fidently]. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him 27 home, and unfolded to him the way of God still more accurately. Then, as he wanted to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. And on his arrival he proved of 28 great use to those who had believed through grace; for he publicly confuted the Jews with might and main, demonstrating by means of the 19 1 scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Now it came to pass

while Apollos was at Corinth that Paul passed through the upper-lying districts and came to Ephesus. There he fell in with some disciples, 2 and said to them, "Did you receive the holy Spirit when you believed?" No," they said to him, we did not even hear whether there was a holy 3 Spirit." "Then what," said he, "did you get baptized into?" "Into 4 John's baptism," they said. And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe on One who was to 5 come after him--that is, on Jesus." When they heard this, they had 6 themselves baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus [; and after Paul laid his hands on them, the holy Spirit came on them, and they began to 7 speak with tongues and to prophesy]. They amounted in all to about 8 twelve men. Now he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out confidently, discoursing and persuading with regard to God's reign. 9 But, as some became stubborn and disobedient, decrying the Way before the multitude, he departed and separated the disciples from them, discoursing day by day from the fifth to the tenth hour 1 in the lecture-room 10 of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all who resided in Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.

11, 12

13

14

15

16

God also worked uncommon miracles by the agency of Paul, so that people even carried away napkins or aprons from his body to the sick; thus their diseases quitted them and the evil spirits went out. Now some of the strolling Jewish exorcists also undertook to pronounce the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits; "I adjure you," they said, "by the Jesus whom Paul preaches!" (There were seven sons of a man Scevas, a Jewish high priest, who did this.) But the evil spirit answered and said to them, "Jesus I recognise, and Paul I know, but you-who are you?" And the man in whom was the evil spirit, leapt on them, mastered both of them, and belaboured them. So out of that house they fled, stripped and wounded. Now this became known to all the residents of Ephesus, Jews as well as Greeks; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Also, many of those who had believed, 19 kept coming to confess and disclose their practices. And a considerable number of those who had practised magic arts, collected their books and burned them in the sight of all. (On estimating the value of these they found it amounted to fifty thousand pieces of silver.)

17

18

20

21

Thus mightily did the word of the Lord increase and prevail.

Now at the close of this, Paul resolved in the spirit to travel through Macedonia and Achaia, and then journey to Jerusalem. "After going 22 there," he said, "I must also visit Rome." So he despatched two of his assistants to Macedonia, Timotheus and Erastus, while he himself stayed 23 on for a while in Asia. Now about that time no slight commotion 24 arose over the Way. It came about thus. By making silver shrines of Artemis, a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, brought no little trade 1 Adding ἀπὸ ὥρας πέμπτης ἕως δεκάτης.

25 to the craftsmen; these he collected, along with the workmen who belonged to similar trades, and said, "Men, you know that this trade is 26 the source of our wealth, and you see and hear that not merely at Ephesus, but almost all through Asia, this fellow Paul has drawn away a considerable multitude by his persuasions, declaring that gods who are made by 27 hands are no gods at all. Now there is a risk, not merely of our finding this trade discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be made light of, and even her grandeur come to be 28 degraded-she whom the whole of Asia and the world worship!" Hearing this they were filled with rage and ran into the street, shouting "Great 29 is Artemis of Ephesus!" So the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed with one accord into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius 30 and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were fellow-travellers of Paul. (Paul

wanted to enter the popular assembly, but the disciples would not allow 31 him. Besides, some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his, also sent 32 repeatedly to entreat him not to venture into the theatre.) Now some shouted one thing, some other; for the assembly was in confusion, and 33 the majority had no idea what was the cause of their gathering. Some of the crowd, however, concluded it must be Alexander, as the Jews pushed him forward; so Alexander waved his hand and intended to 34 defend himself before the people. But when they found out he was a Jew, a roar broke from them all-for about two hours they shouted, 35 "Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus!"

Now

after the Secretary of State had got the crowd quieted, he says: "Men of Ephesus, who on earth does not know that the city of Ephesus is custodian of the temple of the great Artemis, and of the image that fell 36 from heaven? The thing is undeniable. Well then, you should keep 37 quiet and do nothing reckless; whereas you have brought these men here 38 who are neither guilty of sacrilege nor blasphemers of our goddess. Now if Demetrius and his fellow-craftsmen have a grievance against anyone, let both parties make their charges; assizes are held, and there is always 39 a proconsul. If you desire anything further, the case must be settled in 40 the regular assembly. For there is a risk of our being charged with

riot in regard to this day's assembly; not a single reason exists which will 3 41 enable us to account for the present disorderly concourse." Saying this, he 20 1 dismissed the assembly. Now after the tumult had ceased, Paul sent

