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巴拿巴和扫罗奉差遣

13 安提阿教会中,有几位先知和教师,就是巴拿巴、名叫尼结的西面、古利奈人路求、与分封王希律一同长大的马念,和扫罗。 他们事奉主,并且禁食的时候,圣灵说:“要为我把巴拿巴和扫罗分别出来,去作我呼召他们作的工。” 于是他们禁食祷告,为两人按手,就派他们去了。

第一次宣教旅程

他们既然奉圣灵差遣,就下到西流基,从那里坐船往塞浦路斯。 他们到了撒拉米,就在犹太人的各会堂里宣讲 神的道,还有约翰作他们的助手。 他们走遍全岛,到了帕弗,遇见一个犹太人,名叫巴.耶稣,是个术士,又是个假先知。 他常常和省长士求.保罗在一起;省长是个聪明人,他请了巴拿巴和扫罗来,要听听 神的道。 但术士以吕马(以吕马就是“术士”的意思)与使徒作对,要使省长转离真道。 扫罗,也就是保罗,却被圣灵充满,定睛看着他, 10 说:“你这充满各样诡诈和各样奸恶的人,魔鬼的儿子,公义的仇敌!你歪曲了主的正路,还不停止吗? 11 你看,现在主的手临到你,你要瞎了眼睛,暂时看不见阳光。”他就立刻被雾和黑暗笼罩着,周围找人牵他的手,给他领路。 12 那时,省长看见了所发生的事,就信了,因为他惊奇主的教训。

在彼西底的安提阿

13 保罗和同伴从帕弗开船,来到旁非利亚的别加,约翰却离开他们,回耶路撒冷去了。 14 他们从别加往前走,到了彼西底的安提阿,在安息日进了会堂,就坐下来。 15 宣读了律法和先知书以后,会堂的理事们派人到他们那里来,说:“弟兄们,如果有甚么劝勉众人的话,请说吧!” 16 保罗就站起来,作了一个手势,说:

“以色列人和敬畏 神的人,请听! 17 以色列民的 神,拣选了我们的祖先;当他们在埃及地寄居的时候, 神抬举这民,用大能(“大能”原文作“高”)的膀臂,把他们从那地领出来; 18 又在旷野容忍(“容忍”有些抄本作“养育”)他们,约有四十年之久; 19 灭了迦南地的七族之后,就把那地分给他们为业; 20 这一切历时约四百五十年。后来 神赐给他们士师,直到撒母耳先知为止。 21 那时,他们要求立一个王, 神就把便雅悯支派中一个人,基士的儿子扫罗,赐给他们作王,共四十年之久。 22 废去扫罗之后,又为他们兴起大卫作王,并且为他作证说:‘我找到耶西的儿子大卫,他是合我心意的人,必遵行我的一切旨意。’ 23  神照着应许,已经从这人的后裔中,给以色列带来了一位救主,就是耶稣。 24 在他来临之前,约翰早已向以色列全民宣讲悔改的洗礼。 25 约翰快要跑完他的路程的时候,说:‘你们以为我是谁?我不是基督。他是在我以后来的,我就是给他解脚上的鞋带也不配。’

26 “弟兄们,亚伯拉罕的子孙,和你们中间敬畏 神的人哪,这救恩之道是传给我们的。 27 住在耶路撒冷的人和他们的官长,因为不认识基督,也不明白每逢安息日所读的先知的话,就把他定了罪,正好应验了先知的话。 28 他们虽然找不出该死的罪状,还是要求彼拉多杀害他。 29 他们把所记载一切关于他的事作成了,就把他从木头上取下来,放在坟墓里。 30 但 神却使他从死人中复活了。 31 有许多日子,他向那些跟他一同从加利利上耶路撒冷的人显现,现在这些人在民众面前作了他的见证人, 32 我们报好信息给你们: 神给列祖的应许, 33 借着耶稣的复活,向我们这些作子孙的应验了。就如诗篇第二篇所记的:

‘你是我的儿子,

我今日生了你。’

34 至于 神使他从死人中复活,不再归于朽坏,他曾这样说:

‘我必把应许大卫的、神圣可靠的恩福赐给你们。’

35 所以他在另一篇说:

‘你必不容你的圣者见朽坏。’

36 “大卫在他自己的世代里,遵行了 神的计划,就睡了,归回他列祖那里,见了朽坏。 37 唯独 神所复活的那一位,没有见过朽坏。 38 所以弟兄们,你们当知道,赦罪之道是由这位耶稣传给你们的。在你们靠摩西律法不能称义的一切事上, 39 信靠他的人就得称义了。 40 你们要小心,免得先知书上所说的临到你们:

41 ‘傲慢的人哪!

