Paul answereth for his Chap. xxiv. 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes : 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple; whom we took, and would have judged according to our law: 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee; by examining of whom, thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so. life and doctrine. me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city; 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way, which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things, which are written in the law and in the prophets : 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. 17 Now, after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult: 10 ¶ Then Paul, after that 19 Who ought to have been the governor had beckoned here before thee, and object, unto him to speak, answered, if they had ought against me. Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days, since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching e the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. c Touching, concerning. Conspiracy against Paul: 22 ¶ And when Felix heard these things, having more perfeet knowledge of that way,d he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief cap: tain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. Acts. 24¶ And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, & heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance,and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him; wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But, after two years, Porcius Festus came into Felix' room ;e and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. CHAP. XXV. 1 Paul is accused before Festus and Agrippa. d That way, the religion, which Paul taught. e Into Felix' room, into the authority or office of Felix in governing the province. he appealeth to Cesar. NOW, when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest, and the chief of the Jews, informed him against Paul,and besought him. 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cesarea, and that he himself should depart shortly thither. 5 Let them, therefore, said he, whieh among you are able go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6 And, when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cesarea; and the next day, sitting in the judgment-seat, commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And, when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cesar, have I offended any thing at all. 9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Festus declareth Paul's Chap. xxv. 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cesar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged; to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die; but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cesar? unto Cesar shalt thou go. 13¶ And, after certain days, king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cesarea to salute Festus. 14 And, when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to kave judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow, I sat on the judgment-seat, and com cause to the king. manded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Cesar. 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him, 23 ¶ And, on the morrow, when Agrippa was come.&Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying, that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy Paul answereth for himself of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that after examination had,a I might have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him. CHAP. XXVI. 1 Paul before Agrippa, declareth his life, 12 and his conversion: 24 Festus chargeth him with madness. THEN Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself. 2I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee, touching a all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews; 3 Especially, because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; 5 Which knew me from the a After examination bad; after having examined him. a Touching, concerning. Aets. before Agrippa. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem; and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and, when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and, being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 12 Whereupon, as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, 13 At mid-day, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness b Straitest, strictest. He relates his conversion, Chap. xxvi. &is charged with madness. of the sun, shining round about me, and them which journeyed with me. 14 And, when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying, in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.c 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord ? And he said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness, both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them, which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, c It is hard for thee to kick against the sharp points or goads. See Acts ix. 5. and do works meet for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22 Having, therefore, obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things, than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come; 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And, as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 ¶ For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing d was not done in a corner.e 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said un d This thing, that is, the miracles and death of Jesus; the preaching of his religion, my opposition to it, &c. e Done in a corner, transacted in secret. |