GENEVA BIBLE 1599
The Bible of the Pilgrims who founded America and also the Bible of the Reformation.
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1 And (1) (*) Saul yet (a) (♣) breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high Priest,
(1) Saul (who is also Paul) persecuting Christ most cruelly, who did as it were flee before him, falleth into his hands, and is overcome; and with a singular example of the goodness of God, instead of punishment which he justly deserved for his cruelty, is not only received to favor, but is also even by the mouth of God appointed an Apostle, and is confirmed by the ministry and witness of Ananias.
(*) Romans 9:3; Galatians 1:13 .
(a) This is a token that Saul's stomach boiled and
cast out great threatenings to murder the disciples.
(♣) He persecuted with a great rage and cruelty the innocent blood which the thirsted for; which declareth whereunto man is led by his rash zeal, before he have the true knowledge of God.
2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the Synagogues, that if he found any that were of that (b) (*) way (either men or women) he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
(b) Any trade of life which a man taketh himself unto, the Jews call a way.
(*) That is of the sect, or sort.
3 Now as he journeyed, it came to pass that as he was come near to Damascus, (*) suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.
(*) Acts 22:6; 1 Corinthians 15:8 .
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; it is (c) hard for thee to kick against (*) pricks.
(c) This is a proverb which is spoken of them that through their own stubbornness hurt themselves.
(*) That is, to resist God when he pricketh and soliciteth our consciences.
6 He then both trembling and astonied, said, Lord, what wilt thou that I do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.
7 The men also which journeyed with him, (d) stood amazed, hearing (*) his (e) voice, but (♣) seeing no man.
(d) Stood still and could not go one step forward, but abode amazed as if they had been very stones.
(*) Meaning Saul’s voice, as Acts 22:9 .
(e) They heard Paul's voice, for afterwards it is
said in flattering, that they heard not his voice that
spake; Acts 22:9 . But others go
about to set these places at one which seem to be at a jar,
after this sort, to wit, that they heard a sound of a voice,
but no perfect voice.
(♣) For only Saul knew that Jesus spake unto him.
8 And Saul arose from the ground, and opened his eyes, but (*) saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus,
(*) For he was blind.
9 Where he was three days without sight, and neither (*) ate nor drank.
(*) He was so ravished with the vision that he did meditate nothing but heavenly things and therewith was satisfied.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias, and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 Then the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of (f) Tarsus, for behold, he prayeth.
(f) Tarsus was a city of Cilicia near unto Anchiala, which two cities Sardanapalus is said to have built in one day.
12 (And he saw in a vision a man named Ananias coming in to him, and putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.)
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.
14 Moreover here he hath authority of the high Priests, to bind all that call on thy Name.
15 Then the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is a (g) (*) chosen vessel unto me, to (♣) bear my Name before the Gentiles, and Kings, and the children of Israel.
(g) To bear my name in.
(*) A worthy servant of God and endued with excellent graces above others.
(♣) To bear me witness, and set forth my glory.
16 For I will (h) shew him, how many things he must suffer for my Name’s sake.
(h) I will shew him plainly.
17 Then Ananias went his way, and entered into (i) that house, and put his hands on him, and said, Brother Saul, the Lord hath sent me (even Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest) that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Ghost.
(i) Into Judas his house.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales, and suddenly he received sight, and arose, and was baptized,
19 And received meat, and was strengthened. So was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 (2) And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues, that he was that Son of God,
(2) Paul beginneth straightways to execute the office which was enjoined him, never consulting with flesh and blood.
21 So that all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he, that destroyed them which called on this Name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he should bring them bound unto the high Priests?
22 (3) But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, (k) (*) confirming that this was the Christ.
(3) Paul striveth not with his own authority alone, but with
the testimonies of the Prophets.
(k) By conferring places of the Scripture together, as
cunning craftsman do, when they make up anything, they used
to gather all parts together, to make them agree fitly one
with another.
