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The 11th
Chapter
And the Apostles and the brethren that were throughout Jewry
heard say that the Heathen had also received the word of God. And
when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision
reasoned with him saying: You went into men uncircumcised and *atest
with them.
Then Peter began and expounded the thing in order to them
saying: I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a
vision, a certain vessel descend, as it had been a large linen
cloth, let down from heaven by the four corners, and it came to me.
Into the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered and saw
fourfooted beasts of the earth, and vermin and worms, and fowls of
the air. And I heard a voice saying unto me: arise Peter, slay and
eat. And I said: God forbid Lord, for nothing common or unclean, has
at any time entered into my mouth. But the voice answered me again
from heaven, count not you those things common, which God has
cleansed. And this was done three times. And all were taken up again
into heaven.
And behold immediately there were three men come unto the house
where I was, sent from Casarea unto me. And the spirit said unto me,
that I should go with them, without doubting. Moreover the six
brethren accompanied me: and we entered into the mans house. And he
showed us, how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and
said to him: Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, named also
Peter: he shall tell you words, whereby both you and all your house
shall be saved. And as I began to preach, the holy ghost fell on
them, as he did on us at the beginning. Then came to my remembrance
the words of the Lord, how he said: John baptised with water but you
shall be baptised with the holy ghost. For as much then as God gave
them like gifts, as he did unto us, when we believed on the Lord
Jesus Christ: what was I, that I should have withstood God? When
they heard this they held their peace and glorified God, saying:
then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
They which were scattered abroad through the affliction that
arose about Steven, walked throughout till they came unto Phenice
and Cyper and Antioch preaching the word to no man, but unto the
Jews only. Some of them were men of Cypers and Syrene, which when
they were come into Antioch, spoke unto the Greeks, and preached the
Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great
number believed and turned unto the Lord.
Tidings of these things came unto the ears of the congregation,
which was in Jerusalem. And they sent forth Barnabas that he should
go unto Antioche. Which when he was come, and had seen the grace of
God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart
they would continually cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man,
and full of the holy ghost and of faith: and much people was added
unto the Lord. Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul.
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioche. And it
chanced that a whole year they had their conversation with the
congregation there, and taught much people: in so much that the
disciples of Antioche were the first that were called Christian.
In those days came Prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioche. And
there stood up one of them, named Agabus, and signified by the
spirit, that there should be great dearth throughout all the world,
which came to pass in the Emperor Claudius days. Then the disciples
every man according to his ability, purposed to send *succour unto
the brethren which dwelt in Jewry. Which thing they also did, and
sent it to the elders, by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
*atest (ate, to
eat) *succour (security)
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The 12th
Chapter
In that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex
certain of the congregation. And he killed James the brother of John
with the sword and because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he
proceeded further, and took Peter also. Then were the days of sweet
bread. And when he had caught him, he put him in prison, and
delivered him to four *quaternions of soldiers to be kept, intending
after ester to bring him forth to the people. Then was Peter kept in
prison. But prayer was made without ceasing of the congregation,
unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him out unto the
people, the same night slept Peter between two soldiers, bound with
two chains, and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And behold the angel of the Lord was there present, and a light
shined in the lodge. And he smote Peter on the side, and stirred him
up saying: arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And the Angel said unto him: gird yourself and bind on your sandals.
And so he did. And he said unto him: cast your mantle about you, and
follow me. And he came out and followed him, and *wist not, that it
was truth which was done by the Angel, but thought he had seen a
vision. When they were past the first and the second watch, they
came unto the iron gate, that leads unto the city, which opened to
them by his own accord. And they went out and passed through one
street, and by and by the Angel departed from him.
