The New Testament Part 26

3 [18:7]And departing thence he came into the house of a man called Justus, who worshipped G.o.d, and whose house adjoined the synagogue.

[18:8]And Crispus the synagogue ruler believed in the Lord, with all his house; and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were baptized. [18:9]And the Lord said to Paul, in a vision by night, Fear not, but speak and be not silent, [18:10]for I am with you; and no one shall attack you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city.

[18:11]And he remained there a year and six months, teaching among them the word of G.o.d.

4 [18:12]And when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose with one consent against Paul and brought him to the tribunal, [18:13]saying, This man persuades men to worship G.o.d contrary to the law. [18:14]And when Paul was about to open his mouth Gallio said to the Jews, If there was any injustice or evil imposition, O Jews, I would bear with you in a reasonable manner; [18:15] but if it is a question of doctrine, and of names, and of your law, look to it yourselves; for I will not be a judge of these things. [18:16]And he drove them from the tribunal. [18:17]And they all took Sosthenes the synagogue-ruler and beat him before the tribunal; and Gallio cared for none of these things.

5 [18:18]And Paul having remained yet many days took leave of the brothers, and sailed to Syria; and Priscilla was with him, and Aquila, having shaved his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow. [18:19]And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, and entering himself into the synagogue reasoned with the Jews. [18:20]And they asking him to stay a longer time with them he did not consent, [18:21]but taking leave of them and saying, I will return to you again, if G.o.d will, he sailed from, Ephesus, [18:22]and coming down to Caesarea, and going up and saluting the church, he went down to Antioch; [18:23]and having spent some time there he went away, pa.s.sing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.

CHAPTER XVII.

PAUL AT EPHESUS.--A.D. 55-58.

1 [18:24]AND a certain Jew by the name of Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, being powerful in the Scriptures. [18:25]This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit spoke and taught correctly the doctrines concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John; [18:26]and this man began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Priscilla and Aquila hearing him took him and taught him more accurately the way. [18:27]

And he wishing to go into Achaia, the brothers sent him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. And when he came he helped those much who had believed through the grace; [18:28]for he argued powerfully against the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

2 [19:1]And when Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, pa.s.sing through the higher portions of the country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples; [19:2] and he said to them, Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? And they said to him, We have not heard that there is a Holy Spirit. [19:3]And he said to them, With what then were you baptized? And they said, With John's baptism. [19:4]Paul said, John indeed baptized [administered] the baptism of a change of mind, telling the people to believe on him that was to come after him, that is, on Jesus. [19:5]And hearing this they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus: [19:6]and Paul putting his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. [19:7]And all the men were about twelve.

3 [19:8]And going into the synagogue he spoke boldly, for three months, reasoning and persuading in favor of the kingdom of G.o.d. [19:9]But when some were hardened and believed not, speaking evil of the way before the mult.i.tude, he left them and separated the disciples from them, and reasoned day by day in the school of one Tyrannus. [19:10]And this was done for two years, so that all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.

4 [19:11]And G.o.d performed unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, [19:12]so that napkins and ap.r.o.ns were brought from him to the sick, and their diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

[19:13]And some of the travelling Jewish exorcists undertook to call over those that had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. [19:14]And there were some seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this. [19:15]But the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you? [19:16]And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped upon them, and overcome them, and prevailed against them, so that they escaped from his house, naked and wounded. [19:17]And this was known both to all the Jews and Greeks who lived at Ephesus, and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified; [19:18]and many of those who believed came and confessed, and showed their practices.

[19:19]And many of those who practised secret arts brought their books, and burnt them before all; and they computed the price of them, and found it to be fifty thousand [didrachmas] of silver [$8,333].

[19:20]So the word of the Lord increased powerfully and prevailed.

6 [19:21]And when these things were accomplished, Paul was disposed by the Spirit, pa.s.sing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there I must see Rome. [19:22]And sending two that served him into Macedonia, Timothy and Erastus, he continued a time in Asia.

7 [19:23]And there was at that time no small tumult about the way [of the Lord]. [19:24]For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith, who made silver temples of Diana, and afforded his artisans no small gain, [19:25]a.s.sembling them together and laborers of like employments, said, Men, you know that our prosperity is derived from this employment, [19:26]and you see and hear, that not only at Ephesus, but in almost all Asia, this Paul has led away a great mult.i.tude by persuasion, saying that things which are made by hands are not G.o.ds. [19:27]And not only this work of ours is in danger of coming into contempt, but even the temple of the great G.o.ddess Diana of being set at nought, and her majesty also which all Asia and the world worships, of being destroyed.

8 [19:28]And hearing this they were full of wrath, and cried, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! [19:29]And the whole city was full of confusion; and they rushed with one accord to the theatre, taking Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travellers of Paul. [19:30]And Paul wishing to go in to the people, the disciples did not permit him; [19:31]and some of the rulers of Asia also, who were friendly to him, sending to him, besought him not to expose himself in the theatre.

[19:32]Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the a.s.sembly was confused, and the greater part knew not for what reason they had come together. [19:33]And they advanced Alexander from the mult.i.tude, the Jews putting him forward; and Alexander motioning with his hand, wished to defend himself before the people. [19:34]But knowing that he was a Jew, there was one voice from all, for about two hours, crying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

9 [19:35]And the clerk having stilled the mult.i.tude, said, Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana, and of the Jove descended [image]? [19:36]These things therefore being indisputable, it is best to be quiet, and do nothing rashly. [19:37]For you have brought these men here, who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of your G.o.ddess. [19:38]If, therefore, Demetrius and the artisans with him have a charge against any, court days are held, and there are pro-consuls; let them accuse one another. [19:39]And if you desire any thing of other matters, let it be determined in a lawful a.s.sembly. [19:40]For we are in danger of being called to account for the tumult of to-day, there being no cause by which we can excuse this concourse. [19:41]And having said these words he dismissed the a.s.sembly.

CHAPTER XVIII.

PAUL'S VISIT TO GREECE AND MACEDONIA AND HIS RETURN TO MILETUS.--A.D.

58, 59.

1 [20:1]AFTER the tumult was allayed, Paul calling the disciples and embracing them departed to go into Macedonia. [20:2]And going through those parts, and exhorting them with many words, he went into Greece; [20:3]and when he had staid there three months, and a conspiracy was formed against him by the Jews as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia. [20:4] And there followed him to Asia, Sopater the son of Pyrrhus of Berea, and of those of Thessalonica, Aristarchus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and those of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus; [20:5]these going before waited for us at Troas. [20:6]And we sailed from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to those at Troas in five days, where we staid seven days.

2 [20:7]And on the first day of the week, we being a.s.sembled to break bread, Paul preached to them, being about to depart on the next day, and continued his discourse till midnight; [20:8]and there were many lamps in the upper room where we were a.s.sembled. [20:9]And a young man by the name of Eutychus sitting in a window, falling into a deep sleep while Paul preached long, and being overcome by sleep, fell from the third story down, and was taken up dead. [20:10]But Paul going down fell on him, and embracing him, said, Be not troubled, for his life is in him. [20:11]And going up and breaking bread, and tasting it, and conversing a long time till the break of day, he departed. [20:12]And they brought away the child alive, and were not a little comforted.

3 [20:13]And we going before by ship sailed to a.s.sos, being about to take in Paul at that place; for so had he appointed, being about to go on foot himself. [20:14]And when he met us at a.s.sos, we took him in and came to Mitylene, [20:15]and sailing thence, on the next day we came opposite to Chios, and in another day we touched at Samos, and stopping at Trogylium, on the day following we came to Miletus. [20:16]For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, that it might not be necessary for him to spend a long time in Asia; for he hastened, if it was possible for him, to be at Jerusalem at the day of Pentecost.

