Chapter 7, verse 15 - Chapter 17, verse 19
15
Jacob went down into Egypt, and he died, himself and our fathers,
16
and they were brought back to Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver from the children of Hamor of Shechem.
17
“But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
18
until there arose a different king, who didn’t know Joseph.
19
The same took advantage of our race, and mistreated our fathers, and forced them to throw out their babies, so that they wouldn’t stay alive.
20
At that time Moses was born, and was exceedingly handsome. He was nourished three months in his father’s house.
21
When he was thrown out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and reared him as her own son.
22
Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works.
23
But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
24
Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian.
25
He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance
26
“The day following, he appeared to them as they fought, and urged them to be at peace again, saying, ‘Sirs, you are brothers. Why do you wrong one another?’
27
But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
28
Do you want to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’
29
Moses fled at this saying, and became a stranger in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
30
“When forty years were fulfilled, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush.
31
When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight. As he came close to see, a voice of the Lord came to him,
32
‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled, and dared not look.
33
The Lord said to him, ‘Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.
34
I have surely seen the affliction of my people that is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning. I have come down to deliver them. Now come, I will send you into Egypt.’
35
“This Moses, whom they refused, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’—God has sent him as both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
36
This man led them out, having worked wonders and signs in Egypt, in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.
37
This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, ‘The Lord our God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers, like me.’
38
This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,
39
to whom our fathers wouldn’t be obedient, but rejected him, and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,
40
saying to Aaron, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what has become of him.’
41
They made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands.
42
But God turned, and gave them up to serve the army of the sky, as it is written in the book of the prophets, ‘Did you offer to me slain animals and sacrifices forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?
43
You took up the tabernacle of Moloch, the star of your god Rephan, the figures which you made to worship. I will carry you away beyond Babylon.’
44
“Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he who spoke to Moses commanded him to make it according to the pattern that he had seen
45
which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered into the possession of the nations, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers, to the days of David,
46
who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob.
47
But Solomon built him a house.
48
However, the Most High doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says,
49
‘heaven is my throne, and the earth a footstool for my feet. What kind of house will you build me?’ says the Lord
50
Didn’t my hand make all these things?’
51
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit! As your fathers did, so you do.
52
Which of the prophets didn’t your fathers persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, of whom you have now become betrayers and murderers.
53
You received the law as it was ordained by angels, and didn’t keep it!”
54
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.
55
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56
and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
57
But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord.
58
They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
59
They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!”
60
He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Chapter 8
1
Saul was consenting to his death. A great persecution arose against the assembly which was in Jerusalem in that day. They were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
2
Devout men buried Stephen, and lamented greatly over him.
3
But Saul ravaged the assembly, entering into every house, and dragged both men and women off to prison.
4
Therefore those who were scattered abroad went around preaching the word.
5
Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed to them the Christ.
6
The multitudes listened with one accord to the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard and saw the signs which he did.
7
For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been paralyzed and lame were healed.
8
There was great joy in that city.
9
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who used to practice sorcery in the city, and amazed the people of Samaria, making himself out to be some great one,
10
to whom they all listened, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is that great power of God.”
11
They listened to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries.
12
But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13
Simon himself also believed. Being baptized, he continued with Philip. Seeing signs and great miracles occurring, he was amazed.
14
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15
who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit
16
for as yet he had fallen on none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of Christ Jesus.
17
Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18
Now when Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
19
saying, “Give me also this power, that whomever I lay my hands on may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20
But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21
You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart isn’t right before God.
22
Repent therefore of this, your wickedness, and ask God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
23
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
24
Simon answered, “Pray for me to the Lord, that none of the things which you have spoken happen to me.”
25
They therefore, when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the Good News to many villages of the Samaritans.
26
But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise, and go toward the south to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is a desert.”
27
He arose and went
28
He was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29
The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join yourself to this chariot.”
30
Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
31
He said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” He begged Philip to come up and sit with him.
32
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter. As a lamb before his shearer is silent, so he doesn’t open his mouth.
