but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood.

but said farewell to them and added, “I will come back to you again if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus,

Even some of the provincial authorities who were his friends sent a message to him, urging him not to venture into the theater.

We went on ahead to the ship and put out to sea for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had arranged it this way. He himself was intending to go there by land.

When morning came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul.

He replied, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as if they were going to inquire more thoroughly about him.

But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and be tried before me there on these charges?”

about noon along the road, Your Majesty, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining everywhere around me and those traveling with me.

Since considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because the fast was already over, Paul advised them,

The local inhabitants showed us extraordinary kindness, for they built a fire and welcomed us all because it had started to rain and was cold.

But we would like to hear from you what you think, for regarding this sect we know that people everywhere speak against it.”

For all who have sinned apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.

You who tell others not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

And will not the physically uncircumcised man who keeps the law judge you who, despite the written code and circumcision, transgress the law?

What then? Are we better off? Certainly not, for we have already charged that Jews and Greeks alike are all under sin,

For if they become heirs by the law, faith is empty and the promise is nullified.

So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned –

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,

Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but (as if it were possible) by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone,

do not boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.