[13:1]And there were prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch;
Barnabas and Simeon called Niger [the black], and Lucius the Cyrenian,
and Manaen the foster brother of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul.
[13:2]And while they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said,
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
[13:3]Then having fasted and prayed and imposed hands on them, they
sent them forth.  [13:4]They, therefore, being sent forth by the Holy
Spirit went down to Seleucia, and thence sailed to Cyprus; [13:5]and
coming to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of
the Jews; and they also had John for a servant.

2 [13:6]And having gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found
a certain magian, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus,
[13:7]who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man.
This man having called for Barnabas and Saul desired to hear the word
of God; [13:8]but Elymas the magian, for so his name is interpreted,
opposed them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.
[13:9]But Saul, [called] also Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looking steadily at him [13:10]said, O full of all deceit and all
craft, son of a devil, enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease
to pervert the right ways of the Lord? [13:11]And now, behold, the hand
of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for
a season. And immediately there fell upon him a mist and darkness, and
going about he sought guides. [13:12]Then the proconsul seeing what was
done believed, and was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

3 [13:13]And those with Paul, sailing from Paphos, went to Perga in
Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.  [13:14]And
passing on from Perga, they went to Antioch in Pisidia, and going into
the synagogue on the Sabbath they sat down. [13:15]And after the
reading of the law and the prophets, the synagogue rulers sent to them,
saying, Men and brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the
people, speak.

4 [13:16]And Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, said, Men of
Israel, and you that fear God, hear. [13:17]The God of this people
chose our fathers, and raised up the people in the exile in the land of
Egypt, and brought them out of it with a high arm. [13:18]And when he
had borne with their conduct forty years in the wilderness, [13:19]and
had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their
land to them by lot.  [13:20]And after this he gave judges four hundred
and fifty years till Samuel the prophet. [13:21]And then they asked for
a king, and God gave them Saul the son Kish, a man of the tribe of
Benjamin, forty years; [13:22]and removing him, he raised up for them
David for a king, of whom also he said and testified, I have found
David, the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.

5 [13:23]Of the posterity of this man, according to his promise, has
God raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus; [13:24]John having preached
before his coming the baptism of a change of mind to all the people of
Israel. [13:25]And when John completed his course, he said, Who do you
suppose I am? I am not [the Christ]; but behold, there comes after me
one the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.

6 [13:26]Men and brothers, children of the race of Abraham, and you
that fear God, the word of this salvation is sent to you.  [13:27]For
those living at Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing him and the
words of the prophets which are read every sabbath, fulfilled them by
condemning [him]; [13:28]and [although] they found no cause of death
[in him], they requested of Pilate that he might be destroyed;
[13:29]and when they had performed all things written of him, they took
him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. [13:30]But God raised
him from the dead, [13:31]and he appeared many days to those who went
up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the
people. [13:32]And we declare to you the good news of the promise made
to the fathers, [13:33]that God has fulfilled this to us their children
in raising up Jesus, as it is written also in the first psalm, You are
my son, to-day have I begotten you.  [13:34]And that he raised him from
the dead never more to return to destruction, he said thus; I will give
you the sure promises of David. [13:35] Wherefore also in another place
he says, Thou wilt not suffer thy holy one to see destruction.
[13:36]For David, having in his generation served the will of God, fell
asleep, and was gathered to his fathers and saw destruction; [13:37]
but he whom God raised up saw not destruction. [13:38]Be it known to
you therefore, men and brothers, that through this man is preached to
you the forgiveness of sins, [13:39]and every one who believes is
justified by him from all things from which you could not be justified
by the law of Moses. [13:40] See then that what is said by the prophets
does not come upon you; [13:41] Behold, despisers, and wonder and
perish, for I perform a work in your days, a work which you shall by no
means believe even if one declares it to you.

7 [13:42]And when they had gone out, [the people] requested that these
words might be spoken to them on the next sabbath.  [13:43]And the
congregation being dismissed, many of the Jews and pious proselytes
followed Paul and Barnabas, who gave them additional instructions, and
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. [13:44]And on the
following sabbath almost all the city came together to hear the word of
the Lord. [13:45]And the Jews seeing the multitudes were filled with
envy, and contradicted the things said by Paul, disputing and
blaspheming.  [13:46]And both Paul and Barnabas speaking boldly said,
It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you;
but since you cast it away, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal
life, behold, we turn to the gentiles. [13:47]For thus has the Lord
commanded us; I have set you for a light of nations, that you should be
a salvation even to the end of the earth. [13:48] And the gentiles
hearing this rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many
as were appointed to eternal life believed; [13:49]and the word of the
Lord was spread through all the country. [13:50]But the Jews excited
the pious and honorable women, and the first men of the city, and
raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out from
their limits.  [13:51]And shaking off the dust of their feet against
them, they went to Iconium; [13:52] and the disciples were filled with
joy and the Holy Spirit.

8 [14:1]And at Iconium they went together into the synagogue of the
Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude of the Jews and Greeks
believed. [14:2]But the unbelieving Jews excited the minds of the
gentiles against the brothers, and made them ill-disposed.  [14:3]Then
they spent a long time in speaking boldly for the Lord, who testified
to the word of his grace by granting miracles and prodigies to be
performed by their hands. [14:4]And the multitude of the city were
divided; some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles. [14:5]And
when a design was formed by the gentiles and Jews with their rulers to
treat them injuriously, and stone them, [14:6]knowing it, they fled to
the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country,
[14:7]and preached the good news there.

9 [14:8]And there sat a certain man at Lystra, infirm in his feet, lame
from his birth, who had never walked. [14:9]This man heard Paul
speaking, who, looking steadily at him and seeing that he had faith to
be cured, [14:10]said with a loud voice, Stand up erect on your feet.
And he leaped, and walked. [14:11]And the multitude seeing what Paul
did, lifted up their voice in the language of Lycaonia, saying, The
gods have come down to us in the likeness of men; [14:12]and they
called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul, Mercury, because he was a master of
eloquence.  [14:13]And the priest of the Jupiter which was before the
city brought bulls and garlands to the gates, and wished to offer
sacrifices with the multitudes. [14:14]But the apostles Barnabas and
Paul hearing of it, rending their clothes ran among the multitude,
crying [14:15]and saying, Men, why do you do these things? We are also
men subject to like sufferings with you, preaching that you should turn
from these vain [services] to the living God, who made heaven and
earth, and the sea, and all things in them, [14:16]who in past
generations permitted all nations to walk in their own ways;
[14:17]although indeed he left not himself without a witness, doing
good, giving rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts
with food and gladness. [14:18]And saying these things they with
difficulty restrained the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

10 [14:19]But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded
the multitudes, and having stoned Paul, they dragged him out of the
city, supposing that he was dead. [14:20]But while the disciples stood
around him, he arose and entered into the city. And on the next day he
went away with Barnabas to Derbe.  [14:21]And having preached the good
news to that city, and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra,
and Iconium, and Antioch, [14:22]confirming the souls of the disciples,
and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many
afflictions we must enter into the kingdom of God. [14:23]And having
appointed them elders in every church, and having prayed with fasting,
they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

11 [14:24]And passing through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia,
[14:25]and having spoken the word in Perga they went down to Attalia,
[14:26]and thence sailed to Antioch, whence they had been commended to
the favor of God for the work which they performed. [14:27]And having
arrived, and assembled the church, they reported what God had done with
them, and that he had opened the door of faith to the gentiles.
[14:28]And they remained there not a little time with the disciples.

CHAPTER XII.

THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM ON CIRCUMCISION.--A.D. 50.

1 [15:1]AND certain persons having come down from Judea taught the
brothers, If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses
you cannot be saved. [15:2]There being therefore no little dissension
and disputation of Paul and Barnabas with them, they determined that
Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles
and elders at Jerusalem, concerning this question. [15:3]They,
therefore, being sent forward by the church, went to Phenicia and
Samaria, relating the conversion of the gentiles, and caused great joy
to all the brothers. [15:4]And when they came to Jerusalem they were
received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and related
what things God had done with them. [15:5]But some of those of the sect
of the Pharisees who had believed, rose and said, that it is necessary
to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

2 [15:6]And the apostles and elders were assembled together to see
about this matter. [15:7]And after there had been much debate, Peter
rose and said to them, Men and brothers, you know that in former days
God chose among you that the gentiles should hear by my mouth the word
of the gospel and believe. [15:8] And the heart-searching God testified
to them, giving to them the Holy Spirit even as to us, [15:9]and made
no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by the faith.
[15:10]Now, therefore, why do you try God, to put on the necks of the
disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we could bear?
[15:11]But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the
Lord Jesus in the same manner as they.

3 [15:12]And all the multitude was silent, and heard Barnabas and Paul
relate what miracles and prodigies God performed among the gentiles
through them. [15:13]And after they were silent, James answered,
saying, Men and brothers, hear me. [15:14]Simeon has related how God
first visited the gentiles to take a people for his name. [15:15]And
with this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written,
[15:16]After this will I return and build up the tabernacle of David
which had fallen down, and rebuild its ruins, and set it up,
[15:17]that the rest of men may seek the Lord, even all the nations on
whom my name has been called, says the Lord who does these things,
[15:18]known from eternity.  [15:19]Wherefore I judge that we ought not
to trouble those who turned to God from the gentiles, [15:20]but to
send to them to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and
fornication, and things strangled, and blood. [15:21]For Moses from
ancient times has those who preach him in every city, being read in the
synagogues every sabbath.