33
In his humiliation, his judgment was taken away. Who will declare His generation? For his life is taken from the earth.”
34
The eunuch answered Philip, “Who is the prophet talking about? About himself, or about someone else?”
35
Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
36
As they went on the way, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?”
37
And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38
He commanded the chariot to stand still, and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.
39
When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, and the eunuch didn’t see him any more, for he went on his way rejoicing.
40
But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
Chapter 9
1
But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest,
2
and asked for letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3
As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
4
He fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5
He said, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6
But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7
The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
8
Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9
He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
10
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!” He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11
The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
12
and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”
13
But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
14
Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15
But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
16
For I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17
Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18
Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptized.
19
He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
20
Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21
All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”
22
But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23
When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
24
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
25
but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26
When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples
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 to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
28
He was with them entering into Jerusalem,
29
preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
30
When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
31
So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32
It happened, as Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33
There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralyzed.
34
Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.
35
All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
37
It happened in those days that she fell sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38
As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39
Peter got up and went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40
Peter put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41
He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43
It happened, that he stayed many days in Joppa with one Simon, a tanner.
Chapter 10
1
Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,
2
a devout man, and one who feared God with all his house, who gave gifts for the needy generously to the people, and always prayed to God.
3
At about the ninth hour of the day, he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, “Cornelius!”
4
He, fastening his eyes on him, and being frightened, said, “What is it, Lord?” He said to him, “Your prayers and your gifts to the needy have gone up for a memorial before God.
5
Now send men to Joppa, and get Simon, who is surnamed Peter.
6
He lodges with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.”
7
When the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier of those who waited on him continually.
8
Having explained everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.
9
Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
10
He became hungry and desired to eat, but while they were preparing, he fell into a trance.
11
He saw heaven opened and a certain container descending to him, like a great sheet let down by four corners on the earth,
12
in which were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, reptiles, and birds of the sky.
13
A voice came to him, “Rise, Peter, kill and eat!”
14
But Peter said, “Not so, Lord
15
A voice came to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed, you must not call unclean.”
16
This was done three times, and immediately the vessel was received up into heaven.
17
Now while Peter was very perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate,
18
and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, was lodging there.
19
While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men seek you.
20
But arise, get down, and go with them, doubting nothing
21
Peter went down to the men, and said, “Behold, I am he whom you seek. Why have you come?”
22
They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous man and one who fears God, and well spoken of by all the nation of the Jews, was directed by a holy angel to invite you to his house, and to listen to what you say.”
23
So he called them in and lodged them. On the next day Peter arose and went out with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.
24
On the next day they entered into Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and his near friends.
25
When it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet, and worshiped him.
26
But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up! I myself am also a man.”
27
As he talked with him, he went in and found many gathered together.
28
He said to them, “You yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man who is a Jew to join himself or come to one of another nation, but God has shown me that I shouldn’t call any man unholy or unclean.
29
Therefore also I came without complaint when I was sent for. I ask therefore, why did you send for me?”
30
Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31
and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your gifts to the needy are remembered in the sight of God.
32
Send therefore to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter. He lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the seaside. When he comes, he will speak to you.’
33
Therefore I sent to you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God to hear all things that have been commanded you by God.”
34
Peter opened his mouth and said, “Truly I perceive that God doesn’t show favoritism
35
but in every nation he who fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.
36
The word which he sent to the children of Israel, preaching good news of peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all—
37
you yourselves know what happened, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached
38
even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
39
We are witnesses of everything he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem
40
God raised him up the third day, and gave him to be revealed,
41
not to all the people, but to witnesses who were chosen before by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.
42
He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that this is he who is appointed by God as the Judge of the living and the dead.
43
All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the word.
45
They of the circumcision who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.
46
For they heard them speaking in other languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,
47
“Can any man forbid the water, that these who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we should not be baptized?”
48
He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.
Chapter 11
1
Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.
2
When Peter had come up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision contended with him,
3
saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men, and ate with them!”
4
But Peter began, and explained to them in order, saying,
5
“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners. It came as far as me.
6
When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.
7
I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter, kill and eat!’
