5

29

that they might destroy him on | council, answered, "Hast thou the way. 4 But Festus answer- appealed to Cæsar? to Cæsar ed, that Paul should be kept at thou shalt go." Cæsarea, and that he himself would shortly go there. "Therefore, said he, " let those of you who are able to bring any charge, go down with me, and accuse the man, if there be any thing criminal in him." 6 And having tarried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Cæsarea; and the next day sat on the judgment-seat, and commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood round about, and brought many and heavy accusations [against Paul], which they could not prove; 8

13 AND after some days, king Agrippa and Bernicè came to Cæsarea to salute Festus. 14 And as they continued there days, many Festus related Paul's case to the king, saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix: 15 concerning whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief-priests and the elders of the Jews laid an information, desiring judg ment against him. 16 To whom I answered, that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to death, before he who is accused has his accusers face to face, and has opportunity to make his defence while he made his defence, say-concerning the crime laid to ing, "Neither against the law his charge. 17 When thereof the Jews, nor against the fore they had come hither, temple, nor against Cæsar, have without making any delay, I sat I offended in any thing." 9 But on the judgment-seat the day Festus, wishing to gratify the after, and commanded the man Jews, in answer to Paul, said, to be brought: 18 against whom "Art thou willing to go up to when his accusers stood up, Jerusalem, and there to be they brought no accusation of judged of these things before such things as I supposed: 19 me?" 10 Then Paul said, "I but had against him some quesstand at Cæsar's judgment-seat, tions about their own religion, where I ought to be judged and about one Jesus who died, to the Jews I have done no but whom Paul affirmed to be wrong, as thou also very well alive. 20 And because I was knowest. 11 For if I have done doubtful about an inquiry into wrong, or have committed any such matters, I asked him thing worthy of death, I refuse whether he was willing to go not to die but if there be no- to Jerusalem, and there to be thing true of the things whereof judged about these things. 21 these accuse me, no one should But Paul having appealed, that give me up to gratify them. I it might be reserved to the deappeal to Cæsar." 12 Then Fes- termination of the Emperor, I tus, having conferred with the commanded him to be kept in

eustody till I could send him | concerning all the things of to Cæsar." 22 Then Agrippa which I am accused by the said to Festus, "I myself also Jews: 3 because thou very well desire to hear the man." "To- knowest all the customs and morrow," said he, "thou shalt questions which are among the hear him." Jews. Wherefore I beseech [thee] to hear me patiently.

23 On the morrow therefore, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and they had entered into the place of hearing, together with the commanders and principal men of the city; at the command of Festus, Paul was brought. 24 Then Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all that are here present with us, ye see this man, concerning whom all the

4 All the Jews know my manner of life from my youth, which was passed from the beginning among mine own nation at Jerusalem: 5 and these have knowledge of me from the first, (if they be willing to testify,) that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am condemned for the multitude of the Jews have ap-hope of the promise, which God plied to me, both at Jerusalem, made to our fathers: 7 and and here also, crying out that which our twelve tribes, by he ought not to live any longer. their continual services night 25 But I having found that he and day, hope to obtain: for had committed nothing worthy which hope, O king [Agrippa], of death, and he himself having I am accused by the Jews. 8 appealed to the Emperor, I What? is it esteemed among have determined to send [him]. you a thing incredible, that 26 Concerning whom I have God should raise the dead? nothing certain to write to our Master. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially, before thee,

9 "I indeed thought within myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth: 10 which king Agrippa, that, after exa-I also did, in Jerusalem and mination, I may have some- many of the saints I shut up thing to write. 27 For it seemeth in prisons, having received auto me unreasonable to send a thority from the chief-priests; prisoner, and not to signify also and, when they were put to the charges made against him.' death, I gave my vote against them: 11 and I punished them often in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and, being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them, even to foreign cities. 12 At which time [also,] as I was going to Damascus,

CH. XXVI. 1 UPON this Agrippa said to Paul, "Thou art permitted to speak for thyself." Then Paul stretching forth his hand, made his defence:

2 "I think myself happy, king Agrippa, that I shall make my defence this day before thee,

·

with authority and commission | the temple, and attempted to [from] the chief-priests, 13 kill me. at mid-day, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun; which shone round about me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And having all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew dialect, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads.' 15 And I said, Who art thou, Sir?' And he said, 'I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand on thy feet: for I have appeared to thee for this purpose, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those in which I will appear to thee; 17 delivering thee from the people ;* and from the gentiles, to whom I now send thee, 18 to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of the adversary to God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among those that are sanctified, through faith in me.'

