Font Size
使徒行传 16-21
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
使徒行传 16-21
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
提摩太加入福音事工
16 保罗来到特庇，然后又到路司得。那里有个门徒名叫提摩太，母亲是信主的犹太人，父亲是希腊人。 2 路司得和以哥念的弟兄姊妹都称赞提摩太。 3 保罗打算带提摩太去传福音。因为当地的犹太人都知道提摩太的父亲是希腊人，保罗就给提摩太行了割礼。 4 他们走遍各城，把耶路撒冷的使徒和长老所定下的规条教导当地的门徒遵守。 5 这样，众教会在信仰上得到坚固，人数天天都在增加。
马其顿人的呼求
6 由于圣灵阻止他们到亚细亚传福音，他们便经过弗吕迦和加拉太地区， 7 来到每西亚的边界，正要进入庇推尼地区，耶稣的灵又加以拦阻。 8 他们就越过每西亚，下到特罗亚。 9 当天晚上，保罗在异象中看见一个马其顿人站在那里恳求他：“请到马其顿来帮助我们！”
10 保罗见了这个异象，确信是上帝呼召我们[a]到马其顿去传福音，就立刻准备动身。 11 我们从特罗亚启航，直接驶往撒摩特喇，第二天抵达尼亚坡里， 12 再从那里来到腓立比。腓立比是马其顿的主要城市，是罗马帝国的殖民地。我们在那里住了几天。 13 安息日那天，我们到城外的河边，知道那里有一个祷告的地方，就坐下来，向已经聚集的妇女讲道。 14 听众中有个卖紫色布匹的妇人名叫吕底亚，是推雅推喇城的人，向来敬拜上帝。上帝开启她的心，她便留心听保罗讲道。 15 吕底亚和家人接受洗礼之后，极力邀请我们，说：“如果你们认为我是真心信主的话，请来我家住。”于是强留我们住下。
保罗和西拉入狱
16 一天，我们又去河边那个祷告的地方，途中遇到一个被巫鬼附身的女奴。她用占卜为她的主人们赚了不少钱。 17 她跟着保罗和我们大喊大叫：“这些人是至高上帝的奴仆，是来向你们宣讲得救之道的。” 18 一连几天，她都这样喊叫。保罗不胜其烦，就转过身来斥责那鬼：“我奉耶稣基督的名命令你从她身上出来！”那鬼立刻从她身上出去了。
19 她的主人们眼见财路断绝了，就把保罗和西拉揪住，拖到广场去见官长。 20 他们在官长面前控告保罗和西拉，说：“这些是犹太人，竟扰乱我们的城市， 21 宣扬我们罗马人不可接受或实行的风俗。” 22 于是，大家都一起攻击他们，官长下令剥掉他们的衣服，杖打他们。 23 他们被毒打一顿，又被关进监狱，官长命狱卒严密看守。 24 狱卒接到命令后把他们关进内牢，双脚上了枷锁。
25 半夜，保罗和西拉祷告、唱诗赞美上帝，其他的囚犯都侧耳倾听。 26 突然间发生大地震，整座监狱的地基都摇动起来，牢门立刻全开了，囚犯的锁链也都松开了。 27 狱卒惊醒后，看见牢门尽开，以为囚犯已经逃走了，就想拔刀自杀。 28 保罗见状，大声喝止：“不要伤害自己，我们都在这里！”
29 狱卒叫人拿灯过来，冲进内牢，战战兢兢地俯伏在保罗和西拉面前。 30 狱卒领他们出来后问道：“两位先生，我该怎样做才能得救？”
31 他们说：“要信主耶稣，你和你一家就必定得救。” 32 于是保罗和西拉向狱卒和他全家传讲主的道。 33 当晚，狱卒把二人带去，为他们清洗伤口。他一家老小都接受了洗礼。 34 他请二人到家里吃饭，他和全家人充满了喜乐，因为都信了上帝。
35 第二天早上，官长派差役来，说：“把他们放了。” 36 狱卒转告保罗说：“官长下令释放你们，现在你们可以平安地走了。” 37 保罗却说：“我们是罗马公民，他们不经审讯就当众打我们，又把我们关进牢里，现在却想偷偷打发掉我们吗？这样不行，叫他们亲自来领我们出去！”
38 差役回报官长。官长得知保罗和西拉都是罗马公民，非常害怕， 39 连忙到狱中向他们道歉，领他们出监，又央求他们离开腓立比。 40 二人离开监狱，来到吕底亚家中，见了弟兄姊妹，劝勉一番之后，便离开了那里。
保罗在帖撒罗尼迦传道
17 保罗和西拉经过暗非坡里和亚波罗尼亚，到了帖撒罗尼迦。那里有犹太人的会堂。 2 保罗照以往的习惯进入会堂，一连三个安息日引用圣经与当地人讨论， 3 解释、证明基督必须受害，然后从死里复活，又说：“我向你们宣讲的这位耶稣就是基督。” 4 不少人被说服，成为保罗和西拉的同道，其中有许多是敬畏上帝的希腊人和有地位的妇女。
5 那些不信主的犹太人却妒火中烧，他们召集了一群市井无赖，在城里引发骚乱，闯进耶孙的家企图把保罗和西拉揪出来示众。 6 他们找不到保罗和西拉，就把耶孙和几个弟兄拉到当地官员面前，高喊：“那些搅乱天下的人到我们这里来了， 7 耶孙接待了他们。他们违抗凯撒的命令，说另有一个王叫耶稣。” 8 百姓和当地官长听后，深感不安。 9 于是，官长命耶孙等人缴纳保释金，然后释放了他们。
庇哩亚人接受福音
10 弟兄姊妹在夜间把保罗和西拉送往庇哩亚。他们二人一到，就进了犹太会堂。 11 当地的人比帖撒罗尼迦人通情达理，非常乐意接受真道，还天天查考圣经，研究这道是否正确。 12 结果有很多人信了，包括不少有名望的希腊妇女和男子。 13 可是，帖撒罗尼迦的犹太人听到保罗在庇哩亚宣扬上帝的道，就赶来怂恿、煽动众人。 14 庇哩亚的弟兄姊妹立刻送保罗到海边，西拉和提摩太仍然留在庇哩亚。 15 护送保罗的人一直把他送到雅典，然后带着保罗的口信回庇哩亚，交代西拉和提摩太尽快赶去雅典与保罗会合。