4 [15:22]Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders, with all the
assembly [the church], to send delegates from themselves to Antioch
with Paul and Barnabas, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men
among the brothers, [15:23]writing by their hand, The apostles and
elders and brothers, to the brothers in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia,
who are of the gentiles, greeting.  [15:24]Since we heard that some
going out from us have troubled you with words subverting your souls,
to whom we gave no charge, [15:25]it seemed good to us, being of one
opinion, to send delegates to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
[15:26]men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. [15:27]We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, and they will
tell you the same things by word. [15:28]For it seemed good to the Holy
Spirit, and to us, to put no greater burden upon you except these
necessary things; [15:29] that you should abstain from things
sacrificed to idols, and blood, and things strangled, and fornication,
from which if you keep yourselves you will do well. Farewell.

5 [15:30]They, therefore, being dismissed went to Antioch, and
assembling the multitude delivered the epistle. [15:31]And reading it
they rejoiced at the exhortation. [15:32]And Judas and Silas being
themselves also prophets, exhorted the brothers with much argument, and
confirmed them. [15:33]And having staid [some] time, they were
dismissed in peace by the brothers to those that sent them. [15:35]But
Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, teaching and preaching with many
others the word of the Lord.

CHAPTER XIII.

PAUL'S SECOND MISSION TO ASIA MINOR.--A.D. 51-52.

1 [15:36]AND after some days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return and
visit the brothers in every city in which we preached the word of the
Lord, [and see] how they do. [15:37]And Barnabas wished to take with
them John called Mark; [15:38] but Paul thought not best to take with
them one who deserted them at Pamphylia and did not go with them to the
work. [15:39]And there was a sharp contention, so that they separated
from each other; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed to Cyprus.

2 [15:40]But Paul choosing Silas went out, commended to the favor of
the Lord by the brothers. [15:41]And he passed through Syria and
Cilicia confirming the churches. [16:1]And he went to Derbe and Lystra.
And behold, there was a certain disciple there by the name of Timothy,
a son of a Jewish woman, a believer, but of a Greek father, [16:2]who
was commended by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. [16:3]Him Paul
wished to have go with him; and he took and circumcised him on account
of the Jews who were in those places; for all knew that his father was
a Greek.

3 [16:4]And when he went through the cities he gave them the ordinances
to observe which had been determined by the apostles and elders at
Jerusalem.

4 [16:5]Then the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased
in number daily. [16:6]And passing through Phrygia and the country of
Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia,
[16:7]coming by Mysia they endeavored to go into Bithynia; and the
Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; [16:8]and passing by Mysia they
went down to Troas. [16:9]And a vision appeared by night to Paul; a
certain man of Macedonia standing, asking him, and saying, Come over
into Macedonia and help us. [16:10]And when he saw the vision we
immediately sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had
called us to preach the good news to them.

CHAPTER XIV.

PAUL AND HIS COMPANY AT PHILIPPI ON THEIR FIRST MISSION TO
EUROPE.--A.D. 52-53.

1 [16:11]AND sailing from Troas we came in a direct course to
Samothracia, and on the next day to Neapolis, [16:12]and thence to
Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, [and] a
colony. And we spent some days in that city. [16:13]And on the sabbath
we went out of the gate, by the river, where the proseuche [place of
prayer] usually was, and sitting down we spoke to the women who came
together. [16:14]And a certain woman by the name of Lydia, a dealer in
purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard, whose heart
the Lord opened to attend to the [words] spoken by Paul.

2 [16:15]And when she was baptized, and her house, she requested
saying, If you have judged me faithful to the Lord, come into my house
and stay; and she constrained us.

3 [16:16]And when we went to the proseuche, a certain female servant
having a spirit, a diviner, met us, who brought her masters much gain
by divining. [16:17]She following Paul and us, cried, saying, These men
are servants of the Most High God, who declare to us the way of
salvation; [16:18]and this she did for many days. And Paul being
grieved turned around and said to the spirit, I command you, in the
name of Jesus Christ, to come out of her. And it came out of her in
that hour. [16:19]And her masters seeing that the hope of their gain
was gone, seizing Paul and Silas dragged them to the market, to the
rulers, [16:20] and bringing them before the prefects said, These men,
being Jews, greatly trouble the city, [16:21]and preach customs which
it is not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.
[16:22]And the multitude came together against them, and the prefects
tearing off their clothes gave orders to beat them with rods,
[16:23]and having inflicted many blows on them cast them into prison,
charging the jailer to keep them safely; [16:24]who, having received
such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet
fast in the stocks.

4 [16:25]But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God,
and the prisoners heard them. [16:26]And suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and all
the doors were immediately opened, and the bands of all were removed.
[16:27]And the jailer awaking from sleep and seeing the doors of the
prison opened, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing
that the prisoners had escaped. [16:28]But Paul cried with a loud
voice, saying, Do yourself no harm, for we are all here. [16:29]And
asking for a light he sprang in, and fell down trembling before Paul
and Silas, [16:30]and bringing them out said, Sirs, what must I do to
be saved? [16:31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you
shall be saved, and your house. [16:32]And they spoke the word of the
Lord to him and all those in his house.

5 [16:33]And taking them that hour of the night, he washed them from
their stripes, and was baptized, he and all his, immediately,
[16:34]and conducting them up into his house he set a table, and
rejoiced with all his house, having believed in God.  [16:35]And when
it was day the prefects sent the lictors, saying, Let those men go.
[16:36]And the jailer told these words to Paul; The prefects have sent
to let you go; now, therefore, go, and depart in peace.

6 [16:37]But Paul said to him, They have beaten us publicly
uncondemned, being Romans, and cast us into prison; and now do they
privately cast us out? No, indeed: but let them come themselves and
conduct us out. [16:38]And the lictors told these words to the
prefects, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans;
[16:39]and they came and besought them, and conducting them out desired
them to leave the city. [16:40]And going out of the prison they entered
into the house of Lydia, and having seen the brothers they exhorted
them, and departed.

CHAPTER XV.

PAUL AND HIS COMPANY AT THESSALONICA, BEREA, AND ATHENS.--A.D.  53.

1 [17:1]AND travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to
Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.  [17:2]And
according to his custom Paul went in to them, and reasoned with them
three sabbaths from the Scriptures, [17:3]explaining and asserting that
the Christ ought to suffer and to rise from the dead; and that this
Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ. [17:4]And some of them
believed and adhered to Paul and Silas; of the pious Greeks a great
multitude, and of the chief women not a few. [17:5]But the unbelieving
Jews taking certain base men of those about the markets, and exciting a
mob, disturbed the city; and coming to the house of Jason sought to
bring them out to the people; [17:6]but not finding them, they dragged
Jason and some brothers to the rulers of the city, crying, These men
who have turned the world upside down have come here also, [17:7]and
Jason has received them; and they all do things contrary to the
ordinances of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.
[17:8]And they excited the multitude and the rulers of the city hearing
these things, [17:9]and taking security of Jason and the rest they let
them go.

2 [17:10]And the brothers immediately, by night, sent away Paul and
Silas to Berea; and when they came they went into the synagogue of the
Jews; [17:11]but these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, for
they received the word with all readiness, examining the Scriptures
daily [to see] if these things were so. [17:12]Many of them therefore
believed, both of honorable Grecian women, and of men not a few.
[17:13]And when the Jews in Thessalonica knew that the word of God was
preached by Paul at Berea, they came there exciting the multitudes.

3 [17:14]Then the brothers immediately sent Paul away, as if to go by
sea; but Silas and Timothy remained there. [17:15]And those conducting
Paul brought him to Athens, and receiving a charge to Silas and Timothy
to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

4 [17:16]And while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was moved
within him as he saw the city wholly devoted to idolatry.  [17:17]Then
he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and those that were pious,
and in the market every day with those he met.  [17:18]And some of the
Epicurean and Stoic philosophers disputed with him, and some said, What
does this trifler mean to say? And others, He seems to be a preacher of
strange demons; because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
[17:19]And laying hold of him they brought him to the Areopagus,
saying, May we know what this new teaching is which is taught by you?
[17:20]for you bring certain strange things to our ears; we wish
therefore to know what these things mean. [17:21]And all the Athenians
and the strangers living there spend their leisure in nothing else but
telling or hearing something new.

5 [17:22]And Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things you are extremely devoted to the
worship of demons. [17:23]For as I passed through, and observed your
objects of worship, I found also an altar on which was inscribed, TO AN
UNKNOWN GOD. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I declare to
you. [17:24]The God who made the world and all things in it, this [God]
being Lord of heaven and earth dwells not in temples made with hands,
[17:25]neither is he served by the hands of men as needing any thing,
since he gives to all life, and breath, and all things; [17:26]and he
made of one blood every nation of men to live on all the face of the
earth, determining their appointed times and the bounds of their
habitation, [17:27]that they should seek God, if perhaps they might
feel after and find him, and indeed he is not far from every one of us.
[17:28]For in him we live, and move, and are; as some also of your own
poets have said, For we are his offspring. [17:29]Being therefore an
offspring of God, we ought not to think the Deity to be like gold or
silver or stone, a work of art and human device.

6 [17:30]Overlooking therefore the times of ignorance, God now commands
all men everywhere to change their minds, [17:31]because he has
appointed a day in which he is about to judge the world in
righteousness, by the man whom he has appointed, giving assurance to
all by raising him from the dead. [17:32]But when they heard of a
resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, We will hear
you again of this. [17:33]So Paul went out from the midst of them;
[17:34]but certain men adhering to him believed, among whom were
Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with
them.

CHAPTER XVI.

PAUL AND HIS COMPANY AT CORINTH, HIS VISIT TO SYRIA AND ASIA
MINOR.--A.D. 53-55.

1 [18:1]AND after this Paul left Athens and came to Corinth.  [18:2]And
finding a certain Jew by the name of Aquila, a native of Pontus, who
had recently come from Italy, and his wife Priscilla, because Claudius
had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, he went to them, [18:3]and
because he was of the same trade continued and labored with them; for
they were tent makers.  [18:4]And he reasoned in the synagogue every
sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

2 [18:5]And when Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul gave
himself wholly to preaching the word, testifying to the Jews Christ
Jesus. [18:6]But when they disputed and blasphemed, shaking his
garments he said to them, Your blood be upon your heads; I, pure, from
this time will go to the gentiles.

