Chapter I: AM the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2)Every branch in (1)

me that beareth no fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he pruneth it clean, that it may bring forth more fruit. (3)Ye are already clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (4)Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abide in the vine: so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. (5)I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, this person beareth much fruit: because without me ye can do nothing. (6)If any man abide not in me, he is cast out as a branch, and withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (7)If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done for you. (8)Herein is my Father glorified, that ye should bring forth much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (9)Just as the Father hath loved me, I also have loved you: abide in my love. (10)If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and as I abide in his love. (11)These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may abide in you, and your joy may be full. (12)This is my commandment, That ye love one another, just as I have loved you. (13)Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (14)Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever things I command you. (15)I no more call you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his master is doing: but I have called you friends because I have made known to you all things which I have heard of my Father. (16)Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you that ye should go forth and bear fruit, and that your fruit should be permanent: that so whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he may give it you. (17)These things I command you, that ye love one another. (18)If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before you. (19)If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have elected you out of the world, for this very cause the world hateth you. (20)Remember the word which I spake unto you, The servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also; if they have observed my words, they will observe your's also. (21)But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. (22)Had I not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. (23)He that hateth me hateth my Father also. (24)If I had not done among them the works which no other ever did, they would not have had sin: but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. (25)But it is in order that the word may be fulfilled which is written in their law, "They hated me without a cause." (26)But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (27)and ye too shall bear your testimony, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

CHAP. XVI.

THESE things have I spoken, that ye might not be stumbled. (2)They will put you out of their synagogues: yea, the hour is coming, that every one who killeth you will think he offers God a sacred service. (3)And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (4)But these things have I spoken to you, that when the hour is come, ye may remember the same for I had told you. But these things I told you not at the beginning, because I was with you. (5)But now I am going away to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither art thou going? (6)But because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow hath filled your heart. (7)Yet I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I went not away, the Comforter would not come to you; but if I go, I will send him unto you. (8)And when he cometh, he will convince the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment: (9)of sin first, because they believe not in me; (10)then of righteousness, because I am going to the Father, so ye see me no more; (11)and of judgment, because the ruler of this world hath sentence pronounced on him.

(12)I have many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them just now. (13)But when he is come, the Spirit of truth, he will conduct you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever things he shall hear, he shall speak: and he will declare to you the things that shall come hereafter. (14)He shall glorify me: for he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15)All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore I said, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (16)A little while longer, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me, because I am going to the Father.

(17)Then said some of the disciples unto each other, What is this which he saith to us, A little while longer, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me: and this, because I am going to the Father? (18)They said therefore, What is this which he saith, This little while? we know not what he means.

(19)Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Are ye questioning among yourselves concerning this declaration, which I spake, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again a little while, and ye shall see me? (20)Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be very sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. (21)A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when the little son is born, she no more remembers the anguish, for joy that a man is brought into the world. (22)And ye therefore have indeed at present sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall be made glad, and your joy no man taketh from you. (23)And in that hour ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, That whatsoever things ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give you. (24)Hitherto ye have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be complete. (25)These things have I spoken to you in parables: but the hour is coming when I will no more speak to you in parables, but will plainly inform you respecting the Father. (26)In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I do not say to you, I will entreat the Father for you: (27)for the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. (28)I came out from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I am leaving the world, and going to the Father.

(29)His disciples said unto him, Lo! now thou speakest plainly, and speakest in no-wise proverbial. (30)Now we know that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any person should ask thee: by this we believe that thou hast come forth from God. (31)Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe? (32)Behold, the hour is coming, yea, it is already come, that ye shall be dispersed, each after his own concerns, and shall leave me alone: though I am not alone, because the Father is with me. (33)These things have I spoken to you, that ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good courage; I have overcome the world.

CHAP. XVII.