8
But I said, ‘Not so, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.’
9
But a voice answered me the second time out of heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, don’t you call unclean.’
10
This was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11
Behold, immediately three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.
12
The Spirit told me to go with them, without discriminating. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house.
13
He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying to him, ‘Send to Joppa, and get Simon, whose surname is Peter,
14
who will speak to you words by which you will be saved, you and all your house.’
15
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning.
16
I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.’
17
If then God gave to them the same gift as us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?”
18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!”
19
They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only.
20
But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
21
The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22
The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch,
23
who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord.
24
For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
25
Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul.
26
When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27
Now in these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28
One of them named Agabus stood up, and indicated by the Spirit that there should be a great famine all over the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius.
29
As any of the disciples had plenty, each determined to send relief to the brothers who lived in Judea
30
which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Chapter 12
1
Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly.
2
He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword.
3
When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened bread.
4
When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of four soldiers each to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover.
5
Peter therefore was kept in the prison, but constant prayer was made by the assembly to God for him.
6
The same night when Herod was about to bring him out, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains. Guards in front of the door kept the prison.
7
And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side, and woke him up, saying, “Stand up quickly!” His chains fell off from his hands.
8
The angel said to him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” He did so. He said to him, “Put on your cloak, and follow me.”
9
And he went out and followed him. He didn’t know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he saw a vision.
10
When they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them by itself. They went out, and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.
11
When Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I truly know that the Lord has sent out his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from everything the Jewish people were expecting.”
12
Thinking about that, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.
13
When Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer.
14
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she didn’t open the gate for joy, but ran in, and reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate.
15
They said to her, “You are crazy!” But she insisted that it was so. They said, “It is his angel.”
16
But Peter continued knocking. When they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed.
17
But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. He said, “Tell these things to James, and to the brothers.” Then he departed, and went to another place.
18
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter.
19
When Herod had sought for him, and didn’t find him, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. He went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.
20
Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus, the king’s personal aide, their friend, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.
21
On an appointed day, Herod dressed himself in royal clothing, sat on the throne, and gave a speech to them.
22
The people shouted, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
23
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he didn’t give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.
24
But the word of God grew and multiplied.
25
Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their service, also taking with them John whose surname was Mark.
Chapter 13
1
Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen the foster brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2
As they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate Barnabas and Saul for me, for the work to which I have called them.”
3
Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
5
When they were at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They had also John as their attendant.
6
When they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar Jesus,
7
who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God.
8
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn aside the proconsul from the faith.
9
But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fastened his eyes on him,
10
and said, “Full of all deceit and all cunning, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
11
Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a season!” Immediately a mist and darkness fell on him. He went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12
Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
13
Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
14
But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down.
15
After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.”
16
Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
17
The God of this people chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they stayed as aliens in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm, he led them out of it.
18
For a period of about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
19
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land for an inheritance, for about four hundred fifty years.
20
After these things he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21
Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22
When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
23
From this man’s seed, God has brought salvation to Israel according to his promise,
24
before his coming, when John had first preached the baptism of repentance to Israel.
25
As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. But behold, one comes after me the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26
Brothers, children of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
27
For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they didn’t know him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
28
Though they found no cause for death, they still asked Pilate to have him killed.
29
When they had fulfilled all things that were written about him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
30
But God raised him from the dead,
31
and he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses to the people.
32
We bring you good news of the promise made to the fathers,
33
that God has fulfilled the same to us, their children, in that he raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second psalm, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your father.’
34
“Concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35
Therefore he says also in another psalm, ‘You will not allow your Holy One to see decay.’
36
For David, after he had in his own generation served the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw decay.
37
But he whom God raised up saw no decay.
38
Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins,
39
and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
40
Beware therefore, lest that come on you which is spoken in the prophets:
41
‘Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish
42
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
43
Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas
44
The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God.
45
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.
46
Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
47
For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, ‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”
48
As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
49
The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region.
50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders.
51
But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium.
52
The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 14
1
It happened in Iconium that they entered together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of Jews and of Greeks believed.
