The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

And there accompanied him Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, of Berea: and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus: and Gaius of Derbe and Timothy: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

These, going before, stayed for us at Troas.

But we sailed from Philippi after the days of the azymes and came to them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.

And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, being to depart on the morrow. And he continued his speech until midnight.

And there were a great number of lamps in the upper chamber where we were assembled.

And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window, being oppressed with a deep sleep (as Paul was long preaching), by occasion of his sleep fell from the third loft down and was taken up dead.

To whom, when Paul had gone down, he laid himself upon him and, embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his soul is in him.

Then going up and breaking bread and tasting and having talked a long time to them, until daylight, so he departed.

And they brought the youth alive and were not a little comforted.

But we going aboard the ship, sailed to Assos, being there to take in Paul. For so he had appointed, himself purposing to travel by land.

And when he had met with us at Assos, we took him in and came to Mitylene.

And sailing thence, the day following we came over against Chios: and the next day we arrived at Samos: and the day following we came to Miletus.

For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, lest he should be stayed any time in Asia. For he hasted, if it were possible for him, to keep the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem.

And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of the church.

And when they were come to him and were together, he said to them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner I have been with you, for all the time.

Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and temptations which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews:

How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,

Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem: not knowing the things which shall befall me there:

Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying: That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.

But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Wherefore I take you to witness this day that I am clear from the blood of all men.

For I have not spread to declare unto you all, the counsel of God.

Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the Church of God which he hath purchased with his own blood.

I know that after my departure ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch, keeping in memory that for three years I ceased not with tears to admonish every one of you, night and day.

And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified.

I have not coveted any man's silver, gold or apparel, as

You yourselves know. For such things as were needful for me and them that are with me, these hands have furnished.

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.

And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all.

And there was much weeping among them all. And falling on the neck of Paul, they kissed him,

Being grieved most of all for the word which he had said, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the ship.

And when it came to pass that, being parted from them, we set sail, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes: and from thence to Patara.

And when we had found a ship sailing over to Phenice, we went aboard and set forth.

And when we had discovered Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed into Syria, and came to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden.

And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul, through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

And the days being expired, departing we went forward, they all bringing us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we kneeled down on the shore: and we prayed.

And when we had bid one another farewell, we took ship. And they returned home.

But we, having finished the voyage by sea, from Tyre came down to Ptolemais: and saluting the brethren, we abode one day with them.

And the next day departing, we came to Caesarea. And entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode with him.

And he had four daughters, virgins, who did prophesy.

And as we tarried there for some days, there came from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus.

Who, when he was come to us, took Paul's girdle: and binding his own feet and hands, he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose girdle this is, the Jews shall bind in this manner in Jerusalem and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that place desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem.

Then Paul answered and said: What do you mean, weeping and afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but to die also in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will of the Lord be done.

And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem.

And there went also with us some of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James: and all the ancients were assembled.

Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.

But they hearing it, glorified God and said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have believed: and they are all zealous for the law.

Now they have heard of thee that thou teachest those Jews, who are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses: saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, nor walk according to the custom.

What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, who have a vow on them.

Take these and sanctify thyself with them: and bestow on them, that they may shave their heads. And all will know that the things which they have heard of these are false: but that thou thyself also walkest keeping the law.

But, as touching the Gentiles that believe, we have written, decreeing that they should only refrain themselves from that which has been offered to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.

Then Paul took the men and, the next day being purified with them, entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every one of them.

But when the seven days were drawing to an end, those Jews that were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people and laid hands upon him, crying out:

Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men every where against the people and the law and this place; and moreover hath brought in Gentiles into the temple and hath violated this holy place.

(For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him. whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

And he whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together. And taking Paul, they drew him out of the temple: and immediately the doors were shut.

And as they went about to kill him, it was told the tribune of the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

Who, forthwith taking with him soldiers and centurions, ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off beating Paul.

Then the tribune, coming near, took him and commanded him to be bound with two chains: and demanded who he was and what he had done.

And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude. And when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle.

And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that he was carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people.

For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: Away with him!

And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to the tribune: May I speak something to thee? Who said: Canst thou speak Greek?

Art not thou that Egyptian who before these days didst raise a tumult and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were murderers?

But Paul said to him: I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city. And I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the people.

And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people. And a great silence being made, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:

Men, brethren and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you.

(And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence.)

And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day:

Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,

As the high priest doth bear me witness and all the ancients. From whom also receiving letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus, that I might bring them bound from thence to Jerusalem to be punished.

And it came to pass, as I was going and drawing nigh to Damascus, at mid-day, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great light:

And falling on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

And I answered: Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me: I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

And they that were with me saw indeed the light: but they heard not the voice of him that spoke with me.

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 thee of all things that thou must do.

And whereas I did not see for the brightness of that light, being led by the hand by my companions, I came to Damascus,

And one Ananias, a man according to the law, having testimony of all the Jews who dwelt there,

Coming to me and standing by me, said to me: Brother Saul, look up. And I, the same hour, looked upon him.

But he said: The God of our fathers hath preordained thee that thou shouldst know his will and see the Just One and shouldst hear the voice from his mouth.

For thou shalt be his witness to all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard.

And now why tarriest thou? Rise up and be baptized and wash away thy sins, invoking his name.

And it came to pass, when I was come again to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance,

And saw him saying unto me: Make haste and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

And I said: Lord, they know that I cast into prison and beat in every synagogue them that believed in thee.

And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I stood by and consented: and kept the garments of them that killed him.

And he said to me: Go, for unto the Gentiles afar off will I send thee.

And they heard him until this word and then lifted up their voice, saying: Away with such an one from the earth. For it is not fit that he should live.

And as they cried out and threw off their garments and cast dust into the air,

The tribune commanded him to be brought into the castle, and that he should be scourged and tortured: to know for what cause they did so cry out against him.

And when they had bound him with thongs, Paul saith to the centurion that stood by him: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned?