 11. And the apostles and the brethren throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also received the word of God, and when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, 12. Thou wentest into men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 13. But Peter rehearsed the matter to them in order from the beginning, saying, 14. I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending as a great sheet, let down out of heaven by four corners, and it came even to me, on which, fixing my eyes, I considered and saw forfeited beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the air, and I heard a voice saying to me, 14. Arise, Peter, slay, and eat. But I said, not so, Lord, for nothing common or unclean ever entered into my mouth, but a voice answered me a second time out of heaven. 15. What God cleansed, regard not thou as common, and this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, immediately there stood three men at the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea, and the spirit bade me go with them, making no scruple, and these six brethren also went with me, and we entered into the man's house, and he told us how he saw the angel in his house, standing and saying to him, send to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surname Peter, who will speak to thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, and all thy house. And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as also on us at the beginning, and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed immersed in water, but you shall be immersed in the Holy Spirit. If therefore God gave the light gift to them as to us, having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who then was I that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace and glorified God, saying, so then to the Gentiles, also God gave repentance unto life. Now they who were scattered abroad by the persecution that arose on account of Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none but Jews. But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, having come to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks, publishing the good news of the Lord Jesus, and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. But the report concerning them came to the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, who, having come and seen the grace of God, rejoiced, and he exhorted all that with purpose of heart they should cleave to the Lord. For he was a good man and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and a great multitude was added to the Lord. And Barnabas departed to Tarsus to seek for Saul, and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass that a whole year they came together in the Church and taught a great multitude, and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. And in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch, and there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth over all the world, which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. And the disciples, according as anyone was prospered, determined each of them to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea, which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Chapter 12 And about that time Herod the King stretched forth his hands to oppress certain of the Church, and he slew James the brother of John with the sword. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also, then were the days of unleavened bread, whom he also seized and put in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept guarded in the prison, but earnest prayer was made by the Church to God on his behalf. And when Herod was about to bring him forth, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and keepers before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the prison, and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him, saying, Rise up quickly! And his chains fell from off his hands, and the angel said to him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out and followed him, and knew not that what was done by the angel was true, but thought he saw a vision. And having passed the first and the second watch, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them of its own accord. And they went out and passed on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. And Peter, having come to himself, said, Now I know truly that the Lord sent forth his angel, and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And, becoming fully conscious of it, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid servant came to Harkin, named Rhoda. And recognizing Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in and told that Peter was standing before the gate. And they said to her, Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking, and opening the door they saw him, and were amazed. And beckoning to them with a hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go tell these things to James and to the brethren. And he departed and went to another place. And when it was day there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what was become of Peter. And Herod, when he had sought for him and found him not, after examining the keepers, commanded that they should be led away to death. And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with Aetirians and Sidonians. But they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace, because their country was nourished by that of the king. And on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne and made a speech to them, and thereupon the people shouted, The voice of a God, and not of a man! And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him because he gave not glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and expired. But the word of God grew and multiplied, and Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having performed the service, taking with them also John, who was surnamed Mark. And there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers, Barnabas and Simeon, who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Meneon the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul unto the work to which I have called them. Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. They therefore, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, came down to Seleucia, and from thence they sailed away to Cyprus, and having come to Salimus, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, and they had also John as an assistant. And having gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain Magian, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar Jesus, who was with the proconsul of the country, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. He, having called for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God, but Ilimas the Magian, for so his name is interpreted, withstood them seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him and said, O full of all deceit and all wickedness, child of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and darkness, and going about he sought persons to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul, seeing what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. And Paul and his companions, having put to sea from Paphos, came to Perga in Panphilia, and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. But they, going on from Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia, and entering into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, they sat down. And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them saying, Man, brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, speak. And Paul arose and beckoning with a hand said, Man of Israel, and ye that fear God, harken! The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and he exalted the people in their sojourn in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm he brought them out of it. And about the time of forty years he nourished them in the wilderness. And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as a possession, about four hundred and fifty years. And after that he gave judges until Samuel the Prophet. And afterward they desired a king, and God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin for forty years. And having removed him, he raised up for them David to be their king, to whom also he gave testimony saying, I found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will. Of the seed of this man, God, according to promise, raised up to Israel a savior, Jesus, John having first preached before his entrance the immersion of repentance to all the people of Israel. Now as John was finishing his course, he said, Whom do ye suppose me to be? I am not he, but behold, there comes one after me, the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to loose. Man, brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and whoever among you fears God, to you the word of this salvation was sent forth. For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath day, fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death, they demanded of Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all the things written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead. And he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people. And we declare to you glad tidings of the promise made to the fathers that God has fulfilled this to us their children in raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, Thou art my son, I this day have begotten thee. And that he raised him up from the dead to return no more to corruption, he has thus spoken, I will give to you the holy, the sure promises of David. Wherefore also in another Psalm he says, Thou wilt not suffer thy holy one to see corruption. For David, having served his own generation according to the purpose of God, fell asleep and was added to his fathers and saw corruption. But he whom God raised saw not corruption. Be it known to you therefore men, brethren, that remission of sins through this man is announced to you, and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye were not able to be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the prophets. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish, because I work a work in your days, a work which ye will not believe, though one should fully declare it to you. And as they were going out, they be sought that these words might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath, and when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and of the proselyte worshipers followed Paul and Barnabas, who speaking to them persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And on the next Sabbath day almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But the Jews, seeing the multitudes, were filled with indignation, and spoke against the things said by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you, but since ye thrust it from you and judge yourselves not worthy of the eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldst be for salvation to the end of the earth. And the Gentiles hearing it rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed unto eternal life believed, and the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out from their borders. And they, having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium, and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Chapter 14 And it came to pass in Iconium that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. They spent a long time, therefore, speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided, and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles, and when a movement was made, both of the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they, being aware of it, fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derby, and the region around, and there they were publishing the good news. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being lame from his mother's womb, who never walked. This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, fixing his eyes on him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet, and he leaped up and walked. And the multitudes, seeing what Paul did, lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men! And they called Barnabas, Jupiter, and Paul Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Jupiter, that was before the city, having brought oxen and garlands to the gates, would have offered sacrifice with the people. But the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, hearing of it, rent their clothes and rushed forth to the multitude, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like nature with you, bringing you glad tidings that ye should turn from these vanities to the living God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all things that are therein, who in the ages past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways, although he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings they hardly restrained the people from sacrificing to them. But there came thither Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the people and stoned Paul, they drew him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But the disciples, having gathered around him, he rose up and came into the city, and on the morrow he departed with Barnabas to Derby. And having published the good news to that city, and made many disciples, they turned back to Lystra and Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much affliction enter into the kingdom of God. And having appointed for them elders in every church, they commended them with prayer and fasting to the Lord, on whom they believed. And after passing through Pisidia they came to Pamphylia, and having spoken the word in Perga they went down to Ataliah, and thence they sailed away to Antioch, from whence they had been commended to the grace of God, for the work which they accomplished. And having come and gathered the church together, they reported how great things God wrought with them, and that he opened to the Gentiles a door of faith, and they spent no little time with the disciples. Chapter 15 And certain men coming down from Judea taught the brethren, except ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses ye cannot be saved. Paul and Barnabas having therefore had no little dissension and discussion with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And having come to Jerusalem they were gladly received by the church and the apostles and elders, and they reported how great things God wrought with them. But there arose some of those from the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter, and when there had been much discussion, Peter arose and said to them, Man, brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among us that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings and believe, and God who knows the heart bore them witness, giving to them the Holy Spirit as also to us, and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore, why do ye tempt God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we believe that we shall be saved in the same manner as they also. And all the multitude became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, narrating how great signs and wonders God wrought among the Gentiles through them. And after they were silent, James answered, saying, Man, brethren, hearken to me! Simeon narrated how at first God visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for his name, and with this agree the words of the prophets as it is written. After this I will return and will rebuild the Tabernacle of David which has fallen down, and I will rebuild the ruins thereof and will set it up again, that the rest of men may seek after the Lord and all the Gentiles upon whom my name has been called, sayeth the Lord who does these things. Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world, wherefore my judgment is that we trouble not those who from among the Gentiles are turning to God, but that we write to them that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled and from blood, for Moses of old time has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath. Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, resolved, having chosen men from themselves to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely Judas, surnamed Bar Sabbath, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and they wrote by them thus. The apostles and the elders and the brethren, to the brethren from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Silesia, greeting, for as much as we heard that some who went out from us troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no commandment, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will themselves also by word tell you the same things, for it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no further burden except these necessary things, that ye abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled and from fornication, from which if ye keep yourselves ye will do farewell. They therefore, being dismissed, came to Antioch, and assembling the multitude they delivered the letter, and having read it they rejoiced for the consolation, and Judas and Silas, also themselves being prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them, and having remained awhile they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to the apostles, but it pleased Silas to abide there still. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and publishing the glad tidings of the word of the Lord with many others also, and some days after Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they do, and Barnabas determined to take with them John, who was surnamed Mark, but Paul thought it proper not to take with them, him who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work, and there arose a sharp contention so that they parted one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, and Paul, having chosen Silas, went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God, and he went through Syria and Silesia, confirming the churches. The end of chapters 11 through 15 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, from the American Bible Union's New Testament, recording by Mark Penfold, chapters 16 through 20 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, from the American Bible Union's New Testament. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, recording by Mark Penfold, chapters 16 through 20 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, chapters 16. And he came down to Derby and Lystra, and behold a certain disciple was there named Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish woman, but whose father was a Greek, who was well reported of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. Him Paul wished to go forth with him, and took and circumcised him on account of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. And as they journeyed through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep that were ordained by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. The churches, therefore, were established in the faith, and increased in number daily. And having gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, and being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia, they came to Mysea and attempted to go into Bethany, but the spirit of Jesus did not permit them. And passing by Mysea they came down to Troas, and a vision appeared to Paul in the night. There stood a man, a Macedonian, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us! And when he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to publish the good news to them. Therefore, setting sail from Troas, we ran with a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis, and from thence to Philippi, which is a chief city of that part of Macedonia, a colony, and we continued in that city certain days. And on the Sabbath we went forth out of the gate by a riverside, where it was won't to be a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who came together. And a certain woman named Lydia, a cellar of purple of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, was listening, whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things spoken by Paul. And when she was immersed in her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be a believer in the Lord, come into my house and abide. And she constrained us. And it came to pass as we were going to the place of prayer, a certain bond made having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by sooth saying. She, having followed Paul and us, cried, saying, These men are the servants of the Most High God, who announced to us the way of salvation. And this she did many days, but Paul, being indignant, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out from her. And he came out the same hour. And her masters, seeing that the hope of their gain departed, laid