2
But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers.
3
Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who testified to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4
But the multitude of the city was divided. Part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5
When some of both the Gentiles and the Jews, with their rulers, made a violent attempt to mistreat and stone them,
6
they became aware of it, and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region.
7
There they preached the Good News.
8
At Lystra a certain man sat, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked.
9
He was listening to Paul speaking, who, fastening eyes on him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,
10
said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” He leaped up and walked.
11
When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12
They called Barnabas “Jupiter,” and Paul “Mercury,” because he was the chief speaker.
13
The priest of Jupiter, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have made a sacrifice along with the multitudes.
14
But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes, and sprang into the multitude, crying out,
15
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the sky and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them
16
who in the generations gone by allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.
17
Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18
Even saying these things, they hardly stopped the multitudes from making a sacrifice to them.
19
But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
20
But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe.
21
When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of God.
23
When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.
24
They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia.
25
When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26
From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled.
27
When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.
28
They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.
Chapter 15
1
Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”
2
Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
3
They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.
4
When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
6
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
7
When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.
8
God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.
9
He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10
Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11
But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
12
All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.
13
After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.
14
Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.
15
This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
16
‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
17
That the rest of men may seek after the Lord
18
All his works are known to God from eternity.’
19
“Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,
20
but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
21
For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.
23
They wrote these things by their hand:“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.
24
Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment
25
it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
29
that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”
30
So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31
When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
32
Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
33
After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles.
34
But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36
After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
37
Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
38
But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work.
39
Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,
40
but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
41
He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
Chapter 16
1
He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed
2
The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him.
3
Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts
4
As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered the decrees to them to keep which had been ordained by the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.
5
So the assemblies were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
6
When they had gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
7
When they had come opposite Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit didn’t allow them.
8
Passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9
A vision appeared to Paul in the night. There was a man of Macedonia standing, begging him, and saying, “Come over into Macedonia and help us.”
10
When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go out to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the Good News to them.
11
Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis
12
and from there to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the foremost of the district, a Roman colony. We were staying some days in this city.
13
On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by a riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to the women who had come together.
14
A certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one who worshiped God, heard us
15
When she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and stay.” So she persuaded us.
16
It happened, as we were going to prayer, that a certain girl having a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much gain by fortune telling.
17
Following Paul and us, she cried out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation!”
18
She was doing this for many days. But Paul, becoming greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” It came out that very hour.
19
But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers.
20
When they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men, being Jews, are agitating our city,
21
and set forth customs which it is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, being Romans.”
22
The multitude rose up together against them, and the magistrates tore their clothes off of them, and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23
When they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely,
24
who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison, and secured their feet in the stocks.
25
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken
27
The jailer, being roused out of sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28
But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself, for we are all here!”
29
He called for lights and sprang in, and, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,
30
and brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32
They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.
33
He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes, and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
34
He brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his household, having believed in God.
35
But when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Let those men go.”
36
The jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go
37
But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!”
38
The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans,
39
and they came and begged them. When they had brought them out, they asked them to depart from the city.
40
They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, and departed.
Chapter 17
1
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2
Paul, as was his custom, went in to them, and for three Sabbath days reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3
explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
4
Some of them were persuaded, and joined Paul and Silas, of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and not a few of the chief women.
5
But the unpersuaded Jews took along some wicked men from the marketplace, and gathering a crowd, set the city in an uproar. Assaulting the house of Jason, they sought to bring them out to the people.
6
When they didn’t find them, they dragged Jason and certain brothers before the rulers of the city, crying, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
7
whom Jason has received. These all act contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus!”
8
The multitude and the rulers of the city were troubled when they heard these things.
9
When they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
10
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Beroea. When they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
11
Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
12
Many of them therefore believed
13
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Beroea also, they came there likewise, agitating the multitudes.
14
Then the brothers immediately sent out Paul to go as far as to the sea, and Silas and Timothy still stayed there.
15
But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
16
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
17
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who met him.
18
Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also were conversing with him. Some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating foreign deities,” because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.
19
They took hold of him, and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by you?
