The Aaron Papers  www.the-aaron-papers.net 

  Acts

1 The former treatise I made, O Theophilus, concerning all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, ²until the day in which he was received up, after that he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit unto the apostles whom he had chosen: ³To whom he also showed himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing unto them by the space of forty days, and speaking the things concerning the kingdom of God: ⁴and, being assembled together with them, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, you heard from me: ⁵For John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days hence.

⁶They therefore, when they were come together, asked him, saying, Lord, do you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? ⁷And he said unto them, It is not for you to know times or seasons, which the Father has set within His own authority. ⁸But you shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ⁹And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰And while they were looking steadfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; ¹¹who also said, You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you beheld him going into heaven.

¹²Then they returned unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey off. ¹³And when they were come in, they went up into the upper chamber, where they were abiding; both Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴These all with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

¹⁵And in these days Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren, and said (and there was a multitude of persons gathered together, about a hundred and twenty), ¹⁶Brethren, it was needful that the Scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus. ¹⁷For he was numbered among us, and received his portion in this ministry. ¹⁸(Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. ¹⁹And it became known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch that in their language that field was called Akeldama, that is, The field of blood.) ²⁰For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be made desolate, And let no man dwell therein: and, His office let another take. ²¹Of the men therefore that have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, ²²beginning from the baptism of John, unto the day that he was received up from us, of these must one become a witness with us of his resurrection. ²³And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴And they prayed, and said, You, Lord, who knows the hearts of all men, show of these two the one whom you have chosen, ²⁵to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas fell away, that he might go to his own place. ²⁶And they gave lots for them; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

2 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. ²And suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ³And there appeared unto them tongues parting asunder, like as of fire; and it sat upon each one of them. ⁴And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵Now there were Jews dwelling at Jerusalem, devout men, from every nation under heaven. ⁶And when this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speaking in his own language. ⁷And they were all amazed and marveled, saying, Behold, are not all these that speak Galilaeans? ⁸And how hear we, every man in our own language wherein we were born? ⁹Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, in Judaea and Cappadocia, in Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰in Phrygia and Pamphylia, in Egypt and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and sojourners from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, ¹¹Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our tongues the mighty works of God. ¹²And they were all amazed, and were perplexed, saying one to another, What does this mean? ¹³But others mockingly said, They are filled with new wine.

¹⁴But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke forth unto them, saying, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and give ear unto my words. ¹⁵For these are not drunken, as you suppose; seeing it is but the third hour of the day. ¹⁶but this is that which has been spoken through the prophet Joel: ¹⁷And it shall be in the last days, said God, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh: And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams: ¹⁸Yes and on My servants and on My handmaidens in those days Will I pour forth of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy. ¹⁹And I will show wonders in the heaven above, And signs on the earth beneath; Blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: ²⁰The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the day of the Lord come, That great and notable day. ²¹And it shall be, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. ²²You men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as you yourselves know; ²³him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, you by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay: ²⁴whom God raised up, having loosed the pangs of death: because it was not possible that he should be held by it. ²⁵For David said concerning him, I beheld the Lord always before my face; For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: ²⁶Therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; Moreover my flesh also shall dwell in hope: ²⁷Because you will not leave my soul unto Hades, Neither will you give your Holy One to see corruption. ²⁸You made known unto me the ways of life; You shall make me full of gladness with your countenance. ²⁹Brethren, I may say unto you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. ³⁰Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne; ³¹he foreseeing this spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he left unto Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ³²This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses. ³³Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured forth this, which you see and hear. ³⁴For David ascended not into the heavens: but he said himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit you on my right hand, ³⁵Till I make your enemies the footstool of your feet. ³⁶Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? ³⁸And Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For to you is the promise, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him. ⁴⁰And with many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. ⁴¹Then they that received his word were baptized: and there were added unto them in that day about three thousand souls.

⁴²And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers. ⁴³And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all that believed were together, and had all things common; ⁴⁵and they sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all, according as any man had need. ⁴⁶And day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, ⁴⁷praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to them day by day those that were saved.

3 Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. ²And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; ³who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked to receive an alms. ⁴And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. ⁵And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, that I give unto you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk. ⁷And he took him by the right hand, and raised him up: and immediately his feet and his ankle-bones received strength. ⁸And leaping up, he stood, and began to walk; and he entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. ⁹And all the people saw him walking and praising God: ¹⁰and they took knowledge of him, that it was he that sat for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. ¹¹And as he held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

¹²And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this man? Or why fasten you your eyes on us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made him to walk? ¹³The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his Servant Jesus; whom you delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. ¹⁴But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted unto you, ¹⁵and killed the Prince of life; whom God raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. ¹⁶And by faith in his name has his name made this man strong, whom you behold and know: yes, the faith which is through him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. ¹⁷And now, brethren, I know that in ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸But the things which God foreshowed by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled. ¹⁹Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰and that he may send the Christ who has been appointed for you, even Jesus: ²¹whom the heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, whereof God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets that have been from of old. ²²Moses indeed said, A prophet shall the Lord God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. To him shall you hearken in all things whatsoever he shall speak unto you. ²³And it shall be, that every soul that shall not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. ²⁴Yes and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days. ²⁵You are the sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in your seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ²⁶Unto you first God, having raised up his Servant, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

4 And as they spoke unto the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, ²being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³And they laid hands on them, and put them in ward unto the morrow: for it was now eventide. ⁴But many of them that heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.

⁵And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers and elders and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem; ⁶and Annas the high priest was there, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest. ⁷And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, By what power, or in what name, have you done this? ⁸Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said unto them, You rulers of the people, and elders, ⁹if we this day are examined concerning a good deed done to an impotent man, by what means this man is made whole; ¹⁰be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even in him does this man stand here before you whole. ¹¹He is the stone which was set at nothing of you the builders, which was made the head of the corner. ¹²And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved. ¹³Now when they beheld the boldness of Peter and John, and had perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marveled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴And seeing the man that was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

¹⁵But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶saying, What shall we do to these men? For indeed a notable miracle has been worked through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. ¹⁷But that it spread no further among the people, let us threaten them, that they speak hereafter to no man in this name. ¹⁸And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, you judge: ²⁰for we cannot but speak the things which we saw and heard. ²¹And they, when they had further threatened them, let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people; for all men glorified God for that which was done. ²²For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was worked.

²³And being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said unto them. ²⁴And they, when they heard it, lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, O Lord, you that did make the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: ²⁵who by the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David your servant, did say, Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples imagine vain things? ²⁶The kings of the earth set themselves in array, And the rulers were gathered together, Against the Lord, and against his Anointed: ²⁷for of a truth in this city against your holy Servant Jesus, whom you did anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, ²⁸to do whatsoever your hand and your council foreordained to come to pass. ²⁹And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto your servants to speak your word with all boldness, ³⁰while you stretch forth your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus. ³¹And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

³²And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that any of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. ³³And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, ³⁵and laid them at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as any one had need. ³⁶And Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of exhortation), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, ³⁷having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, ²and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ³But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? ⁴While it remained, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied unto men, but unto God. ⁵And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it. ⁶And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him. ⁷And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. ⁸And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether you sold the land for so much. And she said, Yes, for so much. ⁹But Peter said unto her, How is it that you have agreed together to try the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them that have buried your husband are at the door, and they shall carry you out. ¹⁰And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. ¹¹And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

¹²And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders worked among the people; and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. ¹³But of the rest dared no man join himself to them: howbeit the people magnified them; ¹⁴and believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of them and women; ¹⁵insomuch that they even carried out the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that, as Peter came by, at the least his shadow might overshadow some one of them. ¹⁶And there also came together the multitudes from the cities round about Jerusalem, bringing sick folk, and them that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

¹⁷But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy, ¹⁸and laid hands on the apostles, and put them in public ward. ¹⁹But an angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them out, and said, ²⁰Go and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this Life. ²¹And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought. ²²But the officers that came found them not in the prison; and they returned, and reported, ²³saying, The we found the prison-house shut in all safety, and the keepers standing at the doors: but when we had it opened, we found no man within. ²⁴Now when the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were much perplexed concerning them whereunto this would grow. ²⁵And there came one and told them, Behold, the men whom you put in the prison are in the temple standing and teaching the people.

²⁶Then the captain with the officers went, and brought them, but without violence; for they feared the people, unless they should be stoned. ²⁷And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸saying, We strictly charged you not to teach in this name: and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. ²⁹But Peter and the apostles answered and said, We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him on a tree. ³¹Him did God exalt with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. ³²And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to them that obey him. ³³But they, when they heard this, were cut to the heart, and were of a mind to slay them. ³⁴But there stood up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, held in honor of all the people, and commanded to put the men forth a little while. ³⁵And he said unto them, You men of Israel, take heed to yourselves as touching these men, what you are about to do. ³⁶For before these days rose up Theudas, giving himself out to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were dispersed, and came to nothing. ³⁷After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the enrolment, and drew away some of the people after him: he also perished; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered abroad. ³⁸And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown: ³⁹but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; unless by chance you be found even to be fighting against God. ⁴⁰And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles unto them, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. ⁴¹They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. ⁴²And every day, in the temple and at home, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus as the Christ.

6 Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Jews against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. ²And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not fitting that we should forsake the word of God, and serve tables. ³Look therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. ⁴But we will continue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the word. ⁵And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus a proselyte of Antioch; ⁶whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands upon them. ⁷And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

⁸And Stephen, full of grace and power, worked great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹But there arose certain ones of them that were of the synagogue called the synagogue of the Libertines, and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and Asia, disputing with Stephen. ¹⁰And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. ¹¹Then they suborned men, who said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. ¹²And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, ¹³and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceases not to speak words against this holy place, and the law: ¹⁴for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us. ¹⁵And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.

7 And the high priest said, Are these things so? ²And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, ³and said unto him, Get you out of your land, and from your kindred, and come into the land which I shall show you. ⁴Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from then, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein you now dwell: ⁵and he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child. ⁶And God spoke on this way, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years. ⁷And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. **** ⁸And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob the twelve patriarchs. ⁹And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, ¹⁰and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh king of Egypt; and Pharaoh made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ¹¹Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. ¹²But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. ¹³And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph’s race became manifest unto Pharaoh. ¹⁴And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. ¹⁵And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself and our fathers; ¹⁶and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

¹⁷But as the time of the promise drew near which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, ¹⁸till there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. ¹⁹The same dealt craftily with our race, and ill-treated our fathers, that they should cast out their babes to the end they might not live. ²⁰At which season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father’s house. ²¹and when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. ²²And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. ²³But when he was well-near forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. ²⁴And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: ²⁵and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not. ²⁶And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, you are brethren; why do you wrong one to another? ²⁷But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸Would you kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday? ²⁹And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he begat two sons.

³⁰And when forty years were fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. ³¹And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to look, there came a voice of the Lord, ³²I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob. And Moses trembled, and dared not look. ³³And the Lord said unto him, Loose the shoes from your feet: for the place whereon you stand is holy ground. ³⁴I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send you into Egypt. ³⁵This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? Him has God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer with the hand of the angel that appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶This man led them forth, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years. ³⁷This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me. ³⁸This is he that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: ³⁹to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, ⁴⁰saying unto Aaron, Make us gods that shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. ⁴¹And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.

⁴²But God turned, and gave them up to serve the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, Did you offer unto me slain beasts and sacrifices Forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? ⁴³And you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, And the star of the god Rephan, The figures which you made to worship them: And I will carry you away beyond Babylon. ⁴⁴Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spoke unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen. ⁴⁵Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession of the nations, that God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; ⁴⁶who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. ⁴⁷But Solomon built him a house. ⁴⁸Howbeit the Most High dwells not in houses made with hands; as said the prophet, ⁴⁹The heaven is my throne, And the earth the footstool of my feet: What manner of house will you build Me? Said the Lord: Or what is the place of My rest? ⁵⁰Did not my hand make all these things?

⁵¹You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you. ⁵²Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed them that showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers; ⁵³you who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not.

⁵⁴Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. ⁵⁵But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, ⁵⁶and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God. ⁵⁷But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; ⁵⁸and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. ⁶⁰And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

8 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church that was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. ²And devout men buried Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. ³But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging out men and women, committed them to prison.