3 [18:7]And departing thence he came into the house of a man called
Justus, who worshipped God, and whose house adjoined the synagogue.
[18:8]And Crispus the synagogue ruler believed in the Lord, with all
his house; and many of the Corinthians who heard believed and were
baptized. [18:9]And the Lord said to Paul, in a vision by night, Fear
not, but speak and be not silent, [18:10]for I am with you; and no one
shall attack you to hurt you, for I have many people in this city.
[18:11]And he remained there a year and six months, teaching among them
the word of God.

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

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

CHAPTER XVII.

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

1 [18:24]AND a certain Jew by the name of Apollos, an Alexandrian by
birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, being powerful in the
Scriptures. [18:25]This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and
being fervent in spirit spoke and taught correctly the doctrines
concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John; [18:26]and this man
began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and Priscilla and Aquila
hearing him took him and taught him more accurately the way. [18:27]
And he wishing to go into Achaia, the brothers sent him, and wrote to
the disciples to receive him. And when he came he helped those much who
had believed through the grace; [18:28]for he argued powerfully against
the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

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

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

4 [19:11]And God performed unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,
[19:12]so that napkins and aprons were brought from him to the sick,
and their diseases left them, and the evil spirits went out of them.
[19:13]And some of the travelling Jewish exorcists undertook to call
over those that had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I
adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. [19:14]And there were some
seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, who did this. [19:15]But
the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but
who are you?  [19:16]And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped
upon them, and overcome them, and prevailed against them, so that they
escaped from his house, naked and wounded. [19:17]And this was known
both to all the Jews and Greeks who lived at Ephesus, and fear fell on
them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified; [19:18]and many
of those who believed came and confessed, and showed their practices.
[19:19]And many of those who practised secret arts brought their books,
and burnt them before all; and they computed the price of them, and
found it to be fifty thousand [didrachmas] of silver [$8,333].
[19:20]So the word of the Lord increased powerfully and prevailed.

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

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

8 [19:28]And hearing this they were full of wrath, and cried, saying,
Great is Diana of the Ephesians! [19:29]And the whole city was full of
confusion; and they rushed with one accord to the theatre, taking Gaius
and Aristarchus, Macedonians, fellow travellers of Paul. [19:30]And
Paul wishing to go in to the people, the disciples did not permit him;
[19:31]and some of the rulers of Asia also, who were friendly to him,
sending to him, besought him not to expose himself in the theatre.
[19:32]Some therefore cried one thing, and some another; for the
assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not for what reason
they had come together. [19:33]And they advanced Alexander from the
multitude, the Jews putting him forward; and Alexander motioning with
his hand, wished to defend himself before the people.  [19:34]But
knowing that he was a Jew, there was one voice from all, for about two
hours, crying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

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

CHAPTER XVIII.

PAUL'S VISIT TO GREECE AND MACEDONIA AND HIS RETURN TO MILETUS.--A.D.
58, 59.

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER XIX.

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

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

2 [21:7]Having completed our voyage from Tyre we went to Ptolemais, and
having saluted the brothers continued with them one day. [21:8]And
departing on the next day we came to Caesarea, and going to the house
of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we staid with him.
[21:9]This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. [21:10]And
having continued there many days, there came down a certain prophet
from Judea by the name of Agabus, [21:11]and coming to us, and taking
Paul's girdle, and binding his hands and feet, he said, These things,
says the Holy Spirit; Thus will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that
owns this girdle, and deliver him into the hands of the gentiles.
[21:12]And when we heard these things, we and the people of the place
besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. [21:13]But Paul answered, What
do you do, to weep and break my heart? For I am ready not only to be
bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.
[21:14]And he not being persuaded, we were silent, saying, The will of
the Lord be done.

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

4 [21:17]And when we arrived at Jerusalem the brothers received us
gladly. [21:18]And on the following day Paul went with us to James, and
all the elders were present. [21:19]And having saluted them, he related
particularly what God had done among the gentiles by his ministry;
[21:20]and having heard, they glorified God, and said to him, You see,
brother, how many ten thousands there are of those who have believed,
among the Jews, and all are zealots of the law; [21:21]and they have
been informed of you, that you teach all the Jews among the gentiles to
apostatize from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children,
nor to walk according to the customs. [21:22]What then is [to be done]?
They will hear everywhere that you have come. [21:23]Do this,
therefore, which we tell you. We have four men having a vow upon them;
[21:24]take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses,
that they may shave their heads, and all will know that the information
which they have of you is not correct, but that you walk also yourself
keeping the law. [21:25]But concerning the gentiles who have believed,
we have sent, judging that they should avoid things offered to idols,
and blood, and things strangled, and fornication. [21:26]Then Paul
taking the men, on the following day being purified with them went into
the temple, announcing the completion of the days of purification till
an offering should be offered for each one of them.

CHAPTER XX.

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

1 [21:27]AND when the seven days were nearly completed, the Jews from
Asia seeing him in the temple excited all the multitude, and laid hands
on him, [21:28]crying, Men of Israel, help; this is the man who teaches
all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place, and
besides he has brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy
place. [21:29]For they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the
city with him, and supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
[21:30]And all the city was moved, and there was a concourse of the
people, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him without the temple,
and immediately the gates were shut.

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

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

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

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

7 [22:11]And when I could not see from the brightness of that light,
being led by the hand by those with me, I came to Damascus. [22:12]And
a certain Ananias, a man [living] according to the law, approved by all
the Jews living [there], [22:13]coming and standing by, said to me,
Brother Saul, Receive your sight. And in that hour I looked upon him.
[22:14]And he said, The God of our fathers chose you to know his will,
and to see the Righteous One, and hear the voice of his mouth,
[22:15]for you shall be a witness for him to all men of what you have
seen and heard. [22:16]And now, why do you delay? Arising, baptize and
wash away your sins, calling on his name.

8 [22:17]And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the
temple, I was in a trance, [22:18]and saw him [Christ], saying to me,
Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive
your testimony of me. [22:19]And I said, Lord, they know that I
imprisoned and beat in the synagogues those who believed on you;
[22:20]and when the blood of your martyr Stephen was poured out, I also
stood by and consented, and kept the clothes of those that killed him.
[22:21]And he said to me, Go, for I will send you to nations far away.

9 [22:22]And they heard him to this word, and lifted up their voice
saying, Take away such a man from the earth; it is not fit that he
should live. [22:23] And as they cried and rent their clothes and cast
dust in the air, [22:24]the chiliarch commanded him to be brought into
the fortress, ordering that he should be examined with scourges, that
he might know for what reason they cried so against him. [22:25]But
when they extended him with cords, he said to the centurion standing
by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man, a Roman, and uncondemned?
[22:26]And the centurion hearing this, went and told the chiliarch,
saying, What are you about to do? for this man is a Roman. [22:27] And
the chiliarch came to him and said, Tell me, are you a Roman? And he
said, Yes. [22:28]And the chiliarch answered, I acquired this
citizenship for a great price. But Paul said, I am indeed, and was also
born [one]. [22:29]Then those about to examine him immediately withdrew
from him; and the chiliarch was afraid, knowing that he was a Roman,
and because he had bound him.

CHAPTER XXI.

PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIM, AND SENT TO CAESAREA FOR SAFE KEEPING.--A.D.
59.

1 [22:30]AND on the next day, wishing to know the truth in respect to
what he was accused of by the Jews, [the chiliarch] released him, and
commanded the chief priests and all the Sanhedrim to come together; and
bringing Paul down he set him before them. [23:1]And Paul looking
steadily at the Sanhedrim, said, Men and brothers, I have lived before
God in all good conscience to this day. [23:2]And the chief priest
Ananias commanded those standing by to strike him on the mouth.
[23:3]Then Paul said to him, God is about to strike you, whitewashed
wall; and do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me
to be struck contrary to the law? [23:4]And those standing by said, Do
you revile God's chief priest?  [23:5]And Paul said, I knew not
brothers that he was a chief priest; for it is written, You shall not
speak evil of the ruler of your people.

2 [23:6]And Paul knowing that one part were Sadducees and the other
Pharisees, cried in the Sanhedrim, Men and brothers, I am a Pharisee
and the son of Pharisees; for the hope and resurrection of the dead am
I under trial. [23:7] And having said this, there was a dissension
between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the multitude were divided.
[23:8]For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither
angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees confess both. [23:9]And there was
a great cry, and the scribes of the party of the Pharisees rising up
contended, saying, We find no evil in this man; but [what] if a spirit
or an angel has spoken to him? [23:10]And there being a great
dissension, the chiliarch, fearing that Paul would be torn in pieces by
them, commanded the troops to come down and take him by force from the
midst of them, and conduct him to the fortress.

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

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

5 [23:23]And calling two of the centurions he said, Prepare two hundred
soldiers to go to Caesarea, and seventy horsemen and two hundred light
armed troops, after the third hour of the night.  [23:24]And provide
animals to put Paul on, and take him safely to Felix the procurator.
[23:25]And he wrote a letter having this form; [23:26]Claudius Lysias
to the most excellent procurator Felix, greeting. [23:27]I went with
the soldiery and rescued this man, when he was seized by the Jews, and
about to be killed by them, having learned that he is a Roman;
[23:28]and wishing to know the cause for which they accuse him, I took
him down to their Sanhedrim, [23:29]and found him criminated in respect
to questions of their law, but charged with nothing worthy of death or
bonds. [23:30]Being informed that a conspiracy was about to be formed
against the man, I immediately sent to you, commanding also his
accusers to speak before you.

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

CHAPTER XXII.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER XXIII.

