This webpage presents my rendering of the Good News according to Yahoochanan {John} [Meaning Yah has Graced].  pdf and docx versions available for download here:

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The rendering of MattihYahoo contains substantial commentary that is relevant to Acts and accordingly you are encouraged to read MattihYahoo first:

Click here to go to the MattihYahoo webpage

The introduction also includes important context and other information and I encourage you to read this too:

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The main ETI Bible Version page contains more information and links to all books published so far:

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Links to other books at the end of this book below:
 

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Chapter 1

THE former treatise have I made, O Theophilos, of all that Yahooshua began both to do and teach[1],

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Set-Apart Spirit had given commandments unto the Emissaries[2] whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his suffering (passion) by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of Yah:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Yerushalayim, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For Yahoochanan truly immersed with water; but ye shall be immersed with the Set-Apart Spirit not many days hence[3].

6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Adonay, wilt thou at this time restore again the Kingdom to Yisra’El?[4]

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own authority.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Set-Apart Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Yerushalayim, and in all Yahooḏah, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the Earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galil, why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? this same Yahooshua, which is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven[5].

12 Then returned they unto Yerushalayim from the mount called Olivet, which is from Yerushalayim a Sabbath day’s journey.

13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Kepha, and Ya‛aqoḇ, and Yahoochanan, and Andri, Philip, and T’oma, Bartholomi, and MattihYahoo, Ya‛aqoḇ the son of Alphai, and Shim‛on Zelotes, and Yahoowdah the brother of Ya‛aqoḇ.

14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Miryam the mother of Yahooshua, and with his brethren.

15 And in those days Kepha stood up in the midst of the followers, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)

16 Men and brethren, this writing[6] must needs have been fulfilled, which the Set-Apart Spirit by the mouth of Dawid spake before concerning Yahoowdah, which was guide to them that took Yahooshua.

17 For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.

18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out[7].

19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Yerushalayim; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Ḥaqal Dema, that is to say, The field of blood.

20 For it is written in the book of Tehillim, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his office let another take.

21 Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that Adonay Yahooshua went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the immersion of Yahoochanan, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

23 And they appointed two, Yoseph called Barsabba, who was surnamed Justus, and MattithYahoo[8].

24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Adonay, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew which of these two thou hast chosen,

25 That he may take part of this ministry and Emissarieship, from which Yahoowdah by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.

26 And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon MattithYahoo[9]; and he was numbered with the eleven Emissaries.

Chapter 2

AND when the day of Shavuot[1] was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

2 And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them divided tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

4 And they were all filled with the Set-Apart Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling at Yerushalayim Yahoodi’iy, devout men, out of every nation under Heaven.

6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?

8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Aram Naharayim, and in Yahooḏah, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Mitsrayim, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, Yahoodi’iy and converts,

11 Cretans and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of Yah.

12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?

13 Others mocking said, These men are full of sweet wine.

14 But Kepha, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Yahooḏah, and all ye that dwell at Yerushalayim, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:

15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the Spokesman of Yah Yo’ěl;

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days[2], saith Yah, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in Heaven above, and signs in the Earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing[3] shall be saved.

22 Ye men of Yisra’El, hear these words; Yahooshua of Natsareth, a man approved of Yah among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which Yah did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

23 Him, being delivered by the set purpose and foreknowledge of Yah, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have executed and slain:

24 Whom Yah hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he could be held in its grip.[4]

25 For Dawid speaketh concerning him, I foresaw Yah the Eternally Self-Existing always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:

26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:

27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell[5], neither wilt thou permit thine Set-Apart One to see corruption.

28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch Dawid, that he is both dead and buried, and his Tomb is with us unto this day.

30 Therefore being a Spokesman of Yah, and knowing that Yah had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Anointed One of Yah to sit on his throne;

31 He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of the Anointed One of Yah, that his soul was not left in Hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.[6]

32 This Yahooshua hath Yah raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.

33 Therefore being by the right hand of Yah exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Set-Apart Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye now see and hear.

34 For Dawid is not ascended into the Heavens: but he saith himself, Yah the Eternally Self-Existing said unto my Adonay, Sit thou on my right hand,

35 Until I make thy foes thy footstool.[7]

36 Therefore let all the house of Yisra’El know assuredly, that Yah hath made that same Yahooshua, whom ye have executed, both Adonay and Anointed One of Yah.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced in their heart, and said unto Kepha and to the rest of the Emissaries, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Kepha said unto them, Repent, and be immersed every one of you in the name of Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Yah the Eternally Self-Existing our Mighty One shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were immersed: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued steadfastly in the Emissaries’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the Emissaries.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and property, and divided them to all men, as every man had need.[8]

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising Yah, and having Chen with all the people. And Yah the Eternally Self-Existing added to the assembly daily such as should be saved.

 Chapter 3

NOW Kepha and Yahoochanan went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Yaphah[1], to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Kepha and Yahoochanan about to go into the temple asked for alms.

4 And Kepha, fastening his eyes upon him with Yahoochanan, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Kepha said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah of Natsareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising Yah.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising Yah:

10 And they knew that it was he which sat for kind deeds at the Yaphah gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11 And as the lame man which was healed held Kepha and Yahoochanan, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Shelomoh’s, greatly wondering.

12 And when Kepha saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Yisra’El, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or Set-Apartness we had made this man to walk?

13 The Mighty One of Abraham, and of Yitshaq, and of Ya’aqob, the Mighty One of our fathers, hath Kavod his Son Yahooshua; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.

14 But ye denied the Set-Apart One and the Righteous, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

15 And killed the Prince of life, whom Yah hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

16 And his name through emunah in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the emunah which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.

18 But those things, which Yah before had shewed by the mouth of all his Spokesmen of Yah, that the Anointed One of Yah should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing;

20 And he shall send Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah, which before was preached unto you:

21 Whom the Heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which Yah hath spoken by the mouth of all his Set-Apart Spokesmen of Yah since the world began.

22 For Moshe truly said unto the fathers, A Spokesman of Yah shall Yah the Eternally Self-Existing your Yah raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.

23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that Spokesman of Yah, shall be destroyed from among the people.

24 Yea, and all the Spokesmen of Yah from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.

25 Ye are the children of the Spokesmen of Yah, and of the covenant which Yah made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the Earth be blessed.

26 Unto you first Yah, having raised up his Son Yahooshua, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.

Chapter 4

AND as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Yahooshua the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in jail unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

6 And Ḥannahs the High Priest, and Qayapha, and Yahoochanan, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the High Priest, were gathered together at Yerushalayim.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what authority, or by what name, have ye done this?