⁴They therefore that were scattered abroad, went about preaching the word. ⁵And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. ⁶And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. ⁷For from many of those that had unclean spirits, they came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. ⁸And there was much joy in that city. ⁹But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who aforetime in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: ¹⁰to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that power of God which is called Great. ¹¹And they gave heed to him, because that for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. ¹²But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding the signs and great miracles worked, he was amazed.

¹⁴Now when the apostles that were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ¹⁵who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: ¹⁶for as yet it was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. ²⁰But Peter said unto him, Your silver perishes with you, because you have thought to obtain the gift of God with money. ²¹You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right before God. ²²Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of your heart shall be forgiven you. ²³For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. ²⁴And Simon answered and said, You pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken come upon me. ²⁵They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

²⁶But an angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goes down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. ²⁷And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; ²⁸and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join yourself to this chariot. ³⁰And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Do you understand what you read? ³¹And he said, How can I, except some one shall guide me? And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him. ³²Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he opens not his mouth: ³³In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: Who shall declare his generation? For his life is taken from the earth. ³⁴And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray you, of whom does the prophet speak this? Of himself, or of some other? ³⁵And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. ³⁶And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, Behold, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized? ³⁷And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ³⁸And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. ⁴⁰But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

9 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, ²and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew near unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: ⁴and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? ⁵And he said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: ⁶but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. ⁷And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. ⁸And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. ⁹And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.

¹⁰Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. ¹¹And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prays; ¹²and he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. ¹³But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem: ¹⁴and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon your name. ¹⁵But the Lord said unto him, Go your way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: ¹⁶for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake. ¹⁷And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto you in the way which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; ¹⁹and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus. ²⁰And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. ²¹And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? And he had come here for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. ²²But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

²³And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him: ²⁴but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him: ²⁵but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket. ²⁶And when he was come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. ²⁷But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem, ²⁹preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spoke and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him. ³⁰And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. ³¹So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

³²And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda. ³³And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied. ³⁴And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healed you: arise and make your bed. And immediately he arose. ³⁵And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and charitable deeds that she did. ³⁷And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. ³⁸And as Lydda was near unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us. ³⁹And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. ⁴⁰But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴²And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. ⁴³And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

10 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, ²a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. ³He saw in a vision clearly, as it were about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, Cornelius. ⁴And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being frightened, said, What is it Lord? And he said unto him, Your prayers and your alms are gone up for a memorial before God. ⁵And now send men to Joppa, and fetch one called Simon, who is surnamed Peter: ⁶he lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. ⁷And when the angel that spoke unto him was departed, he called two of his household-servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually; ⁸and having rehearsed all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹Now on the following day, as they were on their journey, and drew near unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: ¹⁰and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; ¹¹and he beheld the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: ¹²wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. ¹³And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ¹⁴But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. ¹⁵And a voice came unto him again the second time, What God has cleansed, you must not make common. ¹⁶And this was done three times: and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven. ¹⁷Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, ¹⁸and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.

¹⁹And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek you. ²⁰But arise, and get you down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them. ²¹And Peter went down to the men, and said, Behold, I am he whom you seek: what is the cause wherefore you have come? ²²And they said, Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that fears God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send and bring you unto his house, and to hear words from you. ²³So he called them in and lodged them. And on the next day he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. ²⁴And on the following day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. ²⁵And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. ²⁶But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. ²⁷And as he talked with him, he went in, and found that many had come together: ²⁸and he said unto them, You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me has God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: ²⁹wherefore also I came without disputing, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent you sent for me. ³⁰And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, ³¹and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. ³²Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto you Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. ³³Forthwith therefore I sent to you; and you have well done that you are come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded you of the Lord.

³⁴And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: ³⁵but in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him. ³⁶The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all.) -- ³⁷That saying you yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; ³⁸even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. ³⁹And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. ⁴⁰Him God raised up on the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, ⁴¹not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴²And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³To him all the prophets bear witness, that through his name every one that believes on him shall receive remission of sins.

⁴⁴While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the word. ⁴⁵And they of the circumcision that believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. ⁴⁶For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? ⁴⁸And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then prayed they him to tarry there certain days.

