A Translation of the New Testament from the original Greek Part 19

(21)And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a vast mult.i.tude believing, turned to the Lord. (22)And the report concerning them was heard in the ears of the church which was at Jerusalem: and they dispatched Barnabas, to go as far as Antioch. (23)Who, when he arrived there, and beheld the grace of G.o.d, rejoiced, and exhorted them all, with full purpose of heart to adhere to the Lord. (24)For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and a great mult.i.tude was added to the Lord.

(25)Then went forth Barnabas to Tarsus, in search of Saul: (26)and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pa.s.s, that during a whole year they were jointly employed in that church, and taught a vast mult.i.tude, and they called for the first time in Antioch the disciples Christians. (27)Now there came down in those days prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch. (28)And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the spirit that a great famine was coming upon the whole habitable globe: which also came in the reign of Claudius Caesar. (29)Then the disciples, as everyman had ability, determined every individual of them to send a sum to be distributed among the brethren who dwelt in Judea: (30)which also they did, sending it off to the presbyters by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

CHAP. XII.

NOW at that time Herod the king stretched forth his hand to treat cruelly certain persons belonging to the church. (2)And he slew James the brother of John with a sword. (3)And seeing how agreeable this was to the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) (4)Whom having apprehended, he put him in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep guard over him; intending after the Pa.s.sover to bring him forth to the people _for execution_. (5)So then Peter was kept in prison: but fervent prayer was offered up by the church to G.o.d for him. (6)Now when Herod was going to bring him forth, the same night was Peter fast asleep between the two soldiers, fastened to them with two chains: and the guards before the door kept the prison. (7)And, lo! an angel of the Lord stood there, and light glared through the apartment: then with a stroke on Peter's side, he roused him up, and said, Arise quickly. And his chains fell from his hands. (8)And the angel said to him, Gird thyself up, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said unto him, Wrap thyself in thy mantle, and follow me. (9)And going out, he followed him; and knew not that it was a reality which was done by the angel; but he supposed he saw a vision. (10)So pa.s.sing through the first ward and the second, they came to the iron door which leads into the city, which opened to them spontaneously: and being come out, they walked forward through one street; and immediately the angel departed from him. (11)And Peter coming to himself, said, Now I know a.s.suredly, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me from the hand of Herod, and all the eager expectation of the people of the Jews. (12)And after considering with himself, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who is surnamed Mark; where many were thronged together, and praying.

(13)Peter then knocking at the door of the gatetway, there came a damsel to ask who was there, named Rhoda. (14)And well knowing Peter's voice, she opened not the door for joy; but running in, told that Peter was standing before the door. (15)But they said, Thou art raving. But she confidently persisted that it was so. Then they said, It is his angel. (16)But Peter continued knocking: and they opened the door and saw him, and were astonished. (17)Then beckoning with the hand that they should be silent, he informed them in what manner the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Tell James and the brethren these things. And departing thence he went into another place.

(18)Now when the day broke, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what could possibly become of Peter. (19)And Herod sought him out earnestly, but not being able to find him, after having examined the guards strictly, he commanded them to be executed. And going down from Jerusalem to Caesarea, took up his abode there.

(20)Now Herod was fiercely bent on war against the Tyrians and Sidonians: but they presented themselves unanimously before him, and ingratiating themselves with Blastus who was over the king's bedchamber, they begged for peace; because their country received all their supply of provisions from the king's territories. (21)Then on a day appointed, Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, and seated on his throne, made an harangue unto them. (22)And the populace shouted, It is the voice of a G.o.d, and not a man. (23)But instantly the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not the glory to G.o.d: and being devoured with worms, he expired.

(24)But the word of the Lord increased, and was widely diffused.

(25)Then Barnabas and Saul departed from Jerusalem, having completed the distribution _of the sum entrusted with them_; and they took with them John, whose surname was Mark.

CHAP. XIII.