8 Then Kepha, filled with the Set-Apart Spirit, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Yisra’El,

9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Yisra’El, that by the name of Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah of Natsareth, whom ye executed, whom Yah raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men[1], whereby we must be saved.

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Kepha and Yahoochanan, and perceived that they were unlearned and ordinary men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Yahooshua.

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves,

16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Yerushalayim; and we cannot deny it.

17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us strongly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Yahooshua.

19 But Kepha and Yahoochanan answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of Yah to hearken unto you more than unto Yah, judge ye.

20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men Kavod Yah for that which was done.

22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the Chief Priests and elders had said unto them.

24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to Yah with one accord, and said, Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, thou art Almighty, which hast made Heaven, and Earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:

25 Who by the mouth of thy servant Dawid hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?

26 The kings of the Earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and against his Anointed One.

27 For of a truth against thy Set-Apart child Yahooshua, whom thou hast anointed, both Herodes, and Pontius Pilate, with the Ha-goyim, and the people of Yisra’El, were gathered together,

28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel[2] determined before to be done.

29 And now, Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, behold their threats: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,

30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy Set-Apart child Yahooshua.

31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Set-Apart Spirit[3], and they spake the word of Yah with boldness.[4]

32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the Emissaries witness of the resurrection of Adonay Yahooshua: and great Chen was upon them all.

34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35 And laid them down at the Emissaries’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

36 And Yoseph, who by the Emissaries was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of Encouragement), a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the Emissaries’ feet.

Chapter 5

BUT a certain man named ḤananYah[1], with Shappirah his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the Emissaries’ feet.

3 But Kepha said, ḤananYah, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Set-Apart Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own authority? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto Yah.

5 And ḤananYah hearing these words fell down, and breathed his last: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Kepha answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

9 Then Kepha said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and breathed her last: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the assembly, and upon as many as heard these things.

12 And by the hands of the Emissaries were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Shelomoh’s porch.

13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.

14 And believers were the more added to Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, multitudes both of men and women.)

15 Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Kepha passing by might overshadow some of them.[2]

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Yerushalayim, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

17 Then the High Priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

18 And laid their hands on the Emissaries, and put them in the common prison.

19 But the messenger of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,

20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the High Priest came, and they that were with him, and called the Council together, and all the senate of the children of Yisra’El, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,

23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.

24 Now when the High Priest and the captain of the temple and the Chief Priests heard these things, they were puzzled and wondered what this might be.

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.

26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.

27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the Sanhedrin: and the High Priest asked them,

28 Saying, Did not we strictly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Yerushalayim with your teaching[3], and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

29 Then Kepha and the other Emissaries answered and said, We ought to obey Yah rather than men.

30 The Mighty One of our fathers raised up Yahooshua, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

31 Him hath Yah exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Yisra’El, and forgiveness of sins.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Set-Apart Spirit, whom Yah hath given to them that obey him.

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

34 Then stood there up one in the Sanhedrin, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the Emissaries forth a little while;

35 And said unto them, Ye men of Yisra’El, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.

36 For before these days rose up Toḏah, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.

37 After this man rose up Yahoowdah of Galil in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:

39 But if it be of Yah, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against Yah.

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the Emissaries, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Yahooshua, and let them go.

41 And they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah.

Chapter 6

AND in those days, when the number of the followers was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecian Yahoodi’iy against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the followers unto them, and said, It is not pleasing that we should leave the word[1] of Yah, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Set-Apart Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephanos, a man full of emunah and of the Set-Apart Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nikanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nikolaos a proselyte of Antioch:

6 Whom they set before the Emissaries: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them[2].

7 And the word of Yah increased; and the number of the followers multiplied in Yerushalayim greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the emunah.

8 And Stephanos, full of emunah and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.

9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and of them of Kilikia and of Asia, disputing with Stephanos.

10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

11 Then they instigated men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous[3] words against Moshe[4], and against Yah.

12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the Sanhedrin,

13 And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this Set-Apart place, and the Torah:

14 For we have heard him say, that this Yahooshua of Natsareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moshe delivered us.

15 And all that sat in the Sanhedrin, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an messenger.

Chapter 7

THEN said the High Priest, Are these things so?

2 And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The Mighty One of Kavod appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Aram Naharayim, before he dwelt in Charran,

3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

4 Then came he out of the land of the Kasdim[1], and dwelt in Ḥaran[2]: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.

5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he had no child.

6 And Yah spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years.

7 And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said Yah: and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.

8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Yitshaq, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Yitshaq begat Ya’aqob; and Ya’aqob begat the twelve patriarchs.

9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Yoseph into Mitsrayim: but Yah was with him,

10 And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him Chen and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Mitsrayim; and he made him governor over Mitsrayim and all his house.

11 Now there came a scarcity of food over all the land of Mitsrayim and Kena’an[3], and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.

12 But when Ya’aqob heard that there was corn in Mitsrayim, he sent out our fathers first.

13 And at the second time Yoseph was made known to his brethren; and Yoseph’s kindred was made known unto Pharaoh.

14 Then sent Yoseph, and called his father Ya’aqob to him, and all his kindred, seventy-five people.

15 So Ya’aqob went down into Mitsrayim, and died, he, and our fathers,

16 And were carried over into Sheḵem, and laid in the Tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Ḥamor the father of Sheḵem.

17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which Yah had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Mitsrayim,

18 Till another king arose, which knew not Yoseph.

19 The same dealt treacherously with our kindred, and mistreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

20 In which time Moshe was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:

21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.

22 And Moshe was learned in all the wisdom of the Mitsrites, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Yisra’El.

24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Mitsrian:

25 For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that Yah by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

26 And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?

27 But he that did his neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us?

28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Mitsrian yesterday?

29 Then fled Moshe at this saying, and was a stranger in the land of Miḏyan, where he begat two sons.

30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sinai an messenger of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing in a flame of fire in a bush.

31 When Moshe saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold it, the voice of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing came unto him,

32 Saying, I am the Mighty One of thy fathers, the Mighty One of Abraham, and the Mighty One of Yitshaq, and the Mighty One of Ya’aqob. Then Moshe trembled, and durst not behold.

33 Then said Yah the Eternally Self-Existing to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is Set-Apart ground.

34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Mitsrayim, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Mitsrayim.

35 This Moshe whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did Yah send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the messenger which appeared to him in the bush.

36 He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Mitsrayim, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

37 This is that Moshe, which said unto the children of Yisra’El, A Spokesman of Yah shall Yah the Eternally Self-Existing your Mighty One raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

38 This is he, that was in the assembly in the wilderness with the messenger which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the living Words[4] to give unto us:

39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Mitsrayim,

40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us mighty ones to go before us: for as for this Moshe, which brought us out of the land of Mitsrayim, we wot not what is become of him.

