8 26:12In which [persecutions] also, going to Damascus with authority, and a commission from the chief priests, 26:13at midday I saw in the way O king, a light from heaven shining around me and those going with me, exceeding the brightness of the sun; 26:14and when we had all fallen on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goads. 26:15And I said, Who are you, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. 26:16But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and witness both of what you have seen and [of visions ] in which I will appear to you, 26:17delivering you from the people, and the gentiles, to whom I send you 26:18to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among the sanctified by faith in me. 26:19Whence, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 26:20but preached first to those at Damascus and Jerusalem, and in all the country of Judea, and to the gentiles, that they should change their minds and turn to God, performing works worthy of a change of mind.
9 26:21On this account the Jews seized me in the temple and endeavored to kill me. 26:22Having obtained therefore help from God, I have continued to this day, testifying to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said should take place; 26:23that the Christ should suffer, and that he first from the resurrection of the dead should proclaim light both to the people and the nations.
10 26:24And when Paul had said these words, Festus said with a loud voice, You are mad, Paul; much learning has driven you to madness. 26:25But he said, I am not mad, most excellent Festus, but utter words of truth and sobriety. 26:26For the king knows of these things, before whom I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things have escaped his notice; for this was not done in a corner. 26:27King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe. 26:28And Agrippa said to Paul, You almost persuade me to be a Christian. 26:29And Paul said, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 26:30And the king arose, and the procurator, and Bernice, and those who sat with them, 26:31and departing they conversed with each other, saying, This man has done nothing deserving death or bonds. 26:32And Agrippa said to Festus, If he had not appealed to Cæsar, this man might be released.
CHAPTER XXIV.
PAUL'S VOYAGE TO ROME.—A.D. 61, 62.
1 27:1AND when it was determined that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners to a centurion by the name of Julius, of the cohort of Augustus. 27:2And going on board of a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to places in Asia, we set sail, Aristarchus a Macedonian of Thessalonica being with us; 27:3and on the next day we came to Sidon, and Julius treating Paul with humanity allowed him to go to his friends, and receive attention.
2 27:4Proceeding thence we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary, 27:5and sailing through the sea by Cilicia and Pamphylia we came to Myra in Lycia; 27:6and the centurion finding there an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, put us into it. 27:7And sailing slowly in those days, and scarcely being by Cnidus, the wind not permitting us [to proceed in a direct course] we sailed under Crete, by Salmone, 27:8and sailing by it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which is the city Lasea.
3 27:9But some time being spent and navigation not being safe, because the fast had already passed by, Paul advised, 27:10saying to them, Men, I see that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also of our lives. 27:11But the centurion believed the master and owner rather than the words spoken by Paul. 27:12And the harbor being inconvenient to winter in, the greater part advised to depart thence, and, if they were able, to come to Phenice to winter, a harbor of Crete, which opens to the South and Southwest.
4 27:13And the South wind blowing gently, supposing that they had attained their purpose, setting sail they proceeded along the coast of Crete. 27:14But not long after a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon, rushed against it, 27:15and the ship being caught and not being able to bear up against the wind, we gave up, and were borne along. 27:16And running a little under the island called Clauda, we with difficulty became masters of the boat, 27:17and taking it out they used helps, under-girding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall on the shoal, letting down the mast they were driven in that condition. 27:18And we being exceedingly pressed with the storm, on the next day they cast the cargo overboard, 27:19and on the third day with our own hands we cast overboard the furniture of the ship. 27:20And neither sun nor stars appearing for many days, and no slight storm being upon us, at last all hope that we should be saved was taken away.
5 27:21Then there having been long abstinence from food, Paul stood up in the midst of them and said, You ought, men, taking my advice, not to have sailed from Crete, and to have saved this injury and loss. 27:22And now I advise you to be of good courage; for there shall be no loss of a life of you, but only of the ship. 27:23For an angel of the God whose I am, and whom I serve, came to me this night 27:24and said, Fear not, Paul; you must stand before Cæsar, and behold, God has given you all that sail with you. 27:25Wherefore, men, be of good courage; for I believe God, that it will be as he has told me; 27:26but we must be cast on a certain island.