hold of Paul and Silas and drew them into the marketplace before the rulers. And having brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, greatly disturb our city, and teach customs which it is not lawful for us to receive or to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates rent off their clothes and commanded to beat them with rods. And having laid many stripes on them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely, who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises to God, and the prisoners listened to them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and the chains of all were loosed. And the jailer, awaking out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm, for we are all here. And culling for lights, he sprang in and trembling fell down before Paul and Silas, and having brought them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spoke to him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And taking them along the same hour of the night, he washed their stripes, and was immersed himself and all his immediately. And having brought them up into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced with all his house, believing in God. And when it was day the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul. The magistrates have sent to let you go, now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said to them, They beat us openly, uncondemned, being Romans, and cast us into prison. And now do they send us forth secretly? Nay, verily, but let them come themselves and bring us out. And the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and bringing them out, and treated them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia, and seeing the brethren, they exhorted them, and departed. Chapter 17 And passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was the synagogue of the Jews. And Paul, as his custom was, went into them, and for three Sabbaths, reasoned with them from the scriptures, opening them, and setting forth that the Christ must suffer, and rise again from the dead. And that this is the Christ, Jesus, who might preach to you. And some of them believed, and joined themselves to Paul and Silas, and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews, moved with envy, having taken to them of the idlers in the marketplace, certain vicious men, and having gathered a crowd, set the city in an uproar, and assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them unto the people. And not finding them, they dragged Jason and certain brethren before the rulers of the city, saying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also, whom Jason has received, and all these are acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city when they heard these things, and having taken security of Jason and of the others, they let them go. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea, who coming fither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the scriptures daily whether these things were so. Many of them therefore believed, and of honourable Grecian women and men, not a few. But when the Jews of Thessalonica knew that also at Berea, the word of God was preached by Paul, they came, stirring up the people there also. And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to journey as upon the sea, but Silas and Timothy abode there still. And they who conducted Paul brought him to Athens, and having received a command to Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed. Now, while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city full of idols, therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market daily with those who met with him. And certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics were disputing with him, and some said, What would this babbler say? And others, he seems to be a proclamer of foreign gods, because he made known to them the good news of Jesus and the resurrection. And, taking hold of him, they brought him upon Mars Hill, saying, May we know what this new doctrine is of which thou speakest, for thou bringest certain strange things to our ears, we would know therefore what these things mean. Now all Athenians and the strangers residing there spent their leisure for nothing else, but to tell or to hear something new. And Paul, standing in the midst of Mars Hill, said, Men of Athens, in all things I perceive that ye are very devout, for as I passed by and observed your objects of worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, to an unknown God, whom therefore not knowing ye worship, him I announced to you. The God who made the world in all things therein, he being Lord of heaven and earth, dwells not in temples made with hands, nor is ministered to by human hands as if needing anything more, himself giving to all life and breath and all things, and he made of one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, having fixed the appointed seasons and bounds of their habitation, that they should seek the Lord if happily they might feel after him and find him, although he is not far from every one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, for his offspring also are we. Being therefore God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like to gold or silver or stone, graven by art and man's device, the times of ignorance therefore God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because he fixed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he appointed, having given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. And when they heard of a resurrection of the dead, some mocked, and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter, and thus Paul departed from among them, but certain ones joining themselves to him believed, among whom was also Dionysius, the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them. After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Chorypth, and finding a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, lately come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome, he came to them, and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them and labored, for by their occupation they were tent-makers, and he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was engrossed with the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ, but they opposing themselves and blaspheming, he shook out his garments and said to them, your blood be upon your own head, I am clean, from henceforth I will go to the Gentiles. And departing thence he entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one who worshipped God, whose house was adjoining the synagogue, and Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house, and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were immersed, and the Lord said to Paul, through a vision in the night, be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace, for I am with thee, and no one shall assail thee to hear thee, for I have much people in this city. And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. And when Gallia was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews rose up with one accord against Paul and brought him before the judgment seat, saying, this man persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. And as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallia said to the Jews, if it were some injustice or wicked misdeed, O Jews, with reason I would have borne with you, but if it is a question about a word and names and your own law, look to it yourselves. I will not be a judge of these things. And he drove them away from the judgment seat. But having all seized upon Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, they beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of these things. And Paul, having remained yet many days, took leave of the brethren, and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shaven his head in Sancrie, for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but entering himself into the synagogue, he reasoned with the Jews. And they desiring him to remain a longer time with them, he consented not, but took leave of them, saying, I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem, but I will return again to you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus. And having landed at Caesarea, and gone up and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. And after he had spent some time there, he departed, going through the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. And a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and talked correctly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the immersion of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But Aquila and Priscilla, having heard him, took him to them, and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly. And he, wishing to pass through into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him, who, when he was come, contributed much to those who had believed through grace. For he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. CHAPTER XIX And it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper districts, came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples he said to them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said to him, Nay, we did not even hear whether there is a Holy Spirit. And he said to them, unto what then were ye immersed? And they said, unto John's immersion. Then said Paul, John indeed immersed with the immersion of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard this, they were immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul, having laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied, and all the men were about twelve. And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them of the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and believed not, speaking evil of the way before the multitude, he departed from them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyranus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul, so that also there were carried from his body to the sick, handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out from them. Then some of the wandering Jewish exorcists took upon them to name, over those who had the evil spirits, the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jewish chief priest who did this. And the evil spirit answering said, Jesus I know, and Paul I well know, but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them and overcame them, and prevailed against both, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks who dwelt at Ephesus, and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many of the believers came confessing and declaring their deeds. Many of those also who practiced curious arts brought together the books, and burned them before all, and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. When these things were ended, Paul purposed to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, saying, After I have been there I must also see Rome. And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, he himself stayed in Asia for a season. And about that time there arose no small tumult concerning the way. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small gain to the craftsman, whom he called together with a workman of like occupation, and said, Sirs, you well know that by this craft we have our wealth. Moreover ye see and hear that this Paul has persuaded and turned aside much people, not only of Ephesus, but of almost all Asia, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. And there is danger to us, not only that this branch of business will come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana will be accounted nothing, and her magnificence will be destroyed whom all Asia and the world worship. And hearing it they became full of wrath and continued crying out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! And the whole city was filled with confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, having seized Gaius and Erastarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel. And Paul wishing to enter in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not. And some also of the chiefs of Asia, being his friends, sent to him in treating him not to adventure himself into the theatre. Some therefore were crying one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and the greater part knew not wherefore they had come together. And they brought forward Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews thrusting him forward, and Alexander beckoned with the hand, desiring to make his defence to the people. But when they knew that he was a Jew, one voice arose from all, crying about two hours, Great is Diana of the Ephesians! And the town clerk, having quieted the people, said, Man of Ephesus, what human being is there who knows not that the city of the Ephesians is keeper of the Great Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter. These things being therefore undeniable, ye ought to be quiet and to do nothing rashly. For ye brought hither these men, who are neither robbers of temples, nor blasphemers of your goddess. If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are pro-consuls. Let them impede one another. But if ye make any demand concerning other matters, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called in question for this day's riot, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse. And having thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. And after the tumult ceased, Paul called to him the disciples, and having embraced them, departed to go into Macedonia. And having gone through those regions, and given them much exhortation, he came into Greece. And after he had stayed three months, a plot being laid for him by the Jews, as he was about sailing to Syria, it was resolved that he should return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him into Asia, Sopater, son of Pyrrhus, a Berean, and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Cigandus, and Gaius of Derby, and Timothy, and of Asia, Tychicus and Trofimus. These, having gone forward, were waiting for us at Troas. But we sailed forth from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days. And on the first day of the week, we having come together to break bread, Paul discourced to them, being about to depart on the morrow, and continued the discourse until midnight. Now there were many lights in the upper room where we were assembled, and there sat on the window a certain young man named Uticus, being fallen into a deep sleep, and as Paul was long discoursing, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down and fell on him, and embracing him said, Do not lament, for his life is in him. And having come up again, and broken the bread, and eaten, he talked a long while, even till break of day, and so departed, and they brought the young man living, and were not a little comforted. And we, going forward to the ship, embarked for Asos, intending there to take in Paul, for so he had appointed, intending himself to go on foot, and when he met with us at Asos, we took him in, and came to Mitolini, and sailing thence we came the following day over against Kios, and the next day we arrived at Samos, and having tarried at Tragilium, we came the next day to Miletus, for Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not spend time in Asia, for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church, and when they were come to him, he said to them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you the whole time, serving the Lord with all loneliness of mind, and with tears, and trials which befell me by the plottings of the Jews, how I kept back nothing that was profitable, that I should not announce it to you, and teach you publicly, and from house to house, testifying to both Jews and Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, and now behold I go bound in the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there, save that the Holy Spirit witnesses to me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions await me, but none of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus to testify the good news of the grace of God, and now behold I know that all ye among whom I went about preaching the kingdom of God shall see my face no more. Wherefore I testify to you this day that I am pure from the blood of all, for I shunned not to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit made you overseers, to feed the church of the Lord, which he purchased with his own blood, for I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock, and from among yourselves will men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, remembering that for the space of three years, night and day, I ceased not to warn everyone with tears. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace who is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all the sanctified. I coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Ye yourselves know that these hands minister to my necessities and to those who were with me. In all ways I showed you that, so laboring, ye ought to assist the weak and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And having thus spoken, he kneeled down and prayed with them all, and they all wept sorely and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the word which he had spoken, that they should behold his face no more, and they accompanied him to the ship. The end of chapters 16 through 20 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles from the American Bible Union's New Testament. Recording by Mark Penfold. Chapters 21 through 24 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles from the American Bible Union's New Testament. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Mark Penfold. Chapters 21 through 24 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 21. And it came to pass that after we had torn ourselves from them and had put to sea, we came with a straight course to Coas and the day following to Rhodes and from Vence to Patara. And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and put to sea, and bringing Cyprus in sight, and leaving it on the left hand, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unlaid her burden. And having found out the disciples, we remained there seven days, who said to Paul through the Spirit that he should not go up to Jerusalem. And when we had completed the days, we departed and went our way, they all accompanying us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city, and we kneeled down on the beach and prayed. And having embraced one another, we went on board the ship, and they returned to their homes. And we, completing the voyage, came down from Tyre to Ptolemaus, and having embraced the brethren, we remained with them one day. And on the morrow we departed and came to Caesarea, and entering into the house of Philip the Evangelist, being one of the seven, we abode with him, and this man had four daughters, virgins, who prophesied. And while we were remaining several days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet named Agabus, and coming to us he took off Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus says the Holy Spirit, So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man whose this girdle is, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem, then answered Paul, What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those days, having packed up our baggage, we went up to Jerusalem. There went with us also some of the disciples from Caesarea, bringing us to Manasin of Cyprus, an old disciple with whom we should lodge. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And on the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. And having embraced them, he recounted particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry. And they, hearing it, glorified the Lord. And they said to him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who believe, and they are all zealots for the law. And they were informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they should not circumcise their children nor walk after the customs. What is it therefore? A multitude must surely come together, for they will hear that thou hast come. Do therefore this, that we say to thee, We have four men who have a vow on them. Take these with thee, and purify thyself with them, and bear the charges for them, that they may shave their heads. And all will know that those things of which they have been informed concerning thee are nothing, but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law. But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote to them, deciding that they should observe no such thing, except that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having purified himself with them, entered into the temple, announcing the completion of the days of the purification, until the offering was brought for each one of them. And as the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews from Asia, having observed him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Man of Israel! Help! This is the man who teaches all everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place, and further also he brought Greeks into the temple, and has polluted this holy place! For they had before seen with him in the city Trophemus the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul brought into the temple. And all the city was moved, and the people ran together, and laying hold of Paul, they dragged him out of the temple, and forthwith the doors were shut. And while they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar, who immediately took with him soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them, and they, seeing the chief captain and the soldiers, left off beating Paul. Then the chief captain came near and took hold of him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another among the multitude, and not being able to know the certainty on account of the tumult, he commanded him to be led into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was born by the soldiers on account of the violence of the people. For the multitude of the people followed after crying, Away with him! And as he was about to be led into the castle, Paul says to the chief captain, May I speak to thee? And he said, Canst thou speak Greek? Art thou not then the Egyptian, who before these days made an uproar, and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the assassins? And Paul said, I am a Jew of Tarsus, a citizen of no obscure city of Cilicia, and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the people. And he, having given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with the hand to the people, and a great silence ensuing, he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, Chapter 22 Brethren and fathers, hear my defence which I now make to you! And hearing that he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence, and he says, I am a Jew, born indeed in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, taught at the feet of Gamaliel, according to the strictness of the law of the fathers, being zealous for God, as ye all are this day. And I persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness and all the eldership, from whom, moreover, I received letters to the brethren, and was journeying to Damascus, to bring also those who were there bound to Jerusalem, that they might be punished. And it came to pass that as I journeyed, and came near to Damascus, about midday, there suddenly flashed around me a great light out of heaven, and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutist thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus, the Nazarene, whom thou persecutist, and they who were with me beheld indeed the light, and were afraid, but the voice of him who spoke to me they heard not. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise and go into Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which it has appointed thee to do. And as I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those who were with me, I came into Damascus, and one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report from all the Jews who dwelt there, came to me, and standing by me said to me, Brother Saul, receive sight, and I in that very hour looked up upon him, and he said, The God of our fathers appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just one, and to hear a voice out of his mouth, for thou shalt be a witness for him to all men of what thou hast seen and didst hear. And now, why, terriest thou, Arise, be immersed and wash away thy sins, calling on his name? And it came to pass when I had returned to Jerusalem, and as I was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance, and saw him saying to me, Make haste and go forth quickly out of Jerusalem, for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they well know that I am prisoned and beat in every synagogue those who believe on thee, and when the blood of thy witness Stephen was shed, then I myself was standing by and consenting and keeping the garments of those who slew him. And he said to me, Depart, for I will send thee far hence to the Gentiles. And they heard him unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a one from the earth, for it was not fit that he should live. And as they were crying out and throwing up their garments, and casting dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what charge they were thus crying out against him. And as they stretched him forth with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman and uncondemned? The centurion hearing it, he went and told the chief captain, saying, What art thou about to do? For this man is a Roman. And the chief captain came and said to him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yes. And the chief captain answered, For a great sum I obtained this freedom. And Paul said, But I was born free. Immediately therefore they departed from him who were about to examine him, and the chief captain also was afraid after he knew that he was a Roman and because he had bound him. On the morrow wishing to know the certainty, wherefore he was accused by the Jews, he released him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. Chapter 23 And Paul earnestly beholding the council said, Men, brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God unto this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, God will smite thee thou white at wall, and dost thou sit to judge me according to the law and command me to be smitten contrary to law? And they that stood by said, Revilist thou God's high priest? And Paul said, I knew not, brethren, that he is high priest, for it is written thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people. And Paul, knowing that the one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, cried out in the council, Men, brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, for the hope of the resurrection of the dead I am now judged. And when he had said this there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the multitude was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but Pharisees acknowledge both. And there arose a great clamour, and the scribes of the party of the Pharisees arose, and contended, saying, We find no evil in this man, but if a spirit spoke to him, or an angel, and a great dissension arising, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiery to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good courage, for as thou didst fully testify the things concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou testify also at Rome. And when it was day the Jews banded together and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty who made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and the elders, and said, We bound ourselves under a great curse, to taste nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore do ye with a counsel signify to the chief captain that he bring him down to you, as though ye would ascertain more exactly the matters concerning him, and we, before he comes near, are ready to kill him. And the son of Paul's sister, hearing of their lying in weight, went and entered into the castle and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, Bring this young man to the chief captain, for he has something to tell him. So he took him and brought him to the chief captain and said, Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to thee, as he has something to say to thee. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went aside privately and asked, What is it thou hast to tell me? And he said, The Jews agreed to desire thee that thou wouldst bring down Paul tomorrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat more exactly concerning him. But do not thou yield to them, for of them more than forty men are lying in weight for him who bound themselves with an oath neither to eat nor to drink till they have killed him, and now they are ready, looking for the promise from thee. The chief captain therefore dismissed the young man, having charged him to say to no one that thou didst show these things to me. And calling to him two or three of the centurions, he said, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea and seventy horsemen, two hundred spearmen at the third hour of the night, and let them provide beasts that they may set Paul thereon and bring him safe to Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this manner, Claudius Lyceus to the most excellent Governor Felix sends greeting. This man was taken by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, but I came upon them with the soldiery and rescued him, having learned that he is a Roman. And wishing to know the crime for which they were accusing him, I brought him down into their council, whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law, but having nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And being informed that a plot was about to be laid against the man, I sent straightway to thee, having also commanded the accusers to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. The soldiers therefore, as was commanded then, took up Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. But on the morrow, leaving the horsemen to go with him, they returned to the castle, who, when they had entered into Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And having read it, he asked of what province he was, and learning that he was from Cilicia, he said, I will hear thee fully when thy accusers are also come, and he commanded him to be kept in the Praetorium of Herod. Chapter 24 And after five days the High Priest Ananias came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul, and he, having been called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done for this nation through thy providence in every way and everywhere, we accept it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. But not to hinder thee too long, I pray thee that thou wouldst hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man to be a pest, and exciting disturbance among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, who also attempted to profane the temple whom we took and desired to judge according to our law. But Lyceus, the chief captain, came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come before thee, from whom thou canst thyself ascertain by examination