The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 737

19:7. And all the men were about twelve.

19:8. And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the s.p.a.ce of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of G.o.d.

19:9. But when some were hardened and believed not, speaking evil of the way of the Lord before the mult.i.tude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

19:10. And this continued for the s.p.a.ce of two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Gentiles.

19:11. And G.o.d wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles.

19:12. So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and ap.r.o.ns: and the diseases departed from them: and the wicked spirits went out of them.

19:13. Now some also of the Jewish exorcists, who went about, attempted to invoke over them that had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.

19:14. And there were certain men, seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, that did this.

19:15. But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know: and Paul I know. But who are you?

19:16. And the man in whom the wicked spirit was, leaping upon them and mastering them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

19:17. And this became known to all the Jews and the Gentiles that dwelt a Ephesus. And fear fell on them all: and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

19:18. And many of them that believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds.

19:19. And many of them who had followed curious arts brought together their books and burnt them before all. And, counting the price of them, they found the money to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

19:20. So mightily grew the word of G.o.d and was confirmed.

19:21. And when these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had pa.s.sed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying: After I have been there, I must see Rome also.

19:22. And sending into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself remained for a time in Asia.

19:23. Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord.

19:24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver temples for Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen.

19:25. Whom he calling together with the workmen of like occupation, said: Sirs, you know that our gain is by this trade.

19:26. And you see and hear that this Paul, by persuasion hath drawn away a great mult.i.tude, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying: they are not G.o.ds which are made by hands.

19:27. So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also the temple of great Diana shall be reputed for nothing! Yea, and her majesty shall begin to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

19:28. Having heard these things, they were full of anger and cried out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

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

19:30. And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

19:31. And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

19:32. Now some cried one thing, some another. For the a.s.sembly was confused: and the greater part knew not for what cause they were come together.

19:33. And they drew forth Alexander out of the mult.i.tude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand for silence, would have given the people satisfaction,

19:34. But as soon as they perceived him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for the s.p.a.ce of about two, hours, cried out: Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

19:35. And when the town clerk had appeased the mult.i.tudes, he said: Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana and of Jupiter's offspring?

19:36. For as much therefore as these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly.

19:37. For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege nor of blasphemy against your G.o.ddess.

19:38. But if Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him have a matter against any man, the courts of justice are open: and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another.

19:39. And if you inquire after any other matter, it may be decided in a lawful a.s.sembly.

19:40. For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the a.s.sembly.

Acts Chapter 20

Paul pa.s.ses through Macedonia and Greece. He raises a dead man to life at Troas. His discourse to the clergy of Ephesus.

20:1. And after the tumult was ceased, Paul calling to him the disciples and exhorting them, took his leave and set forward to go into Macedonia.

20:2. And when he had gone over those parts and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece:

20:3. Where, when he had spent three months, the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria. So he took a resolution to return through Macedonia.

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

20:5. These, going before, stayed for us at Troas.

20:6. But we sailed from Philippi after the days of the azymes and came to them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.

20:7. And on the first day of the week, when we were a.s.sembled to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, being to depart on the morrow. And he continued his speech until midnight.

And on the first day of the week... Here St. Chrysostom and many other interpreters of the scripture explain, that the Christians even at this time, must have changed the sabbath into the first day of the week, (the Lord's day,) as all Christians now keep it. This change was undoubtedly made by the authority of the church; hence the exercise of the power, which Christ had given to her: for he is Lord of the sabbath.

20:8. And there were a great number of lamps in the upper chamber where we were a.s.sembled.

20:9. And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window, being oppressed with a deep sleep (as Paul was long preaching), by occasion of his sleep fell from the third loft down and was taken up dead.

20:10. To whom, when Paul had gone down, he laid himself upon him and, embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his soul is in him.

20:11. Then going up and breaking bread and tasting and having talked a long time to them, until daylight, so he departed.

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

20:13. But we going aboard the ship, sailed to a.s.sos, being there to take in Paul. For so he had appointed, himself purposing to travel by land.