21

Now when these things were accomplished, Paul resolved in his mind, after passing through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying, after I have been there, I must also 22 see Rome. So having sent forward two of them who attended

him, namely Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he him23 self tarried some time in Asia. And during that time there 24 was a considerable disturbance about this way. For one De

metrius, a silversmith, a maker of silver shrines of Diana, 25 kept in employ a great number of artists; and having assembled these and the workmen of like occupation, he said, "Men, you know that on this manufacture dependeth our mainte26 nance. And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul by his persuasion hath perverted a vast multitude, saying that they which are made 27 with hands, are not gods. So that not only this occupation of ours is in danger of being brought into disrepute; but the temple also of the great goddess Diana, of being set at naught; and her majesty destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth."

28

Upon hearing this and being full of rage they shouted, 29 saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. And the whole city was filled with confusion. And they rushed with one accord into the theatre, dragging along with them Gaius and Aris30 tarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's fellow travellers. Upon

this Paul had a mind to go to the people, but the disciples 31 did not permit him. And some of the chiefs of Asia also, who

were his friends, sent to him and advised him not to venture 32 into the theatre. Now some cried one thing; and some, another. For the congregation was in the utmost confusion, and the greater part did not know for what particular purpose they 33 had convened. But when they had thrust Alexander out of the crowd, the Jews pushing him forward, and Alexander waving his hand wished to make a defence to the people, they 34 knowing that he was a Jew, there was, for about two hours,

one continued shout from all, crying out, Great is Diana of 35 the Ephesians. At length the recorder having stilled the crowd, said, Men of Ephesus, who is there who doth not know that the city of the Ephesians is a humble devotee of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell from Jupiter?

VOL. IV.

I i

36 Since these things are incontestable you ought to be quiet, and 37 to do nothing rashly. For you have brought hither these men,

who have neither violated things sacred, nor reviled your 38 goddess. If now Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have an

action against any one, the courts are open and there are pro39 consuls to judge: let them bring their suits. And if you seek

any thing in respect to other matters, let it be discussed in a 40 legal assembly of the people. For we indeed are in danger of being called in question for this day's riot, there being no cause which we can assign for this tumultuous concourse. Having said this, he dismissed the assembly.

XX. Now this tumult being over, Paul sent for the disciples, 2 and having embraced them, he set out to go to Macedonia. And when he had gone through those parts, and comforted 3 them with many a discourse, he came to Greece, where hav ing spent three months, as an ambush was laid for him by the Jews just as he was on the point of embarking for Syria, he 4 thought it advisable to return through Macedonia. And there accompanied him to Asia, Sopater the Berean; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius, of Derbe; and Timothy; and the Asiatics, Tychicus, and Trophimus. 5 These having gone before, waited for us at Troas; and we, af 6 ter the days of unleavened bread, set sail from Philippi, and in five days came to them at Troas, where we staid seven days. 7 And on the first day of the week when the disciples assembled to break bread, Paul, being about to depart on the morrow, discoursed with them, and lengthened out the discourse till 8 midnight. Now in the upper room where they were assem 9 bled, there were many lamps. And a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in an open window, bending back. wards in a deep sleep, was, while Paul was continuing his discourse, bent quite back with the sleep, and fell from the 10 third story, and was taken up dead. But Paul going down, threw himself upon him, and taking him in his arms, said, 11 Be not troubled, for his life is in him. Then going up again, and having broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a considerable time, even till break of day, and so departed.

12

Now when they brought up the lad alive and were not a lit tle comforted, we went before to the ship and sailed to Assos

13 where we were to take in Paul. For so he had ordered, intend14 ing himself to go by land. And when he met us at Assos we 15 took him in and came to Mitylene. And sailing thence we came the next day over against Chios, and on the day following reached Samos. And after stopping at Trogyllium, we came the next day to Miletus. For Paul had determined to 16 sail by Ephesus, that he might not spend time in Asia, for he was earnestly desirous, if it were possible for him, to be at Je17 rusalem on the day of Pentecost. So from Miletus he sent to

Ephesus, and called hither the elders of the congregation. And 18 when they came to him, he said to them, You know how from my

first coming into Asia, I have been with you all the time, serving 19 the Lord with all humility, and with many tears and trials which 20 befel me by the insidious practices of the Jews-how I have never shrunk from those things which are advantageous-from announcing to you and teaching you publicly and privately, 21 attesting both to Jews and Greeks the turning of the mind to 22 God, and the belief in our Lord Jesus Christ. Now behold I

am going up to Jerusalem, bound by the spirit, not knowing 23 the things which shall befal me there, save only that the Holy spirit testifieth in every city, saying, That bonds and afflictions 24 await me. But I make no account of any of these, nor is this life of mine so much my concern as to finish with joy my course-even the office which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the glad tidings of the favour of God. And 25 now behold I know that all you among whom I have gone

proclaiming the reign of God, shall no more see my face; 26 therefore I testify to you this day that I am clear from the 27 blood of all men. For I have not shrunk from declaring to 28 you the whole counsel of God. Take heed therefore to your

selves and to the whole flock among which the holy spirit hath made you overseers to tend the congregation of God which 29 he hath purchased with his own blood. For this I know, that after my departure there will enter in among you grievous 30 wolves, not sparing the flock. Yes, even from among yourselves men will start up, speaking perverse things to draw the disciples 31 after them. Watch therefore, remembering that for the space

of three years I did not cease, night nor day, with tears to 32 warn every one. And now with regard to these things I re

commend you, brethren, to God and to the word of his grace, who is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance 33 among all who are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver 34 or gold, or raiment. Even you yourselves know that these ve

ry hands have ministered to my wants, and to the supply of 35 them who were with me. On all occasions I have suggested

36

to you that you ought thus to labour and support the indigent, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, "It is a greater happiness to give, than to receive."

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down with them 37 all and prayed. And there was great weeping among them all; and they fell upon Paul's neck and kissed him, being more 38 particularly afflicted at his having said, that they should see his face no more.

XXI. Then they conducted him to the ship; and soon as we were parted from them and clear of the land, keeping a straight course we came to Coos, and the next day to Rhodes, and 2 thence to Patara; where finding a vessel bound to Phoenicia, 3 we went aboard and set sail. And coming in sight of Cyprus,

and leaving it on the left, we sailed for Syria and arrived at 4 Tyre; for the ship was to land her cargo there. And having by

diligent inquiry found out the disciples, we staid there seven days. Some of these told Paul by the spirit not to go up to 5 Jerusalem. But when these days were ended, we set out on our departure, they, with women and children, all attending us 6 out of the city, and kneeling down on the sea shore, we pray. ed; then having saluted each other, we embarked, and they 7 returned home. And when we had finished the voyage from

Tyre, we landed at Ptolemais, and having saluted the brethren, 8 staid with them one day. And on the morrow we who were Paul's company, departed and came to Cæsarea, and going to the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, 9 we abode with him. Now he had four virgin daughters who 10 were prophetesses.* And after we had been there several days

* The Greek word is porova, the meaning of which is simply to declare truths through the inspiration of God's holy spirit, or to declare any truth, past or to come, not discoverable by the natural powers of man. See Matt 22. 68. 1 Cor. 14, 3, 4.

there came down from Judea a prophet named Agabus, who coming to us and taking Paul's girdle, bound his own hands 11 and feet and said, Thus saith the holy spirit, So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man, whose girdle this is, and deliver 12 him into the hands of the Gentiles. Upon hearing this both 13 we and they of that place intreated him not to go up to Jeru

salem. But Paul answered, Why make ye this ado, weeping and breaking my heart? As for me, I am ready, not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the 14 Lord Jesus. So, as he could not be prevailed on, we acqui15 esced, saying, The will of the Lord be done. And after those

days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. And some of 16 the disciples came with us from Cæsarea and brought us to one Mnason, a Cyprian, an old disciple, with whom we were to lodge.

17 Now when we arrived at Jerusalem, the brethren received 18 us with joy. And on the day following Paul went with us to 19 James. And when all the elders were come, he saluted them

and gave them a particular account of all that God had done among the Gentiles by his ministry; which when they heard, 20 they glorified the Lord, and said to him, Thou seest, brother,

how many myriads there are of believing Jews, and they are 21 all zealous observers of the law. Now they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children, nor walk in the established rites. 22 What then is to be done? At all events the multitude must

needs assemble; for they will hear that thou art come. Do this 23 then which we tell thee: there are four men with us who have 24 a vow upon them. Take these and purify thyself with them,

and be at charges for them that they may shave their heads; and that all may know that there is nothing in those things of which they have been told concerning thee; but that thou thy25 self walkest regularly, keeping the law. Now with respect to

26

the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent them our decision; that they are not to observe such things, but only to abstain from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication.

So Paul took the men, and the next day being purified