保罗在雅典传道
16 保罗在雅典等候他们的时候，看见满城都是偶像，心里非常着急。 17 于是，他在会堂跟犹太人和虔诚的外族人辩论，每天在广场上跟遇见的人辩论。 18 还有一些伊壁鸠鲁和斯多亚学派的哲学家和保罗争论，有人嘲笑他说：“这人在胡说八道些什么呀？”还有人说：“他好像在宣扬外国的神明。”他们这样说是因为保罗在传讲耶稣和祂复活的福音。 19 他们带保罗到一个称为亚略·巴古的论坛，问他：“我们可以知道你所教导的这个新道理吗？ 20 你的言论确实稀奇，我们很想知道个究竟。”
21 这些雅典人和侨居在那里的人没有别的嗜好，只喜欢谈论和打听一些新奇的事。
22 保罗在亚略·巴古论坛中站起来说：“各位雅典人，我看得出你们在各方面都非常虔诚。 23 我在街上走的时候，观察了你们所敬拜的对象，发现一座祭坛上面写着‘献给未知之神’。这位你们不认识却在敬拜的神明，我现在介绍给你们。
24 “这位创造宇宙万物的上帝是天地的主宰，并不住在人手建造的庙宇里， 25 也不需要人的侍奉，因为祂一无所缺。祂将生命、气息和万物赐给世人。 26 祂从一人造出万族，让他们散居世界各地，又预先定下他们的期限和居住的疆界， 27 以便他们在其间寻求祂，或许他们可以摸索着找到祂。祂原本就离我们各人不远， 28 我们的生活、行动和存在都靠祂，你们的诗人也说过，‘我们是祂的子孙。’ 29 我们既然是上帝的子孙，就不该认为上帝是人凭手艺和想象用金、银、石头所雕刻的样子。
30 “上帝以往不鉴察世人的无知，现在则命令世上所有的人都要悔改。 31 因为祂已经定了日子，要借祂所设立的人按公义审判这个世界。祂叫那人从死里复活，给了全人类可信的凭据。”
32 听见保罗提到死人复活的事，有些人就嘲笑他，还有些人说：“我们改天再听你讲这个。” 33 于是保罗离开了他们。 34 不过，也有人跟随保罗，信了耶稣，其中有亚略·巴古的会员丢尼修和一位名叫戴玛丽的妇人及其他人。
保罗在哥林多传道
18 这事之后，保罗离开雅典前往哥林多， 2 在那里认识了一位在本都出生的犹太人亚居拉。由于克劳狄命令所有的犹太人离开罗马，他最近和妻子百基拉从意大利来到哥林多。保罗拜访了他们。 3 他们夫妇跟保罗是同行，都以制造帐篷为业，保罗就留下来和他们同住，一起做工。 4 保罗每个安息日都到会堂与犹太人和希腊人辩论，劝导他们信主。
5 西拉和提摩太从马其顿来了之后，保罗就把全部时间都用来传道，向犹太人证明耶稣是基督。 6 可是，犹太人反对、毁谤保罗。保罗便抖掉衣服上的灰尘，对他们说：“你们的罪都归在你们自己头上，与我无关！从今以后，我要去外族人那里了。” 7 保罗就离开那里，来到一位敬畏上帝、名叫提多·犹士都的人家里，他家就在会堂隔壁。 8 会堂主管基利司布和他全家都信了主，许多哥林多人听了道后，也信了主，受了洗。
9 一天晚上，主在异象中对保罗说：“不要怕，只管继续传讲，不要停！ 10 因为我与你同在，没有人能够伤害你，在这城里还有许多属我的子民。” 11 保罗就在那里住了一年半，传授上帝的道。
12 迦流出任亚该亚总督时，犹太人联合起来攻击保罗，把他拉上法庭， 13 说：“这个人教唆百姓不按律法敬拜上帝。”
14 保罗刚要开口，迦流就对犹太人说：“你们这些犹太人！如果这事涉及什么罪行冤情，我当然会处理。 15 但如果只是关于字句、名称和你们犹太律法的争论，你们自己去解决吧，我不受理！” 16 随即把他们赶出了法庭。 17 到了庭外，众人揪住会堂主管所提尼，把他痛打一顿。迦流却置之不理。
保罗回到安提阿
18 保罗继续在哥林多逗留了相当时日，才向弟兄姊妹道别。他和百基拉、亚居拉乘船前往叙利亚。保罗因为许过愿，就在坚革哩剃了头发。 19 到了以弗所，保罗离开亚居拉夫妇，独自进入会堂跟犹太人辩论。 20 众人请保罗多留几天，保罗婉言谢绝了。 21 他向众人道别，说：“如果上帝许可，我会回来。”然后上船离开了以弗所。 22 他在凯撒利亚登岸后，先上耶路撒冷去问候教会，再下到安提阿。 23 他在安提阿逗留了一些日子，然后离开那里，走遍加拉太和弗吕迦地区，到处坚固门徒的信心。
亚波罗放胆传道
24 那时有一个生于亚历山大、名叫亚波罗的犹太人来到以弗所。他博学善辩，熟悉圣经。 25 他在主的道上曾受过栽培，心里火热，能正确地讲解和教导有关耶稣的事，但他只知道约翰的洗礼。 26 他在会堂里勇敢地讲道。百基拉和亚居拉听了以后，便请他到家里，将上帝的道更详细地告诉他。 27 亚波罗有意去亚该亚，以弗所的弟兄姊妹就鼓励他，并写信请当地的门徒接待他。亚波罗到了之后，带给当地蒙恩信主的人很大帮助。 28 他在公众面前有力地驳倒犹太人，引用圣经证明耶稣就是基督。
保罗在以弗所传道
19 当亚波罗在哥林多时，保罗已取道内陆重回以弗所，在那里遇见几个门徒。 2 保罗问他们：“你们信的时候有没有领受圣灵？”
他们说：“没有！我们从来没有听过圣灵的事。”
3 保罗说：“那么，你们受的是什么洗礼呢？”
他们说：“是约翰的洗礼。”
4 保罗说：“约翰的洗礼是悔改的洗礼，约翰告诉百姓要信在他以后来的那位——耶稣。”