19" Wherefore, king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision : 20 but declared, first to those in Damascus, and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and then to the gentiles, that they should reform and turn to God, doing works worthy of reformation. 21 For these causes, the Jews seized me in

22 "Having therefore ob. tained help from God, to this day, I continue witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which both the prophets and Moses spake of, as about to come: 23 that Christ should suffer; and that he, being the first who rose from the dead, should announce light to the people* and to the gentiles."

24 And as he was thus making his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, thou art mad: much learning has driven thee to madness." 25 Then he said, "I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but utter the words of truth and of a sound mind. 26 For the king knoweth concerning these things, before whom I even speak freely. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him: for this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest." 28 Then Agrippa [said] to Paul, "Thou almost persuadest me to be a Christian." 29 And Paul [said,] "I would to God, that not thou only, but all likewise who hear me this day, were almost, and even altogether, such as I am, except these bonds."

30 THEN the king, and the governor, and Bernicè also, and those who sat with them, rose up; 31 and having gone aside, they spake among themselves,

ie. the Jews.

saying, "This man hath done nothing worthy of death, or of bonds." 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed to Cæsar."

CH. XXVII. 1 NOW when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were delivered to a centurion of the Augustan band, named Julius. 2 Then we entered into a ship of Adramyttium, and loosed, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the next day, we arrived at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul humanely, and gave him liberty to go to his friends, to be taken care of. 4 And having loosed from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphyl-island. lia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and put us therein.

7 And, having sailed slowly for many days, and scarcely come over-against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over-against Salmone: 8 and, hardly passing by it, we came to a place which is called the Fair havens; near which was the city of Laséa.

was now after the Jewish fast,)* Paul, gave them warning, 10 saying, "Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with harm and much damage, not only to the lading and the ship, but to our lives also." 11 However, the centurion believed the pilot, and the owner of the ship, more than the things spoken by Paul. 12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the greater part advised to loose from thence also, if by any means they might reach Phenicè, and winter there: which is a haven of Crete, lying towards the southwest and west. 13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they should obtain their purpose, they weighed anchor, and passed close by Crete. 14 But, not long after, a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, beat against the

9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was already become dangerous, (for it

15 And the ship being borne away, and not able to face the wind, we gave her up, and were driven. 16 And having run under a certain small island, called Clauda, we were scarcely able to be masters of the boat: 17 which, when the sailors had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, they struck sail, and thus were driven. 18 And, we being exceedingly tossed by a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship: 19 and the third day we cast out, with our own hands, the

"About the 26th of September." Thomson.

away.

out of the stern, and wished for day. 30 But the sailors endeavouring to escape out of the ship, let down the boat into the sea, under pretence that they were about to cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 when Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Unless these remain in the ship, ye cannot be preserved."+ 32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her go off.

21 But, after long abstinence, Paul, standing in the midst of them, said, “Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not have loosed from Crete, but have prevented this harm and damage. 22 And now I exhort you to be of good courage: for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of that God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, 24 'Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath graciously given thee all who sail with thee.' 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good courage: for I believe God, that it will be as it hath been told me. 26 However, we must be cast upon ait, he began to eat. 36 Then certain island." they were all of good courage; and they also took food. 37 Now all of us in the ship were two hundred and seventy-six persons. 38 And being satisfied with food, they lightened the ship, and threw the corn into the sea.

33 And, while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to partake of food; saying, "To-day is the fourteenth day of the storm, during which we have waited, and continued fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I exhort you to partake of food: for this concerns your safety for a hair shall not fall from the head of any among you." 35 And, having thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God before them all; and, having broken

:

tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be preserved was thenceforth taken

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down, in the Adriatic sea, about midnight, the sailors thought that they drew near to some country; 28 and sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and, when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors were possible, to thrust the

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they observed a certain creek, with an even shor into which they were determined, if it

* Gr. TOU σw(eσba nuas that we should be saved; though it evidently refers here, to nothing more than the preservation of their temporal lives.

† Gr. owinval saped; see ver. 20.