Bible in 90 Days

Stephen Is Seized While Doing Miracles And Proclaiming Christ With Irresistible Wisdom

⁸ Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. ⁹ But some of the ones from the synagogue being called “of Freedmen^[a]”— both^[b] Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and the ones from Cilicia and Asia— rose-up, debating^[c] with Stephen. ¹⁰ And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. ¹¹ Then they secretly-induced^[d] men [to begin] saying that “We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God”. ¹² And they stirred-up the people and the elders and the scribes. And having suddenly-come-upon him, they seized him and brought him to the Sanhedrin. ¹³ And they put-forward false witnesses, saying, “This man does not cease speaking words against this holy place and the Law. ¹⁴ For we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will tear-down this place, and change the customs which Moses handed-down to us”. ¹⁵ And having looked-intently at him, all the ones sitting in the council [chamber] saw his face was like a face of an angel. 7 ¹ And the high priest said, “Do these things hold so?”

Stephen Defends Himself Before The Sanhedrin:

² And the one said, “Men, brothers, and fathers, listen—

God Promised Abraham’s Descendants Would Inherit The Land

“The God of ^[e] glory appeared to our father Abraham while being in Mesopotamia, before he dwelled in Haran, ³ and said to him [in Gen 12:1], ‘Go out from your land and from your relatives, and come to the land which I will show you’. ⁴ Then having gone out from the land of the Chaldeans, he dwelled in Haran. And from there, after his father died, He removed^[f] him to this land in which you are now dwelling. ⁵ And He did not give him an inheritance in it, not even the step of a foot. And He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him— there not being a child for him! ⁶ But God spoke as follows [in Gen 15:13-14]: that his seed ‘will be a foreigner in a land belonging-to-another. And they will enslave it^[g] and mistreat it for four-hundred years. ⁷ And I will judge the nation in whichever they will serve-as-slaves’, said God. ‘And after these things, they will come out and worship Me’ in this place. ⁸ And He gave him the covenant of circumcision.

Abraham’s Children Moved To Egypt During a Famine

“And so he fathered Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day; and Isaac, Jacob; and Jacob, the twelve patriarchs. ⁹ And the patriarchs, having become-jealous-of Joseph, sold him into Egypt. And God was with him, ¹⁰ and rescued him from all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And he appointed him to be ruling over Egypt, and over his whole house. ¹¹ And a famine came over all Egypt and Canaan, and a great affliction. And our fathers were not finding food. ¹² But Jacob, having heard-of grain being in Egypt, sent-forth our fathers first. ¹³ And during the second visit, Joseph was made-known-again to his brothers, and the family of Joseph became known to Pharaoh. ¹⁴ And having sent-forth his brothers, Joseph summoned Jacob his father and all his relatives, amounting-to seventy five^[h] souls. ¹⁵ And Jacob went down to Egypt. And he came-to-an-end^[i], and our fathers. ¹⁶ And they were transferred to Shechem, and placed in the tomb which Abraham bought for a price of silver from the sons of Hamor in Shechem.

When The Time Came, God Raised Up Moses, Whom The People Rejected

¹⁷ “Now as the time of the promise which God declared to Abraham was drawing-near, our people grew and were multiplied in Egypt, ¹⁸ until which time another king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. ¹⁹ This one, having dealt-shrewdly-with our nation^[j], mistreated our fathers, so that he^[k] caused their babies to be exposed^[l] that they might not be kept-alive; ²⁰ at which time Moses was born— and he was beautiful to God— who was brought-up for three months in the house of his father. ²¹ And he having been exposed, the daughter of Pharaoh took him up, and brought him up for herself for a son. ²² And Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. And he was powerful in his words and deeds. ²³ And as a forty-year period was being fulfilled for him, it came-up^[m] on his heart to visit^[n] his brothers, the sons of Israel. ²⁴ And having seen someone being wronged^[o], he defended him, and executed vengeance for the one being oppressed, having struck the Egyptian. ²⁵ Now he was thinking that his brothers were understanding that God was granting them deliverance by his hand. But the ones did not understand. ²⁶ And on the following day, he appeared to them while they were fighting. And he was reconciling^[p] them to peace, having said, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you wronging one another?’ [Ex 2:13]. ²⁷ But the one wronging his neighbor rejected him, having said, ‘Who appointed you ruler and judge over us? ²⁸ You do not intend to kill me the way you killed the Egyptian yesterday, do you?’ [Ex 2:14]. ²⁹ And Moses fled at this word. And he became a foreigner in the land of Midian, where he fathered two sons. ³⁰ And forty years having been fulfilled, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of fire of a bush. ³¹ And having seen it, Moses was marveling-at the sight. And while he was approaching to look-closely, the voice of the Lord came: ³² ‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob’. And having become trembling, Moses was not daring to look-closely. ³³ And the Lord said to him, ‘Untie the sandal from your feet, for the place upon which you stand is holy ground. ³⁴ Having seen, I saw^[q] the mistreatment of My people in Egypt, and I heard their groaning, and I came down to rescue them. And now, come, I will^[r] send you forth to Egypt’.

This Moses Whom Israel Denied, God Sent To Be Both Ruler And Deliverer

³⁵ “This Moses whom they denied, having said, ‘Who appointed you ruler and judge?’ [Ex 2:14]— this one God has sent-forth to be both ruler and deliverer^[s], with^[t] the hand of the angel having appeared to him in the bush. ³⁶ This one led them out, having done wonders and signs in Egypt land, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.

This Moses Said That God Would Raise Up a Prophet Like Him

³⁷ “This one is the Moses having said to the sons of Israel, ‘God will raise-up a prophet like me for you from your brothers’ [Deut 18:15].

This Moses Brought Israel God’s Word, Which They Rejected

³⁸ “This one is the one having been in the congregation in the wilderness, with the angel speaking to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles^[u] to give to us— ³⁹ to whom our fathers were not willing to become obedient, but they rejected him and turned-away in their hearts to Egypt, ⁴⁰ having said to Aaron, ‘Make gods for us who will go before us. For this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what happened to him’ [Ex 32:1]. ⁴¹ And they made-a-calf in those days, and brought-up a sacrifice to the idol. And they were celebrating in the works of their hands.

