The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 51: Acts

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10:16. And this was done thrice. And presently the vessel was taken up
into heaven.

10:17. Now, whilst Peter was doubting within himself what the vision
that he had seen should mean, behold the men who were sent from
Cornelius, inquiring for Simon's house, stood at the gate.

10:18. And when they had called, they asked if Simon, who is surnamed
Peter, were lodged there.

10:19. And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the Spirit said to him:
Behold three men seek thee.

10:20. Arise, therefore: get thee down and go with them, doubting
nothing: for I have sent them.

10:21. Then Peter, going down to the men, said: Behold, I am he whom you
seek. What is the cause for which you are come?

10:22. Who said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man and one that feareth
God, and having good testimony from all the nation of the Jews, received
an answer of an holy angel, to send for thee into his house And to hear
words of thee.

10:23. Then bringing them in, he lodged them. And the day following, he
arose and went with them: and some of the brethren from Joppe
accompanied him.

10:24. And the morrow after, he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius
waited for them, having called together his kinsmen and special friends.

10:25. And it came to pass that when Peter was come in, Cornelius came
to meet him and falling at his feet adored.

10:26. But Peter lifted him up, saying: Arise: I myself also am a man.

10:27. And talking with him, he went in and found many that were come
together.

10:28. And he said to them: you know how abominable it is for a man that
is a Jew to keep company or to come unto one of another nation: but God
hath shewed to me, to call no man common or unclean.

10:29. For which cause, making no doubt, I came when I was sent for. I
ask, therefore, for what cause you have sent for me?

10:30. And Cornelius said: Four days ago, unto this hour, I was praying
in my house, at the ninth hour and behold a man stood before me in white
apparel and said:

10:31. Cornelius, thy prayer is heard and thy alms are had in
remembrance in the sight of God.

10:32. Send therefore to Joppe: and call hither Simon, who is surnamed
Peter. He lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.

10:33. Immediately therefore I sent to thee: and thou hast done well in
coming. Now, therefore, all we are present in thy sight to hear all
things whatsoever are commanded thee by the Lord.

10:34. And Peter opening his mouth, said: in very deed I perceive that
God is not a respecter of persons.

10:35. But in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh justice is
acceptable to him.

In every nation, etc... That is to say, not only Jews, but Gentiles
also, of what nation soever, are acceptable to God, if they fear him and
work justice. But then true faith is always to be presupposed, without
which (saith St. Paul, Heb. 11. 6) it is impossible to please God.
Beware then of the error of those, who would infer from this passage,
that men of all religions may be pleasing to God. For since none but the
true religion can be from God, all other religions must be from the
father of lies, and therefore highly displeasing to the God of truth.

10:36. God sent the word to the children of Israel, preaching peace by
Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all).

10:37. You know the word which hath been published through all Judea:
for it began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached.

10:38. Jesus of Nazareth: how God anointed him with the Holy Ghost and
with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were
oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

10:39. And we are witnesses of all things that he did in the land of the
Jews and in Jerusalem: whom they killed, hanging him upon a tree.

10:40. Him God raised up the third day and gave him to be made manifest,

10:41. Not to all the people, but to witnesses preordained by God, even
to us, who did eat and drink with him, after he arose again from the
dead.

10:42. And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that
it is he who was appointed by God to be judge of the living and of the
dead.

10:43. To him all the prophets give testimony, that by his name all
receive remission of sins, who believe in him.

10:44. While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Ghost fell on
all them that heard the word.

10:45. And the faithful of the circumcision, who came with Peter, were
astonished for that the grace of the Holy Ghost was poured out upon the
Gentiles also.

10:46. For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God.

10:47. Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should
not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?

10:48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ. Then they desired him to tarry with them some days.

Acts Chapter 11

Peter defends his having received the Gentiles into the church.

11:1. And the apostles and brethren, who were in Judea, heard that the
Gentiles also had received the word of God.

