Acts 20-28

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Paul in Macedonia

20 After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying good-bye, departed to go to Macedonia.^{(A) 2} And when he had passed through those areas and exhorted them at length, he came to Greece ³ and stayed three months. When he was about to set sail for Syria, a plot was devised against him by the Jews, so a decision was made to go back through Macedonia.^{(B) 4} He was accompanied^[a] by Sopater son of Pyrrhus^[b] from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy,^(C) and Tychicus^(D) and Trophimus^(E) from Asia. ⁵ These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas,^{(F) 6} but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread.^(G) In five days we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days.

Eutychus Revived at Troas

⁷ On the first day of the week, we^[c] assembled to break bread.^(H) Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he extended his message until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, ⁹ and a young man named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on speaking. When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ But Paul went down, fell on him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, for his life is in him!”^{(I) 11} After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating, Paul conversed a considerable time until dawn. Then he left. ¹² They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.

From Troas to Miletus

¹³ Then we went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, intending to take Paul on board there. For these were his instructions, since he himself was going by land. ¹⁴ When he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. ¹⁵ Sailing from there, the next day we arrived off Chios. The following day we crossed over to Samos, and^[d] the day after, we came to Miletus.^{(J) 16} For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so he would not have to spend time in Asia, because he was hurrying to be in Jerusalem, if possible, for the day of Pentecost.^(K)

Farewell Address to the Ephesian Elders

¹⁷ Now from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. ¹⁸ And when they came to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time^(L)— ¹⁹ serving the Lord with all humility, with tears, and with the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews^(M)— ²⁰ and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. ²¹ I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God^(N) and faith in our Lord Jesus.^(O)

²² “And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit,^[e] not knowing what I will encounter there,^{(P) 23} except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.^{(Q) 24} But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course^[f] and the ministry^(R) I received from the Lord Jesus,^(S) to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.

²⁵ “And now I know that none of you will ever see my face again—everyone I went about preaching the kingdom to. ²⁶ Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent^[g] of everyone’s blood,^{(T) 27} for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.^{(U) 28} Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock^(V) that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers,^(W) to shepherd the church of God,^[h] which He purchased with His own blood.^{(X) 29} I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. ³⁰ And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them.^{(Y) 31} Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.^(Z)

³² “And now^[i] I commit you to God and to the message of His grace,^(AA) which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance^(AB) among all who are sanctified. ³³ I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.^{(AC) 34} You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me.^{(AD) 35} In every way I’ve shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

³⁶ After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.^{(AE) 37} There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, ³⁸ grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.^(AF)

Warnings on the Journey to Jerusalem

21 After^(AG) we tore ourselves away from them and set sail, we came by a direct route to Cos, the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. ² Finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we boarded and set sail. ³ After we sighted Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we sailed on to Syria and arrived at Tyre, because the ship was to unload its cargo there. ⁴ So we found some disciples and stayed there seven days. Through the Spirit they told Paul not to go to Jerusalem.^{(AH) 5} When our days there were over, we left to continue our journey, while all of them, with their wives and children, escorted us out of the city. After kneeling down on the beach to pray, ⁶ we said good-bye to one another. Then we boarded the ship, and they returned home.

⁷ When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we reached Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them one day.^{(AI) 8} The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we entered the house of Philip^(AJ) the evangelist,^(AK) who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. ⁹ This man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.^(AL)

¹⁰ While we were staying there many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ He came to us, took Paul’s belt, tied his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into Gentile hands.’”^{(AM) 12} When we heard this, both we and the local people begged him not to go up to Jerusalem.