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

1 [25:1]FESTUS therefore coming into the province, after three days
went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. [25:2]And the chief priests and the
first men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
[25:3]asking favor against him, that he would send for him to
Jerusalem, having provided an ambuscade to kill him on the way.
[25:4]Then Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and
that he would go down there shortly; [25:5]and then, he said, the
principal men among you may go down with me; if there is any thing
against this man they may prosecute him. [25:6]And staying with them
not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the
next day, sitting on the tribunal, commanded Paul to be brought.

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

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

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

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

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

7 [26:1]And Agrippa said to Paul, You are permitted to speak for
yourself. Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense.
[26:2]I think myself happy, King Agrippa, in being allowed to make my
defense before you to-day in respect to all things of which I am
accused by the Jews, [26:3]especially as you are acquainted with all
the customs and questions of the Jews; wherefore, I beg you to hear me
patiently. [26:4]My mode of life from my childhood, the early part of
it being with my nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews, [26:5]who knew
me from the first, if they would testify, that according to the
strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. [26:6]And now I
stand on trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers,
[26:7]which our twelve tribes, serving God continually, day and night,
hope to attain; of this hope, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
[26:8]Why is it judged by you incredible that God raises the dead?
[26:9]I indeed thought with myself that I ought to do many things
contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazoraean, [26:10]which I also did at
Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received
authority from the chief priests, and when they were killed I gave my
vote against them.  [26:11]And punishing them often in all the
synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme, and being exceedingly mad
against them, I pursued them even to cities abroad.

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

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

10 [26:24]And when Paul had said these words, Festus said with a loud
voice, You are mad, Paul; much learning has driven you to madness.
[26:25]But he said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter
words of truth and sobriety. [26:26]For the king knows of these things,
before whom I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these
things have escaped his notice; for this was not done in a corner.
[26:27]King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe.
[26:28]And Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to be a
Christian. [26:29]And Paul said, I would to God that not only you but
also all who hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I
am, except these bonds. [26:30]And the king arose, and the procurator,
and Bernice, and those who sat with them, [26:31]and departing they
conversed with each other, saying, This man has done nothing deserving
death or bonds. [26:32]And Agrippa said to Festus, If he had not
appealed to Caesar, this man might be released.

CHAPTER XXIV.

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

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

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

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

4 [27:13]And the South wind blowing gently, supposing that they had
attained their purpose, setting sail they proceeded along the coast of
Crete. [27:14]But not long after a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon,
rushed against it, [27:15] and the ship being caught and not being able
to bear up against the wind, we gave up, and were borne along.
[27:16]And running a little under the island called Clauda, we with
difficulty became masters of the boat, [27:17]and taking it out they
used helps, under-girding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall
on the shoal, letting down the mast they were driven in that condition.
[27:18]And we being exceedingly pressed with the storm, on the next day
they cast the cargo overboard, [27:19]and on the third day with our own
hands we cast overboard the furniture of the ship. [27:20]And neither
sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no slight storm being upon
us, at last all hope that we should be saved was taken away.

5 [27:21]Then there having been long abstinence from food, Paul stood
up in the midst of them and said, You ought, men, taking my advice, not
to have sailed from Crete, and to have saved this injury and loss.
[27:22]And now I advise you to be of good courage; for there shall be
no loss of a life of you, but only of the ship. [27:23]For an angel of
the God whose I am, and whom I serve, came to me this night [27:24]and
said, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Caesar, and behold, God has
given you all that sail with you. [27:25]Wherefore, men, be of good
courage; for I believe God, that it will be as he has told me; [27:26]
but we must be cast on a certain island.

6 [27:27]And on the fourteenth night, when we were borne along in the
Adriatic, at about midnight the sailors suspected that some land was
approaching them. [27:28]And sounding they found twenty fathoms, and
going a little distance and sounding again they found fifteen fathoms;
[27:29]and fearing lest we should fall on rough places, casting out
four anchors from the stern, they prayed for day. [27:30]And the
sailors seeking to escape from the ship, and letting down the boat into
the sea, with the pretence that they were about to put out anchors from
the fore part of the ship, [27:31]Paul said to the centurion and
soldiers, Unless these continue in the ship you cannot be saved.
[27:32]Then the soldiers cut the ropes of the boat and let it fall off.

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

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

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

10 [28:1]And when they were saved, they learned that the island was
called Melita. [28:2]And the barbarians showed us no ordinary humanity;
for kindling a fire they received us all, on account of the rain which
was falling, and the cold. [28:3]And Paul having collected a bundle of
sticks and put them on the fire, a viper coming out from the heat
fastened on his hand. [28:4]And when the barbarians saw the creature
hanging from his hand, they said one to another, This man is
undoubtedly a murderer, whom though saved from the sea justice has not
permitted to live. [28:5]Then shaking off the creature into the fire he
suffered no harm; [28:6]but they expected that he would swell up, or
suddenly fall down dead. And waiting a long time, and seeing nothing
extraordinary happen to him, they thought differently, and said, He is
a god.

11 [28:7]Near that place were the lands of the first man in the island,
whose name was Poplius, who received and entertained us kindly three
days. [28:8]And the father of Poplius lay sick with a fever and
dysentery, and Paul came to him, and prayed, and put his hands on him,
and cured him. [28:9]And this being done, the rest also who had
sicknesses in the island came and were cured, [28:10]and they bestowed
on us many rewards, and when we left supplied us with things that we
needed.

12 [28:11]And after three months we sailed away in an Alexandrian
vessel, that had wintered in the island, with the sign of Castor and
Pollux. [28:12]And coming to Syracuse we remained there three days;
[28:13]and proceeding thence we came to Rhegium, and after one day, a
south wind blowing, we came the second day to Puteoli, [28:14]where
finding brothers we were invited to remain with them seven days; and
thus we came to Rome. [28:15]And thence, the brothers hearing of us
came out to meet us even to the Forum of Appius, and the Three Taverns
[fifty-one miles]; and when Paul saw them, thanking God he took courage.

CHAPTER XXV.

PAUL AT ROME.--A.D. 62, 64.

1 [28:16]AND when we came to Rome the centurion committed the prisoners
to the prefect of the camp, and Paul was allowed to remain by himself,
with a soldier to guard him. [28:17]And after three days he called the
chief men of the Jews together; and when they had convened, said to
them, Men and brothers, having done nothing contrary to the people or
to the customs of the fathers, I was delivered up from Jerusalem a
prisoner into the hands of the Romans, [28:18]who on trial wished to
release me, because they found no cause of death in me; [28:19]but the
Jews opposing it I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; not that I have
any thing of which to accuse my nation. [28:20]For this reason,
therefore, I have called you to see and converse with you, because I am
loaded with this chain on account of the hope of Israel.

2 [28:21]And they said to him, We have neither received letters
concerning you from Judea, nor has any one of the brothers come and
reported or told any evil of you. [28:22]But we would like to hear from
you what you think, for it is known to us concerning this sect, that it
is everywhere spoken against.

3 [28:23]And appointing him a day they came in great numbers to his
lodging, to whom he set forth and testified the kingdom of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus both from the law of Moses and the
prophets, from morning till evening. [28:24]And some believed the
things which were spoken, and others believed not; [28:25]and
disagreeing among themselves they were dismissed by Paul, saying one
word; Well did the Holy Spirit speak by Isaiah the prophet to our
fathers, [28:26]saying, Go to this people and say, Hearing you shall
hear and not understand, and seeing you shall see and not perceive;
[28:27]for the heart of this people has become hard, and they hear
imperfectly with their ears, and they have shut their eyes, lest at any
time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and
understand with their hearts, and turn, and I should cure them.
[28:28]Be it known to you, therefore, that the salvation of God is sent
to the gentiles, and they will hear it.

4 [28:30]But Paul continued two entire years in his hired house, and
received all who came to him, [28:31]preaching the kingdom of God, and
teaching the doctrines concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all
boldness and without hindrance.

THE EPISTLES OF PAUL.

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.

CORINTH, A.D. 53. (ACTS 16, 3.)

CHAPTER I.

THE INTRODUCTION OF THE GOSPEL TO THE THESSALONIANS, TIMOTHY'S VISIT
AND REPORT, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL and Sylvanus [Silas] and Timothy to the church of the
Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be to
you and peace.

2 [1:2]We thank God always for you all, making mention of you in our
prayers, [1:3]remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor
of love and patience of the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ before God
even our Father, [1:4] knowing, brothers beloved by God, your election,
[1:5]that our gospel came not to you in word only, but with power and
with the Holy Spirit and with full assurance, as you know what we were
among you for your sakes.

3 [1:6]And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received
the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, [1:7]so
that you became an example to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
[1:8]For from you the word of the Lord was proclaimed not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith with respect to God went into
every place, so that we had no need to say any thing; [1:9]for they
declare of us what introduction we had to you, and how you turned from
idols to God, to serve the living and true God, [1:10]and to wait for
his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus, who delivers
us from the wrath to come.

4 [2:1]For you know, brothers, our introduction to you that it was not
in vain, [2:2]but having suffered before, and been injuriously treated,
as you know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak to you the
gospel of God with much contention.  [2:3]For our exhortation was not
of error, nor of impurity, nor with deceit, [2:4]but as we were judged
worthy by God to be intrusted with the gospel so we speak, not as
pleasing men, but God who tries our hearts. [2:5]For we used at no time
a word of flattery, as you know, nor a pretext for covetousness, God is
witness, [2:6]neither did we seek glory of men, either of you or of
others, when we might have been burdensome as apostles of Christ;
[2:7]but we were gentle among you, as a nurse would cherish her own
children; [2:8]so being greatly desirous of you, we were well pleased
to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but our own souls, because
you were dear to us. [2:9]For you remember, brothers, our labor and
weariness; that working night and day not to be burdensome to any one
of you, we preached to you the gospel of God. [2:10]You are witnesses,
and God, how piously, and righteously, and blamelessly we were with you
that believe, [2:11]as you know how we exhorted and comforted you, as a
father each one of his own children, [2:12]and charged you to walk
worthily of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

5 [2:13]For this cause also we thank God without ceasing, that
receiving the word of God heard from us, you received not a word of
men, but, as it is in truth, a word of God, who also works in you that
believe. [2:14]For you, brothers, became followers of the churches of
God in Christ Jesus which were in Judea, for you also suffered the same
things from your countrymen, which they did from the Jews [2:15]who
also killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and persecuted us, and who
please not God and are hostile to all men, [2:16] forbidding us to
speak to the gentiles that they may be saved, that they may fill up
their sins always; and the wrath has come on them to the utmost.

6 [2:17]But we, brothers, being deprived of you for a short time in
presence, not in heart, used greater diligence to see your face, with
much desire. [2:18] For which reason we wished to come to you; I Paul
indeed once and again, and Satan hindered us.  [2:19]For what is our
hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you before our Lord
Jesus at his coming? [2:20]For you are our glory and joy.

7 [3:1]When therefore we could no longer refrain, we thought it best to
be left alone at Athens, [3:2]and sent Timothy, our brother and God's
co-laborer in the gospel of Christ, to confirm you and to exhort you in
behalf of your faith, [3:3]that no one should be moved by these
afflictions. For you know that we are appointed for this; [3:4]for
indeed when we came to you, we told you before that we were about to
suffer affliction, as it also happened, and you know. [3:5]For this
reason, being no longer able to forbear, I sent to know your faith,
lest in some way the tempter should have tempted you, and our labor be
in vain.

8 [3:6]But now Timothy having come to us from you and told us the good
news of your faith and love, and that you have a good remembrance of us
always, desiring to see us, as we also you, [3:7]therefore we were
comforted, brothers, on your account in all our affliction and distress
by your faith, [3:8]for now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
[3:9]For what thanksgiving can we render to God for you for all the joy
with which we rejoice on your account before our God, [3:10]desiring
exceedingly, night and day, to see your face, and to perfect what is
lacking of your faith?

9 [3:11]And may God himself, even our Father, and our Lord Jesus direct
our way to you; [3:12]and the Lord cause you to be full and abound with
love one to another and to all men, as we also to you, [3:13]to confirm
your hearts without blame in holiness before God, even our Father, at
the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

CHAPTER II.

CHASTITY, BROTHERLY LOVE, THE STATE OF THE DEAD, THE COMING OF CHRIST,
ETC.

1 [4:1]FINALLY, therefore, brothers, we beseech and exhort you by the
Lord Jesus, as you have received from us how you ought to walk and
please God, that you abound still more. [4:2]For you know what
commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. [4:3]For this is the will
of God, your purity, that you should abstain from fornication,
[4:4]that each one should know how to have his wife in purity and
honor, [4:5]not with inordinate desires like the gentiles who know not
God, [4:6]that he should not go beyond and defraud his brother in the
matter, because the Lord is a punisher of all these, as we also told
you before and fully testified. [4:7]For God has not called us to
impurity, but to purity. [4:8]He therefore that despises, despises not
man, but God, who also gives us his Holy Spirit.

2 [4:9]But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that I should
write to you; for you are taught by God to love one another; [4:10]for
you also do the same to all the brothers in all Macedonia. But we
exhort you, brothers, to abound still more, [4:11]and strive to be
quiet and pursue your own business, and work with your hands, as we
charged you, [4:12]that you may walk becomingly towards those without
and have need of nothing.

3 [4:13]And we wish you not to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those
that have fallen asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no
hope. [4:14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also
will God bring with him those that have fallen asleep on account of
Jesus. [4:15]For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who
live and remain till the coming of the Lord, shall not anticipate those
that have fallen asleep, [4:16]for the Lord himself will descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the
trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, [4:17] then we
the living who remain shall be caught up together with them in clouds,
to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall be always with the Lord.
[4:18] Comfort one another, therefore, with these words.

4 [5:1]But concerning the times and season, brothers, you have no need
that I should write to you; [5:2]for you yourselves know perfectly that
the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. [5:3]When they
say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction comes, like pain upon a
woman with child, and they shall not escape. [5:4]But you, brothers,
are not in darkness, that the day should come upon you like a thief;
[5:5]for you are all children of light, and children of day; we are not
of night nor of darkness.

5 [5:6]Therefore let us not sleep as others, but let us watch and be
sober. [5:7]For they that sleep sleep in the night, and they that are
drunk drink in the night; [5:8]but let us who are of day be sober,
putting on a cuirass of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of
salvation, [5:9]for God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, [5:10] who died for us, that,
whether we wake or sleep, we may live together with him.
[5:11]Wherefore exhort one another, and edify one another, as you also
do.

6 [5:12]And we beseech you, brothers, to know those who labor among
you, and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, [5:13]and to
esteem them very highly in love on account of their work. Be at peace
among yourselves. [5:14] And we exhort you, brothers, admonish the
disorderly, comfort the dispirited, assist the sick, be of long
suffering towards all men. [5:15]See that no one renders evil for evil,
but always pursue the good both one to another and to all.

7 [5:16]Rejoice always; [5:17]pray without ceasing, [5:18]give thanks
on every occasion; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to us.
[5:19]Quench not the Spirit, [5:20]despise not prophecies. [5:21]Prove
all things, hold fast the good; [5:22]abstain from every form of evil.
[5:23]And may the God of peace himself purify you wholly, and your
whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless at the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ. [5:24]Faithful is he that calls you, who will
also perform.

8 [5:25]Brothers, pray for us. [5:26]Salute all the brothers with a
holy kiss. [5:27]I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to
all the holy brothers. [5:28]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you.

SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS.

CORINTH, A.D. 53. (ACTS, 16:3.)

CHAPTER I.

PAUL'S LOVE AND PRAYERS FOR THE THESSALONIAN CHRISTIANS, THE COMING OF
CHRIST, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL and Silvanus [Silas] and Timothy, to the church of the
Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  [1:2]Grace
be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 [1:3]We ought to thank God always for you, brothers, as is fit,
because your faith increases greatly, and the love of every one of you
all one for another abounds, [1:4]so that we boast of you in the
churches of God, of your patience and faith, in all your persecutions
and the afflictions which you endure, [1:5] a token of the righteous
judgment of God that you should be deemed worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which you also suffer, [1:6]since it is just with God to repay
affliction to those who afflict you, [1:7]and to you who are afflicted
rest with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his
mighty angels [1:8]in a flame of fire, executing judgment on all that
know not God and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus; [1:9]who shall
suffer the punishment of eternal destruction from the presence of the
Lord and from the glory of his power, [1:10]when he shall come to be
glorified in his saints and to be admired by all that believe in that
day, for our testimony was believed by you. [1:11] For which also we
pray always for you, that our God will account you worthy of the
calling, and accomplish all the good pleasure of [his] goodness and the
work of faith with power; [1:12]that the name of our Lord Jesus may be
glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and
the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 [2:1]And we beseech you, brothers, in respect to the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and our being brought together to him, [2:2]that you
be not soon shaken in mind, nor terrified, neither by a spirit, nor by
a discourse, nor by an epistle as from us, as though the day of the
Lord was at hand. [2:3]Let no one deceive you in any way, for [he shall
not come] unless the apostacy comes first, and the man of sin is
revealed, the son of destruction, [2:4]who opposes and exalts himself
above every thing that is called a god or an object of worship, so that
he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. [2:5]Do
you not remember that when I was with you I told you of these things?
[2:6]And now you know what hinders him from being revealed in his time.
[2:7]For the mystery of wickedness already works, [God] only restrains
it just now, till it shall be out of the way; [2:8]and then shall the
wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of
his mouth and destroy with the brightness of his coming, [2:9]whose
coming is according to the power of Satan, with all power and miracles
and false prodigies [2:10]and with every unrighteous deceit among those
who are destroyed, because they received not the love of the truth that
they might be saved. [2:11]And therefore, God sends them a power of
delusion that they should believe a lie, [2:12]that they all may be
condemned who believe not the truth but have pleasure in wickedness.

4 [2:13]But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers beloved by
the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you to salvation by
purification of spirit, and belief of the truth, [2:14]to which he
called you by our gospel, to obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[2:15]Therefore, brothers, stand firm, and hold the traditions which
you have been taught, whether by word or by our epistle; [2:16]and our
Lord Jesus Christ himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and
given us eternal consolation and a good hope by grace, [2:17] comfort
and confirm your hearts in every good work and word.

5 [3:1]Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may
run and be glorified, as also with you, [3:2]and that we may be
delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for all have not faith.
[3:3]But the Lord is faithful, who will confirm you, and guard you from
evil. [3:4]And we trust in the Lord with respect to you, that you both
do and will do what we direct. [3:5] And may the Lord direct your
hearts in the love of God, and in the patience of Christ.

6 [3:6]And we charge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not
according to the tradition which you received from us.  [3:7]For you
know yourselves how you ought to follow us, for we walked not
disorderly among you, [3:8]neither did we eat bread of any one for
nought, but worked with labor and fatigue, night and day, not to be
burdensome to any of you; [3:9]not that we have not a right [to a
support], but that we may make ourselves an example for you to follow
us. [3:10]For when we were with you, we gave you this charge, that if
any one will not work, neither let him eat. [3:11]For we hear that some
go about among you in a disorderly manner, not working, but being above
work; [3:12]we charge and exhort such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, to
work quietly, and eat their own bread. [3:13]But, brothers, be not
weary of well doing. [3:14]But if any one obeys not our word by this
epistle, mark that one, and have no association with him, that he may
be ashamed; [3:15]and account him not as an enemy, but admonish him as
a brother. [3:16]And may the Lord of peace give you peace always in
every way. The Lord be with you all.

7 [3:17]The salutation by my hand, Paul's, which is [the] sign in every
epistle; so I write. [3:18]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with
you all.

EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS.

EPHESUS, A.D. 56. (ACTS, 17:3.)

CHAPTER I.

PAUL'S ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF AND OF THE GOSPEL.

1 [1:1]PAUL an apostle, not from men nor by man but by Jesus Christ and
God the Father who raised him from the dead, [1:2]and all the brothers
with me, to the churches of Galatia. [1:3]Grace be to you and peace
from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, [1:4]who gave himself
for our sins, that he might deliver us from the present evil life
according to the will of God even our Father, [1:5] to whom be the
glory forever and ever; amen.

2 [1:6]I wonder that you have so quickly turned away from him that
called you in the grace of Christ to another gospel, [1:7]which is not
another; but there are some who disturb you and wish to subvert the
gospel of Christ. [1:8]But if we or an angel from heaven preach you
another gospel contrary to what we have preached you let him be
accursed. [1:9]As we said before I now also say again, If any one
preaches you a gospel contrary to what you have received let him be
accursed. [1:10]For do I now obey man, or God? or do I seek to please
men? For if I yet pleased men, I could not have been a servant of
Christ.

3 [1:11]For I certify you, brothers, of the gospel preached by me, that
it is not according to man; [1:12]for I neither received it from man
nor was I taught it, but by a revelation of Jesus Christ. [1:13]For you
heard of my conduct formerly in Judaism, that I greatly persecuted the
church of God and destroyed it; [1:14]and was a proficient in Judaism
beyond many of my age among my people, being more exceedingly zealous
for the traditions of my fathers. [1:15] But when God who gave me being
and called me by his grace, [1:16]was pleased to reveal his Son in me,
that I might preach him among the gentiles, immediately I conferred not
with flesh and blood, [1:17]neither did I go to Jerusalem to those who
were apostles before me, but I went to Arabia and returned again to
Damascus.

4 [1:18]Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas,
and staid with him fifteen days; [1:19]and I saw no other of the
apostles except James, the Lord's brother. [1:20]And what I write to
you, behold, before God, I lie not.

5 [1:21]Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia.  [1:22]But I
was unknown by face to the churches of Christ in Judea, [1:23]only they
heard that he who persecuted us formerly, now preached the faith which
he formerly destroyed; [1:24]and they glorified God in me.

6 [2:1]Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with
Barnabas, taking also Titus; [2:2]and I went up by a revelation, and
proposed to them the gospel which I preach to the gentiles, but
privately to persons of distinction, lest I should run or had run in
vain. [2:3]But Titus who was with me, and was a Greek, was not
compelled to be circumcised; [2:4]but on account of false brothers
brought in secretly to act as spies against our liberty which we have
in Christ Jesus, to bring us into servitude, [2:5]we did not yield to
them by subjection, for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might
continue with you.  [2:6]But from those of distinction, whatever they
were it makes no difference to me,--God is partial to no man,--for
those of distinction added nothing to me, [2:7]but on the contrary
seeing that I was intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, as
Peter was of the circumcision,-- [2:8]for he that operated in Peter for
the apostleship of the circumcision, operated also in me for the
gentiles,-- [2:9]and knowing the grace given me, James and Cephas and
John, who were manifest pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand
of fellowship that we should go to the gentiles and they to the
circumcision; [2:10]only [they wished] that we should remember the
poor, which I was also forward to do.

7 [2:11]But when Peter came to Antioch I opposed him to his face,
because he was to blame. [2:12]For before some came from James he eat
with the gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated
himself; fearing those of the circumcision; [2:13]and the other Jews
also dissembled with him, so that Barnabas was carried away with their
dissimulation. [2:14]But when I saw that they walked not correctly,
according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before all, If
you being a Jew live after the manner of the gentiles, and not after
the manner of the Jews, why do you compel the gentiles to practise
Judaism? [2:15]For we Jews by race and not sinners of the gentiles,
[2:16] knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but by
the faith of Jesus Christ, we also have believed in Jesus Christ, that
we may be justified by faith and not by works of the law, because by
works of the law shall no flesh be justified. [2:17]But if seeking to
be justified by Christ we are found to be ourselves also sinners, is
Christ then a minister of sin? By no means.  [2:18] For if I build up
again what I have destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [2:19]For by
a law I have died to the law, that I may live to God. [2:20]I am
crucified with Christ; and I no longer live myself, but Christ lives in
me; and the present life which I live in the flesh, I live by the faith
of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. [2:21]I do not
reject the grace of God; for if rightousness is through the law, then
Christ died for nothing.

CHAPTER II.

RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPLAINED.

1 [3:1]O FOOLISH Galatians, who has fascinated you, before whose eyes
Jesus Christ has been set forth among you crucified?  [3:2]This only
would I learn of you. Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law,
or by a hearing of faith? [3:3]Are you so foolish? Having begun in the
Spirit do you now end in the flesh?  [3:4]Have you suffered so much in
vain? if indeed also it is in vain. [3:5]He then that imparts to you
the Spirit, and exercises miraculous powers among you, does he do it by
works of the law, or by the doctrine of faith? [3:6] As Abraham
believed God and it was accounted to him a righteousness.

2 [3:7]Know, therefore, that those of faith, these are children of
Abraham. [3:8]And the Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the
nations by faith, promised before to Abraham, In you shall all the
nations be blessed. [3:9]Those of faith, therefore, are blessed with
believing Abraham. [3:10]For as many as are of works of the law are
under a curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues
not in all things written in the book of the law to do them. [3:11]And
it is evident that no one is justified by the law before God, because
the just shall live by faith, [3:12]but the law is not of faith, but he
that does these things shall live by them. [3:13]Christ redeemed us
from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us, for it is
written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree, [3:14]that the
blessing of Abraham may come on the nations, in Christ Jesus, that we
may receive the promise of the Spirit through the faith.

3 [3:15]Brothers, I speak according to man. But no one abolishes a
man's covenant when it is established, or makes additions to it.
[3:16]The promises were spoken to Abraham and his offspring.  He said
not, And to offsprings, as of many, but as of one, And to your
offspring, which is Christ. [3:17]And this I say; that the law which
was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot abrogate the covenant
previously established by God, to make the promise of no effect.
[3:18]For if the inheritance is by the law, it is no longer by the
promise. But God gave it to Abraham by the promise. [3:19]What then?
The law was added on account of transgressions, till the offspring
should come to which the promise was made, being appointed by angels by
the hand of a mediator. [3:20]But there is no mediator of one; but God
is one.

4 [3:21]Is the law then against the promises of God? By no means.  For
if a law had been given, able to give life, righteousness would really
have been by the law; [3:22]but the Scripture has shut up all under
sin, that the promise of the faith of Jesus Christ may be given to them
that believe. [3:23]But before the faith came, we were kept shut up
under the law for the faith to be revealed. [3:24]So that the law was
our schoolmaster to lead to Christ, that we might be justified by
faith; [3:25]but the faith having come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster.  [3:26]For you are all children of God by the faith in
Jesus Christ; [3:27]for as many of you as are baptized in Christ, have
put on Christ. [3:28]There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
servant nor freeman, there is neither male nor female; for you are all
one in Christ Jesus. [3:29] And if you are of Christ, then are you
Abraham's children and heirs according to the promise.

5 [4:1]But I say, that as long as the heir is a child, he differs not
from a servant, though he is lord of all, [4:2]but is under tutors and
stewards till the time appointed by the father.  [4:3]So also we, when
we were children, were in servitude under the rudiments of the world;
[4:4]but when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son, born
of a woman, born under the law, [4:5] that he might redeem those under
the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [4:6]And because
you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father. [4:7]So that you are no longer a servant,
but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God.

6 [4:8]But formerly, not knowing God you served beings which are not
really Gods; [4:9]but now knowing God, or rather being known by God,
how do you turn again to the weak and imperfect rudiments, which you
wish again to serve? [4:10] Do you observe days, and months, and times,
and years? [4:11]I am afraid of you, lest I have expended labor on you
in vain.

7 [4:12]I beseech you, brothers, be as I am, for I am as you [ought to
be]. You did not injure me; [4:13]but you knew I preached the gospel to
you on my former [visit] in weakness of the flesh, [4:14]and my trial
in my flesh you despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel
of God, as Christ Jesus.  [4:15] What then was your blessedness? For I
bear you witness that, if possible, you would have dug out your eyes
and have given them to me. [4:16]Have I therefore become your enemy, by
telling you the truth? [4:17]They are zealous for you, but not well,
but they wish to exclude you that you may be zealous for them. [4:18]It
is good to be zealous for a good object always, and not only when I am
present with you. [4:19]My little children, with whom I am again in
pain till Christ is formed in you, [4:20]I wish to be present with you
now and change my voice with you, for I am in doubt of you.

8 [4:21]Tell me, you that wish to be under the law, do you not hear the
law? [4:22]For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a
servant woman, and the other by a free woman. [4:23]But he by the
servant woman was born of the flesh, and he by the free woman, by the
promise. [4:24]These things are allegorical, for those [women] are two
covenants, one from Mount Sinai, bearing children for servitude, which
is Hagar; [4:25]for Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; and the present
Jerusalem answers to her, for she is in servitude with her children.
[4:26]But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us;
[4:27]for it is written, Rejoice, barren woman, that did not bear,
break forth and cry, woman that had no pain, for the children of the
desolate are more numerous than those of her who had a husband.
[4:28]But we, brothers, like Isaac, are children of the promise.
[4:29]But as then he that was born of the flesh persecuted him that was
born of the Spirit, so also now. [4:30]But what says the Scripture?
Cast out the servant-woman and her son; for the son of the servant
woman shall not be an heir, with the son of the free.  [4:31]Wherefore,
brothers, we are not children of the servant woman, but of the free.

CHAPTER III.

MORAL DUTIES.

1 [5:1]STAND firm in the liberty with which Christ has made you free,
and be not again subject to a yoke of servitude.  [5:2]Behold, I Paul
tell you, that if you are circumcised Christ will not profit you.
[5:3]For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is
bound to perform the whole law. [5:4] You have departed from Christ,
whoever of you are justified by the law, you have fallen from the
grace. [5:5]For we wait in spirit for the hope of righteousness, by
faith. [5:6]For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing
nor uncircumcision, but faith which works by love.

2 [5:7]You ran well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
[5:8]This persuasion is not of him that calls you. [5:9]A little leaven
leavens the whole mass. [5:10]I have confidence in you, in the Lord,
that you will not be of another mind; but he that troubles you shall
bear his sin, whoever he is. [5:11] And I, brothers, if I preach
circumcision, why am I yet persecuted? Then has the offense of the
cross ceased. [5:12]I would that they were cut off that disturb you.
[5:13]For you are called to liberty, brothers, only make not your
liberty an occasion for the flesh, but by love serve one another.
[5:14]For all the law is fully contained in one precept; you shall love
your neighbor as yourself. [5:15]But if you bite and devour one
another, see that you be not consumed one by another.

3 [5:16]And I say, walk in the Spirit and perform not the desire of the
flesh. [5:17]For the flesh desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh; and these are opposed one to another, so that you do
not what you wish. [5:18]But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not
under the law. [5:19]For the works of the flesh are manifest, which
are, fornication, impurity, lewdness, [5:20]idolatry, magic, enmities,
strife, envy, anger, contentions, dissensions, heresies, [5:21]murders,
drunkenness, revellings and the like, of which I tell you before, as I
have also previously told you, that those who do such things shall not
inherit the kingdom of God. [5:22]But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, [5:23]meekness,
temperance; against such there is no law.  [5:24]And the [subjects] of
Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its affections and desires.
[5:25]If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
[5:26]Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another,
envying one another.

4 [6:1]Brothers, if a man is overtaken with any fault, do you that are
spiritual restore such a one with a spirit of meekness, considering
yourself; lest you also be tried. [6:2]Bear one another's burdens, and
so perform the law of Christ. [6:3]For if any one thinks he is
something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. [6:4]But let each
one prove his work, and then shall he have joy in himself alone and not
in another, [6:5]for every one shall bear his own burden.

5 [6:6]Let him that is taught the word communicate with him that
teaches of all good things. [6:7]Be not deceived, God is not mocked.
For what a man sows, that shall he also reap; [6:8]for he that sows for
his flesh, shall of the flesh reap destruction; but he that sows for
the Spirit, shall of the Spirit reap life eternal. [6:9]Let us not be
weary of well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.
[6:10]As we have opportunity, therefore, let us do good to all, but
especially to the members of the family of the faith.

6 [6:11]You see with how long a letter I have written to you.
[6:12]Those who wish to make a fair appearance in the flesh compel you
to be circumcised, only that they may not be persecuted for the cross
of Christ. [6:13]For the circumcised themselves do not keep the law,
but they wish you to be circumcised that they may glory in your flesh.
[6:14]But far be it from me to glory, except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me and I to the world.
[6:15]For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision any thing, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creation. [6:16]And whoever walk by this
rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.

7 [6:17]Finally, let no man trouble me; for I bear in my body the marks
of Jesus. [6:18]The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit,
brothers; amen.

FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS.

EPHESUS, A.D. 57. (ACTS, 19:10.)

CHAPTER I.

SALUTATION, EXHORTATION TO UNITY, THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, ETC.

1 [1:1]PAUL, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of
God, and Sosthenes the brother, [1:2]to the church of God which is at
Corinth, to the sanctified in Jesus Christ, called to be saints, with
all that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both
theirs and ours. [1:3]Grace and peace be to you from God our Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 [1:4]I thank my God always for you, for the grace of God given you in
Christ Jesus, [1:5]that in every thing you are enriched in him, in all
speech and all knowledge, [1:6]as the testimony of Christ was confirmed
in you, [1:7]so that you are behind in no gift, waiting for the
revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, [1:8]who also will confirm you to
the end, without blame, in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. [1:9]God
is faithful by whom you are called into the society of his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord.

3 [1:10]I exhort you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you, but that you be perfected in the same mind and the same will.
[1:11]For I have been informed of you, my brothers, by the family of
Chloe, that there are contentions among you. [1:12]I mean this; that
each one of you says I indeed am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of
Cephas, and I of Christ.  [1:13]Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified
for you? or were you baptized in the name of Paul? [1:14]I thank God I
baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius; [1:15]that no one may
say that I baptized in my name. [1:16]And I also baptized the family of
Stephanus; besides I do not know that I baptized any other.  [1:17]For
Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the good news, not with a
wisdom of speech lest the cross of Christ should be without effect.
[1:18]For the word of the cross is to the lost foolishness, but to the
saved the power of God. [1:19]For it is written, I will destroy the
wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the
intelligent. [1:20]Where is the wise? where the scribe? where the
disputer of this life? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the
world? [1:21]For since, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew
not God, God was pleased by the foolishness of preaching to save those
that believe; [1:22]and since the Jews seek signs, and the Greeks seek
wisdom, [1:23]we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews indeed an
offense, and to the gentiles foolishness, [1:24]but to the called, both
Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and wisdom of God; [1:25]for
the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is
stronger than men. [1:26]For you see your calling, brothers, that not
many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble [are
called]; [1:27]but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise, and the weak things of the world has God chosen to
put to shame the mighty, [1:28]and the ignoble things of the world and
things that are despised has God chosen, and things that are not, to
destroy things that are, [1:29]that no flesh may glory in the sight of
God. [1:30]But you are of him in Christ Jesus, who has become to us
wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption,
[1:31]that as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.

4 [2:1]And when I came to you, brothers, I came not with excellency of
speech, or wisdom, declaring to you the mystery of God. [2:2]For I
determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him
crucified. [2:3]And I was with you in weakness, and with fear and with
much trembling, [2:4]and my speech and my preaching were not with
persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the spirit and
power, [2:5]that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men but in
the power of God.

5 [2:6]But we speak wisdom among the perfect, but not the wisdom of
this life, nor of the rulers of this life, who are destroyed; [2:7]but
we speak a wisdom of God hid in mystery, which God appointed from
eternity for our glory, [2:8] which none of the rulers of this life
knew, for if they had known they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory; [2:9]but as it is written, An eye has not seen, an ear has not
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God
has prepared for those that love him; [2:10]but God has revealed them
to us by his Spirit.  For the Spirit searches all things, even the
depths of God.  [2:11]For who knows the [things] of man, except the
spirit of man which is in him? So also no one knows the [things] of God
except the Spirit of God. [2:12]And we have received not the spirit of
the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things
given us by God, [2:13]which we also speak, not in words taught by
human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, comparing spiritual
things with spiritual. [2:14]But the natural man receives not the
[things] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he
cannot know them, for they are spiritually discerned. [2:15]But the
spiritual man discerns all things, and is himself perceived by no one.
[2:16] For who has known the mind of the Lord, who shall instruct him?
But we have the mind of Christ.

6 [3:1]And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as spiritual, but
as carnal, as babes in Christ. [3:2]I have fed you milk, not solid
food; for you were not yet able; but you are not able even now;
[3:3]for you are yet carnal. For when there is envy and strife among
you are you not carnal and walk as men?  [3:4]For when one says, I am
of Paul, and another, I, of Apollos, are you not men? [3:5]Who then is
Apollos? and who is Paul? but ministers by whom you believed, and to
each as the Lord gave.  [3:6]I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused
[the seed] to grow; [3:7]so neither is he that plants any thing, nor he
that waters, but God that causes it to grow. [3:8]He that plants and he
that waters are one; and each shall receive his reward according to his
labor. [3:9] For we are God's co-laborers; you are God's field, God's
building.

7 [3:10]According to the grace of God given me as a wise architect I
have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one see
how he builds on it. [3:11]For no one can lay another foundation
besides that laid, which is Christ Jesus.  [3:12]And if any man builds
on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, reeds,
[3:13]each one's work shall be manifest; for the day shall show it,
because it shall be revealed by fire, and the same fire shall try every
man's work what it is. [3:14]If any one's work continues which he has
built, he shall receive a reward; [3:15]if any one's work is consumed,
he shall suffer loss, and he shall be saved, but so as by fire.

8 [3:16]Know you not that you are a temple of God and the Spirit of God
dwells in you? [3:17]If any one destroys the temple of God, him shall
God destroy; for the temple of God which you are is holy. [3:18]Let no
one deceive himself; if any one seems to be wise among you in this
life, let him be a fool, that he may be wise. [3:19]For the wisdom of
this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written; He takes the
wise in their craftiness.  [3:20]And again; The Lord knows the thoughts
of the wise that they are vain. [3:21]Let no one therefore glory in
men; for all things are yours, [3:22]whether Paul, or Apollos, or
Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things
to come, all are yours, [3:23]and you Christ's, and Christ God's.

9 [4:1]Let a man so regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the
mysteries of God. [4:2]But, moreover, it is required of stewards that
one should be found faithful. [4:3]But it is of little account to me
that I should be judged by you or by man's day [judgment]; but I judge
not myself; [4:4]for I am not conscious to myself [of wrong], but I am
not on this account justified; but he that judges me is the Lord.
[4:5]Judge nothing therefore before the time, till the Lord comes, who
will both bring to light the hidden deeds of darkness, and make known
the purposes of the hearts; and then shall each one have praise from
God.

