The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And not finding them, they drew Jason and certain brethren to the rulers of the city, crying: They that set the city in an uproar are come hither also:

Whom Jason hath received. And these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.

And they stirred up the people: and the rulers of the city, hearing these things,

And having taken satisfaction of Jason and of the rest, they let them go.

But the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea. Who, when they were come thither, went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness, daily searching the scriptures, whether these things were so.

And many indeed of them believed: and of honourable women that were Gentiles and of men, not a few.

And when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was also preached by Paul at Berea, they came thither also, stirring up and troubling the multitude.

And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul, to go unto the sea: but Silas and Timothy remained there.

And they that conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens: and receiving a commandment from him to Silas and Timothy, that they should come to him with all speed, they departed.

Now whilst Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred within him, seeing the city wholly given to idolatry.

He disputed, therefore, in the synagogue with the Jews and with them that served God: and in the market place, every day, with them that were there.

And certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics disputed with him. And some said: What is it that this word sower would say? But others: He seemeth to be a setter forth of new gods. Because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.

And taking him, they brought him to the Areopagus, saying: May we know what this new doctrine is, which thou speakest of?

For thou bringest in certain new things to our ears. We would know therefore what these things mean.

(Now all the Athenians and strangers that were there employed themselves in nothing else, but either in telling or in hearing some new thing.)

But Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious.

For passing by and seeing your idols, I found an altar also, on which was written: To the Unknown God. What therefore you worship without knowing it, that I preach to you:

God, who made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands.

Neither is he served with men's hands, as though he needed any thing: seeing it is he who giveth to all life and breath and all things:

And hath made of one, all mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, determining appointed times and the limits of their habitation.

That they should seek God, if haply they may feel after him or find him, although he be not far from every one of us.

For in him we live and move and are: as some also of your own poets said: For we are also his offspring.

Being therefore the offspring of God, we must not suppose the divinity to be like unto gold or silver or stone, the graving of art and device of man.

And God indeed having winked at the times of this ignorance, now declareth unto men that all should every where do penance.

Because he hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in equity, by the man whom he hath appointed: giving faith to all, by raising him up from the dead.

And when they had heard of the resurrection of the dead, some indeed mocked. But others said: We will hear thee again concerning this matter.

So Paul went out from among them.

But certain men, adhering to him, did believe: among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

After these things, departing from Athens, he came to Corinth.

And finding a certain Jew, named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with Priscilla his wife (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome), he came to them.

And because he was of the same trade, he remained with them and wrought. (Now they were tentmakers by trade.)

And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, bringing in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

And when Silas and Timothy were come from Macedonia, Paul was earnest in preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

But they gainsaying and blaspheming, he shook his garments and said to them: Your blood be upon your own heads: I am clean. From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

And departing thence, he entered into the house of a certain man, named Titus Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house was adjoining to the synagogue.

And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, with all his house. And many of the Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized.

And the Lord said to Paul in the night, by a vision: Do not fear, but speak. And hold not thy peace,

Because I am with thee and no man shall set upon thee, to hurt thee. For I have much people in this city.

And he stayed there a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God.

But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the judgment seat,

Saying: This man persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

And when Paul was beginning to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If it were some matter of injustice or an heinous deed, O Jews, I should with reason bear with you.

But if they be questions of word and names and of your law, look you to it. I will not be judge of such things.

And he drove them from the judgment seat.

And all laying hold on Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

But Paul, when he had stayed yet many days, taking his leave of the brethren, sailed thence into Syria (and with him Priscilla and Aquila), having shorn his head in Cenchrae. For he had a vow.

And he came to Ephesus and left them there. But he himself, entering into the synagogue, disputed with the Jews.

And when they desired him that he would tarry a longer time, he consented not:

But taking his leave and saying: I will return to you again, God willing, he departed from Ephesus.

And going down to Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and saluted the church: and so came down to Antioch.

And after he had spent some time there, he departed and went through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, confirming all the disciples.

Now a certain Jew, named Apollo, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus, one mighty in the scriptures.

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord: and being fervent in spirit, spoke and taught diligently the things that are of Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.

This man therefore began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Whom when Priscilla and Aquila had heard, they took him to them and expounded to him the way of the Lord more diligently.

And whereas he was desirous to go to Achaia, the brethren exhorting wrote to the disciples to receive him. Who, when he was come, helped them much who had believed.

For with much vigour he convinced the Jews openly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

And it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples.

And he said to them: Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? But they said to him: We have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost.

And he said: In what then were you baptized? Who said: In John's baptism.

Then Paul said: John baptized the people with the baptism of penance saying: That they should believe in him, who was to come after him, that is to say, in Jesus.

Having heard these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had imposed his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came upon them: and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

And all the men were about twelve.

And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and exhorting concerning the kingdom of God.

But when some were hardened and believed not, speaking evil of the way of the Lord before the multitude, departing from them, he separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

And this continued for the space of two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Gentiles.

And God wrought by the hand of Paul more than common miracles.

So that even there were brought from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs and aprons: and the diseases departed from them: and the wicked spirits went out of them.

Now some also of the Jewish exorcists, who went about, attempted to invoke over them that had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I conjure you by Jesus, whom Paul preacheth.

And there were certain men, seven sons of Sceva, a Jew, a chief priest, that did this.

But the wicked spirit, answering, said to them: Jesus I know: and Paul I know. But who are you?

And the man in whom the wicked spirit was, leaping upon them and mastering them both, prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

And this became known to all the Jews and the Gentiles that dwelt a Ephesus. And fear fell on them all: and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

And many of them that believed came, confessing and declaring their deeds.

And many of them who had followed curious arts brought together their books and burnt them before all. And, counting the price of them, they found the money to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

So mightily grew the word of God and was confirmed.

And when these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying: After I have been there, I must see Rome also.

And sending into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself remained for a time in Asia.

Now at that time there arose no small disturbance about the way of the Lord.

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver temples for Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen.

Whom he calling together with the workmen of like occupation, said: Sirs, you know that our gain is by this trade.

And you see and hear that this Paul, by persuasion hath drawn away a great multitude, not only of Ephesus, but almost of all Asia, saying: they are not gods which are made by hands.

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought, but also the temple of great Diana shall be reputed for nothing! Yea, and her majesty shall begin to be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

Having heard these things, they were full of anger and cried out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

And the whole city was filled with confusion. And having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

And some also of the rulers of Asia, who were his friends, sent unto him, desiring that he would not venture himself into the theatre.

Now some cried one thing, some another. For the assembly was confused: and the greater part knew not for what cause they were come together.

And they drew forth Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand for silence, would have given the people satisfaction,

But as soon as they perceived him to be a Jew, all with one voice, for the space of about two, hours, cried out: Great is Diana of the Ephesians!

And when the town clerk had appeased the multitudes, he said: Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great Diana and of Jupiter's offspring?

For as much therefore as these things cannot be contradicted, you ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly.

For you have brought hither these men, who are neither guilty of sacrilege nor of blasphemy against your goddess.

But if Demetrius and the craftsmen that are with him have a matter against any man, the courts of justice are open: and there are proconsuls. Let them accuse one another.

And if you inquire after any other matter, it may be decided in a lawful assembly.

For we are even in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no man guilty (of whom we may give account) of this concourse. And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

And after the tumult was ceased, Paul calling to him the disciples and exhorting them, took his leave and set forward to go into Macedonia.

And when he had gone over those parts and had exhorted them with many words, he came into Greece:

Where, when he had spent three months, the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria. So he took a resolution to return through Macedonia.