Since by thee we enjoy so much peace, and such n.o.ble acts are happily performed for this nation by thy provident administration, (3)always and in all places we acknowledge it, most excellent Felix, with all grat.i.tude. (4)Now that I may not be unnecessarily tedious to thee, I entreat thee to hear us briefly with thy wonted candour. (5)For we found this fellow a pest _to society_, and exciting sedition among all the Jews throughout the whole world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazareans: (6)who even attempted to profane the temple: we seized him therefore, and intended to judge him according to our own law.
(7)But Lysias the tribune came, and with great violence took him out of our hands, (8)commanding his accusers to appear before thee: whereby thou mayest thyself be able after examination to know the certainty of those things whereof we accuse him.
(9)Then the Jews also joined in affirming, that these things were so.
(10)But Paul (the governor having made him a sign to speak) replied,
Knowing that for so many years thou hast been the judge of this nation, I with the more confidence offer my defence respecting the matters which concern me: (11)as thou mayest be ascertained, that it is not more than twelve days ago since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.
(12)And neither in the temple found they me disputing with any man, nor raising any sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: (13)neither can they produce any proof of the facts of which they accuse me. (14)But this I confess to thee, that after the way which they call a sect, so worship I the G.o.d of our ancestors, believing all things that are written in the law, and in the prophets: (15)and having hope in G.o.d, the same which they also profess to look for, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust. (16)For this cause indeed I exert my utmost care to keep my conscience ever unoffending towards G.o.d and towards man.
(17)Now after many years absence I was returned bringing alms to my countrymen, and oblations _to the temple_. (18)In the discharge of which offices certain Jews of Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mult.i.tude, nor with any tumult. (19)Who ought to have appeared before thee, and prefer their accusation, if they had any thing against me. (20)Or let the persons themselves here present say, if they found any thing criminal in me, when I stood before the sanhedrim, (21)except for this one sentence, which I uttered aloud when I was standing among them, For the resurrection of the dead am I this day judged by you.
(22)When Felix then heard these things he put them off, (for he knew very exactly all that related to that way,) saying, When Lysias the tribune is come down, I will inquire thoroughly into the matters between you. (23)And he commanded the centurion that Paul should be safe kept, yet have no close confinement, and not to hinder any of his friends from supplying his wants, or visiting him.
(24)Now after some days, Felix returning with Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. (25)And as he discoursed of righteousness, and temperance, and the judgment which is ready to be revealed, Felix being greatly terrified, replied, Go, for the present, I will some time hence take another opportunity of calling for thee. (26)Indeed he had also entertained hope that money would be given him by Paul, in order to release him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and conversed with him. (27)But when two years were ended, Felix had Portius Festus appointed for his successor: and willing to curry favour with the Jews, Felix left Paul in chains.
CHAP. XXV.
WHEN Festus then was come into the province, after three days he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. (2)And the high-priest and the princ.i.p.al persons among the Jews informed him against Paul, and entreated him, (3)begging it as a favour from him, that he would send him back to Jerusalem, lying in wait for him to kill him on the road. (4)Then Festus answered, that Paul should be kept in custody at Caesarea, and that he himself was going thither shortly. (5)Let therefore, said he, those among you who are able, go down with me, and accuse him, if there be anything criminal in this man.
(6)And after staying with them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and on the morrow seated on the bench, commanded Paul to be brought. (7)And on his appearing, the Jews who came down from Jerusalem surrounded him, and laid many and heavy accusations against Paul, which they were not able to prove. (8)But he pleaded in his defence, That neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I committed the least offence.
(9)Then Festus, desirous of ingratiating himself with the Jews, replying to Paul, said, Wilt thou go up unto Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
(10)Then said Paul, I am standing before the tribunal of Caesar, where I have a right to be judged: against the Jews I have committed no offence, as thou also clearly perceivest. (11)For indeed if I have committed any crime, or done aught worthy of death, I object not to be put to death: but if there is nothing in those things whereof they accuse me, no man dare gratify them by abandoning me to them. (12)I appeal unto Caesar.
Then Festus, after conferring with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed to Caesar? to Caesar shalt thou go.
(13)Now when some days were pa.s.sed, Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus. (14)And as their stay there was extended to a considerable time, Festus communicated to the king Paul"s affairs, saying, There is a certain man left by Felix, a prisoner: (15)against whom when I was at Jerusalem, the high-priest and the elders of the Jews appeared, desiring judgment against him. (16)To whom I replied, That it was not customary for Romans to give up any man gratuitously to destruction, before that the person accused should have his accusers produced face to face, and be allowed opportunity to defend himself against the charge. (17)When therefore they were come here together, making no demur, the very next day I sat on the tribunal, and commanded the man to be brought. (18)Against whom his accusers standing forth, brought no charge of such things as I expected: (19)but only pleaded against him certain disputes about their own mode of religious worship, and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
(20)But being in doubt respecting a question of this sort, I demanded if he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things.
(21)But Paul appealing that he should be reserved for the cognizance of Augustus, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I should send him to Caesar.
(22)Then Agrippa said to Festus, I wish also myself to hear the man. He said, To-morrow thou shalt hear him.
(23)On the morrow therefore, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with a very splendid retinue, and were entered into the place of audience, with the military tribunes, and the men of superior eminence in the city, then at the order of Festus Paul was produced.
(24)And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all you, sirs, who are present with us, behold the man, concerning whom the whole mult.i.tude of the Jews have set upon me, both at Jerusalem and in this place, clamouring that he ought not to live a moment longer. (25)But finding on inquiry that he had done nothing worthy of death, and he himself indeed having appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. (26)Respecting whom I have nothing determinate to write to my sovereign. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, king Agrippa, that on a fresh examination taken, I might have something to write. (27)For it appears to me highly unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not also signify the charges against him.
CHAP. XXVI.
THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.
Then Paul stretching out his hand, began his defence: (2)I count myself happy, king Agrippa, that I am about to address my defence to thee this day concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews: (3)especially as thou art skilled both in all the customs, and questions which respect the Jews: wherefore I beg the favour of thee to hear me patiently.
(4)The manner of my life even from my youth, which from its beginning was spent amidst my own nation at Jerusalem, know indeed all the Jews; (5)who previously knew me a long while ago, (if they chose to bear testimony,) that according to the most precise sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. (6)And this moment for the hope of the promise made of G.o.d to our fathers am I standing here to be judged: (7)which promise our twelve tribes, with fervour night and day worshipping G.o.d, hope to attain. For which hope, king Agrippa, I am criminated by the Jews.
(8)What! is it judged a thing incredible by you, that G.o.d should raise the dead?
(9)I indeed then thought in myself, that I ought to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarean. (10)Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were killed, I gave my vote against them. (11)And in every synagogue oftentimes punishing them, I compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly maddened with rage against them, I persecuted them even to the cities that are without. (12)In which pursuits, even as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, (13)at midday, O king, I saw on the road a light from heaven, beyond the splendour of the sun, shining around myself and those who were travelling with me. (14)And as we were all fallen prostrate on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saving in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is difficult for thee to kick against the goads. (15)Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting. (16)Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee; (17)delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee, (18)to open their eyes, to convert them from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan unto G.o.d, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance with those who are sanctified by faith which is in me. (19)Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: (20)but preached first to those at Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to G.o.d, practicing works worthy of repentance.
(21)Because of these things, the Jews seizing me in the temple, attempted to kill me on the spot. (22)Having however obtained help from G.o.d, unto this day, I stand witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses said should come to pa.s.s: (23)that the Messiah should suffer, _and_ that he being the first who should rise from the dead, should display light to the people, and to the Gentiles.
(24)As thus he was proceeding in his defence, Festus with a loud voice said, Paul, thou art raving; much reading hath driven thee to madness.
(25)But he said, I am not mad, most n.o.ble Festus; but utter words of truth and sobriety. (26)For the king is well acquainted with these things, before whom also I speak with the greatest freedom. For I am persuaded that none of these events have escaped his notice; for this thing was not done in a corner. (27)King Agrippa! believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
(28)Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (29)And Paul replied, would to G.o.d, that not only thou, but also that all who are hearing me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these chains.