41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.

42 Then Yah turned, and gave them up to worship the host of Heaven; as it is written in the book of the Spokesmen of Yah, O ye house of Yisra’El, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?

43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moleḵ[5], and the star of your mighty one Kiyyun[6], figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babel.

44 Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed, speaking unto Moshe, that he should make it according to the fashion that he had seen.

45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Yahooshua[7] into the possession of the Ha-goyim, whom Yah drove out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of Dawid;

46 Who found Chen before Yah, and desired to find a tabernacle for the Mighty One of Ya’aqob.

47 But Shelomoh built him an house.

48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the Spokesman of Yah,

49 Heaven is my throne, and Earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith Yah the Eternally Self-Existing: or what is the place of my rest?

50 Hath not my hand made all these things?

51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Set-Apart Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye.

52 Which of the Spokesmen of Yah have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

53 Who have received the law by the disposition of Messengers, and have not kept it.

54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Set-Apart Spirit, looked up steadfastly into Heaven, and saw the Kavod of Yah, and Yahooshua standing on the right hand of Yah,

56 And said, Behold, I see the Heavens opened, and the Son of Adam standing on the right hand of Yah.

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Sha’ul.

59 And they stoned Stephanos, calling upon Yah, and saying, Adonay Yahooshua, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Adonay, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep[8].

Chapter 8

AND Sha’ul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the assembly which was at Yerushalayim; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Yahooḏah and Shomeron, except the Emissaries[1].

2 And devout men carried Stephanos to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Sha’ul, he was ravaging the assembly, entering into every house, and dragging off men and women and putting them in prison.

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word.[2]

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Shomeron, and preached the Anointed One of Yah unto them.

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many who were paralysed, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

9 But there was a certain man, called Shim‛on, which before time in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Shomeron, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of Yah.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had amazed them with magic / witchcraft.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of Yah, and the name of Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah, they were immersed, both men and women.

13 Then Shim‛on himself believed also: and when he was immersed, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the Emissaries which were at Yerushalayim heard that Shomeron had received the word of Yah, they sent unto them Kepha and Yahoochanan :

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Set-Apart Spirit:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were immersed in the name of Adonay Yahooshua.[3])

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Set-Apart Spirit.

18 And when Shim‛on saw that through laying on of the Emissaries’ hands the Set-Apart Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Set-Apart Spirit.

20 But Kepha said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of Yah may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of Yah.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray Yah, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art poisoned by bitterness, and and bound by unrighteousness.

24 Then answered Shim‛on, and said, Pray ye to Yah the Eternally Self-Existing for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, returned to Yerushalayim, and preached the Good News in many villages of the Samaritans.

26 And the messenger of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing spoke to Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Yerushalayim unto Azzah[4], which is desert.

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Kush[5], an eunuch of great authority under Kandake queen of the Kushites, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Yerushalayim for to worship,

28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read YeshaYahoo the Spokesman of Yah.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither[6] to him, and heard him read the Spokesman of Yah YeshaYahoo, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

32 The place of the writings which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the Earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the Spokesman of Yah this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same writing, and preached unto him Yahooshua.

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be immersed?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah is the Son of Yah.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he immersed him.

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more[7]: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.

Chapter 9

AND Sha’ul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the followers of Adonay, went unto the High Priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Dammeseq[1] to the Synagogues (congregations), that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Yerushalayim.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Dammeseq: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from Heaven:

4 And he fell to the Earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Adonay? And Adonay said, I am Yahooshua whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the prods.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Adonay, what wilt thou have me to do? And Adonay said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Sha’ul arose from the Earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man[2]: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Dammeseq.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink[3].

10 And there was a certain follower at Dammeseq, named ḤananYah; and to him said Adonay in a vision, ḤananYah. And he said, Behold, I am here, Adonay.

11 And Adonay said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Yahoowdah for one called Sha’ul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named ḤananYah coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

13 Then ḤananYah answered, Adonay, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Yerushalayim:

14 And here he hath authority from the Chief Priests to bind all that call on thy name.

15 But Adonay said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Ha-goyim, and kings, and the children of Yisra’El:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

17 And ḤananYah went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Sha’ul, Adonay, even Yahooshua, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Set-Apart Spirit.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was immersed.

19 And when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then was Sha’ul certain days with the followers which were at Dammeseq.

20 And straightway he preached the Anointed One of Yah in the Synagogues (congregations), that he is the Son of Yah.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Yerushalayim, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the Chief Priests?

22 But Sha’ul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Yahoodi’iy which dwelt at Dammeseq, proving that this is the Anointed One of Yah.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Yahoodi’iy took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Sha’ul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the followers took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Sha’ul was come to Yerushalayim, he assayed to join himself to the followers: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a follower.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Emissaries, and declared unto them how he had seen Adonay in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Dammeseq in the name of Yahooshua.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Yerushalayim.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of Adonay Yahooshua, and disputed against the Hellenists: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Then had the assemblys rest throughout all Yahooḏah and Galil and Shomeron, and were edified; and walking in the fear of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and in the encouragement of the Set-Apart Spirit, were multiplied.

32 And it came to pass, as Kepha passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lod[4].

33 And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the paralytics.

34 And Kepha said unto him, Æneas, Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

35 And all that dwelt at Lod and Sharon saw him, and turned to Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain follower named Taḇitha, which by interpretation is called Dorkas: this woman was full of good works and kind deeds which she did.

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.

38 And forasmuch as Lod was nigh to Joppa, and the followers had heard that Kepha was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.

39 Then Kepha arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorkas made, while she was with them.

40 But Kepha put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Taḇitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Kepha, she sat up.

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the set-apart ones[5] and widows, presented her alive[6].

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Shim‛on a tanner.

Chapter 10

THERE was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a Captain of the regiment called the Italian Regiment,

2 A devout man, and one that feared Yah with all his house, which gave much kind deeds to the people, and prayed to Yah always.

3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day a messenger of Yah coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Adonay? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine kind deeds are come up for a memorial before Yah.

5 And now send men to Yapho[1], and call for one Shim‛on, whose surname is Kepha:

6 He lodgeth with one Shim‛on a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

7 And when the messenger which spake unto Cornelius was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of them that waited on him continually;

8 And when he had declared all these things unto them, he sent them to Yapho.

9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Kepha went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:

10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

11 And saw Heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, like a great sheet bound at the four corners, and let down to the Earth:

12 Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the Earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Kepha; kill, and eat.

14 But Kepha said, Not so, Adonay; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.

15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What Yah hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was taken up again into Heaven.