11:2. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the
circumcision contended with him,

11:3. Saying: Why didst thou go in to men uncircumcised and didst eat
with them?

11:4. But Peter began and declared to them the matter in order, saying:

11:5. I was in the city of Joppe praying: and I saw in an ecstasy of
mind a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let
down from heaven by four corners. And it came even unto me.

11:6. Into which looking, I considered and saw fourfooted creatures of
the earth and beasts and creeping things and fowls of the air.

11:7. And I heard also a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter. Kill and eat.

11:8. And I said: Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever
entered into my mouth.

11:9. And the voice answered again from heaven: What God hath made
clean, do not thou call common.

11:10. And this was done three times. And all were taken up again into
heaven.

11:11. And behold, immediately there were three men come to the house
wherein I was, sent to me from Caesarea.

11:12. And the Spirit said to me that I should go with them, nothing
doubting. And these six brethren went with me also: and we entered into
the man's house.

11:13. And he told us how he had seen an angel in his house, standing
and saying to him: Send to Joppe and call hither Simon, who is surnamed
Peter,

11:14. Who shall speak to thee words whereby thou shalt be saved, and
all thy house.

11:15. And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Ghost fell upon them, as
upon us also in the beginning.

11:16. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said: John
indeed baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy
Ghost.

11:17. If then God gave them the same grace as to us also who believed
in the Lord Jesus Christ: who was I, that could withstand God?

11:18. Having heard these things, they held their peace and glorified
God, saying: God then hath also to the Gentiles given repentance, unto
life.

11:19. Now they who had been dispersed by the persecution that arose on
occasion of Stephen went about as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch,
speaking the word to none, but to the Jews only.

11:20. But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they
were entered into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, preaching the Lord
Jesus.

11:21. And the hand of he Lord was with them: and a great number
believing, were converted to the Lord.

11:22. And the tidings came to the ears of the church that was at
Jerusalem, touching these things: and they sent Barnabas as far as
Antioch.

11:23. Who, when he was come and had seen the grace of God, rejoiced.
And he exhorted them all with purpose of heart to continue in the Lord.

11:24. For he was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.
And a great multitude was added to the Lord.

11:25. And Barnabas went to Tarsus to seek Saul: whom, when he had
found, he brought to Antioch.

11:26. And they conversed there in the church a whole year: and they
taught a great multitude, so that at Antioch the disciples were first
named Christians.

11:27. And in these days there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch.

11:28. And one of them named Agabus, rising up, signified by the Spirit
that there should be a great famine over the whole world, which came to
pass under Claudius.

11:29. And the disciples, every man according to his ability, purposed
to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea.

11:30. Which also they did, sending it to the ancients, by the hands of
Barnabas and Saul.

Acts Chapter 12

Herod's persecution. Peter's deliverance by an angel. Herod's
punishment.

12:1. And at the same time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands, to
afflict some of the church.

12:2. And he killed James, the brother of John, With the sword.

12:3. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to take up Peter
also. Now it was in the days of the Azymes.

Azymes... The festival of the unleavened bread, or the pasch, which
answers to our Easter.

12:4. And when he had apprehended him, he cast him into prison,
delivering him to four files of soldiers, to be kept, intending, after
the pasch, to bring him forth to the people.

12:5. Peter therefore was kept in prison. But prayer was made without
ceasing by the church unto God for him.

12:6. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night, Peter
was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the
keepers before the door kept the prison.

12:7. And behold an angel of the Lord stood by him and a light shined in
the room. And he, striking Peter on the side, raised him up, saying:
Arise quickly. And the chains fell off from his hands.

12:8. And the angel said to him: Gird thyself and put on thy sandals.
And he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee and
follow me,

12:9. And going out, he followed him. And he knew not that it was true
which was done by the angel: but thought he saw a vision.

12:10. And passing through the first and the second ward, they came to
the iron gate that leadeth to the city which of itself opened to them.
And going out, they passed on through one street. And immediately the
angel departed from him.

