保羅揀選提摩太

16 保羅到達代爾貝城,又到了路司得城。當時,那裡有一個名叫提摩太的門徒,是一個信主[a]猶太婦人的兒子,他父親是希臘人。 路司得以哥念的弟兄們都讚許他。 保羅想要帶他一起去,但為了那些地方的猶太人的緣故,就給他行了割禮,因為大家都知道他父親是希臘人。 當他們經過那些城鎮的時候,就把耶路撒冷的使徒們和長老們所定的規條,傳達給大家遵守。 這樣,各教會在信仰上得了堅固,人數也天天增加。

馬其頓人的呼聲

聖靈既然阻止他們在亞細亞省傳講福音[b],他們就走遍弗里吉亞加拉太地區。 他們來到密細亞地區的邊界,試著要往比提尼亞省去,可是耶穌的靈[c]不允許。 他們就經過密細亞地區,下到特羅阿斯港。 夜裡,保羅看見了一個異象:一個馬其頓人站著懇求他,說:「請你過來,到馬其頓來幫助我們。」 10 保羅看見這異象之後,我們就認定是神[d]召喚我們去傳福音給他們,於是立刻設法前往馬其頓省。

莉迪婭信主

11 我們從特羅阿斯港開船直航,到薩莫特拉島,第二天到了奈阿波利斯港, 12 從那裡來到腓立比。那是馬其頓省的首要城市,是羅馬[e]殖民地。我們在這城裡住了幾天。 13 安息日那天,我們出了城門,來到河邊,想到那裡有一個禱告的地方。我們就坐下來,對聚集在那裡的婦女們講道。 14 有一個敬拜神的婦人,名叫莉迪婭,是錫亞蒂拉城賣紫色布的商人。她一直在聽,主開啟她的心竅,使她留心保羅所講的話。 15 當她和她的家人受了洗之後,她請求我們說:「如果你們判斷我是主的信徒[f],請到我家裡來住。」於是她極力挽留我們。

保羅與賽拉斯坐牢

16 有一次,我們往禱告的地方去,迎面來了一個有占卜邪靈附身的女僕。她用算命為她的主人們帶來大量的生意。 17 她跟著保羅和我們,喊叫說:「這些人是至高神的奴僕,向你們[g]傳講救恩的道[h]。」 18 她一連幾天都這樣做。

保羅厭煩了,就轉過身對那邪靈說:「我奉耶穌基督的名,吩咐你從她身上出來!」那邪靈立刻就出來了。

19 女僕的主人們看見他們的生意沒有希望了,就揪住保羅賽拉斯,把他們拖到街市[i]上去見首領們。 20 把兩個人帶到官長們面前,說:「這些人是猶太人,在擾亂我們的城市, 21 傳講我們羅馬人不可以接受、也不能遵守的規矩。」

22 那群人就一同起來反對保羅賽拉斯。官長們就剝了他們的衣服,下令用棍子打, 23 打了很多棍以後,把他們投進監獄,吩咐獄卒好好地看守。 24 獄卒領了這樣的吩咐,就把他們投進了監獄裡的最裡層,把他們的兩腳銬在木枷上。

深夜獲救

25 約在半夜,保羅賽拉斯禱告、唱詩讚美神,其他的囚犯們都側耳聽著。 26 突然發生了強烈的地震,結果監獄的地基都被搖動,所有的監門立刻打開了,每個囚犯的鎖鏈也都鬆開了。 27 獄卒醒來,看見監獄的門都開了,以為囚犯們已經逃跑了,就拔出刀來要自殺。

28 保羅卻大聲呼喚說:「不要傷害自己,因為我們都在這裡!」

29 獄卒叫人拿了燈來,就衝進去,戰戰兢兢地俯伏在保羅賽拉斯面前, 30 然後領他們出來,說:「先生們,我應該做什麼才能得救呢?」

31 他們說:「要信靠主耶穌[j],你和你一家人就將得救。」 32 於是他們把主的福音[k]講給獄卒和他家裡所有的人聽。 33 當夜,就在那時刻,獄卒帶他們去清洗傷口,然後他和所有的家人立刻受了洗。 34 他把保羅賽拉斯領到家裡,擺上飯食。他和全家人因為信了神,都歡欣跳躍。

官方道歉

35 天亮的時候,官長們派刑杖官來說:「把那兩個人放了吧!」

36 獄卒就把這話告訴保羅,說:「官長們派人來,要釋放你們。所以現在請你們出來,平平安安地去吧!」

37 可是保羅對他們說:「我們是羅馬公民,並沒有被定罪,他們卻當眾打我們,把我們投進監獄。現在他們還要悄悄地把我們趕出去嗎?當然不行!讓他們親自來領我們出去!」

38 那些刑杖官把這些話報告給官長們,官長們一聽他們是羅馬公民,就懼怕了, 39 於是來安撫他們,並且把他們領出來,請求他們離開那城。 40 保羅賽拉斯出了監獄,就到莉迪婭家裡去,見了弟兄們,鼓勵他們一番,然後離開了。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行傳 16:1 主——輔助詞語。
  2. 使徒行傳 16:6 福音——原文直譯「話語」或「道」。
  3. 使徒行傳 16:7 耶穌的靈——有古抄本作「聖靈」。
  4. 使徒行傳 16:10 神——有古抄本作「主」。
  5. 使徒行傳 16:12 羅馬的——輔助詞語。
  6. 使徒行傳 16:15 信徒——或譯作「忠心的人」。
  7. 使徒行傳 16:17 你們——有古抄本作「我們」。
  8. 使徒行傳 16:17 道——或譯作「路」。
  9. 使徒行傳 16:19 街市——或譯作「市場」或「大會場」或「公民大會」。
  10. 使徒行傳 16:31 耶穌——有古抄本作「耶穌基督」。
  11. 使徒行傳 16:32 福音——原文直譯「話語」或「道」。

提摩太加入福音事工

16 保羅來到特庇,然後又到路司得。那裡有個門徒名叫提摩太,母親是信主的猶太人,父親是希臘人。 路司得和以哥念的弟兄姊妹都稱讚提摩太。 保羅打算帶提摩太去傳福音。因為當地的猶太人都知道提摩太的父親是希臘人,保羅就給提摩太行了割禮。 他們走遍各城,把耶路撒冷的使徒和長老所定下的規條教導當地的門徒遵守。 這樣,眾教會在信仰上得到堅固,人數天天都在增加。

馬其頓人的呼求

由於聖靈阻止他們到亞細亞傳福音,他們便經過弗呂迦和加拉太地區, 來到每西亞的邊界,正要進入庇推尼地區,耶穌的靈又加以攔阻。 他們就越過每西亞,下到特羅亞。 當天晚上,保羅在異象中看見一個馬其頓人站在那裡懇求他:「請到馬其頓來幫助我們!」

10 保羅見了這個異象,確信是上帝呼召我們[a]到馬其頓去傳福音,就立刻準備動身。 11 我們從特羅亞啟航,直接駛往撒摩特喇,第二天抵達尼亞坡里, 12 再從那裡來到腓立比。腓立比是馬其頓的主要城市,是羅馬帝國的殖民地。我們在那裡住了幾天。 13 安息日那天,我們到城外的河邊,知道那裡有一個禱告的地方,就坐下來,向已經聚集的婦女講道。 14 聽眾中有個賣紫色布匹的婦人名叫呂底亞,是推雅推喇城的人,向來敬拜上帝。上帝開啟她的心,她便留心聽保羅講道。 15 呂底亞和家人接受洗禮之後,極力邀請我們,說:「如果你們認為我是真心信主的話,請來我家住。」於是強留我們住下。

保羅和西拉入獄

16 一天,我們又去河邊那個禱告的地方,途中遇到一個被巫鬼附身的女奴。她用占卜為她的主人們賺了不少錢。 17 她跟著保羅和我們大喊大叫:「這些人是至高上帝的奴僕,是來向你們宣講得救之道的。」 18 一連幾天,她都這樣喊叫。保羅不勝其煩,就轉過身來斥責那鬼:「我奉耶穌基督的名命令你從她身上出來!」那鬼立刻從她身上出去了。

19 她的主人們眼見財路斷絕了,就把保羅和西拉揪住,拖到廣場去見官長。 20 他們在官長面前控告保羅和西拉,說:「這些是猶太人,竟擾亂我們的城市, 21 宣揚我們羅馬人不可接受或實行的風俗。」 22 於是,大家都一起攻擊他們,官長下令剝掉他們的衣服,杖打他們。 23 他們被毒打一頓,又被關進監獄,官長命獄卒嚴密看守。 24 獄卒接到命令後把他們關進內牢,雙腳上了枷鎖。

