Acts 24-25 (American Standard Version)

24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.

24:2 And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation,

24:3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.

24:4 But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.

24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

24:6 who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.

24:7 But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

24:8 commanding his accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.

24:9 And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.

24:10 And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense:

24:11 Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:

24:12 and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.

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

24:14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;

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

24:16 Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always.

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

24:18 amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia—

24:19 who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.

24:20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council,

24:21 except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.

24:22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.

24:23 And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

24:24 But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.

24:26 He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

24:27 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.

25:1 Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

25:2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him,

25:3 asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.

25:4 Howbeit Festus answered, that Paul was kept in charge at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart thither shortly.

25:5 Let them therefore, saith he, that are of power among you go down with me, and if there is anything amiss in the man, let them accuse him.

25:6 And when he had tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and on the morrow he sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought.

25:7 And when he was come, the Jews that had come down from Jerusalem stood round about him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove;

25:8 while Paul said in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.

25:9 But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

25:10 But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar’s judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou also very well knowest.

25:11 If then I am a wrong-doer, and have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if none of those things is true whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed unto Caesar: unto Caesar shalt thou go.

25:13 Now when certain days were passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at Caesarea, and saluted Festus.

25:14 And as they tarried there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the King, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix;

25:15 about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for sentence against him.

25:16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man, before that the accused have the accusers face to face, and have had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.

25:17 When therefore they were come together here, I made no delay, but on the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded the man to be brought.

25:18 Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such evil things as I supposed;

25:19 but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

25:20 And I, being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these matters.

25:21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor, I commanded him to be kept till I should send him to Caesar.

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

25:23 So on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they were entered into the place of hearing with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought in.

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

25:25 But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death: and as he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.

25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I may have somewhat to write.

25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not withal to signify the charges against him.

Acts 21-23 (American Standard Version)

21:1 And when it came to pass that were parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the next day unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

21:2 and having found a ship crossing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail.

21:3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed unto Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

21:4 And having found the disciples, we tarried there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem.

21:5 And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;

21:6 and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.

21:7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.

21:8 And on the morrow we departed, and came unto Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.

21:9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied.

21:10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

21:11 And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

21:12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.

21:13 Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

21:15 And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem.

21:16 And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.

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 elders were present.

21:19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.

21:20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:

21:21 and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.

21:22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.

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

21:24 these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.

21:25 But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

21:27 And 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,

21:28 crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath defiled this holy place.

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

21:30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut.

21:31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

21:32 And forthwith he took soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul.

21:33 Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done.

21:34 And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle.

21:35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the crowd;

21:36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.

21:37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith unto the chief captain, May I say something unto thee? And he said, Dost thou know Greek?

21:38 Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins?

21:39 But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people.

21:40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand unto the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, saying,

22:1 Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you.

22:2 And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,

22:3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:

22:4 and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

22:5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.

22:6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

22:7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

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

22:9 And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

22:10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

22:11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me I came into Damascus.

22:12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there,

22:13 came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.

22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.

22:15 For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

22:17 And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,

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

22:19 And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

22:20 and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.

22:22 And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow 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 chief captain commanded him be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.

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

22:26 And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.

22:27 And the chief captain came and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea.

22:28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.

22:29 They then that were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

22:30 But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

23:1 And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.

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

23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: and sittest thou to judge me according to the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

23:5 And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.

23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching 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 Sadducees; and the assembly 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 clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees part stood up, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit hath spoken to him, or an angel?

23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should 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 castle.

23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

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

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

23:14 And 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.

23:15 Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.

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

23:17 And Paul called unto him one of the centurions, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain; for he hath something to tell him.

23:18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and saith, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and asked me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say to thee.

23:19 And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that thou hast to tell me?

23:20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask thee to bring down Paul tomorrow unto the council, as though thou wouldest inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him.

23:21 Do not thou therefore yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat nor to drink till they have slain him: and now are they ready, looking for the promise from thee.

23:22 So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no man that thou hast signified these things to me.

23:23 And he called unto him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night:

23:24 and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul thereon, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

23:25 And he wrote a letter after this form:

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

23:27 This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be slain of them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.

