巴拿巴和扫罗接受差遣

13 安提阿教会中有几位先知和教师,就是巴拿巴、绰号“黑人”的希缅、古利奈人路求、与分封王希律一同长大的马念以及扫罗。 一天,他们正在敬拜主、禁食的时候,圣灵对他们说:“要为我把巴拿巴和扫罗分别出来,好让他们做我呼召他们去做的事。” 于是,他们禁食祷告并把手按在巴拿巴和扫罗身上,然后差遣他们出去。

二人受圣灵差遣,下到西流基,从那里乘船去塞浦路斯。 他们到了撒拉米,就在当地的犹太会堂传讲上帝的道。约翰·马可做他们的助手。

他们走遍全岛,远至帕弗,在那里遇见一个冒充先知的犹太术士巴·耶稣。 这人和当地的士求·保罗总督常有来往。士求·保罗是个聪明人,他邀请了巴拿巴和扫罗来,要听上帝的道。 但希腊名字叫以吕马的那个术士反对使徒,试图拦阻总督信主。 又名扫罗的保罗被圣灵充满,盯着他说: 10 “你这魔鬼的儿子,充满了诡诈和邪恶,是一切正义之敌,到现在还想歪曲主的正道吗? 11 现在主要亲手惩罚你,使你瞎眼,暂时不见天日!”

他顿觉眼前一片漆黑,只好四处摸索,求人领他走路。 12 总督看见所发生的事,对主的道感到惊奇,就信了。

保罗传扬基督

13 保罗和同伴从帕弗乘船到旁非利亚的别加。约翰·马可在那里离开他们回耶路撒冷去了。 14 他们由别加继续前行,来到彼西底区的安提阿。在安息日那天,他们进了会堂坐下来。 15 读完律法书和先知书后,会堂主管派人告诉他们:“弟兄们,如果你们有什么劝勉众人的话,请讲。”

16 保罗站起来向大家挥手示意,说:“各位以色列同胞和各位敬畏上帝的外族朋友们,请听我说。 17 以色列的上帝拣选了我们的祖先,让他们在埃及寄居期间人丁兴旺成为大族,后来祂伸出臂膀带领他们离开埃及。 18 他们在旷野漂泊的那四十年间,上帝一直照顾、容忍他们。 19 后来上帝又灭了迦南境内的七族,把土地分给他们作产业。 20 前后历时约四百五十年。之后,上帝又为他们设立士师,直到撒母耳先知的时代。

21 “后来,他们求上帝为他们立一位王,上帝就选立便雅悯支派中基士的儿子扫罗为王,执政四十年。 22 之后,上帝废掉扫罗,选立大卫做王,并为他作证说,‘我找到了耶西的儿子大卫,他是合我心意的人,他必遵行我一切的旨意。’ 23 上帝照自己的应许,从大卫的后裔中为以色列人立了一位救主,就是耶稣。 24 在耶稣还未公开露面以前,约翰已经劝告以色列人要悔改,接受洗礼。 25 约翰在工作快要完成的时候说,‘你们以为我是谁?我不是基督。在我之后来的那位,我连给祂解鞋带也不配。’

26 “弟兄们,各位亚伯拉罕的子孙和敬畏上帝的外族人啊,这救恩之道原是传给我们的。 27 可是耶路撒冷的人和他们的官长不知道耶稣是基督,虽然每个安息日都诵读先知的信息,却把基督判死罪。这正应验了先知们的话。 28 他们虽然找不到判祂死罪的理由,却强求彼拉多将祂处死。 29 祂受死的记载全部应验之后,有人把祂从十字架上取下来,安放在石墓里。 30 但上帝却使祂从死里复活。 31 之后有许多天,那些从加利利跟随祂上耶路撒冷的人都看见过祂,他们如今在百姓中都是祂的见证人。 32 我们要报给你们一个好消息,上帝给我们祖先的应许, 33 祂借着使耶稣复活已为我们做子孙的成就了。正如诗篇第二篇所说,

“‘你是我的儿子,
我今日成为你父亲。’

34 圣经曾这样记载上帝使祂从死里复活、永不朽坏的事,

“‘我必将应许大卫的圣洁、
可靠的恩福赐给你们。’

