In those days came prophets from Ierusalem unto Antioche. There stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit, that there should be great dearth throughout all the world, which came to pass in the Emperor Claudius days. Then the disciples every man according to his ability, purposed to send succour unto the brethren which dwelt in jewry, which thing they also did, and sent it to the seniors, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The .xij. Chapter.
In that time Herod the king layed hands on certain of the congregation, to vex them. And he killed Iames the brother of Ihon with a sword: and because he saw that it pleased the jews, he proceeded further, to take Peter also. Then were the days of unleavened bread, and when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to iiij. quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending after ester to bring him forth to the people. Then was Peter kept in prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation unto God for him. When Herod would have brought him out unto the people, the same night slept Peter between ij. soldiers, bound with two chains, And the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And behold the angel of the lord was there present, and a light shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him up saying: arise up quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands. And the Angel said unto him: gird thyself and bind on thy sandals, And so he did. And he said unto him: cast on thy mantle about thee, and follow me. And he came out and followed him, and wist not, that it was truth which was done by the angel, but thought he had seen a vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they came unto the iron gate, that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them by his own accord. And they went out and passed thorow one street, and by and by the angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said: now I know of a surety, that the lord hath sent his Angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of the jewes. And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of one Ihon, which was called Mark also, where many were gathered together in prayer. As Peter knocked at the entry door, a damsel came forth to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the entry for gladness, but ran in and told how Peter stood before the entry. And they said unto her: thou art mad. And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they: it is his angel. Peter continued knocking: When they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonied. He beckoned unto them with his hand to hold their peace, and told them by what means the lord had brought him out of the prison. And said: go shew this unto Iames and to the brethren. And he departed and went into another place.
As soon as it was day there was no little ado among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. When Herod had called for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded to depart. And he descended from Iewry to Cesarea, and there abode. Herod was displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon. And they came all at once, and made intercession unto Blastus the king's chamberlain, and desired peace, because their country was nourished by the king's land. Upon a day appointed, the king arrayed him in royal apparel, and set him in his seat, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying: It is the voice of a God and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the lord smote him, because he gave not God the honour, and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
And the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul returned to Ierusalem, and fulfilled their office, and took with them Ihon, which was also called Marcus.
The .xiij. Chapter.
There were at Antioche, in the congregation, prophets and doctors, as Barnabas and Simeonb called Nyger, And Lucius of Cerene, and Manahen Herod the tetrarkes nursefellow, and Saul. As they served God, and fasted, The holy ghost said: separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work whereunto I have called them. Then fasted they and prayed, and put their hands on them, and let them go.
And they after they were sent of the holy ghost, came unto Seleutia, and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were come to Solamine, they shewed the word of God in the synagogues, unto the jewes. And they had Ihon to their minister.
When they had gone over all the Isle unto the city of Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet which was a jewe, named Bariesu, which was with the ruler of the country one Sergius Paulus a prudent man. The same ruler called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. The sorcerer Elemas (for so was his name by interpretation) withstood them, and sought to turn away the ruler from the faith. Then Saul which also is called Paul being full of the holy ghost, set his eyes on him, and said: O full of all subtlety and deceitfulness the child of the devil, and the enemy of all righteousness thou ceasest not to pervert the straight ways of the lord. And now behold the hand of the lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind and not see the sun for a season. And immediately fell on him a mist and a darkness, And he went about seeking, them that should lead him by the hand. Then the ruler when he saw what had happened, believed, and wondered at doctrine of the lord.
When Paul and they that were with him, had shipped from Paphus, they came to Perga a city of Pamphilia. There departed Ihon from them, and returned to Ierusalem. But they wandered thorow the countries, from Perga to Antioche a city of the country of Pisidia, and went into the synagoge on the saboth day, and sat down. After the lecture of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them saying: Ye men and brethren, if ye have any sermon to exhort the people, say on.
Paul stood up and beckoned with his hand and said: Men of Israhel, and ye that fear God, give audience. The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a mighty arm brought them out of it, and about the time of. xl. years, suffered he their manners in the wilderness. And he destroyed vij. nations in the land of Canaan, and divided their land to them by Lott. And afterward he gave unto them judges about the space of. iiij.C. and l. years unto the time of Samuel the prophet. And after that they desired a king, and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of xl. years. And after he had put him down, he set up David to be their king, to whom he gave witness, saying: I have found David the son of Iesse, a man after mine own heart, he shall fulfil all my will.
Of this man's seed hath God (according to his promise) brought forth to the people of Israel a saviour, one Iesus, when Ihon had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to Israhel. When Ihon had fulfilled his course, he said: Whom ye think that I am? the same am I not, but behold there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to lowse.
Ye men and brethren, children of the generation off Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is this word of health sent. The inhabiters of Ierusalem, and their rulers because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every saboth day, have fulfilled them in condemning him. And when they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate to kill him. And when they had fulfilled all that were written of him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a sepulchre: But God raised him again from death, and he was seen many days of them, which came with him from Galile to Ierusalem which are his witnesses unto the people.
And we declare unto you, how that the promise made unto the fathers, God hath now fulfilled unto us the children, in that he raised up Iesus again, even as it is written in the first {other second} psalm: Thou art my son, this same day begat I thee. As concerning that he so raised him up from death, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise: The holy promises made to David I will keep faithfully. Wherefore he saith also in another place: Thou shalt not suffer thy saincte to see corruption. For David after he had in his time fulfilled the will of God, he slept, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption. But he whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore ye men and brethren, that thorow this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, And by him are all that believe justified from all things from the which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore lest that fall on you, which is spoken of in the prophets: Behold ye despisers, and wonder, and perish ye: for I do a work in your days, which ye shall not believe, if a man would declare it you.