THESE things spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son may glorify thee: (2)even as thou hast given him authority over all flesh, that with regard to all those whom thou hast given him, he should give to them eternal life: (3)and this is eternal life, that they should know thee the only true God, and him whom thou hast sent, Jesus, the Messiah. (4)I have glorified thee upon earth: I have completed the work which thou gavest me to perform. (5)And now, Father, do thou glorify me with thyself in the glory which I held with thee before the world was. (6)I have made known thy name to the persons whom thou gavest me out of the world: for thee they had a being, and to me thou hast given them; and thy word have they kept. (7)Now have they known, that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are from thee. (8)For the declarations which thou gavest to me I have delivered to them; and they have received them, and have known assuredly that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou hast sent me. (9)I entreat for them: I make no request for the world; but for those thou hast given me; for they are thine. (10)And all mine are thine, and thine mine; and I have been glorified in them. (11)And now no longer am I in this world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to thee. Holy Father! preserve them for thy name's sake whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (12)When I was with them in the world, I preserved them by thy name: those whom thou hast given me have I guarded, and not one of them is perished, except the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. (13)But now I am coming to thee; and I am speaking these things in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (14)I have given them thy word and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (15)I entreat not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest preserve them from the wicked one. (16)They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (17)Sanctify them by thy truth: thy word is truth. (18)As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world. (19)And for them I devote myself, that they also might be sanctified by the truth. (20)And not for them do I make request only, but also for those who shall believe in me through their word; (21)that all may be one; as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee, that these also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (22)And I have given them the glory, which thou hast given me; that they may be one, even as we are one: (23)I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (24)Father, those whom thou hast given me, I will that where I am they may also be with me; that they may behold my glory, which thou gavest me: because thou hast loved me before the foundation of the world.

(25)Righteous Father! though the world hath not known thee, yet I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. (26)And I have made known to them thy name, and will make it known: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

CHAP. XVIII.

HAVING thus spoken, Jesus went out with his disciples beyond the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into which he went himself, and his disciples. (2)Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for frequently had Jesus consorted with his disciples there. (3)Then Judas having taken a band of soldiers, and the inferior officers of the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and arms. (4)Jesus therefore, conscious of all things that were coming upon him, going forward, said to them, Whom are ye seeking? (5)They answered him, Jesus the Nazarean. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. Then stood also Judas, who betrayed him, with these men. (6)As he then spake to them, I am he, they retreated backward, and fell flat on the ground. (7)Again therefore he demanded of them, Whom seek ye? Then they said, Jesus the Nazarean. (8)Jesus answered, I told you that I am he: if therefore ye are seeking me, permit these to go away: (9)that the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, That of those whom thou hast given me, I have not lost one of them.

(10)Then Simon Peter having a sword, drew it, and struck a servant of the high-priest, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchas. (11)Then said Jesus to Peter, Put up thy sword into the scabbard: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

(12)The band therefore, and the chief captain, and the inferior officers of the Jews, seized on Jesus, and bound him, (13)and led him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was the high-priest of that year. (14)Now Caiaphas was the person who had given his advice to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should be destroyed instead of the people.

(15)Now Simon Peter had followed Jesus, and another disciple: and that disciple was acquainted with the high-priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high-priest. (16)But Peter stood without at the door. Then that other disciple, who was acquainted with the high-priest, went out, and spoke to the porteress, and introduced Peter. (17)Then said the damsel who kept the door to Peter, Art not thou also one of the disciples of this man? He saith, I am not. (18)Now the servants and inferior officers having made a fire, for it was cold, stood and warmed themselves: and there stood Peter with them, and warmed himself. (19)The high-priest then questioned Jesus concerning his disciples, and respecting his doctrine. (20)Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews resorted; and in secret have I spoken nothing. (21)Why dost thou question me? ask those who have heard me, what I have spoken to them: lo, they know what I said. (22)As he was thus speaking, one of the servants who stood by him gave Jesus a slap on the face, saying, Dost thou answer the high-priest in this fashion? (23)Jesus replied to him, If I have spoken in an improper manner, bear witness of the evil deed: but if properly, why strikest thou me? (24)Now Annas had sent him bound to Caiaphas the high-priest.

(25)Meanwhile Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. Then said they to him, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. (26)One of the servants of the high-priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did I not see thee in the garden with him? (27)Then again Peter denied: and instantly the cock crew.

(28)Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas to the praetorium: and it was early: and they themselves went not into the praetorium, that they should not be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. (29)Pilate then came out to them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? (30)They answered and said to him, If this fellow had not been a malefactor, we should not have delivered him up to thee. (31)Pilate then said to them, Take him yourselves, and according to your own law judge him. The Jews then said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death: (32)that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, intimating by what manner of death he should die.

(33)Pilate therefore entered again into the praetorium, and called Jesus, and said to him, Art thou the king of the Jews? (34)Jesus answered him, Dost thou speak this from thyself, or did others speak to thee concerning me? (35)Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee to me: what hast thou done? (36)Jesus replied, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom had been of this world, then would my servants have struggled hard, that I should not have been delivered up to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. (37)Then said Pilate unto him. Art thou not a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For this end I was born, and for this I came into the world, that I should be a witness for the truth. Every one who is of the truth heareth my voice. (38)Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And having thus spoken, he went out again unto the Jews and saith to them, I find no fault in him. (39)But ye have a custom, that I should release to you one person at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? (40)Then again they all clamoured, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.

CHAP. XIX.

THEN Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. (2)And the soldiers having platted a crown of thorns, put it on his head, and they clothed him in a purple robe, (3)and said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they gave him slaps on the face with their hands. (4)Then again went Pilate out, and said to them, Behold, I bring him out to you, that ye may know that I find in him no fault at all. (5)Then came Jesus out, bearing the thorny crown, and the purple robe. And he said to them, Behold the man! (6)When the chief priests therefore and the officers saw him, they cried vociferously, saying, Crucify him! crucify him! Pilate saith to them, Take him yourselves, and crucify him: for I have not found in him a fault. (7)The Jews replied to him, We have a law, and according to our law he ought to die, because he hath made himself the Son of God. (8)When Pilate then heard this saying, he was the more afraid: (9)and entered into the praetorium again, and saith to Jesus, From whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. (10)Then saith Pilate to him, Dost thou not speak to me? dost thou not know that I have power to crucify thee, and that I have power to release thee? (11)Jesus answered, Thou wouldest have had no authority over me, unless it had been given thee from above: for this reason, he that hath delivered me up to thee hath the greater crime. (12)Upon this Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews clamoured, saying, If thou release this fellow, thou art no friend of Caesar's: every one who professes himself a king, speaks in opposition to Caesar.

(13)When Pilate therefore heard this speech, he brought Jesus out, and sat down on the judgment seat, in a place called the Stone Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. (14)And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith to the Jews, Behold your King! (15)But they cried vociferously, Away with him, away! crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

(16)Then delivered he him therefore unto them, that he should be crucified. And they took Jesus and led him away. (17)And carrying his cross he went forth to a place called the Place of a Skull, which in the Hebrew is termed Golgotha: (18)where they crucified him, and two others with him, on this side and on that, and in the midst Jesus. (19)And Pilate also wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And this was the writing: JESUS THE NAZAREAN, THE KING OF THE JEWS, (20)This title then many of the Jews read: for the spot where Jesus was crucified was nigh unto the city: and it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin. (21)The chief priests of the Jews then said to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. (22)Pilate answered, What I have written, I have written.

(23)Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, for each soldier a part; and his vest: now the vest was without a seam, woven from the upper parts throughout the whole. (24)They said therefore one to another, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, "They parted my garments among them, and for my vest they cast lots." So the soldiers therefore did these things.

(25)Now beside the cross of Jesus stood his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26)When Jesus then beheld his mother, and the disciple whom he loved, standing by, he saith to his mother, Woman, behold thy son! (27)Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour the disciple took her unto his own home.

(28)After this, Jesus, conscious that all things were now finished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. (29)Now there was placed a vessel full of vinegar: they then filling a spunge with the vinegar, and putting it on a stick of hyssop, carried it to his mouth. (30)When therefore Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and inclining his head, he surrendered up his spirit.

(31)The Jews therefore, as it was the preparation, that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, (for that sabbath-day was a great day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. (32)Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him. (33)But when they came to Jesus, as they saw that he was already dead, they brake not his legs: (34)but one of the soldiers with his lance pierced his side, and immediately there gushed out blood and water. (35)And he that saw it bore witness, and we know that his testimony is true: and he himself is conscious that he speaketh what is true, that ye might believe. (36)Now these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, "A bone of him shall not be broken." (37)And again another scripture saith, "They shall look on him whom they have pierced."

