CHAPTERS 22-28
ACTS#22
1 ¶ Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which
I make now unto you.
2 (And when they
heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence:
and he saith,)
3 ¶ I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a
city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and
taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was
zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I
persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both
men and women.
5 As also the
high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom
also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them
which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6 And it came to
pass, 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.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a
voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me?
8 And I answered,
Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of
Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that
were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the
voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said,
What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise,
and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are
appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I
could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that
were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one
Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the
Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me,
and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour
I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath
chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and
shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt
be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why
tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the
name of the Lord.
17 And it came to
pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the
temple, I was in a trance;
18 And saw him
saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of
Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
19 And I said,
Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that
believed on thee:
20 And when the
blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting
unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21
And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence
unto the Gentiles.
22 ¶ And they gave him audience unto this word, and then
lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for
it is not fit that he should live.
23 And as they
cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,
24 The chief
captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be
examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they
bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful
for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?
26 When the
centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed
what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief
captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great
sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.
29 Then
straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the
chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because
he had bound him.
30 On the morrow,
because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews,
he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their
council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.
1 ¶ And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high
priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul
unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me
after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
4 And they that
stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?
5 Then said Paul,
I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou
shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
6 ¶ But when Paul perceived that the one part were
Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and
brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection
of the dead I am called in question.
7 And when he had so said, there arose a
dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was
divided.
8 For the
Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the
Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose
a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and
strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath
spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there
arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been
pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by
force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
11 And the night
following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good
cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear
witness also at Rome.
12 ¶ And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded
together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat
nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 And they were
more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
14 And they came to the chief priests and
elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat
nothing until we have slain Paul.
15 Now therefore
ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto
you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning
him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
16 And when Paul's
sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle,
and told Paul.
17 Then Paul
called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the
chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.
18 So he took
him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called
me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath
something to say unto thee.
19 Then the chief
captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him,
What is that thou hast to tell me?
20 And he said,
The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to
morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more
perfectly.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there
lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves
with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him:
and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.
22 So the chief
captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man
that thou hast shewed these things to me.
23 And he called
unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to
Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the
third hour of the night;
24 And provide
them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the
governor.
25 And he wrote a
letter after this manner:
26 Claudius
Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.
27 This man was
taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an
army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.
28 And when I would have known the cause
wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:
29 Whom I
perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to
his charge worthy of death or of bonds.
30 And when it
was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee,
and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had
against him. Farewell.
31 Then the
soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to
Antipatris.
32 On the morrow
they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:
33 Who, when they
came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul
also before him.
34 And when the
governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he
understood that he was of Cilicia;
35 I will hear
thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be
kept in Herod's judgment hall.
1 ¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended
with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the
governor against Paul.
2 And when he was
called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy
great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy
providence,
3 We accept it
always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4
Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee
that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have
found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews
throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath
gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according
to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us,
and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his
accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge
of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews
also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 ¶ Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto
him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a
judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that
thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to
Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they
neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the
people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can
they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the
way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all
things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope
toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do
I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and
toward men.
17 Now after many
years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon
certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude,
nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to
have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let
these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood
before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I
cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in
question by you this day.
22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, having more
perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the
chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he
commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he
should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
24 And after
certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he
sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he
reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled,
and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will
call for thee.
26 He hoped also
that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him:
wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years
Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a
pleasure, left Paul bound.
1 ¶ Now when Festus was come into the province, after
three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high
priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired
favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the
way to kill him.
4 But Festus
answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would
depart shortly thither.
5 Let them
therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this
man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had
tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next
day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
7 And when he was come, the Jews which came
down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints
against Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he
answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the
temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus,
willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to
Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said
Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the
Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an
offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but
if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me
unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.
12 Then Festus,
when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto
Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
13 ¶ And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came
unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days,
Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left
in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom,
when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed
me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I
answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before
that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to
answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore,
when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the
judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom
when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I
supposed:
19 But had
certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus,
which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I
doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to
Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved
unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him
to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa
said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou
shalt hear him.
23 And on the
morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into
the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city,
at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus
said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this
man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at
Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But when I
found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath
appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have
no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth
before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination
had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth
to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes
laid against him.
1 ¶ Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak
for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself
happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee
touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially
because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among
the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of
life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem,
know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me
from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect
of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand
and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes,
instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king
Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it
be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily
thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of
Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I
also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having
received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I
gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished
them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being
exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 ¶ Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and
commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O
king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun,
shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And 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 pricks.
15 And I said,
Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou
persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto
thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these
things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear
unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto
whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to 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 that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O
king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed
first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of
Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and
do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the
temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having
therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to
small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and
Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ
should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead,
and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 ¶ And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a
loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I
am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and
soberness.
26 For the king
knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded
that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a
corner.
27 King Agrippa,
believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou
persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said,
I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were
both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he
had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that
sat with them:
31 And when they
were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing
worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said
Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not
appealed unto Caesar.
1 ¶ And when it was determined that we should sail into
Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a
centurion of Augustus' band.
2 And entering
into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia;
one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
3 And the next
day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him
liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
4 And when we had
launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had
sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 And there the
centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and
scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed
under Crete, over against Salmone;
8 And, hardly passing
it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the
city of Lasea.
9 Now when much
time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now
already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto
them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not
only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
11 Nevertheless
the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those
things which were spoken by Paul.
12 ¶ And because the haven was not commodious to winter
in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might
attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth
toward the south west and north west.
13 And when the
south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing
thence, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after there arose against it a
tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
15 And when the
ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running
under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the
boat:
17 Which when
they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest
they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
18 And we being
exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third
day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
20 And when
neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us,
all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 ¶ But after long
abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should
have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this
harm and loss.
22 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.
23 For there
stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear
not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all
them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore,
sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told
me.
26 Howbeit we
must be cast upon a certain island.
27 But when the
fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about
midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms:
and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it
fifteen fathoms.
29 Then fearing
lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern,
and wished for the day.
30 And as the
shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat
into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the
foreship,
31 Paul said to
the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be
saved.
32 Then the
soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
33 And while the
day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the
fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken
nothing.
34 Wherefore I
pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an
hair fall from the head of any of you.
35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread,
and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he
began to eat.
36 Then were they
all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
37 And we were in
all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
38 And when they
had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
39 And when it
was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a
shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the
ship.
40 And when they
had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed
the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward
shore.
41 And falling
into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart
stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the
violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the
prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
43 But the
centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded
that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get
to land:
44 And the rest,
some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass,
that they escaped all safe to land.
1 ¶ And when they were escaped, then they knew that the
island was called Melita.
2 And the
barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and
received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.
3 And when Paul
had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper
out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 And when the
barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves,
No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
vengeance suffereth not to live.
5 And he shook
off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
6 Howbeit they
looked 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.
7 In the same quarters were possessions of the
chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us
three days courteously.
8 And it came to
pass, 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.
9 So when this
was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:
10 Who also
honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such
things as were necessary.
11 ¶ And after three months we departed in a ship of
Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.
12 And landing at
Syracuse, we tarried there three days.
13 And from
thence we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south
wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:
14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to
tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.
15 And from
thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii
forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took
courage.
16 And when we
came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the
guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
17 ¶ And it came to pass, that after three days Paul
called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he
said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the
people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem
into the hands of the Romans.
18 Who, when they
had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in
me.
19 But when the
Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had
ought to accuse my nation of.
20 For this cause
therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because
that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
21 And they said unto him, We neither received
letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came
shewed or spake any harm of thee.
22 But we desire
to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that
every where it is spoken against.
23 ¶ And when they had appointed him a day, there came
many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of
God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of
the prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some
believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
25 And when they
agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one
word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
26 Saying, Go
unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and
seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
27 For the heart
of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their
eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with
their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them.
28
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is
sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
29 And when he
had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among
themselves.
30 ¶ And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired
house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the
kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ,
with all confidence, no man forbidding him.