¹³ Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”^(AN)

¹⁴ Since he would not be persuaded, we stopped talking and simply said, “The Lord’s will be done!”^(AO)

Conflict over the Gentile Mission

¹⁵ After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. ¹⁶ Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason, a Cypriot and an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.^(AP)

¹⁷ When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.^{(AQ) 18} The following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.^{(AR) 19} After greeting them, he related in detail what God did among the Gentiles through his ministry.^(AS)

²⁰ When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous^(AT) for the law. ²¹ But they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, by telling them not to circumcise their children or to walk in our customs.^{(AU) 22} So what is to be done?^[j] They will certainly hear that you’ve come. ²³ Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have obligated themselves with a vow. ²⁴ Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law.^{(AV) 25} With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that^[k] they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

The Riot in the Temple Complex

²⁶ Then the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering for each of them would be made.^{(AW) 27} As the seven days were about to end, the Jews from Asia saw him in the temple complex, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him,^{(AX) 28} shouting, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place. What’s more, he also brought Greeks into the temple and has profaned this holy place.”^{(AY) 29} For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple complex.^[l](AZ)

³⁰ The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple complex, and at once the gates were shut.^{(BA) 31} As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos. ³² Taking along soldiers and centurions, he immediately ran down to them. Seeing the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³ Then the commander came up, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains.^(BB) He asked who he was and what he had done. ³⁴ Some in the mob were shouting one thing and some another. Since he was not able to get reliable information because of the uproar, he ordered him to be taken into the barracks.^{(BC) 35} When Paul got to the steps, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the mob’s violence, ³⁶ for the mass of people followed, yelling, “Take him away!”^(BD)

Paul’s Defense before the Jerusalem Mob

³⁷ As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you?”

He replied, “Do you know Greek? ³⁸ Aren’t you the Egyptian who raised a rebellion some time ago and led 4,000 Assassins^[m][n] into the wilderness?”^(BE)

³⁹ Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia,^(BF) a citizen of an important city.^[o] Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.”

⁴⁰ After he had given permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language:^(BG) 22 ¹ “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” ² When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter.^{(BH) 3} He^(BI) continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city^[p] at the feet of Gamaliel^(BJ) and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,^{(BK) 4} I persecuted this Way^(BL) to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail,^{(BM) 5} as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.^(BN)

Paul’s Testimony

⁶ “As^(BO) I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. ⁷ I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

⁸ “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’

“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the One you are persecuting!’ ⁹ Now those who were with me saw the light,^[q] but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me.^(BP)

¹⁰ “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’

¹¹ “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.^{(BQ) 12} Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation with all the Jews residing there,^{(BR) 13} came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. ¹⁴ Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed^(BS) you to know His will, to see^(BT) the Righteous One,^(BU) and to hear the sound of His voice.^{[r] 15} For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.^{(BV) 16} And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins^(BW) by calling on His name.’^(BX)

¹⁷ “After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple complex, I went into a visionary state^{(BY) 18} and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me!’

¹⁹ “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in You imprisoned and beaten.^{(BZ) 20} And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving,^[s] and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’^(CA)

²¹ “Then He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”^(CB)

Paul’s Roman Protection

²² They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth—it’s a disgrace for him to live!”^(CC)

²³ As they were yelling and flinging aside their robes and throwing dust into the air,^{(CD) 24} the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be examined with the scourge, so he could discover the reason they were shouting against him like this. ²⁵ As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?”^(CE)

²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

²⁷ The commander came and said to him, “Tell me—are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes,” he said.

²⁸ The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.”

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.

²⁹ Therefore, those who were about to examine him withdrew from him at once. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.^(CF)

Paul before the Sanhedrin

³⁰ The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him^[t] and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene.^(CG) Then he brought Paul down and placed him before them. 23 ¹ Paul looked intently at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience^(CH) until this day.” ² But the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth.^{(CI) 3} Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?”^(CJ)

⁴ And those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?”

⁵ “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”^{(CK)[u] 6} When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees!^(CL) I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!”^{(CM) 7} When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection,^(CN) and no angel or spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.

⁹ The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’^(CO) party got up and argued vehemently: “We find nothing evil in this man.^(CP) What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”^{[v](CQ) 10} When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, rescue him from them, and bring him into the barracks.^(CR)

The Plot against Paul

¹¹ The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”^(CS)

¹² When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse: neither to eat nor to drink until they had killed Paul.^{(CT) 13} There were more than 40 who had formed this plot. ¹⁴ These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you^[w] as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. However, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.”^(CU)

¹⁶ But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul. ¹⁷ Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander, because he has something to report to him.”