And when Peter was come to himself, he said: now I know of a
surety, that the Lord has sent his Angel, and has delivered me out
of the hand of Herod, and from all the waiting for of the people of
the Jewes. And as he considered the thing, he came to the house of
Mary the mother of one John, which was called Mark also, where many
were gathered together in prayer. As Peter knocked at the entry
door, a damsel came forth to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew
Peters voice, she opened not the entry for gladness, but ran in and
told how Peter stood before the entry. And they said unto her: you
are mad. And she bare them down that it was even so. Then said they:
it is his angel. Peter continued knocking: When they had opened the
door, and saw him, they were astonied. And he beckoned unto them
with the hand, to hold their peace, and told them by what means the
Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said: go show these
things unto James and to the brethren. And he departed and went into
a nother place.
As soon as it was day there was no little ado among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter. When Herod had called for him,
and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded them to
depart. And he descended from Jewry to Cesarea, and there abode.
Herod was displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon. And they came all
at once, and made intercession unto Blastus the kings chamberlain,
and desired peace, because their country was nourished by the kings
land. And upon a day appointed, Herod arrayed him in royal apparel,
and set him in his seat, and made an *oration unto them. And the
people gave a shout, saying: it is the voice of a God and not of a
man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he
gave not God the honour, and he was eaten of worms and gave up the
ghost. And the word of God grew and multiplied. And Barnabas and
Paul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their office,
and took with them John, which was also called Marcus.
*quaternions :
four soldiers, so four quaternions = 16 soldiers (heavy security)
*wist (knew) *oration (speech)
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The 13th
Chapter
There were at Antioche, in the congregation certain Prophets
and teachers: as Barnabas and Simeon called Niger, and Lucius of
Cerene, and Manahen Herod the Tetrarkes nurse fellow, and Saul. As
they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the holy ghost said:
separate me Barnabas and Saul, for the work where unto I have called
them. Then fasted they and prayed, and put their hands on them, and
let them go. And they after they were sent of the holy ghost, came
unto Seleutia, and from that place they sailed to Cyprus. And when
they were come to Solamine, they showed the word of God in the
synagogues of the Jewes. And they had John to their minister. When
they had gone throughout the Isle unto the city of Paphos, they
found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet which was a Jewe, named *Barjesu,
was with the ruler of the country, one Sergius Paulus a prudent man.
The same ruler called unto him Barnabas and Saul, and desired to
hear the word of God. But elymas the sorcerer (for so was his name
by interpretation) stood them, and sought to turn away the ruler
from the faith. Then Saul which also is called Paul being full of
the holy ghost set his eyes on him, O full of all subtlety and
deceitfulness, and child of the devil, and the enemy of all
righteousness, you cease not to pervert the straight ways of the
Lord. And now behold the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall
be blind and not see the sun for a season. And immediately there
fell on him a mist and darkness, and he went about seeking them that
should lead him by the hand. Then the ruler when he saw what had
happened, believed, and wend doctrine of the Lord.
When they that were with Paul, were departed by ship from
Paphus, they came to Perga a city of Pamphilia: and there John
departed from them, and returned to Jerusalem. But they wandered
through the countries from Perga to Antioch a city of the country of
Pisidia, and went in to the synagog on the Saboth day and sat down.
And after the law and the Prophets were read, the rulers of the
synagogue sent unto them saying. you men and brethren, if you have
any sermon to exhort the people, say on.
Then Paul stood up and beckoned with the hand, and said: Men of
Israel, and you that fear God, give audience. The God of this people
chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as
strangers in the land of Egypt, and with a mighty arm brought them
out of it, and about the time of forty years, suffered he their
manners in the wilderness. And he destroyed seven nations in the
land of Canaan, and divided their land to them by lot. And afterward
he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty
years unto the time of Samuel the Prophet. And after that, they
desired a king, and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of
the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years. And after he had
put him down, he set up David to be their king, of whom he reported
saying: I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own
heart, he shall fulfil all my will.
Of this mans seed has God (according to his promise) brought
forth to the people of Israel, a saviour, one Jesus, when John had
first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to
Israel. And when John had fulfilled his course, he said: whom you
think that I am, the same am I not. But behold there comes one after
me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to lowse.