for and exhorted the disciples; then after saluting them, he went off on 2 his journey to Macedonia. After passing through those districts and 3 exhorting the people with many a word, he came to Greece. There he spent three months, and was on the point of sailing for Syria, when the Jews laid a plot against him. He determined therefore to return through 4 Macedonia. His company, as far as Asia, consisted of Sopater of Beroea (the son of Pyrrhus), Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonika, Gaius 5 of Derbê, and Timotheus, with Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia. When 6 they got the length of Asia, they waited for us at Troas; while we sailed away from Philippi, after the days of unleavened bread, and in 7 five days joined them at Troas. There we spent some days. Now when we had met on the first day of the week to break bread, Paul proceeded to converse with them, as he was to leave on the morrow; and he prolonged 8 his discourse till it was midnight. (There were large lamps in the upper 9 chamber where we were gathered.) In the window sat a young man called Eutychus, who became overpowered with drowsiness as Paul's dis1 Adding δράμοντες εἰς τὸ ἄμφοδον. 2 Adding μεγάλη ή "Αρτεμις Εφεσίων. 3 Omitting . * Reading προσελθόντες.

4 Adding ἄχρι τῆς ̓Ασίας.

course went on and on; dropping asleep, he fell down from the third storey, 10 and was picked up a corpse. But Paul went down, fell on him, and 11 embraced him, saying, “Wail not: his life is in him." Then he went up, broke bread, and ate; and after conversing with them for a good 12 while, till it was dawn, finally went off. (As for the lad, they took him away 13 alive, and were extremely relieved.) Now we had gone on before

1

hand to the ship and set sail for Assos, with the intention of taking Paul on board there. This indeed was his own arrangement, as he intended to 14 travel himself by land. He met us then at Assos. Taking him on board, 15 we went to Mitylênê, and sailing thence on the following day we arrived off Chios; in the evening we crossed over to Samos, and after stopping at 16 Trogyllium went on, the next day, to Miletus. This was because Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so as to avoid loss of time in Asia; he was hastening to reach Jerusalem-if he could manage it—by the day of Pentecost.

17 From Miletus, however, he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders 18 of the Community. And when they came to him, he said: "You know yourselves the way in which I lived with you during all the time since 19 the day that I first set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility

and tears and trials which I encountered through the plots of the Jews; 20 and how I did not shrink from disclosing anything profitable to you, or 21 from teaching you in public and from house to house, bearing witness to Jews and Greeks alike of repentance to God and faith to our Lord Jesus.3 22 And now, mark! I go to Jerusalem fettered in spirit, not knowing 23 what is to befall me there. Only, in city after city the holy Spirit 24 testifies to me that fetters and distresses await me. But then, I set no value on my life, provided that I may complete my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to attest the glad tidings 25 of the grace of God. And now, mark! I know that none of you shall ever see my face again-you among whom I went about and preached 26 the Reign. [Therefore I do protest to you this day, I am clean from the 27 blood of all; I did not shrink from disclosing to you all God's purpose.] 28 Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock of which the holy Spirit has

appointed you overseers: be shepherds to the Community of God which he 29 has purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce 30 wolves shall enter your midst and spare not the flock; from your own midst also shall men rise up with perverse words, to draw the disciples 31 away after them. Watch therefore, and remember that for three years night and day I ceased not to admonish everyone with tears.

32 And now I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified 33, 34 [Silver, gold, or apparel, I never coveted. You know yourselves that these 35 hands provided entirely for my needs and my companions. I showed

you an example of how you ought thus to labour and give succour to the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus-for he said himself, 36 To give is happier than to get ']." And saying this he knelt down and 37 prayed with them all. But all burst into loud weeping, and fell on 38 Paul's neck and fondly kissed him, sorrowing chiefly because he had told them they were never to see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.

21 1

Now it came to pass, when we had torn

ourselves away from them

and set sail, we made a straight run to Kos, the next day to Rhodes, and

1 Reading ἱστέρα.

Omitting [[xpOTÓV]].

2 Adding καὶ μείναντες ἐν Τρωγυλλίῳ.

4 Reading ὥστε τελειώσαι.

2 thence to Patara. And as we found there a ship crossing over to Phoenicê, 3 we went on board, and set sail. After sighting Cyprus and leaving it on our left, we sailed for Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to 4 unload her cargo. So we found out the disciples, and stayed there for seven days. These disciples told Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in 5 Jerusalem. But when it came to pass that our time was completed, we departed on our journey, escorted by them, women and children and all, till we were outside the city. Then, kneeling down on the beach we 6 prayed, and bade each other farewell; we went on board, and they returned 7 home. From Tyre, then, we continued our voyage and reached Ptolemais; and after saluting the brothers we stayed one day with them. 8 Starting on the morrow we came to Caesarea, and entering the house of the 9 evangelist Philip (who was one of the Seven) we stayed with him. [He had 10 four unmarried daughters who prophesied.] While we remained there for 11 several days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judaea. And he came to us, took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, saying, "The holy Spirit speaks thus: 'so shall the Jews bind the man who owns this girdle at Jerusalem, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."" 12 Now when we heard this, both we and the people of the place appealed to 13 Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then answered Paul, "What do you

mean by weeping and disheartening me? I am ready not only to be bound 14 but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus." So, as he would not be persuaded, we held our peace, and said, "The will of the Lord be done.