5 他们听后，立刻奉主耶稣的名受了洗。 6 保罗把手按在他们身上时，圣灵便降在他们身上，他们就说方言，讲上帝的信息。 7 这次共有十二个人。
8 保罗一连三个月勇敢地在会堂里传道，与人辩论上帝国的事，劝导他们。 9 可是有些人仍然顽固不信，还当众毁谤上帝的道。保罗便带着门徒离开他们，天天在推喇奴的学堂辩论。 10 这样持续了两年，亚细亚全境的居民，无论是犹太人还是希腊人，都听见了主的道。 11 上帝又借着保罗的手行了一些非凡的神迹， 12 甚至只要将保罗身上的手帕或围裙放在病人身上，病人就痊愈了，邪灵也会离开所附的人。
13 那时，有几个走江湖的犹太术士也想用耶稣的名赶鬼，他们向那些被邪灵附身的人说：“我奉保罗所传讲的耶稣之名，命令你们出来！” 14 做这事的有犹太祭司长士基瓦的七个儿子。
15 邪灵回答说：“耶稣，我认识；保罗，我也知道。但你们是谁？” 16 被邪灵附身的人随即扑向他们，攻击他们，制服了他们，使他们赤着身子带着伤从屋里逃走了。
17 全以弗所的犹太人和希腊人知道了这件事，都惊惧不已。主耶稣的名因此大受尊崇。 18 许多已经信耶稣的人都前来认罪，公开承认自己的恶行。 19 又有许多行邪术的人把他们的书堆在一起，当众焚烧。根据当时的估价，这些书约值五万银币。 20 主的道就这样传开了，大大兴旺起来。
21 这些事以后，保罗决定经过马其顿和亚该亚回到耶路撒冷。他说：“到了那里之后，我必须去罗马看看。” 22 于是，他派提摩太和以拉都两位同工先去马其顿，自己暂时留在亚细亚。
以弗所的骚乱
23 就在这时，由于主的道，以弗所又起了很大的骚乱。 24 一个名叫底米丢的银匠以制造亚底米女神银龛为业，使从事这门生意的工匠获利丰厚。 25 他召集了工匠和同行的人，说：“各位都知道我们靠这一行发财， 26 可是你们都看到了，也听见了，那个保罗在以弗所和亚细亚全境说服、误导了许多人，说什么人手所造的不是神。 27 这样下去，不但我们的行业会遭人贬抑，连亚底米女神庙也会被人轻看，甚至全亚细亚及普世尊崇的女神也会威严扫地！”
28 众人听后，怒气填胸，高声喊叫：“以弗所人的亚底米女神真伟大！” 29 全城陷入一片混乱。众人抓住保罗的两个同伴——马其顿人该犹和亚里达古，拖着他们冲进戏院。 30 保罗想进去，但门徒不许他去。 31 他的好友——亚细亚的几位官员也派人劝他别冒险进入戏院。
32 这时，戏院里面的人都在大喊大叫，混乱不堪。其实大部分人根本不知道自己为什么聚在那里。 33 这时，人群中的犹太人把亚历山大推到前面，请他解释。亚历山大举手示意大家安静，听他发言。 34 但众人认出他是个犹太人，便又开始一起高呼：“以弗所人的亚底米女神真伟大！”这样喊了两个小时。
35 最后，城里的书记官出面调停，说：“各位以弗所市民，谁不知道以弗所城守护着亚底米女神庙和从宙斯那里掉下来的神像呢？ 36 既然这是无可否认的事实，你们就该安静，不可鲁莽行事。 37 你们带来的这些人既没有偷庙里的东西，也没有亵渎我们的女神。 38 如果底米丢和他的同行要控告谁，大可到法庭或总督那里提出诉讼。 39 倘若你们还有其他的要求，也可以通过合法的会议解决。 40 今天的骚乱实在没有道理，难免会被查问，到时候我们很难交代。” 41 说完，便叫众人散去。
保罗再访马其顿和希腊
20 这场风波平息后，保罗召集众门徒勉励一番后，便辞别他们去了马其顿。 2 他走遍那一带，用许多劝勉的话鼓励当地的门徒。之后，他又去希腊， 3 在那里逗留了三个月。当保罗正要乘船去叙利亚时，听闻犹太人计划要害他，就决定经马其顿回去。 4 同他到亚细亚去的人有庇哩亚人毕罗斯的儿子所巴特、帖撒罗尼迦人亚里达古和西公都，还有特庇人该犹、提摩太、亚细亚人推基古和特罗非摩。 5 他们先到特罗亚等候我们。 6 除酵节过后，我们从腓立比启航，五天后在特罗亚和他们会合，大家同住了七天。
犹推古死而复活
7 七日的第一日[b]，我们聚会掰饼，保罗因为次日要离开，就向他们讲道，直到深夜。 8 我们聚会的楼上整夜灯火通明。 9 有个名叫犹推古的青年坐在窗台上听道。保罗讲了许久，犹推古不胜困倦睡着了，竟从三楼掉了下去。别人将他抱起来时，他已经死了。 10 保罗下去伏在他身上，抱着他对众人说：“不要惊慌，他还活着！” 11 保罗说完就回到楼上，与大家一同掰饼、用餐，又谈了很久，直到天亮才离去。 12 大家非常欣慰地把活过来的犹推古送回了家。
保罗告别以弗所的众长老
13 我们照保罗的吩咐先乘船到亚朔预备在那里接他，他打算由陆路步行到那里。 14 他到了亚朔，我们接他上船，一同前往米推利尼。 15 我们从米推利尼启航，第二天到了基阿附近，第三天到达撒摩，第四天在米利都停泊。 16 保罗急于赶回耶路撒冷，希望在五旬节前赶到，所以决定不去以弗所，免得在亚细亚境内耽误太久。
17 保罗从米利都派人到以弗所请教会的长老前来与他相会。 18 他们都来了，保罗说：“各位，自从我踏进亚细亚那天起，在你们当中为人如何，你们都很清楚。 19 我含着眼泪谦卑地事奉主，又遭到犹太人的迫害，历尽艰辛。 20 你们也知道，凡是对你们有益的事，我没有避而不宣，我总是在公开场合和各人家中教导你们。 21 我劝犹太人和希腊人都要悔改，归向上帝，信靠主耶稣基督。 22 现在，我在圣灵的催促下去耶路撒冷，不知道在那里会发生什么事， 23 只知道圣灵在各城镇指示我，前面必有监禁和苦难等着我。 24 不过，只要能跑完我当跑的路程，完成主耶稣交托给我的使命——为上帝充满恩典的福音做见证，就是牺牲性命，我也在所不惜。