So God Turned Away From Them And Handed Them Over To Idolatry

⁴² “And God turned-away, and handed them over to worship the host of heaven, just as it has been written in the book of the prophets [in Amos 5:25-27]: ‘House of Israel, you did not offer victims^[v] and sacrifices to Me for forty years in the wilderness, did you? ⁴³ Indeed you took-up the tabernacle of Moloch^[w] and the star of your god Rephan^[x]— the images which you made to give-worship to them. Indeed I will remove^[y] you beyond Babylon!’

The Fathers Had The Tabernacle And The Temple. But God Does Not Dwell In Either

⁴⁴ “The tabernacle of testimony was with our fathers in the wilderness, just as the One speaking to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen; ⁴⁵ which our fathers, having received-it-in-succession, also brought in with Joshua during the taking-possession of the nations whom God drove-out from the presence of our fathers— until the days of David, ⁴⁶ who found favor before God. And he asked that he might find a dwelling-place^[z] for the house of Jacob, ⁴⁷ but Solomon built a house for Him. ⁴⁸ But the Most-High does not dwell in things made-by-human-hands, just as the prophet says [in Isa 66:1-2]: ⁴⁹ ‘The heaven is a throne for Me, and the earth is a footstool of My feet. What kind of house will you build for Me?’ says the Lord, ‘or what will be the place of My rest? ⁵⁰ Did not My hand make all these things?’

You Always Resist God! Your Fathers Killed The Prophets, And You The Messiah

⁵¹ “Stiff-necked ones, and uncircumcised in your hearts and ears— you are always resisting^[aa] the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, you also^[ab] are doing. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed the ones having announced-beforehand about the coming of the righteous One, of Whom you now became^[ac] betrayers^[ad] and murderers— ⁵³ you who received the Law by the directions^[ae] of ^[af] angels and did not keep it!”

Stephen Reports Seeing Jesus At The Right Hand of God. The Jews Stone Him To Death

⁵⁴ And hearing these things, they were infuriated in their hearts, and were grinding their teeth at him. ⁵⁵ But being full of the Holy Spirit, having looked-intently into heaven, he saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right side of God. ⁵⁶ And he said, “Behold— I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right side of God!” ⁵⁷ And having cried-out with a loud voice, they held-shut their ears, and rushed against him with-one-accord. ⁵⁸ And having driven him outside of the city, they were stoning him. And the witnesses laid-aside their garments at the feet of a young-man being called Saul. ⁵⁹ And they were stoning Stephen while he was calling-upon Jesus and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”. ⁶⁰ And having put down his knees, he cried-out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not set this sin against them”. And having said this, he fell-asleep. 8 ¹ And Saul was giving-approval to his killing.

The Church Is Persecuted And Driven Out of Jerusalem

And a great persecution came about on that day against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all dispersed^[ag] throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. ² And reverent men carried-in Stephen [for burial], and made a loud lamentation over him. ³ And Saul was destroying^[ah] the church. Entering from house to house, dragging-away both men and women, he was handing them over to prison. ⁴ So indeed, the ones having been dispersed went about announcing the word as good news.

Philip Proclaims Christ And Does Miracles In Samaria. Many Are Baptized, Including Simon

⁵ Now Philip, having gone down to the city^[ai] of Samaria, was proclaiming the Christ to them. ⁶ And the crowds were with-one-accord paying-attention-to^[aj] the things being said by Philip, during their hearing and seeing the signs which he was doing. ⁷ For many of the ones having unclean spirits— they were coming out while shouting with a loud voice. And many paralyzed ones and lame ones were cured. ⁸ And there was great joy in that city. ⁹ Now a certain man, Simon by name, was-previously in the city practicing-magic and astonishing the nation of Samaria, saying that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all, from the small up to the great, were paying attention, saying, “This one is the Power^[ak] of God being called ‘Great’”. ¹¹ And they were paying attention to him because he had astonished them for a considerable time with the magic-arts. ¹² And when they believed Philip announcing-the-good-news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized— both men and women. ¹³ Now Simon himself also believed. And having been baptized, he was attaching-himself to Philip. He was astonished, seeing both signs and great miracles taking place.

Peter and John Come So The Samaritans Might Receive The Holy Spirit

¹⁴ And the apostles in Jerusalem, having heard that “Samaria has accepted the word of God”, sent-forth Peter and John to them— ¹⁵ who, having come down, prayed for them so that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For He had not yet fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they were laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Now Simon, having seen that the Spirit was given through the laying-on of the hands of the apostles, offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give this authority to me also, so-that on whomever I lay on my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit”. ²⁰ But Peter said to him, “May your silver be with you for destruction, because you thought to acquire the gift of God with money. ²¹ There is no part nor share for you in this matter. For your heart is not straight before God. ²² Therefore repent from this evilness of yours, and pray to the Lord, if perhaps^[al] the intention of your heart will be forgiven you. ²³ For I see you being in the gall^[am] of ^[an] bitterness and the bond^[ao] of ^[ap] unrighteousness”. ²⁴ And having responded, Simon said, “You^[aq] two pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing of the things which you have spoken may come upon me”. ²⁵ So indeed the ones— having solemnly-testified, and having spoken the word of the Lord— were returning to Jerusalem and announcing-the-good-news-to many villages of the Samaritans.

An Angel Sends Philip Down The Road To an Ethiopian Eunuch Reading Isaiah

²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, “Arise and go toward the south^[ar] on the road going down from Jerusalem to Gaza”. This^[as] is a wilderness [road]. ²⁷ And having arisen, he proceeded. And behold— there was an Ethiopian man, a eunuch^[at], a court-official of Candace^[au] (queen of the Ethiopians), who was over all her treasury, who had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and was returning, and sitting on his chariot^[av]. And he was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ And the Spirit said to Philip, “Approach and join this chariot”. ³⁰ And having run up, Philip heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you indeed understand the things which you are reading?” ³¹ And the one said, “How indeed might I be able, unless someone will guide me?” And he invited Philip to sit with him, having come up.