35 又在诗篇上说,

“‘你必不让你的圣者身体朽坏。’

36 “大卫在世时遵行上帝的旨意,最后死了,葬在他祖先那里,肉身也朽坏了。 37 然而,上帝使之复活的那位却没有朽坏。 38 所以,弟兄们,你们应该知道,赦罪的信息是借着耶稣传给你们的。 39 你们靠遵行摩西律法不能被称为义人,只有信靠耶稣才能被称为义人。 40 你们要当心,免得先知说的话应验在你们身上,

41 “‘藐视真理的人啊,看吧!
你们要在惊惧中灭亡,
因为我要在你们的时代行一件事,
即使有人告诉你们,
你们也不会信。’”

42 保罗和巴拿巴离开会堂时,会堂里的人请求他们下一个安息日再来讲道。 43 许多犹太人和诚心改信犹太教的外族人都跟随保罗和巴拿巴,二人就与他们谈论,劝勉他们要坚定不移地信靠上帝的恩典。

44 到了下一个安息日,几乎全城的人都聚集起来,要听上帝的道。 45 犹太人看见那么多人聚集,充满嫉妒,便反驳保罗所讲的,诽谤他。 46 保罗和巴拿巴毫不畏惧地说:“上帝的道本该先传给你们,你们既然拒绝接受,认为自己不配得永生,我们现在就把这道传给外族人。 47 因为主这样吩咐我们,

“‘我已使你成为外族人的光,
好把救恩带到地极。’”

48 外族人听后,非常欢喜,颂赞主的道。凡被选定得永生的人都信了主。 49 主的道传遍了那个地方。

50 但犹太人煽动虔诚的贵妇和城中显要迫害保罗和巴拿巴,将二人赶出城去。 51 保罗和巴拿巴便当众跺掉脚上的尘土[a],去了以哥念。 52 门徒满心喜乐,被圣灵充满。

Footnotes

  1. 13:51 表示两不相干,参见马太福音10:14

First Missionary Journey

13 Now there were (A)prophets and (B)teachers at (C)Antioch, in the (D)church that was there: (E)Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of (F)Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with (G)Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were [a]serving the Lord and fasting, (H)the Holy Spirit said, “Set (I)Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for (J)the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted, (K)prayed, and (L)laid their hands on them, (M)they sent them away.

So, being (N)sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to (O)Cyprus. When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in (P)the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had (Q)John as their helper. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a (R)magician, a Jewish (S)false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the (T)proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the (U)magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the (V)proconsul away from (W)the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, [b](X)filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him, 10 and said, “[c]You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you (Y)son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop making crooked (Z)the straight ways of the Lord? 11 Now, behold, (AA)the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12 Then the (AB)proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at (AC)the teaching of the Lord.

13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from (AD)Paphos and came to (AE)Perga in (AF)Pamphylia; but (AG)John left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But going on from Perga, they arrived at (AH)Pisidian (AI)Antioch, and on (AJ)the Sabbath day they went into (AK)the synagogue and sat down. 15 After (AL)the reading of the Law and (AM)the Prophets, (AN)the synagogue officials sent word to them, saying, “[d]Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” 16 Paul stood up, and (AO)motioning with his hand said,

“Men of Israel, and (AP)you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel (AQ)chose our fathers and [e](AR)made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm (AS)He led them out from it. 18 For (AT)a period of about forty years (AU)He put up with them in the wilderness. 19 (AV)When He had destroyed (AW)seven nations in the land of Canaan, He (AX)distributed their land as an inheritance—all of which took (AY)about 450 years. 20 After these things He (AZ)gave them judges until (BA)Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they (BB)asked for a king, and God gave them (BC)Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 After He had (BD)removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘(BE)I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My [f]will.’ 23 (BF)From the descendants of this man, (BG)according to promise, God has brought to Israel (BH)a Savior, Jesus, 24 after (BI)John had proclaimed, before [g]His coming, a (BJ)baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And while John (BK)was completing his course, (BL)he kept saying, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not He. But behold, One is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