12:11. And Peter coming to himself, said: Now I know in very deed that
the Lord hath sent his angel and hath delivered me out of the hand of
Herod and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.

12:12. And considering, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John,
who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together and praying.

12:13. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to
hearken whose name was Rhode.

12:14. And as soon as she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate
for joy: but running in she told that Peter stood before the gate.

12:15. But they said to her: Thou art mad. But she affirmed that it was
so. Then said they: It is his angel.

12:16. But Peter continued knocking. And when they had opened, they saw
him and were astonished.

12:17. But he, beckoning to them with his hand to hold their peace, told
how the Lord had brought him out of prison. And he said: Tell these
things to James and to the brethren. And going out, he went into another
place.

12:18. Now when day was come, there was no small stir among the
soldiers, what was become of Peter.

12:19. And when Herod had sought for him and found him not, having
examined the keepers, he commanded they should be put to death. And
going down from Judea to Caesarea, he abode there.

12:20. And he was angry with the Tyrians and the Sidonians. But they
with one accord came to him: and, having gained Blastus who was the
king's chamberlain, they desired peace, because their countries were
nourished by him.

12:21. And upon a day appointed, Herod being arrayed in kingly apparel,
sat in the judgment seat and made an oration to them.

12:22. And the people made acclamation, saying: It is the voice of a
god, and not of a man.

12:23. And forthwith an angel of the Lord struck him, because he had not
given the honour to God: and, being eaten up by worms, he gave up the
ghost.

12:24. But the word of the Lord increased and multiplied.

12:25. And Barnabas and Saul, returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled
their ministry, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark.

Acts Chapter 13

Saul and Barnabas are sent forth by the Holy Ghost. They preach in
Cyprus and in Antioch of Pisidia.

13:1. Now there were in the church which was at Antioch prophets and
doctors, among whom was Barnabas and Simon who was called Niger, and
Lucius of Cyrene and Manahen who was the foster brother of Herod the
tetrarch, and Saul.

13:2. And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy
Ghost said to them: Separate me Saul and Barnabas, for the work
whereunto I have taken them.

13:3. Then they fasting and praying and imposing their hands upon them,
sent them away.

13:4. So they, being sent by the Holy Ghost, went to Seleucia: and from
thence they sailed to Cyprus.

13:5. And when they were come to Salamina, they preached the word of God
in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John also in the ministry.

13:6. And when they had gone through the whole island, as far as Paphos,
they found a certain man, a magician, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name
was Bar-Jesu:

13:7. Who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a prudent man. He,
sending for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God.

13:8. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is interpreted) withstood
them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.

13:9. Then Saul, otherwise Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, looking
upon him,

13:10. Said: O full of all guile and of all deceit, child of the devil,
enemy of all justice, thou ceases not to pervert the right ways of the
Lord.

13:11. And now behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee: and thou shalt
be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately there fell a
mist and darkness upon him: and going about, he sought some one to lead
him by the hand.

13:12. Then the proconsul, when he had seen what was done, believed,
admiring at the doctrine of the Lord.

13:13. Now when Paul and they that were with him had sailed from Paphos,
they came to Perge in Pamphylia. And John departing from them, returned
to Jerusalem.

13:14. But they, passing through Perge, came to Antioch in Pisidia: and,
entering into the Synagogue on the sabbath day, they sat down.

13:15. And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of
the synagogue sent to them, saying: Ye men, brethren, if you have any
word of exhortation to make to the people, speak.

13:16. Then Paul rising up and with his hand bespeaking silence, said:
Ye men of Israel and you that fear God, give ear.

13:17. The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers and exalted the
people when they were sojourners in the land of Egypt: And with an high
arm brought them out from thence:

13:18. And for the space of forty years endured their manners in the
desert:

13:19. And, destroying seven nations in the land of Chaanan, divided
their land among them by lot.