Philip Explains That Isaiah 53 Refers To Jesus

³² Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter. And as a lamb before the one having sheared it is silent, so He does not open His mouth. ³³ In His humiliation, His justice^[aw] was taken-away. Who will describe^[ax] His generation^[ay]? Because His life is taken-away from the earth” [Isa 53:7-8]. ³⁴ And having responded, the eunuch said to Philip, “I ask you, about whom is the prophet saying this— about himself or about some other?” ³⁵ And Philip— having opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture— announced Jesus as good news to him.

The Man Believes And Is Baptized, And Continues Home Rejoicing

³⁶ And as they were proceeding along the road, they came upon some water. And the eunuch says, “Behold— water. What is preventing me from being baptized?” ^{37 [az] 38} And he ordered the chariot to stop. And they both went down into^[ba] the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. ³⁹ And when they came up out-of ^[bb] the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. And the eunuch did not see him any longer, for he was going his way rejoicing.

Philip Continues Announcing The Good News In Other Cities

⁴⁰ And Philip was found at Azotus. And while going through, he was announcing-the-good-news-to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.

While Saul Is Going To Damascus To Persecute Believers, Jesus Appears To Him

9 Now Saul, still breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord, having gone to the high priest, ² asked-for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus so that if he found any being of the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. ³ And during the proceeding, it came about that he was drawing-near to Damascus. And suddenly a light from heaven flashed-around him. ⁴ And having fallen on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” ⁵ And he said, “Who are You, sir^[bc]?” And the One said, “I am Jesus Whom you are persecuting. ⁶ But arise and enter into the city, and it will be told you what thing you must do”. ⁷ And the men traveling-with him were standing speechless^[bd], hearing the voice^[be] but seeing no one. ⁸ And Saul was raised^[bf] from the ground. And his eyes having been opened, he was seeing nothing. And hand-leading him, they brought him into Damascus. ⁹ And he was not seeing for three days. And he did not eat nor drink.

God Tells Ananias To Go Give Saul His Sight, For He Is God’s Chosen Instrument

¹⁰ Now a certain disciple was in Damascus— Ananias by name. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias”. And the one said, “Behold, I am here, Lord”. ¹¹ And the Lord said to him, “Having arisen, go on the lane being called ‘Straight’, and seek one-from-Tarsus, Saul by name, in the house of Judas. For behold— he is praying. ¹² And he saw a man in a vision, Ananias by name, having come in and laid hands on him so that he might see-again”. ¹³ And Ananias responded, “Lord, I heard about this man from many— how many bad things he did to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴ And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all the ones calling-upon Your name”. ¹⁵ And the Lord said to him, “Go, because this one is a chosen instrument^[bg] for Me— that he might carry My name before both Gentiles and kings, and sons of Israel. ¹⁶ For I will show him how-many things he must suffer for My name”. ¹⁷ And Ananias departed, and entered into the house. And having laid his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me forth— Jesus, the One having appeared to you on the road on which you were coming— so that you may see-again and be filled with the Holy Spirit”. ¹⁸ And immediately something like scales^[bh] fell from his eyes. And he saw-again^[bi], and having arisen, was baptized. ¹⁹ And having taken food, he strengthened.

Saul Begins Proclaiming Christ In Damascus. He Escapes a Plot To Kill Him

Now he came-to-be with the disciples in Damascus for some days. ²⁰ And immediately he was proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues— that this One is the Son of God. ²¹ And all the ones hearing were astonished, and were saying, “Is not this the one having destroyed in Jerusalem the ones calling-upon this name? And he had come here for this— that he might bring them bound to the chief priests!” ²² And Saul was becoming more strong. And he was confounding^[bj] the Jews dwelling in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ. ²³ And when considerable days were being fulfilled, the Jews plotted to kill him. ²⁴ But their plot was known by Saul. And they were even closely-watching the gates both by day and by night so that they might kill him. ²⁵ But his disciples, having taken him by night, let him down through the wall, having lowered^[bk] him in a large-basket.

Saul Joins The Disciples In Jerusalem. Due To a Plot To Kill Him, He Is Sent To Tarsus

²⁶ And having arrived in Jerusalem, he was trying to join the disciples. And they all were fearing him, not believing that he was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas, having taken-hold-of him, brought him to the apostles and related to them how he saw the Lord on the road, and that^[bl] He spoke to him; and how in Damascus he spoke-boldly in the name of Jesus. ²⁸ And he was with them, going in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking-boldly in the name of the Lord. ²⁹ And he was speaking and debating with the Hellenists, but the ones were attempting^[bm] to kill him. ³⁰ But the brothers, having learned it, brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

The Church Enjoys Peace And Growth

³¹ So indeed the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, while being built-up. And it was being multiplied while walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort^[bn] of the Holy Spirit.

Peter Goes Through The Regions Healing And Proclaiming Christ. He Heals Aeneas in Lydda

³² Now it came about that Peter, while going through all the regions^[bo], came down also to the saints dwelling-in Lydda. ³³ And he found there a certain man, Aeneas by name, who had been paralyzed, lying down on a cot for eight years. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed for yourself ”. And immediately he arose. ³⁵ And all the ones dwelling-in Lydda and Sharon saw him— who^[bp] [then] turned to the Lord.

Peter Raises Dorcas From The Dead In Joppa

³⁶ Now in Joppa, there was a certain disciple, Tabitha by name (which being interpreted^[bq] means “Dorcas”). This one was full of good works and acts-of-almsgiving^[br] which she was doing. ³⁷ And it came about in those days that having become sick, she died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper-room. ³⁸ Now Lydda being near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was in it, sent-out two men to him urging, “Do not delay to come to us”. ³⁹ And having arisen, Peter went with them— whom^[bs], having arrived, they brought up into the upper room. And all the widows stood near him, weeping and showing him tunics^[bt] and garments— all-that Dorcas was making while being with them. ⁴⁰ And Peter— having put everyone outside, and having put down his knees— prayed. And having turned to the body, he said, “Tabitha, rise-up”. And the one opened her eyes! And having seen Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹ And having given her his hand, he raised her up. And having called the saints and the widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many put-faith upon the Lord. ⁴³ And it came about that he stayed considerable days in Joppa with a certain Simon, a tanner.