concerning all these things whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also joined in assailing him, saying that these things were so. Then Paul, the governor, having beckoned to him to speak, answered, Knowing that thou hast been for many years a judge for this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. Inasmuch as thou mayest know that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship, and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with anyone, or causing a tumult of the people, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city, nor can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I acknowledge to thee, that according to the way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets, having a hope toward God, which these themselves also look for, that there will be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. Therefore do I also myself strive to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and men. And after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings, amidst which they found me purified in the temple, not with a crowd nor with tumult, but certain Jews from Asia caused it, who ought to be here before thee and make accusation if they had ought against me, or let these themselves say what crime they found in me while I stood before the council, except for this one voice that I cried, standing among them, concerning the resurrection of the dead I am judged by you this day. And Felix put them off, knowing the things concerning the way more accurately, saying, When lysius the chief captain shall come down, I will fully inquire into your matters. And he commanded the centurion that he should be guarded and should have indulgence, and to forbid none of his acquaintance to minister to him. And after certain days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewish, and sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and the judgment to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season. I will call for thee. He hoped also that money would be given him by Paul, wherefore he sent for him the oftener and conversed with him. But after two years Felix was succeeded by Porceus Festus, and Felix, wishing to gain favour with the Jews, left Paul bound. The end of chapters 21 through 24 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles from the American Bible Union's New Testament. Recording by Mark Penfold. Chapters 25 through 28 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles from the American Bible Union's New Testament. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Mark Penfold. Chapters 25 through 28 of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. Chapter 25 Festus, therefore, having come into the province, after three days went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, and the High Priest and the Chief of the Jews informed him against Paul and besought him, asking for themselves a favour against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem, preparing an ambush to slay him on the way. But Festus answered that Paul was to be kept a prisoner at Caesarea, and that he himself should soon go thither. Let them, therefore, said he, who are powerful among you, go down with me and accuse this man, if there is any wickedness in him. And having terried among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea, and on the morrow, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought, and when he was come the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around, bringing many and grievous charges which they could not prove, while Paul said in defence, neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, did I commit any offence. But Festus, wishing to gain favour with the Jews, answered Paul and said, Will thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged concerning these things before me? And Paul said, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To Jews I did no wrong, as thou also very well knowest. If then I am an offender, and have done anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die. But if there be none of the things whereof these accuse me, no man can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered, Thou hast appealed to Caesar, to Caesar thou shalt go. And after certain days a grip of a king and Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus, and as they were spending some days there Festus laid the case of Paul before the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix, about whom when I was at Jerusalem the chief priests and the elders of the Jews made complaint, asking for judgment against him. To whom I answered, It is not a custom for Romans to give up any man before the accused has the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. When therefore they had come together here, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth, and standing up around him the accusers brought no accusation of such things as I supposed, but had certain controversies with him concerning their own religion, and concerning a certain Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive, and I, being perplexed in regard to the dispute about these things, asked whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning them, but Paul having appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept until I shall send him up to Caesar, and Agrippa said to Festus, I would also hear the man myself, to morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. On the morrow therefore Agrippa and Bernese having come with great pomp, and entered into the palace of hearing, with the chief captains and principal men of the city, at Festus' command Paul was brought forth, and Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with us, ye see this man about whom all the multitude of the Jews interceded with me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he ought not to live any longer, but having found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and he himself having appealed to Augustus, I determined to send him, of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord, wherefore I brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, King Agrippa, in order that the examination having been made, I may have something to write, for it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not also signify the charges against him. 26 And Agrippa said to Paul, thou art permitted to speak for thyself, then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself, 27 I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself before thee this day, concerning all things whereof I am accused by Jews, especially since thou art expert in all the customs and questions among Jews, wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life, therefore, from my youth, which was from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all Jews know, having known me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to the fathers, unto which our twelve tribes, earnestly serving day and night, hope to attain, concerning which hope, O King, I am accused by Jews. Why is it judged incredible with you if God raises the dead? I therefore thought to myself that I ought to do many hostile things against the name of Jesus the Nazarene, which I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints that I myself shut up in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests. And when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them, and punishing them often, throughout all the synagogues, I constrained them to blaspheme, and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them also unto foreign cities, whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests. At midday, O King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And we all, having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutist thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutist, but arise and stand upon thy feet, for I appeared to thee for this purpose to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou sawest, and of the things in which I will appear to thee, delivering thee from the people and the Gentiles to whom I send thee, to open their eyes that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may obtain forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among the sanctified by faith in me. Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and unto all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, I announced that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance. For these causes the Jews, seizing me in the temple, attempted to kill me. Having therefore obtained help from God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both too small and great, saying nothing except those things which the prophets and Moses said should come, whether the Christ should suffer, whether he, the first of the resurrection from the dead, shall show light to the people and to the Gentiles. And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art mad, much learning makes thee mad. But he said, I am not mad most noble Festus, but utter words of truth and soberness, for the king knows well concerning these things, to whom also I speak boldly, for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. And Agrippa said to Paul, with little pains thou persuadest me to become a Christian. And Paul said, I could pray that with little or much not only thou, but also all that hear me this day may become such as I am, except these bonds. And the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with them, and having withdrawn they talked together, saying, this man does nothing worthy of death or of bonds. And Agrippa said to Festus, this man could have been set at liberty if he had not appealed to Caesar. CHAPTER 27 And when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius of the Augustan band. And entering into a ship of Adrimetium, about to sail along the coasts of Asia, we put to sea, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us. And on the second day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul humanely, and permitted him to go to his friends and receive their care. And then, having put to sea, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And having sailed over the sea along Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing to Italy, and he put us on board of it. And sailing slowly many days, and having come with difficulty over against Nidus, the wind not suffering us to put in, we sailed under Crete over against Salmone, and coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near to which was the city Lhasa. And much time having been spent, and the voyage being now dangerous, because also the fast had already passed by, Paul exhorted them, saying, Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with violence and much loss, not only of the lading and the ship, but also of our lives. But the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship more than the things spoken by Paul. And as the Haven was not well situated for wintering, the greater number advised to sail vents also, if by any means they might reach Phoenix, a Haven of Crete, looking toward the southwest and northwest, and their winter. And a south wind beginning to blow moderately, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they wade anchor and coasted along close by Crete. But not long after, there struck against it a tempestuous wind, called Euryclion. And the ship being caught and unable to face the wind, we yielded to it and were driven along. And running under a certain small island called Clota, we were hardly able to come by the boat, which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship, and fearing lest they should be cast away on the quicksand, they lowered the sail, and so were driven. And we, being violently tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship, and the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship, and neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no small tempest lying on us, thenceforward all hope that we should be saved was utterly taken away. But after much abstinence, then Paul, standing up in the midst of them, said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened to me, and not put to sea from Crete, and so have escaped this violence and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul, thou must stand before Caesar, and lo, God has given thee all those who sail with thee. Be of good cheer, for I believe God that it will be even so, as it has been told me. But we must be cast away upon a certain island. And when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven onward in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the seamen suspected that they were near to some country, and sounding they found twenty fathoms, and having gone a little further they sounded again and found fifteen fathoms. Then fearing lest we should fall upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for day. And as the seamen were seeking to flee out of the ship, and had let down the boat into the sea, under color, as if they were about to extend anchors out of the four ship, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship ye cannot be saved. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let it fall off. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take food, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have waited and continued fasting, having taken nothing. Wherefore I pray you to take food, for this is for your safety, for there shall not a hair fall from the head of one of you. And having thus spoken, he took bread and gave thanks to God in presence of them all, and having broken it he began to eat. Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took food. And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls, and when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting out the grain into the sea. And when it was day they knew not the land, but they perceived a certain creek, having a beach on which they determined, if they were able, to drive the ship ashore. And cutting the anchors entirely away, they abandoned them to the sea, at the same time unfastening the bands of the rudders. And hoisting the foresail to the wind, they made toward the beach. And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground, and the prow sticking fast remained immovable, but the stern was broken by the violence of the waves. And it was the plan of the soldiers that they should kill the prisoners, lest any one should swim out and escape. But the centurion wishing to save Paul kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should cast themselves first into the sea and get to land, and the rest some on boards and others on some of the pieces from the ship, and so it came to pass that all escaped safe to land. CHAPTER XXVIII And having escaped, they then learned that the island is called Melita, and the barbarians showed us no little kindness, for they kindled a fire and received us all, because of the present rain and because of the cold. And Paul, having gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, there came out a viper from the heat and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the animal hanging from his hand, they set among themselves—no doubt this man is a murderer, whom though escaped from the sea, justice suffered not to live. He, however, shaking off the animal into the fire, suffered no harm, but they were expecting that he would become inflamed or suddenly fall down dead, but after looking a great while and seeing no harm befall him, they changed their minds and said that he was a God. In the region around that place there were lands of the chief man of the island whose name was Publius, who received and entertained us kindly three days. Now it happened that the father of Publius was lying sick with a fever and a bloody flux, to whom Paul entered in, and having prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him. And this having been done, the others also, who had diseases in the island, came and were healed, who also honoured us with many honours, and when we put to sea they loaded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months we put to sea in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was Castor and Pollux, and landing at Syracuse we remained three days, and from thence making a circuit we came to Regium, and after one day a south wind arose and we came on the second day to Putiolae, where we found brethren and were entreated to remain with them seven days, and so we went toward Rome. And from thence the brethren, having heard of us, came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and the three taverns, whom when Paul saw he gave thanks to God and took courage. And when we came to Rome the centurion delivered the prisoners to the commander of the camp, but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him, and it came to pass that after three days Paul called together those who were the chief men of the Jews, and when they were come together he said to them, Men, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, who when they had examined me, wished to release me because there was no cause of death in me. But as the Jews spoke against it I was compelled to appeal to Caesar not that I have anything to charge against my nation, for this cause therefore I called for you, to see and to speak with you, for on account of the hope of Israel I am compassed with this chain. And they said to him, We neither received letters from Judea concerning thee, nor did any one of the brethren that came report or speak any evil concerning thee, but we desire to hear from thee what thou thinkest, for concerning this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against. And having appointed a day for him they came to him in greater numbers to his lodging, to whom he expounded, testifying fully the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things spoken, and some believed not. And disagreeing among themselves they departed after Paul had spoken one word. Well did the Holy Spirit speak through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, Go to this people and say, With the hearing ye will hear and will not understand, and seeing ye will see and will not perceive, for the heart of this people has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest happily they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I shall heal them. Be it known to you therefore that to the Gentiles the salvation of God was sent. They moreover will hear. And Paul remained two whole years in his own hired house, and gladly received all that came into him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no one hindering him. The end of chapters 25 through 28, and the end of the book of the Acts of the Apostles from the American Bible Union's New Testament. Recording by Mark Penfold. Chapters 1 through 5 of the letter of Paul to the Romans from the American Bible Union's New Testament. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Mark Penfold. Chapters 1 through 5 of the letter of Paul to the Romans. CHAPTER 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, set apart unto the gospel of God, which he before announced through his prophets in the holy scriptures concerning his son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, who was declared to be the son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations for his namesake, among whom are ye also called of Jesus Christ, to all the beloved of God that are in Rome, called to be saints, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all that your faith is spoken of in all the world, for God is my witness whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his son, how without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if happily now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you, for I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to the end ye may be established, that is, to be comforted together among you by each other's faith, both yours and mine. Now I would not have you ignorant brethren that oftentimes I purposed to come to you, but was hindered hitherto, that I might have some fruit among you also as among the rest of the Gentiles, I am dutter both to Greeks and Barbarians, both to wise and unwise. So as far as lies in me I am ready to preach the good news to you also who are at Rome, for I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, for therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth and unrighteousness, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God manifested it to them. For, from the creation of the world, his invisible things are clearly seen, being perceived by the things that are made, even his eternal power in Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Because knowing God they glorified him not as God, nor gave thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible men, and to birds and forfeited beasts and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up to vile