25 “我一向在你们中间传扬上帝的国，如今我知道，以后你们再也见不到我的面了。 26 所以今天我向你们声明，将来你们有谁灭亡，与我无关。 27 因为上帝的整个计划，我没有向你们避而不宣。 28 你们要为自己，也要为教会的群羊警醒，因为圣灵已经任命你们做群羊的监督，牧养上帝的教会。教会是主用自己的血赎回来的。 29 我知道，在我离开以后，一定会有凶恶的豺狼闯进你们中间，残害羊群。 30 就是你们中间也会有人起来歪曲真理，引诱门徒跟随他们。 31 所以你们一定要警醒，牢记这三年来我怎样昼夜不住地流着泪劝诫你们。
32 “现在，我把你们交托给上帝和祂充满恩典的道，这道能造就你们，使你们与一切圣洁的人同得产业。 33 我从未贪图别人的金银和衣服， 34 你们都知道，我亲手做工养活自己和同工。 35 我凡事以身作则，教导你们勤奋工作，帮助软弱的人，并牢记主耶稣的话，‘施比受更有福。’”
36 保罗说完这番话，就和大家一同跪下祷告。 37 众人都哭了，抱着保罗与他亲吻， 38 最使他们伤心的就是他说“你们再也见不到我的面了”。最后，众人送他上了船。
保罗前往耶路撒冷
21 我们和众人道别之后，乘船直接驶往哥士，第二天到达罗底，从那里前往帕大喇， 2 在帕大喇遇到一艘开往腓尼基的船，就上了船。 3 塞浦路斯遥遥在望，船从该岛的南面绕过，一直驶向叙利亚。因为船要在泰尔卸货，我们就在那里上了岸， 4 找到当地的门徒后，便和他们同住了七天。他们受圣灵的感动力劝保罗不要去耶路撒冷。 5 时间到了，我们继续前行，众门徒和他们的妻子儿女送我们出城。大家跪在岸边祷告之后，彼此道别。 6 我们上了船，众人也回家去了。
7 我们从泰尔乘船抵达多利买，上岸探访那里的弟兄姊妹，和他们住了一天。 8 第二天我们离开那里，来到凯撒利亚，住在传道人腓利家里。他是当初选出的七位执事之一。 9 腓利有四个未出嫁的女儿，都能说预言。 10 过了几天，一个名叫亚迦布的先知从犹太下来。 11 他到了我们这里，拿保罗的腰带绑住自己的手脚，说：“圣灵说，‘耶路撒冷的犹太人也要这样捆绑这腰带的主人，把他交给外族人。’”
12 听到这话，我们和当地的信徒都苦劝保罗不要去耶路撒冷。 13 但保罗说：“你们为什么这样哭泣，令我心碎呢？我为主耶稣的名甘愿受捆绑，甚至死在耶路撒冷。”
14 我们知道再劝也无济于事，只好对他说：“愿主的旨意成就。”
15 过了几天，我们收拾行装启程上耶路撒冷。 16 有几个凯撒利亚的门徒和我们一起去，并带我们到一个信主已久的塞浦路斯人拿孙家里住宿。
保罗会见雅各和众长老
17 我们抵达耶路撒冷后，受到弟兄姊妹的热烈欢迎。 18 第二天，保罗和我们去见雅各，众长老都在那里。 19 保罗向大家问安之后，便一一述说上帝如何借着他传福音给外族人。 20 大家听了，都同声赞美上帝，又对保罗说：“弟兄，你知道数以万计的犹太人信了主，他们都严守律法。 21 他们听见有人说你教导住在外族人中的犹太人背弃摩西的律法，不替孩子行割礼，也不遵守犹太人的规矩。 22 他们一定会听到你来这里的消息，这该怎么办？ 23 请你听我们的建议，这里有四位向上帝许过愿的弟兄， 24 你和他们一起去行洁净礼，并由你替他们付费，让他们可以剃头，好叫众人知道你严守律法，循规蹈矩，关于你的传闻都是假的。 25 至于那些外族信徒，我们已经写信吩咐他们，不可吃祭过偶像的食物，不可吃血和勒死的牲畜，不可淫乱。”
保罗被捕
26 于是，保罗和四位弟兄第二天行了洁净礼，然后上圣殿报告他们洁净期满的日子，好在期满后让祭司为他们每个人献祭物。 27 当七日的洁净期将满的时候，有些从亚细亚来的犹太人发现保罗在圣殿里，就煽动众人去抓他。 28 他们高喊：“以色列人快来帮忙！就是这人到处教唆人反对我们的民族、律法和圣殿。他还带希腊人进圣殿，玷污这圣地。” 29 这是因为他们在城里见过一个名叫特罗非摩的以弗所人和保罗在一起，以为保罗一定把他带进圣殿了。
30 消息一传开，全城轰动。众人冲进圣殿把保罗拉出来，随即关上殿门。 31 正当他们要杀保罗的时候，有人把耶路撒冷发生骚乱的消息报告给罗马军营的千夫长， 32 千夫长马上带着军兵和几个百夫长赶来了。众人一见千夫长和军队，便停止殴打保罗。 33 千夫长上前拿住保罗，命人用两条铁链把他锁起来，问他是什么人、做了什么事。 34 人群中有人这样喊，有人那样喊，情形混乱不堪，千夫长无法辨明真相，便命人将保罗带回军营。 35 保罗刚走上台阶，众人便凶猛地拥挤过来，士兵们只好把他举起来抬着走。 36 众人挤在后面喊着说：“杀掉他！”
保罗的申辩
37 士兵们抬着保罗来到军营门口，保罗问千夫长：“我可以和你讲几句话吗？”千夫长说：“你也懂希腊话吗？ 38 不久前煽动叛乱、带着四千暴徒逃到旷野去的那个埃及人是你吗？” 39 保罗说：“我是犹太人，来自基利迦的大数，并非无名小城的人。请准许我向百姓讲几句话。” 40 千夫长答应了，保罗就站在台阶上向众人挥手示意，他们都安静下来，保罗用希伯来话对他们说：