When the jews were gone out of the Synagogue, the gentiles besought them that they would preach the word to them between the saboth days. When the congregation was broken up, many of the jews and virtuous proselites followed Paul and Barnabas, which spake to them and exhorted them to continue in the grace of God.
And the next saboth day came Almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. When the jews saw the people, they were full of indignation and spake against those things which were spoken of Paul, They spake against it, and dispraised it, rayling on it. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said: it was meet that the word of God should first have been preached to you. But seeing ye put it from you, and think yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the gentiles. For so hath the lord commanded us: I have made thee a light to the gentiles, that thou be health unto the end of the world.
The gentiles heard, and were glad and glorified the word of the lord, and believed even as many as were ordained unto eternal life. And the word of the lord was published thorowout all the region. But the jews moved the worshipful and honorable women, and the chief men of the city. And raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust off their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the holy ghost.
The .xiiij. Chapter.
It fortuned in Iconium that they went both together into the synagogue of the jewes, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the jewes and also of the greeks believed. But the unbelieving jews, stirred up and unquieted the minds of the gentiles against the brethren. Long time abode they there and quit themselves boldly with the help of the lord, the which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, And caused signs and wonders to be done by their hands. The people of city were divided: and part held with the jews, and part with the Apostles.
When there was a fault made both of the gentiles and also of the jewes with their rulers, to put them to shame and to stone them, they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derba, cities of Licaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about, and there preached the gospell. And there sat a certain man at Lystra weak in his feet, being halt from his mother's womb, and never walked. The same heard Paul preach, which beheld him and perceived that he had faith to be whole, and said with a loud voice: stand upright on thy feet. And he started up, and walked. When the people saw what Paul had done, they lift up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia: Goddes are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Iupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because he was the preacher. Then Iupiters priest, which dwelt before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the church porch, and would have done sacrifice with the people. When the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard that, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying and saying: sirs, why do ye this? We are mortal men like unto you, and preach unto you, that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is, the which in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he shewed his benefits, in giving us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings, scarce refrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
Thither came certain jews from Antioche and Iconium, and obtained the peoples' consent and stoned Paul, and drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. As the disciples stood round about him, he arose up and came into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derba. After they had preached to that city, and taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium and Antioche, and strengthened the disciples souls, exhorting them to continue in the faith, affirming that we must thorow much adversity enter into the kingdom of God. And when they had ordained them seniors by election in every congregation, after they had prayed and fasted, they commended them to God on whom they believed.
And they went over all Pisidia and came into Pamphilia, and when they had preached the word of God in Perga, they descended into Attalia, and thence departed by ship to Antioche, from whence they were delivered unto the grace of God, to the work which they had fulfilled. When they were come and had gathered the congregation together, they rehearsed all that God had done by them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And there they abode long time with the disciples.
The .xv. Chapter.
And there came certain from jewry and taught the brethren: except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved. Then arose there dissension and disputing not a little unto Paul and Barnabas against them. And they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should ascend to Ierusalem unto the Apostles and seniors about this question. After they were brought on their way by the congregation, they passed over Phenices and Samaria, declaring the conversation {conversion} of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren. When they were come to Ierusalem they were received of the congregation and of the apostles and seniors. And they declared what things God had done by them. Then arose there up certain of the sect of the pharisees, which did believe saying that it was needful to circumcise them and to enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. The Apostles and seniors came together to reason of this matter.
When there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them: Ye men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospell and believe. And God which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, and gave unto them the holy ghost, even as he did unto us, And he put no difference between them and us, and with faith purified their hearts. Now therefore why tempt ye God, that ye would put a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear: But we believe that thorow the grace of the lord Iesu Christ we shall be saved as they do. Then all the multitude was peaced and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul which told what signs and wonders God had shewed among the gentiles by them. As soon as they held their peace, Iames answered saying: Men and brethren hearken unto me, Simeon told how God at the beginning did visit the gentiles, and received of them people unto his name. And to this agreeth the words of the prophets, as it is written: After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and that which is fallen in decay of it will I build again and I will set it up, that the residue of men might seek after the lord, and also the Gentiles upon whom my name is called saith the lord, which doth all these things: known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which of the gentiles are turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain themselves from filthiness of images, from fornication, from strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time in every city hath them that preach him, and he is read in the synagogues every saboth day.
Then pleased it the apostles and seniors with the whole congregation to send chosen men of their own company to Antioche with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Iudas called also Barsabas and Silas which were chief men among the brethren and gave them letters in their hands after this manner.
The Apostles, seniors and brethren send greetings unto the brethren which are of the gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Forasmuch as we have heard that certain which departed from us, have troubled you with words, and cumbered your minds saying: Ye must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no such commandment. It seemed therefore to us a good thing, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have jeoparded their lives, for the name of our lord Iesus Christ. We have sent therefore Iudas and Sylas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the holy ghost and to us, to put no grievous thing to you more than these necessary things, that is to say, that ye abstain from things offered unto images, from blood, from strangled and fornication. From which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. So fare ye well.
When they were departed, they came to Antioche and gathered the multitude together and delivered the pistel. When they had read it, they rejoiced of that consolation. Iudas and Silas being prophets, exhorted the people with much preaching, and strengthened them. After they had tarried there a certain space, they were let go in peace of the brethren unto the Apostles. Notwithstanding it pleased Sylas to abide there still. Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioche teaching, and preaching the word of the lord with other many.
But after a certain space Paul said unto Barnabas: Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city, where we have shewed the word of the lord, and see how they do. Barnabas gave counsel, to take with them Ihon called also Marke: But Paul thought it not meet to take him unto their company which departed from them at Pamphilia, and went not with them to the worke. So sharp was the dissension between them, that they departed asunder one from the other. And Barnabas took Mark and sailed unto Cypers. Paul chose Sylas and departed delivered of the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went thorow all Cyria and Cilicia, stablishing the congregations.
The .xvj. Chapter.