NOW there were at Antioch, according to the established church, prophets and teachers; such as Barnabas, and Simeon called Niger the black, and Lucius a Cyrenian, and Manaen, Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother, and Saul. (2)And as they were employed in the ministry, and kept a fast, the Holy Ghost said, Set apart for me now both Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (3)Then having kept a fast and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them out. (4)They then being sent forth indeed by the Holy Ghost, went down to Seleucia; and from thence sailed to Cyprus. (5)And being at Salamis, they preached the word of G.o.d in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had John also as their attendant. (6)Now as they travelled through the island as far as Paphos, they found a certain person who professed magic, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: (7)who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man; he inviting to his house Barnabas and Saul, desired earnestly to hear the word of G.o.d. (8)But Elymas the magician (for such is his name when interpreted) opposed them, seeking to pervert the proconsul from the faith. (9)Then Saul (now Paul), filled with the Holy Ghost, and fixing his eyes upon him, (10)said, O thou full of all guile and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease perverting the strait ways of the Lord? (11)And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, seeing the sun no more for a season. And instantly there fell on him a thick mist and darkness; and groping about he sought some to lead him by the hand.

(12)Then when the proconsul saw what was done, he believed, being struck with the doctrine of the Lord.

(13)Hereupon sailing from Paphos, they who were about Paul came to Perga in Pamphylia: but John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

(14)And they departed from Perga, and came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering into the synagogue on the sabbath-day, they sat down. (15)Then after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogues sent to them, saying, Men and brethren, if ye are disposed to give a word of exhortation to the people, speak.

(16)Then Paul arose, and waving his hand, said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear G.o.d, hear me. (17)The G.o.d of this people Israel selected our fathers, and exalted the people during their abode in the land of Egypt, and with a mighty arm brought he them out of it. (18)And about the s.p.a.ce of forty years he bore with their behaviour in the wilderness. (19)And destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he distributed their territory to them by lot. (20)And after these things, during a s.p.a.ce of about four hundred and fifty years, he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. (21)And from that time they desired a king: and G.o.d gave them Saul the son of Kis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during forty years. (22)And removing him, he raised up unto them David to be king; respecting whom also he spake testifying, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall perform all my intentions[40]." (23)From this man's seed according to the promise hath G.o.d raised up to Israel a Saviour, Jesus: (24)John having preached before his first coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (25)But as John was finis.h.i.+ng his course, he said, Whom do ye suppose me to be? I am not _the Messiah_. But, behold!

he is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose. (26)Men and brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and all among you who fear G.o.d, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

(27)For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, being ignorant of him, and the words of the prophets that are read every sabbath-day, by condemning him have fulfilled them. (28)And though they found no cause of death in him, they besought Pilate that he might be killed.

(29)But when they had finished all things that were written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. (30)But G.o.d raised him from the dead: (31)and he was seen many days by those who went up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people. (32)And we preach to you the promise made to our fathers; (33)for this hath G.o.d fulfilled to their children, even to us, in raising up Jesus: as it is also written in the second Psalm, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee[41]." (34)But that he raised him from the dead, no more in future to return to corruption, he hath thus spoken, "I will give you the holy things of David, which are sure[42]." (35)Wherefore also he saith in another place, "Thou wilt not permit thy Holy One to see corruption[43]." (36)For David indeed, after having served his own generation by the will of G.o.d, fell asleep, and was placed with his fathers, and saw corruption. (37)But he, whom G.o.d raised up, saw no corruption. (38)Be it therefore known unto you, men and brethren, that through this man remission of sin is proclaimed to you: (39)and by this man shall every one who believeth be justified from all things, from which it was not possible that he should be justified by the law of Moses. (40)Take heed then, that this come not upon you, which is spoken by the prophets; (41)"Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I do a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though one declare it unto you[44]."

(42)But when the Jews were going out of the synagogue, the Gentiles entreated that these words might be spoken to them the following sabbath. (43)And when the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, exhorting them, persuaded them to abide stedfast in the grace of G.o.d.

(44)And on the next sabbath almost all the city thronged together to hear the word of G.o.d. (45)But the Jews seeing the mult.i.tude, were filled with envy, and opposed the things spoken by Paul, contradicting and reviling. (46)Then Paul and Barnabas speaking with undaunted boldness, said, It was necessary that the word of G.o.d should be first spoken unto you: but since ye have thrust it from you, and judged yourselves not worthy of eternal life, lo! we turn to the Gentiles.

(47)For so hath the Lord enjoined us, "I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou mightest be for salvation unto the extremity of the earth[45]." (48)Now when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord: and they believed, even as many as were ordained to life eternal. (49)So the word of the Lord was diffused through the whole region.