15

Now after these days we made our preparations and went on our way 16 up to Jerusalem. Some of the disciples from Caesarea also accompanied us, and conducted us to the house of Mnason, a Cypriote, with whom we were to 17 lodge (he was a disciple of long standing). Now when we arrived 18 at Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly. On the next day Paul went 19 in with us to James; the elders also were all present. And after saluting them he recounted in detail what God had done among the Gentiles by 20 means of his ministry. On hearing it they magnified God [; and they said to him, "Brother, thou seest how many thousands of believers there 21 are among the Jews, all of them zealots for the law. Now they have been informed with regard to thee, that thou art teaching apostasy from Moses, to all the Jews who live among the Gentiles, telling them not to 22 circumcise their children nor to walk by the prescribed customs. Well, 23 what is to be done? They will be sure to hear thou hast come; so do 24 what we tell thee. We have four men here who are under a vow: take them, have thyself purified along with them, and pay their expenses, so that they may be able to have their heads shaved. Then everybody will understand that his information about thee is worthless, and that, on the contrary, thou art thyself walking in the regular observances of the 25 law. As for the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote them our decision, that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from 26 blood, from what is strangled, and from fornication." Therefore Paul took the men next day, had himself purified along with them, and went into the temple to give notice of the time when the days of purification would be completed-the time, that is to say, until the sacrifice should be offered on behalf of each one of them].

27

Now the seven days were almost brought to a close, when the Jews from Asia saw him in the temple, and proceeded to stir up all the crowd; 28 then they laid hands on him, shouting, "To the rescue, men of Israel! Here is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against the people and

the law and this place! Yes, and actually he has brought Greeks into 29 the temple and defiled this holy place!" (For they had previously seen him in the city with Trophimus the Ephesian, and supposed that Paul 30 had brought him into the temple.) And [the whole city was thrown into turmoil; the people ran together, and seizing Paul they dragged him 31 outside the temple; whereupon the doors were immediately shut. While they were trying to kill him, tidings came up to the military tribune of the 32 cohort that the whole of Jerusalem was in confusion. He at once took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw 33 the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. The tribune then came near and seized him, ordered him to be bound with a couple of chains, and proceeded to inquire, "Who is he?" and "What has he 34 done?" But some in the crowd roared one thing, some another; and as he could not ascertain the truth owing to the tumult, he commanded him 35 to be brought into the barracks. By the time that he reached the stairs he had actually to be carried by the soldiers, on account of the violence 36 of the crowd; for the multitude followed, shouting, "Away with him!" 37 And as he was on the point of being brought into the barracks, Paul said to the tribune, "Can I speak a word to thee?" "Dost thou know 38 Greek?" he said. "Then thou art not the Egyptian who in days gone by raised the four thousand Assassins, and led them out into the 39 wilderness?" Paul said, "I am a Jew, a man of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; I pray thee, permit me to speak to the people?" 40 As he gave his permission, Paul stood on the stairs and waved with his hand to the people; then, during a great hush, he addressed them in the 22 1 Hebrew language, saying: "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defence 2 which I now make to you."-Now when they heard him address them in 3 the Hebrew language they became still more quiet; so he proceeds-"I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the rigorous law of the fathers; a 4 zealot for God, as you all are this day. I persecuted this Way to the 5 death, chaining and delivering up to prison men and women alike, as also the high priest and all the assembly of the elders can testify for me. It was from them too that I received letters for the brothers, and journeyed to Damascus to bind those who were there, and bring them 6 also to Jerusalem for punishment. Now it came to pass that as I journeyed and drew near to Damascus, suddenly, about noon, a great 7 light from the sky flashed round me; and I dropped to the earth, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why art thou persecuting me?' 8 I answered, 'Who art thou, sir?' And he said to me, I am Jesus the 9 Nazarene, and thou art persecuting me.' (Now my companions beheld 10 the light, but they did not hear the voice of him who spoke to me.) And I said, 'Lord, what shall I do?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there thou shalt be told of all that is appointed 11 thee to do.' So, as I could not see for the brightness of that light, my 12 companions led me into Damascus by the hands. And there came to me a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good 13 reputation among all the Jewish residents; standing by me, he said, Saul, my brother, see again!' At that very moment I saw again, and 14 looked up at him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed thee to know his will, and to see the upright One, and to hear a voice 15 from his own lips; for thou shalt be a witness for him to all men, of 16 what thou hast seen and heard. And now, why linger? Rise, have 17 thyself baptized and wash away thy sins, calling upon his name.' Now it