After a Vision, a Gentile Named Cornelius Sends Men To Joppa To Get Peter

10 Now a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name— a centurion^[bu] from the cohort^[bv] being called “Italian^[bw]”, ² a devout one, and one fearing God with all his household, doing many acts-of-almsgiving to the [Jewish] people, and praying to God continually— ³ saw in a vision^[bx] clearly^[by], as-if ^[bz] it were around the ninth^[ca] hour of the day, an angel of God having come-in^[cb] to him, and having said to him, “Cornelius!” ⁴ And the one— having looked-intently at him, and having become terrified— said, “What is it, sir^[cc]?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your acts-of-almsgiving went up for a memorial before God. ⁵ And now, send men to Joppa, and send-for a certain Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ This one is lodging with a certain Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea”. ⁷ And when the angel speaking to him departed, having called two of his household-servants and a devout soldier from the ones attaching-themselves^[cd] to him, ⁸ and having described everything to them, he sent them forth to Joppa.

Before They Arrive, Peter Has a Vision To Treat As Clean What God Has Made Clean

⁹ Now on the next day, while those ones were journeying and drawing-near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop around the sixth^[ce] hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and was wanting to eat. And while they were preparing it, a trance came upon him. ¹¹ And he sees the heaven having been opened and a certain object like a large sheet coming down, being let down by four corners on the ground— ¹² in which were all the four-footed-animals and reptiles of the earth, and birds of the heaven. ¹³ And a voice came to him, “Having arisen, Peter, slaughter and eat!” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord, because I never ate anything defiled and unclean”. ¹⁵ And a voice again came to him for a second time, “The things which God made-clean^[cf], don’t you be making-defiled^[cg]”. ¹⁶ And this^[ch] took place three-times, and immediately the object was taken-up into heaven.

The Spirit Tells Peter He Has Sent Three Men, And He Is To Go With Them

¹⁷ Now while Peter was being greatly-perplexed within himself as to what the vision which he saw might mean, behold— the men having been sent-forth by Cornelius, having asked-repeatedly as to the house of Simon, stood at the gate. ¹⁸ And having called, they were inquiring, “Is Simon, the one being called Peter, lodging here?” ¹⁹ And while Peter was pondering about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold— three men are seeking you. ²⁰ But^[ci] having arisen, go down and proceed with them not doubting^[cj] at all, because I have sent them forth”. ²¹ And Peter, having gone down to the men, said, “Behold— I am the one whom you are seeking. What is the reason for which you are-here?” ²² And the ones said, “Cornelius— a centurion, a righteous man, and one fearing God, and one being attested by the whole nation of the Jews— was directed by a holy angel to summon you to his house and to listen-to words from you”. ²³ Then having invited them in, he gave-them-lodging.

Peter Goes To Cornelius. Peter Now Understands That His Vision Pertained To Gentiles

And on the next day, having arisen, he went forth with them. And some of the brothers from Joppa went with him. ²⁴ And on the next day, he entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his relatives and close friends. ²⁵ And when Peter’s entering the house came about, Cornelius— having met him, having fallen at his feet— paid-homage. ²⁶ But Peter raised him, saying, “Stand up. I myself also am a man”. ²⁷ And while conversing-with him, he went in and finds many having come-together. ²⁸ And he said to them, “You know how it is unlawful for a Jewish man to be joining^[ck] or coming-to^[cl] a foreigner. And-yet God showed me that I should be calling no person defiled or unclean. ²⁹ Therefore, having been sent-for, I indeed came without-objection. So I ask, for what reason did you send-for me?” ³⁰ And Cornelius said, “Four days ago at this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth^[cm] hour, and behold— a man stood before me in shining clothing. ³¹ And he says, ‘Cornelius, your prayer was heard, and your acts-of-almsgiving were remembered before God. ³² Therefore send to Joppa, and summon Simon, who is called Peter. This one is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, beside the sea’. ³³ Therefore I sent to you at-once, and you did^[cn] well, having come. So now we are all here before God to hear all the things having been commanded you by the Lord”.

Peter Begins Proclaiming The Gospel To Cornelius

³⁴ And Peter, having opened his mouth, said, “I understand, in accordance with [God’s] truth, that God is not a respecter-of-persons, ³⁵ but in every nation, the one fearing Him and working righteousness is acceptable^[co] to Him. ³⁶ As to the message which He sent-forth to the sons of Israel announcing-the-good-news-of peace through Jesus Christ, this One is Lord of all^[cp]. ³⁷ You know the matter^[cq] having taken place throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed^[cr], ³⁸ as to Jesus from Nazareth— how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power; Who went about doing-good and healing all the ones being oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of everything which He did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem; Whom indeed they killed, having hung Him on a cross. ⁴⁰ God raised this One on the third day, and granted that He become visible— ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses having been chosen-beforehand by God; to us, who ate with and drank with Him after He rose-up from the dead. ⁴² And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to solemnly-warn that this One is the One having been designated^[cs] by God as judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ All the prophets testify concerning^[ct] this One, that everyone believing in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name”.

While Peter Is Speaking, The Spirit Falls On These Gentiles Just Like At Pentecost

⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all the ones hearing the message. ⁴⁵ And the believers of the circumcision— all-who came with Peter— were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured-out also on the Gentiles! ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter responded, ⁴⁷ “No one is able to forbid^[cu] the water so that these may not be baptized, is he?— who received the Holy Spirit as also we did. ⁴⁸ And he commanded that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay some days.