13:20. As it were, after four hundred and fifty years. And after these
things, he gave unto them judges, until Samuel the prophet.

13:21. And after that they desired a king: and God gave them Saul the
son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, forty years.

13:22. And when he had removed him, he raised them up David to be king:
to whom giving testimony, he said: I have found David, the son of Jesse,
a man according to my own heart, who shall do all my wills.

13:23. Of this man's seed, God, according to his promise, hath raised up
to Israel a Saviour Jesus:

13:24. John first preaching, before his coming, the baptism of penance
to all the people of Israel.

13:25. And when John was fulfilling his course, he said: I am not he
whom you think me to be. But behold, there cometh one after me, whose
shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

13:26. Men, brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever
among you fear God: to you the word of this salvation is sent.

13:27. For they that inhabited Jerusalem and the rulers thereof, not
knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every
sabbath, judging him, have fulfilled them.

13:28. And finding no cause of death in him, they desired of Pilate that
they might kill him.

13:29. And when they had fulfilled all things that were written of him,
taking him down from the tree, they laid him in a sepulchre.

13:30. But God raised him up from the dead the third day.

13:31. Who was seen for many days by them who came up with him from
Galilee to Jerusalem, who to this present are his witnesses to the
people.

13:32. And we declare unto you that the promise which was made to our
fathers,

13:33. This same God hath fulfilled to our children, raising up Jesus,
as in the second psalm also is written: Thou art my Son: this day have I
begotten thee.

13:34. And to shew that he raised him up from the dead, not to return
now any more to corruption, he said thus: I will give you the holy
things of David, faithful.

I will give you the holy, etc... These are the words of the prophet
Isaias, 55. 3. According to the Septuagint, the sense is: I will
faithfully fulfil the promises I made to David.

13:35. And therefore, in another place also, he saith: Thou shalt not
suffer thy holy one to see corruption.

13:36. For David, when he had served in his generation, according to the
will of God, slept: and was laid unto his fathers and saw corruption.

13:37. But he whom God hath raised from the dead saw no corruption.

13:38. Be it known therefore to you, men, brethren, that through him
forgiveness of sins is preached to you: and from all the things from
which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

13:39. In him every one that believeth is justified.

13:40. Beware, therefore, lest that come upon you which is spoken in the
prophets:

13:41. Behold, ye despisers, and wonder and perish: for I work a work in
your days, a work which you will not believe, if any man shall tell it
you.

13:42. And as they went out, they desired them that on the next sabbath
they would speak unto them these words.

13:43. And when the synagogue was broken up, many of the Jews and of the
strangers who served God followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to
them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

13:44. But the next sabbath day, the whole city almost came together, to
hear the word of God.

13:45. And the Jews, seeing the multitudes, were filled with envy and
contradicted those things which were said by Paul, blaspheming.

13:46. Then Paul and Barnabas said boldly: To you it behoved us first to
speak the word of God: but because you reject it and judge yourselves
unworthy of eternal life, behold we turn to the Gentiles.

13:47. For so the Lord hath commanded us: I have set thee to be the
light of the Gentiles: that thou mayest be for salvation unto the utmost
part of the earth.

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

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

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

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

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

Acts Chapter 14

Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium and Lystra. Paul heals a cripple.
They are taken for gods. Paul is stoned. They preach in Derbe and Perge.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14:10. And when the multitudes had seen what Paul had done, they lifted
up their voice in the Lycaonian tongue, saying: The gods are come down
to us in the likeness of men.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14:23. And passing through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia.

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

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

14:26. And when they were come and had assembled the church, they
related what great things God had done with them and how he had opened
the door of faith to the Gentiles.

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

Acts Chapter 15

A dissension about circumcision. The decision and letter of the council
of Jerusalem.

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

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

15:3. They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed
through Phenice and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles.
And they caused great joy to all the brethren.

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

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

15:6. And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this
matter.

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

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

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

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

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

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