The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 51: Acts
U >>
Unknown >> The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 51: Acts
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 | 5 |
6
Paul passes through Macedonia and Greece. He raises a dead man to life
at Troas. His discourse to the clergy of Ephesus.
20:1. And after the tumult was ceased, Paul calling to him the disciples
and exhorting them, took his leave and set forward to go into Macedonia.
20:2. And when he had gone over those parts and had exhorted them with
many words, he came into Greece:
20:3. Where, when he had spent three months, the Jews laid wait for him,
as he was about to sail into Syria. So he took a resolution to return
through Macedonia.
20:4. And there accompanied him Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, of Berea:
and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus: and Gaius of Derbe
and Timothy: and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
20:5. These, going before, stayed for us at Troas.
20:6. But we sailed from Philippi after the days of the azymes and came
to them to Troas in five days, where we abode seven days.
20:7. And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled to break
bread, Paul discoursed with them, being to depart on the morrow. And he
continued his speech until midnight.
And on the first day of the week... Here St. Chrysostom and many other
interpreters of the scripture explain, that the Christians even at this
time, must have changed the sabbath into the first day of the week, (the
Lord's day,) as all Christians now keep it. This change was undoubtedly
made by the authority of the church; hence the exercise of the power,
which Christ had given to her: for he is Lord of the sabbath.
20:8. And there were a great number of lamps in the upper chamber where
we were assembled.
20:9. And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting on the window,
being oppressed with a deep sleep (as Paul was long preaching), by
occasion of his sleep fell from the third loft down and was taken up
dead.
20:10. To whom, when Paul had gone down, he laid himself upon him and,
embracing him, said: Be not troubled, for his soul is in him.
20:11. Then going up and breaking bread and tasting and having talked a
long time to them, until daylight, so he departed.
20:12. And they brought the youth alive and were not a little comforted.
20:13. But we going aboard the ship, sailed to Assos, being there to
take in Paul. For so he had appointed, himself purposing to travel by
land.
20:14. And when he had met with us at Assos, we took him in and came to
Mitylene.
20:15. And sailing thence, the day following we came over against Chios:
and the next day we arrived at Samos: and the day following we came to
Miletus.
20:16. For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, lest he should be
stayed any time in Asia. For he hasted, if it were possible for him, to
keep the day of Pentecost at Jerusalem.
20:17. And sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he called the ancients of
the church.
20:18. And when they were come to him and were together, he said to
them: You know from the first day that I came into Asia, in what manner
I have been with you, for all the time.
20:19. Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and temptations
which befell me by the conspiracies of the Jews:
20:20. How I have kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have
preached it to you, and taught you publicly, and from house to house,
20:21. Testifying both to Jews and Gentiles penance towards God and
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
20:22. And now, behold, being bound in the spirit, I go to Jerusalem:
not knowing the things which shall befall me there:
20:23. Save that the Holy Ghost in every city witnesseth to me, saying:
That bands and afflictions wait for me at Jerusalem.
20:24. But I fear none of these things, neither do I count my life more
precious than myself, so that I may consummate my course and the
ministry of the word which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify
the gospel of the grace of God.
20:25. And now behold, I know that all you, among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
20:26. Wherefore I take you to witness this day that I am clear from the
blood of all men.
20:27. For I have not spread to declare unto you all, the counsel of
God.
20:28. Take heed to yourselves and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy
Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the Church of God which he hath
purchased with his own blood.
20:29. I know that after my departure ravening wolves will enter in
among you, not sparing the flock.
20:30. And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them.
20:31. Therefore watch, keeping in memory that for three years I ceased
not with tears to admonish every one of you, night and day.
20:32. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, who is
able to build up and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified.
20:33. I have not coveted any man's silver, gold or apparel, as
20:34. You yourselves know. For such things as were needful for me and
them that are with me, these hands have furnished.
20:35. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to
support the weak and to remember the word of the Lord Jesus, how he
said: It is a more blessed thing to give, rather than to receive.
20:36. And when he had said these things, kneeling down, he prayed with
them all.
20:37. And there was much weeping among them all. And falling on the
neck of Paul, they kissed him,
20:38. Being grieved most of all for the word which he had said, that
they should see his face no more. And they brought him on his way to the
ship.
Acts Chapter 21
Paul goes up to Jerusalem. He is apprehended by the Jews in the temple.
21:1. And when it came to pass that, being parted from them, we set
sail, we came with a straight course to Coos, and the day following to
Rhodes: and from thence to Patara.
21:2. And when we had found a ship sailing over to Phenice, we went
aboard and set forth.
21:3. And when we had discovered Cyprus, leaving it on the left hand, we
sailed into Syria, and came to Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade
her burden.
