Chapter 60

The brethren immediately sent away Paul, and Silas by night unto Berrea. When they were come thither they entered into the Synagogue of the jews. These were the noblest among them of Thessalonia, which received the word with all diligence of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were even so. And many of them believed, and of worshipful women which were greeks, and of men not a few. When the jews of Thessalonia had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berrea, they came thither and moved the people, and then by and by the brethren sent away Paul to go unto the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. They that guided Paul brought him unto Athens, and received a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him at once. And came their way.

While Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved in him to see the city given to worshipping of images. Then he disputed in the synagogue with the jews, and with the devout persons, And in the market daily with them that came unto him. Certain Philosophers of the Epicures, and of the Stoyckes disputed with him. And some there were which said: what will this babbler say. Other said: he seemeth to be a tidings bringer of new devils, because he preached unto them Iesus, and the resurrection, and they took him, and brought him into Marce street saying: may we not know what is this new doctrine whereof thou speakest. For thou bringest strange tidings to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean. For all the Athenians and strangers which were there gave themselves to nothing else, but either to tell or to hear new tidings.

Paul stood in the midst of Marce street and said, ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are somewhat superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld the manner how ye worship your gods, I found an altar wherein was written: unto the unknown God. Whom ye then ignorantly worship, him shew I unto you: God that made the world, and all that are in it, seeing that he is lord of heaven and earth, he dwelleth not in temples made with hands neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed of any thing. Forasmuch as he giveth to all men life and breath every where, and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth. And hath assigned times appointed before, And the ends of their inhabitation, that they should seek God, if they might feel and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, move, and have our being, as certain of your own poets said. For we are also his generation. Forasmuch then as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, silver, or stone, graven by craft and imagination of man.

And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but now he biddeth all men everywhere repent, because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world according to righteousness, by that man, whom he hath appointed, and hath given faith to all men, after that he had raised him from death. When they heard of the resurrection from death, some mocked, and other said: we will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Certain men clave unto Paul and believed, among the which was Dionysius a senator, and a woman named Damaris, and other with them.

The .xviij. Chapter.

After that, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinthum, and found a certain jew named Aquila, born in Ponthus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because that the Emperor Claudius had commanded all jewes to depart from Rome) and he drew unto them. And because he was of the same craft he abode with them and wrought (their craft was to make tents.) and he preached in the synagogue every saboth day, And exhorted the jewes and the gentiles.

When Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia Paul was pained by the spirit, as he testified to the jewes that Iesus was Christ. When they said contrary and blasphemed, he shook his raiment and said unto them: your blood upon your own heads. For henceforth I go unto the gentiles, and he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house named Iustus which worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. One Crispus a ruler of the synagogue believed on the lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians gave audience and believed, and were baptised.

Then spake the lord to Paul in the night by a vision: be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall invade thee that shall hurt thee. For I have much people in this city. And he rested there a year and six months, and taught them the word of God.

When Gallio was ruler of the country of Acaia. The jewes made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judge's seat, saying: This man teacheth to worship God contrary to the law. And as Paul was about to open his mouth Gallio said unto the jews: if it were a matter of wrong, or an evil deed (o ye jews) reason would that I should hear you: but if it be a question of words, or of names, or of your law, look ye to it yourselves. For I will be no judge in such matters, and he drave them from his seat. Then took all the greeks Sosthenes a ruler of the Synagogue and smote him before the judge's seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

Paul after this, tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Ciria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanying him after that he shore his head in Cenchrea. For he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus and left them there: but he himself entered into the Synagogue, and reasoned with the jewes. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not, but bade them fare well saying: I must needs at this feast that cometh be in Ierusalem: but I will return again unto you if God will. And departed from Ephesus and came unto Cesarea: and ascended and saluted the congregation, and departed unto Antioche, and when he had tarried there a while, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatacia and Phrigia by order, strengthening all the disciples.

And a certain jewe named Apollos, born at Alexandria came to Ephesus. An eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures. The same was informed in the way of the lord, and he spake fervently in the spirit, and taught diligently the things of the lord, and knew but the baptism of Ihon only. And the same began to speak boldly in the Synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila had heard him: they took him unto them, And expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

When he was disposed to go into Acaia, the brethren exhorted him thereto, and wrote unto the disciples that they should receive him. After he was come thither he helped them much, which had believed thorow grace. And mightily he overcame the jews openly shewing by the scriptures that Iesus was Christ.

The .xix. Chapter.

