21Because of these things, the Jews seizing me in the temple, attempted to kill me on the spot. 22Having however obtained help from God, unto this day, I stand witnessing both to small and great, saying nothing but what both the prophets and Moses said should come to pass: 23that the Messiah should suffer, and that he being the first who should rise from the dead, should display light to the people, and to the Gentiles.
24As thus he was proceeding in his defence, Festus with a loud voice said, Paul, thou art raving; much reading hath driven thee to madness.
25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but utter words of truth and sobriety. 26For the king is well acquainted with these things, before whom also I speak with the greatest freedom. For I am persuaded that none of these events have escaped his notice; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa! believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29And Paul replied, would to God, that not only thou, but also that all who are hearing me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these chains.
30So when he had thus spoken, the king arose, and the governor, and Bernice, and they who sat with him, 31and retiring, conversed together, saying, This man hath done nothing worthy of death, or of chains.
32And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been discharged, if he had not appealed to Cæsar.
[CHAP. XXVII.]
NOW as it was determined that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Augustan cohort. 2And embarking in a ship of Adrymittium, ready to sail for the coast of Asia, we proceeded on our voyage, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3And the next day we arrived at Sidon: and Julius treated Paul with the greatest humanity, and permitted him to go to his friends, to enjoy the benefit of their care. 4And taking our departure from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. 5And traversing the sea opposite to Cilicia and Pamphylia, we arrived at Myra, a city of Lycia. 6And the centurion finding there a ship of Alexandria bound for Italy, he put us on board of it.
7Then for many days making very slow way, and scarce reaching over against Knidos, the wind not favouring us, we coasted Crete, opposite Cape Salmone: 8and weathering it with difficulty, we came to a certain place called, The fair havens; near to which is the city Lasea. 9And much time being consumed, and sailing now becoming dangerous, because the fast was already past, Paul admonished them, 10saying unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be attended with much damage and loss, not only of the cargo and of the ship, but danger of our lives also. 11But the centurion paid more attention to the master and to the pilot than to the things which were spoken by Paul. 12And the harbour not being well situated for a winter station, the greater part advised to sail from thence, if they possibly could reach as far as Phenice to pass the winter, a harbour open to the south-west and north-west. 13So when the south wind blew softly, supposing they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor, and kept near the coast of Crete. 14But not long after a hurricane wind, called Euroclydon, drove us towards the island, 15and the ship becoming ungovernable, and unable to bear up in the eye of the wind, we gave up the attempt, and let her drive. 16And running under a little island called Clauda, it was with difficulty we were able to come at the boat: 17which when they had hoisted out, they used all helps, carrying ropes round the ship’s bottom; and fearing lest they should run on the quick-sands, they lowered the mast, and so were driven. 18And being exceedingly tossed with the storm, we the next day threw out the cargo. 19And the third day with our own hands we threw overboard the tackling of the vessel. 20So when neither sun nor stars had appeared for many days, and no small tempest beating on us, all hope of our being preserved was entirely taken from us.
21Now after being a long while without food, then stood up Paul in the midst of them, and said, Ye ought, my friends, to have been persuaded by me, and not have sailed from Crete, and got this loss and damage. 22Yet even now I exhort you to be of good courage: for there shall be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23For there stood by me this night an angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must stand before Cæsar: and behold! God hath graciously given thee all who are sailing with thee. 25Wherefore, sirs, cheer up: for I believe God that it will be so, exactly as he hath spoken to me. 26But we must be cast on a certain island.