Acts 16-21
New International Version
Acts 16-21
New International Version
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,(A) where a disciple named Timothy(B) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer(C) but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers(D) at Lystra and Iconium(E) spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.(F) 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders(G) in Jerusalem(H) for the people to obey.(I) 5 So the churches were strengthened(J) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.(K)
Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia(L) and Galatia,(M) having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.(N) 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus(O) would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.(P) 9 During the night Paul had a vision(Q) of a man of Macedonia(R) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we(S) got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel(T) to them.
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
11 From Troas(U) we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. 12 From there we traveled to Philippi,(V) a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia.(W) And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath(X) we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira(Y) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart(Z) to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household(AA) were baptized,(AB) she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer,(AC) we were met by a female slave who had a spirit(AD) by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God,(AE) who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.(AF)
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money(AG) was gone, they seized Paul and Silas(AH) and dragged(AI) them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar(AJ) 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans(AK) to accept or practice.”(AL)
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.(AM) 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer(AN) was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.(AO)
25 About midnight(AP) Paul and Silas(AQ) were praying and singing hymns(AR) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.(AS) At once all the prison doors flew open,(AT) and everyone’s chains came loose.(AU) 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.(AV) 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.(AW) 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(AX)
31 They replied, “Believe(AY) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved(AZ)—you and your household.”(BA) 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night(BB) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.(BC) 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he(BD) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer(BE) told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”(BF)
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,(BG) and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.(BH) 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.(BI) 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,(BJ) where they met with the brothers and sisters(BK) and encouraged them. Then they left.
In Thessalonica
17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica,(BL) where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue,(BM) and on three Sabbath(BN) days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,(BO) 3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer(BP) and rise from the dead.(BQ) “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,”(BR) he said. 4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,(BS) as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city.(BT) They rushed to Jason’s(BU) house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.[b] 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged(BV) Jason and some other believers(BW) before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world(BX) have now come here,(BY) 7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”(BZ) 8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. 9 Then they made Jason(CA) and the others post bond and let them go.