It fortuned, while Apollos was at Corinthum, that Paul passed over the upper coasts, and came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples and said unto them: have ye received the holy ghost after ye believed? And they said unto him: No, neither have we heard if there be any holy ghost or no. And he said unto them: wherewith were ye then baptised? And they said: with Ihon's baptism. Then said Paul: Ihon verily baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him, which should come after him. That is on Christ Iesus. When they heard that, they were baptised in the name of the lord Iesu, and when Paul laid his hands upon them, the holy ghost came on them. And they spake with tongues and prophesied, All the men were about xij.

And he went into the synagogue, and behaved himself boldly for the space of three months, disputing, and giving them exhortations of the kingdom of God. When diverse waxed hard hearted, and believed not, but spake evil of the way of the lord before the multitude: he departed from them, And severed the disciples away, And taught daily in the school of one called Tirannus. And this continued by the space of two years: So that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the lord Iesu, both jewes and greeks. And God wrought not small miracles by the hands of Paul. So that from his body were brought unto the sick, napkins or partlets, and the diseases and evil spirits departed from them.

Certain of the vagabond jewes exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the lord Iesus saying: We adjure you by Iesu whom Paul preacheth.

There were seven sons of one Sceva a ruler of the synagogue which did so: and the evil spirit answered and said: Iesus I know, and Paul I know: but who are ye? And the man in whom the wicked devil was, ran on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. This was known to all the jewes and greeks also, which dwelt at Ephesus, and fear came on them all. And they magnified the name of the lord Iesus.

And many that believed came, and confessed and shewed their works. Many of them which used curious crafts, brought their books and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand silverlings. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. After these things were ended Paul purposed in the spirit, to pass over Macedonia and Acaia, and to go to Ierusalem saying: After I have been there I must also see Rome. So sent he into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him: Timotheus and Erastus: but he himself remained in Asia. For a season.

The same time there arose no little a do about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a goldsmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, was not a little beneficial unto the craftsmen: which he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said: Sirs ye know that by this craft we have vantage. Moreover ye see and hear that not alone at Ephesus: but almost thorow out all Asia, this Paul entiseth, and turned away much people saying: that they be no gods which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft cometh into peril to be set at nought: but that also the temple of great Diana should be despised. And her majesty should be destroyed, which all Asia, and the world worshippeth.

When they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And all the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarcus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions. When Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. Certain also of the chief of Asia which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not press into the common hall. Some cried one thing, and some another and the congregation was all out of quiet, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

Some of the company drew forth Alexander (the jewes thrusting him forwards) Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have given the people an answer. When they knew that he was a jewe, there arose a shout almost for the space of two hours of all men crying, great is Diana of the Ephesians.

When the town clerk had ceased the people he said: ye men of Ephesus: what man is it that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which came from heaven. Seeing then that no man saith here against, ye ought to be content, and to do nothing rashly, For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet despisers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen which are with him, have any saying to any man, the law is open, and there are rulers, let them accuse one another. If ye go about any other thing, it may be determined in a lawful congregation. For we are in jeopardy to be accused of this day's business. For as much as there is no cause whereby we may give a reckoning of this concourse of people. And when he had thus spoken, he let the congregation depart.

The .xx. Chapter.

After the rage was ceased, Paul called the disciples unto him, and took his leave of them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and given them large exhortations, he came into Greece. And there abode .iij. months. When the jewes laid wait for him as he was about to sail into Syria, He purposed to return through Macedonia. There accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berrea: And of Thessalonia Aristarcus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derba, and Timotheus: Out of Asia Tychicus, and Trophimos. These went before, and tarried us at Troas. We sailed away from Philippos after the ester holidays, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.

On a saboth day the disciples came together for to break bread, and Paul preached unto them (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued the preaching unto midnight. There were many lights in the chamber where we were gathered together, and there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutichus, fallen into a deep sleep. And as Paul declared he was the more overcome with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. Paul went down and fell on him, and embraced him, and said: Make nothing ado. For his life is in him. When he was come up again, he brake bread, and tasted, and communed a long while even till the morning, and so departed. They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

Then took we shipping, and departed unto Asson, there to receive Paul. For so had he appointed, and would himself go by land. When he was come to us unto Asson, we took him in, and came to Mittilenes. And sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios. And the day following we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogilon. The next day we came to Mileton. For Paul had determined to leave Ephesus as they sailed, because he would not spend the time in Asia. For he hasted to be (if he were possible) at Ierusalem at the day of Pentecost.

From Mileton he sent to Ephesus, and called the seniors of the congregation. When they were come to him, he said to them: Ye know from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving God with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which happened unto me by the layings wait of the jewes, and how I kept back nothing that might be for your profit: but that I have shewed you, and taught you openly and at home in your houses, witnessing both to the jewes, and also to the greeks, the repentance toward God, and faith toward our lord Iesu.