25 半夜,保羅和西拉禱告、唱詩讚美上帝,其他的囚犯都側耳傾聽。 26 突然間發生大地震,整座監獄的地基都搖動起來,牢門立刻全開了,囚犯的鎖鏈也都鬆開了。 27 獄卒驚醒後,看見牢門盡開,以為囚犯已經逃走了,就想拔刀自殺。 28 保羅見狀,大聲喝止:「不要傷害自己,我們都在這裡!」

29 獄卒叫人拿燈過來,衝進內牢,戰戰兢兢地俯伏在保羅和西拉面前。 30 獄卒領他們出來後問道:「兩位先生,我該怎樣做才能得救?」

31 他們說:「要信主耶穌,你和你一家就必定得救。」 32 於是保羅和西拉向獄卒和他全家傳講主的道。 33 當晚,獄卒把二人帶去,為他們清洗傷口。他一家老小都接受了洗禮。 34 他請二人到家裡吃飯,他和全家人充滿了喜樂,因為都信了上帝。

35 第二天早上,官長派差役來,說:「把他們放了。」 36 獄卒轉告保羅說:「官長下令釋放你們,現在你們可以平安地走了。」 37 保羅卻說:「我們是羅馬公民,他們不經審訊就當眾打我們,又把我們關進牢裡,現在卻想偷偷打發掉我們嗎?這樣不行,叫他們親自來領我們出去!」

38 差役回報官長。官長得知保羅和西拉都是羅馬公民,非常害怕, 39 連忙到獄中向他們道歉,領他們出監,又央求他們離開腓立比。 40 二人離開監獄,來到呂底亞家中,見了弟兄姊妹,勸勉一番之後,便離開了那裡。

Footnotes

  1. 16·10 本書作者路加此時加入保羅的行列,故改用第一人稱複數「我們」。

保罗带提摩太同行

16 保罗来到了特庇,又到了路司得。在那里有一个门徒,名叫提摩太,是一个信主的犹太妇人的儿子,父亲却是希腊人。 路司得和以哥念的弟兄们都称赞他。 保罗有意要他一同出去,但为了那些地方的犹太人,就给他行了割礼,因为他们都知道他父亲是希腊人。 他们经过各城,把耶路撒冷的使徒和长老所定的规条,交给门徒遵守。 于是众教会信心越发坚固,人数天天增加。

保罗见异象往马其顿去

圣灵既然禁止他们在亚西亚传道,他们就走遍弗吕家、加拉太地区。 他们来到每西亚边境,想要去庇推尼,耶稣的灵也不许。 他们经过每西亚,下到特罗亚。 夜间有一个异象向保罗显现:有一个马其顿人站着求他说:“请你到马其顿来,帮助我们!” 10 保罗见了这异象,我们就认定是 神呼召我们去传福音给他们,于是立刻设法前往马其顿。

吕底亚信主

11 我们从特罗亚开船,直航撒摩特拉,第二天到达尼亚波利, 12 从那里来到腓立比,就是马其顿地区的首要城市,是罗马的殖民地。我们在这城里住了几天。 13 安息日我们出了城门,来到河边,以为那里是个祈祷的地方。我们坐下,对聚集的妇女讲论。 14 有一位敬畏 神的妇女,名叫吕底亚,是推雅推拉城卖紫色布的商人,她一直在听,主开启她的心,使她留心听保罗所讲的。 15 她和她一家受了洗以后,就请求说:“你们若认为我是对主忠实的,就请到我家来住。”于是她强留我们。

