XV.  

And certain men, coming down from Judæa, taught the brethren: Except ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye can not be saved. 2Paul and Barnabas having therefore had no little dissension and discussion with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4And having come to Jerusalem, they were gladly received by the church, and the apostles and elders; and they reported how great things God wrought with them. 5But there arose some of those from the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying: It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter. 7And when there had been much discussion, Peter arose, and said to them: Men, brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings and believe. 8And God who knows the heart bore them witness, giving to them the Holy Spirit, as also to us; 9and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10Now therefore why do ye tempt God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But, through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we believe that we shall be saved, in the same manner as they also.

12And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, narrating how great signs and wonders God wrought among the Gentiles through them.

13And after they were silent, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hearken to me. 14Simeon narrated how at first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written:

16After this I will return,

And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down;

And I will rebuild the ruins thereof, and will set it up again;

17that the rest of men may seek after the Lord,

And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name has been called,

Saith the Lord, who does these things.

18Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not those who from among the Gentiles are turning to God; 20but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. 21For Moses of old time has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

22Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, resolved, having chosen men from themselves, to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23And they wrote by them thus:

The apostles and the elders and the brethren, to the brethren from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: 24Forasmuch as we heard, that some who went out from us troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no commandment; 25it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will themselves also by word tell you the same things. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no further burden except these necessary things; 29that ye abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye will do well. Farewell.

30They therefore, being dismissed, came to Antioch; and assembling the multitude they delivered the letter. 31And having read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32And Judas and Silas, also themselves being prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33And having remained a while, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to the apostles. 34But it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and publishing the glad tidings of the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36And some days after, Paul said to Barnabas: Let us return now, and visit the brethren in every city where we preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. 37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, who was surnamed Mark. 38But Paul thought it proper not to take with them him who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus. 40And Paul, having chosen Silas, went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

XVI.  

And he came down to Derbe and Lystra. And, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but whose father was a Greek; 2who was well reported of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. 3Him Paul wished to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

4And as they journeyed through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, that were ordained by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5The churches, therefore, were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

6And having gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, and being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, 7they came to Mysia, and attempted to go into Bithynia; but the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. 8And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

9And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man, a Macedonian, beseeching him, and saying: Come over into Macedonia and help us. 10And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to publish the good news to them. 11Therefore setting sail from Troas, we ran with a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis; 12and from thence to Philippi, which is a chief city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we continued in that city certain days.

13And on the sabbath, we went forth out of the gate by a river side, where was wont to be a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who came together.

14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening; whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul. 15And when she was immersed and her household, she besought us, saying: If ye have judged me to be a believer in the Lord, come into my house, and abide. And she constrained us.

16And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain bondmaid having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. 17She, having followed Paul and us, cried, saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, who announce to us the way of salvation.

18And this she did many days. But Paul, being indignant, turned and said to the spirit: I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her. And he came out the same hour.

19And her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain departed, laid hold of Paul and Silas, and drew them into the market-place before the rulers. 20And having brought them to the magistrates, they said: These men, being Jews, greatly disturb our city; 21and teach 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 off their clothes, and commanded to beat them with rods. 23And having laid many stripes on them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely; 24who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God; and the prisoners listened to them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and the chains of all were loosed. 27And the jailer, awaking out of sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: Do thyself no harm; for we are all here. 29And calling for lights, he sprang in, and trembling fell down before Paul and Silas; 30and having brought them out, he said: Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33And taking them along, the same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was immersed, himself and all his, immediately. 34And having brought them up into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced, with all his house, believing in God.

35And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying: Let those men go. 36And the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to let you go; now therefore depart, and go in peace.

37But Paul said to them: They beat us openly, uncondemned, being Romans, and cast us into prison; and now do they send us forth secretly? Nay verily; but let them come themselves and bring us out.

38And the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates; and they were afraid, when they heard that they were Romans. 39And they came and besought them, and bringing them out, entreated them to depart out of the city.

40And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia; and seeing the brethren they exhorted them, and departed.

XVII.  

And passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was the synagogue of the Jews. 2And Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3opening them, and setting forth that the Christ must suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this is the Christ, Jesus whom I preach to you. 4And some of them believed, and joined themselves to Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5But the Jews, moved with envy, having taken to them, of the idlers in the market-place, certain vicious men, and having gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar; and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them unto the people. 6And not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, crying: These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. 7Whom Jason has received; and all these are acting contrary to the decrees of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.

8And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9And having taken security of Jason, and of the others, they let them go.

10And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Beroea; who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily whether these things were so.

12Many of them therefore believed; and of honorable Grecian women and men, not a few. 13But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that also at Beroea the word of God was preached by Paul, they came, stirring up the people there also. 14And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to journey as upon the sea; but Silas and Timothy abode there still. 15And they who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and having received a command to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.

16Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city full of idols. 17Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market daily with those who met with him. 18And certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, were disputing with him. And some said: What would this babbler say? and others: He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods; because he made known to them the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. 19And taking hold of him, they brought him upon Mars' Hill, saying: May we know what this new doctrine is, of which thou speakest? 20For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears; we would know therefore what these things mean. 21Now all Athenians, and the strangers residing there, spent their leisure for nothing else, but to tell or to hear something new.

22And Paul, standing in the midst of Mars' Hill, said: Men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very devout. 23For as I passed by, and observed your objects of worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore, not knowing, ye worship, him I announce to you. 24The God who made the world and all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands; 25nor is ministered to by human hands, as if needing anything more, himself giving to all life, and breath, and all things. 26And he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having fixed the appointed seasons and bounds of their habitation; 27that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, although he is not far from every one of us; 28for in him we live, and move, and have our being; as also some of your own poets have said: For his offspring also are we. 29Being therefore God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now, commands all men everywhere to repent. 31Because he fixed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness, by the man whom he appointed, having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

32And when they heard of a resurrection of the dead, some mocked; and others said: We will hear thee again of this matter. 33And thus Paul departed from among them.

34But certain ones, joining themselves to him, believed; among whom was also Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

XVIII.  

After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. 2And finding a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome), he came to them; 3and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them, and labored; for by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

5And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed with the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. 6But they opposing themselves and blaspheming, he shook out his garments and said to them: Your blood be upon your own head; I am clean; from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles.

7And departing thence he entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was adjoining the synagogue. 8And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were immersed.

9And the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night: Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace; 10for I am with thee, and no one shall assail thee to hurt thee; for I have much people in this city. 11And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12And when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul, and brought him before the judgment-seat, 13saying: This man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.

14And as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews: If it were some injustice, or wicked misdeed, O Jews, with reason I would have borne with you. 15But if it is a question about a word, and names, and your own law look to it yourselves; I will not be a judge of these things 16And he drove them away from the judgment-seat.

17But having all seized upon Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, they beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things.

18And Paul having remained yet many days, took leave of the brethren, and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shaven his head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow. 19And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there but entering himself into the synagogue, he reasoned with the Jews. 20And they desiring him to remain a longer time with them, he consented not; 21but took leave of them, saying: [I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem; but] I will return again to you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. 22And having landed at Cæsarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23And after he had spent some time there, he departed, going through the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

24And a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught correctly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the immersion of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But Aquila and Priscilla, having heard him, took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly. 27And he wishing to pass through into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; who, when he was come, contributed much to those who had believed through grace. 28For he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

XIX.  

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper districts came to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples, 2he said to them: Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said to him: Nay, we did not even hear whether there is a Holy Spirit. 3And he said to them: Unto what then were ye immersed? And they said: Unto John's immersion. 4Then said Paul: John indeed immersed with the immersion of repentance; saying to the people, that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on Jesus. 5And when they heard this, they were immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And Paul having laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.

8And he went into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them of the things concerning the kingdom of God. 9But when some were hardened, and believed not, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10And this continued for two years; so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. 11And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul; 12so that also there were carried from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out from them.

13Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists took upon them to name, over those who had the evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying: I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. 14And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did this. 15And the evil spirit answering said: Jesus I know, and Paul I well know; but who are ye? 16And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against both, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, who dwelt at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18And many of the believers came, confessing, and declaring their deeds. 19Many of those also who practiced curious arts brought together the books, and burned them before all; and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

21When these things were ended, Paul purposed to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia; saying: After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23And about that time, there arose no small tumult concerning the Way. 24For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsmen; 25whom he called together, with the workmen of like occupation, and said: Sirs, ye well know that by this craft we have our wealth. 26Moreover ye see and hear, that this Paul has persuaded and turned aside much people, not only of Ephesus, but of almost all Asia, saying that they are not gods, which are made with hands. 27And there is danger to us, not only that this branch of business will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be accounted nothing, and her magnificence will be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.

28And hearing it, they became full of wrath, and continued crying out, saying: Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 29And the whole city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. 30And Paul wishing to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. 31And some also of the chiefs of Asia, being his friends, sent to him, entreating him not to adventure himself into the theatre.

32Some therefore were crying one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not wherefore they had come together. 33And they brought forward Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, desiring to make his defense to the people. 34But when they knew that he was a Jew, one voice arose from all, crying about two hours: Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

35And the town-clerk, having quieted the people, said: Men of Ephesus, what human being is there, who knows not that the city of the Ephesians is keeper of the great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter? 36These things being therefore undeniable, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37For ye brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. 38If therefore Demetrius, and the craftsmen with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are proconsuls; let them implead one another. 39But if ye make any demand concerning other matters, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40For we are in danger of being called in question for this day's riot, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 41And having thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

XX.  