Then came he to Derba and Listra. And behold a certain disciple was there named Timotheus, a womans son which was a jewess and believed, but his father was a greek. Of whom reported well, the brethren of Listra and of Iconium. Paul would that he should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of the jewes which were in those quarters, for they knew all that his father was a greek. As they went thorow the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, ordained of the apostles and seniors which were at Ierusalem. So were the congregations stablished in the faith, and increased in number daily.
When they had gone thorowout Phrigia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the holy ghost to preach the word in Asia, they came to Misia, and sought to go into Bethinia, and the spirit suffered them not. When they went over Misia, and came down to Troada and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man of Macedonia and prayed him saying: Come into Macedonia and help us. After he had seen the vision immediately we prepared to go into Macedonia certified that the lord had called us for to preach the gospell unto them. Then loosed we forth from Troada, and with a straight course came we to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolim, and from thence to Philippos, which is the chiefest city in the parts of Macedonia and a free city.
We were in that city abiding a certain days. And on the saboth days we went out of the city besides a river where men were wont to pray, and we sat down and spake unto the women which thither resorted. And a certain woman named Lidia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira which worshipped God, gave us audience, whose heart God opened that she attended unto those things which Paul spake. When she was baptised, and her household, she besought us saying: If ye think that I believe on the lord come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
It fortuned as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit that prophesied met us, which brought her master and masters much vantage with prophesying. The same followed Paul and us saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of health. And this did she many days. But Paul not content turned about and said to the spirit: I command thee in the name of Iesu Christ that thou come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
When her master and mastress saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and brought them into the market place unto the rulers, and delivered them to the officers saying: These men trouble our city, which are jews and shew new decrees, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe seeing we are romans. And the people ran on them, and the officers rent their clothes, and commanded them to be beaten with rods, and when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into prison commanding the jailer to keep them surely. Which when he had received such commandment thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and lauded God. And the prisoners heard them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundation of the prison was shaken, and by and by all the doors opened, and every man's bonds were lowsed. When the keeper of the prison waked out of his sleep, and saw the prison doors open, he drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing the prisoners had been fled. Paul cried with a loud voice saying: Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.
He called for a light and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out and said, Sirs what must I do to be saved? And they said: believe on the lord Iesus, and thou shalt be saved and thy household. And they preached unto him the word of the lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and was baptised with all that belonged unto him straight way. When he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and joyed that he with all his household believed on God.
And when it was day the officers sent the ministers saying: Let those men go. The keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul: the officers have sent word to loose you. Now therefore get you hence and go in peace. Then said Paul unto them: They have beaten us openly uncondemned, for all that we are Romans, and have cast us into prison: and now would they send us away privily? Nay not so, but let them come themselves and fetch us out. The ministers told these words unto the officers and they feared when they heard that they were Romans, and came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. They went out of the prison and entered into the house of Lidia, and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them and departed.
The .xvij. Chapter.
As they made their journey thorow Amphipolis, and Apolonia, they came to Thessalonica where was a synagogue of the jewes. Paul as his manner was went in unto them, and three saboth days declared out of the scripture unto them, opening and alleging that Christ must needs have suffered and risen again from death. And that this Iesus was Christ, whom (said he) I preach to you. And some of them believed and came and companied with Paul and Silas. Also of the honorable greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women, not a few.
The jewes which believed not having indignation took unto them evil men which were vagabonds, and gathered a company, and set all the city on a roar, and made assault unto the house of Iason, and sought to bring them out to the people. and when they found them not, they drew Iason and certain brethren unto the heads of the city crying: These that trouble the world are come hither also, which Iason hath received privily. And these all do contrary to the ordinations of Cesar, affirming another king, one Iesus. And they troubled the people and the officers of the city when they heard these things. And when they were sufficiently answered of Iason, and of the other they let them go.
The brethren immediately sent away Paul, and Silas by night unto Berrea. When they were come thither they entered into the Synagogue of the jews. These were the noblest among them of Thessalonia, which received the word with all diligence of mind, and searched the scriptures daily whether those things were even so. And many of them believed, and of worshipful women which were greeks, and of men not a few. When the jews of Thessalonia had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berrea, they came thither and moved the people, and then by and by the brethren sent away Paul to go unto the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. They that guided Paul brought him unto Athens, and received a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him at once. And came their way.
While Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved in him to see the city given to worshipping of images. Then he disputed in the synagogue with the jews, and with the devout persons, And in the market daily with them that came unto him. Certain Philosophers of the Epicures, and of the Stoyckes disputed with him. And some there were which said: what will this babbler say. Other said: he seemeth to be a tidings bringer of new devils, because he preached unto them Iesus, and the resurrection, and they took him, and brought him into Marce street saying: may we not know what is this new doctrine whereof thou speakest. For thou bringest strange tidings to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean. For all the Athenians and strangers which were there gave themselves to nothing else, but either to tell or to hear new tidings.
Paul stood in the midst of Marce street and said, ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are somewhat superstitious. For as I passed by and beheld the manner how ye worship your gods, I found an altar wherein was written: unto the unknown God. Whom ye then ignorantly worship, him shew I unto you: God that made the world, and all that are in it, seeing that he is lord of heaven and earth, he dwelleth not in temples made with hands neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed of any thing. Forasmuch as he giveth to all men life and breath every where, and hath made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the earth. And hath assigned times appointed before, And the ends of their inhabitation, that they should seek God, if they might feel and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, move, and have our being, as certain of your own poets said. For we are also his generation. Forasmuch then as we are the generation of God, we ought not to think that the godhead is like unto gold, silver, or stone, graven by craft and imagination of man.
And the time of this ignorance God regarded not: but now he biddeth all men everywhere repent, because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world according to righteousness, by that man, whom he hath appointed, and hath given faith to all men, after that he had raised him from death. When they heard of the resurrection from death, some mocked, and other said: we will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Certain men clave unto Paul and believed, among the which was Dionysius a senator, and a woman named Damaris, and other with them.