17 Now while Kepha doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Shim‛on’s house, and stood before the gate,

18 And called, and asked whether Shim‛on, which was surnamed Kepha, were lodged there.

19 While Kepha thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them[2].

21 Then Kepha went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?

22 And they said, Cornelius the Captain, a just man, and one that feareth Yah, and of good report among all the nation of the Yahoodi’iy, was instructed from Yah by a Set-Apart messenger to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Kepha went away with them, and certain brethren from Yapho accompanied him.

24 And the morrow after they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

25 And as Kepha was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and bowed down him.

26 But Kepha took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.

27 And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.

28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Yahoodi’iy to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but Yah hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

29 Therefore came I unto you without hesitation, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine kind deeds are had in remembrance in the sight of Yah.

32 Send therefore to Yapho, and call hither Shim‛on, whose surname is Kepha; he is lodged in the house of one Shim‛on a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33 Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before Yah, to hear all things that are commanded thee of Yah.

34 Then Kepha opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that Yah is no respecter of persons[3]:

35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.[4]

36 The word which Yah sent unto the children of Yisra’El, preaching peace by Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah: (he is Adonay of all:)

37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Yahooḏah, and began from Galil, after the immersion which Yahoochanan preached;

38 How Yah anointed Yahooshua of Natsareth with the Set-Apart Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for Yah was with him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Yahoodi’iy, and in Yerushalayim; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40 Him Yah raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of Yah, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of Yah to be the Judge of quick and dead.

43 To him give all the Spokesmen of Yah witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

44 While Kepha yet spake these words, the Set-Apart Spirit fell on all them which heard the word.

45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Kepha, because that on the Ha-goyim also was poured out the gift of the Set-Apart Spirit.

46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify Yah. Then answered Kepha,

47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be immersed, which have received the Set-Apart Spirit as well as we?

48 And he commanded them to be immersed in the name of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Chapter 11

AND the Emissaries and brethren that were in Yahooḏah heard that the Ha-goyim had also received the word of Yah.

2 And when Kepha was come up to Yerushalayim, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,

3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

4 But Kepha rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and set it forth by order unto them, saying,

5 I was in the city of Yapho praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from Heaven by four corners; and it came even to me:

6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw four footed beasts of the Earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.

7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Kepha; slay and eat.

8 But I said, Not so, Adonay: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.

9 But the voice answered me again from Heaven, What Yah hath cleansed, that call not thou common.

10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into Heaven.

11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Cæsarea unto me.

12 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:

13 And he told us how he had seen a messenger in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Yapho, and call for Shim‛on, whose surname is Kepha;

14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

15 And as I began to speak, the Set-Apart Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

16 Then remembered I the word of Adonay, how that he said, Yahoochanan indeed immersed with water; but ye shall be immersed with the Set-Apart Spirit.

17 Forasmuch then as Yah gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on Adonay Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah; what was I, that I could withstand Yah?

18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and Kavod Yah, saying, Then hath Yah also to the Ha-goyim granted repentance unto life.

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephanos travelled as far as Phoenicia[1], and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Yahoodi’iy only.

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Hellenists, preaching Adonay Yahooshua.

21 And the hand of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the assembly which was in Yerushalayim: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

23 Who, when he came, and had seen the Chen of Yah, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Set-Apart Spirit and of emunah: and much people was added unto Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsos, for to seek Sha’ul:

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the assembly, and taught much people. And the followers were called Anointed Ones[2] first in Antioch.

27 And in these days came Spokesmen of Yah from Yerushalayim unto Antioch.

28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great scarcity of food throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar.

29 Then the followers, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Yahooḏah:

30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Sha’ul.

Chapter 12

NOW about that time Herodes the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the assembly.

2 And he killed Ya‛aqoḇ the brother of Yahoochanan with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Yahoodi’iy, he proceeded further to take Kepha also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him; intending after Pěsaḥ[1] to bring him forth to the people.

5 Kepha therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the assembly unto Yah for him.

6 And when Herodes was about to bring him forth, the same night Kepha was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

7 And, behold, the messenger of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Kepha on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

8 And the messenger said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

9 And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that it was true which was done by the messenger; but thought he saw a vision.

10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the messenger departed from him.

11 And when Kepha was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that Yah the Eternally Self-Existing hath sent his messenger, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herodes, and from all the expectation of the people of the Yahoodi’iy.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Miryam the mother of Yahoochanan, whose surname was Marqos[2]; where many were gathered together praying.

13 And as Kepha knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14 And when she recognised Kepha’s voice, she opened not the gate because of her joy, but ran in, and told how Kepha stood before the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad[3]. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his messenger.

16 But Kepha continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how Yah the Eternally Self-Existing had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go report these things unto Ya‛aqoḇ, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Kepha.

19 And when Herodes had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Yahooḏah to Cæsarea, and there abode.

20 And Herodes was highly displeased with them of Tsor and Tsiḏon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastos the king’s eunuch their friend, desired peace; because their country was supplied with food by the king’s country.

21 And upon a set day Herodes, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a mighty one, and not of a man.

23 And immediately the messenger of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing smote him, because he gave not Yah the Kavod: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.

24 But the word of Yah grew and multiplied.

25 And Barnabas and Sha’ul returned from Yerushalayim, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them Yahoochanan, whose surname was Marqos.

Chapter 13

NOW there were in the assembly that was at Antioch certain Spokesmen of Yah and teachers; as Barnabas, and Shim‛on that was called Niger[1], and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herodes the district ruler, and Sha’ul.

2 As they ministered to Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and fasted, the Set-Apart Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Sha’ul for the work whereunto I have called them.

3 And when they had fasted[2] and prayed, and laid their hands on them[3], they sent them away.

4 So they, being sent forth by the Set-Apart Spirit, departed unto Seleukeia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of Yah in the Synagogues (congregations) of the Yahoodi’iy: and they had also Yahoochanan as their attendant.

6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false Spokesman of Yah, a Yahoodi’iy, whose name was Bar-Yahooshua[4]:

7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Sha’ul, and desired to hear the word of Yah.

8 But Elumas the magician[5] (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the emunah.

9 Then Sha’ul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Set-Apart Spirit, set his eyes on him,

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the straight ways of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing?

11 And now, behold, the hand of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphulia: and Yahoochanan departing from them returned to Yerushalayim.

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the Spokesmen of Yah the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Yisra’El, and ye that fear Yah, give audience.