You men and brethren, children of the generation of Abraham,
and whosoever among you fears God, to you is this word of salvation
sent. The inhabiters of Jerusalem and their rulers, because they
knew him not, nor yet the voices of the Prophets which are read
every Saboth day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And
when they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate to
kill him. And when they had fulfilled all that were written of him,
they took him down from the tree and put him in a sepulchre. But God
raised him again from death, and he was seen many days of them which
came with him from Galile to Jerusalem. Which are his witnesses unto
the people.
And we declare unto you, how that the promise made unto the
fathers, God has fulfilled unto us their children, in that he raised
up Jesus again, even as it is written in the *first psalm: You are
my son, this same day begat I you. As concerning that he raised him
up from death, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this
wise: The holy promises made to David, I will give them faithfully
to you. Wherefore he says also in another place: You shall not
suffer your holy to see corruption. Howbeit David after he had in
his time fulfilled the will of God he slept, and was laid with his
fathers, and saw corruption. But he whom God raised again, saw no
corruption.
Be it known unto you therefore you men and brethren, that
through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, and
that by him, are all that believe, are justified from all things
from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware
therefore least that fall on you, which is spoken of in the
Prophets: Behold you despisers and wonder, and perish ye: for I do a
work in your days, which you shall not believe, if a man would
declare it you.
When they were come out of the Synagogue of the Jews, the
Gentiles besought that they would preach the word to them between
the Saboth days. When the congregation was broken up, many of the
Jews and virtuous converts followed Paul and Barnabas, which spoke
to them and exhorted them to continue in the grace of God. And the
next saboth day came almost the whole city together, to hear the
word of God. When the Jews saw the people, they were full of
indignation and spoke against those things which were spoken of
Paul, speaking against it, and railing on it. Then Paul and Barnabas
waxed bold, and said: it was meet that the word of God should first
have been preached to you. But seeing you put it from you, and think
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life: lo, we turn to the
Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us. I have made you a light
to the Gentiles, that you be salvation unto the end of the world.
The gentiles heard and were glad and glorified the word of the
Lord, and believed: even as many as were ordained unto eternal life.
And the word of the Lord was published through out all the region.
But the Jews moved the worshipful and honorable women, and the chief
men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas
and expelled them out of their coasts. And they shook off the dust
off their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the
disciples were filled with joy and with the holy ghost.
*Barjesu: or
Bariesu. *first psalm: some read second psalm, this text says first.
both are of Christ.
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The 14th
Chapter
And it fortuned in Iconium that they went both together into
the synagogue of the Jewes, and so spoke, that a great multitude
both of the Jewes and also of the Greeks believed. But the
unbelieving Jews, stirred up and unquieted the minds of the gentiles
against the brethren. Long time abode they there and quit themselves
boldly with the help of the Lord, the which gave testimony unto the
word of his grace, and caused signs and wonders to be done by their
hands. The people of the city were divided: and part held with the
Jews, and part with the Apostles.
When there was a fault made both of the Gentiles and also of
the Jewes with their rulers, to put them to shame and to stone them,
they were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derba, cities of
Lycaonia, and unto the region that lies round about, and there
preached the Gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra weak in
his feet, being cripple from his mothers womb, and never walked. The
same heard Paul preach. Which beheld him and perceived that he had
faith to be whole, and said with a loud voice: stand upright on your
feet. And he started up, and walked. And when the people saw, what
Paul had done, they lift up their voices, saying in the speech of
Lycaonia: Gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they
called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul Mercurius, because he was the
preacher. Then Jupiters priest, which dwelt before their city,
brought oxen and garlands unto the church
porch, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
But when the Apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard that, they rent
their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying and saying: sirs,
why do you this? We are mortal men like unto you, and preach unto
you, that you should turn from these vanities unto the living God,
which made heaven and earth and the sea and all that in them is: the
which in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways .
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he showed
his benefits, in giving us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons,
filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings,
scarce refrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice
unto them.