Back In Jerusalem, Peter Explains How God Gave The Identical Gift To The Gentiles

11 Now the apostles and the brothers being throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also accepted the word of God. ² But when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the ones of the circumcision were disputing with him, ³ saying that “You went in to men having uncircumcision, and you ate with them”. ⁴ But having begun, Peter was explaining it to them in-order, saying, ⁵ “I was in the city of Joppa praying. And in a trance, I saw a vision— a certain object like a large sheet coming down, being let down by four corners from heaven. And it came to me, ⁶ into which having looked-intently, I was observing. And I saw the four-footed-animals of the earth, and the wild-beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven. ⁷ And I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Having arisen, Peter, slaughter and eat!’ ⁸ But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, because a defiled or unclean thing never entered into my mouth’. ⁹ But a voice responded for a second time from heaven, ‘The things which God made-clean, don’t you be making-defiled’. ¹⁰ And this took place three times, and everything was pulled-up again into heaven. ¹¹ And behold— three men immediately stood at the house in which we were staying, having been sent forth from Caesarea to me. ¹² And the Spirit told me to go-with them, having made no distinction. And these six brothers also went with me. And we entered into the house of the man. ¹³ And he reported to us how he saw the angel having stood in his house, and having said, ‘Send-forth to Joppa, and send-for Simon, the one being called Peter, ¹⁴ who will speak words to you by which you will be saved— you and all your household’. ¹⁵ And at my beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as also upon us at the beginning. ¹⁶ And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He was saying, ‘John baptized with water— but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit!’ ¹⁷ Therefore if God gave the identical gift to them as also to us— [we both] having put faith upon the Lord Jesus Christ— who was I to be able to forbid God?” ¹⁸ And having heard these things, they were quiet. And they glorified God, saying, “Then God granted the repentance leading-to life to the Gentiles also!”

Many Gentiles Believe In Antioch. Barnabas And Saul Teach These Christians

¹⁹ Now indeed the ones having been dispersed because of the affliction having taken place over Stephen went as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews only. ²⁰ But there were some of them— Cyprian and Cyrenian men— who, having come to Antioch, were speaking also to the Hellenists^[cv], announcing-as-good-news the Lord Jesus. ²¹ And the hand of the Lord was with them. And a large number, having believed, turned to the Lord. ²² And the word about them was heard in the ears of the church existing in Jerusalem. And they sent out Barnabas to go to Antioch— ²³ who, having arrived and having seen the grace of God, rejoiced. And he was encouraging^[cw] everyone to be continuing-in the Lord with^[cx] purpose^[cy] of heart, ²⁴ because he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a considerable crowd was added to the Lord. ²⁵ And he went forth to Tarsus to search-for Saul. ²⁶ And having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about for them that^[cz] for a whole year they were gathered-together^[da] in the church and taught a considerable crowd; and that the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Agabas Comes And Predicts A Famine; Barnabas And Saul Take Relief To Judea

²⁷ And during these days, prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. ²⁸ And having stood up, one of them, Agabus by name, signified through the Spirit that there would-certainly be a great famine over the whole world— which took place in-the-time-of Claudius^[db]. ²⁹ And as any of the disciples was prospering, each of them determined to send money for a ministry to the brothers dwelling in Judea— ³⁰ which they also did, having sent it forth to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

During This Time, King Herod Kills The Apostle James And Imprisons Peter

12 And about that time, Herod^[dc] the king put hands on some of the ones from the church to mistreat them. ² And he killed James^[dd], the brother of John, with a sword. ³ And having seen that it was pleasing to the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also (now the days of the Feast of Unleavened-Bread were taking place)— ⁴ whom indeed having seized, he put into prison, having handed him over to four squads^[de] of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him up to the people after the Passover [Feast]. ⁵ So indeed Peter was being kept in the prison. And prayer was fervently being made by the church to God for him.

An Angel Releases Peter

⁶ And when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains. And guards in front of the door were keeping-watch-over the prison. ⁷ And behold— an angel of the Lord stood near, and light^[df] shined in the cell. And having struck the side of Peter, he woke him, saying, “Arise quickly”. And his chains fell off of his hands. ⁸ And the angel said to him, “Gird-yourself ^[dg] and tie-on your sandals”. And he did so. And he says to him, “Put-on your cloak and be following me”. ⁹ And having gone forth, he was following. And he did not know that the thing taking place by-means-of the angel was real, but he was thinking that he was seeing a vision. ¹⁰ And having gone through a first guard-post^[dh] and a second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which by-itself was opened for them. And having gone out, they went ahead one lane^[di], and immediately the angel departed from him.

Peter Goes To The House of The Mother of John Mark, Where They Were Praying

¹¹ And Peter, having become within^[dj] himself, said, “Now I know truly that the Lord sent-out His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews”. ¹² And having become-aware^[dk], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John (the one being called Mark), where there were many assembled-together and praying. ¹³ And he having knocked-on the door of the gate, a servant-girl went to it to answer— Rhoda by name. ¹⁴ And having recognized the voice of Peter, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but having run in, she reported that Peter was standing in front of the gate. ¹⁵ But the ones said to her, “You are mad^[dl]”. But the one was insisting that it was holding so. But the ones were saying, “It is his angel”. ¹⁶ But Peter was continuing-on knocking. And having opened, they saw him and were astonished. ¹⁷ And having motioned to them with his hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord led him out of the prison. And he said, “Report these things to James^[dm] and the brothers”. And having gone out, he proceeded to another place.

When Peter Can’t Be Found, The Guards Are Executed. Herod Dies In Caesarea

¹⁸ Now having become day, there was no small disturbance^[dn] among the soldiers as to what then became of Peter. ¹⁹ And Herod, having searched-for him and not having found him, having examined the guards, ordered that they be led^[do] away. And having gone down from Judea to Caesarea, he was spending-time there. ²⁰ Now he was being very-angry with the Tyrians and Sidonians. And they were coming to him with-one-accord. And having won-over^[dp] Blastus, the one over the bedroom^[dq] of the king, they were asking-for peace, because of their country being provided-for^[dr] from the royal land. ²¹ And on an appointed day, Herod— having put on the royal clothing, and having sat on the judgment-seat— was giving-a-public-address to them. ²² And the public-assembly was calling-out, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” ²³ And at once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God. And having become eaten-by-worms, he expired^[ds].

Barnabas And Saul Return To Antioch From Judea, With John Mark

²⁴ But the word of God was growing and being multiplied. ²⁵ And Barnabas and Saul returned, having fulfilled the ministry to Jerusalem, having taken along John^[dt] with them (the one having been called Mark).

While Teaching In Antioch, The Spirit Sends Saul And Barnabas On a Missionary Journey

13 Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch in^[du] the church existing there— Barnabas and Simeon (the one being called Niger^[dv]) and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (one brought-up-with^[dw] Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ² And while they were ministering^[dx] to^[dy] the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate now Barnabas and Saul for Me, for the work which I have called them to”. ³ Then, having fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent^[dz] them away.