17 The Mighty One of this people of Yisra’El chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Mitsrayim, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years He sustained them in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Kena’an, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the Spokesman of Yah.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and Yah gave unto them Sha’ul the son of Qish, a man of the tribe of Binyamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them Dawid to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found Dawid the son of Yishai, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man’s seed[6] hath Yah according to his promise raised unto Yisra’El a Saviour, Yahooshua:

24 When Yahoochanan had first preached before his coming the immersion of repentance to all the people of Yisra’El.

25 And as Yahoochanan fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth Yah, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Yerushalayim, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the Spokesmen of Yah which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a Tomb.

30 But Yah raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galil to Yerushalayim, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 Yah hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Yahooshua again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I brought you forth[7].

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of Dawid.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not permit thine Set-Apart One to see corruption.

36 For Dawid, after he had served his own generation by the will of Yah, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom Yah raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moshe.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the Spokesmen of Yah;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

42 And when the Yahoodi’iy were gone out of the synagogue, the Ha-goyim besought that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Yahoodi’iy and religious converts followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the Chen of Yah.

44 And the next Sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of Yah.

45 But when the Yahoodi’iy saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and spoke against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming[8].

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of Yah should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life[9], lo, we turn to the Ha-goyim.

47 For so hath Yah the Eternally Self-Existing commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Ha-goyim, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the Earth.

48 And when the Ha-goyim heard this, they were glad, and Kavod the word of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing was published throughout all the region.

50 But the Yahoodi’iy stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Shaul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the followers were filled with joy, and with the Set-Apart Spirit.

Chapter 14

AND it came to pass in Ikonion, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Yahoodi’iy, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Yahoodi’iy and also of the Greeks believed.

2 But the unbelieving Yahoodi’iy stirred up the Ha-goyim, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, which gave testimony unto the word of his Chen, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Yahoodi’iy, and part with the Emissaries.

5 And when there was a move took place of both the Ha-goyim, and also of the Yahoodi’iy with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lustra and Derbe, cities of Lukaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7 And there they preached the Good News.

8 And there sat a certain man at Lustra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had emunah to be healed[1],

10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lukaonian, The mighty ones are come down to us in the likeness of men.

12 And they called Barnabas, Zeus[2]; and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

13 Then the priest of Zeus, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

14 Which when the Emissaries, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living Mighty One, which made Heaven, and Earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

16 Who in times past permitted all nations to walk in their own ways.

17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19 And there came thither certain Yahoodi’iy from Antioch and Ikonion, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Sha’ul[3], drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the followers stood round about him, he rose up[4], and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And when they had preached the Good News to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lustra, and to Ikonion, and Antioch,

22 Confirming the souls of the followers, and exhorting them to continue in the emunah, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of Yah.[5]

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, on whom they believed.

24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphulia.

25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attaleia:

26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the Chen of Yah for the work which they fulfilled.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the assembly together, they rehearsed all that Yah had done with them, and how he had opened the door of emunah unto the Ha-goyim.

28 And there they abode long time with the followers.

Chapter 15

AND certain men which came down from Yahooḏah taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moshe, ye cannot be saved.

2 When therefore Sha’ul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Sha’ul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Yerushalayim unto the Emissaries and elders about this question.

3 And being brought on their way by the assembly, they passed through Phoenicia and Shomeron, declaring the conversion of the Ha-goyim: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

4 And when they were come to Yerushalayim, they were received of the assembly, and of the Emissaries and elders, and they declared all things that Yah had done with them.

5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Torah of Moshe.

6 And the Emissaries and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7 And when there had been much disputing, Kepha rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago Yah made choice among us, that the Ha-goyim by my mouth should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.

8 And Yah, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Set-Apart Spirit, even as he did unto us;

9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by emunah.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye Yah, to put a yoke upon the neck of the followers, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the Chen of Adonay Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah we shall be saved, even as they.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Sha’ul, declaring what miracles and wonders Yah had wrought among the Ha-goyim by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, Ya‛aqoḇ answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

14 Shim‛on hath declared how Yah at the first did visit the Ha-goyim, to take out of them a people for his name.

15 And to this agree the words of the Spokesmen of Yah; as it is written,

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of Dawid, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

17 That the residue of men might seek after Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and all the Ha-goyim, upon whom my name is called, saith Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, who doeth all these things.

18 Known unto Yah are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19 Wherefore I judge that we trouble not them, which from among the Ha-goyim are turned to Yah:

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moshe of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the Synagogues (congregations) every Sabbath day[1].

22 Then pleased it the Emissaries and elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Sha’ul and Barnabas; namely, Yahoowdah surnamed Barsabba, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The Emissaries and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Ha-goyim in Antioch and Suria and Kilikia:

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the Torah: to whom we gave no such commandment:

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Sha’ul,

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Adonay Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah.

27 We have sent therefore Yahoowdah and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Set-Apart Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Yahoowdah and Silas, being Spokesmen of Yah also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the Emissaries.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

35 Sha’ul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, with many others also.

36 And some days after Sha’ul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them Yahoochanan, whose surname was Marqos.

38 But Sha’ul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphulia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Marqos, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Sha’ul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the Chen of Yah.

41 And he went through Suria and Kilikia, strengthening the assemblies.

Chapter 16

THEN came he to Derbe and Lustra: and, behold, a certain follower was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Yahoodi’iyess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

2 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lustra and Ikonion.

3 Him would Sha’ul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him[1] because of the Yahoodi’iy which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were decided by the Emissaries and elders which were at Yerushalayim.

5 And so were the assemblies established in emunah, and increased in number daily.

6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Set-Apart Spirit to preach the word in Asia,

7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit permitted them not.

8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

9 And a vision appeared to Sha’ul in the night; There stood a man of Makedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Makedonia, and help us.

10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Makedonia, assuredly concluding that Yah the Eternally Self-Existing had called us for to preach the Good News unto them.

11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Makedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

13 And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither[2].

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped Yah, heard us: whose heart Yah the Eternally Self-Existing opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Sha’ul.

15 And when she was immersed, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be emunahful to Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

17 The same followed Sha’ul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high Mighty One, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

18 And this did she many days. But Sha’ul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Sha’ul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Yahoodi’iy, do exceedingly trouble our city,

21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

25 And at midnight Sha’ul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto Yah: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great Earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.

27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.

28 But Sha’ul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Sha’ul and Silas,

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on Adonay Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32 And they spake unto him the word of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and to all that were in his house.

33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was immersed, he and all his, straightway.

34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in Yah with all his house.

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, Let those men go.

36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Sha’ul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.

37 But Sha’ul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans[3], and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.

38 And the officers told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.

39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city.

40 And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

Chapter 17

NOW when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonike, where was a synagogue of the Yahoodi’iy:

2 And Sha’ul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the writings,

3 Opening and alleging, that the Anointed One of Yah must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Yahooshua, whom I preach unto you, is the Anointed One of Yah.