(38)And after these things Joseph of Arimathea, (being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews,) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus and Pilate permitted him. Then he came and took away the body of Jesus. (39)And Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus by night formerly, came also, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred weight.

(40)Then they took the body, and bound it with swathes together with the aromatics, as the custom is with the Jews to bury. (41)And there was near the spot were he was crucified a garden and in the garden a new tomb, wherein no person had ever yet been laid. (42)Because of the preparation of the Jews therefore, they laid Jesus there; for the sepulchre was just by.

CHAP. XX.

AND on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen came very early, whilst yet some darkness remained, to the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. (2)She therefore runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith to them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. (3)Then Peter went out, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. (4)And they two ran together: and the other disciple ran before more swiftly than Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. (5)And stooping forward, he sees the swathing clothes lying there; yet he did not go in. (6)Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and saw the swathing clothes lying, (7)and the napkin, which had been round his head, not laid with the linen swathes, but apart folded up in another place. (8)Then went in also the other disciple, who had come the first to the sepulchre, and saw, and believed. (9)Though not even yet had they known the scripture, that he should rise from the dead. (10)Then the disciples went back again to their companions. (11)But Mary stood at the sepulchre, without, weeping: as therefore she wept, she bent forward towards the sepulchre. (12)And saw two angels in white, sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (13)And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. (14)And as she thus spoke, she turned about, and beheld Jesus standing by, and knew not that it was Jesus. (15)Then Jesus said to her, Woman, why art thou weeping? whom art thou seeking? She, supposing that it was the gardener, said to him, Sir, if thou hast carried him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. (16)Jesus saith to her, Mary! Starting round, she said to him, Rabboni! that is, Master! (17)Jesus saith to her, Touch me not; for I have not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and tell them, I am ascending to my Father, and your Father; to my God, and your God. (18)Mary Magdalen cometh declaring to the disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things to her.

(19)When the evening therefore was come, on the same first day of the week, and the doors being fastened where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be to you. (20)And thus speaking, he shewed them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord. (21)Jesus therefore spake to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (22)And so speaking, he breathed on them, and said, Receive the Holy Ghost: (23)whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins soever ye retain, they are retained.

(24)Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called Didymus, the twin, was not with them when Jesus came. (25)Then the other disciples said to him, We have seen the Lord. But he said to them, Except I should see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I shall never believe it. (26)And eight days after, his disciples were again within, and Thomas with them: Jesus cometh, though the doors were fastened, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. (27)Afterwards he spake to Thomas, Bring hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and take thy hand, and thrust into my side: and be not incredulous, but a believer. (28)And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God! (29)Jesus saith to him, Because thou hast seen me, Thomas, hast thou believed: blessed are they who though they have not seen me, yet have believed.

(30)Now many other miracles did Jesus therefore also in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: (31)but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

CHAP. XXI.

AFTER these things Jesus again shewed himself to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he appeared in the following manner: (2)Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, the twin, and Nathaniel who was of Cana of Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of the disciples were together. (3)Simon Peter said to them, I am going a-fishing. They say to him, We too will go with thee. They went out, and got on board the vessel immediately; and that night they caught nothing. (4)But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood upon the beach: yet the disciples had not discovered that it was Jesus. (5)Then saith Jesus unto them, My youths, have ye any thing eatable? They answered him, No. (6)Then he said to them, Shoot the net on the right side of the vessel, and ye shall find fish. They shot it therefore, and now they were not able to drag it in from the quantity of fishes. (7)Then said that disciple whom Jesus loved to Peter, It is the Lord! Then Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat round him, (for he was stripped,) and threw himself into the sea. (8)And the other disciples came in the little vessel, (for they were not far from land, only about two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with the fishes. (9)When therefore they were come to land, they saw a fire laid, and a fish upon it, and a loaf. (10)Jesus saith to them, Bring some of the fish which ye have just caught. (11)Simon Peter went aboard, and drew the net to land full of large fishes, to the number of a hundred and fifty-three: and though they were so many, yet was not the net rent. (12)Jesus saith to them, Come, dine. Now not one of the disciples dared inquire, Who art thou? conscious that it was the Lord. (13)Then Jesus cometh, and taketh the loaf, and distributed to them, and of the fish in like manner. (14)Now this was the third time Jesus had shewed himself to the disciples, after he rose from the dead.