On Cyprus, Bar-Jesus The Magician Is Blinded, Sergius Paulus The Proconsul Believes

⁴ So indeed, having been sent-out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there sailed-away to Cyprus. ⁵ And having come-to-be in Salamis, they were proclaiming the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also were having John as an assistant^[ea]. ⁶ And having gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man who was a magician, a Jewish false-prophet for whom the name was Bar-Jesus^[eb]— ⁷ who was with the proconsul^[ec], Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This one, having summoned Barnabas and Saul, sought to hear the word of God. ⁸ But the magician Elymas^[ed] (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith. ⁹ But Saul (the one also called Paul), having been filled with the Holy Spirit, having looked-intently at him, ¹⁰ said “O son of the devil full of all deceit and all villainy^[ee], enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting^[ef] the straight ways of the Lord? 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 at-once mistiness and darkness fell upon him. And going around, he was seeking ones-leading-by-the-hand^[eg]. ¹² Then the proconsul, having seen the thing having taken place, believed, being astounded at the teaching of the Lord.

In Perga John Mark Leaves. Paul And Barnabas Go On To Pisidian Antioch

¹³ And having put-to-sea from Paphos, the ones around^[eh] Paul came to Perga of Pamphylia. But John, having departed^[ei] from them, returned to Jerusalem. ¹⁴ But they, having gone through^[ej] from Perga, arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And having entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath, they sat-down. ¹⁵ And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue-officials sent forth a message to them, saying, “Men, brothers, if there is any word of exhortation^[ek] among you for the people, speak”.

Paul Proclaims That John Announced The Coming of The Davidic Savior, Jesus

¹⁶ And Paul, having stood up, and having motioned with his hand, said “Men, Israelites, and the ones fearing God: listen. ¹⁷ The God of this people Israel chose our fathers. And He lifted-up the people during the stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm led them out of it. ¹⁸ And for about a forty year period He put-up-with^[el] them in the wilderness. ¹⁹ And having brought-down seven^[em] nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them their land as-an-inheritance ²⁰ about^[en] in [a total of] four-hundred and fifty years. And after these things He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. ²¹ And from there they asked-for a king. And God gave them Saul— the son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin— for forty years. ²² And having removed him, He raised-up David for them for a king— concerning whom also having testified, He said, ‘I found David the son of Jesse, a man in-accordance-with^[eo] My heart, who will do all My desires’. ²³ From the seed of this one, in accordance with the promise, God brought a Savior for^[ep] Israel, Jesus— ²⁴ John having publicly-proclaimed a baptism of repentance for all the people of Israel before the presence of His coming. ²⁵ And as John was completing his course, he was saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not the One. But behold— He is coming after me, of Whom I am not worthy to untie the sandal of His feet’.

Fulfilling The Scriptures, The Rulers Killed Jesus And God Raised Him Up

²⁶ “Men, brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and the ones among you fearing God: the message of this salvation was sent-out to us. ²⁷ For the ones dwelling in Jerusalem and their rulers, not having known this One and the voices of the prophets being read every Sabbath— having condemned Him, fulfilled them. ²⁸ And having found no charge worthy of death, they asked Pilate that He be executed. ²⁹ And when they fulfilled all the things having been written about Him, having taken Him down from the cross, they laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead— ³¹ Who appeared for many days to the ones having come up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who now are His witnesses to the people. ³² And we are announcing-as-good-news-to you the promise having been made to the fathers— ³³ that God has fulfilled this promise for us their children, having raised-up^[eq] Jesus, as it has also been written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son. Today I have fathered You’ [Ps 2:7]. ³⁴ And that^[er] He raised Him up from the dead as One no longer going to return to decay, He has spoken in this manner [in Isa 55:3]: that ‘I will give You the holy, trustworthy^[es] things of ^[et] David’. ³⁵ Therefore^[eu] also in another place it says, ‘You will not give^[ev] Your holy One to see^[ew] decay’ [Ps 16:10]. ³⁶ For David, having served the purpose^[ex] of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was put-with^[ey] his fathers, and saw decay. ³⁷ But He Whom God raised did not see decay.

Forgiveness Is Now Being Proclaimed To You. Don’t Be Scoffers

³⁸ “Therefore let it be known to you, men, brothers, that through this One forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you. And from all things from which you could not be declared-righteous by the Law of Moses— ³⁹ by^[ez] this One everyone believing is declared-righteous. ⁴⁰ Therefore be watching-out that the thing having been spoken in the Prophets [in Hab 1:5] may not come upon you: ⁴¹ ‘Look, scoffers, and marvel and perish. Because I am working a work in your days, a work which you will never believe if someone tells you in detail’”.

At The Next Sabbath Meeting, The Jews Contradict Paul. He Turns To The Gentiles

⁴² And while they were going out, they were begging that these words might be spoken to them on the next Sabbath. ⁴³ And the gathering^[fa] having been released^[fb], many of the Jews and of the worshiping proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas— who, speaking to them, were persuading them to continue-in the grace of God. ⁴⁴ Now on the coming Sabbath, almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ But the Jews, having seen the crowds, were filled with jealousy. And they were contradicting^[fc] the things being spoken by Paul, blaspheming. ⁴⁶ And Paul and Barnabas, having spoken-boldly, said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you are rejecting it and judging yourselves not worthy of eternal life, behold— we are turning to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For thus the Lord has commanded us [in Isa 49:6]: ‘I have placed you for^[fd] a light to the Gentiles, that you may be a light for salvation as far as the last place of the earth’”. ⁴⁸ And the Gentiles, having heard it, were rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord. And all who had been appointed^[fe] to eternal life believed.