¹⁸ So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”

¹⁹ Then the commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?”

²⁰ “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. ²¹ Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than 40 of them arranging to ambush him, men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they kill him. Now they are ready, waiting for a commitment from you.”^(CV)

²² So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”

To Caesarea by Night

²³ He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get 200 soldiers ready with 70 cavalry and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.^{[x](CW) 24} Also provide mounts so they can put Paul on them and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

²⁵ He wrote a letter of this kind:

³¹ Therefore, the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris as they were ordered. ³² The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him. ³³ When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.^{(DD) 34} After he^[aa] read it, he asked what province he was from. So when he learned he was from Cilicia,^{(DE) 35} he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers get here too.” And he ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.^(DF)

The Accusation against Paul

24 After five days Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer^[ab] named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor.^{(DG) 2} When he was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said: “Since we enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation by your foresight, ³ we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent^(DH) Felix, with utmost gratitude. ⁴ However, so that I will not burden you any further, I beg you in your graciousness to give us a brief hearing. ⁵ For we have found this man to be a plague,^(DI) an agitator^(DJ) among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes! ⁶ He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we apprehended him [and wanted to judge him according to our law. ⁷ But Lysias the commander came and took him from our hands with great force, ⁸ commanding his accusers to come to you.]^[ac] By examining him yourself you will be able to discern all these things we are accusing him of.” ⁹ The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense before Felix

¹⁰ When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me.^{(DK) 11} You are able to determine that it is no more than 12 days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.^{(DL) 12} They didn’t find me disputing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple complex or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city.^{(DM) 13} Neither can they provide evidence to you of what they now bring against me. ¹⁴ But I confess this to you: I worship my fathers’ God according to the Way,^(DN) which they call a sect, believing all the things that are written in the Law and in the Prophets.^{(DO) 15} And I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there is going to be a resurrection,^[ad](DP) both of the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(DQ) 16} I always do my best to have a clear conscience^(DR) toward God and men. ¹⁷ After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my nation,^{(DS) 18} and while I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.^{(DT) 19} It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. ²⁰ Either let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, ²¹ or about this one statement I cried out while standing among them, ‘Today I am being judged before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’”

The Verdict Postponed

²² Since Felix was accurately informed about the Way,^(DU) he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered that the centurion keep Paul^[ae] under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from serving^[af] him.^(DV)

²⁴ After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,^(DW) Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I find time I’ll call for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was also hoping that money would be given to him by Paul.^[ag] For this reason he sent for him quite often and conversed with him.

²⁷ After two years had passed, Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus,^(DX) and because he wished to do a favor for the Jews,^(DY) Felix left Paul in prison.^(DZ)

Appeal to Caesar

25 Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.^{(EA) 2} Then the chief priests and the leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul to him; and they appealed,^{(EB) 3} asking him to do them a favor against Paul,^[ah] that he might summon him to Jerusalem. They were preparing an ambush along the road to kill him. ⁴ However, Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly.^{(EC) 5} “Therefore,” he said, “let the men of authority among you go down with me and accuse him, if there is any wrong in this man.”

⁶ When he had spent not more than eight or 10 days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, seated at the judge’s bench, he commanded Paul to be brought in.^{(ED) 7} When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove,^{(EE) 8} while Paul made the defense that, “Neither against the Jewish law,^(EF) nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned at all.”

⁹ Then Festus, wanting to do a favor for the Jews,^(EG) replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, there to be tried before me on these charges?”

¹⁰ But Paul said: “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you can see very well. ¹¹ If then I am doing wrong, or have done anything deserving of death, I do not refuse to die, but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”^(EH)

¹² After Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go!”