21:4. And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to
Paul, through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
21:5. And the days being expired, departing we went forward, they all
bringing us on our way, with their wives and children, till we were out
of the city. And we kneeled down on the shore: and we prayed.
21:6. And when we had bid one another farewell, we took ship. And they
returned home.
21:7. But we, having finished the voyage by sea, from Tyre came down to
Ptolemais: and saluting the brethren, we abode one day with them.
21:8. And the next day departing, we came to Caesarea. And entering into
the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we abode
with him.
The evangelist... That is, the preacher of the gospel; the same that
before converted the Samaritans, and baptized the eunuch, chap. 8.,
being one of the first seven deacons.
21:9. And he had four daughters, virgins, who did prophesy.
21:10. And as we tarried there for some days, there came from Judea a
certain prophet, named Agabus.
21:11. Who, when he was come to us, took Paul's girdle: and binding his
own feet and hands, he said: Thus saith the Holy Ghost: The man whose
girdle this is, the Jews shall bind in this manner in Jerusalem and
shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
21:12. Which when we had heard, both we and they that were of that place
desired him that he would not go up to Jerusalem.
21:13. Then Paul answered and said: What do you mean, weeping and
afflicting my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but to die
also in Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus.
21:14. And when we could not persuade him, we ceased, saying: The will
of the Lord be done.
21:15. And after those days, being prepared, we went up to Jerusalem.
21:16. And there went also with us some of the disciples from Caesarea,
bringing with them one Mnason a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we
should lodge.
21:17. And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us
gladly.
21:18. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James: and all
the ancients were assembled.
21:19. Whom when he had saluted, he related particularly what things God
had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
21:20. But they hearing it, glorified God and said to him: Thou seest,
brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews that have believed:
and they are all zealous for the law.
21:21. Now they have heard of thee that thou teachest those Jews, who
are among the Gentiles to depart from Moses: saying that they ought not
to circumcise their children, nor walk according to the custom.
21:22. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together: for
they will hear that thou art come.
21:23. Do therefore this that we say to thee. We have four men, who have
a vow on them.
21:24. Take these and sanctify thyself with them: and bestow on them,
that they may shave their heads. And all will know that the things which
they have heard of these are false: but that thou thyself also walkest
keeping the law.
Keeping the law... The law, though now no longer obligatory, was for a
time observed by the Christian Jews: to bury, as it were, the synagogue
with honour.
21:25. But, as touching the Gentiles that believe, we have written,
decreeing that they should only refrain themselves from that which has
been offered to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from
fornication.
21:26. Then Paul took the men and, the next day being purified with
them, entered into the temple, giving notice of the accomplishment of
the days of purification, until an oblation should be offered for every
one of them.
21:27. But when the seven days were drawing to an end, those Jews that
were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people
and laid hands upon him, crying out:
21:28. Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teacheth all men every
where against the people and the law and this place; and moreover hath
brought in Gentiles into the temple and hath violated this holy place.
21:29. (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him.
whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
21:30. And he whole city was in an uproar: and the people ran together.
And taking Paul, they drew him out of the temple: and immediately the
doors were shut.
21:31. And as they went about to kill him, it was told the tribune of
the band that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
21:32. Who, forthwith taking with him soldiers and centurions, ran down
to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they left off
beating Paul.
21:33. Then the tribune, coming near, took him and commanded him to be
bound with two chains: and demanded who he was and what he had done.
21:34. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude. And
when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to
be carried into the castle.
21:35. And when he was come to the stairs, it fell out that he was
carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people.
21:36. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying: Away with
him!
21:37. And as Paul was about to be brought into the castle, he saith to
the tribune: May I speak something to thee? Who said: Canst thou speak
Greek?
21:38. Art not thou that Egyptian who before these days didst raise a
tumult and didst lead forth into the desert four thousand men that were
murderers?
21:39. But Paul said to him: I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen
of no mean city. And I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the people.
21:40. And when he had given him leave, Paul standing on the stairs,
beckoned with his hand to the people. And a great silence being made, he
spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying:
Acts Chapter 22
Paul declares to the people the history of his conversion. He escapes
scourging by claiming the privilege of a Roman citizen.
22:1. Men, brethren and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give
unto you.
22:2. (And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew tongue,
they kept the more silence.)
22:3. And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought
up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth
of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this
day:
22:4. Who persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering into
prisons both men and women,
22:5. As the high priest doth bear me witness and all the ancients. From
whom also receiving letters to the brethren, I went to Damascus, that I
might bring them bound from thence to Jerusalem to be punished.
22:6. And it came to pass, as I was going and drawing nigh to Damascus,
at mid-day, that suddenly from heaven there shone round about me a great
light:
22:7. And falling on the ground, I heard a voice saying to me: Saul,
Saul, why persecutest thou me?