(15)When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith to him, Yes, Lord! thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him, Feed my lambs. (16)He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith to him, Yes, Lord! thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (17)He saith to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee! Jesus saith to him, Feed my sheep. (18)Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast a younger man, thou didst gird up thyself, and go about whithersoever thy choice led thee: but when thou shalt grow old, another person extending thy hands, shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. (19)This he told him, to intimate by what kind of death he should glorify God. And having thus spoken, he said to him, Follow me. (20)Now Peter, turning about, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also at the supper reclined on his bosom, and said, Lord, which is the person who betrayeth thee? (21)Peter looking at him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what will become of this man? (22)Jesus saith to him, If I will that he abide till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. (23)Then this speech went forth among the disciples, as though this disciple was not to die: yet Jesus had not said to him, That he shall not die; but, If I will that he abide till I come, what is that to thee?

(24)This is the disciple who is testifing of these things, and hath written these things: and we know that his testimony is true. (25)And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if every particular was written, I am of opinion that the world itself would not be capable of retaining the books which should be written. Amen.

THE ACTS OF THE HOLY APOSTLES.

CHAP. I.

THE former treatise, Theophilus, I composed, concerning all things which Jesus began both to do and to teach, (2)until that day, when having given a charge to his apostles through the Holy Ghost, whom he had chosen, he was taken up: (3)to whom also he had shewed himself alive, after he had suffered, by many infallible proofs, during forty days being frequently seen by them, and speaking of the things which relate to the kingdom of God: (4)and assembling them together, commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, said he, ye have heard from me. (5)For John indeed baptised with water; but ye shall be baptised with the Holy Ghost not many days after the present.

(6)They then accordingly assembling together, asked him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time reestablish the kingdom of Israel? (7)But he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, which the Father hath reserved under his own authority. (8)But ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses for me, both in Jerusalem, and throughout all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the extremity of the earth.

(9)And as he was speaking these things, while they were looking upon him, he was taken up; and a cloud enveloping him hid him from their eyes. (10)And as they looked up earnestly into the heaven, while he was passing, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; (11)who also said to them, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up to heaven? this Jesus, who hath been taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in the same manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

(12)Then they returned unto Jerusalem, from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, about a sabbath-day's journey distant. (13)And when they had arrived, they went up to an upper room, where abode Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James son of Alpheus, and Simon the zealous, and Jude brother to James. (14)These all persevered unanimously in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

(15)And in those days arose Peter in the midst of the disciples, and said, (there was a number of persons together, about an hundred and twenty,) (16)Men and brethren, it must needs be that this scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost delivered before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the conductor of those who seized on Jesus. (17)For he was reckoned of our number, and had obtained an appointment to this ministry. (18)This man indeed accordingly purchased a spot of ground with the wages of iniquity; and projected forward, he burst in the midst, and all his bowels fell out. (19)And it was a fact known to all who dwelt at Jerusalem; so that this field is called in their own dialect, Aceldama, that is, The field of blood. (20)For it is written in the book of Psalms[23], Let his habitation be desolate, and let there be no man to dwell in it: and his office, as bishop, let another take[24].

(21)Wherefore from among the men who have associated with us always during the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, (22)beginning from his baptism by John, until the day in which he was taken up from us, must there be chosen with us a witness of his resurrection, even one of these. (23)So they appointed two persons, Joseph called Barsabas, whose sirname was Justus, and Matthias. (24)And joining in prayer, they said, Do thou, O Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, point out the one of these two which thou hast chosen, (25)to take a part in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, to go to his own place. (26)And they drew lots for them and the lot fell to Matthias and he was by unanimous suffrage numbered with the eleven apostles.

CHAP. II.

SO when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with unanimity assembled together. (2)And there came suddenly from heaven a sound as it were of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3)And there was an appearance to them of divided tongues, as of fire, and it rested on every one of them. (4)And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.

