him, said: Be constant: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

23:12. And when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they killed Paul.

23:13. And they were more than forty men that had made this conspiracy.

23:14. Who came to the chief priests and the ancients and said: We have bound ourselves under a great curse that we will eat nothing till we have slain Paul.

23:15. Now therefore do you with the council signify to the tribune, that he bring him forth to you, as if you meant to know something more certain touching him. And we, before he come near, are ready to kill him.

23:16. Which when Paul’s sister’s son had heard, of their lying in wait, he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.

23:17. And Paul, calling to him one of the centurions, said: Bring this young man to the tribune: for he hath some thing to tell him.

23:18. And he, taking him, brought him to the tribune and said: Paul, the prisoner, desired me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath some thing to say to thee.

23:19. And the tribune, taking him by the hand, went aside with him privately and asked him: What is it that thou hast to tell me?

23:20. And he said: The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldst bring forth Paul to-morrow into the council, as if they meant to inquire some thing more certain touching him.

23:21. But do not thou give credit to them: for there lie in wait for him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves by oath neither to eat nor to drink, till they have killed him. And they are now ready, looking for a promise from thee.

23:22. The tribune therefore dismissed the young man, charging him that he should tell no man that he had made known these things unto him.

23:23. Then having called two centurions, he said to them: Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Cæsarea: and seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, for the third hour of the night.

23:24. And provide beasts, that they may set Paul on and bring him safe to Felix the governor.

23:25. (For he feared lest perhaps the Jews might take him away by force and kill him: and he should afterwards be slandered, as if he was to take money.) And he wrote a letter after this manner:

23:26. Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor, Felix, greeting:

23:27. This man, being taken by the Jews and ready to be killed by them, I rescued, coming in with an army, understanding that he is a Roman.

23:28. And meaning to know the cause which they objected unto him, I brought him forth into their council.

23:29. Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law; but having nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bands.

23:30. And when I was told of ambushes that they had prepared for him, I sent him to thee, signifying also to his accusers to plead before thee. Farewell.

23:31. Then the soldiers, according as it was commanded them, taking Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.

23:32. And the next day, leaving the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the castle.

23:33. Who, when they were come to Cæsarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, did also present Paul before him.

23:34. And when he had read it and had asked of what province he was and understood that he was of Cilicia:

23:35. I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.

Acts Chapter 24

Paul defends his innocence before Felix the governor. He preaches the faith to him.

24:1. And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with some ancients and one Tertullus, an orator, who went to the governor against Paul.

24:2. And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: Whereas, through thee we live in much peace and many things are rectified by thy providence,

24:3. We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thanksgiving.

24:4. But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us in a few words.

24:5. We have found this to be a pestilent man and raising seditions among all the Jews throughout the world: and author of the sedition of the sect of the Nazarenes.

24:6. Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.

24:7. But Lysias the tribune, coming upon us with great violence, took him away out of our hands;

24:8. Commanding his accusers to come to thee. Of whom thou mayest thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

24:9. And the Jews also added and said that these things were so.

24:10. Then Paul answered (the governor making a sign to him to speak): Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I will with good courage answer for myself.

24:11. For thou mayest understand that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:

24:12. And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or causing any concourse of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor in the city.

24:13. Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now accuse me.

24:14. But this I confess to thee that according to the way which they call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets:

24:15. Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.

24:16. And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without offence, towards God and towards men.

24:17. Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings and vows.

24:18. In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with multitude nor with tumult.

24:19. But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee and to accuse, if they had anything against me:

24:20. Or let these men themselves say if they found in me any iniquity, when standing before the council,

24:21. Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by you.

24:22. And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.

24:23. And he commanded a centurion to keep him: and that he should be easy and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto him.

24:24. And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jew, sent for Paul and heard of him the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

24:25. And as he treated of justice and chastity and of the judgment to come, Felix, being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee.

24:26. Hoping also withal that money should be given him by Paul: for which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.

24:27. But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

Acts Chapter 25

Paul appeals to Caesar. King Agrippa desires to hear him.

25:1. Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days, he went up to Jerusalem from Cæsarea.

25:2. And the chief priests and principal men of the Jews went unto him against Paul: and they besought him,

25:3. Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way.

25:4. But Festus answered: That Paul was kept in Cæsarea: and that he himself would very shortly depart thither.

25:5. Let them, therefore, saith he, among you that are able, go down with me and accuse him, if there be any crime in the man.

25:6. And having tarried among them no more than eight or ten days, he went down to Cæsarea. And the next day, he sat in the judgment seat and commanded Paul to be brought.

25:7. Who being brought, the Jews stood about him, who were come down from Jerusalem, objecting many and grievious causes, which they could not prove:

25:8. Paul making answer for himself: Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any thing.

25:9. But Festus, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, answering Paul, said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me?

25:10. Then Paul said: I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no injury, as thou very well knowest.

25:11. For if I have injured them or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if there be none of these things whereof they accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

25:12. Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered: Hast thou appealed to Caesar? To Caesar shalt thou go.

25:13. And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Cæsarea, to salute Festus.

25:14. And as they tarried there many days, Festus told the king of Paul, saying: A certain man was left prisoner by Felix.

25:15. About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the ancients of the Jews came unto me, desiring condemnation against him.

25:16. To whom I answered: it is not the custom of the Romans to condemn any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present and have liberty to make his answer, to clear himself of the things laid to his charge.

25:17. When therefore they were come hither, without any delay, on the day following, sitting in the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be brought.

25:18. Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation of this which I thought ill of:

25:19. But had certain questions of their own superstition against him, and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

25:20. I therefore being in a doubt of this manner of question, asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things.

25:21. But Paul, appealing to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar.

25:22. And Agrippa said to Festus: I would also hear the man, myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

25:23. And on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice were come with great pomp and had entered into the hall of audience with the tribunes and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment, Paul was brought forth.

25:24. And Festus saith: King Agrippa and all ye men who are here present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews dealt with me at Jerusalem, requesting and crying out that he ought not to live any longer.

25:25. Yet have I found nothing that he hath committed worthy of death. But forasmuch as he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

25:26. Of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. For which cause, I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, examination being made, I may have what to write.

25:27. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to signify the things laid to his charge.

Acts Chapter 26

Paul gives an account to Agrippa of his life, conversion and calling.

26:1. Then Agrippa said to Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul, stretching forth his hand, began to make his answer.

26:2. I think myself happy, O king Agrippa, that I am to answer for myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am accused by the Jews.

26:3. Especially as thou knowest all, both customs and questions, that are among the Jews. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

26:4. And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:

26:5. Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony) that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a Pharisee.

26:6. And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:

26:7. Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.

26:8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should raise the dead?

26:9. And I indeed did formerly think that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

26:10. Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I brought the sentence.

26:11. And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

26:12. Whereupon, when I was going to Damascus with authority and permission of the chief priest,

26:13. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that were in company with me.

26:14. And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

26:15. And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

26:16. But rise up and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister and a witness of those things which thou hast seen and of those things wherein I will appear to thee,

26:17. Delivering thee from the people and from the nations unto which now I send thee:

26:18. To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in me.

26:19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly vision.