22:8. And I answered: Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me: I am Jesus
of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
22:9. And they that were with me saw indeed the light: but they heard
not the voice of him that spoke with me.
Heard not the voice... That is, they distinguished not the words; though
they heard the voice. Acts 9. 7.
22:10. And I said: What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me: Arise
and go to Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things that
thou must do.
22:11. And whereas I did not see for the brightness of that light, being
led by the hand by my companions, I came to Damascus,
22:12. And one Ananias, a man according to the law, having testimony of
all the Jews who dwelt there,
22:13. Coming to me and standing by me, said to me: Brother Saul, look
up. And I, the same hour, looked upon him.
22:14. But he said: The God of our fathers hath preordained thee that
thou shouldst know his will and see the Just One and shouldst hear the
voice from his mouth.
Just One... Our Saviour, who appeared to St. Paul, Acts 9. 17.
22:15. For thou shalt be his witness to all men of those things which
thou hast seen and heard.
22:16. And now why tarriest thou? Rise up and be baptized and wash away
thy sins, invoking his name.
22:17. And it came to pass, when I was come again to Jerusalem and was
praying in the temple, that I was in a trance,
22:18. And saw him saying unto me: Make haste and get thee quickly out
of Jerusalem: because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
22:19. And I said: Lord, they know that I cast into prison and beat in
every synagogue them that believed in thee.
22:20. And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I stood by
and consented: and kept the garments of them that killed him.
22:21. And he said to me: Go, for unto the Gentiles afar off will I send
thee.
22:22. And they heard him until this word and then lifted up their
voice, saying: Away with such an one from the earth. For it is not fit
that he should live.
22:23. And as they cried out and threw off their garments and cast dust
into the air,
22:24. The tribune commanded him to be brought into the castle, and that
he should be scourged and tortured: to know for what cause they did so
cry out against him.
22:25. And when they had bound him with thongs, Paul saith to the
centurion that stood by him: Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that
is a Roman and uncondemned?
22:26. Which the centurion hearing, went to the tribune and told him,
saying: What art thou about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.
22:27. And the tribune coming, said to him: Tell me. Art thou a Roman?
But he said: Yea.
22:28. And the tribune answered: I obtained the being free of this city
with a great sum. And Paul said: But I was born so.
22:29. Immediately therefore they departed from him that were about to
torture him. The tribune also was afraid after he understood that he was
a Roman citizen and because he had bound him.
22:30. But on the next day, meaning to know more diligently for what
cause he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him and commanded the
priests to come together and all the council: and, bringing forth Paul,
he set him before them.
Acts Chapter 23
Paul stands before the council. The Jews conspire his death. He is sent
away to Cesarea.
23:1. And Paul, looking upon the council, said: Men, brethren, I have
conversed with all good conscience before God until this present day.
23:2. And the high priest, Ananias, commanded them that stood by him to
strike him on the mouth.
23:3. Then Paul said to him: God shall strike thee, thou whited wall.
For, sittest thou to judge me according to the law and, contrary to the
law, commandest me to be struck?
23:4. And they that stood by said: Dost thou revile the high priest of
God?
23:5. And Paul said: I knew not, brethren, that he is the high priest.
For it is written: Thou shalt not speak evil of the prince of thy
people.
23:6. 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 Pharisees: concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am
called in question.
23:7. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the
Pharisees and the Sadducees. And the multitude was divided.
23:8. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither
angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
23:9. And there arose a great cry. And some of the Pharisees rising up,
strove, saying: We find no evil in this man. What if a spirit hath
spoken to him, or an angel?
23:10. And when there arose a great dissension, the tribune, fearing
lest Paul should be pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to
go down and to take him by force from among them and to bring him into
the castle.
23:11. And the night following, the Lord standing by him, said: Be
constant: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou
bear witness also at Rome.
23:12. And when day was come, some of the Jews gathered together and
bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor
drink till they killed Paul.
23:13. And they were more than forty men that had made this conspiracy.
23:14. Who came to the chief priests and the ancients and said: We have
bound ourselves under a great curse that we will eat nothing till we
have slain Paul.
23:15. Now therefore do you with the council signify to the tribune,
that he bring him forth to you, as if you meant to know something more
certain touching him. And we, before he come near, are ready to kill
him.
23:16. Which when Paul's sister's son had heard, of their lying in wait,
he came and entered into the castle and told Paul.
23:17. And Paul, calling to him one of the centurions, said: Bring this
young man to the tribune: for he hath some thing to tell him.
23:18. And he, taking him, brought him to the tribune and said: Paul,
the prisoner, desired me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath
some thing to say to thee.
23:19. And the tribune, taking him by the hand, went aside with him
privately and asked him: What is it that thou hast to tell me?
23:20. And he said: The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou
wouldst bring forth Paul to-morrow into the council, as if they meant to
inquire some thing more certain touching him.
23:21. But do not thou give credit to them: for there lie in wait for
him more than forty men of them, who have bound themselves by oath
neither to eat nor to drink, till they have killed him. And they are
now ready, looking for a promise from thee.
23:22. The tribune therefore dismissed the young man, charging him that
he should tell no man that he had made known these things unto him.
23:23. Then having called two centurions, he said to them: Make ready
two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea: and seventy horsemen and
two hundred spearmen, for the third hour of the night.
23:24. And provide beasts, that they may set Paul on and bring him safe
to Felix the governor.
23:25. (For he feared lest perhaps the Jews might take him away by force
and kill him: and he should afterwards be slandered, as if he was to
take money.) And he wrote a letter after this manner:
23:26. Claudius Lysias to the most excellent governor, Felix, greeting:
23:27. This man, being taken by the Jews and ready to be killed by them,
I rescued, coming in with an army, understanding that he is a Roman.
23:28. And meaning to know the cause which they objected unto him, I
brought him forth into their council.
23:29. Whom I found to be accused concerning questions of their law; but
having nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bands.
23:30. And when I was told of ambushes that they had prepared for him, I
sent him to thee, signifying also to his accusers to plead before thee.
Farewell.
23:31. Then the soldiers, according as it was commanded them, taking
Paul, brought him by night to Antipatris.
23:32. And the next day, leaving the horsemen to go with him, they
returned to the castle.
23:33. Who, when they were come to Caesarea and had delivered the letter
to the governor, did also present Paul before him.
23:34. And when he had read it and had asked of what province he was and
understood that he was of Cilicia:
23:35. I will hear thee, said he, when thy accusers come. And he
commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
Acts Chapter 24
Paul defends his innocence before Felix the governor. He preaches the
faith to him.
24:1. And after five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with some
ancients and one Tertullus, an orator, who went to the governor against
Paul.
24:2. And Paul being called for, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
Whereas, through thee we live in much peace and many things are
rectified by thy providence,
24:3. We accept it always and in all places, most excellent Felix, with
all thanksgiving.
24:4. But that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy
clemency to hear us in a few words.
24:5. We have found this to be a pestilent man and raising seditions
among all the Jews throughout the world: and author of the sedition of
the sect of the Nazarenes.
24:6. Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom, we having
apprehended, would also have judged according to our law.
24:7. But Lysias the tribune, coming upon us with great violence, took
him away out of our hands;
24:8. Commanding his accusers to come to thee. Of whom thou mayest
thyself, by examination, have knowledge of all these things whereof we
accuse him.
24:9. And the Jews also added and said that these things were so.
24:10. Then Paul answered (the governor making a sign to him to speak):
Knowing that for many years thou hast been judge over this nation, I
will with good courage answer for myself.
24:11. For thou mayest understand that there are yet but twelve days
since I went up to adore in Jerusalem:
24:12. And neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man
or causing any concourse of the people: neither in the synagogues, nor
in the city.
24:13. Neither can they prove unto thee the things whereof they now
accuse me.
24:14. But this I confess to thee that according to the way which they
call a heresy, so do I serve the Father and my God, believing all things
which are written in the law and the prophets:
24:15. Having hope in God, which these also themselves look for, that
there shall be a resurrection of the just and unjust.
24:16. And herein do I endeavour to have always a conscience without
offence, towards God and towards men.
24:17. Now after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation and
offerings and vows.
24:18. In which I was found purified in the temple: neither with
multitude nor with tumult.
24:19. But certain Jews of Asia, who ought to be present before thee and
to accuse, if they had anything against me:
24:20. Or let these men themselves say if they found in me any iniquity,
when standing before the council,
24:21. Except it be for this one voice only that I cried, standing among
them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead am I judged this day by
you.
24:22. And Felix put them off, having most certain knowledge of this
way, saying: When Lysias the tribune shall come down, I will hear you.
24:23. And he commanded a centurion to keep him: and that he should be
easy and that he should not prohibit any of his friends to minister unto
him.
24:24. And after some days, Felix, coming with Drusilla his wife, who
was a Jew, sent for Paul and heard of him the faith that is in Christ
Jesus.
24:25. And as he treated of justice and chastity and of the judgment to
come, Felix, being terrified, answered: For this time, go thy way: but
when I have a convenient time, I will send for thee.
24:26. Hoping also withal that money should be given him by Paul: for
which cause also oftentimes sending for him, he spoke with him.
24:27. But when two years were ended, Felix had for successor Portius
Festus. And Felix being willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul
bound.
Pages:
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 | 5 |
6