The Gabriel Bible

The Gabriel Bible

ACTS 11-20 (with Strong’s numbers)

Acts 11: It was reported to the heralds and the brethren in Judea, that those of other ethnicities* [1484, ethnos] had also received the truth* of Yehovah’. 2 When Simon went up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying that he had gone in to be with uncircumcised people, and had eaten with them. 4 Simon began to explain the situation from the beginning: 5 “As I was in Joppa, praying, I went into an *ecstatic state* [1611, ekstasis]. A certain vessel descended that was like a sail. It was tied at its four corners; and it descended from *earth’s heaven* and came to me. 6 I looked at it, and I saw that in it were four footed animals, terrestrial reptiles, and birds of heaven. 7 I heard a voice that told me, ‘Simon, arise kill and eat’. 8 I said, ‘By no means, Master. For nothing defiled or Levitically* unclean has ever entered my mouth’. 9 Again, a voice from heaven told me, ‘What Yehovah has cleansed, you must not call defiled’. 10 This was done three times, before it withdrew back to heaven. 11 At the same time, three men, who were sent to me by Cornelius from Caesarea, came and stood at the gate of the court where I was staying. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them, without hesitation. These six brethren also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He related to us, how he had seen a holy Messenger in his house, who stood and told him, “Send to the city of Joppa, and bring Simon who is called Cephas; 14 and he will tell you everything you need to be saved*, you and all your household”. 15 When I began speaking, the Holy Spirit overshadowed them, as it did for us from the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what our Master had said: “John immersed* with water, but you’ll be immersed* with the Holy Spirit”. 17 So if Yehovah gave the gift to other ethnicities who believed in our Master Yeshua the Messiah, just as He did to us, who was I to hinder the gift of Yehovah? 18 When they heard these things, they were silenced; and then they glorified Yehovah saying, “Now Yehovah is also giving repentance to life to other ethnicities”. 19 Those who were dispersed [1289, diaspeiro], by the persecution that occurred because of Stephen, traveled as far as Phenicia, and even to the country of Cyprus, and to Antioch, explaining the truth* to no one other than the Jews. 20 There were some from Cyprus and Cyrene who went up to Antioch, and spoke to the Hellenists* [1672, Hellen], bringing the *Good News* of our Master Yeshua. 21 The hand of Yehovah was with them; and many believed, and turned to Him. 22 This came to the attention* of the sons of the Assembly at Jerusalem; and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came there and saw the *merciful kindness* of Yehovah, he rejoiced and he pled with them that with all their being they should follow our Master. 24 For he was a good man, and was full of the Holy Spirit, and of faith. Many people were added to our Master. 25 He went away to Tarsus, looking for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him with him to Antioch. For a whole year they met together in the Assembly, and instructed many people. The disciples were first called Christians [1] in Antioch. 27 In those days prophets came there from Jerusalem. 28 One of them whose name was Agabus, stood up and foretold by the Spirit, that there would be a great famine thruout the *land of Israel [2]*. That famine happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 So each of the disciples, according to his ability, decided to *provide food for* the brethren who lived in Judea. 30 They had Barnabas and Saul take it to the elders there.

[1] Ethnic disciples began to be called “Christianos” by the local people. Jewish disciples were called “Nazarenes”.

[2] See why this should say “land of Israel” rather than “world” using the keyword: dearth.

Acts 12: At that time Herod the king, who was surnamed Agrippa, seized some of the people of the Assembly, to oppress them. 2 He killed James, John’s brother, with a sword. 3 When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Simon Cephas also. This was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4 He seized him and threw him into prison, delivering him to sixteen soldiers, who were to guard him; intending to deliver him to the Jewish people after the Passover. 5 While Simon was in custody in the prison, continual prayer to Yehovah was offered in his behalf by the Assembly. 6 On the night before he was to be handed over, Simon was sleeping between two soldiers, and he was bound with two chains while others were guarding the doors of the prison; 7 Yehovah’s Messenger stood over him, and a light shone into all the building; and he smacked* [3960] his side to awaken him, and told him, “Get up quickly”. Then the chains fell from his hands. 8 Then the holy Messenger told him, “Get dressed, and put on your sandals”, so he did so. Then he told him, “Put on your coat, and follow me”. 9 He went out and followed him, not realizing that what had been done by the holy Messenger was a reality; for he supposed that he saw a vision. 10 When they passed the first and second guard, they came to an iron gate, and it opened for them automatically* [844, automatos]. When they had left, and had passed the first street, the holy Messenger left him. 11 When Simon realized what had happened; he said, “Now I know for certain that Yehovah sent his holy Messenger, and delivered me from the clutches of King Herod, and from what the Jews were planning against me”. 12 After further consideration, he went to Mary’s house, John’s mother surnamed Mark; because many brethren were gathered there praying. 13 He knocked on the door of the house and a girl named Rhoda came to listen to him. 14 She recognized Simon’s voice, and, overcome with joy, failed to open the door, but ran back and told everyone, “Look, Simon is standing outside the door”! 15 They told her, “You are *out of your mind*”. But she insisted that it was true. They replied, “Perhaps it is his ghost [1]”. 16 Simon kept knocking on the door; so they went out, saw him, and were astounded. 17 He motioned to them with his hand to be quiet; then he came in, and told them how the Master had released him from the prison. Then he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brethren”. Then he went out and escaped to another place. 18 In the morning, there was a considerable commotion among the soldiers concerning Simon’s whereabouts. 19 Herod, after a thoro search for him, and not finding him, interrogated the guards, and sentenced them to death. He went from Judea, and stayed for a while in Caesarea. 20 Because Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, they gathered and came to him in unison; and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s aide*, they asked for *cultivated land* [2]; because the food supplies of their country were derived from the Kingdom of Herod. 21 On the appointed day, Herod was clothed in his royal clothing, and sat on his *royal platform* [968], and made a speech to everyone. 22 All the people shouted, “These are the utterances of a god, and not of a mortal”. 23 Because he didnt give the praise to Yehovah, immediately a holy Messenger of Yehovah struck him; he was eaten by worms, and breathed his last. 24 The *Good News* of Yehovah grew and spread. 25 Barnabas and Saul, after they had finished ministering [3], returned from Jerusalem to Antioch. They brought with them John, who was surnamed Mark.