(50)Then the Jews stirred up the devout women, and those who were respectable, and the princ.i.p.al persons of the city, and raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out of their borders. (51)But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. (52)And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

CHAP. XIV.

NOW it came to pa.s.s at Iconium, that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake in such a manner, as that a vast mult.i.tude both of the Jews and Greek proselytes believed. (2)But the unbelieving Jews stirred up, and maliciously prejudiced the spirits of the Gentiles against the brethren. (3)A long s.p.a.ce therefore continued they there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, and granted signs and miracles to be wrought by their hands.

(4)So the mult.i.tude was divided: some indeed were with the Jews, but others with the apostles. (5)And when there was a strong effort made both by the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to ill-treat and stone them, (6)conscious of their danger, they fled unto the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and the circ.u.m-jacent country: (7)and there they preached the gospel.

(8)And there was a certain man at Lystra, who having lost the use of his feet was sitting, being lame from his mother's womb, and who had never been able to walk: (9)this person heard Paul speaking; who fixing his eyes on him, and discovering that he had faith to be healed, (10)said with a loud voice, Stand up firm on thy feet! And he leaped and walked. (11)But when the mult.i.tudes beheld what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, in the dialect of Lycaonia, saying, The G.o.ds in the form of mortals are come down to us. (12)And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he princ.i.p.ally led the discourse.

(13)Then the priest of Jupiter, who was the presiding deity of their city, brought bulls and garlands unto the gates of the city, and intended to offer a sacrifice with the people. (14)But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard it, they rent their garments, and rushed into the crowd, crying out, (15)and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We too are mortals subject to the same infirmities with you; preaching to you the gospel, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living G.o.d, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things which are therein: (16)who in the past generations hath suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. (17)Although indeed he left not himself untestified of, doing us good, giving us from heaven showers, and fruitful seasons, replenis.h.i.+ng our hearts with food and gladness. (18)And thus speaking, scarce restrained they the mult.i.tudes from offering the sacrifice to them.

(19)Then came the Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and gaining over the mult.i.tudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. (20)But as the disciples stood around him, he arose, and entered into the city: and on the morrow he departed with Barnabas for Derbe. (21)And after preaching the gospel in that city, and bringing many to become disciples, they returned to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch; (22)strengthening the souls of the brethren, exhorting them to abide firm in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must pa.s.s into the kingdom of heaven. (23)Then appointing them presbyters in every city, by prayer with fastings they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

(24)Then pa.s.sing through Pisidia, they came unto Pamphylia. (25)And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia: (26)and thence sailed for Antioch, from whence they had been commended to the grace of G.o.d for the service which they had performed. (27)So when they arrived they called the church together, and related what great things G.o.d had done by them, and that he had opened to the heathen the door of faith.

(28)And there they abode no inconsiderable time with the disciples.

CHAP. XV.

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circ.u.mcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved. (2)There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question. (3)They therefore being sent on their way by the church, pa.s.sed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. (4)Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things G.o.d had done by them. (5)But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circ.u.mcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses. (6)Then the apostles and presbyters were a.s.sembled to consider of this matter. (7)When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them,

Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago G.o.d chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. (8)And G.o.d, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; (9)and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith.

(10)Why then now tempt ye G.o.d, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (11)But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they. (12)Then the whole mult.i.tude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles G.o.d had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

(13)Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me: (14)Simon hath fully related, how at first G.o.d graciously looked upon _the Gentiles_, to take from them a people for his name. (15)And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written, (16)"After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again: (17)that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things[46]." (18)Known unto G.o.d from the beginning are all his works. (19)Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to G.o.d: (20)but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol _sacrifices_, and from wh.o.r.edom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. (21)For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.

(22)Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren; (23)writing a letter by their hand, in these words:

The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in Syria, and Cilicia, greeting: (24)Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circ.u.mcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge: (25)it hath seemed fit to us, a.s.sembled unanimously, to send unto you select men with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (26)men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (27)We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, and they by word of mouth will tell you the same things. (28)For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden except these things which are of absolute necessity; (29)that ye abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from wh.o.r.edom: from which things carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.

(30)They then being thus dispatched, came to Antioch: and a.s.sembling the mult.i.tude, they delivered the letter: (31)and when they had read it, they rejoiced in the consolation _of it_. (32)Then Judas and Silas, being also themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren, in many a discourse, and established them. (33)And having stayed their time, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren to the apostles. (34)However Silas thought proper to abide there. (35)Paul also and Barnabas abode at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others also, the word of the Lord.

(36)Then after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Let us now return and visit our brethren in every city among whom we have preached the word of the Lord, that we may see how they hold on. (37)Now Barnabas had resolved to take with him John, whose surname is Mark. (38)But Paul did not think him a fit person to take with them, who had withdrawn from them from Pamphylia, and no longer went with them to the service.

(39)So there grew up a sudden quarrel, insomuch that they separated from each other: and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus: (40)but Paul selecting Silas, departed, being commended by the brethren to the favour of G.o.d. (41)And he pa.s.sed through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

CHAP. XVI.

THEN he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold! a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman, who believed; but his father was a Greek: (2)who was highly spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium. (3)Him Paul resolved to take out with him; and took and circ.u.mcised him because of the Jews who were in those places: for they all knew his father, that he was a Greek. (4)So as they pa.s.sed through the cities, they delivered to them for their observance the ordinances decreed by the apostles and presbyters that were at Jerusalem.

(5)Then were the churches established truly in the faith, and increased in number daily. (6)So pa.s.sing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, being forbidden by the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia, (7)coming as far as Mysia, they made an effort to go unto Bythinia: but the Spirit permitted them not. (8)Whereupon pa.s.sing by Mysia they went down to Troas. (9)And a vision by night appeared to Paul; a certain man, a Macedonian, stood by him, entreating him, and saying, Pa.s.s over into Macedonia, and help us. (10)But when he saw the vision, immediately we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. (11)Therefore sailing from Troas, we came in a direct course to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis; (12)and from thence to Philippi, which is the first city in that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we abode in that city some days.

(13)And on the sabbath-day we went forth out of the city to the river side, where an oratory was by custom established; and sitting down, we spoke to the women who there a.s.sembled. (14)And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple, from the city of Thyatira, a wors.h.i.+pper of G.o.d, hearkened: whose heart the Lord thoroughly opened, to attend to the words spoken by Paul. (15)So when she was baptised, and her house, she entreated, saying, Since ye have judged that I am faithful to the Lord, come and abide at my house. And she constrained us.

(16)Now it happened as we were going to the oratory, a certain damsel having a pythonic spirit met us, who produced for her masters much gain as a fortuneteller: (17)she following Paul and us, cried out, saying, These men are the servants of the most high G.o.d, who preach to you the way of salvation. (18)And this she did for several days. Then Paul was wearied out, and turning, said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out that very hour. (19)But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the forum before the chief rulers, (20)and presenting them to the magistrates, they said, These are the men that exceedingly disturb the peace of our city, being Jews, (21)and enjoin customs which it is not lawful for us to receive, or to practise, being Romans. (22)And the populace stood up together against them: and the magistrates, after having had their garments torn from their backs, commanded them to be beaten with rods.

(23)And laying on them many stripes, cast them into prison, commanding the jailor to keep them in safe custody: (24)who, receiving such an injunction, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. (25)But about midnight Paul and Silas, after joining in prayer, sang hymns to G.o.d: and the prisoners heard them. (26)And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken: and instantly all the doors flew open, and every man's chains were loosed. (27)Then the jailor being roused from sleep, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword, going to destroy himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped. (28)But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no injury: for we are all here. (29)Thereupon calling for a light, he rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas; (30)and having first brought them out, said, Sirs! what must I do to be saved? (31)And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house.

(32)And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all who were in his house. (33)And taking them that same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and was baptised, himself and all who belonged to him immediately. (34)And when he had brought them into his house, he spread the table, and greatly rejoiced with all his household, believing in G.o.d.

(35)But when it was day, the magistrates sent the lictors, saying, Set those men at large. (36)Then the jailor told these words to Paul, That the magistrates had sent to set them at liberty: now therefore, _said he,_ get ye out, and pursue your journey in peace. (37)But Paul said to them, They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Roman citizens, and have cast us into prison; and would they now clandestinely send us away? no, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. (38)Then the lictors reported all these words to the magistrates: and they were terrified, when they heard they were Roman citizens. (39)So they came and spoke kindly to them, and fetching them out, besought them to depart from the city. (40)Then leaving the prison, they went unto Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and went their way.

