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聖靈派巴拿巴和掃羅往外傳道

13 安提阿的教會中有幾位先知和教師,就是巴拿巴和稱呼尼結西面古利奈路求、與分封之王希律同養的馬念掃羅 他們侍奉主、禁食的時候,聖靈說:「要為我分派巴拿巴掃羅,去做我召他們所做的工。」 於是禁食、禱告,按手在他們頭上,就打發他們去了。

他們既被聖靈差遣,就下到西流基,從那裡坐船往塞浦路斯去。 到了撒拉米,就在猶太人各會堂裡傳講神的道,也有約翰做他們的幫手。 經過全島,直到帕弗,在那裡遇見一個有法術、假充先知的猶太人,名叫巴耶穌 這人常和方伯士求保羅同在。士求保羅是個通達人,他請了巴拿巴掃羅來,要聽神的道。

以呂馬抵擋方伯信主因而瞎眼

只是那行法術的以呂馬(這名翻出來就是「行法術」的意思)抵擋使徒,要叫方伯不信真道。 掃羅,又名保羅,被聖靈充滿,定睛看他, 10 說:「你這充滿各樣詭詐奸惡,魔鬼的兒子、眾善的仇敵,你混亂主的正道還不止住嗎? 11 現在主的手加在你身上,你要瞎眼,暫且不見日光。」他的眼睛立刻昏矇黑暗,四下裡求人拉著手領他。 12 方伯看見所做的事,很稀奇主的道,就信了。

稱呼馬可的約翰離開保羅

13 保羅和他的同人從帕弗開船,來到旁非利亞別加約翰就離開他們,回耶路撒冷去。 14 他們離了別加往前行,來到彼西底安提阿,在安息日進會堂坐下。 15 讀完了律法和先知的書,管會堂的叫人過去,對他們說:「二位兄台,若有什麼勸勉眾人的話,請說。」

保羅述說以色列古事

16 保羅就站起來,舉手說:「以色列人和一切敬畏神的人,請聽! 17 以色列民的神揀選了我們的祖宗,當民寄居埃及的時候抬舉他們,用大能的手領他們出來。 18 又在曠野容忍[a]他們約有四十年。 19 既滅了迦南地七族的人,就把那地分給他們為業。 20 此後給他們設立士師,約有四百五十年,直到先知撒母耳的時候。 21 後來他們求一個王,神就將便雅憫支派中基士的兒子掃羅給他們做王四十年。 22 既廢了掃羅,就選立大衛做他們的王,又為他作見證說:『我尋得耶西的兒子大衛,他是合我心意的人,凡事要遵行我的旨意。』 23 從這人的後裔中,神已經照著所應許的為以色列人立了一位救主,就是耶穌。

述說耶穌在世的事

24 「在他沒有出來以先,約翰以色列眾民宣講悔改的洗禮。 25 約翰將行盡他的程途,說:『你們以為我是誰?我不是基督。只是有一位在我以後來的,我解他腳上的鞋帶也是不配的。』 26 弟兄們,亞伯拉罕的子孫和你們中間敬畏神的人哪,這救世的道是傳給我們的。 27 耶路撒冷居住的人和他們的官長,因為不認識基督,也不明白每安息日所讀眾先知的書,就把基督定了死罪,正應了先知的預言。 28 雖然查不出他有當死的罪來,還是求彼拉多殺他。 29 既成就了經上指著他所記的一切話,就把他從木頭上取下來,放在墳墓裡。 30 神卻叫他從死裡復活。 31 那從加利利同他上耶路撒冷的人多日看見他,這些人如今在民間是他的見證。 32 我們也報好信息給你們,就是:那應許祖宗的話, 33 神已經向我們這做兒女的應驗,叫耶穌復活了。正如《詩篇》第二篇上記著說:『你是我的兒子,我今日生你。』 34 論到神叫他從死裡復活,不再歸於朽壞,就這樣說:『我必將所應許大衛那聖潔、可靠的恩典賜給你們。』 35 又有一篇上說:『你必不叫你的聖者見朽壞。』 36 大衛在世的時候遵行了神的旨意,就睡了[b],歸到他祖宗那裡,已見朽壞。 37 唯獨神所復活的,他並未見朽壞。

證明耶穌為救主

38 「所以弟兄們,你們當曉得:赦罪的道是由這人傳給你們的! 39 你們靠摩西的律法,在一切不得稱義的事上信靠這人,就都得稱義了。 40 所以你們務要小心,免得先知書上所說的臨到你們。 41 主說:『你們這輕慢的人,要觀看,要驚奇,要滅亡!因為在你們的時候,我行一件事,雖有人告訴你們,你們總是不信。』」

42 他們出會堂的時候,眾人請他們到下安息日再講這話給他們聽。 43 散會以後,猶太人和敬虔進猶太教的人多有跟從保羅巴拿巴的。二人對他們講道,勸他們務要恆久在神的恩中。

44 到下安息日,合城的人幾乎都來聚集,要聽神的道。 45 猶太人看見人這樣多,就滿心嫉妒,硬駁保羅所說的話,並且毀謗。 46 保羅巴拿巴放膽說:「神的道先講給你們原是應當的,只因你們棄絕這道,斷定自己不配得永生,我們就轉向外邦人去。 47 因為主曾這樣吩咐我們說:『我已經立你做外邦人的光,叫你施行救恩,直到地極。』」 48 外邦人聽見這話,就歡喜了,讚美神的道,凡預定得永生的人都信了。 49 於是主的道傳遍了那一帶地方。

