speaking to Moses that he should 56 And they crying out with a 45 Which also our fathers receiving,brought in with Jesus,into the possession of the gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers; unto the days of David. 46 Who found grace before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 Yet the most High dwelleth not in houses made by hand, as the prophet saith: 49 Heaven is my throne: and the earth my foot-stool. What house will you build me, saith the Lord, or what is the place of my resting? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? 51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you also. Philip converts the Samaritans AND at that time there was rais ed a great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem, and they were all dispersed through the countries of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 52 Which of the prophets have 2 And devout men took order not your fathers persecuted? And for Stephen's funeral, and made they have slain them who foretold great mourning over him. of the coming of the Just One; of 3 But Saul made havock of the whom you have been now the be-church: entering in from house to trayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. 54 Now hearing these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed with their teeth at him. house, and dragging away men and women, committed them to prison. 4 They therefore that were dispersed, went about preaching the word of God, 5 And Philip going down to the city of Samaria, preached CHrist unto them. 55 But he being full of the Holy 6 And the people with one acGhost, looking upsteadfastly to hea-cord were attentive to those things ven, saw the glory of God, and JE- which were said by Philip, hearing, SUS standing on the right hand of and seeing the miracles which he God. And he said: Behold I see did. the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 7 For many of them who had unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, went out. Ver. 45. Jesus. That is Josue, so called in Greek. Ver. 48. Dwelleth not in houses, &c. That is, so as to stand in need of earthly dwellings, or to be contained, or circumscribed by them. Though, by his immense divinity, he is in our houses and every where else; and Christ in his humanity dwelt in houses; and is now on our altars. lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said to him. 20 Keep thy money to thyself to perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast no part, nor lot in this matter. For thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Do penance therefore from this thy wickedness: and pray to God, if perhaps this thought of thy heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I see thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity. 24 Then Simon answering said: Pray you for me to the Lord, that none of these things which you have spoken may come upon me. 25 And they indeed having testified and preached the word of the Lord returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel to many countries of the Samaritans. 26 Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, go towards the south, to the way that goeth down from Jerusalem into Gaza: this is desert. 27 And rising up he went, and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch, of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge over all her treasures, had come to Jerusalem to adore. 28 And he was returning sitting in his chariot, and reading Isaias the prophet. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip running thither, heard him reading_the prophet Isaias, and he said: Thinkest thou that thou understandest what thou readest? 31 Who said: And how can I, Ver. 17. They laid their hands upon them, &c. See here how the apostles administered the sacrament of confirmation, by imposition of hands and prayer: and how the faithful thereby received the Holy Ghost. unless some man shew me? and he this way he might bring them bound desired Philip that he would come to Jerusalem. up and sit with him. : 3 And as he went on his journey, 32 And the place of the scripture it came to pass that he drew nigh which he was reading was this: He to Damascus and suddenly a light was led as a sheep to the slaughter: from heaven shined round abouthim. and like a lamb without voice be- 4 And falling on the ground he fore his shearer, so openeth he not heard a voice saying to him: Saul, his mouth. Saul, why persecutest thou me ? 33 In humility his judgment was taken away. His generation who shall declare, for his life shall be taken from the earth? 34 And the eunuch answering Philip, said: 1 beseech thee, of whom doth the prophet speak this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opening his mouth, and beginning at this scripture, preached unto him JESUS. 36 And as they went on their way, they came to a certain water and the eunuch said: See here is water, what doth hinder me from being baptized? 37 And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answering said: I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the Son of God. 5 Who said: Who art thou, Lord? And he : I am JESUS whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the goad. 6 And he trembling and astonished, said: Lord what wilt thou have me to do? 7 And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do. Now the men who went in company with him stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus,named Ananias: and the Lord said to him in a vision: Ananias. And he said: Behold I am here, Lord. 9 And he was there three days without sight, and he did neither 38 And he commanded the cha-eat nor drink. riot to stand still and they went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord took away Philip, and the eunuch saw him no more. And he went on his way rejoicing. 