你们要看、要惊奇、要灭亡,

因为在你们的日子,我要作一件事,

就算有人告诉你们,你们总是不信。’”

42 保罗和巴拿巴出来的时候,众人请求他们下一个安息日再对他们讲这些话。 43 散会以后,许多犹太人和归信犹太教的虔诚人,跟从了保罗和巴拿巴。两人对他们谈话,勉励他们要恒久住在 神的恩典中。

44 下一个安息日,几乎全城的人都聚了来,要听主的道。 45 犹太人看见这么多人,就满心嫉妒,反驳保罗所讲的,并且毁谤他们。 46 保罗和巴拿巴却放胆说:“ 神的道,先讲给你们听,是应该的。但因为你们弃绝这道,断定自己不配得永生,所以我们现在就转向外族人去了。 47 因为主曾这样吩咐我们说:

‘我已立你作外族人的光,

使你把救恩带到地极去。’”

48 外族人听见了就欢喜,赞美主的道,凡指定得永生的都信了。 49 于是主的道传遍那地。 50 但犹太人唆使虔诚尊贵的妇女和城内的显要,煽动大家迫害保罗和巴拿巴,把他们驱逐出境。 51 两人当众跺掉脚上的尘土,往以哥念去了。 52 门徒满有喜乐,又被圣灵充满。

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

Barnabas and Saul Commissioned

13 In the church that was in Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they worshipped the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The Apostles Preach in Cyprus

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John as an assistant.

When they had gone through the whole island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (which is his name by interpretation) opposed them, trying to divert the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him and said, 10 “You son of the devil, enemy of all righteousness, full of deceit and of all fraud, will you not cease perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now, look! The hand of the Lord is against you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

Immediately mist and darkness fell on him, and he went about seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed and was astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas in Antioch of Pisidia

13 Now when Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John departed from them and returned to Jerusalem. 14 But they departed from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And they went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.”

16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt, and with great power He led them out of it. 18 For about forty years He endured their conduct in the desert. 19 When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them their land as an inheritance by lot.

20 “After about four hundred and fifty years, God gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they requested a king. And God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 When He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, of whom He testified, saying, ‘I have found David[a] the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will fulfill My entire will.’[b]

23 “From this man’s descendants God has raised a Savior for Israel, Jesus, according to His promise. 24 Before His coming John had preached a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was fulfilling his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But look! He is coming after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’[c]

26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those of you who fear God, the word of this salvation has been sent to us. 27 Because those who live in Jerusalem, and their rulers, did not know Him, in condemning Him they have fulfilled the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found in Him no cause worthy of death, yet they asked Pilate to have Him killed. 29 When they had fulfilled all that was written of Him, they took Him down from the tree and placed Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead, 31 and for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people.

32 “We preach to you good news: The promise which was made to the fathers, 33 God has fulfilled to us, their children, raising Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son;
    today I have become Your Father.’[d]

34 That He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken in this way:

‘I will give You the holy and sure blessings of David.’[e]

35 So He says in another Psalm:

‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.’[f]

36 “For after David had served by the counsel of God in his own generation, he fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw decay. 37 But He whom God raised up saw no decay.

38 “Therefore, brothers, let it be known to you that through this Man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from everything from which you could not be justified by the Law of Moses. 40 Therefore beware, lest what is spoken of in the prophets come upon you:

41 ‘Look, you scoffers,
    marvel and perish!
For I will perform a work in your days
    which you will never believe,
    even if someone declares it to you.’[g]

42 When Paul and Barnabas went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles asked that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city assembled to hear the word of God. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, blaspheming and contradicting what Paul was saying.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas boldly said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first. But seeing you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For thus has the Lord commanded us:

‘I have established you to be a light of the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’[h]

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And all who were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 The word of the Lord was spread throughout the entire region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women and the chief men of the city, and raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them from their region. 51 So they shook off the dust of their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

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

13 Now in the church (assembly) at Antioch there were prophets (inspired interpreters of the will and purposes of God) and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.

So then, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from [that port] they sailed away to Cyprus.

When they arrived at Salamis, they preached the Word of God [concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God] in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John [Mark] as an attendant to assist them.

When they had passed through the entire island of Cyprus as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain Jewish wizard or sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

He was closely associated with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent and sensible man of sound understanding; he summoned to him Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God [concerning salvation in the kingdom of God attained through Christ].

But Elymas [a]the wise man—for that is the translation of his name [[b]which he had given himself]—opposed them, seeking to keep the proconsul from accepting the faith.

But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, looked steadily at [Elymas]

10 And said, You master in every form of deception and recklessness, unscrupulousness, and wickedness, you son of the devil, you enemy of everything that is upright and good, will you never stop perverting and making crooked the straight paths of the Lord and plotting against His saving purposes?(A)

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, [so blind that you will be] unable to see the sun for a time. Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness, and he groped about seeking persons who would lead him by the hand.

12 Then the proconsul believed (became a Christian) when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished and deeply touched at the teaching concerning the Lord and from Him.

