The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 51: Acts

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Acts Chapter 25

Paul appeals to Caesar. King Agrippa desires to hear him.

25:1. Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days, he
went up to Jerusalem from Cesarea.

25:2. And the chief priests and principal men of the Jews went unto him
against Paul: and they besought him,

25:3. Requesting favour against him, that he would command him to be
brought to Jerusalem, laying wait to kill him in the way.

25:4. But Festus answered: That Paul was kept in Caesarea: and that he
himself would very shortly depart thither.

25:5. Let them, therefore, saith he, among you that are able, go down
with me and accuse him, if there be any crime in the man.

25:6. And having tarried among them no more than eight or ten days, he
went down to Caesarea. And the next day, he sat in the judgment seat and
commanded Paul to be brought.

25:7. Who being brought, the Jews stood about him, who were come down
from Jerusalem, objecting many and grievious causes, which they could
not prove:

25:8. Paul making answer for himself: Neither against the law of the
Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I offended in any
thing.

25:9. But Festus, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, answering Paul,
said: Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things
before me?

25:10. Then Paul said: I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought
to be judged. To the Jews I have done no injury, as thou very well
knowest.

25:11. For if I have injured them or have committed any thing worthy of
death, I refuse not to die. But if there be none of these things whereof
they accuse me, no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

25:12. Then Festus, having conferred with the council, answered: Hast
thou appealed to Caesar? To Caesar shalt thou go.

25:13. And after some days, king Agrippa and Bernice came down to
Caesarea, to salute Festus.

25:14. And as they tarried there many days, Festus told the king of
Paul, saying: A certain man was left prisoner by Felix.

25:15. About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
ancients of the Jews came unto me, desiring condemnation against him.

25:16. To whom I answered: it is not the custom of the Romans to condemn
any man, before that he who is accused have his accusers present and
have liberty to make his answer, to clear himself of the things laid to
his charge.

25:17. When therefore they were come hither, without any delay, on the
day following, sitting in the judgment seat, I commanded the man to be
brought.

25:18. Against whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no
accusation of this which I thought ill of:

25:19. But had certain questions of their own superstition against him,
and of one Jesus deceased, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

25:20. I therefore being in a doubt of this manner of question, asked
him whether he would go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these
things.

25:21. But Paul, appealing to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus,
I commanded him to be kept, till I might send him to Caesar.

25:22. And Agrippa said to Festus: I would also hear the man, myself.
To-morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

25:23. And on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice were come with
great pomp and had entered into the hall of audience with the tribunes
and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment, Paul was brought
forth.

25:24. And Festus saith: King Agrippa and all ye men who are here
present with us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the
Jews dealt with me at Jerusalem, requesting and crying out that he ought
not to live any longer.

25:25. Yet have I found nothing that he hath committed worthy of death.
But forasmuch as he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined
to send him.

25:26. Of whom I have nothing certain to write to my lord. For which
cause, I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee,
O king Agrippa, that, examination being made, I may have what to write.

25:27. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to
signify the things laid to his charge.

Acts Chapter 26

Paul gives an account to Agrippa of his life, conversion and calling.

26:1. Then Agrippa said to Paul: Thou art permitted to speak for
thyself. Then Paul, stretching forth his hand, began to make his answer.

26:2. I think myself happy, O king Agrippa, that I am to answer for
myself this day before thee, touching all the things whereof I am
accused by the Jews.

26:3. Especially as thou knowest all, both customs and questions, that
are among the Jews. Wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

26:4. And my life indeed from my youth, which was from the beginning
among my own nation in Jerusalem, all the Jews do know:

26:5. Having known me from the beginning (if they will give testimony)
that according to the most sure sect of our religion I lived, a
Pharisee.

26:6. And now for the hope of the promise that was made by God to the
fathers, do I stand subject to judgment:

26:7. Unto which, our twelve tribes, serving night and day, hope to
come. For which hope, O king, I am accused by the Jews.

26:8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible that God should raise
the dead?

26:9. And I indeed did formerly think that I ought to do many things
contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

26:10. Which also I did at Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut
up in prison, having received authority of the chief priests. And when
they were put to death, I brought the sentence.

26:11. And oftentimes punishing them, in every synagogue, I compelled
them to blaspheme: and being yet more mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto foreign cities.

26:12. Whereupon, when I was going to Damascus with authority and
permission of the chief priest,

26:13. At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above
the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them that were in
company with me.

26:14. And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice
speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me? It is hard for thee to kick against the good.

26:15. And I said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord answered: I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest.

26:16. But rise up and stand upon thy feet: for to this end have I
appeared to thee, that I may make thee a minister and a witness of those
things which thou hast seen and of those things wherein I will appear to
thee,

26:17. Delivering thee from the people and from the nations unto which
now I send thee:

26:18. To open their eyes, that they may be converted from darkness to
light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and a lot among the saints, by the faith that is in
me.

26:19. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not incredulous to the heavenly
vision.

26:20. But to them first that are at Damascus and at Jerusalem, and unto
all the country of Judea, and to the Gentiles did I preach, that they
should do penance and turn to God, doing works worthy of penance.

26:21. For this cause, the Jews, when I was in the temple, having
apprehended me, went about to kill me.

26:22. But being aided by the help of God, I stand unto this day,
witnessing both to small and great, saying no other thing than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should come to pass:

26:23. That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that
should rise from the dead and should shew light to the people and to the
Gentiles.

26:24. As he spoke these things and made his answer, Festus said with a
loud voice: Paul, thou art beside thyself: much learning doth make thee
mad.

26:25. And Paul said: I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but I speak
words of truth and soberness.

26:26. For the king knoweth of these things, to whom also I speak with
confidence. For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from
him. For neither was any of these things done in a corner.

26:27. Believest thou the prophets, O king Agrippa? I know that thou
believest.

26:28. And Agrippa said to Paul: In a little thou persuadest me to
become a Christian.

26:29. And Paul said: I would to God that both in a little and in much,
not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, should become such as
I also am, except these bands.

26:30. And the king rose up, and the governor and Bernice and they that
sat with them.

26:31. And when they were gone aside, they spoke among themselves,
saying: This man hath done nothing worthy of death or of bands.

26:32. And Agrippa said to Festus: This man might have been set at
liberty, if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Acts Chapter 27

Paul is shipped for Rome. His voyage and shipwreck.

27:1. And when it was determined that he should sail into Italy and that
Paul, with the other prisoners, should be delivered to a centurion,
named Julius, of the band Augusta,

27:2. Going on board a ship of Adrumetum, we launched, meaning to sail
by the coasts of Asia, Aristarchus, the Macedonian of Thessalonica,
continuing with us.

27:3. And the day following, we came to Sidon. And Julius, treating Paul
courteously, permitted him to go to his friends and to take care of
himself.

27:4. And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus,
because the winds were contrary.

27:5. And sailing over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to
Lystra, which is in Lycia.

27:6. And there, the centurion, finding a ship of Alexandria sailing
into Italy, removed us into it.

27:7. And when for many days we had sailed slowly and were scarce come
over against Gnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed near Crete by
Salmone.

27:8. And with much ado sailing by it, we came into a certain place,
which is called Good-havens, nigh to which was the city of Thalassa.

27:9. And when much time was spent and when sailing now was dangerous,
because the fast was now past, Paul comforted them,

27:10. Saying to them: Ye men, I see that the voyage beginneth to be
with injury and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also
of our lives.

27:11. But the centurion believed the pilot and the master of the ship,
more than those things which were said by Paul.

27:12. And whereas it was not a commodious haven to winter in, the
greatest part gave counsel to sail thence, if by any means they might
reach Phenice, to winter there, which is a haven of Crete, looking
towards the southwest and northwest.

27:13. And the south wind gently blowing, thinking that they had
obtained their purpose, when they had loosed from Asson, they sailed
close by Crete.

27:14. But not long after, there arose against it a tempestuous wind,
called Euroaquilo.

27:15. And when the ship was caught and could not bear up against the
wind, giving up the ship to the winds, we were driven.

27:16. And running under a certain island that is called Cauda, we had
much work to come by the boat.

27:17. Which being taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship: and
fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, they let down the
sail yard and so were driven.

27:18. And we, being mightily tossed with the tempest, the next day they
lightened the ship.

27:19. And the third day they cast out with their own hands the tacking
of the ship.

27:20. And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and no
small storms lay on us, all hope of our being saved was now taken away.

27:21. And after they had fasted a long time, Paul standing forth in the
midst of them, said: You should indeed, O ye men, have hearkened unto me
and not have loosed from Crete and have gained this harm and loss.

27:22. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer. For there shall be no
loss of any man's life among you, but only of the ship.

27:23. For an angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me
this night,

27:24. Saying: Fear not, Paul, thou must be brought before Caesar; and
behold, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

27:25. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it
shall so be, as it hath been told me.

27:26. And we must come unto a certain island.

27:27. But after the fourteenth night was come, as we were sailing in
Adria, about midnight, the shipmen deemed that they discovered some
country.

27:28. Who also sounding, found twenty fathoms: and going on a little
further, they found fifteen fathoms.

27:29. Then fearing lest we should fall upon rough places, they cast
four anchors out of the stern: and wished for the day.

27:30. But as the shipmen sought to fly out of the ship, having let down
the boat into the sea, under colour, as though they would have cast
anchors out of the forepart of the ship,

27:31. Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers: Except these stay
in the ship, you cannot be saved.

27:32. Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat and let her fall
off.

27:33. And when it began to be light, Paul besought them all to take
meat, saying: This day is the fourteenth day that you have waited and
continued fasting, taking nothing.

27:34. Wherefore, I pray you to take some meat for your health's sake:
for there shall not an hair of the head of any of you perish.

27:35. And when he had said these things, taking bread, he gave thanks
to God in the sight of them all. And when he had broken it, he began to
eat.

27:36. Then were they all of better cheer: and they also took some meat.

27:37. And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen
souls.

27:38. And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, casting
the wheat into the sea.

27:39. And when it was day, they knew not the land. But they discovered
a certain creek that had a shore, into which they minded, if they could,
to thrust in the ship.

27:40. And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves
to the sea, loosing withal the rudder bands. And hoisting up the
mainsail to the wind, they made towards shore.

27:41. And when we were fallen into a place where two seas met, they run
the ship aground. And the forepart indeed, sticking fast, remained
unmoveable: but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the sea.

27:42. And the soldiers' counsel was that they should kill the
prisoners, lest any of them, swimming out should escape.

27:43. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, forbade it to be done.
And he commanded that they who could swim should cast themselves first
into the sea and save themselves and get to land.

27:44. And the rest, some they carried on boards and some on those
things that belonged to the ship. And so it came to pass that every soul
got safe to land.

Acts Chapter 28

Paul, after three months' stay in Melita, continues his voyage and
arrives at Rome. His conference there with the Jews.

28:1. And when we had escaped, then we knew that the island was called
Melita. But the barbarians shewed us no small courtesy.

28:2. For kindling a fire, they refreshed us all, because of the present
rain and of the cold.

28:3. And when Paul had gathered together a bundle of sticks and had
laid them on the fire, a viper, coming out of the heat, fastened on his
hand.

28:4. And when the barbarians saw the beast hanging on his hand, they
said one to another: Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, who, though he
hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance doth not suffer him to live.

28:5. And he indeed, shaking off the beast into the fire, suffered no
harm.

28:6. But they supposed that he would begin to swell up and that he
would suddenly fall down and die. But expecting long and seeing that
there came no harm to him, changing their minds, they said that he was a
god.

28:7. Now in these places were possessions of the chief man of the
island, named Publius: who, receiving us for three days, entertained us
courteously.

28:8. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and
of a bloody flux. To whom Paul entered in. And when he had prayed and
laid his hands on him, he healed him.

28:9. Which being done, all that had diseases in the island came and
were healed.

28:10. Who also honoured us with many honours: and when we were to set
sail, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

28:11. And after three months, we sailed in a ship of Alexandria, that
had wintered in the island, whose sign was the Castors.

28:12. And when we were come to Syracusa, we tarried there three days.

28:13. From thence, compassing by the shore, we came to Rhegium: and
after one day, the south wind blowing, we came the second day to
Puteoli:

28:14. Where, finding brethren, we were desired to tarry with them seven
days. And so we went to Rome.

28:15. And from thence, when the brethren had heard of us, they 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.

28:16. And when we were come to Rome, Paul was suffered to dwell by
himself, with a soldier that kept him.

28:17. And after the third day, he called together the chief of the
Jews. And when they were assembled, he said to them: Men, brethren, I,
having done nothing against the people or the custom of our fathers, was
delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.

28:18. Who, when they had examined me, would have released me, for that
there was no cause of death in me.

28:19. But the Jews contradicting it, I was constrained to appeal unto
Caesar: not that I had anything to accuse my nation of.

28:20. For this cause therefore I desired to see you and to speak to
you. Because that for the hope of Israel, I am bound with this chain.

28:21. But they said to him: We neither received letters concerning thee
from Judea: neither did any of the brethren that came hither relate or
speak any evil of thee.

28:22. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as
concerning this sect, we know that it is every where contradicted.

28:23. And when they had appointed him a day, there came very many to
him unto his lodgings. To whom he expounded, testifying the kingdom of
God and persuading them concerning Jesus, out of the law of Moses and
the prophets, from morning until evening.

28:24. And some believed the things that were said: but some believed
not.

28:25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, Paul
speaking this one word: Well did the Holy Ghost speak to our fathers by
Isaias the prophet,

28:26. Saying: Go to this people and say to them: With the ear you shall
hear and shall not understand: and seeing you shall see and shall not
perceive.

28:27. For the heart of this people is grown gross, and with their ears
have they heard heavily and their eyes they have shut, lest perhaps they
should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with
their heart and should be converted: and I should heal them.

28:28. Be it known therefore to you that this salvation of God is sent
to the Gentiles: and they will hear it.

28:29. And when he had said these things, the Jews went out from him,
having much reasoning among themselves.

28:30. And he remained two whole years in his own hired lodging: and he
received all that came in to him,

28:31. Preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, without prohibition.

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