¹⁷ But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them to speak no longer to anyone in this name.”

²⁸ “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,”^(A) he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”^(B)

¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus^(A) and the prophets^(B) and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles^(C) so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit.^(D) The wrath of God has come upon them at last.^[a]

⁸ The Lord’s message^(A) rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.^(B) Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,

¹⁸ I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles^(A) to obey God^(B) by what I have said and done— ¹⁹ by the power of signs and wonders,^(C) through the power of the Spirit of God.^(D) So from Jerusalem^(E) all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.^{(F) 20} It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel^(G) where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.^{(H) 21} Rather, as it is written:

²² This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.^(J)

¹⁶ But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.^(A) For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”^{[a](B) 17} Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,^(C) and the message is heard through the word about Christ.^{(D) 18} But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

³⁹ But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”^(A)

⁴⁰ His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged.^(B) Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

²⁴ On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests^(A) were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.

²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^{(A) 30} Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders^(B) through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”^(C)