11 Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. ²And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, ³saying, You went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them. ⁴But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, ⁵I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: ⁶upon which when I had fastened my eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. ⁷And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. ⁸But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth. ⁹But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What God has cleansed, you are not to make common. ¹⁰And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me. ¹²And the Spirit bade me to go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house: ¹³and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; ¹⁴who shall speak unto you words, whereby you shall be saved, you and all your house. ¹⁵And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. ¹⁶And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁷If then God gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God? ¹⁸And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then to the Gentiles also has God granted repentance unto life.

¹⁹They therefore that were scattered abroad upon the tribulation that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews. ²⁰But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. ²¹And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord. ²²And the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch: ²³who, when he was come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad; and he exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord: ²⁴for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. ²⁵And he went forth to Tarsus to look for Saul; ²⁶and when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that even for a whole year they were gathered together with the church, and taught many people, and that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

²⁷Now in these days there came down prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. ²⁸And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great famine over all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius. ²⁹And the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren that dwelt in Judaea: ³⁰which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

12 Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain ones of the church. ²And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. ³And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And those were the days of unleavened bread. ⁴And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people.

⁵Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of the church unto God for him. ⁶And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison. ⁷And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, Rise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. ⁸And the angel said unto him, Gird yourself, and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Cast your garment about you, and follow me. ⁹And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. ¹⁰And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leads into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. ¹¹And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a truth, that the Lord has sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. ¹²And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying. ¹³And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid came to answer, named Rhoda. ¹⁴And when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. ¹⁵And they said unto her, You are mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel. ¹⁶But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. ¹⁷But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place. ¹⁸Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. ¹⁹And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there.

²⁰Now he was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: and they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, they asked for peace, because their country was fed from the king’s country. ²¹And upon a set day Herod arrayed himself in royal apparel, and sat on the throne, and made an oration unto them. ²²And the people shouted, saying, The voice of a god, and not of a man. ²³And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. ²⁴But the word of God grew and multiplied. ²⁵And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministration, taking with them John whose surname was Mark.

13 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas, and Symeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ²And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. ³Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

⁴So they, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia; and from then they sailed to Cyprus. ⁵And when they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John as their attendant. ⁶And when they had gone through the whole island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus; ⁷who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The same called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. ⁸But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith. ⁹But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him, ¹⁰and said, O full of all guile and all villainy, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? ¹¹And 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 on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. ¹²Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. ¹³Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.

¹⁴But they, passing through from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia; and they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. ¹⁵And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. ¹⁶And Paul stood up, and beckoning with the hand said, Men of Israel, and you that fear God, hearken: ¹⁷The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they sojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them forth out of it. ¹⁸And for about the time of forty years as a nursing-father bare he them in the wilderness. ¹⁹And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years: ²⁰and after these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. ²¹And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years. ²²And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he bare witness and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who shall do all My will. ²³Of this man’s seed has God according to promise brought unto Israel a Savior, Jesus; ²⁴when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. ²⁵And as John was fulfilling his course, he said, What suppose you that I am? I am not he. But behold, there comes one after me the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to unloose. ²⁶Brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you that fear God, to us is the word of this salvation sent forth. ²⁷For they that dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor the voices of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. ²⁸And though they found no cause of death in him, yet asked they of Pilate that he should be slain. ²⁹And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. ³⁰But God raised him from the dead: ³¹and he was seen for many days of them that came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people. ³²And we bring you good tidings of the promise made unto the fathers, ³³that God has fulfilled the same unto our children, in that he raised up Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son, this day have I begotten you. ³⁴And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken on this way, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David. ³⁵Because he said also in another psalm, You will not give Your Holy One to see corruption. ³⁶For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: ³⁷but he whom God raised up saw no corruption. ³⁸Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this man is proclaimed unto you remission of sins: ³⁹and by him every one that believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses. ⁴⁰Beware therefore, unless that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets: ⁴¹Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish; For I work a work in your days, A work which you shall in no way believe, if one declare it unto you.

⁴²And as they went out, they asked that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. ⁴³Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. ⁴⁴And the next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed. ⁴⁶And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you. Seeing you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you for a light of the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth. ⁴⁸And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. ⁴⁹And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region. ⁵⁰But the Jews urged on the devout women of honorable estate, and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. ⁵¹But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. ⁵²And the disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.