The .xviij. Chapter.
After that, Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinthum, and found a certain jew named Aquila, born in Ponthus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because that the Emperor Claudius had commanded all jewes to depart from Rome) and he drew unto them. And because he was of the same craft he abode with them and wrought (their craft was to make tents.) and he preached in the synagogue every saboth day, And exhorted the jewes and the gentiles.
When Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia Paul was pained by the spirit, as he testified to the jewes that Iesus was Christ. When they said contrary and blasphemed, he shook his raiment and said unto them: your blood upon your own heads. For henceforth I go unto the gentiles, and he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house named Iustus which worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. One Crispus a ruler of the synagogue believed on the lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians gave audience and believed, and were baptised.
Then spake the lord to Paul in the night by a vision: be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall invade thee that shall hurt thee. For I have much people in this city. And he rested there a year and six months, and taught them the word of God.
When Gallio was ruler of the country of Acaia. The jewes made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judge's seat, saying: This man teacheth to worship God contrary to the law. And as Paul was about to open his mouth Gallio said unto the jews: if it were a matter of wrong, or an evil deed (o ye jews) reason would that I should hear you: but if it be a question of words, or of names, or of your law, look ye to it yourselves. For I will be no judge in such matters, and he drave them from his seat. Then took all the greeks Sosthenes a ruler of the Synagogue and smote him before the judge's seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.
Paul after this, tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Ciria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanying him after that he shore his head in Cenchrea. For he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus and left them there: but he himself entered into the Synagogue, and reasoned with the jewes. When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not, but bade them fare well saying: I must needs at this feast that cometh be in Ierusalem: but I will return again unto you if God will. And departed from Ephesus and came unto Cesarea: and ascended and saluted the congregation, and departed unto Antioche, and when he had tarried there a while, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatacia and Phrigia by order, strengthening all the disciples.
And a certain jewe named Apollos, born at Alexandria came to Ephesus. An eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures. The same was informed in the way of the lord, and he spake fervently in the spirit, and taught diligently the things of the lord, and knew but the baptism of Ihon only. And the same began to speak boldly in the Synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila had heard him: they took him unto them, And expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
When he was disposed to go into Acaia, the brethren exhorted him thereto, and wrote unto the disciples that they should receive him. After he was come thither he helped them much, which had believed thorow grace. And mightily he overcame the jews openly shewing by the scriptures that Iesus was Christ.
The .xix. Chapter.
It fortuned, while Apollos was at Corinthum, that Paul passed over the upper coasts, and came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples and said unto them: have ye received the holy ghost after ye believed? And they said unto him: No, neither have we heard if there be any holy ghost or no. And he said unto them: wherewith were ye then baptised? And they said: with Ihon's baptism. Then said Paul: Ihon verily baptised with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him, which should come after him. That is on Christ Iesus. When they heard that, they were baptised in the name of the lord Iesu, and when Paul laid his hands upon them, the holy ghost came on them. And they spake with tongues and prophesied, All the men were about xij.
And he went into the synagogue, and behaved himself boldly for the space of three months, disputing, and giving them exhortations of the kingdom of God. When diverse waxed hard hearted, and believed not, but spake evil of the way of the lord before the multitude: he departed from them, And severed the disciples away, And taught daily in the school of one called Tirannus. And this continued by the space of two years: So that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the lord Iesu, both jewes and greeks. And God wrought not small miracles by the hands of Paul. So that from his body were brought unto the sick, napkins or partlets, and the diseases and evil spirits departed from them.
Certain of the vagabond jewes exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the lord Iesus saying: We adjure you by Iesu whom Paul preacheth.
There were seven sons of one Sceva a ruler of the synagogue which did so: and the evil spirit answered and said: Iesus I know, and Paul I know: but who are ye? And the man in whom the wicked devil was, ran on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of the house naked and wounded. This was known to all the jewes and greeks also, which dwelt at Ephesus, and fear came on them all. And they magnified the name of the lord Iesus.
And many that believed came, and confessed and shewed their works. Many of them which used curious crafts, brought their books and burned them before all men, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand silverlings. So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed. After these things were ended Paul purposed in the spirit, to pass over Macedonia and Acaia, and to go to Ierusalem saying: After I have been there I must also see Rome. So sent he into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him: Timotheus and Erastus: but he himself remained in Asia. For a season.
The same time there arose no little a do about that way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a goldsmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, was not a little beneficial unto the craftsmen: which he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said: Sirs ye know that by this craft we have vantage. Moreover ye see and hear that not alone at Ephesus: but almost thorow out all Asia, this Paul entiseth, and turned away much people saying: that they be no gods which are made with hands: so that not only this our craft cometh into peril to be set at nought: but that also the temple of great Diana should be despised. And her majesty should be destroyed, which all Asia, and the world worshippeth.
When they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And all the city was on a roar, and they rushed into the common hall with one assent, and caught Gaius, and Aristarcus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions. When Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. Certain also of the chief of Asia which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not press into the common hall. Some cried one thing, and some another and the congregation was all out of quiet, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.
Some of the company drew forth Alexander (the jewes thrusting him forwards) Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have given the people an answer. When they knew that he was a jewe, there arose a shout almost for the space of two hours of all men crying, great is Diana of the Ephesians.
When the town clerk had ceased the people he said: ye men of Ephesus: what man is it that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which came from heaven. Seeing then that no man saith here against, ye ought to be content, and to do nothing rashly, For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet despisers of your goddess. Wherefore if Demetrius and the craftsmen which are with him, have any saying to any man, the law is open, and there are rulers, let them accuse one another. If ye go about any other thing, it may be determined in a lawful congregation. For we are in jeopardy to be accused of this day's business. For as much as there is no cause whereby we may give a reckoning of this concourse of people. And when he had thus spoken, he let the congregation depart.