In Berea
10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas(CB) away to Berea.(CC) On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.(CD) 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,(CE) for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures(CF) every day to see if what Paul said was true.(CG) 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.(CH)
13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea,(CI) some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers(CJ) immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas(CK) and Timothy(CL) stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens(CM) and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.(CN)
In Athens
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue(CO) with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news(CP) about Jesus and the resurrection.(CQ) 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus,(CR) where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching(CS) is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians(CT) and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus(CU) and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.(CV) 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship(CW)—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it(CX) is the Lord of heaven and earth(CY) and does not live in temples built by human hands.(CZ) 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.(DA) 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.(DB) 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.(DC) 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[c](DD) As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[d]
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill.(DE) 30 In the past God overlooked(DF) such ignorance,(DG) but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.(DH) 31 For he has set a day when he will judge(DI) the world with justice(DJ) by the man he has appointed.(DK) He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”(DL)
32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead,(DM) some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus,(DN) also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.
In Corinth
18 After this, Paul left Athens(DO) and went to Corinth.(DP) 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,(DQ) because Claudius(DR) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.(DS) 4 Every Sabbath(DT) he reasoned in the synagogue,(DU) trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
5 When Silas(DV) and Timothy(DW) came from Macedonia,(DX) Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.(DY) 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,(DZ) he shook out his clothes in protest(EA) and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!(EB) I am innocent of it.(EC) From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”(ED)
7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.(EE) 8 Crispus,(EF) the synagogue leader,(EG) and his entire household(EH) believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:(EI) “Do not be afraid;(EJ) keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you,(EK) and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.(EL)
12 While Gallio was proconsul(EM) of Achaia,(EN) the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law(EO)—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes(EP) the synagogue leader(EQ) and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters(ER) and sailed for Syria,(ES) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.(ET) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae(EU) because of a vow he had taken.(EV) 19 They arrived at Ephesus,(EW) where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”(EX) Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,(EY) he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(EZ)
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia(FA) and Phrygia,(FB) strengthening all the disciples.(FC)
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,(FD) a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.(FE) He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[e](FF) and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.(FG) 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila(FH) heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia,(FI) the brothers and sisters(FJ) encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures(FK) that Jesus was the Messiah.(FL)
Paul in Ephesus
19 While Apollos(FM) was at Corinth,(FN) Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.(FO) There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit(FP) when[f] you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.
4 Paul said, “John’s baptism(FQ) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”(FR) 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(FS) 6 When Paul placed his hands on them,(FT) the Holy Spirit came on them,(FU) and they spoke in tongues[g](FV) and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 Paul entered the synagogue(FW) and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.(FX) 9 But some of them(FY) became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.(FZ) So Paul left them. He took the disciples(GA) with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years,(GB) so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia(GC) heard the word of the Lord.(GD)
11 God did extraordinary miracles(GE) through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured(GF) and the evil spirits left them.
13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits(GG) tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus(GH) whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.
17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus,(GI) they were all seized with fear,(GJ) and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. 18 Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.[h] 20 In this way the word of the Lord(GK) spread widely and grew in power.(GL)
21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[i] to go to Jerusalem,(GM) passing through Macedonia(GN) and Achaia.(GO) “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”(GP) 22 He sent two of his helpers,(GQ) Timothy(GR) and Erastus,(GS) to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia(GT) a little longer.
The Riot in Ephesus
23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.(GU) 24 A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. 25 He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.(GV) 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus(GW) and in practically the whole province of Asia.(GX) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.(GY) 27 There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(GZ) 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius(HA) and Aristarchus,(HB) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,(HC) and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples(HD) would not let him. 31 Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.
32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another.(HE) Most of the people did not even know why they were there. 33 The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned(HF) for silence in order to make a defense before the people. 34 But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(HG)
35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians,(HH) doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? 36 Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. 37 You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples(HI) nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen(HJ) have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.(HK) They can press charges. 39 If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. 40 As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” 41 After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Through Macedonia and Greece
20 When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples(HL) and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.(HM) 2 He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, 3 where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him(HN) just as he was about to sail for Syria,(HO) he decided to go back through Macedonia.(HP) 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus(HQ) and Secundus from Thessalonica,(HR) Gaius(HS) from Derbe, Timothy(HT) also, and Tychicus(HU) and Trophimus(HV) from the province of Asia.(HW) 5 These men went on ahead and waited for us(HX) at Troas.(HY) 6 But we sailed from Philippi(HZ) after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas,(IA) where we stayed seven days.
Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas
7 On the first day of the week(IB) we came together to break bread.(IC) Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room(ID) where we were meeting. 9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man(IE) and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”(IF) 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread(IG) and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. 12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.
Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders
13 We went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos, where we were going to take Paul aboard. He had made this arrangement because he was going there on foot. 14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard and went on to Mitylene. 15 The next day we set sail from there and arrived off Chios. The day after that we crossed over to Samos, and on the following day arrived at Miletus.(IH) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(II) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(IJ) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(IK) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(IL)
17 From Miletus,(IM) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(IN) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(IO) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(IP) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(IQ) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(IR) 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything(IS) that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews(IT) and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance(IU) and have faith in our Lord Jesus.(IV)
22 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem,(IW) not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me(IX) that prison and hardships are facing me.(IY) 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me;(IZ) my only aim is to finish the race(JA) and complete the task(JB) the Lord Jesus has given me(JC)—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.(JD)
25 “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom(JE) will ever see me again.(JF) 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you.(JG) 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.(JH) 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock(JI) of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.(JJ) Be shepherds of the church of God,[j](JK) which he bought(JL) with his own blood.[k](JM) 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves(JN) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.(JO) 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples(JP) after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years(JQ) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.(JR)
32 “Now I commit you to God(JS) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance(JT) among all those who are sanctified.(JU) 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.(JV) 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.(JW) 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.(JX) 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him.(JY) 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again.(JZ) Then they accompanied him to the ship.(KA)
On to Jerusalem
21 After we(KB) had torn ourselves away from them, we put out to sea and sailed straight to Kos. The next day we went to Rhodes and from there to Patara. 2 We found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia,(KC) went on board and set sail. 3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria.(KD) We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 We sought out the disciples(KE) there and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit(KF) they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.(KG) 6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
7 We continued our voyage from Tyre(KH) and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters(KI) and stayed with them for a day. 8 Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea(KJ) and stayed at the house of Philip(KK) the evangelist,(KL) one of the Seven. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.(KM)
10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus(KN) came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says,(KO) ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind(KP) the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”(KQ)
12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die(KR) in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”(KS) 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up(KT) and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”(KU)
15 After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.(KV) 16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea(KW) accompanied us and brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay. He was a man from Cyprus(KX) and one of the early disciples.
Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem
17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters(KY) received us warmly.(KZ) 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James,(LA) and all the elders(LB) were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles(LC) through his ministry.(LD)
20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous(LE) for the law.(LF) 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,(LG) telling them not to circumcise their children(LH) or live according to our customs.(LI) 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.(LJ) 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites(LK) and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.(LL) Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”(LM)
26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.(LN)
Paul Arrested
27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him,(LO) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”(LP) 29 (They had previously seen Trophimus(LQ) the Ephesian(LR) in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)
30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,(LS) they dragged him(LT) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.(LU)
33 The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound(LV) with two(LW) chains.(LX) Then he asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd shouted one thing and some another,(LY) and since the commander could not get at the truth because of the uproar, he ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks.(LZ) 35 When Paul reached the steps,(MA) the violence of the mob was so great he had to be carried by the soldiers. 36 The crowd that followed kept shouting, “Get rid of him!”(MB)
Paul Speaks to the Crowd(MC)
37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks,(MD) he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?”
“Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness(ME) some time ago?”(MF)
39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus(MG) in Cilicia,(MH) a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”
40 After receiving the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned(MI) to the crowd. When they were all silent, he said to them in Aramaic[l]:(MJ)
Footnotes
- Acts 16:12 The text and meaning of the Greek for the leading city of that district are uncertain.
- Acts 17:5 Or the assembly of the people
- Acts 17:28 From the Cretan philosopher Epimenides
- Acts 17:28 From the Cilician Stoic philosopher Aratus
- Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit
- Acts 19:2 Or after
- Acts 19:6 Or other languages
- Acts 19:19 A drachma was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages.
- Acts 19:21 Or decided in the Spirit
- Acts 20:28 Many manuscripts of the Lord
- Acts 20:28 Or with the blood of his own Son
- Acts 21:40 Or possibly Hebrew; also in 22:2
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified) (CCB)
Chinese Contemporary Bible Copyright © 1979, 2005, 2007, 2011 by Biblica® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.