(5)Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, men of piety, from every nation under heaven. (6)And when this report spread, the multitude collected around them, and were overwhelmed with astonishment, because they heard them speaking every one in his own peculiar dialect. (7)And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying one to another, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? (8)And how do we hear every man in our own peculiar dialect, in which from our birth we were brought up? (9)Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and they who inhabit Mesopotamia, and Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus, and Asia, (10)and Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Lybia adjoining Cyrene, and the sojourners, who are Romans, both Jews and proselytes, (11)Cretans and Arabians, we hear them speaking in our own several tongues the marvellous things of God. (12)And they were all amazed, and much perplexed, and knew not what to think, saying one to another, What can this mean? (13)But others scoffing said, These men are brimful of sweet wine. (14)But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them; Men of Judea, and all ye who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words: (15)for these men are not, as ye suppose, drunk, for it is only the third hour of the day. (16)But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel; (17)"And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (18)and upon my servants and my handmaidens in those days will I pour out of my spirit; and they shall prophesy: (19)and I will perform prodigies in the 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 the great and illustrious day of the Lord come. (21)And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Lord shall be saved[25]." (22)Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus the Nazarean, a man from God, pointed out to you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as yourselves also know: (23)him, by the destined counsel and foreknowledge of God delivered up, ye have seized, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (24)whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: forasmuch as it was not possible that he should be held thereby. (25)For David speaketh concerning him, "I have seen the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand, that I might not be shaken: (26)therefore is my heart full of joy, and my tongue hath exulted; and still shall my flesh also repose in hope, (27)that thou wilt not leave my soul in the mansion of the dead, nor permit that Holy One of thine to see corruption. (28)Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt fill me with delight by thy countenance[26]."

(29)Men and brethren, permit me to speak with freedom to you concerning the patriarch David, that he hath been both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us to this day. (30)Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn to him with an oath, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Messiah to sit upon his throne; (31)he, foreseeing this, spake of the resurrection of the Messiah, that his soul should not be left in the mansion of the dead, and that his flesh should not see corruption. (32)This very Jesus hath God raised up, of which we all are witnesses. (33)He therefore being exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, hath poured out this, which ye now see and hear. (34)For David is not ascended into the heavens: for he saith himself, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit on my right hand, (35)until I make thine enemies a footstool for thy feet[27]." (36)Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him Lord and Messiah, even that very Jesus whom ye crucified.

(37)Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

(38)Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you into the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39)For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off; even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (40)And with many other words he testified and exhorted, saying, Be saved from this untoward generation.

(41)They therefore who gladly received his discourse were baptised: and there were added to them that day about three thousand souls. (42)And they persevered stedfastly in the doctrine of the apostles, and in communion, and in breaking bread, and in prayers. (43)And on every soul there was an awe: and many miracles and signs were done by the apostles. (44)Now all who believed were together, and had all things common; (45)and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as every one had need. (46)And daily continuing with one mind at the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with great joy and simplicity of heart, (47)praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added the saved ones daily to the church.

CHAP. III.

NOW at that time Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth; (2)when a certain man who was lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, to ask alms of those who were entering into the temple; (3)who seeing Peter and John just going into the temple, asked to receive alms.

(4)Then Peter fixing his eves stedfastly on him with John, said, Look on us. (5)So he attentively regarded them, expecting to receive something from them. (6)Then said Peter, I have neither silver nor gold; but what I have, that I give thee: By the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, arise, and walk! (7)And taking him by the right hand, he raised him up: and immediately his feet and ancles were restored to strength. (8)And springing up he stood on his feet, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. (9)And all the people beheld him walking and praising God: (10)and they took notice of him, that it was the same person who had sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with astonishment and amazed at what had happened to him. (11)But as the lame man that was cured held fast Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them into the portico called Solomon's, in vast amazement.

(12)Then Peter observing it, addressed himself to the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why gaze ye upon us, as if by our own power or piety we had enabled this man to walk?