13 Now Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John [Mark] separated himself from them and went back to Jerusalem,

14 But they [themselves] came on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue there and sat down.

15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders [of the worship] of the synagogue sent to them saying, Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation or consolation or encouragement for the people, say it.

16 So Paul arose, and motioning with his hand said, Men of Israel and you who reverence and fear God, listen!

17 The God of this people Israel selected our forefathers and made this people great and important during their stay in the land of Egypt, and then with an uplifted arm He led them out from there.(B)

18 And for about forty years [c]like a fatherly nurse He cared for them in the wilderness and endured their behavior.(C)

19 When He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He gave them [the Hebrews] their land as an inheritance [distributing it to them by lot; all of which took] about 450 years.(D)

20 After that, He gave them judges until the prophet Samuel.

21 Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

22 And when He had deposed him, He raised up David to be their king; of him He bore witness and said, I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart, who will do all My will and carry out My program fully.(E)

23 Of this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel a Savior [in the person of Jesus], according to His promise.

24 Before His coming John had [already] preached baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John was ending his course, he asked, What or [d]who do you secretly think that I am? I am not He [the Christ. No], but note that after me One is coming, the sandals of Whose feet I am not worthy to untie!

26 Brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and all those others among you who reverence and fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation [the salvation obtained through Jesus Christ].(F)

27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not know or recognize Him or understand the utterances of the prophets which are read every Sabbath, have actually fulfilled these very predictions by condemning and sentencing [Him].

28 And although they could find no cause deserving death with which to charge Him, yet they asked Pilate to have Him executed and put out of the way.

29 And when they had finished and fulfilled everything that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

30 But God raised Him from the dead.

31 And for many days He appeared to those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, and they are His witnesses to the people.

32 So now we are bringing you the good news (Gospel) that what God promised to our forefathers,

33 This He has [e]completely fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second psalm, You are My Son; today I have begotten You [[f]caused You to arise, to be born; [g]formally shown You to be the Messiah by the resurrection].(G)

34 And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, now no more to return to [undergo] putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave], He spoke in this way, I will fulfill and give to you the holy and sure mercy and blessings [that were promised and assured] to David.(H)

35 For this reason He says also in another psalm, You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption [to undergo putrefaction and dissolution of the grave].(I)

36 For David, after he had served God’s will and purpose and counsel in his own generation, fell asleep [[h]in death] and was buried among his forefathers, and he did see corruption and undergo putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave].

37 But He Whom God raised up [to life] saw no corruption [did not experience putrefaction and dissolution of the grave].

38 So let it be clearly known and understood by you, brethren, that through this Man forgiveness and removal of sins is now proclaimed to you;

39 And that through Him everyone who believes [who [i]acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which he could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses and given right standing with God.

40 Take care, therefore, lest there come upon you what is spoken in the prophets:

41 Look, you scoffers and scorners, and marvel and perish and vanish away; for I am doing a deed in your days, a deed which you will never have confidence in or believe, [even] if someone [[j]clearly describing it in detail] declares it to you.(J)

42 As they [Paul and Barnabas] went out [of the synagogue], the people earnestly begged that these things might be told to them [further] the next Sabbath.

43 And when the congregation of the synagogue dispersed, many of the Jews and the devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked to them and urged them to continue [to trust themselves to and to stand fast] in the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God.

44 The next Sabbath almost the entire city gathered together to hear the Word of God [concerning [k]the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God].

45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, filled with envy and jealousy they contradicted what was said by Paul and talked abusively [reviling and slandering him].

46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out plainly and boldly, saying, It was necessary that God’s message [concerning [l]salvation through Christ] should be spoken to you first. But since you thrust it from you, you pass this judgment on yourselves that you are unworthy of eternal life and out of your own mouth you will be judged. [Now] behold, we turn to the Gentiles (the heathen).

47 For so the Lord has charged us, saying, I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles (the heathen), that you may bring [eternal] salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.(K)

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified (praised and gave thanks for) the Word of God; and as many as were destined (appointed and ordained) to eternal life believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Jesus as the Christ and their Savior).

49 And so the Word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through Christ] scattered and spread throughout the whole region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout women of high rank and the outstanding men of the town, and instigated persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their boundaries.

51 But [the apostles] shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.

52 And the disciples were continually filled [throughout their souls] with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:8 G. Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon.
  2. Acts 13:8 Henry Alford, The Greek New Testament, with Notes.
  3. Acts 13:18 Some ancient manuscripts so read.
  4. Acts 13:25 Some manuscripts so read.
  5. Acts 13:33 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  6. Acts 13:33 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  7. Acts 13:33 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  8. Acts 13:36 Hermann Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon.
  9. Acts 13:39 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  10. Acts 13:41 Marvin Vincent, Word Studies.
  11. Acts 13:44 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
  12. Acts 13:46 Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.