The New Testament Part 27

CHAPTER XXI.

PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIM, AND SENT TO CAESAREA FOR SAFE KEEPING.--A.D.

59.

1 [22:30]AND on the next day, wishing to know the truth in respect to what he was accused of by the Jews, [the chiliarch] released him, and commanded the chief priests and all the Sanhedrim to come together; and bringing Paul down he set him before them. [23:1]And Paul looking steadily at the Sanhedrim, said, Men and brothers, I have lived before G.o.d in all good conscience to this day. [23:2]And the chief priest Ananias commanded those standing by to strike him on the mouth.

[23:3]Then Paul said to him, G.o.d is about to strike you, whitewashed wall; and do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law? [23:4]And those standing by said, Do you revile G.o.d's chief priest? [23:5]And Paul said, I knew not brothers that he was a chief priest; for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.

2 [23:6]And Paul knowing that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried in the Sanhedrim, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of Pharisees; for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I under trial. [23:7] And having said this, there was a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the mult.i.tude were 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 was a great cry, and the scribes of the party of the Pharisees rising up contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but [what] if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him? [23:10]And there being a great dissension, the chiliarch, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by them, commanded the troops to come down and take him by force from the midst of them, and conduct him to the fortress.

3 [23:11]And on the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good courage, for as you have testified of me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome. [23:12]And when it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath, saying that they would not eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. [23:13]And there were more than forty who took this oath, [23:14] who came to the chief priests and elders and said, We have bound ourselves under a curse to taste nothing till we kill Paul. [23:15]Now, therefore, speak to the chiliarch, with the Sanhedrim, to bring him down to you tomorrow, as if you were about to investigate his case more accurately, and we, before he comes nigh, are ready to kill him.

4 [23:16]But a son of Paul's sister hearing of this lying in wait, went and entering into the fortress told Paul. [23:17]And Paul calling one of the centurions, said, Lead this young man to the chiliarch, for he has something to tell him. [23:18]He therefore took him and led him to the chiliarch, and said, Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to lead this young man to you, who has something to tell you. [23:19]And the chiliarch taking him by the hand and leading him aside, inquired, What is it that you have to tell me? [23:20]And he said, The Jews have entered into a compact to ask you to bring down Paul to the Sanhedrim to-morrow, as if about to learn more accurately of something concerning him. [23:21]But do not therefore be persuaded by them; for more than forty men of them lie in wait, who have taken an oath not to eat nor drink till they have killed him, and now they are ready, awaiting an answer from you. [23:22]Then the chiliarch dismissed the young man, charging him, Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.

5 [23:23]And calling two of the centurions he said, Prepare two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy hors.e.m.e.n and two hundred light armed troops, after the third hour of the night. [23:24]And provide animals to put Paul on, and take him safely to Felix the procurator.

[23:25]And he wrote a letter having this form; [23:26]Claudius Lysias to the most excellent procurator Felix, greeting. [23:27]I went with the soldiery and rescued this man, when he was seized by the Jews, and about to be killed by them, having learned that he is a Roman; [23:28]and wishing to know the cause for which they accuse him, I took him down to their Sanhedrim, [23:29]and found him criminated in respect to questions of their law, but charged with nothing worthy of death or bonds. [23:30]Being informed that a conspiracy was about to be formed against the man, I immediately sent to you, commanding also his accusers to speak before you.

6 [23:31]The soldiers therefore took Paul as they were commanded and brought him by night to Antipatris, [23:32]and the next day leaving the hors.e.m.e.n to go with him, they returned to the fortress. [23:33]And when they came to Caesarea, and had delivered the letter to the procurator, they also presented Paul to him. [23:34]And having read, he asked of what province he was; and learning that he was of Cilicia, [23:35]I will hear you, he said, when your accusers have come; and he commanded him to be kept in the Praetorium of Herod.

CHAPTER XXII.

PAUL'S TRIAL BEFORE FELIX THE PROCURATOR.--A.D. 59, 60.

1 [24:1]AND after five days the chief priest Ananias, with the elders, and a certain orator, Tertullus, went down and gave information to the procurator against Paul. [24:2]And he being called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Having obtained great peace by you, and things being happily arranged for this nation by your oversight in all things and in all places [24:3]we accept [it] most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. [24:4]But that I may not further weary you, I beg you to hear us briefly, with your clemency. [24:5]For finding this man a pestilence and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a chief of the sect of the Nazoraeans, [24:6]who also endeavored to profane the temple, whom we also took, [24:8]from whom you will be able to learn by examination of all these things of which we accuse him. [24:9]And the Jews also a.s.sented, saying, These things are so.

2 [24:10]And the procurator making a sign to him to speak, Paul answered, Knowing that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I shall defend myself cheerfully, [24:11]you being able to know that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem. [24:12]And they did not find me in the temple disputing with any one, or making a disturbance of the mult.i.tude, neither in the synagogues nor in the city; [24:13]neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.

3 [24:14]But this I confess to you, that in the way which they call a heresy, so worship I the G.o.d of my fathers; believing all things written in the law and the prophets, [24:15]having a hope in G.o.d which they also hold, that there will be a resurrection both of the righteous and wicked. [24:16]And in this also I endeavor always to have a conscience without offense towards G.o.d and man.

4 [24:17]But after many years I came to bring charities and offerings to my nation, [24:18]in which certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, not with a mult.i.tude, nor with a tumult, [24:19]who ought to be present and accuse me before you, if they have any thing against me. [24:20]Or let them say whether they found any unrighteousness in me when I stood before the Sanhedrim, [24:21]except in this one statement which I made, as I stood among them, that I am under trial by you to-day concerning the resurrection of the dead.

5 [24:22]But Felix put them off, saying, Having learned more accurately of this way, when Lysias the chiliarch comes down I will decide concerning your matters, [24:23]and he commanded the centurion that Paul should be kept, and be freed from bonds, and that he should forbid none of his friends to serve him.

6 [24:24]And after some days Felix coming with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [24:25]And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment about to come, Felix being terrified answered, Go for the present; but when I have time I will call you. [24:26]At the same time also he hoped that money would be given him by Paul; and on this account sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him. [24:27]But after two years had pa.s.sed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wishing to gratify the Jews, Felix left Paul bound.

CHAPTER XXIII.

PAUL'S TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS, HIS APPEAL TO CAESAR, AND HIS SUBSEQUENT DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA.--A.D. 61.

1 [25:1]FESTUS therefore coming into the province, after three days went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. [25:2]And the chief priests and the first men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, [25:3]asking favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, having provided an ambuscade to kill him on the way.

[25:4]Then Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he would go down there shortly; [25:5]and then, he said, the princ.i.p.al men among you may go down with me; if there is any thing against this man they may prosecute him. [25:6]And staying with them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day, sitting on the tribunal, commanded Paul to be brought.

2 [25:7]And when he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and weighty accusations which they could not prove, [25:8]while Paul maintained in his defense, Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I done any wrong.

3 [25:9]But Festus wishing to gratify the Jews, answered Paul and said, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there be tried by me for these things? [25:10]And Paul said, I stand at the tribunal of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have not injured the Jews, as you also know very well. [25:11]If indeed I have done wrong or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if those things of which they accuse me are nothing, no man may give me up to them; I appeal to Caesar. [25:12]Then Festus having conferred with the council answered, You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.

4 [25:13]But after some days king Agrippa and Bernice came down to Caesarea to salute Festus. [25:14]And when they had staid there many days, Festus proposed the case of Paul to the king, saying, There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, [25:15]concerning whom when I was at Jerusalem the chief priests and elders of the Jews gave me information, asking judgment against him; [25:16]to whom I answered, It is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man before the accused has the accusers face to face, and is allowed an opportunity to defend himself against the accusation.