23:28 And desiring to know the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him down unto their council:

23:29 whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

23:30 And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to thee forthwith, charging his accusers also to speak against him before thee.

23:31 So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.

23:32 But on the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

23:33 and they, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

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

23:35 I will hear thee fully, said he, when thine accusers also are come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.

Acts 18-20 (American Standard Version)

18:1 After these things he departed from Athens, and came to Corinth.

18:2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and he came unto them;

18:3 and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and they wrought, for by their trade they were tentmakers.

18:4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was constrained by the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

18:6 And when they opposed themselves and blasphemed, he shook out his raiment and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

18:7 And he departed thence, and went into the house of a certain man named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

18:8 And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

18:9 And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace:

18:10 for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city.

18:11 And he dwelt there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

18:12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him before the judgment-seat,

18:13 saying, This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

18:14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If indeed it were a matter of wrong or of wicked villany, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

18:15 but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters.

18:16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat.

18:17 And they all laid hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.

18:18 And Paul, having tarried after this yet many days, took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila: having shorn his head in Cenchreae; for he had a vow.

18:19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

18:20 And when they asked him to abide a longer time, he consented not;

18:21 but taking his leave of them, and saying, I will return again unto you if God will, he set sail from Ephesus.

18:22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and saluted the church, and went down to Antioch.

18:23 And having spent some time there, he departed, and went through the region of Galatia, and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples.

18:24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.

18:25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John:

18:26 and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately.

18:27 And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;

18:28 for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples:

19:2 and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.

19:3 And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? And they said, Into John’s baptism.

19:4 And Paul said, John baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him that should come after him, that is, on Jesus.

19:5 And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

19:7 And they were in all about twelve men.

19:8 And he entered into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, reasoning and persuading as to the things concerning the kingdom of God.

19:9 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.

19:10 And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

19:11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

19:12 insomuch that unto the sick were carried away from his body handkerchiefs or aprons, and the evil spirits went out.

19:13 But certain also of the strolling Jews, exorcists, took upon them to name over them that had the evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

19:14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this.

19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said unto them, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are ye?

19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and mastered both of them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

19:17 And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, that dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

19:18 Many also of them that had believed came, confessing, and declaring their deeds.

19:19 And not a few of them that practised magical arts brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

19:20 So mightily grew the word of the Lord and prevailed.

19:21 Now after these things were ended, Paul purposed 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.

19:22 And having sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a while.

19:23 And about that time there arose no small stir concerning the Way.

19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no little business unto the craftsmen;

19:25 whom he gathered together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this business we have our wealth.

19:26 And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:

19:27 and not only is there danger that this our trade come into disrepute; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana be made of no account, and that she should even be deposed from her magnificence whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

19:28 And when they heard this they were filled with wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesus.

19:29 And the city was filled with the confusion: and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel.

19:30 And when Paul was minded to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

19:31 And certain also of the Asiarchs, being his friends, sent unto him and besought him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

19:32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was in confusion; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

19:33 And they brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made a defense unto the people.

19:34 But when they perceived that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

19:35 And when the townclerk had quieted the multitude, he saith, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there who knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is temple-keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be gainsaid, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rash.

19:37 For ye have brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of our goddess.

19:38 If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen that are with him, have a matter against any man, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.

19:39 But if ye seek anything about other matters, it shall be settled in the regular assembly.

19:40 For indeed we are in danger to be accused concerning this day’s riot, there being no cause for it: and as touching it we shall not be able to give account of this concourse.

19:41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

20:1 And after the uproar ceased, Paul having sent for the disciples and exhorted them, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.

20:2 And when he had gone through those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece.

20:3 And when he had spent three months there, and a plot was laid against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.

20:4 And there accompanied him as far as Asia, Sopater of Beroea, the son of Pyrrhus; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

20:5 But these had gone before, and were waiting for us at Troas.

20:6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we tarried seven days.

20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.

20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.

20:9 And there sat in the window a certain young man named Eutychus, borne down with deep sleep; and as Paul discoursed yet longer, being borne down by his sleep he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

20:10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Make ye no ado; for his life is in him.

