the beast hanging from his hand, they said one to another, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped from the sea, yet Justice hath not suffered to live. Howbeit he shook 5 off the beast into the fire, and took no harm. But they ex-6 pected that he would have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but when they were a beach, and they took counsel whether they could 1drive 40 the ship upon it. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosing the bands of the rudders; and hoisting up the foresail to the wind, they 41 made for the beach. But lighting upon a place where two seas met, they ran the vessel aground; and the foreship struck and remained un-long in expectation, and bemoveable, but the stern began held nothing amiss come to to break up by the violence him, they changed their minds, 42 of the waves. And the sol- and said that he was a god. diers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. 43 But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stayed them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves overboard, and get first to 44 the land: and the rest, some on planks, and some on other things from the ship. And so it came to pass, that they all escaped safe to the land. 28 1 And when we were escaped, then we knew that the island 2 was called 2 Melita. And the barbarians shewed us no common kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us all, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, a viper came out by reason of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw Now in the neighbourhood 7 of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius; who received us, and entertained us three days courteously. And it was so, that 8 the father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery: unto whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laying his hands on him healed him. And 9 when this was done, the rest also which had diseases in the island came, and were cured: who also honoured us with 10 many honours; and when we sailed, they put on board such things as we needed. And after three months we 11 set sail in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the island, whose sign was The Twin Brothers. And 12 touching at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. And 13 from thence we made a circuit, and arrived at Rhegium: 1 Some ancient authorities read bring the ship safe to shore. 2 Some 4 Gr. Dioscuri. and after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli: 14 where we found brethren, and were intreated to tarry with them seven days: and so we 15 came to Rome. And from thence the brethren, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 17 And when we entered into Rome, 1Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him. And it came to pass, that after three days he called together those that were the chief of the Jews: and when they were come together, he said unto them, I, brethren, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, yet was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of 18 the Romans: who, when they had examined me, desired to set me at liberty, because there was no cause of death 19 in me. But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Casar; not that I had aught to 20 accuse my nation of. For this cause therefore did I 3intreat you to see and to speak with me: for because of the hope of Israel I am bound 21 with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters from Judæa concerning thee, nor did any of the brethren come hither and report or speak any harm of thee. But we desire 22 to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against. And when they had ap- 23 pointed him a day, they came to him into his lodging in great number; to whom he expounded the matter, testifying the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses and from the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed 24 the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. And 25 when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost 4by Isaiah the prophet unto your fathers, saying, Go thou unto this people, By hearing ye shall hear, And seeing ye shall see, 26 For this people's heart is 27 waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, 1 Some ancient authorities insert the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the prætorian guard: but. 2 Or, those that were Jews first 3 Or, call for you, to see and to speak with you through of the Or, And their eyes they have And should turn again, And I should heal them. 28 Be it known therefore unto you, that this salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles: they will also hear.1 And he abode two whole 30 years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the 31 kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him. 11 THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS. PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of 2 God, which he promised afore 3 by his prophets in the holy 3 scriptures,concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared to be the Son of God 5 with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead; even Jesus Christ 5 our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name's 6 sake: among whom are ye also, called to be Jesus Christ's: 7 to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God 8 through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, 9 whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if by any 10 means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come unto you. For 11 I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; that is, that 12 I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. And I would not have 13 you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you (and was hindered 2 Gr. bond 5 Or, in 6 Or, to the 1 Some ancient authorities insert ver. 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much disputing among themselves. servant. 3 Or, through 4 Gr. determined. faith 7 Or, because 8 Gr, in, hitherto), that I might have some fruit in you also, even as 14 in the rest of the Gentiles. I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise 15 and to the foolish. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you 16 also that are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God by faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live 1by faith. 18 For 2the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all.ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who 3hold down the truth in unright19 eousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God mani20 fested it unto them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: 21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was 22 darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became 23 fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for 1 Gr. from. the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God gave them 24 up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonoured among themselves: for that 25 they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed 5 for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave 26 | 2 Or, a wrath 3 Or, hold the truth 4 Or, so that they are 5 Gr. unto the ages. 6 Gr. passions of dishonour, 7 Gr, did not approve. 8 Or, haters of God 21 ordinance of God, that they which practise such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practise them. Wherefore thou art without excuse, Oman, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest 1another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest dost practise the 2 same things. And we know that the judgement of God is according to truth against them that practise suchthings. 3 And reckonest thou this, O man, who judgest them that practise such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? but after thy hardess and impenitent heart easurest up for thyself wrath the day of wrath and revetion of the righteous judgement of God; who will render to every man according to his 7 works: to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and incor8 ruption, eternal life: but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth,but obeyunrighteousness, shall be wrath 9 and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; but glory and honour 10 and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: for il there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as 12 have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned under law shall be judged by law; for not the hearers of a law 13 are just before God, but the doers of a law shall be justified: for when Gentiles which 14 have no law do by nature the things of the law, these, having no law, are a law unto themselves; in that they shew 15 the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their 5 thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them; in the day when 16 God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. But if thou bearest the name 17 of a Jew, and restest upon the law, and gloriest in God, and 18 knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed: out of the law, and art con- 19 fident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, 10 a corrector of the foolish, a 20 teacher of babes, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth; thou there- 21 fore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? 3 Or, righteous 7 Or, a 10 Or, an 1 Gr. the other. 2 Many ancient authorities read For. 4 Or, accounted righteous 5 Or, reasonings 6 Or, judgeth law 8 Or, the Will ? Or, provest the things that differ instructor |