(30)So when he had thus spoken, the king arose, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with him, (31)and retiring, conversed together, saying, This man hath done nothing worthy of death, or of chains.
(32)And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been discharged, if he had not appealed to Caesar.
CHAP. XXVII.
NOW as it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort. (2)And embarking in a ship of Adrymittium, ready to sail for the coast of Asia, we proceeded on our voyage, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. (3)And the next day we arrived at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul with the greatest humanity, and permitted him to go to his friends, to enjoy the benefit of their care. (4)And taking our departure from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. (5)And traversing the sea opposite to Cilicia and Pamphylia, we arrived at Myra, a city of Lycia. (6)And the centurion finding there a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board of it.
(7)Then for many days making very slow way, and scarce reaching over against Knidos, the wind not favouring us, we coasted Crete, opposite Cape Salmone: (8)and weathering it with difficulty, we came to a certain place called, The fair havens; near to which is the city Lasea.
(9)And much time being consumed, and sailing now becoming dangerous, because the fast was already past, Paul admonished them, (10)saying unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be attended with much damage and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but _danger_ of our lives also. (11)But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the pilot than to the things which were spoken by Paul. (12)And the harbour not being well situated for a winter station, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they possibly could reach as far as Phenice to pa.s.s the winter, a harbour open to the south-west and north-west. (13)So when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and kept near the coast of Crete. (14)But not long after a hurricane wind, called Euroclydon, drove us towards the island, (15)and the ship becoming ungovernable, and unable to bear up in the eye of the wind, we gave up the attempt, and let her drive. (16)And running under a little island called Clauda, it was with difficulty we were able to come at the boat: (17)which when they had hoisted out, they used all helps, carrying ropes round the ship"s bottom; and fearing lest they should run on the quick-sands, they lowered the mast, and so were driven. (18)And being exceedingly tossed with the storm, we the next day threw out the cargo. (19)And the third day with our own hands we threw overboard the tackling of the vessel. (20)So when neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days, and no small tempest beating on us, all hope of our being preserved was entirely taken from us.
(21)Now after being a long while without food, then stood up Paul in the midst of them, and said, Ye ought, my friends, to have been persuaded by me, and not have sailed from Crete, and got this loss and damage. (22)Yet even now I exhort you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. (23)For there stood by me this night an angel of G.o.d, whose I am, and whom I serve, (24)saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Caesar: and behold!
G.o.d hath graciously given thee all who are sailing with thee.
(25)Wherefore, sirs, cheer up: for I believe G.o.d that it will be so, exactly as he hath spoken to me. (26)But we must be cast on a certain island.
(27)Now as the fourteenth night was pa.s.sing, whilst we were driving about in the Adriatic sea, about midnight the sailors imagined that some land was near to them: (28)and sounding, had twenty fathoms; then pa.s.sing on a little farther, and sounding again, they had fifteen fathoms. (29)And fearing lest they might run on some rocky coast, they cast out four anchors astern, and wished eagerly for the day to break.
(30)Now as the sailors were seeking to escape out of the ship, and had hoisted out the boat into the sea, under pretence as if they were going to carry out anchors a-head, (31)Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these men abide in the ship, ye cannot be preserved.
(32)Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
(33)And while they waited until the day should break, Paul exhorted them all to take some nourishment, saying, To day, expecting the fourteenth day, ye are continuing without food, taking nothing.
(34)Wherefore I exhort you to take some food, for this is for your preservation: for a hair shall not fall from the head of any one of you. (35)And so saying, and taking a loaf, he gave thanks to G.o.d before them all, and breaking it, began to eat. (36)Then were they all cheered up, and they too took refreshment.
(37)Now all the souls which were in the ship amounted to two hundred seventy-six: (38)and having made a hearty meal, they lightened the vessel, throwing the wheat into the sea. (39)And when the day broke, they knew not the land: but they observed a certain creek with a beach, into which they resolved, if they could, to run the vessel aground.