在腓立比被囚

16 有一次,我们到祈祷的地方去的时候,一个被巫鬼附着的婢女迎面而来;她行占卜使主人们发了大财。 17 她跟着保罗和我们,喊叫说:“这些人是至高 神的仆人,向你们传讲得救的道路。” 18 她一连多日这样喊叫,保罗觉得厌烦,就转身对那鬼说:“我奉耶稣基督的名,命令你从她身上出来!”那鬼就立刻出来了。 19 她的主人们看见发财的希望完了,就揪住保罗和西拉,拉到市中心去见官长, 20 又带到裁判官面前,说:“这些人是犹太人,扰乱我们的城市, 21 传我们罗马人不准接受、不准实行的规例。” 22 群众一齐起来攻击他们,裁判官就剥去他们的衣服,下令用棍子打他们。 23 打了很多棍,就把他们放在监牢里,吩咐狱吏严密看守。 24 狱吏领了命令,就把他们押入内监,两脚拴了木狗。

保罗领狱吏全家信主

25 约在半夜,保罗和西拉祈祷歌颂 神,囚犯们都侧耳听着。 26 忽然发生了大地震,以致监牢的地基都摇动起来,所有的监门立刻开了,囚犯的锁炼都松了。 27 狱吏醒过来,看见监门全开,以为囚犯都已经逃脱了,就拔出刀来想要自刎。 28 保罗大声呼叫说:“不要伤害自己,我们都在这里!” 29 狱吏叫人拿了灯来,就冲进去,战战兢兢地俯伏在保罗和西拉面前, 30 随后领他们出来,说:“先生,我应该作甚么才可以得救?” 31 他们说:“当信主耶稣,你和你一家人都必定得救。” 32 他们就把主的道,讲给他和所有在他家里的人听。 33 就在当夜的那个时候,狱吏领他们去洗伤,狱吏和他家人都受了洗, 34 就带他们到家里,摆上饭食,他和全家因信了 神就大大喜乐。

35 到了天亮,裁判官派法警来,说:“放了这些人!” 36 狱吏就把这话告诉保罗,说:“裁判官派人来释放你们,现在可以出来,平平安安地去吧!” 37 保罗对他们说:“我们是罗马人,还没有定罪,他们就公开打我们,又放在监里;现在要私下赶我们出去吗?不行!他们应当亲自来,领我们出去!” 38 法警把这番话回报裁判官,裁判官听说他们是罗马人,就害怕起来, 39 于是来请求他们,领他们出监之后,就请他们离开那城。 40 两人出了监,就到吕底亚的家里去,见了弟兄们,劝勉他们一番,就离开了。

Paul Selects Timothy

16 Then he went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy,(A) the son of a believing Jewish woman,(B) but his father was a Greek. The brothers at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him.(C) Paul wanted Timothy[a] to go with him, so he took him and circumcised(D) him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for them to observe.(E) So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in number daily.(F)

Evangelization of Europe

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in Asia.(G) When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus(H) did not allow them. So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas.(I) During the night a vision appeared to Paul: A Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!”(J) 10 After(K) he had seen the vision, we[b] immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to evangelize them.

Lydia’s Conversion

11 Then, setting sail from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, 12 and from there to Philippi,(L) a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days. 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. 14 A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul.(M) 15 After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.”(N) And she persuaded us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

16 Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit of prediction.[c](O) She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you[d] the way of salvation, are the slaves of the Most High God.” 18 And she did this for many days.

But Paul was greatly aggravated and turning to the spirit, said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away.[e](P)

19 When her owners saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas(Q) and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews 21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.”(R)

22 Then the mob joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods.(S) 23 After they had inflicted many blows on them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to keep them securely guarded. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks.(T)

A Midnight Deliverance

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.(U) 27 When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped.

28 But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Don’t harm yourself, because all of us are here!”

29 Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he escorted them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(V)

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”(W) 32 Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. 33 He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. 34 He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.(X)

An Official Apology

35 When daylight came, the chief magistrates sent the police to say, “Release those men!”

36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders for you to be released. So come out now and go in peace.”(Y)

37 But Paul said to them, “They beat us in public without a trial, although we are Roman citizens, and threw us in jail. And now are they going to smuggle us out secretly? Certainly not! On the contrary, let them come themselves and escort us out!”(Z)

38 Then the police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them, and escorting them out, they urged them to leave town. 40 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house where they saw and encouraged the brothers, and departed.(AA)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 16:3 Lit wanted this one
  2. Acts 16:10 The use of we in this passage probably indicates that the author Luke is joining Paul’s missionary team here.
  3. Acts 16:16 Or a spirit by which she predicted the future
  4. Acts 16:17 Other mss read us
  5. Acts 16:18 Lit out this hour