(13)The God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to release him. (14)But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and besought that a man, a murderer, might as a favour be given unto you; (15)but ye slew the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead: of which we are witnesses. (16)And through faith in his name hath his name restored this man to strength, whom ye behold and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the sight of you all. (17)And now, brethren, I know that through ignorance ye did this deed, as did also your rulers. (18)But the things which God before announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Messiah should suffer, he hath thus fulfilled. (19)Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when refreshing seasons shall come from the presence of the Lord; (20)and he will send Jesus Christ, who was before preached unto you: (21)whom the heaven indeed must receive, until the times of restoration of all things, which God hath spoken of by the mouth of all his holy prophets from the beginning of the world. (22)For Moses truly said unto the fathers, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like myself; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall speak to you. (23)But it shall come to pass, that every soul which will not hearken to that prophet, shall be utterly exterminated from amidst the people[28]." (24)And all the prophets indeed from Samuel, and those who succeeded him, as many as have spoken, have also foretold those days. (25)Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And "in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed[29]." (26)Unto you in the first instance, hath God, after raising up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, to the end that every one of you should turn away from your iniquities.

CHAP. IV.

AND as they were thus speaking, the priests, and the captain of the temple-guard, and the Sadducees, came upon them, (2)worn down with vexation, because they taught the people, and preached by Jesus the resurrection of the dead. (3)And they laid hands on them, and committed them to prison till the next day: for it was then evening.

(4)But many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. (5)Now it came to pass that the next morning, their rulers, and elders, and scribes, were assembled at Jerusalem, (6)and Annas the high-priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were the high-priest's relations. (7)And placing them in the midst, they interrogated them, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this thing?

(8)Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, (9)if we are this day examined relative to the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he was restored; (10)be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarean, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him doth this man stand here sound in your presence. (11)This is the stone which, though set at nought by you builders, is become the head of the corner[30]. (12)And there is no salvation in any other person: for there is no other name under heaven given unto men, whereby we must be saved.

(13)Attentively regarding then the noble confidence of Peter and John, and perceiving that they were men unlettered, and destitute of education, they were astonished; and they recollected them, that they had been with Jesus. (14)But seeing the man who was healed standing with them, they had not a word to reply in contradiction. (15)But bidding them retire out of the council-chamber, they conferred among themselves, (16)saying, What shall we do with these men? for that an acknowledged miracle hath been wrought by them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. (17)But that it be no farther spread among the people, we will menace them with threats, no more to speak in this name to any man. (18)So calling them in, they charged them not to speak in any manner, nor to teach, in the name of Jesus.

(19)But Peter and John, answering them, said, If it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, be yourselves the judges. (20)For we cannot refrain from speaking the things which we have seen and heard. (21)Then they with many additional threatenings dismissed them, finding no pretext how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for what had been done. (22)For the man was more than forty years of age, upon whom this miracle of healing was performed.

(23)But they being dismissed, came unto their own friends, and told them all things which the high-priests and elders had said. (24)Now when they heard it, they lifted up their united voice to God, and said, Lord, thou art the God which made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all things which are in them: (25)who by the mouth of David thy servant saidst, Why do the heathen so furiously rage, and the people meditate vain things? (26)The kings of the earth rose up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah[31]. (27)For they have been in truth collected together against thy holy Son Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, even Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the heathen, and the people of Israel, (28)to do all that thy hand and thy counsel predestined should come to pass. (29)And as to the present transactions, Lord, look upon their threatnings: and grant thy servants power with all boldness to speak thy word, (30)by stretching out thy hand for healing; and that signs and miracles may be performed by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

(31)And while they were praying, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

(32)And in the multitude of those that believed there was one heart and soul: and not one person said, that any part of his substance was his peculiar property; but all things were in common among them.

(33)And with great power bore the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (34)Neither was there any person in want among them: for as many as were possessors of fields or houses disposed of them, and brought the prices of the things sold, (35)and laid them at the apostles' feet: and a distribution was made to every one according as he had need. (36)And Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, (which is, being interpreted, A son of consolation,) a Levite, a Cyprian by birth, (37)having a field belonging to him, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

CHAP. V.

NOW a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, had sold an estate, (2)and secreted a part of the price paid, his wife also being privy to the transaction, and he brought a part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (3)But Peter said, O Ananias! why hath Satan filled thy heart that thou shouldst lie to the Holy Ghost, and secrete something from the price of the estate? (4)it remained unsold, was it not vested in thee? and when sold, was it not in thine own power? why then hast thou determined in thine heart to do this deed? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (5)Then Ananias, hearing those words, sunk down and expired: and great dread fell upon all who heard these things. (6)Then the young men arose, and swathed him up, and carrying him out, buried him.