4 [20:17]And from Miletus sending to Ephesus he called for the elders of the church. [20:18]And when they had come to him, he said to them, You know from the first day that I came into Asia, how I was with you at all times, [20:19] serving the Lord with all humility, and tears and trials that befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews, [20:20]how I kept not back from declaring to you and teaching you publicly and from house to house any thing that was profitable, [20:21]testifying both to Jews and Greeks the change of mind to G.o.d, and the faith in our Lord Jesus. [20:22]And behold now, I go constrained by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things which shall befall me there, [20:23]except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying, That bonds and afflictions await me. [20:24]But life precious to myself, I make of no account that I may finish my course and the service which I received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of G.o.d.

5 [20:25]And now, behold, I know that you all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom shall see my face no more. [20:26]Wherefore I call you to witness this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; [20:27]for I have not kept back from declaring to you all the counsel of G.o.d. [20:28]Take heed to yourselves, therefore, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he has purchased with his blood. [20:29]For I know that after my departure grievous wolves will come among you, not sparing the flock, [20:30]and of yourselves men will arise speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. [20:31]Wherefore watch, remembering that for three years, night and day, I ceased not to admonish every one of you with tears. [20:32]And now I commend you to G.o.d, and the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance with all the sanctified. [20:33]I have coveted no man's silver or gold or clothing; [20:34]you yourselves know that these hands have served my necessities and those with me. [20:35]I have showed you all things, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

6 [20:36]And having said these words he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. [20:37]And they all wept much, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, [20:38] grieving most of all for the word which he said, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

CHAPTER XIX.

PAUL AND HIS COMPANY PURSUING THEIR JOURNEY TO CAESAREA AND JERUSALEM, ETC.--A.D. 59.

1 [21:1]AND when we had torn ourselves from them we set sail, and going in a straight course came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and thence to Patara. [21:2]And finding a ship crossing to Phenicia, going on board we set sail. [21:3]And observing Cyprus, and leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to discharge her cargo. [21:4] And finding the disciples we continued there seven days; and they told Paul, by the Spirit, not to go on to Jerusalem. [21:5]And when we had completed the days we went out and proceeded on our journey, they all attending us with their wives and children till without the city, and kneeling down on the sh.o.r.e we prayed, [21:6]and having saluted each other we went to the ship, and they returned to their homes.

2 [21:7]Having completed our voyage from Tyre we went to Ptolemais, and having saluted the brothers continued with them one day. [21:8]And departing on the next day we came to Caesarea, and going to the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we staid with him.

[21:9]This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. [21:10]And having continued there many days, there came down a certain prophet from Judea by the name of Agabus, [21:11]and coming to us, and taking Paul's girdle, and binding his hands and feet, he said, These things, says the Holy Spirit; Thus will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.

[21:12]And when we heard these things, we and the people of the place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. [21:13]But Paul answered, What do you do, to weep and break my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.

[21:14]And he not being persuaded, we were silent, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

3 [21:15]And after these days, having made preparation, we went up to Jerusalem; [21:16]and some of the disciples from Caesarea went up with us, conducting [us] to Mnason a Cyprian, an early disciple with whom we lodged.

4 [21:17]And when we arrived at Jerusalem the brothers received us gladly. [21:18]And on the following day Paul went with us to James, and all the elders were present. [21:19]And having saluted them, he related particularly what G.o.d had done among the gentiles by his ministry; [21:20]and having heard, they glorified G.o.d, and said to him, You see, brother, how many ten thousands there are of those who have believed, among the Jews, and all are zealots of the law; [21:21]and they have been informed of you, that you teach all the Jews among the gentiles to apostatize from Moses, telling them not to circ.u.mcise their children, nor to walk according to the customs. [21:22]What then is [to be done]?

They will hear everywhere that you have come. [21:23]Do this, therefore, which we tell you. We have four men having a vow upon them; [21:24]take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses, that they may shave their heads, and all will know that the information which they have of you is not correct, but that you walk also yourself keeping the law. [21:25]But concerning the gentiles who have believed, we have sent, judging that they should avoid things offered to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication. [21:26]Then Paul taking the men, on the following day being purified with them went into the temple, announcing the completion of the days of purification till an offering should be offered for each one of them.

CHAPTER XX.

PAUL'S APPREHENSION BY THE JEWS, HIS RESCUE BY THE ROMANS, HIS ADDRESS, ETC.--A.D. 59.

1 [21:27]AND when the seven days were nearly completed, the Jews from Asia seeing him in the temple excited all the mult.i.tude, and laid hands on him, [21:28]crying, Men of Israel, help; this is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place, and besides he has brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy place. [21:29]For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

[21:30]And all the city was moved, and there was a concourse of the people, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him without the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

2 [21:31]And while they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the chiliarch of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in commotion; [21:32]who immediately taking soldiers and centurions ran down upon them; and seeing the chiliarch and the soldiers, they ceased beating Paul. [21:33]Then the chiliarch approaching took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. [21:34]But some cried one thing, and some another, in the mult.i.tude, and not being able to learn the truth, on account of the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the fortress. [21:35] And when he was on the steps, it happened that he was borne by the soldiers, on account of the violence of the mult.i.tude; [21:36]for the mult.i.tude of the people followed, crying, Take him away.

3 [21:37]And being about to be carried into the fortress, Paul said to the chiliarch, May I have permission to speak to you? And he said, Do you understand Greek? [21:38]Are you not the Egyptian who before these days excited a sedition, and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men who were murderers? [21:39]And Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of a not undistinguished city, I beg of you, permit me to speak to the people. [21:40]And he giving him permission, Paul stood up on the steps, and motioned with his hand to the people; and when there was great silence, he spoke in the Hebrew language, and said, [22:1]Men, brothers and fathers, hear my present defense before you. [22:2]And hearing that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept the greater silence.

5 [22:3]And he said, I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, instructed at the feet of Gamaliel in the accurate interpretation of the law of our fathers, and am a zealous worshipper of G.o.d as you all are to-day; [22:4]and I persecuted this way to death, binding and committing to prison both men and women, [22:5]as the chief priest also bears me witness, and all the eldership, from whom also receiving letters to the brothers I went to Damascus, to bring those who were there bound to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 [22:6]And when I was on the way and had come nigh to Damascus, about noon suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me, [22:7]and I fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? [22:8]And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazoraean, whom you persecute. [22:9]And those that were with me saw the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. [22:10]And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, and go to Damascus, and there it shall be told you of all things which are appointed for you to do.

7 [22:11]And when I could not see from the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by those with me, I came to Damascus. [22:12]And a certain Ananias, a man [living] according to the law, approved by all the Jews living [there], [22:13]coming and standing by, said to me, Brother Saul, Receive your sight. And in that hour I looked upon him.

[22:14]And he said, The G.o.d of our fathers chose you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and hear the voice of his mouth, [22:15]for you shall be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. [22:16]And now, why do you delay? Arising, baptize and wash away your sins, calling on his name.

8 [22:17]And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance, [22:18]and saw him [Christ], saying to me, Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your testimony of me. [22:19]And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in the synagogues those who believed on you; [22:20]and when the blood of your martyr Stephen was poured out, I also stood by and consented, and kept the clothes of those that killed him.

[22:21]And he said to me, Go, for I will send you to nations far away.

9 [22:22]And they heard him to this word, and lifted up their voice saying, Take away such a man from the earth; it is not fit that he should live. [22:23] And as they cried and rent their clothes and cast dust in the air, [22:24]the chiliarch commanded him to be brought into the fortress, ordering that he should be examined with scourges, that he might know for what reason they cried so against him. [22:25]But when they extended him with cords, he said to the centurion standing by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, a Roman, and uncondemned?

[22:26]And the centurion hearing this, went and told the chiliarch, saying, What are you about to do? for this man is a Roman. [22:27] And the chiliarch came to him and said, Tell me, are you a Roman? And he said, Yes. [22:28]And the chiliarch answered, I acquired this citizenship for a great price. But Paul said, I am indeed, and was also born [one]. [22:29]Then those about to examine him immediately withdrew from him; and the chiliarch was afraid, knowing that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.