10 [4:6]I have applied these things figuratively, brothers, to myself
and Apollos on your account, that you may learn by us not to [go
beyond] what is written, that you may not be puffed up for one against
another. [4:7]For who made you to differ? And what have you that you
did not receive? And if you received, why do you boast as one that
receives not? [4:8]You are already full, you are already enriched; you
have reigned without us; and I would that you did reign, that we also
might reign with you.  [4:9]For I think that God has shown us the
apostles last, as devoted to death, for we have been made a spectacle
to the world, both to angels and men. [4:10]For we are foolish for
Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are
strong; and you are glorious, but we are infamous. [4:11]Even to this
hour we suffer hunger and thirst and nakedness, and are beaten, and are
unsettled, [4:12]and labor, working with our hands; being reviled we
bless, being persecuted we endure, [4:13]being defamed we entreat; we
are made like the offscouring of the world and the vilest of all
things, even till now.

11 [4:14]I write these things not to shame you, but as my beloved
children, I admonish you. [4:15]For if you have ten thousand teachers
in Christ still you have not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have
begotten you by the gospel. [4:16]I exhort you therefore, be followers
of me. [4:17]For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and
faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as
I teach everywhere, in every church. [4:18]Some are puffed up as though
I would not come to you; [4:19]but I will come to you shortly, if the
Lord will, and will know not the word of those who are puffed up but
the power; [4:20]for the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
[4:21]What do you wish? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and
a spirit of meekness?

CHAPTER II.

INCEST, LITIGATION, EXPEDIENCY, AND CHASTITY.

1 [5:1]IT is commonly reported that there is fornication among you, and
such fornication as is not among the gentiles, that a man should have
his father's wife. [5:2]And you are puffed up, and have not rather
mourned, that he who has done this deed should be removed from among
you. [5:3]For I indeed as absent in body, but present in spirit, have
already judged as present him that has so done this, [5:4]in the name
of our Lord Jesus you being assembled together and my spirit with the
power of our Lord Jesus [5:5]to deliver such a one to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of
the Lord.  [5:6]Your rejoicing is not good. Do you not know that a
little leaven leavens the whole mass? [5:7]Remove the old leaven, that
you may be a new mass, as you are unleavened; for Christ our passover
was also sacrificed for us. [5:8] Let us therefore keep the feast, not
with old leaven, nor with a leaven of vice and wickedness, but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

2 [5:9]I wrote to you in the epistle not to associate with fornicators;
[5:10] not altogether the fornicators of this world, or the covetous
and rapacious, or idolaters, since then you would have to go out of the
world. [5:11]But now I have written to you not to associate, if any one
called a brother is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
railer, or a drunkard, or rapacious, even to eat with such a one.
[5:12]For what business have I to judge those without? Do you not judge
those within?  [5:13]but those without, God judges. Remove therefore
the evil man from among you.

3 [6:1]Dare any of you having a business with another be judged by the
wicked, and not by the saints? [6:2]Do you not know that the saints
shall judge the world? And if the world is judged by you, are you
unworthy of the lowest courts? [6:3]Know you not that we shall judge
angels? Much more then things pertaining to this life? [6:4]If then you
have courts for the business of this life, do you constitute them of
the most abject in the church?  [6:5]I speak to your shame. Is there
not now a wise man among you? not one who can judge between his
brothers? [6:6]But brother goes to law with brother, and that before
unbelievers. [6:7]Now therefore there is a great fault among you, that
you go to law one with another. Why not rather suffer injustice? why
not rather be defrauded? [6:8]But you injure and defraud, and that your
brothers. [6:9]Know you not that the unjust shall not inherit the
kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor sodomites, [6:10]nor thieves,
nor covetous persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor the rapacious,
shall inherit the kingdom of God.  [6:11]And such were some of you; but
you are washed, you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name
of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

4 [6:12]All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient;
all things are lawful, but I will not be brought under the power of
any. [6:13]Food for the stomach, and the stomach for food; but God will
destroy both it and them. And the body is not for fornication but for
the Lord; and the Lord for the body; [6:14]and God both raised the
Lord, and will raise us up by his power. [6:15]Know you not that your
bodies are Christ's members?  Shall I then take the members of Christ
and make them a harlot's members? by no means. [6:16]Know you not that
he who is joined to a harlot is one body [with her]? For the two, says
he, shall be one flesh. [6:17]But he that is joined to the Lord is one
spirit [with him]. [6:18]Avoid fornication. Every crime that a man
commits is out of his body; but he that commits fornication sins in his
body. [6:19]Know you not that your bodies are a temple of the Holy
Spirit in you which you have from God, and you are not your own?
[6:20]For you are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your
body.

CHAPTER III.

MARRIAGE, CELIBACY, ETC., AND THINGS OFFERED TO IDOLS.

1 [7:1]CONCERNING what you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to
touch a woman; [7:2]but on account of fornications, let each man have
his wife, and each woman have her husband. [7:3]Let the husband render
to the wife her due, and in like manner also the wife the husband.
[7:4]The wife has not the right to her body, but the husband; and in
like manner the husband has not the right to his body, but the wife.
[7:5]Withhold not yourselves from one another, except by agreement for
a time that you may be at leisure for prayer, and come together again,
that Satan may not tempt you by your incontinence. [7:6]But this I say
by suggestion, not by command. [7:7]For I wish that all men were even
as I am; but each one has his gift from God, and one is of one kind and
another of another.

2 [7:8]And I say to the unmarried and to the widows, that it is good
for them to continue as I am; [7:9]but if they have not self-control,
let them marry; it is better to marry than to be incontinent. [7:10]But
the married I charge, not I, but the Lord, Let not a wife separate from
her husband, [7:11]and also if she is separated let her remain
unmarried or be reconciled to the husband, and let not a husband leave
his wife.

3 [7:12]But to the rest I speak, not the Lord, If any brother has an
unbelieving wife, and she is pleased to live with him, let him not
leave her; [7:13]and if any wife has an unbelieving husband and he is
pleased to live with her, let her not leave the husband. [7:14]For the
unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife, and the
unbelieving wife is sanctified by the brother; else were your children
impure, but now are they holy.  [7:15]But if the unbelieving companion
departs, let him depart; the brother or the sister is not bound in such
cases; but God has called us to peace. [7:16]For how do you know, wife,
that you will not save your husband? or how do you know, husband, that
you will not save your wife?

4 [7:17]Unless as the Lord has imparted to each one, as God has called
each one, so let him walk; and so I appoint in all the churches.
[7:18]Is any one called being circumcised, let him not be
uncircumcised; is any one called in uncircumcision, let him not be
circumcised. [7:19]Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is
nothing, but keeping God's commandments.  [7:20]Let each one remain in
the calling in which he was called; [7:21]were you called being a
servant, care not for it; but if you can be free, use it rather.
[7:22]For the servant called in the Lord is the Lord's freeman; in like
manner the called freeman is Christ's servant. [7:23]You are bought
with a price; be not servants of men. [7:24]Let each one continue,
brothers, in the calling in which he was called under God.

5 [7:25]And concerning the virgins I have no ordinance of the Lord, but
I give an opinion as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful. [7:26]I think then that this is good on account of the
present necessity, because it is good for man to be so. [7:27]Are you
bound to a wife, seek not a release; are you released from a wife, seek
not a wife. [7:28]But if you marry, you do not sin and if the virgin
marries she does not sin. But such will have affliction in the flesh;
but I spare you.  [7:29]But this I say, brothers, the time is short, so
that in future those who have wives should be as those not having them,
[7:30]and those who weep as those not weeping, and those who rejoice as
those not rejoicing, and those who buy as not possessing, [7:31]and
those who use the world as those not abusing it; for the fashion of
this world passes away. [7:32] But I wish you to be without cares. The
unmarried man cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the
Lord; [7:33]but he that is married cares for the things of the world,
how he shall please the wife. [7:34]And the wife and the virgin are
different; the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that
she may be holy in body and spirit; but she that is married cares for
the things of the world, how she shall please the husband.  [7:35]But I
say this for your own profit; not to impose a snare on you, but for
[your] honor, and [your] attending on the Lord without distraction.

6 [7:36]But if any one thinks that he behaves improperly to his virgin,
if she is past her prime, and it must be so, let him do what he wishes;
he does not sin; let them marry. [7:37]But he that stands firm in mind,
not having a necessity, but has power over his will, and has determined
in his mind to keep his virgin, does well. [7:38]He that gives in
marriage therefore does well, and he that gives not in marriage does
better.

7 [7:39]A woman is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her
husband is dead then she is free to be married to whom she will; only
in the Lord. [7:40] But she is happier if she continues thus, in my
opinion, and I think also I have the Spirit of God.

8 [8:1]And concerning things offered to idols we all have knowledge.
Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. [8:2]And if any one thinks he
knows any thing, he yet knows nothing as he ought to know; [8:3]but if
any one loves God, this [man] is known by him. [8:4]Concerning eating
things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is no other God but one. [8:5]For even if there are
those called Gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as there are many
gods and many lords, [8:6]yet to us there is one God the Father, of
whom are all things, and we in him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through
whom are all things and we through him. [8:7]But all have not this
knowledge; and some with the conscience [unenlightened] even till now
eat an idol's [sacrifice] as an idol's sacrifice, and their conscience
being weak is defiled. [8:8]But food does not commend us to God; for
neither if we eat not are we worse, nor if we eat are we better.
[8:9]But beware lest your liberty should become an offense to the weak.
[8:10]For if any one sees you who have knowledge reclining in an idol's
temple, will not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened to
eat things offered to idols?  [8:11]And will not the weak brother for
whom Christ died perish by your knowledge? [8:12]But when you thus sin
against the brothers, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against
Christ. [8:13] Wherefore, if food offends my brother, I will eat no
meat forever, that I may not offend my brother.

CHAPTER IV.

THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY ENTITLED TO A SUPPORT, PAUL'S LABORS WITHOUT
CHARGE.

1 [9:1]AM I not a freeman? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus
Christ our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord? [9:2]If I am not an
apostle to others, I certainly am to you; for you are a seal of my
apostleship in the Lord. [9:3]My defense to those who condemn me is