保羅巴拿巴被逐出境

50 猶太人挑唆虔敬、尊貴的婦女和城內有名望的人,逼迫保羅巴拿巴,將他們趕出境外。 51 二人對著眾人跺下腳上的塵土,就往以哥念去了。 52 門徒滿心喜樂,又被聖靈充滿。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行傳 13:18 「容忍」或作「撫養」。
  2. 使徒行傳 13:36 或作:大衛按神的旨意服侍了他那一世的人,就睡了。

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。

Preparing for the Mission Field

13 In the church that was at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch,(A) and Saul.

As they were ministering to[a] the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to.”(B) Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.(C)

The Mission to Cyprus

Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they came down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Arriving in Salamis, they proclaimed God’s message in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as their assistant.(D) When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came across a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.(E) He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and desired to hear God’s message.(F) But Elymas the sorcerer (this is the meaning of his name) opposed(G) them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.(H)

Then Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit, stared straight at the sorcerer 10 and said, “You son of the Devil,(I) full of all deceit and all fraud, enemy of all righteousness! Won’t you ever stop perverting the straight paths(J) of the Lord? 11 Now, look! The Lord’s hand is against you.(K) You are going to be blind, and will not see the sun for a time.” Suddenly a mist and darkness fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the proconsul, seeing what happened, believed and was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.(L)

Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia

13 Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and went back to Jerusalem.(M) 14 They continued their journey from Perga and reached Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.(N) 15 After the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any message of encouragement for the people, you can speak.”(O)

16 Then Paul stood up and motioned with his hand and said: “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen!(P) 17 The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors, exalted the people during their stay in the land of Egypt, and led them out of it with a mighty[b] arm.(Q) 18 And for about 40 years He put up with them[c] in the wilderness;(R) 19 then after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan,(S) He gave their land to them as an inheritance. 20 This all took about 450 years. After this, He gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.(T) 21 Then they asked for a king, so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for 40 years.(U) 22 After removing him,(V) He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man loyal to Me,(W)[d] who will carry out all My will.’

23 “From this man’s descendants, according to the promise, God brought the Savior, Jesus,[e] to Israel.(X) 24 Before He came to public attention,[f] John had previously proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.(Y) 25 Then as John was completing his life’s work, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the One. But look! Someone is coming after me, and I am not worthy to untie the sandals on His feet.’(Z)

26 “Brothers, sons of Abraham’s race, and those among you who fear God, the message of this salvation has been sent to us.(AA) 27 For the residents of Jerusalem and their rulers, since they did not recognize Him or the voices of the prophets that are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled their words[g] by condemning Him.(AB) 28 Though they found no grounds for the death penalty, they asked Pilate to have Him killed.(AC) 29 When they had fulfilled all that had been written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and put Him in a tomb.(AD) 30 But God raised Him from the dead,(AE) 31 and He appeared for many days to those who came with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses to the people.(AF) 32 And we ourselves proclaim to you the good news of the promise that was made to our ancestors.(AG) 33 God has fulfilled this for us, their children, by raising up Jesus, as it is written in the second Psalm:

You are My Son;
today I have become Your Father.[h](AH)[i]

34 Since He raised Him from the dead, never to return to decay, He has spoken in this way, I will grant you the faithful covenant blessings[j] made to David.(AI)[k] 35 Therefore He also says in another passage, You will not allow Your Holy One to see decay.(AJ)[l] 36 For David, after serving his own generation in God’s plan, fell asleep,(AK) was buried with his fathers, and decayed.(AL) 37 But the One God raised up did not decay. 38 Therefore, let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed to you,(AM) 39 and everyone who believes in Him is justified from everything that you could not be justified from through the law of Moses.(AN) 40 So beware that what is said in the prophets does not happen to you:

41 Look, you scoffers,
marvel and vanish away,
because I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will never believe,
even if someone were to explain it to you.(AO)[m]

Paul and Barnabas in Antioch

42 As they[n] were leaving, the people[o] begged that these matters be presented to them the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and persuading them to continue in the grace of God.(AP)

44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the message of the Lord.[p] 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to oppose what Paul was saying by insulting him.(AQ)

46 Then Paul and Barnabas boldly said: “It was necessary that God’s message be spoken to you first. But since you reject it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles!(AR) 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

I have made you
a light for the Gentiles
to bring salvation
to the ends[q] of the earth.(AS)[r]

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the message of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 So the message of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the prominent women, who worshiped God, and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district.(AT) 51 But they shook the dust off their feet(AU) against them(AV) and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.(AW)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:2 Or were worshiping
  2. Acts 13:17 Lit with an uplifted
  3. Acts 13:18 Other mss read He cared for them
  4. Acts 13:22 1Sm 13:14; Ps 89:20
  5. Acts 13:23 Other mss read brought salvation
  6. Acts 13:24 Lit Before the face of His entrance
  7. Acts 13:27 Lit fulfilled them
  8. Acts 13:33 Or I have begotten You
  9. Acts 13:33 Ps 2:7
  10. Acts 13:34 Lit faithful holy things
  11. Acts 13:34 Is 55:3
  12. Acts 13:35 Ps 16:10
  13. Acts 13:41 Hab 1:5
  14. Acts 13:42 Paul and Barnabas
  15. Acts 13:42 Other mss read they were leaving the synagogue of the Jews, the Gentiles
  16. Acts 13:44 Other mss read of God
  17. Acts 13:47 Lit the end
  18. Acts 13:47 Is 49:6

13 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

18 And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

20 And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

23 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28 And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

30 But God raised him from the dead:

31 And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

35 Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44 And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47 For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

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