The .xx. Chapter.
After the rage was ceased, Paul called the disciples unto him, and took his leave of them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and given them large exhortations, he came into Greece. And there abode .iij. months. When the jewes laid wait for him as he was about to sail into Syria, He purposed to return through Macedonia. There accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berrea: And of Thessalonia Aristarcus and Secundus, and Gaius of Derba, and Timotheus: Out of Asia Tychicus, and Trophimos. These went before, and tarried us at Troas. We sailed away from Philippos after the ester holidays, and came unto them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
On a saboth day the disciples came together for to break bread, and Paul preached unto them (ready to depart on the morrow) and continued the preaching unto midnight. There were many lights in the chamber where we were gathered together, and there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutichus, fallen into a deep sleep. And as Paul declared he was the more overcome with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. Paul went down and fell on him, and embraced him, and said: Make nothing ado. For his life is in him. When he was come up again, he brake bread, and tasted, and communed a long while even till the morning, and so departed. They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Then took we shipping, and departed unto Asson, there to receive Paul. For so had he appointed, and would himself go by land. When he was come to us unto Asson, we took him in, and came to Mittilenes. And sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios. And the day following we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogilon. The next day we came to Mileton. For Paul had determined to leave Ephesus as they sailed, because he would not spend the time in Asia. For he hasted to be (if he were possible) at Ierusalem at the day of Pentecost.
From Mileton he sent to Ephesus, and called the seniors of the congregation. When they were come to him, he said to them: Ye know from the first day that I came unto Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving God with all humbleness of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which happened unto me by the layings wait of the jewes, and how I kept back nothing that might be for your profit: but that I have shewed you, and taught you openly and at home in your houses, witnessing both to the jewes, and also to the greeks, the repentance toward God, and faith toward our lord Iesu.
And now behold I go bound in the spirit unto Ierusalem, and know not what shall come of me there, but that the holy ghost witnesseth in every city saying: that bonds and trouble abide me: but none of those things move me. Neither is my life dear unto myself, that I might fulfil my course with joy, and the ministration which I have received of the lord Iesu to testify the gospell of the grace of God.
And now behold, I am sure that henceforth ye all (thorow whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God) shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this same day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have kept nothing back: but have shewed you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, whereof the holy ghost hath made you overseers, to rule the congregation of God, which he hath purchased with his blood. For I am sure of this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, which will not spare the flock. And of your ownselves shall men arise speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them. Therefore awake and remember, that by the space of iij. years I ceased not to warn every one of you, both night and day with tears.
And now dear brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build further, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have desired no man's silver, gold, or vesture. Ye know well that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to receive the weak, and to remember the words of the lord Iesu, how that he said: It is more blessed to give, than to receive.
When he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they wept all abundantly, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him sorrowing, most of all, for the words, which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
The .xxj. Chapter.
And it chanced that as soon as we had launched forth, and were departed from them, we came with a straight course unto Choon, and the day following unto the Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara. And we found a ship ready to sail unto Phenices, and went aboard and set forth. Then appeared unto us Cyprus, and we left it on the left hand, and sailed unto Syria, and came unto Tyre. For there the ship unladed her burden. And when we had found brethren, we tarried there. vij. days. And they told Paul thorow the spirit, that he should not go up to Ierusalem. And when the days were ended we departed, and went our ways, and they all brought us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were come out of the city. And we kneeled down in the shore and prayed. And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship, and they returned home again.
When we had full ended the course, from Tyre, we arrived at Ptholomaida, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day. The next day, we that were of Paulus company, came unto Cesarea. And we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven, and abode with him. The same man had four daughters virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there a good many days, there came a certain prophet from jewry, named Agabus. When he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his hands and feet and said: Thus saith the holy ghost: So shall the jewes at Ierusalem, bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.
When we heard this, both we and other of the same place, besought him, that he would not go up to Ierusalem. Then Paul answered, and said: What do ye weeping, and breaking mine heart? I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Ierusalem for the name of the lord Iesu. When we could not turn his mind, we ceased saying: The will of the lord be fulfilled. After those days we made ourselves ready, and went up to Ierusalem. There went with us also certain of his disciples of Cesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an olde disciple, with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Ierusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the morrow Paul went in with us unto Iames. And all the seniors came together. And when he had saluted them, he told by order, what things God had wrought among the gentiles by his ministration. When they heard it, they glorified the lord, and said unto him: Thou seest brother, how many thousand jewes there are which believe, and they are all zealous over the law. And they are informed of thee that thou teachest all the jewes which are among the gentiles to forsake Moses, and sayest that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to live after the customs. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together. For they shall hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee.
We have iiij. men, which have a vow on them. Them take and purify thyself with them, and do cost on them, that they may shave their heads and all shall know that those things which they have heard of thee are nothing: but that thou thyself also walkest and keepest the law. As touching the gentiles which believe we have written and concluded, that they observe no such things: but that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from strangled, and from fornication. Then the next day Paul took the men and purified himself with them, and entered into the temple, declaring the fulfilling of the days of purification, until that an oblation should be offered for every one of them.
And as the seven days should have been ended, the jewes which were of Asia when they saw him in the temple, they moved all the people and laid hands on him crying: Men of Israhell help. This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place. Moreover also he hath brought greeks into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. For they saw one Trophimus an Ephesian with him in the city. Him they supposed Paul had brought into the temple. And all the city was moved, and the people swarmed together. And they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple, and forthwith the doors were shut to.
As they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the high captain of the soldiers, that all Ierusalem was moved. Which immediately took soldiers and undercaptains, and ran down unto them. When they saw the uppercaptain and the soldiers, They left smiting of Paul. Then the captain came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and demanded what he was, and what he had done. One cried this, another that, among the people. And when he could not know the certainty, for the rage: He commanded him to be carried into the castle. When he came unto a grece, it fortuned that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. The multitude of the people followed after crying: away with him.