The Jews Drive Paul And Barnabas Out of Their Districts

⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord was being carried^[ff] through the whole region^[fg]. ⁵⁰ But the Jews incited the prominent worshiping women and the leading men of the city, and aroused a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out from their districts. ⁵¹ But the ones, having shaken-out the dust from their feet against them, went to Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were being filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

In Iconium, Paul And Barnabas Again Proclaim, And Then Flee a Plot To Kill Them

14 Now it came about in Iconium that according to the same plan, they entered into the synagogue of the Jews and spoke in this manner, so that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed. ² But the Jews having disobeyed^[fh] aroused and embittered^[fi] the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. ³ So indeed they spent a considerable time speaking-boldly for the Lord, Who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting^[fj] that signs and wonders be taking place by their hands. ⁴ And the multitude of the city was divided— indeed some were with the Jews; and others with the apostles. ⁵ But when an attempt^[fk] came about by both the Gentiles and Jews together with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, ⁶ having become-aware, they fled^[fl] to the cities of Lycaonia^[fm]— Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding-region. ⁷ And there they were announcing-the-good-news.

In Lystra, Paul Heals a Man And Is Declared a God, Then Is Stoned

⁸ And in Lystra, a certain man powerless in the feet was sitting— a lame one from his mother’s womb, who never walked. ⁹ This one heard Paul speaking— who, having looked-intently at him, and having seen that he had faith that he might be restored, ¹⁰ said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet”. And he leaped and was walking. ¹¹ And the crowds, having seen what Paul did, raised their voice, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods came down to us, having become-like men!” ¹² And they were calling Barnabas “Zeus^[fn]”, and Paul “Hermes^[fo]”, since he was the one leading the speaking. ¹³ And the priest of the temple of Zeus being before^[fp] the city, having brought bulls and garlands to the gates, was intending to offer-sacrifice with the crowds. ¹⁴ But the apostles, Barnabas and Paul— having heard-of it, having torn their garments— leaped-out into the crowd, crying-out ¹⁵ and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of-like-nature to you, announcing-the-good-news to turn you from these worthless^[fq] things to the living God, Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, ¹⁶ Who allowed all the nations to be going their ways in the generations having gone-by. ¹⁷ And yet He did not leave Himself without-witness^[fr]: doing-good, giving you rains from heaven and fruitful^[fs] seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness”. ¹⁸ And saying these things, with-difficulty they restrained^[ft] the crowds, that they might not offer-sacrifice to them. ¹⁹ But Jews came-over from Antioch and Iconium. And having won-over^[fu] the crowds, and having stoned Paul, they were dragging him outside of the city, thinking^[fv] that he was dead^[fw]. ²⁰ But the disciples having surrounded him— having stood-up, he entered into the city.

In Derbe They Make Disciples, Then Return Home, Strengthening The Churches

And on the next day he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ And having announced-the-good-news-to that city, and having made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging^[fx] them to continue-in^[fy] the faith, and that “It-is-necessary that we enter into the kingdom of God through many afflictions”. ²³ And having appointed elders for them in each church, having prayed with fastings, they commended^[fz] them to the Lord in Whom they had believed. ²⁴ And having gone through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. ²⁵ And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. ²⁶ And from there they sailed-away to Antioch— from where they had been handed-over to the grace of God for the work which they completed. ²⁷ And having arrived, and having gathered together the church, they were reporting all that God did with them, and that He opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

A Controversy Erupts: Do Gentile Christians Have To Follow Jewish Laws To Be Saved?

²⁸ Now they were spending not a little time^[ga] with the disciples. 15 ¹ And certain ones having come down from Judea were teaching the brothers that “Unless you are circumcised by the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved”. ² And no small dispute and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them having taken place, they^[gb] appointed^[gc] Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. ³ So indeed the ones, having been sent-forward by the church, were going through both Phoenicia and Samaria describing-in-detail the conversion^[gd] of the Gentiles. And they were producing great joy in all the brothers. ⁴ And having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders. And they reported all-that God did with them. ⁵ But some of the ones from the sect of the Pharisees having believed^[ge] stood-up-out-of the assembly, saying that “It-is-necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses”.

Peter Says That Both Jews And Gentiles Are Saved By Grace And Faith, Not By The Law

⁶ And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. ⁷ And much debate having taken place, Peter, having stood up, said to them, “Men, brothers, you know that from the old^[gf] days God made-a-choice among you that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the message of the good-news and believe. ⁸ And God, the heart-knower, testified^[gg]— having given the Holy Spirit to them, just as also to us. ⁹ And He made no distinction between both us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Therefore^[gh] why are you now testing God by laying a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹ Rather, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in accordance with the way those also are saved ”.

James Quotes The Prophets To Show That It Is God’s Plan To Save The Gentiles

¹² And the whole assembly was silent. And they were listening-to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders that God did through them among the Gentiles. ¹³ And after they were silent, James responded, saying, “Men, brothers, listen-to me. ¹⁴ Simeon^[gi] described how God first visited to take a people for His name from the Gentiles. ¹⁵ And the words of the prophets agree with this, just as it has been written [in Amos 9:11-12]: ¹⁶ ‘After these things I will return and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David. And I will rebuild its things having been torn-down. And I will restore it ¹⁷ so that the rest of mankind may seek-out the Lord— even all the Gentiles upon whom My name has been called-upon them^[gj]’, says the Lord doing these things ¹⁸ known from the past age. ¹⁹ Therefore I judge that we not be troubling the ones from the Gentiles turning to God, ²⁰ but that we write to them that they should be abstaining from the contaminated^[gk] things of idols, and sexual-immorality, and the strangled^[gl] thing, and blood. ²¹ For from ancient generations, Moses has the ones proclaiming him in each city— being read in the synagogues every Sabbath”.

A Letter Is Sent To Clear Up The Issue And Encourage The Gentile Believers

²² Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, along with the whole church, that having chosen men from-among them they should send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas— Judas (the one being called Barsabbas) and Silas, leading men among the brothers, ²³ having written by their hand:

“The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. ²⁴ Because we heard that some having gone out from us disturbed you with words, unsettling your souls— to whom we did not give-orders— ²⁵ it seemed good to us, having become of-one-accord, having chosen men, that we should send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul— ²⁶ men^[gm] having handed-over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ Therefore we have sent-forth Judas and Silas; they also will be declaring the same things by spoken word. ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to be laying-on you no greater burden except these essentials^[gn]: ²⁹ that you be abstaining from foods-sacrificed-to-idols, and blood, and strangled things, and sexual immorality; keeping yourselves from which things, you will do well. Farewell”.

