13:1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands upon them, they sent them away.
13:4 So, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, they departed to Seleucia; and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they also had John to assist them.
13:6 And when they had gone through the whole island and had come to Paphos, they found a certain Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet, whose name was Bar-Jesus:
13:7 Who was with the proconsul of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name translated) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
13:9 Then Saul, (who is also called Paul,) filled with the Holy Spirit, set his eyes upon him,
13:10 And said, You who are full of all deceit and all villainy, you child of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time. And immediately there fell upon him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.
13:12 Then the proconsul, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
13:13 Now when Paul and his company set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem.
13:14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen.
13:17 The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they lived in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm he brought them out of it.
13:18 And for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness.
13:19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for the space of four hundred and fifty years.
13:20 And after that he gave them judges, until Samuel the prophet.
13:21 And afterward they asked for a king: and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for the space of forty years.
13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who shall fulfill all my will.
13:23 Of this man's descendants God, according to his promise, has raised up for Israel a Saviour, Jesus.
13:24 Before his coming John had preached the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
13:25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, Who do you think I am? I am not he. But, behold, one comes after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.
13:26 Brethren, sons of the stock of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the word of this salvation.
13:27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the words of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, have fulfilled these by condemning him.
13:28 And though they found no cause for death in him, yet they asked Pilate that he be slain.
13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb.
13:30 But God raised him from the dead:
13:31 And he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
13:32 And we declare to you good news, that the promise which was made to the fathers,
13:33 God has fulfilled to us, their children, in that he has raised up Jesus again; as it is written in the second psalm, You are my Son, this day I have begotten you.
13:34 And concerning the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to decay, he spoke in this way, I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.
13:35 Therefore, he says in another psalm, You shall not allow your Holy One to see decay.
13:36 For David, after he had served the will of God in his generation, fell asleep, and was laid with his fathers, and saw corruption:
13:37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.
13:38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this man the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you:
13:39 And by him all who believe are justified from all the things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
13:40 Beware, therefore, lest that which is spoken of in the prophets come upon you;
13:41 Behold, you scoffers, and wonder, and perish: for I am doing a work in your days, a work which you shall by no means believe, though a man declare it to you.
13:42 And as they went out of the synagogue, the people begged that these words might be told to them the next sabbath.
13:43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout converts followed Paul and Barnabas: who spoke to them, urging them to continue in the grace of God.
13:44 And the next sabbath day almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and contradicted those things which were spoken by Paul, and reviled him.
13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should have first been spoken to you: but seeing that you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
13:47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you should bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were appointed for eternal life believed.
13:49 And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region.
13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
13:51 But they shook the dust off of their feet against them, and went to Iconium.
13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.
14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
14:2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
14:3 Therefore, for a long time they remained there, speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
14:5 And when there was an attempt made by both the Gentiles, and the Jews with their rulers, to abuse them, and to stone them,
14:6 They learned of it, and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region:
14:7 And there they preached the gospel.
14:8 Now there sat a certain man at Lystra without strength in his feet; he was a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked.
14:9 He heard Paul speak: and Paul, who steadfastly beheld him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
14:10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped up and walked.
14:11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.
14:12 And they called Barnabas, Zeus; and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
14:13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and would have offered a sacrifice with the people.
14:14 When the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard this, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,
14:15 Men, why do you these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and we preach to you that you should turn from these vain things to the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them.
14:16 In times past he allowed all nations to walk in their own ways;
14:17 Nevertheless, he did not leave himself without a witness, in that he did good, and gave you rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.
14:18 And even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
14:19 And certain Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, who, having persuaded the people, stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead.
14:20 Yet, as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had made disciples of many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,
14:22 Strengthening the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying that through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God.
14:23 And when they had appointed elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord, in whom they believed.
14:24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
14:25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia:
14:26 And from there sailed to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had now fulfilled.
14:27 And when they had come, and had gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
14:28 And they stayed a long time there with the disciples.