[1] Ghost is probably what was meant, tho it is literally “messenger”. When Yeshua walked on the water they thought it might have been a phantom [phantasma].

[2] See why this says “cultivated land” instead of “peace”. Keyword cultivated.

[3] The Greek word rendered “ministering” is “diakonia”, (Strong’s 1248), a form of the word “diakoneo” from which the word deacon is derived. But it is not an office, it is a service.

Acts 13: Now there were in the Assembly in Antioch, several prophets and teachers; Barnabas, and Simon called Black, and Lucius who was from the city of Cyrene, and Menaen, a *childhood companion* of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were *ministering at their own expense* [3008] and fasting to Yehovah, the Holy Spirit told them, “Set apart Saul and Barnabas for Me, for the work that I have called them for”. 3 After they had fasted and prayed, they laid hands on them, and sent them away. 4 They, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and from there they went by sea as far as Cyprus. 5 When they entered the city of Salamis, they announced the truth* of Yehovah in the Jewish synagogues. John was their servant* [5257]. 6 When they had traveled over the whole island as far as the city of Paphos, they found a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet, whose name was Bar-Suma. 7 He was a friend of an intelligent man, who was the proconsul, and was called Sergius Paulus. The proconsul sent for Saul and Barnabas, and requested to hear from them the teachings* of Yehovah. 8 This sorcerer, Bar-Suma, (whose name is interpreted, Magician*,) opposed them; because he wanted to divert the proconsul from the faith. 9 Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit; and he looked at him, 10 and said, “O man full of deceit and evil, you child of the Devil, and enemy of righteousness; will you never stop trying to distort the right ways of the Yehovah”? 11 Now, the hand of the Master is on you, and you’ll be blind. You wont see the sun for a while. Immediately he was seized by a mist of darkness; and he went around, asking for someone to take him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what happened, he was astonished; and he believed the doctrine of Yehovah. 13 Paul and Barnabas went by sea, from the city of Paphos, and came to Perga, a city of Pamphylia. John went another way, headed for Jerusalem. 14 They departed from Perga, and came to Antioch, a city of Pisidia; and they entered the synagogue, on the Sabbath day, and sat down. 15 After the Law had been read from, and the prophets, and the elders of the synagogue sent for them, and said, “Men, brethren, if you have a teaching* of importance, address the people”. 16 Paul got up, gesturing with his hand, and said, “Men, sons of Israel, you who fear Yehovah, listen to this. 17 The God of our people chose our fathers, and honored them, and multiplied them, when they lived in the land of Egypt as foreigners; and, with an uplifted arm, He brought them out of it. 18 He fed them in the wilderness for forty years. 19 He demolished seven nations in the land of Canaan, and gave them their land for an inheritance. 20 For four hundred and fifty years He gave them judges, until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked to have a king, and Yehovah gave them Paul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during those forty years. 22 He removed him, and raised up to them David as king, and He testified about him, and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man who thinks much as I do; he will accomplish My purpose’. 23 From his descendants, Yehovah has caused Yeshua the Savior to appear in Israel, as He promised,. 24 Before His appearance, He sent John to herald the baptism of repentance for everyone in Israel. 25 While John was fulfilling his ministry, he said, ‘Who do you think that I am? I am not the One. Understand that I am not worthy to untie His shoestrings of the One arriving after me.’ 26 Men, brethren, children of the family of Abraham, and everyone with you who fears Yehovah, the teaching of salvation* was sent to you. 27 For, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and their leaders, were ignorant; nor did they understand the writings of the prophets that are read every Sabbath; but they condemned Him, fulfilling everything that was prophesied. 28 While they found no grounds for His death, they asked Pilate to let them kill Him. 29 When they fulfilled everything that was written about Him, they took Him down from the cross, and laid Him in a tomb, 30 but Yehovah raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days, by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem; and they are now His witnesses to the people. 32 Look, we also bring *Good News* to you about how the promise that was made to our fathers, 33 has been fulfilled for us their children, in that He raised up Yeshua; as it is written in the second Psalm, “You are My Son; today I have *caused You to exist* [1080] as My Son”. 34 Yehovah has raised Him from the dead, never to return there and see decay; as He said, “I will give to you a descendant of David *undefiled by sin* [3741]”. 35 Again He said, in another place, “You have not allowed Your Holy One to see decay”. 36 For David ministered to his generation, then after serving Yehovah’s purpose, he fell asleep, and joined his predecessors, and saw *bodily decay* [1312]. 37 But the One Yehovah raised, didnt see bodily decay. 38 So brethren realize that because of this Man being announced to you, your sins are *pardoned as if they had never been committed* [859]. 39 Everyone who believes in this Man, is *made righteous* [1384] regarding everything, in a way that you could not be made righteous by the Law of Moses. 40 So beware of the things written in the prophets, or they may may happen to you: 41 “Look, you who despisers who and are amazed, and will vanish [853]; for I will perform* a work in your days that you wont believe, tho a man were to declare it to you” [1]. 42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving, the people wanted them to talk about the same things with them on the next Sabbath. 43 When the synagogue was dismissed, many Jews followed them, and also proselytes who feared Yehovah. They conversed with them, and persuaded them to persevere in the *merciful kindness* [5485] of Yehovah. 44 The next Sabbath, the whole city assembled to hear the word of Yehovah. 45 When the Jews saw the great assembly, they were filled with envy, and spoke against the words that Paul spoke, and blasphemed. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, “It was necessary that the teaching of Yehovah be first spoken to, but because you push it away from you, and have decided that you arent worthy of eternal life, we will change our course in the direction of other nations. 47 For that is what our Master commanded us; as it is written, ‘I have established you to be a light to all nations; so that you could present salvation* to the remotest parts of the earth’. 48 When those *of other nations* [1484, ethnos] heard this, they rejoiced and glorified Yehovah. Those who believed were mutually* appointed to eternal life. 49 The truth of the Master was spoken to everyone in that region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the leaders of the city, and the influential religious [4576] women, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and against Barnabas, and forced them to leave their region. 51 When they left, they shook the dust from their feet before them, and went to the city of Iconium. 52 The disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