CHAP. XVII.

SO journeying through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of Jews: (2)And Paul, according to his usual custom, went in to them, and for three sabbaths he reasoned with them from the scriptures, (3)opening them clearly, and laying it evidently down that the Messiah must suffer, and rise again from the dead; and that this man is the Messiah, even Jesus, whom I preach unto you. (4)And some of them believed, and a.s.sociated themselves with Paul and Silas; and of the religious Greeks a vast mult.i.tude, and of the wives of the first people not a few. (5)But the unbelieving Jews, roused to a fit of zeal, and taking some of the lowest vulgar men of vile characters, and raising a mob, set the city in an uproar, and besetting the house of Jason, sought them to bring them unto the people. (6)But not finding them there, they dragged Jason and certain brethren to the city magistrates, roaring out, These are the men who are movers of sedition through the world, and are come in hither; (7)whom Jason has entertained in his house: and the practice of all these fellows is in direct opposition to all Caesar's ordinances, for they affirm that another is king, one Jesus. (8)And they greatly agitated the people and the city magistrates when they heard these things. (9)So after taking sufficient security from Jason and the rest, they dismissed them.

(10)Then the disciples immediately by night sent off both Paul and Silas to Berea; who were no sooner arrived, than they went into the synagogue of the Jews. (11)Now these were more liberally minded men than those of Thessalonica, for they received the word with all readiness of mind, daily, examining the Scriptures if these things were really so. (12)Then many of them truly believed: and of the Grecian proselyte women of respectability, and of the men not a few.

(13)But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that at Berea also the word of G.o.d was preached by Paul, they came thither, and stirred up the populace. (14)Then immediately on this the brethren sent off Paul, to go as if by sea: but Silas and Timothy abode there still. (15)And those who conduced Paul brought him as far as Athens, and receiving an injunction for Silas and Timothy that they should come to him as speedily as possible, they departed. (16)Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit within him was greatly grieved, beholding the city so devoted to idolatry. (17)Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews, and those who wors.h.i.+pped there, and in the forum every day with those he happened to meet.

(18)Then certain of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers attacked him: and some said, What will this chattering fellow say? but others, He seemeth to be a preacher of foreign deities, because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. (19)So they took him and led him to the hill of Mars, saying, May we know what this novel doctrine taught by thee is? (20)For thou bringest some strange stories to our ears; we wish therefore to know what these things mean. (21)Now all the Athenians and the strangers who come to sojourn there, take pleasure in spending their time in nothing else but in talking, or hearing of some novelty.

(22)Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus said, Ye men of Athens, I observe that in all things ye are too much devoted to the wors.h.i.+p of daemons. (23)For as I walked about, and attentively viewed the objects of your wors.h.i.+p, I found even an altar on which was this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN G.o.d. Whom therefore you in ignorance adore, him I preach unto you. (24)The G.o.d who created the world, and all things in it, he that is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples of man's construction; (25)nor is he served by human hands, as if he needed any creature, himself imparting to all beings life, and breath, and all things. (26)And hath made from one man's blood all the nations of mankind, to dwell upon the whole face of the earth, fixing the predetermined periods of their existence, and the boundaries of their several abodes; (27)that they should seek the Lord, if indeed they might haply grope him out, and find him, though truly he is not far from any individual of us: (28)for from him we derive life, and power of motion, and existence; as also some of your own poets have said, "For we are even his offspring." (29)Being then the offspring of G.o.d, we ought not to imagine that the Divinity is like to gold, or silver, or stone sculptured by human art or contrivance. (30)These times indeed of ignorance G.o.d then overlooked; but he now commands all men in every place to repent: (31)because he hath fixed the day in which he will judge the whole world in righteousness by the man whom he hath appointed; affording evidence of this to all, by raising him from the dead.

(32)But when they heard of the resurrection from the dead, Some scoffed: and others said, We will hear thee again on this subject.

(33)And so Paul departed from the midst of them. (34)But certain persons cleaving to him, believed: among whom was even Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

CHAP. XVIII.