15:1 And certain men who came down from Judaea taught the brethren, saying, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
15:2 Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
15:3 And being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they brought great joy to all the brethren.
15:4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.
15:5 But some from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, rose up, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
15:6 And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Brethren, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
15:8 And God, who knows the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us;
15:9 And he made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
15:10 Now then, why do you put God to the test by putting a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, just as they will.
15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and listened as Barnabas and Paul declared what miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.
15:13 And after they had finished, James answered, Brethren, listen to me:
15:14 Simeon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15:15 And with this the words of the prophets agree; as it is written,
15:16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will build again the ruins, and I will set it up:
15:17 That the rest of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, who are called by my name,
15:18 Says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.
15:19 Therefore, my judgment is that we do not trouble those who have turned to God from among the Gentiles:
15:20 But that we write to them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from things strangled, and from blood.
15:21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who preach him, for he is read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
15:22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to choose men from their own company to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; so they sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brethren:
15:23 And they sent this letter with them; The brethren, both apostles and elders, send greetings to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
15:24 Since we have heard that some, to whom we gave no such commandment, went out from us and have troubled you with their words, subverting your souls, saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law:
15:25 It seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
15:26 Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who shall tell you the same things by mouth.
15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
15:29 That you abstain from foods offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you shall do well. Farewell.
15:30 So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter:
15:31 When they had read it, the people rejoiced at the exhortation.
15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.
15:33 And after they had remained there a time, they were let go in peace by the brethren to those who had sent them.
15:34 [But it pleased Silas to remain there.]
15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, along with many others.
15:36 And some days later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are.
15:37 And Barnabas wanted to take with them John, called Mark.
15:38 But Paul did not think it good to take him with them, for he had deserted them in Pamphylia, and did not continue with them in the work.
15:39 And the disagreement was so sharp between them, that they separated from each other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus;
15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
16:1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain woman, who was Jewish, and believed; but his father was a Greek;
16:2 And he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium.
16:3 Paul wanted him to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees, that were ordained by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.
16:5 And so the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
16:6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia,
16:7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
16:8 And passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
16:9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, pleading with him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
16:10 And after he had seen the vision, we immediately endeavoured to go into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
16:11 Therefore, setting sail from Troas, we came on a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day to Neapolis;
16:12 And from there to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a Roman colony: and we remained in that city some days.
16:13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city to the riverside, where we expected there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spoke to the women who gathered there.
16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us. The Lord opened her heart, so she attended to the things which were spoken by Paul.
16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she begged us, saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house, and stay there. And she persuaded us.
16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination met us, and she brought her masters much gain by fortune-telling:
16:17 She followed Paul and us, and cried out, These men are servants of the most high God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.
16:18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, being greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that same hour.
16:19 And when her masters saw that their hope for profit was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers,
16:20 And having brought them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being Jews, are troubling our city exceedingly,
16:21 And they teach customs which are not lawful for us Romans to accept, or to observe.
16:22 And the multitude also rose up against them: and the magistrates tore the clothes off of them, and commanded that they be beaten with rods.
16:23 And when they had struck them with many blows, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them securely:
16:24 And he, having received this charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God: and the prisoners heard them.
16:26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's chains were unfastened.
16:27 And the keeper of the prison awakened out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew his sword, and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled.
16:28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, Do yourself no harm: for we are all here.
16:29 Then he called for a light, and rushed in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
16:30 And brought them out, and said, Men, what must I do to be saved?
16:31 And they said, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, you and your household.
16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.
16:33 And he took them that same hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and was immediately baptized, he and all his household.
16:34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them, and rejoiced with all his household, because they believed in God.
16:35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent officers, saying, Let those men go.
16:36 And the keeper of the prison told this to Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace.
16:37 But Paul said to them, They have beaten us openly, uncondemned, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they send us away secretly? no indeed; let them come themselves and fetch us out.
16:38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates: and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
16:39 And they came to appease them, and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
16:40 So they went out of the prison, and entered the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them, then departed.