And as Paul should have been carried into the castle, He said unto the high captain: May I speak unto thee? Which said: Canst thou speak greek? Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days, made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness iiij. thousand men that were murderers? Paul said: I am a man which am a jewe of Tharsus a city in Cicill, a citizen of no vile city, I beseech thee suffer me to licence, Paul stood on the steps, and beckoned with the hand unto the people, and there was made a great silence. And he spake unto them in Hebrew saying:
The .xxij. Chapter.
Ye men, brethren, and fathers, hear mine answer which I make unto you. When they heard that he spake Hebrew unto them, they kept the more silence. And he said: I am verily a man which am a jewe, born in Tharsus, a city in Cicill, nevertheless yet brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and informed diligently in the law of the fathers, and was fervent minded to Godward, as ye all are this same day, and I persecuted this way unto the death binding, and delivering into prison both men and women, as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the seniors: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Ierusalem for to be punished.
And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me. Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered: what art thou lord? and he said unto me? I am Iesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. 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. And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. One Ananias a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the jewes which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me: Brother Saul receive thy sight. And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, the God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mought: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the lord.
And it fortuned, when I was come again to Ierusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance, And saw him saying unto me: Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Ierusalem: for they will not receive the witness that thou bearest of me. And I said: lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, I also stood by, and consented unto his death and kept the raiment of them that slew him. And he said unto me: depart for I will send thee afar hence unto the gentiles.
They gave him audience unto this word, and lifted up their voices and said: away with such a fellow from the earth: it is pity that he should live. And they cried and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air. The captain bade him to be brought into the castle, and commanded him to be scourged, and to be examined, that he might know wherefore they cried on him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto an undercaptain: Is it lawful for you to scourge a Roman uncondemned? When the centurion heard that, he went to the uppercaptain, and told him saying: What intendest thou to do? This man is a Roman.
The uppercaptain came to him, and said: Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said: Yee. {yea} And the captain answered: With much money obtained I this freedom. And Paul said: I was freeborn. Then straightway departed from him they which should have examined him. And the captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman: because he had bound him.
On the morrow he lowsed him from his bonds desiring to know the certainty for what cause he was accused of the jewes, and commanded the high priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul, and set him before them.
The .xxiij. Chapter.
Paul beheld the council and said: Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. The high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by, to smite him on the mought. Then said Paul to him: God shall smite thee thou painted wall. Sittest thou and judgest me after the law: and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said: Revilest thou god's high priest? Then said Paul: I wist not brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written thou shalt not speak evil to the ruler of thy people.
When Paul perceived that the one part were Saduces, and the other Pharises: He cried out in the council. Men and brethren I am a pharisaye, the son of a pharisaye. Of hope, and of resurrection from death I am judged. And when he had so said, there arose a debate between the pharises and the saduces, and the multitude was divided. For the Saduces say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharises grant both. And there arose a great cry, and the scribes which were of the Pharises' part strove saying: We find none evil in this man. Though a spirit, or an angel hath appeared to him, let us not strive against God.
And when there arose great debate, the captain fearing lest Paul should have been plucked asunder of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him from among them, and to bring him into the castle. The night following God stood by him and said: Be of good cheer Paul: For as thou hast testified of me in Ierusalem, so must thou bear witness at Rome.
When day was come, certain of the jewes gathered themselves together, and made a vow saying: that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. They were about. xl. which had made this conspiration. And they came to the chief priest and seniors, and said: we have bound ourselves with a vow, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore give ye knowledge to the upper captain, and to the council that he bring him forth unto us tomorrow, as though we would know some thing more perfectly of him. But we (or ever he come near) are ready in the mean season to kill him.
When Paul's sister's son heard of their laying await, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. And Paul called one of the under captains unto him, and said: Bring this young man unto the captain: for he hath a certain thing to shew him. And he took him, and led him to the high captain, and said: Paul the prisoner called me unto him and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, which hath a certain matter to shew thee.
The high captain took him by the hand, and went apart with him out of the way: and asked him: what hast thou to say unto me? And he said: the jewes are determined to desire thee that thou wouldest bring forth Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But follow not their minds: for there lay await for him of them, more than xl. men, which have bound themselves with a vow, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now are they ready, and look for thy promise.
The upper captain let the young man depart and charged him: See thou tell no man that thou hast told me this. And he called unto him two under captains, saying: make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten. And spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night. And deliver them beasts that they may put Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the high debite, and wrote a letter in this manner.
Claudius Lisias unto the most mighty ruler Felix sendeth greetings. This man was taken of the jewes, and should have been killed of them: Then came I with soldiers, and rescued him, and perceived that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause, wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council. There perceived I that he was accused of questions of their law: but was not guilty of any thing worthy of death, or of bonds. Afterward when it was shewed me how that the jews laid wait for the man, I sent him straight way to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers, if they had ought against him, to tell it unto thee: fare well.
The soldiers as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatras. On the morrow they left horsemen to go with him, and returned unto the castle. When they came to Cesarea, they delivered the pistel to the debite, and presented Paul before him. When the debite had read the letter, he asked of what country he was. And when he understood that he was of Cicill, I will hear thee (said he) when thine accusers are come also: And commanded him to be kept in Herod's palace.
The .xxiiij. Chapter.
After v. days, Ananias the high priest descended, with seniors, and with a certain orator named Tartullus, and enformed the ruler against Paul. When Paul was called forth, Tartullus began to accuse him saying: Seeing that we live in great quietness by the means of thee and that many good things are done unto this nation thorow thy providence: that allow we ever and in all places, most mighty Felix with all thanks. Notwithstanding, lest I be not tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy courtesy a few words.