King Agrippa and Bernice Visit Festus

¹³ After some days had passed, King Agrippa^[ai] and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid a courtesy call on Festus. ¹⁴ Since they stayed there many days, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There’s a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix. ¹⁵ When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented their case and asked for a judgment against him.^{(EI) 16} I answered them that it’s not the Romans’ custom to give any man up^[aj] before the accused confronts the accusers face to face and has an opportunity to give a defense concerning the charges.^{(EJ) 17} Therefore, when they had assembled here, I did not delay. The next day I sat at the judge’s bench and ordered the man to be brought in. ¹⁸ Concerning him, the accusers stood up and brought no charge of the sort I was expecting. ¹⁹ Instead they had some disagreements^(EK) with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive. ²⁰ Since I was at a loss in a dispute over such things, I asked him if he wished to go to Jerusalem and be tried there concerning these matters. ²¹ But when Paul appealed to be held for trial by the Emperor, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I could send him to Caesar.”

²² Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.”

“Tomorrow you will hear him,” he replied.^(EL)

Paul before Agrippa

²³ So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice^(EM) came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the commanders and prominent men of the city. When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. ²⁴ Then Festus said: “King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish community has appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he should not live any longer.^{(EN) 25} Now I realized that he had not done anything deserving of death, but when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him.^{(EO) 26} I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this examination is over, I may have something to write. ²⁷ For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner and not to indicate the charges against him.”

Paul’s Defense before Agrippa

26 Agrippa said to Paul, “It is permitted for you to speak for yourself.”

Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: ² “I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that today I am going to make a defense before you about everything I am accused of by the Jews, ³ especially since you are an expert in all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

⁴ “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem.^{(EP) 5} They had previously known me for quite some time, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I lived as a Pharisee.^{(EQ) 6} And now I stand on trial for the hope^(ER) of the promise^(ES) made by God to our fathers, ⁷ the promise our 12 tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve Him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.^{(ET) 8} Why is it considered incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? ⁹ In fact, I myself supposed it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarene.^{(EU) 10} I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.^{(EV) 11} In all the synagogues I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them.^(EW) I even pursued them to foreign cities since I was greatly enraged at them.

Paul’s Account of His Conversion and Commission

¹² “I was traveling to Damascus under^(EX) these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. ¹³ King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me. ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’^[ak](EY)

¹⁵ “Then I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’

“And the Lord replied: ‘I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and a witness of what you have seen^[al] and of what I will reveal to you.^{(EZ) 17} I will rescue you from the people and from the Gentiles. I now send you to them^{(FA) 18} to open their eyes^(FB) so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that by faith in Me they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified.’^(FC)

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. ²⁰ Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.^{(FD) 21} For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple complex and were trying to kill me. ²² To this very day, I have obtained help that comes from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing else than what the prophets and Moses said would take place^(FE)— ²³ that the Messiah must suffer, and that as the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”^(FF)

Not Quite Persuaded

²⁴ As he was making his defense this way, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind,^(FG) Paul! Too much study is driving you mad!”

²⁵ But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.^{(FH) 26} For the king knows about these matters. It is to him I am actually speaking boldly. For I am convinced that none of these things escapes his notice, since this was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?”

²⁹ “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”^(FI)

³⁰ So the king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, ³¹ and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is doing nothing that deserves death or chains.”^(FJ)

³² Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”^(FK)

Sailing for Rome

27 When it was decided that we were to sail to Italy, they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment.^{(FL) 2} So when we had boarded a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, intending to sail to ports along the coast of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.^{(FM) 3} The next day we put in at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care.^{(FN) 4} When we had put out to sea from there, we sailed along the northern coast^[am] of Cyprus because the winds were against us. ⁵ After sailing through the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia.^{(FO) 6} There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. ⁷ Sailing slowly for many days, we came with difficulty as far as Cnidus. Since the wind did not allow us to approach it, we sailed along the south side^[an] of Crete off Salmone. ⁸ With yet more difficulty we sailed along the coast and came to a place called Fair Havens near the city of Lasea.

Paul’s Advice Ignored

⁹ By now much time had passed, and the voyage was already dangerous. Since the Fast^[ao](FP) was already over, Paul gave his advice ¹⁰ and told them, “Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward damage and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.” ¹¹ But the centurion paid attention to the captain and the owner of the ship rather than to what Paul said.^{(FQ) 12} Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete^(FR) open to the southwest and northwest, and to winter there.