passions, for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature, and in like manner the men also, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was meat. And as they did not choose to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind to do those things which are not becoming, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, whisperers, slanderers, haters of God, overbearing, proud, boasters, divisors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who, knowing the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but have pleasure in those who do them. Chapter 2 Wherefore thou art without excuse, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest, for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself, for thou that judgest doest the same things. Now we know that the judgment of God is according to truth upon those who commit such things, and reckonest thou this, O man, that judgest those who do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God, or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God is leading thee to repentance, and after thy hardness and impenitent heart art treasuring up for thyself wrath in the day of wrath, and of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to every man according to his deeds to those who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality eternal life, but to those who are contentious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and distress upon every soul of man that works evil of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to every man that works good to the Jew first and also to the Greek, for there is no respect of persons with God, for as many as sinned without law shall also perish without law, and as many as sinned with law shall be judged by law, for not the hearers of law are just before God, but the doers of law shall be justified, for when Gentiles who have no law do by nature the things required by law, these having no law are a law to themselves, who show the work of law written in their hearts, their conscience witnessing their with and their thoughts alternately accusing or also excusing, in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel, but if thou art called a Jew and restest upon law and makest thy boast in God and knowest his will and approvest the things that are more excellent being instructed out of the law and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law, thou then that teachest another dost thou not teach thyself, thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal, thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery, thou that a poorest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege, thou that makest thy boast in law through the transgression of the law dishonorous thou God, for the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written. For circumcision indeed profits if thou keep the law, but if thou art a transgressor of law, thy circumcision has become uncircumcision. If then the uncircumcision keep the requirements of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision, and shall not the uncircumcision that is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge thee who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of law, for he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. Chapter 3 What then is the advantage of the Jew, or what is the benefit of circumcision, much every way, first indeed that they were entrusted with the oracles of God? For what if some did not believe, shall their unbelief make void the faithfulness of God? Far be it! Yea, let God be true, and every man a liar, as it is written, that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who takes vengeance? I speak as a man. Far be it! For then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God through my lie abounded unto his glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, let us do evil that good may come, whose judgment is just? What then, are we better? No, in no wise, for we before charged that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one, there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God, they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, there is not so much as one, their throat is an open sepulcher, with their tongues they have used deceit, the poison of asps is under their lips, whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness, their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their ways, and the way of peace they have not known, there is no fear of God before their eyes. Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God, because by works of law, no flesh shall be justified in his sight, for by law is the knowledge of sin. But now, apart from law, a righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, a righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe, for there is no difference for all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation through faith by his blood, for the exhibition of his righteousness, because of the passing over of the sins before committed in the forbearance of God, for the exhibition of his righteousness in this present time that he may be just and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus. Where then is the boasting? It is excluded, by what kind of law? Of works? Nay, but by the law of faith. Therefore we reckon that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. Is he the God of Jews only? Is he not also of Gentiles? Yes, of Gentiles also, seeing that God is one who will justify the circumcision by faith and the uncircumcision through the faith. Do we then make void law through the faith? Far be it! Yay, we establish law! Chapter 4 What then shall we say that Abraham our father found as pertaining to the flesh, for if Abraham was justified by works he has ground of boasting, but not before God, for what says the scripture, and Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Now to him that works, the reward is not reckoned as of grace, but as a debt, but to him that works not, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness, as also David speaks of the happiness of the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works, happy they whose iniquities were forgiven and whose sins were covered, happy the man to whom the Lord will not reckon sin. Comes this happiness then on the circumcision or also on the uncircumcision, for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it reckoned, when he was in circumcision or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision, and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while in uncircumcision, that he might be Father of all that believe while in uncircumcision, that the righteousness might be reckoned to them also, and Father of circumcision to those who are not only of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our Father Abraham, which he had while in uncircumcision. For not through law was the promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world, but through the righteousness of faith, for if they that are of law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect, for the law works wrath, for where there is no law, neither is there transgression. For this cause it is of faith that it may be by grace, in order that the promise may be sure to all the seed, not to that only witches of the law, but to that also witches of the faith of Abraham, who is Father of us all. As it is written, a father of many nations have I made thee, before God whom he believed, who quickens the dead and calls the things that are not as though they were, who against hope believed in hope, that he should become Father of many nations according to that which was spoken, so shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body already dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb. And in respect to the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what he has promised he is able also to perform, wherefore also it was reckoned to him for righteousness. And it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned to him, but for ours also, to whom it shall be reckoned, if we believe on him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up for our offenses, and was raised for our justification. Chapter 5 Being justified therefore by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we obtain the access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in afflictions also, knowing that affliction works patience, and patience, approval, and approval hope, and hope makes not ashamed, because the love of God has been poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given to us. For when we were yet without strength, in due season Christ died for the ungodly, for scarcely for a righteous man will one die, though for the good man perhaps someone does even dare to die. But God commends his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from the wrath through him, for if, being enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more being reconciled shall we be saved by his life, and not only so, but also rejoicing in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all sinned, for until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed where there is no law, but yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who sinned, not after the likeness of Adam's transgression, who is a type of him who was to come. But not as the trespass, so also is the free gift, for if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ, abound to the many. And not as through one that sinned is the gift, for the judgment came of one unto condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses unto justification, for if by the trespass of the one death reigned through the one, much more they who receive the abundance of the grace, and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ. So then, as through one trespass it came upon all men unto condemnation, so also through one righteous act it came upon all men unto justification of life, for as through the disobedience of the one man the many were constituted sinners, so also through the obedience of the one will the many be constituted righteous. Moreover the law came in also that the trespass might abound, but where sin abounded grace did much more abound, that as sin reigned in death so also might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The end of chapters one through five of the letter of Paul to the Romans, from the American Bible Union's New Testament. Recording by Mark Penfold.