4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Sha’ul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

5 But the Yahoodi’iy which believed not, moved with envy, took some of the wicked men from the market-place, and gathered a mob, and set all the city on an uproar, and came upon the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;

7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the dogmas of Cæsar, saying that there is another king, one Yahooshua.

8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.

9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Sha’ul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Yahoodi’iy.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonike, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the writings daily, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.

13 But when the Yahoodi’iy of Thessalonike had knowledge that the teaching of Yah was preached of Sha’ul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Sha’ul to go as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus stayed there still.

15 And they that conducted Sha’ul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed, they departed.

16 Now while Sha’ul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

17 Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Yahoodi’iy, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange mighty ones: because he preached unto them Yahooshua, and the resurrection.

19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new teaching, whereof thou speakest, is?

20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.

21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)

22 Then Sha’ul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too religious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN THEOS.[1] Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

24 Yah that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Adonay of Heaven and Earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

25 Neither is He served with men’s hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men[2] for to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

27 That they should seek Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, if haply they might reach out for Him, and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us:

28 For in Him we live, and move, and have our being[3]; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of Yah, we ought not to think that the Mighty One is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

30 And the times of this ignorance Yah overlooked; but now He commands all men everywhere to repent:

31 Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

33 So Sha’ul departed from among them.

34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Chapter 18

AFTER these things Sha’ul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

2 And found a certain Yahoodi’iy named Aqulas, born in Pontos, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Yahoodi’iy to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and worked: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Yahoodi’iy and the Greeks.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Makedonia, Sha’ul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Yahoodi’iy that Yahooshua was the Anointed One of Yah.

6 And when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook his garments, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Ha-goyim.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped Yah, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on Yah the Eternally Self-Existing with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were immersed.

9 Then spake Yah the Eternally Self-Existing to Sha’ul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city[1].

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of Yah among them.

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Yahoodi’iy rose up with one accord against Sha’ul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship Yah contrary to the law.

14 And when Sha’ul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Yahoodi’iy, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Yahoodi’iy, reason would that I should bear with you:

15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your Torah, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

18 And Sha’ul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Suria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow[2].

19 And he came to Ephesos, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Yahoodi’iy.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Yerushalayim: but I will return again unto you, if Yah will. And he sailed from Ephesos.

22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and gone up, and saluted the assembly, he went down to Antioch.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the followers.

24 And a certain Yahoodi’iy named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the writings, came to Ephesos.

25 This man was instructed in the way of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, knowing only the immersion of Yahoochanan .

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and explained to him the way of Yah more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the followers to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through Chen:

28 For he mightily convinced the Yahoodi’iy, and that publicly, showing by the writings that Yahooshua was the Anointed One of Yah.

Chapter 19

AND it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Sha’ul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesos: and finding certain followers,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Set-Apart Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Set-Apart Spirit[1].

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye immersed? And they said, Unto Yahoochanan ’s immersion.

4 Then said Sha’ul, Yahoochanan verily immersed with the immersion of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on the Anointing of the Spirit of Yah that was upon Yahooshua[2].

5 When they heard this, they were immersed in the name of Adonay Yahooshua.

6 And when Sha’ul had laid his hands upon them, the Set-Apart Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And all the men were about twelve.

8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the Kingdom of Yah.

9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the followers, disputing daily in the school of one Turannos.

10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of Adonay Yahooshua, both Yahoodi’iy and Greeks.

11 And Yah wrought special miracles by the hands of Sha’ul:

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then certain of the roving Yahoodi’iy, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of Adonay Yahooshua, saying, We adjure you by Yahooshua whom Sha’ul preacheth.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Yahoodi’iy, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Yahooshua I know, and Sha’ul I know; but who are ye?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Yahoodi’iy and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesos; and fear fell on them all, and the name of Adonay Yahooshua was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which had practised magic brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they reckoned up the value of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So mightily grew the word of Yah and prevailed.

21 After these things were ended, Sha’ul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Makedonia and Achaia, to go to Yerushalayim, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

22 So he sent into Makedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

23 And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

24 For a certain man named Demetrios, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Artemis[3], brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

25 Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesos, but almost throughout all Asia, this Sha’ul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no mighty ones, which are made with hands:

27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great female mighty one, Artemis, should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

28 And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.

29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Makedonia, Sha’ul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into theatre.

30 And when Sha’ul would have entered in unto the people, the followers permitted him not.

31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Yahoodi’iy putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

34 But when they knew that he was a Yahoodi’iy, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians.

35 And when the town clerk had calmed the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesos, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great female mighty one, Artemis, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

37 For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of temples, nor yet speak evil of your female mighty one[4].

38 Wherefore if Demetrios, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are proconsuls: let them accuse one another.

39 But if ye inquire anything concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

40 For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

41 And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

Chapter 20

AND after the uproar was ceased, Sha’ul called unto him the followers, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Makedonia.

2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

3 And there abode three months. And when the Yahoodi’iy laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Suria, he purposed to return through Makedonia.

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Beroia; and of Thessalonians, Aristarchos and Sekundos; and Gaios of Derbe, and Timotiyos; and of Asia, Tuchikos and Trophimus.

5 These going ahead waited for us at Troas.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread[1], and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the followers came together to break bread, Sha’ul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutuchos, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Sha’ul kept on reasoning, he was overcome by sleep, and fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.

10 And Sha’ul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him[2].

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Sha’ul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitulene.

15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogullion; and the next day we came to Miletos.

16 For Sha’ul had determined to sail by Ephesos, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Yerushalayim the day of Shavuot.

17 And from Miletos he sent to Ephesos, and called the elders of the assembly.

18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,

19 Serving Yah the Eternally Self-Existing with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Yahoodi’iy:

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,

21 Testifying both to the Yahoodi’iy, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward Yah, and emunah toward our Adonay Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Yerushalayim, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:

23 Save that the Set-Apart Spirit witnesseth in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me[3].

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of Adonay Yahooshua, to testify the Good News of the Chen of Yah.

25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the Kingdom of Yah, shall see my face no more.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of Yah.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over which the Set-Apart Spirit hath made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of Yahooshua, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away followers after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to Yah, and to the word of his Chen, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.

34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities[4], and to them that were with me.

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of Adonay Yahooshua, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Sha’ul’s neck, and kissed him,

38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Chapter 21

AND it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had launched, we came with a straight course unto Cos, and the day following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara:

2 And finding a ship sailing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard, and set forth.

3 Now when we had sighted Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Suria, and landed at Tsor: for there the ship was to unlade her cargo.