And now behold I go bound in the spirit unto Ierusalem, and know not what shall come of me there, but that the holy ghost witnesseth in every city saying: that bonds and trouble abide me: but none of those things move me. Neither is my life dear unto myself, that I might fulfil my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the lord Iesu to testify the gospell of the grace of God.

And now behold, I am sure that henceforth ye all (thorow whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God) shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this same day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have kept nothing back: but have shewed you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers, to rule the congregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood. For I am sure of this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, which will not spare the flock. And of your ownselves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Therefore awake and remember, that by the space of iij. years I ceased not to warn every one of you, both night and day with tears.

And now dear brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have desired no man's silver, gold, or vesture. Ye know well that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the lord Iesu, how that he said: It is more blessed to give, than to receive.

When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they wept all abundantly, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him sorrowing, most of all, for the words, which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

The .xxj. Chapter.

And it chanced that as soon as we had launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course unto Choon, and the day following unto the Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara. And we found a ship ready to sail unto Phenices, and went aboard and set forth. Then appeared unto us Cyprus, and we left it on the left hand, and sailed unto Syria, and came unto Tyre. For there the ship unladed her burden. And when we had found brethren, we tarried there. vij. days. And they told Paul thorow the spirit, that he should not go up to Ierusalem. And when the days were ended we departed, and went our ways, and they all brought us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were come out of the city. And we kneeled down in the shore and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship, and they returned home again.

When we had full ended the course, from Tyre, we arrived at Ptholomaida, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. The next day, we that were of Paulus company, came unto Cesarea. And we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven, and abode with him. The same man had four daughters virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there a good many days, there came a certain prophet from jewry, named Agabus. When he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his hands and feet and said: Thus saith the holy ghost: So shall the jewes at Ierusalem, bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.

When we heard this, both we and other of the same place, besought him, that he would not go up to Ierusalem. Then Paul answered, and said: What do ye weeping, and breaking mine heart? I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Ierusalem for the name of the lord Iesu. When we could not turn his mind, we ceased saying: The will of the lord be fulfilled. After those days we made ourselves ready, and went up to Ierusalem. There went with us also certain of his disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an olde disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Ierusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the morrow Paul went in with us unto Iames. And all the seniors came together. And when he had saluted them, he told by order, what things God had wrought among the gentiles by his ministration. When they heard it, they glorified the lord, and said unto him: Thou seest brother, how many thousand jewes there are which believe, and they are all zealous over the law. And they are informed of thee that thou teachest all the jewes which are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, and sayest that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to live after the customs. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together. For they shall hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee.

We have iiij. men, which have a vow on them. Them take and purify thyself with them, and do cost on them, that they may shave their heads and all shall know that those things which they have heard of thee are nothing: but that thou thyself also walkest and keepest the law. As touching the gentiles which believe we have written and concluded, that they observe no such things: but that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from strangled, and from fornication. Then the next day Paul took the men and purified himself with them, and entered into the temple, declaring the fulfilling of the days of purification, until that an oblation should be offered for every one of them.

And as the seven days should have been ended, the jewes which were of Asia when they saw him in the temple, they moved all the people and laid hands on him crying: Men of Israhell help. This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover also he hath brought greeks into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. For they saw one Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city. Him they supposed Paul had brought into the temple. And all the city was moved, and the people swarmed together. And they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple, and forthwith the doors were shut to.

As they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the high captain of the soldiers, that all Ierusalem was moved. Which immediately took soldiers and undercaptains, and ran down unto them. When they saw the uppercaptain and the soldiers, They left smiting of Paul. Then the captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and demanded what he was, and what he had done. One cried this, another that, among the people. And when he could not know the certainty, for the rage: He commanded him to be carried into the castle. When he came unto a grece, it fortuned that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. The multitude of the people followed after crying: away with him.

And as Paul should have been carried into the castle, He said unto the high captain: May I speak unto thee? Which said: Canst thou speak greek? Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days, made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness iiij. thousand men that were murderers? Paul said: I am a man which am a jewe of Tharsus a city in Cicill, a citizen of no vile city, I beseech thee suffer me to licence, Paul stood on the steps, and beckoned with the hand unto the people, and there was made a great silence. And he spake unto them in Hebrew saying:

The .xxij. Chapter.

Ye men, brethren, and fathers, hear mine answer which I make unto you. When they heard that he spake Hebrew unto them, they kept the more silence. And he said: I am verily a man which am a jewe, born in Tharsus, a city in Cicill, nevertheless yet brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and informed diligently in the law of the fathers, and was fervent minded to Godward, as ye all are this same day, and I persecuted this way unto the death binding, and delivering into prison both men and women, as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the seniors: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Ierusalem for to be punished.