26 [h]Brothers, sons of Abraham’s family, and those among you who fear God, to us the message of (BM)this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem, and their (BN)rulers, (BO)recognizing neither Him nor the [i]declarations of (BP)the prophets which are (BQ)read every Sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Him. 28 And though they found no grounds for putting Him to death, they (BR)asked Pilate that He be executed. 29 When they had (BS)carried out everything that was written concerning Him, (BT)they took Him down from the [j](BU)cross and (BV)laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God (BW)raised Him from the dead; 31 and for many days (BX)He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, the very ones who are now (BY)His witnesses to the people. 32 And we (BZ)preach to you the good news of (CA)the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to those of us who are the descendants by (CB)raising Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘(CC)You are My Son; today I have fathered You.’ 34 As for the fact that He (CD)raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay, He has spoken in this way: ‘(CE)I will give you the holy and faithful mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore, He also says in another Psalm: ‘(CF)You will not [k]allow Your [l]Holy One to [m]undergo decay.’ 36 For (CG)David, after he had [n]served God’s (CH)purpose in his own generation, (CI)fell asleep, and was [o]buried among his fathers and [p]underwent decay; 37 but He whom God (CJ)raised did not [q]undergo decay. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, [r]brothers, that (CK)through [s]Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and [t]through Him (CL)everyone who believes is [u]freed from all things, from which you could not be [v]freed [w]through the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore, see that the thing spoken of (CM)in the Prophets does not come upon you:

41 (CN)Look, you scoffers, and be astonished, and [x]perish;
For I am accomplishing a work in your days,
A work which you will never believe, though someone should describe it to you.’”

42 As [y]Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people repeatedly begged to have these [z]things spoken to them the next (CO)Sabbath. 43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the (CP)God-fearing [aa](CQ)proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and urging them to continue in (CR)the grace of God.

Paul Turns to the Gentiles

44 The next (CS)Sabbath nearly all the city assembled to hear the word of [ab]the Lord. 45 But when (CT)the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were [ac]blaspheming. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you (CU)first. Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, (CV)we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us,

(CW)I have appointed You as a (CX)light [ad]to the Gentiles,
That You may [ae]bring salvation to the end of the earth.’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying (CY)the word of [af]the Lord; and all who (CZ)had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And (DA)the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region. 50 But (DB)the Jews incited the [ag](DC)devout women (DD)of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their [ah]region. 51 But (DE)they shook off the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to (DF)Iconium. 52 And the disciples were continually (DG)filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:2 Lit performing ministry to
  2. Acts 13:9 Or having just been filled
  3. Acts 13:10 Lit O full of
  4. Acts 13:15 Lit Men, brothers
  5. Acts 13:17 Or exalted
  6. Acts 13:22 Lit wishes
  7. Acts 13:24 Lit the face of His entering
  8. Acts 13:26 Lit Men, brothers
  9. Acts 13:27 Lit voices
  10. Acts 13:29 Lit wood; see Deut 21:23
  11. Acts 13:35 Lit give
  12. Acts 13:35 Or Devout; or Pious
  13. Acts 13:35 Lit see corruption
  14. Acts 13:36 Or served his own generation by the purpose of God
  15. Acts 13:36 Lit gathered to his
  16. Acts 13:36 Lit saw corruption
  17. Acts 13:37 Lit see corruption
  18. Acts 13:38 Lit men, brothers
  19. Acts 13:38 Lit this One
  20. Acts 13:39 Lit in; or by
  21. Acts 13:39 Or justified
  22. Acts 13:39 Or justified
  23. Acts 13:39 Lit by
  24. Acts 13:41 Lit disappear
  25. Acts 13:42 Lit they
  26. Acts 13:42 Lit words
  27. Acts 13:43 I.e., Gentile converts to Judaism
  28. Acts 13:44 One early ms God
  29. Acts 13:45 Or slandering him
  30. Acts 13:47 Lit of
  31. Acts 13:47 Lit be for salvation
  32. Acts 13:48 Two early mss God
  33. Acts 13:50 Or worshiping
  34. Acts 13:50 Lit boundaries

Barnabas and Saul Are Chosen and Sent

13 In the church at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (called the Black), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (who had been brought up with Governor Herod[a]), and Saul. While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”

They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off.

In Cyprus

Having been sent by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went to Seleucia and sailed from there to the island of Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues. They had John Mark with them to help in the work.

They went all the way across the island to Paphos, where they met a certain magician named Bar-Jesus, a Jew who claimed to be a prophet. He was a friend of the governor of the island, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor called Barnabas and Saul before him because he wanted to hear the word of God. But they were opposed by the magician Elymas (that is his name in Greek), who tried to turn the governor away from the faith. Then Saul—also known as Paul—was filled with the Holy Spirit; he looked straight at the magician 10 and said, “You son of the Devil! You are the enemy of everything that is good. You are full of all kinds of evil tricks, and you always keep trying to turn the Lord's truths into lies! 11 The Lord's hand will come down on you now; you will be blind and will not see the light of day for a time.”

At once Elymas felt a dark mist cover his eyes, and he walked around trying to find someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the governor saw what had happened, he believed; for he was greatly amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

In Antioch in Pisidia

13 Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and came to Perga, a city in Pamphylia, where John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem. 14 They went on from Perga and arrived in Antioch in Pisidia, and on the Sabbath they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law of Moses and from the writings of the prophets, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message: “Friends, we want you to speak to the people if you have a message of encouragement for them.” 16 Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak:

“Fellow Israelites and all Gentiles here who worship God: hear me! 17 (A)The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors and made the people a great nation during the time they lived as foreigners in Egypt. God brought them out of Egypt by his great power, 18 (B)and for forty years he endured[b] them in the desert. 19 (C)He destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan and made his people the owners of the land. 20 (D)All of this took about 450 years.

“After this[c] he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21 (E)And when they asked for a king, God gave them Saul son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, to be their king for forty years. 22 (F)After removing him, God made David their king. This is what God said about him: ‘I have found that David son of Jesse is the kind of man I like, a man who will do all I want him to do.’ 23 It was Jesus, a descendant of David, whom God made the Savior of the people of Israel, as he had promised. 24 (G)Before Jesus began his work, John preached to all the people of Israel that they should turn from their sins and be baptized. 25 (H)And as John was about to finish his mission, he said to the people, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. But listen! He is coming after me, and I am not good enough to take his sandals off his feet.’

26 “My fellow Israelites, descendants of Abraham, and all Gentiles here who worship God: it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent! 27 For the people who live in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know that he is the Savior, nor did they understand the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Yet they made the prophets' words come true by condemning Jesus. 28 (I)And even though they could find no reason to pass the death sentence on him, they asked Pilate to have him put to death. 29 (J)And after they had done everything that the Scriptures say about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from death, 31 (K)and for many days he appeared to those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now witnesses for him to the people of Israel. 32-33 (L)And we are here to bring the Good News to you: what God promised our ancestors he would do, he has now done for us, who are their descendants, by raising Jesus to life. As it is written in the second Psalm,

‘You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.’
34 (M)And this is what God said about raising him from death, never to rot away in the grave:
‘I will give you the sacred and sure blessings
    that I promised to David.’
35 (N)As indeed he says in another passage,
‘You will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave.’

36 For David served God's purposes in his own time, and then he died, was buried with his ancestors, and his body rotted in the grave. 37 But this did not happen to the one whom God raised from death. 38-39 All of you, my fellow Israelites, are to know for sure that it is through Jesus that the message about forgiveness of sins is preached to you; you are to know that everyone who believes in him is set free from all the sins from which the Law of Moses could not set you free. 40 Take care, then, so that what the prophets said may not happen to you:[d]

41 (O)‘Look, you scoffers! Be astonished and die!
For what I am doing today
    is something that you will not believe,
    even when someone explains it to you!’”

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to come back the next Sabbath and tell them more about these things. 43 After the people had left the meeting, Paul and Barnabas were followed by many Jews and by many Gentiles who had been converted to Judaism. The apostles spoke to them and encouraged them to keep on living in the grace of God.

44 The next Sabbath nearly everyone in the town came to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy; they disputed what Paul was saying and insulted him. 46 But Paul and Barnabas spoke out even more boldly: “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles. 47 (P)For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us:

‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    so that all the world may be saved.’”

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the Lord's message; and those who had been chosen for eternal life became believers.

49 The word of the Lord spread everywhere in that region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the leading men of the city and the Gentile women of high social standing who worshiped God. They started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out of their region. 51 (Q)The apostles shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went on to Iconium. 52 The believers in Antioch were full of joy and the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:1 Herod Antipas, ruler of Galilee (see Lk 3.1).
  2. Acts 13:18 he endured; some manuscripts have he took care of.
  3. Acts 13:20 All of this took about 450 years. After this; or Some 450 years later.
  4. Acts 13:40 Some manuscripts do not have to you.

13 Now in the church at Antioch(A) there were prophets(B) and teachers:(C) Barnabas,(D) Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene,(E) Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod(F) the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,(G) “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work(H) to which I have called them.”(I) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them(J) and sent them off.(K)

On Cyprus

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,(L) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.(M) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God(N) in the Jewish synagogues.(O) John(P) was with them as their helper.

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer(Q) and false prophet(R) named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul,(S) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer(T) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul(U) from the faith.(V) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,(W) looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil(X) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?(Y) 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.(Z) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”(AA)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul(AB) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

In Pisidian Antioch

13 From Paphos,(AC) Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia,(AD) where John(AE) left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch.(AF) On the Sabbath(AG) they entered the synagogue(AH) and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law(AI) and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand(AJ) and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country;(AK) 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct[a](AL) in the wilderness;(AM) 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan,(AN) giving their land to his people(AO) as their inheritance.(AP) 20 All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges(AQ) until the time of Samuel the prophet.(AR) 21 Then the people asked for a king,(AS) and he gave them Saul(AT) son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin,(AU) who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul,(AV) he made David their king.(AW) God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;(AX) he will do everything I want him to do.’(AY)

23 “From this man’s descendants(AZ) God has brought to Israel the Savior(BA) Jesus,(BB) as he promised.(BC) 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.(BD) 25 As John was completing his work,(BE) he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for.(BF) But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’(BG)

26 “Fellow children of Abraham(BH) and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation(BI) has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus,(BJ) yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets(BK) that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed.(BL) 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him,(BM) they took him down from the cross(BN) and laid him in a tomb.(BO) 30 But God raised him from the dead,(BP) 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem.(BQ) They are now his witnesses(BR) to our people.

32 “We tell you the good news:(BS) What God promised our ancestors(BT) 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.(BU) As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
    today I have become your father.’[b](BV)

34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’[c](BW)

35 So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’[d](BX)

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;(BY) he was buried with his ancestors(BZ) and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead(CA) did not see decay.

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.(CB) 39 Through him everyone who believes(CC) is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.(CD) 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
    wonder and perish,
for I am going to do something in your days
    that you would never believe,
    even if someone told you.’[e](CE)

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue,(CF) the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.(CG)

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying(CH) and heaped abuse(CI) on him.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first.(CJ) Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.(CK) 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you[f] a light for the Gentiles,(CL)
    that you[g] may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’[h](CM)

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord;(CN) and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord(CO) spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.(CP) 51 So they shook the dust off their feet(CQ) as a warning to them and went to Iconium.(CR) 52 And the disciples(CS) were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.(CT)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:18 Some manuscripts he cared for them
  2. Acts 13:33 Psalm 2:7
  3. Acts 13:34 Isaiah 55:3
  4. Acts 13:35 Psalm 16:10 (see Septuagint)
  5. Acts 13:41 Hab. 1:5
  6. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
  7. Acts 13:47 The Greek is singular.
  8. Acts 13:47 Isaiah 49:6

Barnabas and Saul Sent Out from Antioch

13 Now there were prophets and teachers in Antioch in the church that was there: Barnabas, and Simeon (who was called Niger), and Lucius the Cyrenian, and Manaen (a close friend of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. And while[a] they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart now for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, after they[b] had fasted and prayed and placed their[c] hands on them, they sent them[d] away.