4 And finding followers, we tarried there seven days: who said to Sha’ul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Yerushalayim[1].

5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.

6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again.

7 And when we had finished our course from Tsor, we came to Ptolemais, and greeted the brethren, we stayed with them one day.

8 And the next day we that were of Sha’ul’s company departed, and came unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

9 And the same man had four daughters, bethulahs, which did prophesy.

10 And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Yahooḏah a certain Spokesman of Yah, named Ḥaḡaḇ.

11 And when he was come unto us, he took Sha’ul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Set-Apart Spirit, So shall the Yahoodi’iy at Yerushalayim bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Ha-goyim[2].

12 And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Yerushalayim.

13 Then Sha’ul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Yerushalayim for the name of Adonay Yahooshua.

14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing be done.

15 And after those days having made ready, we went up to Yerushalayim.

16 There went with us also certain of the followers of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old follower, with whom we should lodge.

17 And when we were come to Yerushalayim, the brethren received us gladly.

18 And the day following Sha’ul went in with us unto Ya‛aqoḇ; and all the elders were present.

19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things Yah had wrought among the Ha-goyim by his ministry.

20 And when they heard it, they Kavod Yah the Eternally Self-Existing, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Yahoodi’iy there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the Torah:

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Yahoodi’iy which are among the Ha-goyim to forsake Moshe, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.

23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;

24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the Torah[3].

25 As touching the Ha-goyim which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

26 Then Sha’ul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Yahoodi’iy which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Yisra’El, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the Torah, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this Set-Apart place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimos the Ephesian, whom they supposed that Sha’ul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Sha’ul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the commander of the soldiers, that all Yerushalayim was in an uproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and captains[4], and ran down unto them: and when they saw the Commander and the soldiers, they left beating of Sha’ul.

33 Then the Commander came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the barracks.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

37 And as Sha’ul was to be led into the barracks, he said unto the Commander, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Mitsrian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Sha’ul said, I am a man which am a Yahoodi’iy of Tarsos, a city in Kilikia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, permit me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Sha’ul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,

Chapter 22

MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

3 I am verily a man which am a Yahoodi’iy, born in Tarsos, a city in Kilikia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the Torah of the fathers, and was zealous toward Yah, as ye all are this day.

4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 As also the High Priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Dammeseq, to bring them which were there bound unto Yerushalayim, for to be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Dammeseq about noon, suddenly there shone from Heaven a great light round about me.

7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why persecutest thou me?

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Adonay? And he said unto me, I am Yahooshua of Natsareth, whom thou persecutest.

9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, Adonay? And Adonay said unto me, Arise, and go into Dammeseq; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 And when I could not see for the Kavod of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Dammeseq.

12 And one ḤananYah, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Yahoodi’iy which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Sha’ul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14 And he said, The Mighty One of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be immersed, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of Yah the Eternally Self-Existing.

17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Yerushalayim, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Yerushalayim: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19 And I said, Adonay, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephanos was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Ha-goyim.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the Earth: for it is not fit that he should live.[1]

23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

24 The Commander commanded him to be brought into the barracks, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Sha’ul said unto the captain that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 When the captain heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

27 Then the commander having come, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28 And the Commander answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Sha’ul said, But I was free born.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the Commander also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Yahoodi’iy, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the Chief Priests and all their Sanhedrin to appear, and brought Sha’ul down, and set him before them.

Chapter 23

AND Sha’ul, earnestly beholding the Sanhedrin, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before Yah until this day.

2 And the High Priest ḤananYah commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Sha’ul unto him, Yah shall smite thee, thou whitewashed wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the Torah, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the Torah?

4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou Yah’s High Priest?

5 Then said Sha’ul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the High Priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

6 But when Sha’ul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the Sanhedrin, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither messenger, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an messenger hath spoken to him, let us not fight against Yah.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the Commander, fearing lest Sha’ul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the barracks.

11 And the night following Adonay stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Sha’ul: for as thou hast testified of me in Yerushalayim, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

12 And when it was day, certain of the Yahoodi’iy banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Sha’ul.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.[1]

14 And they came to the Chief Priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Sha’ul.

15 Now therefore ye with the Sanhedrin signify to the Commander that he bring him down unto you tomorrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we are ready to kill him before he comes near.

16 And when Sha’ul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the barracks, and told Sha’ul.

17 Then Sha’ul called one of the Captains unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the Commander: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the Commander, and said, Sha’ul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

19 Then the Commander took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, The Yahoodi’iy have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Sha’ul tomorrow into the Sanhedrin, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

22 So the Commander then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

23 And he called unto him two Captains, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;

24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Sha’ul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.

25 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

27 This man was taken of the Yahoodi’iy, and should have been killed of them: then came I with the body of soliders, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their Sanhedrin:

29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their Torah, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And when it was told me how that the Yahoodi’iy laid in wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Sha’ul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the barracks:

33 Who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the letter to the governor, presented Sha’ul also before him.

34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Kilikia;

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herodes’s palace[2].

Chapter 24

AND after five days ḤananYah the High Priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who brought charges to the governor against Sha’ul.

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Yahoodi’iy throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Natsarenes:

6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But the Commander Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Yahoodi’iy also assented, saying that these things were so.

10 Then Sha’ul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Yerushalayim for to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the Synagogues (congregations), nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy[1], so worship I the Mighty One of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Torah and in the Spokesmen of Yah:

15 And have hope toward Yah, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward Yah, and toward men.

17 Now after many years I came to bring kind deeds to my nation, and offerings.

18 Whereupon certain Yahoodi’iy from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.

20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the Sanhedrin,

21 Except it be for this one declaration, that I cried out standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the Commander shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

23 And he commanded a Captain to keep Sha’ul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Yahoodi’iyess, he sent for Sha’ul, and heard him concerning the emunah in the Anointed One of Yah.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come[2], Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Sha’ul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27 But after two years [3]Porcius Festus succeeded Felix’: and Felix, willing to shew the Yahoodi’iy a pleasure, left Sha’ul bound.

Chapter 25

NOW when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cæsarea to Yerushalayim.

2 Then the High Priest and the chief of the Yahoodi’iy informed him against Sha’ul, and besought him,

3 And desired Chen against him, that he would send for him to Yerushalayim, laying wait in the way to kill him.

4 But Festus answered, that Sha’ul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.

6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Sha’ul to be brought.

7 And when he was come, the Yahoodi’iy which came down from Yerushalayim stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Sha’ul, which they could not prove.

8 While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Yahoodi’iy, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended anything at all.

9 But Festus, willing to do the Yahoodi’iy a pleasure, answered Sha’ul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Yerushalayim, and there be judged of these things before me?