And after the tumult ceased, Paul called to him the disciples, and having embraced them, departed to go into Macedonia. 2And having gone through those regions, and given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. 3And after he had stayed three months, a plot being laid for him by the Jews, as he was about sailing to Syria, it was resolved that he should return through Macedonia. 4And there accompanied him unto Asia, Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, a Beroean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus. 5These, having gone forward, were waiting for us at Troas. 6But we sailed forth from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

7And on the first day of the week, we having come together to break bread, Paul discoursed to them (being about to depart on the morrow), and continued the discourse until midnight. 8Now there were many lights in the upper room, where we were assembled. 9And there sat on the window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep; and as Paul was long discoursing, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said: Do not lament, for his life is in him. 11And having come up again, and broken the bread, and eaten, he talked a long while even till break of day, and so departed. 12And they brought the young man living, and were not a little comforted.

13And we, going forward to the ship, embarked for Assos, intending there to take in Paul; for so he had appointed, intending himself to go on foot. 14And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene. 15And sailing thence, we came the following day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos; and having tarried at Trogyllium, we came the next day to Miletus. 16For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.

17And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. 18And when they were come to him, he said to them: Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you the whole time; 19serving the Lord with all lowliness of mind, and with tears, and trials which befell me by the plottings of the Jews; 20how I kept back nothing that was profitable, that I should not announce it to you, and teach you, publicly and from house to house; 21testifying, to both Jews and Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there; 23save that the Holy Spirit witnesses to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me. 24But none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the good news of the grace of God.

25And now, behold, I know that all ye, among whom I went about preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. 26Wherefore I testify to you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all; 27for I shunned not to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

28Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30And from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31Therefore watch, remembering that for the space of three years, night and day, I ceased not to warn every one with tears.

32And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified. 33I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34Ye yourselves know, that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. 35In all ways I showed you that, so laboring, ye ought to assist the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36And having thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. 37And they all wept sorely, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him; 38sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.

XXI.  

And it came to pass, that after we had torn ourselves from them, and had put to sea, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to Rhodes, and from thence to Patara. 2And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard, and put to sea. 3And bringing Cyprus in sight, and leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unlade her burden. 4And having found out the disciples, we remained there seven days; who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.

5And when we had completed the days, we departed and went our way; they all accompanying us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city; and we kneeled down on the beach, and prayed. 6And having embraced one another, we went on board the ship; and they returned to their homes.

7And we, completing the voyage, came down from Tyre to Ptolemais; and having embraced the brethren, we remained with them one day. 8And on the morrow we departed, and came to Cæsarea; and entering into the house of Philip the evangelist, being one of the Seven, we abode with him. 9And this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied.

10And while we were remaining several days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named Agabus. 11And coming to us, he took off Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said: Thus says the Holy Spirit: So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man, whose this girdle is, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13Then answered Paul: What mean ye, to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying: The will of the Lord be done.

15And after those days, having packed up our baggage, we went up to Jerusalem. 16There went with us also some of the disciples from Cæsarea, bringing us to Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

17And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18And on the following day, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present. 19And having embraced them, he recounted particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20And they, hearing it, glorified the Lord. And they said to him: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe; and they are all zealots for the law. 21And they were informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they should not circumcise their children, nor walk after the customs. 22What is it therefore? A multitude must surely come together; for they will hear that thou hast come. 23Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men who have a vow on them; 24these take with thee, and purify thyself with them, and bear the charges for them, that they may shave their heads; and all will know that those things, of which they have been informed concerning thee, are nothing, but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. 25But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote to them, deciding that they should observe no such thing, except that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

26Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself with them, entered into the temple, announcing the completion of the days of the purification, until the offering was brought for each one of them.

27And as the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having observed him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, 28crying out: Men of Israel, help. This is the man who teaches all, everywhere, against the people, and the law, and this place; and further also, he brought Greeks into the temple, and has polluted this holy place. 29For they had before seen with him in the city Trophimus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul brought into the temple. 30And all the city was moved, and the people ran together; and laying hold of Paul, they dragged him out of the temple; and forthwith the doors were shut.

31And while they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar; 32who immediately took with him soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them; and they, seeing the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. 33Then the chief captain came near, and took hold of him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and inquired who he was, and what he had done. 34And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude; and not being able to know the certainty on account of the tumult, he commanded him to be led into the castle. 35And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne by the soldiers on account of the violence of the people. 36For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: Away with him.

37And as he was about to be led into the castle, Paul says to the chief captain: May I speak to thee? And he said: Canst thou speak Greek? 38Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the assassins? 39And Paul said: I am a Jew of Tarsus, a citizen of no obscure city of Cilicia; and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the people.

40And he having given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand to the people. And a great silence ensuing, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying: