conspiracy THE ACTS, 23. against Paul. would neither eat nor drink | men, which have bound themill they had killed Paul. selves with an oath, that they 13 And they were more than will neither eat nor drink till orty which had made this con- they have killed him and now piracy. are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20. And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty 22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 23 And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Ca-să-re'-ă, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Fe'-lix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26 Clau'-di-us Lys'-I-as unto the most excellent governor Fe'-lix sendeth greeting. 27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Rổ-mặn. 28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to An-tip'-ǎ-tris. 32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle : 33 Who, when they came to Ça-sa-re-ă, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Ci-liç'-1-ǎ; 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Her'-od's judgment hall. CHAPTER 24. AND high priest deND after five days An-a scended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tĕr-tul'-lus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tĕr-tul'-lus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Naz'-a-rēnes: before Feliz we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lys I-as came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were So. 10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest but twelve days since I went up understand, that there are yet to Jě-rû'-să-lem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believ ing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 17 Now after many years I 6 Who also hath gone about came to bring alms to my nato profane the temple: whom | tion, and offerings. Paul accused THE ACTS, 25. before Festus. 18 Whereupon certain Jews | room and Fe'-lix, willing to rom A'-siă found me purified shew the Jews a pleasure, left in the temple, neither with Paul bound. multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 22 And when Fe'-lix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lys'-I-as the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drû-sil-lă, which was a Jew-ess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Fe'-lix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Pôrcl-us Fěs'-tus came into Fe'-lix' CHAPTER 25. into the province, after OW when Fes-tus was come three days he ascended from Ca-sa-re'-ǎ to Jě-rû'-să-lěm. 2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 Ánd desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jě-rû ́-să-lěm, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Fěs'-tus answered, that Paul should be kept at Ca-sărea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cœsă-rē -ă; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jě-rû'-să-lěm stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 While he answered for him self, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all. 9 But Fěs'-tus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jě-rû'-să-lěm, and there be judged of these things before me? Paul appealeth THE ACTS, 25. unto Cæsar. 10 Then said Paul, I stand at | perstition, and of one Je'-sus, Caesar's judgment seat, where which was dead, whom Paul I ought to be judged: to the affirmed to be alive. Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Çæ'-sär. 12 Then Fes'-tus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Ca'-sär? unto Ca'-sär shalt thou go. 13 And after certain days king A-grip'-pă and Bĕr-ni'-çe came unto C-să-rē'-ǎ to salute Fĕs'-tus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Fěs'-tùs declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Fe'-lix: 15 About whom, when I was at Jě-rû-să-lěm, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Rō'măns to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own su 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Je-rû'-să-lěm, and there be judged of these matters. 21 But when Paul had ap pealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Au-gus'-tus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæ'-sär. 22 Then A-grip'-på said unto Fěs'-tus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the morrow, when A-grip'-pă was come, and Bĕrni-ce, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Fès'-tus' commandment Paul was brought forth. 24 And Festus said, King Ågrip-pă, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jě-rusă-lěm, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Au-gus'-tus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king A-grip'-pă, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. Paul's defence CHAPTER 26. THE ACTS, 26. HEN A-grip'-pă said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I think myself happy, king A-grip'-pă, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jěrû ́-să-lẽm, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Phăr'-I-sée. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king A-grip'-pă, I am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Je'-sus of Năz'-ǎ-rĕth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jě-rû'-să-lěm and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when before Agrippa. they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon as I went to Dă-măs'-cus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 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 which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the He'-brew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gen'-tiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Sa'-tán unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Ăgrip'-pă, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto |
