The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 742

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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 punis.h.i.+ng 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, s.h.i.+ning 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, 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 G.o.d, 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 pa.s.s:

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 G.o.d 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 s.h.i.+pped for Rome. His voyage and s.h.i.+pwreck.

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 s.h.i.+p 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 s.h.i.+p 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 Thala.s.sa.

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 s.h.i.+p, but also of our lives.

27:11. But the centurion believed the pilot and the master of the s.h.i.+p, 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.