Over there came certain Jews from Antioche and Iconium, and
obtained the peoples consent and stoned Paul, and drew him out of
the city, supposing he had been dead. How be it as the disciples
stood round about him, he arose up and came into the city. And the
next day he departed with Barnabas to Derba. After they had preached
to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra,
and to Iconium and Antioche, and strengthened the disciples souls,
exhorting them to continue in the faith, affirming that we must
through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And when
they had ordained them elders by election in every congregation, and
prayed and fasted, they commended them to God on whom they believed.
And they went through out Pisidia and came into Pamphilia, and when
they had preached the word of God in Perga, they descended into
Attalia, and from that place departed by ship to Antioche, from
where they were delivered unto the grace of God, to the work which
they had fulfilled. When they were come and had gathered the
congregation to gether, they rehearsed all that God had done by
them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. And
there they abode long time with the disciples.
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The 15th
Chapter
Then came certain from Jewrie, and taught the brethren except
you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.
And when there was risen dissension and disputing not a little unto
Paul and Barnabas against them. They determined that Paul and
Barnabas, and certain other of them should ascend to Jerusalem unto
the Apostles and elders about this question. And after they were
brought on their way by the congregation, they passed over Phenices
and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they
brought great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to
Jerusalem, they were received of the congregation and of the
Apostles and elders. And they declared what things God had done by
them. Then arose there up certain of the sect of the Pharisees,
which did believe, saying, that it was needful to circumcise them
and to enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. And the Apostles and
elders came together to reason of this matter.
And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto
them: you men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago, God
chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of
the Gospel and believe. And God which knows the heart, bare them
witness, and gave unto them the holy ghost, even as he did unto us
and he put no difference between them and us, but with faith
purified their hearts. Now therefore why tempt you God, that you
would put a yoke on the disciples necks, which neither our fathers
nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved, as they do. Then all the
multitude was peaced and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, which
told what signs and wonders God had showed among the Gentiles, by
them.
And when they held their peace, James answered saying: Men and
brethren hearken unto me. Simeon told how God at the beginning did
visit the Gentiles, and received of them, people unto his name. And
to this agrees the words of the Prophets, as it is written: After
this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David
which is fallen down, and that which is fallen in decay of it, will
I build again, and I will set it up, that the residue of men might
seek after the Lord, and also the Gentiles upon whom my name is
named says the Lord, which does all these things: known unto God are
all his works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence
is, that we trouble not them which from among the Gentiles, are
turned to God: but that we write unto them, that they abstain
themselves from filthiness of images from fornication, from
strangled and from blood. For Moses of old time has in every city
that preach him, and he is read in the synagogues every Saboth day.
Then pleased it the Apostles and elders with the whole
congregation, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioche
with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called also Barsabas, and
Silas, which were chief men among the brethren, and gave them
letters in their hands after this manner.
The Apostles, elders and brethren send greetings unto the
brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
For as much as we have heard that certain which departed from us,
have troubled you with words, and cumbered your minds saying: you
must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no such
commandment. It seemed therefore to us a good thing, when we were
come together with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our
beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have jeopardied their lives for
the name of our Lord *Jesu Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and
Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it
seemed good to the holy ghost and to us, to put no grievous thing to
you more than these necessary things: that is to say, that you
abstain from things offered to images, from blood, from strangled
and fornication. From which if you keep yourselves, you shall do
well. So fare you well.
When they were departed, they came to Antioche and gathered the
multitude together and delivered the epistle. When they had read it,
the; rejoiced of that consolation. And Judas and Silas being
Prophets, exhorted the brethren with much preaching, and
strengthened them. And after they had tarried there a space, they
were let go in peace of the brethren unto the Apostles. Not
withstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul and
Barnabas continued in Antioche teaching and preaching the word of
the Lord with other many.
