The Gabriel Bible

The Gabriel Bible

Acts 21-28 (with Strong’s numbers)

Acts 21: After we separated from them, we proceeded on a straight course to the island of Coos. The next day, we reached Rhodes, and from there Patara. 2 We found a ship there going to Phenicia; and boarded it, and proceeded on. 3 We reached the island of Cyprus, passing it on the left side we came to Syria; from there we went to Tyre, for the ship was to unload its cargo there. 4 We found disciples there, so we stayed with them for seven days; and they, by the Spirit, told Paul not to go to Jerusalem. 5 Afterward, we left and went on our way; and they all clung to us, they, their wives and their children, until we were outside of the city; and they fell to their knees by the seaside, and prayed. 6 We kissed one another; and then boarded the ship, and they returned to their homes. 7 We sailed from Tyre, and arrived at the city of Acco. We visited the brethren there, and remained with them one day. 8 The next day, we headed for and arrived in Cesarea. We stayed in Philip the *Assembly planter’s* [1] house, who was one of the seven. 9 He had four virgin daughters, who were prophetesses. 10 As we were there many days, a certain prophet came down from Judea, whose name was Agabus. 11 He came in to us, and took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘So will the Jews in Jerusalem bind the man, who owns this belt; and they will deliver him to the heathen”. 12 When we heard these words, we and the residents there begged him not to go to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul said, “Why are you crying and crushing me emotionally? For I am prepared, not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem, for the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah”. 14 We could not persuade him; so we said, “Let the will of our Master take place”. 15 After those days, we prepared ourselves and went up to Jerusalem. 16 Some disciples from Caesarea went along with us, taking with them a brother from among the earlier disciples, whose name was Mnason, who was from Cyprus. We were guests at his house. 17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us joyfully. 18 The next day, when all the elders were present, we went in with Paul to James. 19 After we greeted them; Paul recounted to them in particular what Yehovah’ had been done among the nations by his ministry. 20 When they heard it they glorified Yehovah. They told him, “Brother, you see how many thousands there are in Judea who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law”. 21 But they had heard that you teach all the Jews who are scattered among the nations to depart from Moses, by telling them not to circumcise their children, and not to observe the rites of the Law. 22 Now, because they have heard that you have arrived here, 23 do what we tell you. We have four men, who have vowed to purify themselves. 24 Take them, and go and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses. They will shave their heads; so that everyone will know that what is said against you is false, and that you fulfill and observe the Law. 25 As for those of *other ethnicities* [ethnos] who have believed, we have written, that they should keep themselves from sacrificing to idols, and from sexual infidelity, and from what is strangled, and from blood [2]. 26 So Paul took those men, on the following day, and was purified with them; and with them he entered the temple, signifying to them the completion of the days of the purification, until the presentation of the offering was made in behalf of each of them. 27 When the seventh day arrived, the Jews from Asia saw him in the temple; and they stirred up the people against him, and seized him. 28 They cried out, “Men, sons of Israel; help. This is the man who teaches in every place, against our people, and against the Law, and against this place; and he has also brought heathens* into the temple, and has defiled* this holy place”. 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city; and they supposed, that he had entered the temple with Paul. 30 The whole city was in commotion; and everyone gathered together, and seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately they closed the gates. 31 While the crowd was trying to kill him, it was reported to the commander of the garrison, that the whole city was in uproar. 32 Immediately he took a centurion and many soldiers, and they rushed them. When they saw the commander and the soldiers, they quit beating Paul. 33 The commander came up to him, and seized him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He asked him who he was, and what he had done. 34 People from the mob yelled various accusations against him. Because he could not, due to the uproar, learn what the truth was, he ordered him to be to taken to the encampment. 35 When Paul came to the stairs, the soldiers carried him along, because of the violence of the people. 36 Very many people followed him, and cried out, saying, “Away with him”. 37 When he came near the entrance of the encampment, Paul asked the captain, “Will you allow me to speak with you”? He told him, “Can you speak Greek? 38 Arent you the Egyptian who previously caused an insurrection, and lead four thousand evil men out into the desert”? 39 Paul told him, “I am a Jew, a man of Tarsus, a noted city in Cilicia, where I was born. I implore you to allow me to speak to the people”. 40 So when he allowed him. Paul stood on the stairs, and motioned his hand to them; and when they were quiet, he addressed them in Hebrew.

[1] Strong’s 2099, euaggelistes: This is one of three places where this form of the word “evangel” (Good News) appears. Religious jargon calls them evangelists. They were “Assembly planters” (or “Church planters” as described in Pagan Christianity), carrying the Good News to places where it was previously unknown. Philip appears to have traveled from city to city heralding the teachings (Acts 8:4,40 & 21:8). Judging from the case of Philip, assembly planters didnt have the authority of emissaries*, or the gift of prophecy, or the responsibility of elders. (See also Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:5)

[2] Consider the footnotes and links back in Acts 15.

Acts 22: Brethren and fathers, listen to my defense before you. 2 When they heard him addressing them in Hebrew, they were even quieter; and he said, 3 “I am a Jewish man; I was born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but was brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, and I was instructed, with exactness, in the Law of our fathers; and I was zealous for Yehovah, as are all of you. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death; for I bound, and delivered both men and women to prison. 5 The high priest and all the elders can attest to this; I received letters from them, that I might go to the brethren in Damascus, and bring those who were there as prisoners to Jerusalem, to receive capital punishment. 6 Then, as I was traveling and began to approach Damascus, at noonday, a great light from heaven shined around me. 7 I fell to the ground and I heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting Me”? 8 I asked, “Who are you, Master”? He said, “I am Yeshua the Nazarene, who you persecute”. 9 The men who were with me saw the light, but didnt hear the voice speak with me. 10 I said, “Master, what should I do”? The Master said, “Arise, go to Damascus; and there you will be told everything that is appointed for you to do”. 11 As I could see nothing, because of the praise of that light, those with me took me by the hand, and I entered Damascus. 12 A certain man, Ananias, a devout man according to the Law, as all of the Jews there attested to concerning him, came to me. 13 He said, “Brother Saul! open yours eyes”. Instantly my eyes were opened; and I looked at him. 14 He said, “The God of our fathers has chosen* you to understand His will, and to see the Just One, and to hear His voice. 15 You’ll be a witness for Him before all men, concerning everything that you have seen and heard. 16 So why do you hesitate? Get up and be baptized, and be cleansed from your sins, while you invoke His name”. 17 So when I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the temple and 18 in an *ecstatic state of wakefulness* [1611, ekstasis], I saw Him. He told me, “Hurry out of Jerusalem; for they wont receive your testimony concerning Me”. 19 I said, “Master, they are well aware that I have delivered to prison those who believed in You, and have scourged them in all synagogues,. 20 When the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I was standing with them approving of his killers, and guarded the coats of those who stoned him”. 21 But he told me, “Leave; for I am sending you far away to *non Jewish people*”. 22 When they had heard Paul as far as this sentence, they raised their voices, and cried out, “Away with such a man from the earth! He shouldnt live”! 23 They yelled, and threw off their garments, and threw dust into the air. 24 The commander gave orders to carry him into the encampment, and he ordered that he should be interrogated with whipping*; so that he might determine why they cried out against him. 25 As they were stretching him with ropes, Paul asked the centurion who stood over him, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a Roman, someone not condemned”? 26 When the centurion heard it, he went to the Governor, and asked him, “What should we do? This man is a Roman”. 27 The commander came to him, and asked: “Are you a Roman”? He answered, “Yes”. 28 The commander replied, “I acquired Roman citizenship at considerable cost. Paul replied, “I was born into it”. 29 Immediately those who were intending to scourge him, fled from him; the commander was afraid, when he learned that he was a Roman, because he had stretched him for scourging. 30 The next day, he wanted to know exactly what the accusation was that the Jews brought against him, and he untied him, and ordered the leading priests, and all of their council leaders to assemble. He took Paul, and brought him down, and set him before them.

Acts 23: When Paul *fixed his eyes* on the assembly, he said, “Men, my brothers; I have lived in all good conscience before Yehovah to this very day. 2 Ananias, the priest, commanded those who stood by his side, to strike Paul on the mouth. 3 Paul replied, “Yehovah will later strike you, you whitewashed wall! For, you sit to judge me according to the Law, while you break* the law, and order me struck”! 4 Those standing by asked, “You even vilify the high priest of Yehovah”? 5 Paul told them, “I wasnt aware, brothers, that he was the high priest, ‘For it is written, you’ll not curse the ruler of your people’”. 6 Because Paul knew that some of the people were Sadducees, and some were Pharisees, he called out, in the assembly, “Men, my brothers; I am a Pharisee the son of a Pharisee; and for the hope of the resurrection of the dead, I am being judged”. 7 After he said this, the Pharisees and Sadducees were in an uproar, and the people were divided, 8 for the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor holy Messengers, nor a spirits; but the Pharisees confess all of these. 9 There was a great outcry. Some Law professors of the party of the Pharisees rose up, and contended with them, saying, “We have found nothing evil in this man; for if a spirit or a holy Messenger has conversed with him, what is wrong with that”? 10 As there was great commotion among them, the commander was afraid that they might tear Paul to pieces. So he sent Romans, to seize him and carry him away from them, and bring him into the encampment. 11 When night came, our Master appeared to Paul, and told him, “Be strong; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, you will also testify for Me in Rome”. 12 When it was morning, several of the Jews gathered together, and bound themselves by oaths that they would neither eat nor drink until they had murdered Paul. 13 More than forty people had sworn to this oath. 14 They went to the priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves by oaths, that we will taste nothing until we will have slain Paul”. 15 So you and the council leaders request that the Governor bring him to you, as if you wanted to honestly investigate his conduct; for we are prepared to kill him before he arrives here. 16 Paul’s sister’s son heard of this plot; so he went into the encampment, and informed Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions, and told him, “Conduct this youth to the Governor; for he has something to tell him”. 18 The centurion took the young man, and introduced him to the Governor, and said, “Paul the prisoner called me, and asked that I bring this youth to you, for he has something to tell you”. 19 The commander took the young man by his hand, and led him aside, and asked him, “What do you want to tell me”? 20 The young man said, “The Jews are about to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to their assembly, as if wanting to learn something more from him. 21 But dont be persuaded by them because more than forty of them await him in ambush, and have bound themselves by oaths, that they will neither eat nor drink until they will have slain him; and yes, they are prepared, and are waiting for your announcement*”. 22 The commander dismissed the young man, after ordering him: “Let no man know, that you have revealed this to me”. 23 He called two centurions, and told them, “Go and prepare two hundred Romans to go to Caesarea, as well as seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen; and let them set out at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide a mount, so that they can set Paul on it, and carry him safely to Felix the governor”. 25 He wrote a letter and gave it to them, which stated: 26 “Claudius Lysias, to the excellent governor Felix; greeting. 27 The Jews seized this man, in order to kill him; but I came with Romans, and rescued him, when I learned that he was a Roman. 28 As I wanted to know about the offence that they accused him of, I brought him to their assembly. 29 I found that they accused him about questions of their Law, and that an offence worthy of bonds or of death wasnt warranted. 30 When knowledge of a secret plot formed by the Jews against him came to my knowledge, I immediately* sent him to you. I have directed his accusers, to go and contend with him, before you. Farewell”. 31 Then the Romans, as they had been commanded, took Paul by night, and brought him to the city of Antipatris. 32 The next day, the horsemen dismissed the footmen, their associates, so that they could return to the encampment. 33 They brought him to Caesarea; and they delivered the letter to the governor, and set Paul before him. 34 After he read the letter, he asked him what province he was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he told him, “I will give you an audience, when your accusers arrive”. He ordered him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

Acts 24: After five days, Ananias the high priest, with the elders, and with Tertullus the orator, went down, and made a statement to the governor against Paul. 2 When he had been called, Tertullus preceded his accusation by saying, 3 “Because of you, we dwell in great tranquillity; and many reforms have come to this nation under your administration; and all of us, in every place, receive your grace, excellent Felix. 4 But, so as not to weary you with numerous particulars, I ask you to hear our reasonable request in brief. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, and an instigator of sedition among all the Jews in the whole world; he is a *principal proponent* [4414] of the sect [1] of the Nazarenes. 6 He wanted to defile our temple. Having seized him we wanted to judge him according to our Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came, and with great violence took him out of our hands, and sent him to you. 8 He ordered his accusers to come before you. If you’ll interrogate him, you can learn from him about all of these things of which we accuse him”. 9 The Jews also witnessed against him, saying that these things were so. 10 Then the governor motioned to Paul, that he should speak. Paul said, “I know you to have been a judge of this nation for many years, so I will gladly* answer in my own defense. 11 I want you to know that it has only been twelve days, since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 They didnt so much as find me *having dialog* with anyone in the temple, and certainly not exciting a riotous gathering, in their synagogues, or in the city. 13 They dont have the ability* to prove to you the things they are accusing me of. 14 But this I certainly acknowledge, that of the Way* [3598] that they refer to as a sect, I serve the God of my fathers, believing everything written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I also have a hope in Yehovah, as do they, that there is to be a resurrection of the dead, both of the righteous and the wicked. 16 For this reason, I also labor to always have a pure conscience before Yehovah, and before men. 17 After many years, I came to the people of my own nation [2], to distribute alms, and to present a sacrifice* [4376]. 18 After I had *ceremonially purified* [48] myself, these men found me in the temple; not with a crowd, nor rioting. But certain Jews, who came from Asia, were riotous; 19 who should stand with me before you, and make accusations of their own affairs. 20 Or else let these same people explain what fault they have against me, when I stood before the Sanhedrin [4892, sunedrion]. 21 Except I did cry out this one thing, while standing among them: “Concerning the resurrection of the dead, I am on trial before you today”. 22 Felix, because he understood the Way fully, deferred them by saying, “When the commander comes, I will arrange a hearing between you”. 23 He commanded a centurion to take care of Paul; and to see that none of his acquaintances would be forbidden to minister to him. 24 After a few days, Felix, and Drusilla his wife, who was a Jewish, sent for Paul; and they heard him concerning faith in the Messiah. 25 Their dialog* [1256] concerned righteousness, and holiness, and the future Judgment Day. Felix was filled with fear; so he said, “For the present time, go; and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you”. 26 He was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he often sent for him, and conversed with him. 27 After two years, another governor whose name was Porcius Festus, succeeded him. Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, kept Paul a prisoner.

[1] “Sect” and “heresy” are the same Greek word.

[2] The trumped up word “gentile”, and “nation” are the same Greek word.

Acts 25: Festus arrived in Caesarea, and after three days he went to Jerusalem. 2 The leading priests and the Jewish leaders presented their views to him about Paul. 3 They were asking him, as a favor, to arrange for him to go to Jerusalem; they were plotting an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 But Festus replied, “Paul is in custody in Caesarea, where I am going soon. 5 So have those among you who are able, go down with us, and present every offence there is against the man”. 6 When he had been there eight to ten days, he came down to Caesarea. The next day, he sat on the tribunal, and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he came, the Jews who had come from Jerusalem surrounded him, and produced many severe accusations against him that they were unable to prove. 8 Meanwhile, Paul replied that he had committed no offence against either Jewish law, or against the temple, or against Caesar. 9 But Festus, because he was wanted the good will of the Jews, told Paul, “Will you go up to Jerusalem, and be tried there before me for these things”? 10 Paul replied, “I stand before Caesar’s tribunal; I should be tried here. I have committed no offence against the Jews, as you know very well. 11 If I had committed a crime, or done anything worthy of death, I wouldnt refuse to die. But if none of the things that they accuse me of is true, no one should do them a favor. I invoke an appeal to Caesar”. 12 Then Festus conferred with his counselors, and said, “You have invoked an appeal to Caesar? To Caesar will you go”. 13 After several days had passed, Agrippa the king, and Bernice, came down to Caesarea to visit Festus. 14 When they had been with him a few days, Festus told the king about the case of Paul, saying, “A certain man was left a prisoner by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and the elders of the Jews told me about him, and wanted me to pass judgment on him in their favor. 16 I told them, “It isnt the custom of the Romans, to give up a man gratuitously to be slain; until his accuser appears and charges him to his face, and he is allowed an opportunity to present a defense regarding the accusation against him”. 17 When I had come here, without delay, I sat on the tribunal the next day, and ordered the man to be brought before me. 18 His accusers stood up with him, and as I had expected, they werent able to substantiate any criminal charge against him. 19 They had certain controversies with him concerning their worship, and regarding one Yeshua, who died, but who, as Paul said, was alive. 20 Because I wasnt well established regarding these questions, I told Paul, “Do you ask to go to Jerusalem, and be judged there concerning these matters”? 21 But he requested to be reserved for a trial before Caesar, so I ordered that he be kept until I could send him to Caesar. 22 Agrippa said, “I would like to hear that man. Festus said, ‘Tomorrow you’ll hear him’. 23 The next day, Agrippa and Bernice came, with great pomp, and entered the courthouse, with the commanders and leaders of the city. Festus gave the order, and Paul came. 24 Festus said, “King Agrippa, and everyone present with us; concerning this man who you see, all the Jewish people appealed to me, in Jerusalem and also here, crying out, that he should die. 25 Yet upon investigation, I found that he has done nothing deserving of death. But, because he requested to remain in custody for a hearing before Caesar, I have ordered him to be sent. 26 I dont know what I can write to Caesar, regarding him, so I wished to bring him before you, and especially before you, king Agrippa; that when his case has been heard, I may find what to write. 27 For it is unreasonable, when we send a prisoner, not to designate charges against him”.

Acts 26: Agrippa told Paul, “You are permitted to speak in your own behalf”. Then Paul extended his hand, and made his defense, saying, 2 “In regard to everything that I am accused of by the Jews, king Agrippa, I consider myself blessed to be able to present my defense before you today, 3 especially, as I know you to be an expert in all the controversies and laws of the Jews. I therefore request that you hear me patiently. 4 The Jews themselves, if they would testify, know well the manner of my life from my childhood, which from the beginning was among my people in Jerusalem. 5 For they have long been persuaded by me, and have known, that I lived in the strictest sect of the Pharisees. 6 I now stand on trial for believing the promise that was made by Yehovah to our fathers. 7 To this hope, our twelve tribes hope to come, with earnest prayers day and night, and for this same hope, king Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why would such an opinion seem incredible? Shouldnt we believe, that Yehovah will raise the dead? 9 For I myself, at first decided in my own mind to perpetrate many adverse things against the name of Yeshua the Nazarene. 10 I also did this in Jerusalem; and by the authority I received from the leading priests, I threw many of the Saints into prison and when they put them to death, I consented with those who condemned them. 11 In every synagogue I tortured them, and I compelled them to blaspheme the name of Yeshua. In the great wrath that I was filled with against them, I also went to other cities to persecute them. 12 As I was going to Damascus for this purpose, with the authorization and commission of the leading priests, 13 at mid-day, on the road, I saw, O king, a light brighter than the sun, beaming from heaven onto me, and on everyone with me. 14 We all fell to the ground; and I heard a voice that told me, in Hebrew, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting Me? It will be difficult for you to kick against the goads”. 15 I said, “Master, who are you”? Then our Master told me, “I am Yeshua the Nazarene, who you are persecuting”. 16 He told me, “Stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you, for this purpose, to appoint you a minister and a witness of your seeing Me now, and of your seeing Me later. 17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, and from other nations; to who I send you, 18 to open their eyes; so that they might turn from darkness to the light, and from the influence of Satan to Yehovah; and may receive a remission from their sins, and an inheritance with the Saints, by faith in Me”. 19 So, king Agrippa, I didnt withstand the heavenly vision *in defiance of authority*; 20 but I proclaimed this beginning in Damascus, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the villages of Judea; and also to the nations, that they should repent, and turn to Yehovah, and do the works suitable for repentance. 21 Because of these things, the Jews seized me in the temple, and seriously wanted to kill me. 22 But to this day, Yehovah has helped me; and now I stand and bear testimony to both small and the great; yet saying nothing beyond what Moses and the prophets said—the very things that they declared were to take place: 23 namely, that the Messiah would suffer, and would become the firstfruits of the resurrection from the dead; and that He would proclaim light to the people and to the nations. 24 When Paul was still making his defense, Festus cried, with a loud voice, “Paul, you are *out of your mind* [3105], much study has caused you to go mad”. 25 Paul replied, “I’m not mad, excellent Festus; but I speak words of truth and soundness of mind. 26 King Agrippa is also well acquainted with these things; and so I speak confidently before him, because I suppose not one of these things has escaped his knowledge; for they werent done in secret. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe”. 28 King Agrippa said, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian. 29 Paul said, “I pray to Yehovah, that not only you, but also everyone who hears me today, were entirely as I am, except for these chains”. 30 The king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and those who sat with them. 31 When they had gone out, they conversed with one another, and said, “This man has done nothing worthy of death or of chains”. 32 Agrippa told Festus, “The man could be set free, if he hadnt made an appeal to Caesar”.

Acts 27: Festus commanded, respecting him, that he should be sent to Italy, to Caesar. So he delivered Paul, and other prisoners with him, to a certain man, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment, whose name was Julius. 2 When we were to leave, we boarded a ship that was from the city of Adramyttium, and was heading toward the country of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of the city of Thessalonica, embarked with us in the ship. 3 The next day, we arrived at Zidon. The centurion treated Paul with kindness, and allowed him to visit his friends and be cared for. 4 On sailing from there, because the winds were against us, we sailed around to Cyprus. 5 We passed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, and arrived at Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship that was going to Italy; and he had us board it. 7 As it was difficult navigating, we had scarcely arrived, after many days, down from the isle of Cnidos. Because the wind wouldnt allow us to pursue a straight course, we sailed near Crete, and came by the city of Salmone. 8 With difficulty, after sailing by it, we arrived in a place called the Fair Havens, near the city of Lassa. 9 We were there for a long time, till after the Day of the Fast [1]. It was hazardous then for anyone to go by sea; and Paul admonished them saying, 10 “Men, I perceive that our voyage will be attended with danger, and with much loss, not only of the cargo of our ship, but also of our lives. 11 But the centurion listened to the pilot, and to the owner of the ship, more than to the words of Paul. 12 Because that harbor wasnt fit for wintering in, many of us wanted to sail from it, and if possible, to reach and winter in a certain harbor of Crete, which was called Phenice, which opened towards the south. 13 When the southern breeze began to blow, they assumed that they would arrive as they had hoped. We began to sail around Crete. 14 Shortly afterward a typhoon* arose against us, called the Typhonic Euroclydon. 15 The ship was whirled around by the wind, and couldnt head into it; so we let her move freely. 16 Even being sheltered somewhat by a certain island, called Cyra, we could hardly man the skiff. 17 After hoisting it on board, we wrapped the ship with cables, and made it strong. But, because we were afraid of running aground, we lowered the sail and drifted. 18 The next day, as the storm raged violently against us, we threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. 19 On the third day, with our own hands, we even threw away the ship’s tackling. 20 As the storm continued for many days, neither the sun nor even the stars was visible, all hope of our surviving was given up. 21 After being without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them, and said, “If you had listened to me men, we wouldnt have sailed from Crete, and this loss and peril would have been prevented. 22 Now, I counsel you to be without anxiety; for not one person will be lost, but only the ship. 23 For a Messenger of Yehovah, to who I belong, and to who I serve appeared to me tonight. 24 He told me, “Dont fear, Paul; for you are yet to stand before Caesar; and now Yehovah has made a gift for you—everyone sailing with you”. 25 So, men, be courageous; for I am persuaded by Yehovah, that it will be just as I was told. 26 Yet we are to be castaway on a certain island. 27 After fourteen days of our roaming and tossing on the Adriatic sea, at midnight, the sailors believed that they were approaching land. 28 They cast the sounding lead, and found twenty fathoms. Again they advanced a little, and they found fifteen fathoms. 29 As they were afraid that we would be caught between the rocks, they threw down four anchors from the stern of the ship, and prayed for morning. 30 The sailors tried to abandon the ship. So they lowered down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to stretch anchors from the front of the ship. 31 When Paul saw it, he told the centurion and to the soldiers, “Unless they remain in the ship, you cant be saved”. 32 Then the soldiers cut the skiff rope from the ship, and let the skiff go adrift. 33 While it wasnt yet morning, Paul advised them all to eat, telling them, “Because of the peril, it is now the fourteenth day that you have eaten nothing. 34 So I strongly encourage you to eat something to sustain your lives; for not a hair from anyone’s head will perish. 35 After saying these things, he took bread, and gave thanks to Yehovah before them all; and he broke it, and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged; and they began to eat as well. 37 There were two hundred and seventy-six people on the ship. 38 When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and took the wheat and threw it into the sea. 39 In the morning, the sailors didnt know what land it was, but they saw on the margin of the land an inlet of the sea; where they hoped to drive the ship. 40 They cut away the anchors from the ship, leaving them in the sea. Then they untied the bands of the rudder, and hoisted a small sail to the breeze, and sailed toward the shore. 41 The ship was struck on a shoal between two deep channels of the sea, and remained lodged. The forward part rested on it, and was immovable; but the stern was shattered by the violence of the waves. 42 The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners; fearing that they would resort to swimming, and escape from them. 43 But the centurion kept them from doing it, because he wanted Paul to escape. So those who were able to swim, he commanded to swim away first, to get to land. 44 The rest escaped on planks, and on other timbers from the ship. So everyone escaped safely to land.

[1] Strong’s 3521: “1a2) the public fast as preLaw professord by the Mosaic Law and kept yearly on the great Day of Atonement, the tenth of the month of Tisri (the month Tisri comprises a part of our September and October); the fast accordingly, occurred in the autumn when navigation was usually dangerous on account of storms”.

Acts 28: We later learned, that the island was called Melita. 2 The *natives who inhabited it did not know Greek* [915, barbaros]. They showed us much kindness and lit a fire, and called us all to warm ourselves, because of the great rain and cold at that time. 3 Paul picked up a bundle of dry sticks and laid them on the fire; and a viper, driven by the heat, came out of it, and bit his hand. 4 When the natives* saw it hanging from his hand, they said, “Undoubtedly, this man is a murderer; who, tho delivered from the sea, justice wont allow to live”. 5 But Paul shook his hand, and threw the viper into the fire, and was unharmed. 6 The natives expected him to suddenly swell up, and fall dead to the ground. But after they watched him for a long time, and seeing that he was not harmed; they changed their minds, and said that he was a god. 7 There were lands in that quarter, belonging to a man named Publius, who was the leading man of the island. He cheerfully received us into his house for three days. 8 Publius’ father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. 9 After this event, others also on the island who were sick, came to him and were healed. 10 They honored us with great honors; and when we left the place, they provided us with our necessities. 11 After three months we left, sailing in an Alexandrian ship, that bore a figurine of Castor and Pollux, that had wintered on the island. 12 We came to the city of Syracuse, and remained there for three days. 13 From there we circled around, and arrived at the city of Rhegium. The next day, the south wind blew favorably for us, and in two days we came to Puteoli, a city of Italy. 14 We found brethren there; and they invited us in. We stayed with them for seven days, and then we headed toward Rome. 15 The brethren there, hearing of our approach, came out to meet us as far as a village called Appii Forum, and as far as the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he gave thanks to Yehovah, and was encouraged. 16 We went on to Rome. The centurion allowed Paul to reside where he pleased, with a soldier who guarded him. 17 After three days, Paul sent and called for the Jewish leaders. When they had assembled, he told them, “Men and brothers, altho I had in no way risen up against the people or the Law of my fathers, I was delivered over in bonds to the Romans in Jerusalem. 18 When they had examined me, they wanted to release me because they didnt find in me an offence deserving death. 19 As the Jews withstood me, it became necessary to make an appeal to Caesar; but not because I had any accusations against the people of my nation. 20 For this reason I sent for you to come, that I might see you, and might state these things to you; for it is because of the hope of Israel, that I am bound with this chain”. 21 They told him, “We have received no letter from Judea against you; and none of our brethren who have come from Jerusalem, have told us anything evil about you. 22 But we are willing to hear your opinion; for we know that this sect* [139] isnt accepted by anyone”. 23 They appointed a day for him; and many gathered, and came to him where he was staying. He explained to them about the Kingdom of Yehovah, testifying and persuading them concerning Yeshua, out of the Law of Moses, and out of the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 Some of them were persuaded by what he said, while others were not persuaded. 25 They left him, disagreeing among themselves. Paul addressed them by saying, “Well did the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of Isaiah the prophet, speak concerning your fathers, 26 saying; ‘Go to this people, and tell them, hearing you’ll hear, and wont understand; and you’ll see, and wont comprehend. 27 For the minds of these people are *made stupid* [3975], and *hearing is burdensome* [917] for them. THEY have closed their eyes; otherwise that they would see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their minds, and be converted to Me, and I would forgive them’”. 28 But know this, the redemption of Yehovah will be sent to every other nation, and further, they will hear it. 29 After he said this, the Jews left; and there were great discussions among them.[A] 30 Paul rented a house, at his own expense, and lived in it for two years. He received anyone who came to him there. 31 He heralded* [2784] the Kingdom of Yehovah, and boldly taught about our Master Yeshua the Messiah, without hindrance.

Completion of the Acts of the blessed emissaries*; that is, their histories.

[A] Verse 29 isnt in the MSS., nor in any of the earlier editions, and the later editions place it in the margin.

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