² We had previously suffered^(A) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^(B) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^(C)

²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.^{(A) 23} After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer^(B) 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.^(C)

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(A) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(B) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^(C)

¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame,^(A) because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard^(B) what I have entrusted to him until that day.^(C)

² As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue,^(A) and on three Sabbath^(B) days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,^{(C) 3} explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer^(D) and rise from the dead.^(E) “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,”^(F) he said. ⁴ Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,^(G) 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.^(H) They rushed to Jason’s^(I) house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.^{[a] 6} But when they did not find them, they dragged^(J) Jason and some other believers^(K) before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world^(L) have now come here,^{(M) 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.”^{(N) 8} When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. ⁹ Then they made Jason^(O) and the others post bond and let them go.

¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong^(A) and to commend those who do right.^{(B) 15} For it is God’s will^(C) that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.^{(D) 16} Live as free people,^(E) but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil;^(F) live as God’s slaves.^(G)

² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(A) the pioneer^(B) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(C) scorning its shame,^(D) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(E) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(F) and lose heart.

³⁷ But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,^(A) 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.”

³⁶ Some faced jeers and flogging,^(A) and even chains and imprisonment.^{(B) 37} They were put to death by stoning;^[a](C) they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.^(D) They went about in sheepskins and goatskins,^(E) destitute, persecuted and mistreated—