We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of debate among all the jewes thorow out the world, And a maintainer of the sect of the Nazarens: Which also hath enforced to pollute the temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our law: but the high captain Lisias came upon us, and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee, of whom thou mayest (if thou wilt enquire) know the certain of all these things where of we accuse him. The jewes likewise affirmed, saying that it was even so.
Then Paul (after that the ruler himself had beckoned unto him that he should speak) answered: I shall with a more quiet mind answer for myself, forasmuch as I understand that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this people, because that thou mayest know that there are yet but xij. days since I went up to Ierusalem for to pray. And that they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, either raising up the people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they accuse me.
But this I confess unto thee, that after that way (which they call heresy) so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets, and have hope towards God, that the same resurrection from death (which they themselves look for also) shall be both of just and unjust. And therefore study I to have a clear conscience toward God, and toward man also.
Many years ago I came and brought alms to my people and offerings, in the which they found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor yet with unquietness. There were certain jewes out of Asia which ought to be here present before thee, and accuse me, if they had ought against me: or else let these same here say, if they have found any evildoing in me, while I stand here in the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them of the resurrection from death am I judged of you this day.
When Felix heard that he deferred them, for he knew very well of that way and said: when Lisias the captain is come, I will know the utmost of your matters. And he commanded an undercaptain to keep Paul, and that he should have rest, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister unto him, or to come unto him.
After a certain days came Felix, and his wife Drusilla which was a jewess, and called forth Paul, and heard him of the faith which is toward Christ. And as he preached of Justice, temperance, and Judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered: thou hast done enough at this time, depart, when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul that he might loose him, wherefore he called him the oftener, and communed with him. After two year came Festus Porcius into Felix room, and Felix willing to shew the jewes a pleasure left Paul in prison bound.
The .xxv. Chapter.
When Festus was come into the province, after three days, he ascended from Cesarea unto Ierusalem. Then informed him the high priests, and the chief of the jews against Paul. And they entreated him, and desired favour against him that he would send for him to Ierusalem, and laid wait for him in the way to kill him. Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Cesarea: but that he himself would shortly depart thither. Let them therefore (said he) which among you are able to do it come down with us and accuse him, if there be any fault in the man.
When he had tarried there more than ten days he departed unto Cesarea, and the next day sat down in the judgement seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. When he was come the jewes which were come from Ierusalem, came about him and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove as long as he answered for himself, that he had neither against the law of the jewes, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar offended any thing at all.
Festus willing to do the jewes a pleasure, answered Paul, and said: Wilt thou go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul: I stand at Cesar's judgement seat, where I ought to be judged. To the jewes have I no harm done, as thou verily well knowest. If I have hurt them, or committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die. If none of these things are, where of they accuse me, no man ought to deliver me to them. I appeal unto Cesar. Then spake Festus with deliberation, and answered: Thou hast appealed unto Cesar: unto Cesar shalt thou go.
After a certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there a good season, Festus rehearsed Paul's cause unto the king saying: There is a certain man left in prison of Felix about whom when I came to Ierusalem the high priests, and seniors of the jewes informed me, and desired to have judgement against him. To whom I answered: It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man that he should perish, before that he which is accused, have the accusers before him, and have license to answer for himself, as pertaining to the crime whereof he is accused: when they were come hither, without delay on the morrow I sat to give judgement, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Iesus which was dead. whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Because I doubted of the questions, I asked him whither he would go to Ierusalem, and there be judged of these matters. Then when Paul had appealed to be kept unto the knowledge of Cesar. I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cesar.
Agrippa said unto Festus: I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow (said he) thou shalt hear him. On the morrow when Agrippa was come and Bernice with great pomp, and were entered into the council house with the captains and chief men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth, and Festus said: King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us: Ye see this man about whom all the multitude of jewes have been with me, both at Ierusalem and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. Yet found I nothing worthy of death that he had committed. Nevertheless seeing that he hath appealed to Cesar, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him unto you, and specially unto thee, king Agrippa, that after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For me thinketh it unreasonable for to send a prisoner, and not to shew the causes, which are laid against him.
The .xxvj. Chapter.
Agrippa said unto Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth his hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy King Agrippa, because I shall answer this day before thee of all the things whereof I am accused of the jewes, namely because thou art expert in all customs, and questions, which are among the jewes. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
My living of a child, which was at the first among mine own nation at Ierusalem know all the jewes which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify it. For after the most straitest sect of our lay, lived I a pharisaye and now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers unto which promise, our xij. tribes instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa am I accused of the jewes. Why should it be thought a thing incredible unto you, if God raise again the dead?
I also verily thought in myself, that I ought to do many contrary things, clean against the name of Iesus of Nazareth: which things I also did in Ierusalem. And many of the saints shut I in prison, moreover I received authority of the high priests: And when they were put to death I gave the sentence. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad upon them, even unto strange cities. About the which things as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from the high priests, even at mid day (king Agrippa) I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me.
When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the prick. And I said: Who art thou lord? And he said: I am Iesus whom thou persecutest: But rise and stand up on thy feet. For I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister, and a witness both of those things which thou hast seen, and of those things in thee which I will appear unto thee, delivering thee from the people, and from the gentiles, unto thee which now I send thee, to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.
Wherefore king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Ierusalem, and thorowout all the coasts of Iewry, and to the gentiles, that they should repent, and turn to God, and do the right works of repentance. For this cause the jewes caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Nevertheless I obtained help of God, and stood unto this day witnessing both to small and to great, saying none other things, than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come, that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from death, and should shew light unto the people, and to the gentiles.
As he thus answered for himself: Festus said with a loud voice: Paul, thou art besides thyself. Much learning hath made thee mad. And Paul said: I am not mad most dear Festus: but speak the words of truth and soberness. The king knoweth of these things, before whom I speak freely: neither think I that any of these things are hidden from him. For this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa believest thou the prophets? I wot well thou believest. Agrippa said unto Paul: Somewhat thou bringest me in mind for to become christen. And Paul said: I would to God that not only thou: but also all that hear me today, were not somewhat only, but altogether such as I am except these bonds. And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the debite, and Bernice, and they that sat with them. And when they were gone apart, they talked between themselves saying: This man doth nothing worthy of death, nor of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus: This man might have been lowsed if he had not appealed unto Cesar.
