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Acts 21
And when it came to pass that we had parted from them and had set sail, we came with a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara: 2 and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set sail. 3 And when we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her burden. 4 And having found the disciples, we stayed there seven days: and these said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not set foot in Jerusalem. 5 And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bid each other farewell; 6 and we went on board the ship, but they returned home again.
7 And when we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais; and we saluted the brethren, and stayed with them one day. 8 And on the next day we left, and came to Caesarea: and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. 9 Now this man had four virgin daughters, who prophesied. 10 And as we remained there some days, there came down from Judea a prophet, named Agabus. 11 And coming to us, and taking Paul’s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place entreated him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Sovereign Yahshua. 14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of Yahweh be done.
15 And after these days we took up our baggage and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And there went with us also certain of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us to Jacob; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he recounted one by one the things which Yahweh had performed among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And they, when they heard it, glorified Yahweh; and they said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law: 21 and they have been informed concerning you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcize their children, neither to walk after their customs. 22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that you have come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to you: We have four men that have a vow on them; 24 these take, and purify yourself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things of which they have been informed concerning you; but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the law. 25 But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them went into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the multitude and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place; and moreover he brought Greeks also into the temple, and has defiled this holy place. 29 For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple. 30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and they laid hold on Paul, and dragged him out of the temple: and straightway the doors were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, tidings came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 And he went forth with soldiers and centurions, and ran down upon them: and they, when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. 33 Then the chief captain came near, and laid hold of him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done. 34 And some shouted one thing, some another, among the crowd: and when he could not know the certainty for the uproar, he commanded him to be brought into the castle. 35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was that he was carried by the soldiers for the violence of the crowd; 36 for the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, Away with him.
37 And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he says to the chief captain, May I say something to you? And he said, Do you know Greek? 38 Are you not the Egyptian, who before these days stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the Assassins? 39 But Paul said, I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech you, give me leave to speak to the people. 40 And when he had given him leave, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand to the people; and when there was made a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
Acts 22
Brethren and fathers, listen to the defense I now make to you. 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he said,
3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for Yahweh, even as you all are today: 4 and I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. 5 As also the high priest bears me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there to Jerusalem in bonds to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew near to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light all around me. 7 And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 8 And I answered, Who are you, Master? And he said to me, I am Yahshua of Nazareth, whom you persecute. 9 And they that were with me truly saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of him that spoke to me. 10 And I said, what shall I do, Master? And Yahshua said to me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there you shall be told all the things which are appointed for you to do. 11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me I came to Damascus. 12 And one Ananiah, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him. 14 And he said, The Elohim of our fathers has appointed you to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. 15 For you shall be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now, why do you wait? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name. 17 And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance, 18 and saw him saying to me, Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly; because they will not receive of you testimony concerning me. 19 And I said, Master, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on you: 20 and when the blood of Stephen your servant was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that killed him. 21 And he said to me, Leave: for I will send you out far from here to the Gentiles.
22 And they gave him audience to this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live. 23 And as they cried out, and threw off their garments, and threw dust into the air, 24 the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him. 25 And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned? 26 And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain and told him saying, What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman. 27 And the chief captain came and said to him, Tell me, are you a Roman? And he answered, Yes. 28 And the chief captain said, With a great sum I obtained this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am Roman born. 29 They then that were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 But on the next day, wanting to know the certainty of what he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
Acts 23
And Paul, looking steadily at the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before Elohim in all good conscience until this day. 2 And the high priest Ananiah commanded them that stood by him to hit him in the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, Yahweh shall strike you, you whited wall: and do you sit to judge me according to the law, and command me to be struck contrary to the law? 4 And they that stood by said, Do you revile Elohim’s high priest? 5 And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people. 6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees: touching the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees: and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 And there arose a great clamor: and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ part stood up, and fought, saying, We find no evil in this man: and what if a spirit has spoken to him, or an angel? 10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be torn in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the castle.
11 And the night following Yahshua stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer: for as you have testified concerning me in Jerusalem, so must you bear witness of me also at Rome.
12 And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty that made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore do you with the council signify to the chief captain that we bring him down to you, as though you would judge of his case more explicitly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him. 16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their lying in wait, and he came into the castle and told Paul. 17 And Paul called to him one of the centurions, and said, bring this young man to the chief captain; for he has something to tell him. 18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and says, Paul the prisoner called me to him, and asked me to bring this young man to you, who has something to say to you. 19 And the chief captain took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, What is it that you have to tell me? 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the council as though you would inquire somewhat more specifically concerning him. 21 Do not yield to them: for there he in wait for him more than forty men, who have bound themselves under a curse, neither to eat or drink until they have killed him: and now they are ready, looking for the promise from you. 22 So the chief captain let the young man go, charging him, Tell no one that you have warned me of these things. 23 And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea, and seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen, at the third hour of the night: 24 and he bade them provide beasts, that they might set Paul on them, and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter after this form:
26 Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor Felix, greeting. 27 This man was seized by the Jews, and was about to be killed by them, when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 And desiring to know the cause as to why they accused him, I brought him down to their council: 29 whom I found to be accused about questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or bonds. 30 And when it was shown to me that there would be a plot against this man, I sent him to you, charging his accusers also to speak against him before you.
31 So the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But on the next day they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33 and they, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 34 And when he had read it, he asked of what province he was; and when he understood that he was of Cilicia, 35 I will hear you fully, he said, when your accusers have also come: and he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
Acts 24
And five days later the high priest Ananiah came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,
Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that by your providence evils are corrected for this nation, 3 we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, and with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I be not further tedious to you, I entreat you to hear us of your clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 who moreover attempted to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come before you. From whom you will be able, by examining him yourself, to take knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were true.
10 And when the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Paul answered,
Since I know that you have been of many years a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense: 11 seeing that you can take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: 12 and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way which they call a sect, so I serve the Elohim of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and are written in the law and the prophets; 15 having hope toward Elohim, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. 16 In this I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward Elohim and men always. 17 Now after some years I came to bring my alms to my nation, and offerings: 18 amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia – 19 who ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection from the dead I am called in question before you this day.
22 But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter. 23 And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister to him.
24 But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in the Messiah Yahshua. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go your way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call you to me. 26 he hoped withal that money would be given him by Paul: therefore also he sent for him more often, and communed with him. 27 But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