³⁰ So indeed the ones, having been sent-away, went down to Antioch. And having gathered together the multitude, they delivered the letter. ³¹ And having read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. ³² Both Judas and Silas, also themselves being prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long^[go] message. ³³ And having done time there, they were sent-away with greetings of peace from the brothers to the ones having sent them out. ^34 [gp]

Paul And Barnabas Plan a Second Missionary Journey From Antioch, But Split Over John Mark

³⁵ Now Paul and Barnabas were spending-time in Antioch, teaching and announcing-as-good-news the word of the Lord, along with many others also. ³⁶ And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Having returned, let us now visit the brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord to see how they are having^[gq] things”. ³⁷ And Barnabas was wanting to also take along John with them, the one being called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul was considering-it-fitting that they not be taking-along-with them this one having withdrawn^[gr] from them since Pamphylia, and not having gone with them to the work. ³⁹ And a disagreement took-place, so that they were separated from one another. And Barnabas, having taken along Mark, sailed-off to Cyprus^[gs].

Paul And Silas Revisit The Churches From Paul’s First Journey. Timothy Joins Them

⁴⁰ And Paul, having chosen^[gt] Silas^[gu], went forth, having been handed-over to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. ⁴¹ And he was going^[gv] through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. 16 ¹ And he came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there— Timothy by name, the son of a believing Jewish woman^[gw], but of a Greek father— ² who was being attested by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium. ³ Paul wanted this one to go forth with him. And having taken him, he circumcised him because of the Jews being in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ And as they were proceeding through the cities, they were delivering^[gx] to them the decrees^[gy] to be keeping^[gz] having been determined^[ha] by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. ⁵ So indeed the churches were being made-firm in the faith and were abounding in number daily.

Paul Sees a Vision of a Macedonian Asking For His Help, And Makes Plans To Go

⁶ And they went through the Phrygian^[hb] and Galatian region, having been forbidden^[hc] by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. ⁷ And having come opposite Mysia, they were trying to proceed into Bithynia and the Spirit of ^[hd] Jesus did not allow them. ⁸ And having passed-by^[he] Mysia, they came down to Troas. ⁹ And a vision appeared to Paul during the night— a certain Macedonian man^[hf] was standing and appealing-to him, and saying, “Having crossed to Macedonia, help us”. ¹⁰ And when he saw the vision, immediately we^[hg] sought to go forth to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to announce-the-good-news-to them.

In Philippi, Paul Meets Lydia And She Becomes a Believer

¹¹ And having put-to-sea from Troas, we ran-a-straight-course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis. ¹² And from there we went to Philippi, which is a city of the first^[hh] district of Macedonia, a colony^[hi]. And we were spending some days in this city. ¹³ And on the day of the Sabbath, we went outside the gate beside a river where we were supposing that there was a place of prayer^[hj]. And having sat-down, we were speaking to the women having come together. ¹⁴ And a certain woman worshiping God— Lydia by name, a purple-fabric-dealer from the city of Thyatira— was listening, whose heart the Lord opened to pay-attention-to the things being spoken by Paul. ¹⁵ And when she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be a believer^[hk] in the Lord, then having entered into my house, be staying with me”. And she prevailed-upon us.

Paul Casts a Demon Out of a Fortune-Telling Servant-Girl

¹⁶ And it came about while we were going to the place of prayer that a certain servant-girl having a soothsaying^[hl] spirit met us, who was bringing-about a large profit to her masters telling-fortunes. ¹⁷ This one, while closely-following Paul and us^[hm], was crying-out, saying, “These men are slaves of the Most-High God^[hn], who are proclaiming to you a way^[ho] of salvation”. ¹⁸ And she was doing this for many days. And Paul, having been greatly-annoyed, and having turned to the spirit, said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from her!” And it went out at the very hour.

The Girl’s Masters Have Paul And Silas Beaten And Imprisoned

¹⁹ And her masters, having seen that their hope of profit went-out, having taken-hold-of Paul and Silas, dragged them into the marketplace^[hp] before the rulers. ²⁰ And having brought them to the magistrates^[hq], they said, “These men are throwing our city into confusion, being Jews. ²¹ And they are proclaiming customs which it is not lawful for us to be accepting nor to be doing, being Romans”. ²² And the crowd rose up together against them. And the magistrates, having torn-off their^[hr] garments, were giving-orders to beat them with rods^[hs]. ²³ And having laid many blows on them, they threw them into prison, having commanded the jailer to keep them securely— ²⁴ who, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and secured their feet to the wood^[ht].

After an Earthquake Opens The Jail, The Jailer Believes And Is Baptized

²⁵ And about midnight Paul and Silas were singing-praise-to God while praying. And the prisoners were listening-to^[hu] them. ²⁶ And suddenly a great earthquake took place, so that the foundations of the jailhouse were shaken. And at-once all the doors were opened, and the bonds^[hv] of everyone were unfastened^[hw]. ²⁷ And the jailer— having become awakened, and having seen the doors of the prison having been opened, having drawn his sword— was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul called-out with a loud voice, saying, “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here”. ²⁹ And having asked-for lights, he rushed-in. And having become trembling, he fell before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And having brought them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do in order that I may be saved?” ³¹ And the ones said, “Put faith upon the Lord Jesus and you will be saved— you and your household”. ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along with all the ones in his house. ³³ And having taken them at that hour of the night, he washed off their wounds. And he was baptized at-once— he and all his household. ³⁴ And having led them up to his house, he set a table before them and rejoiced-greatly— having believed in God with-his-whole-household.

The Magistrates Release Paul And Silas After Learning They Are Roman Citizens

³⁵ And having become day, the magistrates sent forth their officers^[hx], saying, “Release those men”. ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul, that “The magistrates have sent forth in order that you may be released. Now therefore having come out, proceed in peace”. ³⁷ But Paul said to them, “Having beaten us in public— uncondemned^[hy] men being Romans^[hz]— they threw us into prison. And now they are throwing us out secretly? No indeed! But having come themselves, let them lead us out!”