The .xxvij. Chapter.
When it was concluded that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Iulius, an undercaptain of Cesar's soldiers. And we entered into a ship of Adramicium, and lowsed from land, appointed to sail by the coasts of Asia, one Aristarcus out of Macedonia, of the country of Thessalia, being with us. The next day came we to Sidon, and Iulius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends, and to refresh himself. And from thence launched we and sailed hard by Cypers, because the winds were contrary. Then sailed we over the sea of Cicill, and Pamphylia, and came to Myra a city in Lycia.
And there the undercaptain found a ship of Alexandry ready to sail into Italy, and put us therein, and when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Gnydon (because the wind withstood us) we sailed hard by the coast of Candy, over against Salmo, and with much work sailed beyond it, and came unto a place called Goode port. Nigh whereunto was a city called Lasea. When much time was spent and sailing was now jeopardous, because also that we had overlong fasted, Paul put them in remembrance, and said unto them: Sirs I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and damage, not of the lading and ship only: but also of our lives. But the undercaptain believed the governor, and the master, better than those things which were spoken of Paul. And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, many took counsel to depart thence, if by any means they might attain to Phenices and there to winter, which haven pertaineth to Candy, and serveth to the southwest, and northwest wind. When the south wind blew, they supposing to obtain their purpose lowsed unto Asson, and sailed past all Candy.
But anon after there arose (against their purpose) a flaw of wind out of the northeast. When the ship was caught, and could not resist the wind, we let her go and drave with the weather. We came unto an isle named Clauda, And had much work to come by a boat, which they took up, and used help undergirding the ship, fearing lest we should have fallen into Syrtes, and we let down a vessel and so were carried. The next day when we were tossed with an exceeding tempest, they lightened the ship, and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship. When at the last neither sun nor star in many days appeared, And no small tempest lay upon us, all hope that we should be saved, was taken away.
Then after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them and said: Sirs ye should have heard me, and not have departed from Candy, neither to have brought unto us this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you: But of the ship only. For there stood by me this night the angel of God whose I am, and whom I serve, saying: fear not Paul, for thou must be brought before Cesar. And lo, God hath given unto thee all that are in the ship with thee, wherefore sirs be of good cheer, for I believe God that so it shall be even as it was told me, and we must be cast into a certain island.
But when the fourteenth night was come as we were carried in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that there appeared some country unto them, and they sounded, and found it xx. fathoms. they went a little further and sounded again, and found xv. fathoms. Then fearing lest they should have fallen on some Rocke, they cast iiij. anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day. As the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, and had let down the boat into the sea, under a colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship: Paul said unto the undercaptain and the soldiers: except these abide in the ship ye cannot be safe. Then the soldiers cut off the rope of the boat, and let it fall away.
And in the meantime, betwixt that and day, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying: this is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting receiving nothing at all, wherefore I pray you to take meat: for this no doubt is for your health, for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you. And when he had thus spoken he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and brake it, and began to eat. Then were they all of Good cheer, and they also took meat. We were all together in the ship, two hundred and three score and sixteen souls. When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and cast out the wheat into the sea.
When it was day they knew not the land, but they spied a certain reach with a bank, into the which they were minded (if it were possible) to thrust in the ship. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and lowsed the rudder bonds and hoised up the main sail to the wind and drew to land, but they fell into a place, which had the sea on both the sides, and thrust in the ship. And the fore part stuck fast, and moved not, but the hinderpart brake with the violence of the waves.
The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners lest any of them, when he had swum out should flee away: but the undercaptain willing to save Paul kept them from their purpose, and commanded that they that could swim should cast themselves first in to the sea, and scape to land. And the other he commanded to go, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they came all safe to land.
The .xxviij. Chapter.
And when they were scaped they knew that the isle was called Mileta. The people of the country shewed us no little kindness, for they kindled a fire and received us every one because of the present rain, and because of cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, And put them into the fire, a viper (because of the heat) crept out leapt on his hand. When the men of the country saw the worm hang on his hand, they said among themselves: this man must needs be a murderer: Whom (though he have escaped the sea) yet vengeance suffereth not to live. and he shook off the vermin into the fire, and felt no harm. They waited when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly. But after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a God.
In the same quarters, the chief man of the isle whose name was Publius, had a lordship: which received us, and lodged us three days courteously. It fortuned that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever, and of a bloody flux to whom Paul entered in and prayed, and laid his hands on him and healed him. When this was done, other also which had diseases in the isle, came and were healed: And they did us great honour. And when we departed, they laded us with things necessary.
After three months we departed in a ship of Alexandry, which had wintered in the isle, whose badge was Castor and Pollux. And when we came to Ciracusa, we tarried there iij. days, from whence we sailed about and came to Regium. And after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Putiolus where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days, and so came we to Rome. and from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to Apiphorum, and three taverns, and met us. When Paul saw them he thanked God, and waxed bold. When he came to Rome, the undercaptain delivered the prisoners to the chief captain of the host: but Paul was suffered to dwell alone with one Soldier that kept him.
It fortuned after three days Paul called the chief of the jewes to gether. When they were come, he said unto them: Men and brethren, though I have committed no thing against the people, or laws of our fathers: yet was I delivered prisoner from Ierusalem into the hands of the romans. Which when they had examined me, would have let me go, because they found no cause of death in me: but when the jewes cried contrary: I was constrained to appeal unto Cesar. Not because I had ought to accuse my people of. For this cause have I called for you to see you, and to speak with you. For I because of the hope of Israhel, am bound with this chain.