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name of the Lord Jesus. 17. Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18. Now Simon seeing, that by laying on of the apostles' hands, the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit.

20. But Peter said to him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right before God. 22. Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee: 23. For I perceive thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24. Then Simon replied, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things ye have spoken come upon me.

25. And having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans.

26. Now the angel of the Lord spake to Philip, saying, Go quickly toward the south, to the way going down from Jerusalem to Gaza, which is desert. 27. So he went quickly; and, behold an Ethiopian, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to worship at Jerusalem. 28. Was returning, and, sitting in his chariot, he read Esaias the prophet.

29. Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go and join this chariot. 30. So Philip ran thither, and hearing him read Esaias the prophet, he said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31. Then he said, How can I, except some guide me? Then he desired Philip to come up and sit with him. 32. The passage of scripture he read was this, He was Оо

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led as a sheep to the slaughter; and was like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so he opened not his mouth: 33. In his humiliation he was deprived of just judgment; and who shall declare his generation, (he ever liveth) though his life is taken from the earth.

34. Then the eunuch said to Philip, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35. Then Philip beginning at this scripture, preached to him the glad tidings of Jesus.

36. And going on their way they came to a certain water; then the eunuch said, See here is water; what hinders me to be baptized. 37. And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. Then he answered, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, (i. e. the Saviour of men.) 38. Then he commanded the chariot to stand still; and with Philip went down into the water, who baptized him. 39. And being come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more; but he went on his way rejoicing.

40. But Philip was found at Azotus; and, passing thro', he preached the gospel in all the cities, till he came to Cesarea.

CHAP. IX.

PAUL'S MIRACULOUS CONVERSION.

Now Saul still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any of this way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3. Now, as he journeyed, and was near Damascus; a light from heaven, suddenly shined about him; 4. Then he fell to the earth, and heard a

voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5. Then he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the sharp points.

6. Then he, trembling, and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said to him, Arise, go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7. Now the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a sound, but seeing no man (speaking.)

8. Then Saul arose from the earth; but when his eyes were opened he could not see; but leading him by the hand, they brought him to Damascus. 9. Thus he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10. ¶ Now a certain disciple named Ananias, was at Damascus, to whom the Lord said in a vision, Ananias. Who said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11. Then the Lord said to him, Arise, and go into the street called Straight; and enquire at the house of Judas for one named Saul of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth, 12. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, to restore his sight.

13. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem; 14. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on thy name. 15. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Israelites. 16. For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

17. Then Ananias went, and entered into the house; and, putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that

thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

18. Now immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales; and he recovered forthwith his sight, and arose, and was baptized. 19. And having received meat he was strengthened. Then was Saul some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20. Then immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God, (the Mediator, or Saviour of men.)

21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that end to bring them bound to the chief priests?

22. But Saul became the more strong, and confounded the Jews at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

23. But after many days, the Jews consulted to kill him; 24. But their lying in wait was known to him, that they watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25. Then the disciples by night, let him down by the wall in a basket.

26. ¶ And Saul being come to Jerusalem, essayed to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27. But Barnabas brought him to the apostles, declaring to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, who had spoken to him, and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28. So be associated with them at Jerusalem. 29. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed with the Greek Jews; but they sought to slay him. 30. Which the brethren knowing, they brought him down to Cesarea, and sent him to Tarsus.

31. Then had the churches quiet thro' all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

32. Now as Peter went thro' all parts, he came down also to the saints at Lydda: 33. And found there a man named Eneas, who had kept his bed eight years with the palsy. 34. But Peter said to him, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. Then he arose immediately. 35. And all that dwelt in Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

36. Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, that is, being interpreted, (Roe;) she abounded in good works and almsdeeds. 37. And in those days being sick, she died: whom having washed, they laid in an upper chamber.

38. Now Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples heard Peter was there, and sent two men, desir ing him to come to them without delay. 39. Then Peter went with them. Being come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Roe made (for the poor,) while she was with them. 40. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeling, prayed; then, turning himself to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41. Then he gave her his hand, and lifted her up; and, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42. This was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

43. And he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

CHAP. X.

CORNELIUS THE PAGAN'S MIRACULOUS CONVERSION.

THERE was a certain man in Cesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2. A religious man, who feared God with all his house, and gave much alms to the people; and praying to God always; 3. He saw evidently