Confronting a Magician on Cyprus

Therefore, sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed away to Cyprus. And when they[e] came to Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they also had John as assistant. And when they[f] had crossed over the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain man, a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and[g] wished to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for his name is translated in this way) opposed them, attempting to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul (also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and[h] said, “O you who are full of all deceit and of all unscrupulousness, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness! Will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord! 11 And now behold, the hand of the Lord is against you, and you will be blind, not seeing the sun for a while.[i] And immediately mist and darkness fell over him, and he was going around looking for people[j] to lead him[k] by the hand. 12 Then when[l] the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, because he[m] was astounded at the teaching about[n] the Lord.

Preaching in the Synagogue at Pisidian Antioch

13 Now Paul and his companions[o] put out to sea from Paphos and[p] came to Perga in Pamphylia, but John departed from them and[q] returned to Jerusalem. 14 And they went on from Perga and[r] arrived at Pisidian Antioch. And they entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and[s] sat down. 15 So after the reading from the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent word[t] to them, saying, “Men and brothers, if there is any message of exhortation by you for the people, say it.”[u]

16 So Paul stood up,[v] and motioning with his[w] hand, he said, “Israelite men, and those who fear God, listen! 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and exalted the people during their[x] stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for a period of time of about forty years, he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after[y] destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave their land to his people[z] as an inheritance. 20 This took[aa] about four hundred and fifty years. And after these things, he gave them[ab] judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 And then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And after[ac] removing him, he raised up David for their king, about whom he also said, testifying, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse to be a man in accordance with my heart, who will carry out all my will.’[ad] 23 From the descendants of this man, according to his promise, God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus. 24 Before his coming[ae] John had publicly proclaimed[af] a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 But while John was completing his[ag] mission, he said, ‘What do you suppose me to be? I am not he! But behold, one is coming after me of whom I am not worthy to untie the sandals of his[ah] feet!’

26 “Men and brothers, sons of the family of Abraham and those among you who fear God—to us the message of this salvation has been sent! 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they[ai] did not recognize this one, and the voices of the prophets that are read on every Sabbath, fulfilled them[aj] by[ak] condemning him.[al] 28 And although they[am] found no charge worthy of death, they asked Pilate that he be executed. 29 And when they had carried out all the things that were written about him, they took him[an] down from the tree and[ao] placed him[ap] in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 who appeared for many days to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem—who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we proclaim the good news to you: that the promise that was made to the fathers, 33 this promise[aq] God has fulfilled to our children[ar] by[as] raising Jesus, as it is also written in the second psalm,

‘You are my Son;
    today I have fathered you.’[at]

34 But that he has raised him from the dead, no more going to return to decay, he has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the reliable divine decrees of David.’[au] 35 Therefore he also says in another psalm,[av]

‘You will not permit your Holy One to experience decay.’[aw]

36 For David, after[ax] serving the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was buried with[ay] his fathers, and experienced decay. 37 But he whom God raised up did not experience decay.

38 “Therefore let it be known to you, men and brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and from all the things from which you were not able to be justified by the law of Moses, 39 by this one everyone who believes is justified! 40 Watch out, therefore, lest what is stated by the prophets come upon you:[az]

41 ‘Look, you scoffers,
    and be astonished and perish!
    For I am doing a work in your days,
    a work that you would never believe
        even if someone were to tell it[ba] to you.’”[bb]

Response to the Message in Pisidian Antioch

42 And as[bc] they were going out, they began urging[bd] that these things be spoken about to them on the next Sabbath. 43 And after[be] the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and the devout[bf] proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking to them and[bg] were persuading them to continue in the grace of God. 44 And on the coming Sabbath, nearly the whole city came together to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when[bh] the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting what was being said by Paul by[bi] reviling him.[bj] 46 Both Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly and[bk] said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you, since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life! Behold, we are turning to the Gentiles! 47 For so the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have appointed you to be[bl] a light for the Gentiles,
    that you would bring[bm] salvation to the end of the earth.’[bn]

48 And when[bo] the Gentiles heard this,[bp] they began to rejoice[bq] and to glorify the word of the Lord. And all those who were designated for eternal life believed. 49 So the word of the Lord was carried through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high social standing and the most prominent men of the city, and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out of their district. 51 So after[br] shaking off the dust from their feet against them, they went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:2 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were serving”)
  2. Acts 13:3 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had fasted”) which is understood as temporal
  3. Acts 13:3 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  4. Acts 13:3 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  5. Acts 13:5 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  6. Acts 13:6 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“had crossed over”) which is understood as temporal
  7. Acts 13:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“summoned”) has been translated as a finite verb
  8. Acts 13:10 Here “and” is supplied because the participle in the previous verse (“looked intently at”) has been translated as a finite verb
  9. Acts 13:11 Literally “until the time”
  10. Acts 13:11 In Greek the direct object (“people”) is understood and must be supplied in the English translation; since the following noun is plural, “people” rather than “someone” is used here
  11. Acts 13:11 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Acts 13:12 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  13. Acts 13:12 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was astounded”) which is understood as causal
  14. Acts 13:12 Here “about” reflects an objective genitive (“the Lord” is the object of the teaching)
  15. Acts 13:13 Literally “those around Paul”
  16. Acts 13:13 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“put out to sea”) has been translated as a finite verb
  17. Acts 13:13 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“departed”) has been translated as a finite verb
  18. Acts 13:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went on”) has been translated as a finite verb
  19. Acts 13:14 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“entered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  20. Acts 13:15 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  21. Acts 13:15 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  22. Acts 13:16 *Here the participle (“stood up”) is translated as a finite verb because of English style
  23. Acts 13:16 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  24. Acts 13:17 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  25. Acts 13:19 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“destroying”) which is understood as temporal
  26. Acts 13:19 The words “to his people” are supplied as a clarification of who received the land
  27. Acts 13:20 The words “This took” are not in the Greek text but are supplied in keeping with English style
  28. Acts 13:20 Here the indirect object “them” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  29. Acts 13:22 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“removing”) which is understood as temporal
  30. Acts 13:22 A quotation from 1 Sam 13:14
  31. Acts 13:24 Literally “the presence of his coming”
  32. Acts 13:24 Here the participle (“had publicly proclaimed”) has been translated as a finite verb in keeping with English style
  33. Acts 13:25 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  34. Acts 13:25 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  35. Acts 13:27 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“did not recognize”) which is understood as causal
  36. Acts 13:27 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  37. Acts 13:27 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“condemning”) which is understood as means
  38. Acts 13:27 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  39. Acts 13:28 Here “although” is supplied as a component of the genitive absolute participle (“found”) which is understood as concessive
  40. Acts 13:29 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  41. Acts 13:29 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took … down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  42. Acts 13:29 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  43. Acts 13:33 It is necessary to repeat the word “promise” from the previous verse for clarity here
  44. Acts 13:33 Some manuscripts have “to us their children”
  45. Acts 13:33 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“raising”) which is understood as means
  46. Acts 13:33 A quotation from Ps 2:7
  47. Acts 13:34 A quotation from Isa 55:3
  48. Acts 13:35 *The word “psalm” is not in the Greek text but is implied
  49. Acts 13:35 A quotation from Ps 16:10
  50. Acts 13:36 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“serving”) which is understood as temporal
  51. Acts 13:36 Literally “was gathered to”
  52. Acts 13:40 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  53. Acts 13:41 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  54. Acts 13:41 A quotation from Hab 1:5
  55. Acts 13:42 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were going out”)
  56. Acts 13:42 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began urging”)
  57. Acts 13:43 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had broken up”)
  58. Acts 13:43 Or “God-fearing”
  59. Acts 13:43 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were speaking to”) has been translated as a finite verb
  60. Acts 13:45 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  61. Acts 13:45 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“reviling”) which is understood as means
  62. Acts 13:45 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  63. Acts 13:46 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“spoke boldly”) has been translated as a finite verb
  64. Acts 13:47 Literally “for”
  65. Acts 13:47 Literally “that you would bring”
  66. Acts 13:47 An allusion to Isa 42:6; 49:6
  67. Acts 13:48 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  68. Acts 13:48 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  69. Acts 13:48 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began to rejoice”)
  70. Acts 13:51 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“shaking off”) which is understood as temporal