Book of Common Prayer

¹⁷ And it came about after three days that Paul called the chief Jews together. And when they were assembled, he said to them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people or laws of our fathers, yet I was delivered a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, ¹⁸ who, when they had examined me, would have let me go, because they found no cause of death in me. ¹⁹ But when the Jews cried out against this, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar – not because I had anything to accuse my people of. ²⁰ So I have called for you in order to see you and to speak with you, because it is for the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.

²¹ And they said to him, We have not received any letters out of Judea concerning you, nor did any of the brethren who came here report or speak any ill of you. ²² But we will hear from you what you think. For we have heard of this sect, that everywhere it is spoken against.

²³ And when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging. To them he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, and preached to them of Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and also out of the prophets, even from morning to night.

²⁴ And some believed the things that were spoken, and some did not believe. ²⁵ So in disagreement among themselves they departed, after Paul had spoken one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak by Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, saying, ²⁶ Go to this people and say, With your ears you will hear and will not understand, and with your eyes you will see and not perceive. ²⁷ For the heart of this people has become dull, and their ears are hard of hearing. And their eyes have they closed, lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and should be converted; and I would heal them. ²⁸ Let it be known to you, therefore, that this salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

²⁹ And when he had said that, the Jews departed, and had great disputations among themselves.

³⁰ And Paul dwelt two full years in his lodging, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ preaching the kingdom of God and teaching those things that concerned the Lord Jesus with all confidence, unforbidden.

Here ends the Acts
of the apostles.

⁴³ And immediately, while he yet spoke, came Judas, one of the twelve. With him was a large band of people with swords and clubs, sent from the high priests and scribes and elders. ⁴⁴ And he who betrayed him had arranged a sign, saying, Whomever I kiss, he it is; take him and lead him away warily.

⁴⁵ And as soon as Judas had come, he went straightaway to Jesus and said to him, Master, Master! and kissed him. ⁴⁶ And they laid their hands on him and took him. ⁴⁷ And one of those who stood by drew out a sword and struck a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

⁴⁸ And Jesus spoke and said to them, You have come out as if to a thief, with swords and with clubs to capture me. ⁴⁹ I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not take me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled.

⁵⁰ And they all forsook him, and ran away. ⁵¹ And he had a follower, a certain young man clothed in linen upon the bare. And the young men caught him, ⁵² but he left his linen cloth and fled from them naked.