But after a certain space, Paul said unto Barnabas: Let us go
again and visit our brethren in every city where we have showed the
word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas gave counsel to
take with them John, called also Mark. But Paul thought it not meet
to take him unto their company which departed from them at Pamphilia,
and went not with them to the work. And the dissension was so sharp
between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: so that
Barnabas took Mark and sailed unto Cypers. And Paul chose Silas and
departed, delivered of the brethren unto the grace of God. And he
went through all Cyria and Cilicia, establishing the congregations.
*Jesu: Hebrew
name of Jesus.
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The 16th
Chapter
Then came he to Derba and to Lystra. And behold a certain
disciple was there named Timotheus, a womans son which was a Jewess
and believed: but his father was a Greek. Of whom reported well, the
brethren of Lystra and of Iconium. The same Paul would that he
should go forth with him, and took and circumcised him because of
the Jewes which were in those quarters: for they knew all, that his
father was a Greek. As they went through the cities, they delivered
them the decrees for to keep, ordained of the Apostles and elders,
which were at Jerusalem. And so were the congregations stablished in
the faith, and increased in number daily.
When they had gone throughout Phrygia, and the region of
Galatia, and were forbidden of the holy ghost to preach the word in
Asia, they came to Mysia, and sought to go into Bithynia. But the
spirit suffered them not. Then they went over Mysia, and came down
to Troada. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a
man of Macedonia and prayed him, saying: come into Macedonia and
help us. After he had seen the vision, immediately we prepared to go
into Macedonia, certified that the Lord had called us, for to preach
the gospel unto them. Then loosed we forth from Troada, and with a
straight course came to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolim,
and from that place to Philippos, which is the chiefest city in the
parts of Macedonia, and a free city.
We were in that city abiding a certain days. And on the Saboth
days we went out of the city besides a river where men were wont to
pray. And we sat down and spoke unto the women which resorted over
there: And a certain woman named Lydia a seller of purple, of the
city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, gave us audience. Whose
heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things, which Paul
spoke. When she was baptised and her household, she besought us
saying: If you think that I believe on the Lord, come into my house,
and abide there. And she constrained us.
And it fortuned as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit that prophesied, met us, which brought her
masters much vantage with Prophesying. The same followed Paul and us
and cried saying: these men are the servants of the most high God,
which show unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days.
But Paul not content, turned about and said to the spirit. I command
you in the name of Jesu Christ, that you come out of her. And he
came out the same hour.
And when her master and masters saw that the hope of their
gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the
market place unto the rulers, and brought them to the officers
saying: These men trouble our city, which are Jews and preach
ordinances, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to
observe, seeing we are Romans. And the people ran on them, and the
officers rent their clothes, and commanded them to be beaten with
rods. And when they had beaten them sore, they cast them into
prison, commanding the jailer to keep them surely. Which jailer when
he had received such commandment, thrust them into the inner prison,
and made their feet fast in the stocks.
At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and lauded God. And the
prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so
that the foundation of the prison was shaken, and by and by all the
doors opened, and every mans bonds were loosed. When the keeper of
the prison waked out of his sleep and saw the prison doors open he
drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing the
prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice saying: Do
yourself no harm, for we are all here. Then he called for a light
and sprang in and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and
Silas, and brought them out and said: Sirs, what must I do to be
saved? And they said: believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be
saved and your household. And they preached unto him the word of the
Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same
hour of the night and washed their wounds, and was baptised with all
that belonged unto him straight way. When he had brought them into
his house, he set meat before them, and joyed that he with all his
household, believed on God.
And when it was day, the officers sent the ministers saying:
Let those men go. The keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul,
the officers have sent word to loose you. Now therefore get you from
here, now and go in peace. Then said Paul unto them: they have
beaten us openly uncondemned, for all that we are Romans, and have
cast us into prison: and now would they send us away privily? No not
so, but let them come themselves and fetch us out. When the
ministers told these words unto the officers, they feared when they
heard that they were Romans, and came and besought them, and brought
them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And 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.
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Chapters 1-6 |
7-10 |
11-16 |
17-22 |
23-end
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Book
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