(*) Proving by conference of the Scriptures.
23 (4) And after (*) that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him,
(4) Paul who was before a persecutor, hath now persecution laid before himself, but yet afar off.
(*) That was after three years, that he remained at Damascus, and in the country about, Galatians 1:18 .
24 But their laying await was known of Saul. Now they (*) (♣) watched the gates day and night, that they might kill him.
(*) 2 Corinthians 11:32 .
(♣) The Governor at their request appointed a watch as he declareth to the Corinthians.
25 (5) Then the disciples took him by night, and put him through the wall, and let him down in a basket.
(5) We are not forbidden to avoid and eschew the dangers and conspiracies that the enemies of God lay for us, so that we swerve not from our vocation.
26 (6) And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
(6) In ancient times no man was rashly or lightly received into the number of and amongst the sheep of Christ, much less to be a pastor.
27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the Apostles, and declared to them, how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken unto him, and how he had spoken boldly at Damascus in the Name of Jesus.
28 (7) And he (*) was conversant (l) with them at Jerusalem,
(7) The constant servants of God must look for danger after danger, yet God watcheth for them.
(*) Greek, went in and out.
(l) With Peter and James, for he saith that he saw none of
the Apostles but them, Galatians 1:18-19
.
29 And spake boldly (*) in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and spake and disputed against the (m) (♣) Grecians; but they went about to slay him.
(*) Making open profession of the Gospel.
(m) Look at Acts 6:1 .
(♣) Which were Jews, but so called because they were dispersed through Greece and other countries.
30 (8) But when the brethren knew it, they brought him to Caesarea, and sent him forth to (*) Tarsus.
(8) The ministers of the word may change their place, by the advice and counsel of the congregation and Church.
(*) Because it was his own country, and there he might have some authority.
31 (9) Then had the Churches rest through all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were (n) edified, and walked in the fear of the Lord, and were multiplied by the comfort of the holy Ghost.
(9) The end persecution is the building of the Church, so
that we will patiently wait for the Lord.
(n) This is a borrowed king of speech, which signifieth
establishment and increase.
32 (10) And it came to pass, as Peter walked throughout all quarters, he came also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
(10) Peter's Apostleship is confirmed by healing of the man that was sick of the palsy.
33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
34 Then said Peter unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole; arise and (*) make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
(*) Or, truss thy couch together.
35 And (*) all that dwelt at (o) Lydda and (♣) Saron, saw him, and turned to the Lord.
(*) Meaning the greatest part.
(o) Lydda was a city of Palestine, and Saron a Chapion country and a place of good pasturage between Caesarea of Palestine and mountain Tabor, and the lake of Gennesaret which extendeth itself in great length beyond Joppa.
(♣) A place so called, and not a city.
36 (11) There was also at Joppa a certain woman, a disciple named Tabitha, (which by interpretation is called (*) Dorcas) she was (♣) full of good works and alms which she did.
(11) Peter declareth evidently by raising up a dead body through the Name of Christ, that he preacheth the glad tidings of life.
(*) That is, a dear, or roebuck.
(♣) Or, rich.
37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died; and when they had (*) washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.
(*) To the intent they might bury her afterward; for this was their custom.
38 Now forasmuch as Lydda was near to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring that he would not delay to come unto them.
39 Then Peter arose and came with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber, where all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments, which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed, and turned him to the body, and said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, sat up.
41 Then he gave her the hand and lifted her up, and called the (*) saints and widows, and restored her alive.
(*) For she was restored to life, rather that others might have occasion to believe, and glorify God than for her own sake.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a (*) tanner.
(*) Or, courier.
1 Corinthians 14:8
And also if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to battle?
"Let not Geneva be forgotten or despised. Religious liberty owes it most respect." John Adams, the second president of the United States
Before the KJV the GENEVA BIBLE was the People's Choice, but an ungodly King made it illegal to publish it any longer: http://www.reformedreader.org/gbn/igb.htm
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