[1] This is a quote from Habakkuk 1:5. The entire 3rd chapter book is about Judgment Day. This is most apparent in chapter 3. For years the heralds* thought that the end of the age was very near.

Acts 14: They entered into the Jewish synagogue, and spoke with them, and very many of the Jews and of the Hellenists* believed. 2 But unbelieving Jews stirred those of other nationalities, to harm the brethren. 3 Yet they remained there a long time, and spoke boldly about the Master; and He confirmed the teaching *in merciful kindness* [5485], by the signs and miracles that he did by their hands. 4 The entire city was split into two factions [4977]; some sided with the Jews, and some with the emissaries*. 5 An assault was made on them, by both the other nationalities, and by the Jews and their leaders, to treat them shamefully, and to stone them to death. 6 When they became aware of it, they left and fled to the cities of Lycaonia and Lystra and Derbe, and to the villages around them; 7 and they brought the *Good News* [2097] there. 8 A certain man lived in the city Lystra, who was crippled in his feet, a crippled from birth, who had never walked. 9 He heard Paul speak; and when Paul saw him, and knew that he had faith to be healed. 10 He told him, with a loud voice, “In the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, I tell you, rise to your feet”. Then he sprang up, stood, and walked. 11 The people gathered there, when they saw what Paul had done, with raised voices said, in the language of the country, “The gods have assumed the likeness of men, and have come down to us”. 12 They named Barnabas Zeus; and Paul Hermes, because he spoke more. 13 The priest of Zeus, who was just outside of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gate of the court where they were staying, and wanted to offer sacrifices to them. 14 But when Barnabas and Paul, heard about it, they tore their clothing, and sprang up and went into the crowd, 15 croaking* [2896], “Men, what are you doing? We are also human beings with feelings just as yours, we are bringing the *Good News* to you, so that you will turn from these useless things, to the living God, who made heaven and earth the seas, and everything in them. 16 He, in previous generations, allowed every nation to follow their own pursuits: 17 altho He left evidence of His existence, doing good things from heaven, sending the rain, allowing fruit to grow in the proper seasons, and filled them with cheer* [1] and gladness”,. 18 After saying these things, it was still difficult preventing the people from offering sacrifices to them. 19 But Jews came there from Iconium and Antioch, and persuaded the people to stone Paul. Then they dragged him out of the city, believing that he was dead. 20 The disciples gathered around him; and he got up, and went into the city. The next day, he left there, with Barnabas; and they came to the city of Derbe. 21 As they were bringing the *Good News* to the inhabitants of that city, they made many disciples. Then they returned to the city Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, 22 establishing the spiritual lives of the disciples, and encouraging them to persevere in the faith. They told them, that much tribulation was necessary before entering the Kingdom of Yehovah. 23 They elected* [5500] elders in every Assembly, while they fasted with them, and prayed, and presented them to our Master in who they believed. 24 When they had traveled over the region of Pisidia they came to Pamphylia. 25 When they had spoken the teachings of the Master in the city of Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 Then they traveled by sea to Antioch; where they had been delivered by the *merciful kindness* of the Master, for the work that they completed. 27 When they had gathered together the entire Assembly, they announced everything that Yehovah had done with them, and that He had opened a door of faithfulness to all nations. 28 They remained with the disciples there for a long time.

[1] See why this should say “cheer” instead of “food” using the keyword “ cheer”.

Acts 15: Certain men came down from Judea, and told the brethren, that unless you are circumcised, in accordance with the prescription of Moses*, you cant be saved*. 2 Paul and Barnabas had considerable dissension and disputation with them. As a result, Paul and Barnabas, and others with them, went up to the heralds* and elders in Jerusalem, because of this debate. 3 The Assembly sent them on their way; and they traveled thru all Phenicia and the territory of the Samaritans, relating the conversions among other nationalities, resulting in great joy among all of the brethren. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the Assembly, and by the elders, and by the emissaries*; and they recounted everything that Yehovah had done by them. 5 Some of the people who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees and who were persuaded about Yeshua, got up and said, “It is a necessity for you to circumcise them home.vol.com/~oldsage_nc/Law/Acts/acts_15.htmin accordance with the Law of Moses ”. 6 The heralds* and elders Assembled, to look into the matter. 7 After much discussion, Simon got up and told them, “Men and brethren, you know that from the earliest days, Yehovah chose me to bring the true *Good News* to the other nations so that they could believe it. 8 Yehovah, who knows every mind, *bore witness of this* [3140] when He gave them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us. 9 He made no distinction [1252] between them and us [1]; because He purified their *spiritual lives* by faithfulness*. 10 Now, why are you testing Yehovah, by putting a yoke around the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we could bear? 11 But we believe, that we as well as they, are to be saved by the *merciful kindness* of our Master Yeshua the Messiah”. 12 The whole Assembly was silent, and listened to Paul and Barnabas, who related how Yehovah had, by their hands, done signs and miracles among those of other nations. 13 When they finished, James got up and said, “Men and brethren, listen to me. 14 Simon has told you, how Yehovah has, from the beginning of our ministry, has looked among all nations to *take by the hand* and lead a people to represent His name. 15 These words are in agreement with the prophets, as it is written: 16 “After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen; and will rebuild- *excavating the ruins* [2679], and *building it anew* [461]; 17 so that the survivors [2645] of mankind [444] will search for the Master, including those of every nation who calls on My name; says the Master, who will accomplish all of these things”. 18 Yehovah has known for untold ages, His great undertaking [2041]. 19 So my judgment is that we should not disturb those who are just separating* [575] themselves from the *pagan nations* [1484] who are turning to Yehovah. 20 But rather, let’s write to them, warning that they abstain from the condemnation brought on by sacrificing to idols, and from sexual infidelity, and from strangled animals, and from blood [2]. 21 BECAUSE in every city, from our ancient [744] generations [1074], Moses has had heralds in the synagogues, who read his words every Sabbath. [3] 22 Then the heralds* and elders, and everyone in the Assembly, chose men from among themselves, and sent them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Jude, who was called Barsabas, and Silas, men who were leaders among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter to them, “The heralds* and elders and brethren, to those who are in Antioch, in Syria, and in Cilicia, fellow believers of other nationalities, greeting: 24 We have heard, that some have *forsaken our Assembly* [1831] and have caused you *inner turmoil* [5015], by teachings that have subverted your minds, by saying that you must be circumcised according to the Law [4]; things that we havent commanded. 25 So, at *this historic time* [1096] we, in total unity, have chosen to send men to you, with our beloved Paul and Barnabas, 26 men who have dedicated their lives for the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah. 27 We have sent with them Jude and Silas, so that they can tell you the same things personally. 28 For it was determined by the Holy Spirit, indeed thru us, that there should not be laid on you any additional burden, other than these preliminary necessities: 29 that you abstain from sacrificing to idols, and from blood, and from eating strangled animals, and from sexual infidelity. If you carefully practice these things you’ll *be acting well*. Remain steadfast in the Master. 30 Those who were sent, came to Antioch, and gathered all of the people, and handed out the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced in the encouragement. 32 With abundant admonition they encouraged the brethren; and Jude and Silas’ associates strengthened them, because they were also *inspired by the Spirit of Yehovah [4396]. 33 After they had been there for some time, the brethren *allowed them to return* [630] in peace to the emissaries*. 34 [A] Yet Silas was of the opinion that he should remain there longer. 35 Also Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch; teaching and bringing the Good News, with many others, the truth* of Yehovah. 36 Some days later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return, and visit the brethren in every city that we have publicly taught the truth* of Yehovah; and let’s see *how well they are holding on*”. 37 Barnabas was resolved to take John, who was surnamed Mark. 38 But Paul considered him unworthy to be taken with them; because he had left them when they were in Pamphylia, and didnt do the work. 39 As a result of this strife, they separated from each other; Barnabas took Mark, and they traveled by sea and went to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas for his companion, and left, being given* by the brethren to the merciful kindness of Yehovah. 41 He traveled thru Syria, and thru Cilicia, and strengthened the Assemblies.

[1] There was never mean to be “Jewish Christians” and “Gentile Christians”, with differing teachings.

[2] The explanation given on this link about the Jerusalem Council is far closer to the truth than the commonly accepted explanation. Another article on the topic makes some interesting points.

[3] The prospective converts, former pagans, were expected to begin learning “in the synagogues” “every Sabbath”, without coercion.

[4] They wanted them to become as “physical Israelites”, but only true Israelites, and their slaves, are obligated to be circumcised (Genesis 17:10-14).

[A] This verse is removed to the margin in the editions of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

Acts 16: He came to the city of Derbe, and to Lystra. There was a certain disciple there, whose name was Timothy, the son of a believing Jewish lady, but his father was a Hellenist*. 2 All the disciples of Lystra and Iconium gave a good recommendation of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him with him, so he took him, and circumcised him, because of the Jews that were in that region; for they all knew that his father was a Hellenist*. 4 As they traveled among the cities, they delivered to them the ordinance that the heralds* and elders in Jerusalem had written. 5 So the Assemblies were established in the faith, and increased daily in number. 6 They traveled thru the regions of Phrygia and Galatia; but the Holy Spirit prevented them from proclaiming the truth of Yehovah in Asia. 7 When they came into the region of Mysia, they wanted to go from there into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Yeshua didnt allow it. 8 When they left Mysia, they came down to the region of Troas. 9 In a vision [1], a man from Macedonia appeared to Paul; he stood and was looking for him, saying, “Come to Macedonia and help us”. 10 When Paul had seen this vision, we wanted to leave for Macedonia immediately; because we deduced* [4822], that our Master called us to bring the *Good News* to them. 11 We sailed from Troas, and went directly to Samothrace; and from there, on the following day, we went to the city of Neapolis. 12 From there to Philippi, which is the principal city of Macedonia; it is a colony. We remained in that city several days. 13 On the Sabbath day, we went outside of the gate of the city to the edge of a river, because we saw a *place frequently used for prayer* [4335] there. When we were seated, we conversed with the women who were gathered there. 14 A certain woman who feared Yehovah, a seller of purple, whose name was Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, was there. The Master opened her mind, and she listened to what Paul said. 15 She was baptized, as well as her household. She encouraged us saying, “If you are really persuaded that I have believed in our Master, come and take stay in my house”. She was very persuasive. 16 Then, as we were going to the place* of prayer, a certain girl met us, who had a spirit of divination, who profited her lords greatly by the divination that she performed. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out: “These men are the servants of the *God of the highest regions*, and they are announcing to you the Way of salvation*”. 18 She did this for many days. Paul was indignant; and he told the spirit, “I command you, in the name of Yeshua the Messiah, to come out of her”. It came out the same hour. 19 When her lords saw that the prospect of profit from her was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, dragging them along to the market place. 20 They set them before the soldiers and magistrates of the city, and said, “These men disturb our city; for they are Jews, 21 and they preach to us customs that are not lawful for us to receive and to practice, because we are Romans”. 22 A great mob gathered against them. Then the soldiers tore their clothes, and ordered them to be scourged. 23 When they had laid many stripe wounds on them, they threw them into prison, and ordered the warden of the prison to keep them as securely as possible. 24 He, having received this order, threw them into the inner part of the prison, and confined their feet in the stocks. 25 At midnight Paul and Silas were praying and praising Yehovah; and the prisoners heard them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, and the foundations of the prison were moved; and immediately all the doors opened, and everyone’s bands were loosened. 27 When the prison warden awoke, and saw that the doors of the prison were open, he took a sword and was going to kill himself; because he assumed that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul called to him, in a loud voice, “Dont harm yourself, we are all here”. 29 He lit a lamp, and rushed in, trembling, and fell at Paul and Silas’ feet. 30 He brought them out, and told them, “Masters, what must I do to be saved”? 31 They said, “Believe in the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, and you’ll be saved, you and your household”. 32 They explained the truths of the Master to him, and to all the members of his household. 33 The same hour of the night, he washed their stripes; and he was immersed* immediately, he and all the members of his household. 34 He took them and brought them into his house, and set a table for them; and he rejoiced in the faith of Yehovah, he and everyone in his house. 35 In the morning, the soldiers sent officials to tell the warden of the prison to let those men loose. 36 When the prison warden heard about it, he went in, and repeated to Paul; namely, that the officials have sent orders that you are to be set free. Now, he said, “Go out, and leave in peace”. 37 But Paul told him, “They have scourged us, unoffending men, and Romans, before all the world, and have thrown us into prison; and now they want to secretly let us out? Absolutely not! Have them come personally and let us out”. 38 The officials went and repeated to the soldiers what they heard; and when they heard that they were Romans, they were terrified. 39 They came to them, and asked them to come out, and asked that they leave the city. 40 When they left the prison, they entered Lydia’s house; and there they saw the brethren, and comforted them before leaving.

[1] or a wakeful ecstacy [3705, horama]

Acts 17: They passed thru the cities of Amphipolis and Apollonia, and came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 Paul, as usual, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths he had dialog* [1256, dialegomai] with them from the Scriptures; 3 explaining and demonstrating, that the Messiah was to suffer, and to arise from the dead, and that Yeshua who he was announcing [2605] is the Messiah. 4 Some of them believed, and followed Paul and Silas; many of them were Hellenists* who feared Yehovah; many others were influential women. 5 But the Jews were indignant and rounded up some wicked men from the marketplace of the city, and formed a great mob. They alarmed the city, and came and assaulted Jason’s house, endeavoring to hand them over to the mob. 6 When they didnt find them there, they dragged Jason and the brethren who were there before the leaders of the city, crying out, “These are the ones who have *turned the world upside down*; and now they are here. 7 This Jason is their host; they all resist the commands of Caesar, saying that there is another King, one Yeshua”. 8 The leaders of the city, and all the people, were alarmed when they heard these things. 9 They took bail from Jason, and also from the brethren, and then released them. 10 The brethren immediately, that same night, sent Paul and Silas away to the city of Berea. When they arrived, they entered a Jewish synagogue. 11 For the Jews there were more noble minded than the Jews of Thessalonica; they zealously* [4288] heard the truth* from them daily, and investigated* [350] the Scriptures to see whether these things were so. 12 Many of them believed; and of the Hellenists* there were many men, and influential women. 13 When the Jews of Thessalonica learned that the teachings of Yehovah were being announced by Paul in the city of Berea, they came there also, and they continually excited and alarmed the people. 14 The brethren sent Paul away, that he could go down to the sea. But Silas and Timothy stayed in the city. 15 Those who escorted Paul, went with him to the city of Athens. After they left him, Silas and Timothy received a letter from him saying that they should come to him quickly. 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was provoked in his spirit; because he saw that the whole city was full of idols. 17 In the synagogue he spoke with the Jews, and with those who feared Yehovah, and in the marketplace he spoke with those who gathered there daily. 18 Also philosophers of the sect of Epicureans, and others who were called Stoics, encountered him. Some of them asked, “What does this babbler mean”? Others said, “He announces foreign deities”; because he brings News* to them about Yeshua and His resurrection. 19 They brought him to the place of judgments called *Mars hill* [697], and said, “Tell us about this new doctrine that you have been talking about”. 20 For you are bringing novel words to us; and we want to know what they mean. 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners living there, cared for nothing else but sharing novel ideas. 22 As Paul stood in the Areopagus, he said, “Men, Athenians, I perceive that all of you *worship many gods* [1174]”. 23 For, as I was walking around, and looking at the icons [4574] that you worship, I encountered an altar that was inscribed, “TO THE UNKNOWN* [57, agnostos] [1] GOD”. So the One who you worship, without knowing Him, is the One I am announcing to you. 24 For the God who made the world and everything in it, Yehovah in heaven and on earth, doesnt live in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He ministered to by human hands, nor does He have any needs; for He is the One who gives life and breath to everyone. 26 Of one blood He has made all of humanity, so that they could live on the surface of the entire earth; He has *defined their borders* [3724] and *set an opportune timetable* [2540] in advance; and set limitations* [3734] on their civilization: 27 *in order to set the stage for our finding out by thinking, meditating, reasoning and inquiry* [2212] about God, even groping around for Him, so that by any means we might find Him; because He is not far from any of us. 28 Because of Him we live, and move, and exist; as one of your own poets has said, “We are His offspring”. 29 So we, the offspring of God, should not suppose that the Deity is in the likeness of gold, silver, stone— something sculptured by the art and skill of men 30 God has put a stop to this time of ignorance; and at the present time, He commands all men everywhere, to repent. 31 Because He has appointed a day when He will judge everyone on earth, with righteousness, by the Man who He has designated. He has convinced [4102] everyone of this by raised Him from the dead. 32 When they heard of the resurrection from the dead, some of them mocked him, while others said, “We will listen to you again on this matter later”. 33 So Paul left them. 34 Some of them followed him, and believed; one of these was Dionysius from among the judges of Areopagus, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

[1] Strong’s 57, “agnostos” simply means “unknown” in Greek. The ancient Greeks set up altars for a possible “agnostos” god-just in case. Today’s agnostics arent that concerned.

Acts 18: When Paul left Athens, he went to Corinth. 2 He found a man there, a Jew, whose name was Aquilla, who was from the region of Pontus, and had just arrived from the country of Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius Caesar had commanded that all Jews should leave Rome. So he came to them. 3 Because he was of a their trade, he stayed with them, and worked with them; for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 He spoke in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and Hellenists*. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul didnt feel free to speak, because the Jews opposed him, and blasphemed, as he testified to them that Yeshua is the Messiah. 6 He shook his garments, and told them, ‘From now on I am blameless; I will deal with other ethnicities* [1484, ethnos]. 7 He left, and entered the house of a certain man named Titus, one who feared Yehovah, whose house adjoined the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the leader* of the synagogue, believed in our Master, he and all the members of his household. Many Corinthians listened, and believed in Yehovah and were baptized. 9 The Master said to Paul in a vision, “Dont be afraid, speak out and dont be silent: 10 for I am with you, and no one is able to harm you; and I have many people in this city”. 11 He stayed in Corinth a year and six months, and taught them the teachings of Yehovah. 12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made an insurrection against Paul; and they brought him before the judgment seat, 13 saying, “This man persuades the people to worship Yehovah contrary to the Law”. 14 When Paul requested that he might speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If your accusation, O Jews, related to any wrong done, or any fraud, or base act, I will bear with you”. 15 But if is questions about words, and about names, or concerning your Law, you must deal with it among yourselves, for I dont want to be a judge of such matters. 16 He drove them away from his judgment seat. 17 Foreigners seized Sosthenes, an elder of the synagogue, and killed him before the judgment seat; but Gallio disregarded these incidents. 18 When Paul had been there a good while, he said good-bye to the brethren, and left by sea for Syria. With him were Priscilla and Aquilla, who had shaved his head in Cenchrea, because of a vow. 19 They came to Ephesus, and Paul entered the synagogue, and had dialog* with the Jews. 20 They asked that he remain with them, but he could not be persuaded. 21 For he said, “I must certainly keep the approaching Feast in Jerusalem [1]. But, if it pleases Yehovah, I will visit you again. 22 He left Aquilla and Priscilla at Ephesus and then he left by sea and came to Caesarea. He went up and greeted the Assembly, and then went on to Antioch. 23 When he had been there several days, he left, and traveled from place to place in the regions of Phrygia and Galatia, establishing all the disciples. 24 A certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, eloquent regarding to the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 He had been instructed in the ways of the Master, and was fervent in spirit; and he conversed and taught accurately respecting Yeshua, while he knew nothing other than the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquilla and Priscilla heard him, they took him to their house, and showed him more accurately the Way of the Master. 27 When he wanted to go to Achaia, the brethren warmly received him, and wrote to the disciples, asking them to receive him. By going, thru grace, he greatly assisted everyone who believed. 28 For he reasoned very convincingly with the Jews, before the congregation; and showed from the Scriptures, regarding Yeshua, that He is the Messiah.

[1] The others feasted locally.

Acts 19: While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul traveled over the upper countries to Ephesus. He asked the disciples who he found there, 2 Have you received the Holy Spirit, since you believed? They replied, “We have not even heard about a Holy Spirit”. 3 He asked them, “Into what then were you baptized”? They replied, “Into the baptism of John”. 4 Paul told them, “John immersed* the people with the baptism of repentance, while he told them to believe in Him who was to come after him, that is, in Yeshua the Messiah”. 5 When they heard these things, they were immersed* in the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah. 6 Paul laid his hand on them; and the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in various tongues, and prophesied. 7 There were twelve in all. 8 Paul entered into the synagogue, and spoke freely for three months, persuading people regarding the Kingdom of Yehovah. 9 Some of them were hardened, refusing to believe, and reviled the Way of Yehovah before the Assembly. Then Paul withdrew from them, and also separated the disciples from them. He had dialog* with them daily in the school of a man named Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, until everyone who lived in Proconsular Asia, both Jews and Hellenists*, heard the truths* of the Master. 11 Yehovah did very great miracles by the hand of Paul; 12 so that, from the clothes on his body, handkerchiefs and aprons were carried and laid on the sick and the diseases left them, and demons also went away. 13 Moreover certain Jews, who traveled about exorcising demons, wanted to exorcise in the name of our Master Yeshua over those who had unclean spirits, by saying, “We adjure you, in the name of Yeshua who Paul announces”. 14 There were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and leader of the priests, who did this. 15 The evil spirit told them, “Yeshua I well know, and Paul I know, but as for you, who are you”? 16 Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, threw them down; and they fled out of the house naked and wounded. 17 This became known to all the Jews and Hellenists*, who lived in Ephesus. Fear overtook them all, and the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah was exalted. 18 Many of those who believed, came and acknowledged their faults, and confessed what they had done. 19 Also many who practiced the magic arts gathered up their books, brought them together and burned them before everybody, and they computed the cost of them, and the cost was fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 Thus with great power was the faith of Yehovah strengthened and increased. 21 When these things had been accomplished, Paul decided in his spirit, to travel thru all of Macedonia and Achaia, and then go to Jerusalem. He said, “After I have gone there, I must also see Rome”. 22 He sent two people, of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia; but he himself remained for a while in Asia. 23 At that time there was great commotion concerning the Way of Yehovah. 24 For a certain silversmith was there, named Demetrius, who made silver shrines for Diana, and greatly profited the artisans of his trade. 25 He gathered all the artisans of his trade, and those who labored with them, and told them, “Men, you know that our profits come from this business. 26 You also know and see, that not only the citizens of Ephesus, but thruout all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned many away, by saying that gods arent made by the hands of men. 27 Not only is this occupation in jeopardy of becoming worthless, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana is considered to be nothing; likewise the goddess herself of all Asia, the one all nations worship, is condemned”. 28 When they heard these things they were filled with rage; and they cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”. 29 The whole city was in commotion; and they ran together, and entered the theater. Then they seized and carried off Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, associates of Paul. 30 Paul wanted to go into the theater, but the disciples stopped him. 31 Likewise the leaders of Asia, because they were his friends, sent requests to him, that he would not expose himself by going into the theater. 32 The crowds that were in the theater were in great confusion, and cried, some one thing, and some another. Many of them didnt even know why they had come together. 33 The Jewish people who were there, brought forward one of their men, a Jew named Alexander. He got up and waved his hand, because he wanted to make a defense as they were assembled. 34 But they, knowing that he was a Jew, all cried out with one voice, for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians”. 35 But the town clerk of the city appeased them, by saying, “Men of Ephesus, what person is there, among men, who doesnt know the city of the Ephesians is devoted to the worship of the great Diana, and her image that descended from heaven? 36 So since no one can gainsay this, you should to be tranquil, and do nothing recklessly. 37 For you have brought forward these men, when they havent robbed our churches* [1], or blasphemed our goddess. 38 But if Demetrius and the men of his trade have a controversy with anyone, there is a proconsul in the city, let them accuse one another there. 39 Or if you want anything else, it can be resolved in a lawful assembly. 40 Because we are now in danger of being accused of sedition, since we cant explain our gathering today, because this tumult has no cause”. After saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.

[1] This is the only place in the Testimony of Yeshua, where William Tyndale used the word “church”—a word that he understand to mean a pagan temple.

Acts 20: After the tumult had subsided, Paul called the disciples to him, and comforted them, and kissed them, and left for Macedonia. 2 When he had traveled over those regions, and had comforted them in many conversations, he went to the country of Greece. 3 He was there for three months. The Jews formed an ambush against him when he was about to go to Syria; and he contemplated returning to Macedonia. 4 Sopater, from the city Berea, accompanied him as far as Asia, as well as Aristarchus and Secundus who were from Thessalonica, and Gaius who was from the city of Derbe, and Timothy of Lystra, and of Asia Tychicus and Trophimus. 5 These went on before us, and waited for us at Troas. 6 We sailed from the Macedonian city of Philippi during* the Days of Unleavened Bread; and sailed to Troas in five days, and stayed there seven days. 7 Then on the first *of the Sabbaths*, when we Assembled to break bread, Paul *had dialog* with them, because he was going to leave the next day; and he continued his dialog* till midnight. 8 There were many lamps burning in the chamber where we were Assembled. 9 A young man named Eutychus was sitting in a window and listening. During Paul’s dialog* before them, he sank into a deep sleep; and, in his sleep, he fell from the third loft, and was dead when they picked him up. 10 Paul went down, and bent over him and embraced him, and said, “Dont be excited, for he is still alive”. 11 When he had gone back up, he broke bread and tasted it, and conversed* [3656] until the morning dawned. Then he departed by land. 12 They brought the young man alive, and rejoiced over him greatly. 13 We went onboard a ship, and sailed to the port of Thesos; because, there we were to take in Paul, for this he had asked of us, when he proceeded on by land. 14 When we had received him at Thesos, we took him onboard the ship and proceeded to Mitylene. 15 From there, the next day, we sailed over towards the island Chios; and again, the next day we arrived at Samos, and stopped at Trogyllium; and on the following day we arrived at Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to pass by Ephesus, so that he wouldnt be delayed there; because he was hurrying [4692], if possible, *to make an appearance* [1096] on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. From Miletus, he sent and called the elders of the Assembly at Ephesus. 18 When they had come to him, he told them, “You know that from the first day that I entered Asia, I have been with you; 19 laboring for Yehovah, in great humility, and with tears, amid the trials which lie in wait for me from the Jews. 20 I didnt neglect to reveal things to you that would be advantageous to you spiritually, and I taught in the streets and in houses, 21 while I testified to Jews and to Hellenists* about repentance towards Yehovah and faith in our Master Yeshua the Messiah. 22 Now I am bound by the Spirit, and am going to Jerusalem; and I dont know what will happen to me there; 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, and says, “Bonds and afflictions await you”. 24 But I consider my life as nothing, so that I may but finish my course, and the service* [diakonia] which I have received from our Master Yeshua, to bear testimony to the *Good News* of the *merciful kindness* of Yehovah. 25 Now, I know that none of you, of who I have traveled and heralded the Kingdom of Yehovah, will see me again anymore. 26 So I testify to you for the record, today, that I am innocent of the *shed blood* of anyone. 27 For I have not shunned to acquaint you with the entire will of Yehovah. 28 So each of you be careful, and *all of you collectively* in the flock, over which the Holy Spirit has established you as watchmen; [1] see that you feed the Assembly of Yehovah, which He has preserved* [4046] with His own blood. 29 For I know, that after I am gone, fierce wolves will enter in among you, and will not spare the flock. 30 Also, men from among you will rise up and say corrupted* [1294] things, that they may draw away disciples to follow behind them. 31 So be watchful; and remember, that for three years I didnt cease to warn each one of you, day and night, with tears. 32 Now I set you before Yehovah, and to the teachings of His *merciful kindness* that He is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among *those who have been made holy* [37]. 33 I have not longed for silver, or gold, or clothing. 34 You know that *by my own efforts* I ministered to my own necessities, and to those who were with me. 35 I have showed you everything; how it is our duty to labor, and to care for the infirm, and to remember the teachings of our Master Yeshua; that He said “The giver is more blessed than the receiver”. 36 After he said these things, he fell on his knees and prayed, and everyone with him. 37 They all cried and embraced him, and kissed him. 38 They were greatly anguished because he said that they wouldnt see him again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

[1] This is the only place in the Murdock version of the Testimony of Yeshua that the word “Bishop” occurred. I believe that the root word of “episkopos” [Strong’s 4649] “watchman” is more suitable in English.

* An asterisk indicates that a word* or *the wording* differs significantly from the Murdock Translation.