(40)And weighing the anchors, they committed her to the sea, and loosing at the same time the chains of the rudders, and hoisting the foresail to the breeze, they made for the beach. (41)But falling on a shoal where two currents met, they ran the ship aground; and the forecastle stuck fast, and remained immoveable, but the stern was stove in by the violence of the waves. (42)Then the soldiers" design was to have murdered the prisoners, lest any of them should swim ash.o.r.e and escape. (43)But the centurion, desirous to preserve Paul, withheld them from their purpose, and commanded those who were able to swim to jump overboard first, and reach the land: (44)and that the rest should make the attempt, some on planks, and some on the floating materials of the ship: and in this manner so it was that they all safely reached the sh.o.r.e.
CHAP. XXVIII.
AND being safe landed, we then understood that the island was called Melita. (2)And the rude people treated us with singular humanity; for, lighting a fire, they received us all, because of the violent rain, and because of the cold. (3)But as Paul was gathering up a f.a.ggot of sticks, and laying them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
(4)Now when the rude people saw the venomous animal hanging from his hand, they said one to another, Surely this man is a murderer, whom though preserved from the sea, righteous vengeance suffereth not to live. (5)But he then shaking off the venomous animal into the fire, suffered no manner of inconvenience. (6)Now they expected that a violent inflammation would ensue, or that he would have fallen suddenly dead: but when, after waiting a considerable time, they saw no inconvenience arise to him, they changed their opinion, and said that he was a divinity.
(7)Now in the vicinity of that place was the estate of the princ.i.p.al person on the island, named Publius, who received us into his house, and lodged us with great humanity three days. (8)And it so happened that the father of Publius was then confined to his bed with an attack of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul went in, and after praying, laid his hands upon him, and healed him. (9)This then being the case, all the rest also who had diseases in the island came to him, and were healed. (10)Then they honoured us with many tokens of respect; and when we were about to sail, laid in for us every necessary store. (11)And after three months stay we sailed in a ship which had wintered in the island, from Alexandria, whose sign was Castor and Pollux: (12)and proceeding on our voyage to Syracuse, we tarried there three days: (13)from whence we came round, and arrived opposite to Rhegium; and after one day the south wind arising, we came in two more to Puteoli: (14)where finding brethren, we were solicited by them to tarry seven days; and so we went for Rome. (15)And the brethren from thence, when they heard of our motions, came out to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he gave thanks to G.o.d, and felt fresh courage.
(16)And when we were come to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but he permitted Paul to have an apartment by himself, with a soldier only who guarded him.
(17)Now it came to pa.s.s that after three days Paul called together the princ.i.p.al persons of the Jews. And when they were a.s.sembled, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have done nothing contrary to the people and the customs of our ancestors, yet have I been delivered up a prisoner into the hands of the Romans. (18)Who, after a full examination, would have discharged me, because there was not the least cause found in me for death. (19)But when the Jews opposed it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I have any accusation to bring against my countrymen. (20)For this cause therefore have I invited you hither, to see and to converse with you; for on account of the hope of Israel am I bound with this chain.
(21)Then they said to him, We have neither received letters concerning thee from Judea, nor hath any one of the brethren who is arrived reported or spoken any thing evil of thee. (22)But we think it highly proper to hear from thee what thy sentiments are; for indeed as to this sect, it is well known to us that everywhere it meets with opposition.
(23)Then having fixed a day with him, still more of them came to him at his lodging, to whom bearing his testimony, he set forth the kingdom of G.o.d, and persuaded them of the things relating to Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning until evening: (24)and some were convinced by the things which were spoken, but others continued in their unbelief. (25)So being divided in sentiment among themselves, they broke up, Paul adding one word, That well had the Holy Ghost spoken by Isaiah the prophet unto our fathers, (26)saying, Go to this people, and say, "In hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, yet in nowise perceive. (27)For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and with their ears they are thick of hearing, and their eyes have they shut; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and become converts, and I should heal them[48]."
(28)Be it known therefore unto you, that to the Gentiles is the salvation of G.o.d sent, and they will hear. (29)And when he had thus spoken, the Jews went away, and had much disputing among themselves.
(30)But Paul abode two whole years in his own hired apartment, and received all who came to him, (31)preaching the kingdom of G.o.d, and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all freedom of discourse, and without the least interruption.