10 Then said Sha’ul, I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Yahoodi’iy have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

11 For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar[1].

12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the Sanhedrin, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernike  came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Sha’ul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:

15 About whom, when I was at Yerushalayim, the Chief Priests and the elders of the Yahoodi’iy informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.

16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.

18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:

19 But had certain questions against him of their own worship[2], and of one Yahooshua, which was dead, whom Sha’ul affirmed to be alive.

20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Yerushalayim, and there be judged of these matters.

21 But when Sha’ul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. Tomorrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernike , with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the Commanders, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Sha’ul was brought forth.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Yahoodi’iy have dealt with me, both at Yerushalayim, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my master. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.

27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.[3]

Chapter 26

THEN Agrippa said unto Sha’ul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Sha’ul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Yahoodi’iy:

3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Yahoodi’iy: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Yerushalayim, know all the Yahoodi’iy;

5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most narrow and strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of Yah unto our fathers:

7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving Yah day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Yahoodi’iy.

8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that Yah should raise the dead?

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Yahooshua of Natsareth.

10 Which thing I also did in Yerushalayim: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the Chief Priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

12 Whereupon as I went to Dammeseq with authority and commission from the Chief Priests,

13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from Heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.

14 And when we were all fallen to the Earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the prods.

15 And I said, Who art thou, Adonay? And he said, I am Yahooshua whom thou persecutest.

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Ha-goyim, unto whom now I send thee,

18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto Yah, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are Set Apart by emunah in me.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the Heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Dammeseq, and at Yerushalayim, and throughout all the coasts of Yahooḏah, and then to the Ha-goyim, that they should repent and turn to Yah, and do works meet for repentance.

21 For these causes the Yahoodi’iy caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.

22 Having therefore obtained help of Yah, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the Spokesmen of Yah and Moshe did say should come:

23 That the Anointed One of Yah should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Ha-goyim.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Sha’ul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and sense.

26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the Spokesmen of Yah? I know that thou believest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Sha’ul, Almost thou persuadest me to be an Anointed One[1].

29 And Sha’ul said, I would to Yah, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernike , and they that sat with them:

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.[2]

Chapter 27

AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Sha’ul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a Captain of Augustus’ regiment.

2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchos, a Makedonian of Thessalonike, being with us.

3 And the next day we touched at Tsiḏon. And Julius courteously entreated Sha’ul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself[1].

4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.

5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Kilikia and Pamphulia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.

6 And there the Captain found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.

7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Knidos, the wind not allowing us to proceed, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;

8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.

9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast[2] was now already past, Sha’ul admonished them,

10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.

11 Nevertheless the Captain believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Sha’ul.

12 And because the harbour was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phoenicia, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.

13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.

14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called the Northeaster[3].

15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.

16 And running under a certain island which is called Klauda, we were hardly able to control the small boat:

17 and having hoisted it, they used helps to undergird the ship. And fearing lest they should run aground on Surtis, they lowered the tackle and so were driven.

18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;

19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.

20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.

21 But after long abstinence Sha’ul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the messenger of Yah, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Sha’ul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, Yah hath given thee all them that sail with thee[4].

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe Yah, that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.

27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some land;

28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.

29 Then fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern, and were praying for day to come.

30 And as the sailors were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under pretence as though they would have cast anchors out of the prow,

31 Sha’ul said to the Captain and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.

32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.

33 And while the day was coming on, Sha’ul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.

34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to Yah in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.

36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.

37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six souls.

38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to run in the ship.

40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder ropes, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.

42 And the soldiers’ counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.

43 But the Captain, willing to save Sha’ul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:

44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.

Chapter 28

AND when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melite.

2 And the foreigners shewed us extraordinary kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

3 And when Sha’ul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, an adder came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

4 And when the foreigners saw the venomous creature hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.

5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a mighty one[1].

7 In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Poplius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously.

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Poplius lay sick of a fever and dysentery: to whom Sha’ul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

10 Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.

11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

12 And landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days.

13 from which place we went round and arrived at Rhegium: and after one day the south wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli:

14 Where we found brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we went toward Rome.

15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us at Forum of Appius and Three Taverns: whom when Sha’ul saw, he thanked Yah, and took courage.

16 And when we came to Rome, the Captain delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Sha’ul was permitted to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.

17 And it came to pass, that after three days Sha’ul called the chief of the Yahoodi’iy together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Yerushalayim into the hands of the Romans.

18 Who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me.

19 But when the Yahoodi’iy spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of.

20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Yisra’El I am bound with this chain[2].

21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Yahooḏah concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee.

22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against.

23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he was explaining, earnestly witnessing about the Kingdom of Yah, persuading them concerning Yahooshua, both out of the Torah of Moshe, and out of the Spokesmen of Yah, from morning till evening.

24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.

25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Sha’ul had spoken one word, Well spake the Set-Apart Spirit by YeshaYahoo the Spokesman of Yah unto our fathers,

26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:

27 For the heart of this people has become thickened, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of Yah is sent unto the Ha-goyim, and that they will hear it.

29 And when he had said these words, the Yahoodi’iy departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

30 And Sha’ul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,

31 Preaching the Kingdom of Yah, and teaching those things which concern Adonay Yahooshua the Anointed One of Yah, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.[3]

The Books of Good News of Yahooshua and Acts of the Emissaries

The Good News according to MattihYahoo {Mattthew}

The Good News according to Mark

The Good News according to Luke

The Good News according to Yahoochanan {John}

The Acts of the Emissaries {Apostles}

The Letters of Shaul {Paul}

The Letter of Shaul to the Romans

The First Letter of Shaul to the Corinthians

The Second Letter of Shaul to the Corinthians

The Letter of Shaul to the Galatians

The Letter of Shaul to the Ephesians

The Letter of Shaul to the Philippians

The Letter of Shaul {Paul} to the Colossians

The First Letter of Shaul {Paul} to the Thessalonians

The Second Letter of Shaul {Paul} to the Thessalonians

The First Letter of Shaul {Paul} to Timothy

The Second Letter of Shaul {Paul} to Timothy

The Letter of Shaul {Paul} to Titus

The Letter of Shaul {Paul} to Philemon

The Letter of Shaul {Paul} to the Hebrews

Other Letters

The General Letter of Ya‛aqoḇ {James}

The First General Letter of Kěpha {Peter}

The Second General Letter of Kěpha {Peter}

The First General Letter of Yahoochanan {John}

The Second Letter of Yahoochanan {John}

The Third Letter of Yahoochanan {John}

The General Letter of Yahoowdah {Jude}

Revelation

The Revelation of Yahoochanan {John}