44. And next sabbath almost the whole city came to hear the word of God. 45. But the Jews seeing the multitudes, were filled with indignation, and spake against the things said by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46. Then Paul and Barnabas waxing bold, said, The word of God ought first to be spoken to you; but seeing ye reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, (i. e. bliss,) lo, we turn to the Gentiles: 47. For so the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee (Christ for) a light of the Gentiles, and for salvation to the earth's limits. 48. Now the Gentiles hearing this, were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and whoever were disposed to eternal life believed.

49. Now the word of the Lord was published thro' all the region. 50. But the Jews stirred up the religious and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their borders. 51. But they shook off the dust of their feet (as a witness) against them, and came to Iconium. 52. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

CHAP. XIV.

PAUL AND BARNABAS ARE PERSECUTED.

AND at Iconium, they went both together into the Jews' synagogue, and so spake, that a great multitude, both of the Jews and Greeks, believed. 2. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil-affected against the brethren. 3. They abode therefore, a long time, speaking boldly in the (name of the) Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, by granting to them to do miracles and wonders. 4. But the multitude of the city was divided; part, held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5. And

a plot being laid both by the Gentiles, and the Jews, with their rulers, to abuse them, and to stone them, 6. They being aware of it, fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the region around: 7. Where they preached the gospel.

8. And a certain man sat at Lystra infirm in his feet, being lame from his birth, having never walked: 9. He heard Paul speaking; who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10. Said aloud, In the name of the Lord Jesus, stand upright on thy feet. Then he leaped and walked.

14.

11. Now the people seeing what Paul had done, raised up their voices, saying, in the Lycaonian language, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. 13. Then Jupiter's priest, being before their city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates, and with the people would have sacrificed. Which the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, hearing, rent their clothes, and rushed into the company, crying out, 15. Sirs, why do ye these things? we also are men of like infirmities as you, and preach that ye may be turned from these vanities to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things therein; 16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Tho' he left not himself without a witness, as he did good, giving us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. 18. And with these sayings, scarcely restrained they the people from sacrificing to them.

17.

19. But there came Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who having persuaded the people; stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. 20. Yet when the disciples stood around him he rose up, and came into the city; and the next day he departed with Barnabas to

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Derbe. 21. And having preached the gospel to that city, and taught many, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22. Strengthening the minds of the disciples, and exhorting them to con tinue in the faith, as we must through many afflictions enter into the kingdom of God. 23. And when they had ordained them (having chosen) elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24. And having passed throughout Pisidia they came to Pamphylia. 25. And having preached the word in Perga they went down into Attalia; 26. And thence sailed to Antioch, whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27. And having come, and assembled the church, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28. And they abode long there with the disciples.

CHAP. XV.

EATING BLOOD FORBIDDEN IN ALL AGES, not as UNCLEAN, BUT as sacred.

Now certain men came down from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the manner taught by Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2. Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, with some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3. And, being conducted on their way by the church, they passed through Phenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles; and caused great joy to all the brethren. 4. And being come to Jerusalem they were received by the church, and the apostles and elders, and declared all things that God had done by them. 5. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed,

rose up, saying, It was needful to circumcise them, and command them to keep the ceremonial law of Moses.

6. Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7. And after much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8. And God, who knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit even as he did to us; 9. And made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10. Now, therefore, why tempt ye God, by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11. But we believe that, by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, both they and we shall be saved.

12. Then all the multitude kept silence, hearkening to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13. And when they were silent, James said, Brethren, hearken to me.. 14. Simon hath declared how God at first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15. And to this agree the prophet's words, thus written, 16. After this I will build again David's (kingdom spiritually) which is fallen (temporally,) and set it up (among the Gentiles at the millennium.) 17. That the rest of men might seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who call on my name (as my people) saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18. Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19. Wherefore, my sentence is, that we trouble not them who from among the Gentiles turn to God; 20. But that we write to them, to abstain from the polluted offerings to idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, (that died

with the blood in them) and from blood. 21. For Moses from ancient times hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

22. Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas, surnamed Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23. And they wrote a letter with them, in this manner; The apostles, elders, and brethren, send greeting to the brethren of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: 24. As we heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the ritual law; to whom we gave no such command: 25. It seemed good to us, being assembled with one mind, to send chosen men to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul; 26. Who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27. We have sent also Judas and Silas, who shall tell you the same things with their mouth. 28. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29. That ye abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.

30. So being dismissed they came to Antioch; and having called the multitude together, they delivered the epistle; 31. Which having read, they rejoiced at this comfort. 32. Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, comforted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33. And having staid there a while, they were dismissed in peace by the brethren to the apostles. 34. But it pleased Silas to abide there still. But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch,

35.