The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 733

13:48. And the Gentiles hearing it were glad and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to life everlasting believed.

13:49. And the word of the Lord was published throughout the whole country.

13:50. But the Jews stirred up religious and honourable women and the chief men of the city: and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas: and cast them out of their coasts.

13:51. But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium.

13:52. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost.

Acts Chapter 14

Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium and Lystra. Paul heals a cripple.

They are taken for G.o.ds. Paul is stoned. They preach in Derbe and Perge.

14:1. And it came to pa.s.s in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews and so spoke that a very great mult.i.tude both of the Jews and of the Greeks did believe.

14:2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up and incensed the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren.

14:3. A long time therefore they abode there, dealing confidently in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

14:4. And the mult.i.tude of the city was divided. And some of them indeed held with the Jews, but some with the apostles.

14:5. And when there was an a.s.sault made by the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to use them contumeliously and to stone them:

14:6. They, understanding it, fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the whole country round about: and were there preaching the gospel.

14:7. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.

14:8. This same heard Paul speaking. Who looking upon him and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

14:9. Said with a loud voice: Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked.

14:10. And when the mult.i.tudes had seen what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice in the Lycaonian tongue, saying: The G.o.ds are come down to us in the likeness of men.

14:11. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter: but Paul, Mercury: because he was chief speaker.

14:12. The priest also of Jupiter that was before the city, bringing oxen and garlands before the gate, would have offered sacrifice with the people.

14:13. Which, when the apostles Barnabas and Paul had heard, rending their clothes, they leaped out among the people, crying,

14:14. And saying: Ye men, why do ye these things? We also are mortals, men like unto you, preaching to you to be converted from these vain things to the living G.o.d, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all things that are in them:

14:15. Who in times past, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

14:16. Nevertheless he left not himself without testimony, doing good from heaven, giving rains and fruitful Seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

14:17. And speaking these things, they scarce restrained the people from sacrificing to them.

14:18. Now there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium: and, persuading the mult.i.tude and stoning Paul, drew him out of the city, thinking him to be dead.

14:19. But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up and entered into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

14:20. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch:

14:21. Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith: and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of G.o.d.

14:22. And when they had ordained to them priests in every church and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, in whom they believed.

14:23. And pa.s.sing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia.

14:24. And having spoken the word of the Lord in Perge, they went down into Attalia.

14:25. And thence they sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been delivered to the grace of G.o.d, unto the work which they accomplished.

14:26. And when they were come and had a.s.sembled the church, they related what great things G.o.d had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

14:27. And they abode no small time with the disciples.

Acts Chapter 15

A dissension about circ.u.mcision. The decision and letter of the council of Jerusalem.

15:1. And some, coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That, except you be circ.u.mcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

15:2. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of the other side should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem, about this question.

15:3. They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, pa.s.sed through Phenice and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles.

And they caused great joy to all the brethren.

15:4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things G.o.d had done with them.

15:5. But there arose of the sect of the Pharisees some that believed, saying: They must be circ.u.mcised and be commanded to observe the law of Moses.

15:6. And the apostles and ancients a.s.sembled to consider of this matter.

15:7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know that in former days G.o.d made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

15:8. And G.o.d, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us:

15:9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

15:10. Now therefore, why tempt you G.o.d to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?

15:11. But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.

15:12. And all the mult.i.tude held their peace: and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders G.o.d had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

15:13. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brethren, hear me.