Storm-Tossed Ship

¹³ When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose. They weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. ¹⁴ But not long afterward, a fierce wind called the “northeaster”^[ap] rushed down from the island. ¹⁵ Since the ship was caught and was unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. ¹⁶ After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda,^[aq] we were barely able to get control of the skiff. ¹⁷ After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Then, fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis,^[ar] they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. ¹⁸ Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day.^{(FS) 19} On the third day, they threw the ship’s gear overboard with their own hands.

²⁰ For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope that we would be saved was disappearing. ²¹ Since many were going without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. ²² Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. ²³ For this night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me,^{(FT) 24} and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. And, look! God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ ²⁵ Therefore, take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me.^{(FU) 26} However, we must run aground on a certain island.”^(FV)

²⁷ When the fourteenth night came, we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea,^[as] and in the middle of the night the sailors thought they were approaching land.^{[at] 28} They took a sounding and found it to be 120 feet^[au] deep; when they had sailed a little farther and sounded again, they found it to be 90 feet^[av] deep. ²⁹ Then, fearing we might run aground in some rocky place, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come.

³⁰ Some sailors tried to escape from the ship; they had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow. ³¹ Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” ³² Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it drop away.

³³ When it was about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing. ³⁴ Therefore I urge you to take some food. For this has to do with your survival, since none of you will lose a hair from your head.”^{(FW) 35} After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all of them, and when he broke it, he began to eat.^{(FX) 36} They all became encouraged and took food themselves. ³⁷ In all there were 276 of us on the ship.^{(FY) 38} When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea.

Shipwreck

³⁹ When daylight came, they did not recognize the land but sighted a bay with a beach. They planned to run the ship ashore if they could.^{(FZ) 40} After casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and headed for the beach. ⁴¹ But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow jammed fast and remained immovable, while the stern began to break up by the pounding of the waves.

⁴² The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one could swim away and escape. ⁴³ But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. ⁴⁴ The rest were to follow, some on planks and some on debris from the ship. In this way, everyone safely reached the shore.^(GA)

Malta’s Hospitality

28 Once ashore, we^(GB) then learned that the island was called Malta.^{(GC) 2} The local people^(GD) showed us extraordinary kindness, for they lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. ³ As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself to his hand. ⁴ When the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man is probably a murderer, and though he has escaped the sea, Justice^[aw] does not allow him to live!”^{(GE) 5} However, he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.^{(GF) 6} They expected that he would swell up or suddenly drop dead. But after they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.^(GG)

Ministry in Malta

⁷ Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. ⁸ Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.^{(GH) 9} After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. ¹⁰ So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

Rome at Last

¹¹ After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Brothers^[ax] as its figurehead. ¹² Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. ¹³ From there, after making a circuit along the coast,^[ay] we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. ¹⁴ There we found believers^[az](GI) and were invited to stay with them for seven days.

And so we came to Rome. ¹⁵ Now the believers^[ba] from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. ¹⁶ When we entered Rome,^[bb] Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.^(GJ)

Paul’s First Interview with Roman Jews

¹⁷ After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them: “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.^{(GK) 18} After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since I had not committed a capital offense.^{(GL) 19} Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar;^(GM) it was not as though I had any accusation against my nation. ²⁰ For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”^(GN)

²¹ Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. ²² But we would like to hear from you what you think. For concerning this sect, we are aware that it is spoken against everywhere.”^(GO)

The Response to Paul’s Message

²³ After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and witnessed about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.^{(GP) 24} Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.^(GQ)

²⁵ Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit correctly spoke through the prophet Isaiah to your^[bc] ancestors ²⁶ when He said,

²⁸ Therefore, let it be known to you that this saving work of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen!”^(GS) [²⁹ After he said these things, the Jews departed, while engaging in a prolonged debate among themselves.]^[be]

Paul’s Ministry Unhindered

³⁰ Then he stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God^(GT) and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with full boldness^(GU) and without hindrance.