20:11 And when he was gone up, and had broken the bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

20:12 And they brought the lad alive, and were not a little comforted.

20:13 But we going before to the ship set sail for Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, intending himself to go by land.

20:14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene.

20:15 And sailing from thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after we came to Miletus.

20:16 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 at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost.

20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to him the elders of the church.

20:18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, after what manner I was with you all the time,

20:19 serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and with trials which befell me by the plots of the Jews;

20:20 how I shrank not from declaring unto you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly, and from house to house,

20:21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

20:22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

20:23 save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.

20:24 But I hold not my life of any account as dear unto myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom, shall see my face no more.

20:26 Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

20:27 For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God.

20:28 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.

20:29 I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock;

20:30 and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.

20:31 Wherefore watch ye, remembering that by the space of three years I ceased not to admonish every one night and day with tears.

20:32 And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

20:33 I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

20:34 Ye yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

20:35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye 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.

20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all.

20:37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him,

20:38 sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they brought him on his way unto the ship.

Acts 16-17 (American Standard Version)

16:1 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek.

16:2 The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

16:3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

16:4 And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem.

16:5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

16:6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;

16:7 and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not;

16:8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

16:10 And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

16:11 Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis;

16:12 and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days.

16:13 And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women that were come together.

16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16:16 And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying.

16:17 The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation.

16:18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.

16:19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,

16:20 and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

16:21 and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans.

16:22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods.

16:23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

16:24 who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

16:25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

16:26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

16:27 And the jailor, 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.

16:28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

16:29 And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas,

16:30 and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house.

16:32 And they spake the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house.

16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately.

16:34 And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.

16:35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go.

16:36 And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace.

16:37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.

16:38 And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans;

16:39 and they came and besought them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city.

16:40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

17:1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:

17:2 and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

17:3 opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ.

17:4 And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

17:5 But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people.

17:6 And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

17:7 whom Jason hath received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.

17:8 And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

17:9 And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things were so.

17:12 Many of them therefore believed; also of the Greek women of honorable estate, and of men, not a few.

17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed of Paul at Beroea also, they came thither likewise, stirring up and troubling the multitudes.

17:14 And then immediately the brethren sent forth Paul to go as far as to the sea: and Silas and Timothy abode there still.

17:15 But they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timothy that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

17:16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols.

17:17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with them that met him.

17:18 And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

17:19 And they took hold of him, and brought him unto the Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee?

17:20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

17:21 (Now all the Athenians and the strangers sojourning there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.)

17:22 And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus, and said, Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious.

17:23 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore ye worship in ignorance, this I set forth unto you.

17:24 The God that made the world and all things therein, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

17:25 neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

17:26 and he made of one every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed seasons, and the bounds of their habitation;

17:27 that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us:

17:28 for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain even of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

17:29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and device of man.

17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:

17:31 inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

17:32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again.

17:33 Thus Paul went out from among them.

17:34 But certain men clave unto him, and believed: among whom also was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Acts 14-15 (American Standard Version)

14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.

14:2 But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren.

14:3 Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

14:5 And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them,

14:6 they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about:

14:7 and there they preached the gospel.

14:8 And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.

14:9 The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,

14:10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.

14:11 And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

14:12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker.

14:13 And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.

14:14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out

14:15 and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is:

14:16 who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways.

14:17 And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

14:18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.

14:19 But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.

14:20 But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch,

14:22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

14:23 And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

14:24 And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.

14:25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia;

14:26 and thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.

14:27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles.

14:28 And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

15:1 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

15:2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

15:3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.

15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.

15:6 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

15:7 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

15:8 And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;

15:9 and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

15:10 Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

15:11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.

15:12 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

15:13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:

15:14 Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15:15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

15:16 After these things I will return,

And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen;

And I will build again the ruins thereof,

And I will set it up:

15:17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord,

And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,

15:18 Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.

15:19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;

15:20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

15:21 For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

15:23 and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:

15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;

15:25 it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

15:26 men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.

15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

15:29 that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.

15:30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.

15:31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.

15:32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

15:33 And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.

15:34 But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.

15:35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

15:36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.

15:37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.

15:38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

15:39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;

15:40 but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.