14 And it came to pass in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed. ²But the Jews that were disobedient stirred up the souls of the Gentiles, and made them evil affected against the brethren. ³Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ⁴But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. ⁵And when there was made an onset both of the Gentiles and of the Jews with their rulers, to treat them shamefully and to stone them, ⁶they became aware of it, and fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region round about: ⁷and there they preached the gospel.

⁸And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked. ⁹The same heard Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, ¹⁰said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and walked. ¹¹And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. ¹²And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. ¹³And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. ¹⁴But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out ¹⁵and saying, Sirs, why do you do these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring to you good tidings, that you should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them: ¹⁶who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. ¹⁷And yet He left not himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. ¹⁸And with these sayings they scarcely restrained the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.

¹⁹But there came Jews there from Antioch and Iconium: and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city: and on the next day he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, ²²confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God. ²³And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed. ²⁴And they passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. ²⁵And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; ²⁶and then they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. ²⁷And when they had come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. ²⁸And they tarried no little time with the disciples.

15 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except you be circumcised after the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. ²And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ³They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. ⁴And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them. ⁵But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.

⁶And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

⁷And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, you know that a good while ago God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. ⁸And God, who knows the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; ⁹and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. ¹⁰Now therefore why make you trial of God, that you should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they. ¹²And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them. ¹³And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, listen unto me: ¹⁴Symeon has rehearsed how first God did visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. ¹⁵And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, ¹⁶After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: ¹⁷That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, ¹⁸Says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old. ¹⁹Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that turn to God from among the Gentiles; ²⁰but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. ²¹For Moses from generations of old has in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.

²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: ²³and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, and the brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: ²⁴Forasmuch as we have heard that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; ²⁵it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: ²⁹that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if you keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare well. ³⁰So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and, having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. ³¹And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. ³²And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. ³³And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth. ³⁴But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there. ³⁵But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

³⁶And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare. ³⁷And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. ³⁸But Paul thought it not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. ³⁹And there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; ⁴⁰but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

16 And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess that believed; but his father was a Greek. ²The same was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. ³Paul would him have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees to keep which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. ⁵So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

⁶And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; ⁷and when they were come over against Mysia, they desired to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; ⁸and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. ⁹And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. ¹⁰And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. ¹¹Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; ¹²and from then to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. ¹³And on the Sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke unto the women that were come together. ¹⁴And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. ¹⁵And when she was baptized, and her household, she asked us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

¹⁶And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. ¹⁷The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim unto you the way of salvation. ¹⁸And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour. ¹⁹But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers, ²⁰and when they had brought them unto the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, ²¹and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to observe, being Romans. ²²And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent their garments off them, and commanded to beat them with rods. ²³And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: ²⁴who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

²⁵But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns unto God, and the prisoners were listening to them; ²⁶and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison-house were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. ²⁷And the jailor, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here. ²⁹And he called for lights and sprang in, and, trembling for fear, fell down before Paul and Silas, ³⁰and brought them out and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? ³¹And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your house. ³²And they spoke the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. ³³And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. ³⁴And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God.

³⁵But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. ³⁶And the jailor reported the words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore come forth, and go in peace. ³⁷But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and do they now cast us out privily? No truly; but let them come themselves and bring us out. ³⁸And the sergeants reported these words unto the magistrates: and they feared when they heard that they were Romans; ³⁹and they came and asked them; and when they had brought them out, they asked them to go away from the city. ⁴⁰And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: ²and Paul, as his custom was, went in unto them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³opening and alleging that it behooved the Christ to suffer, and to rise again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom, said he, I proclaim unto you, is the Christ. ⁴And some of them were persuaded, and consorted with Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. ⁵But the Jews, being moved with jealousy, took unto them certain vile fellows of the rabble, and gathering a crowd, set the city on an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them forth to the people. ⁶And when they found them not, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come here also; ⁷whom Jason has received: and these all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. ⁸And they troubled the multitude and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. ⁹And when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

¹⁰And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Beroea: who when they were come there went into the synagogue of the Jews. ¹¹Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all