5 [25:17]When therefore, they came here, making no delay, the next day I sat on the tribunal, and ordered the man to be brought; [25:18]concerning whom his accusers standing up brought no charge of such things as I supposed, [25:19]but had certain questions with him concerning their religion, and concerning one Jesus that was dead, who Paul said was alive. [25:20]Being in doubt on the question concerning these things, I asked if he was willing to go to Jerusalem and be tried by me there on these charges. [25:21]But Paul appealing, to be kept for the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar. [25:22]And Agrippa [said] to Festus, I should like to hear the man also myself. And he said, To-morrow you shall hear him.

6 [25:23]On the next day, therefore, Agrippa and Bernice coming with great pomp, and entering into the place of hearing with chiliarchs and men of distinction in the city, at the command of Festus Paul was brought. [25:24]And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all the men present with us, you see this man, of whom all the mult.i.tude of the Jews besought me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought no longer to live. [25:25]But finding that he had done nothing deserving death, and he having appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. [25:26]But I have nothing certain to write to the sovereign concerning him, wherefore I have brought him before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that on examination I may have something to write; [25:27] for it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not to signify the charges against him.

7 [26:1]And Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for yourself. Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense.

[26:2]I think myself happy, King Agrippa, in being allowed to make my defense before you to-day in respect to all things of which I am accused by the Jews, [26:3]especially as you are acquainted with all the customs and questions of the Jews; wherefore, I beg you to hear me patiently. [26:4]My mode of life from my childhood, the early part of it being with my nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, [26:5]who knew me from the first, if they would testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. [26:6]And now I stand on trial for the hope of the promise made by G.o.d to our fathers, [26:7]which our twelve tribes, serving G.o.d continually, day and night, hope to attain; of this hope, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.

[26:8]Why is it judged by you incredible that G.o.d raises the dead?

[26:9]I indeed thought with myself that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazoraean, [26:10]which I also did at Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests, and when they were killed I gave my vote against them. [26:11]And punishing them often in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme, and being exceedingly mad against them, I pursued them even to cities abroad.

8 [26:12]In which [persecutions] also, going to Damascus with authority, and a commission from the chief priests, [26:13]at midday I saw in the way O king, a light from heaven shining around me and those going with me, exceeding the brightness of the sun; [26:14]and when we had all fallen on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goads. [26:15]And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. [26:16]But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of visions ] in which I will appear to you, [26:17]delivering you from the people, and the gentiles, to whom I send you [26:18]to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to G.o.d, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified by faith in me. [26:19]Whence, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, [26:20]but preached first to those at Damascus and Jerusalem, and in all the country of Judea, and to the gentiles, that they should change their minds and turn to G.o.d, performing works worthy of a change of mind.

9 [26:21]On this account the Jews seized me in the temple and endeavored to kill me. [26:22]Having obtained therefore help from G.o.d, I have continued to this day, testifying to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said should take place; [26:23]that the Christ should suffer, and that he first from the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and the nations.

10 [26:24]And when Paul had said these words, Festus said with a loud voice, You are mad, Paul; much learning has driven you to madness.

[26:25]But he said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter words of truth and sobriety. [26:26]For the king knows of these things, before whom I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things have escaped his notice; for this was not done in a corner.

[26:27]King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe.

[26:28]And Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to be a Christian. [26:29]And Paul said, I would to G.o.d that not only you but also all who hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. [26:30]And the king arose, and the procurator, and Bernice, and those who sat with them, [26:31]and departing they conversed with each other, saying, This man has done nothing deserving death or bonds. [26:32]And Agrippa said to Festus, If he had not appealed to Caesar, this man might be released.

CHAPTER XXIV.

PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.--A.D. 61, 62.

1 [27:1]AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion by the name of Julius, of the cohort of Augustus. [27:2]And going on board of a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places in Asia, we set sail, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us; [27:3]and on the next day we came to Sidon, and Julius treating Paul with humanity allowed him to go to his friends, and receive attention.

2 [27:4]Proceeding thence we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary, [27:5]and sailing through the sea by Cilicia and Pamphylia we came to Myra in Lycia; [27:6]and the centurion finding there an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, put us into it. [27:7]And sailing slowly in those days, and scarcely being by Cnidus, the wind not permitting us [to proceed in a direct course] we sailed under Crete, by Salmone, [27:8]and sailing by it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which is the city Lasea.

3 [27:9]But some time being spent and navigation not being safe, because the fast had already pa.s.sed by, Paul advised, [27:10]saying to them, Men, I see that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives. [27:11]But the centurion believed the master and owner rather than the words spoken by Paul. [27:12]And the harbor being inconvenient to winter in, the greater part advised to depart thence, and, if they were able, to come to Phenice to winter, a harbor of Crete, which opens to the South and Southwest.

4 [27:13]And the South wind blowing gently, supposing that they had attained their purpose, setting sail they proceeded along the coast of Crete. [27:14]But not long after a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, rushed against it, [27:15] and the ship being caught and not being able to bear up against the wind, we gave up, and were borne along.

[27:16]And running a little under the island called Clauda, we with difficulty became masters of the boat, [27:17]and taking it out they used helps, under-girding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall on the shoal, letting down the mast they were driven in that condition.

[27:18]And we being exceedingly pressed with the storm, on the next day they cast the cargo overboard, [27:19]and on the third day with our own hands we cast overboard the furniture of the ship. [27:20]And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no slight storm being upon us, at last all hope that we should be saved was taken away.

5 [27:21]Then there having been long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, You ought, men, taking my advice, not to have sailed from Crete, and to have saved this injury and loss.

[27:22]And now I advise you to be of good courage; for there shall be no loss of a life of you, but only of the ship. [27:23]For an angel of the G.o.d whose I am, and whom I serve, came to me this night [27:24]and said, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold, G.o.d has given you all that sail with you. [27:25]Wherefore, men, be of good courage; for I believe G.o.d, that it will be as he has told me; [27:26]

but we must be cast on a certain island.

6 [27:27]And on the fourteenth night, when we were borne along in the Adriatic, at about midnight the sailors suspected that some land was approaching them. [27:28]And sounding they found twenty fathoms, and going a little distance and sounding again they found fifteen fathoms; [27:29]and fearing lest we should fall on rough places, casting out four anchors from the stern, they prayed for day. [27:30]And the sailors seeking to escape from the ship, and letting down the boat into the sea, with the pretence that they were about to put out anchors from the fore part of the ship, [27:31]Paul said to the centurion and soldiers, Unless these continue in the ship you cannot be saved.

[27:32]Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the boat and let it fall off.

7 [27:33]And when day was about to appear, Paul exhorted all to take food, saying, It is the fourteenth day to-day that you have watched and continued without food, taking nothing. [27:34]Wherefore I exhort you to partake of food; for this is necessary to your safety, for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any one of you. [27:35]And having said these things, and taken bread, he thanked G.o.d before all, and having broken began to eat. [27:36]And all being in good spirits they also partook of food; [27:37]and all the souls in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six. [27:38]And being satisfied with food they lightened the ship, casting the wheat into the sea.

8 [27:39]And when it was day they did not know the land, but they perceived a bay having a sh.o.r.e, on which they wished if possible to thrust the ship. [27:40] And taking up the anchors, they committed [the ship] to the sea, loosening at the same time the fastenings of the rudder and raising the top sail to the wind, they bore down towards the sh.o.r.e. [27:41]And falling on a place with a sea on both sides, they run the ship aground. And the bow being firmly fixed, remained immoveable; and the stern was broken by violence.

9 [27:42]And the design of the soldiers was to kill the prisoners, that none might escape by swimming; [27:43]but the centurion wishing to save Paul, prohibited them from this design, and commanded those able to swim to cast themselves into the water first, and go to the land; [27:44]and the rest, some on boards, and some on parts of the ship; and in this way all were brought safely to land.