11 And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street that is called Strait, and seek in the house 40 But Philip was found in Azo- of Judas, one named Saul of Tartus, and passing through he preach-sus. For behold he prayėth. ed the gospel to all the cities till he came to Cesarea. CHAP. IX. Paul's conversion and zeal. ND Saul as yet breathing out A threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 12 (And he saw a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hands upon him that he might receive his sight.) I 13 But Ananias answered: Lord, have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem : 2 And asked of him letters to Da- 14 And here he hath authority mascus, to the synagogues, that if from the chief priests to bind al he found any men or women of that invoke thy name. 15 And the Lord said to him: Go thy way, for this man is to me a vessel of election, to carry my name before the gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house, and laying his hands upon him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord JESUS hath sent me, he that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest: that thou mayest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up he was baptized. 19 And when he had taken meat, he was strengthened. And he was with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days. 20 And immediately he preached JESUS in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 And all that heard him were astonished, and said: Is not this he who persecuted in Jerusalem those that called upon this name; and came hither for that intent that he might carry them bound to the chief priests? 22 But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the CHRIST. 23 And when many days were passed,the Jews consulted together to kill him. 24 But their laying in wait was made known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night, that they might kill him. 25 But the disciples taking him in the night, conveyed him away by the wall, letting him down in a basket. 26 And when he was come into Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples, and they all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and told them how he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the name of JESUS. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem, and dealing confidently in the name of the Lord. 29 He spoke also to the gentiles, and disputed with the Greeks: but they sought to kill him. 30 Which when the brethren had known, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him away to Tarsus. 31 Now the church had peace throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and was edified, walking in the fear of the Lord, and was filled with the consolation of the Holy Ghost. 32 And it came to pass, that Peter, as he passed through visiting all, came to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. 33 And he found there a certain man named Eneas, who had kept his bed for eight years, who was ill of the palsy. 34 And Peter said to him: Eneas, the Lord JESUS CHRIST healeth thee: arise, and make thy bed. And immediately he arose. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him: who were converted to the Lord. 36 And in Joppe there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms-deeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppe,the disciples het. 40 And they all being put forth, Peter kneeling down prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha arise. And she opened her eyes and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41 And giving her his hand, he lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it was made known throughout all Joppe: and many believed in the Lord. 43 And it came to pass that he abode many days in Joppe, with one Simon a tanner. CHAP. X. Cornelius is received into the church. 7 Aud when the angel who spoke to him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a soldier who feared the Lord, of them that were under him. 8 To whom when he had related all, he sent them to Joppe. 9 And on the next day whilst they were going on their journey, and drawing nigh to the city, Peter went up to the higher parts of the house, to pray about the sixth hour. 10 And being hungry, he was desirous to taste somewhat. And as they were preparing, there came upon him an ecstacy of mind: 11 And he saw the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great linen sheet let down by the four corners from heaven to the earth. 12 Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts, and creeping things of the earth, and fowls of the air. 18 And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter, kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said: Far be it from AND there was a certain man in me; for I never did eat any thing Cesarea, named Cornelius, a centurion of that which is called the Italian band, 2 A religious man and fearing God with all his house, giving much alms to the people, and always praying to God. 3 This man saw in a vision manifestly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him: Cornelius. 4 And he beholding him, being seized with fear, said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God. 5 And now send men to Joppe, and call hither one Simon who is surnamed Peter. that is common and unclean. 15 And the voice spoke to him again the second time: That which God hath cleansed, do not thou call common. 16 And this was done thrice : and presently the vessel was taken up into heaven. 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. 18 And when they had called, they asked, if Simon, who is surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 And as Peter was thinking of the vision, the spirit said to him: Behold three men seek thee. 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea 20 Arise therefore, get thee side. He will tell thee what thou down, and go with them, doubting must do. nothing: for I have sent them. |