the Week of Proper 26 / Ordinary 31
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Acts 18
1 After this Paul left Athens and arriv'd at Corinth: 2 where having found a Jew nam'd Aquila, a native of Pontus, who lately came from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had order'd all the Jews to quit Rome; he went to them: 3 and being of the same trade, he liv'd with them, and follow'd the business of tent-making. every sabbath he disputed in the synagogue, 4 and try'd to gain upon the Jews and the Greek proselytes: 5 and when Silas and Timothy were arriv'd from Macedonia, Paul with great concern remonstrated to the Jews, that Jesus was the Messiah: 6 but as they oppos'd him with invectives, he shook his garment, and said, "you your selves be answerable for your own destruction, I am clear: and for the future I shall address my self to the Gentiles."
7 When he had left them, he went to the house of one Justus a proselyte to Judaism, who lived near the synagogue: however Crispus, 8 the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his family, as well as many of the Corinthians, who heard Paul, and were baptized. 9 then the Lord said to Paul in a vision by night, "be not afraid, but speak, and be not silenc'd: 10 (since I am with thee, and no man shall lift up his hand so as to hurt thee:) for my people in this city are numerous." 11 so he continued there a year and a half preaching the word of God among them.
12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a general insurrection against Paul, and carry'd him to his tribunal. 13 this fellow, said they, would persuade us to set up a way of worship inconsistent with our law. 14 and when Paul was going to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "if it were a matter of some injustice or something immoral, O Jews, it would be reasonable to hear you out. 15 but since it is about disputable matters, about names, and your own law, you may decide that among yourselves: for I won't take cognizance of such affairs." 16 upon which he order'd them to withdraw. 17 but the Greeks in a body fell upon Sosthenes the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the tribunal: whilst Gallio was unconcern'd about the matter.
18 Paul still continued a considerable time at Corinth, and then taking his leave of the brethren, he set sail for Syria, with Priscilla and Aquila, who had his head shav'd in Cenchrea upon account of a vow. 19 being arriv'd at Ephesus, he left them there, and went himself to the synagogue, where he disputed with the Jews, 20 who desired him to stay longer with them, but he would not consent to it: for, 21 said he, in taking his leave, I must necessarily keep the approaching feast at Jerusalem: after which I will return to you if God permit. 22 having sail'd from Ephesus, he went ashore at Cesarea, where he saluted the church, and then proceeded to Antioch. 23 after he had stay'd there some time, he departed and pass'd through all Galatia and Phrygia, where he encourag'd the disciples.
24 In the mean time a Jew, nam'd Apollos, born at Alexandria, a man of letters, and vers'd in the scriptures, arriv'd at Ephesus. 25 he had been instructed in the doctrine of the gospel, and being full of zeal, he harangued with great assiduity about what related to Jesus, though he had been only instituted in the baptism of John. 26 having talk'd with great freedom in the synagogue, Aquila and Priscilla, who had heard him, invited him home, and gave him a more distinct view of the gospel. 27 and being determin'd to pass into Achaia, the brethren who advis'd him to it, writ to the disciples to receive him. when he was arrived, he was, by the divine favour, very useful to those, who had receiv'd the faith. 28 for he strenuously disputed with the Jews in publick, proving from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.