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26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters;(A)

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And when an attempt was made by both gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them,(A)

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and requested, as a favor to them against Paul,[a] to have him transferred to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, planning an ambush to kill him along the way.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 25.3 Gk him

19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears, enduring the trials that came to me through the plots of the Jews.

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But the Jews became jealous, and with the help of some ruffians in the marketplaces they formed a mob and set the city in an uproar. While they were searching for Paul and Silas to bring them out to the assembly, they attacked Jason’s house.(A)

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50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city and stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their region.

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We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, of the affliction we experienced in Asia, for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself.(A) Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He who rescued us from so deadly a peril will continue to rescue us;[a] on him we have set our hope that he will rescue us again,(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.10 Other ancient authorities read is rescuing us or lack the phrase

15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets[a] and drove us out; they displease God and oppose everyone(A) 16 by hindering us from speaking to the gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they have constantly been filling up the measure of their sins, but wrath[b] has overtaken them at last.[c](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 2.15 Other ancient authorities read their own prophets
  2. 2.16 Other ancient authorities read God’s wrath
  3. 2.16 Or completely or forever

But because of false brothers and sisters secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us(A)

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17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were already apostles before me, but I went away at once into Arabia, and afterward I returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days,(A) 19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord’s brother.(B) 20 In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia,(C)

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32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to[a] seize me,(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 11.32 Other ancient authorities read and wanted to

32 If I fought with wild animals at Ephesus with a merely human perspective, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised,

“Let us eat and drink,
    for tomorrow we die.”(A)

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24 when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints,(A) 26 for Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.(B) 27 They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them, for if the gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things.(C) 28 So, when I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected,[a] I will set out by way of you to Spain,

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Footnotes

  1. 15.28 Gk have sealed to them this fruit

19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit,[a] so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 15.19 Other ancient authorities read the Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit

10 They bestowed many honors on us, and when we were about to sail, they put on board all the provisions we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 Three months later we set sail on a ship that had wintered at the island, an Alexandrian ship with the Twin Brothers as its figurehead.(A)

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The Plot to Kill Paul

12 In the morning the Jews joined in a conspiracy and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.(A) 13 There were more than forty who joined in this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food until we have killed Paul.(B) 15 Now then, you and the council must notify the tribune to bring him down to you, on the pretext that you want to make a more thorough examination of his case. And we are ready to do away with him before he arrives.”(C)

16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard about the ambush, so he went and gained entrance to the barracks and told Paul.(D) 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him, brought him to the tribune, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you; he has something to tell you.”(E) 19 The tribune took him by the hand, drew him aside privately, and asked, “What is it that you have to report to me?” 20 He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more thoroughly into his case.(F) 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him. They have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink until they kill him. They are ready now and are waiting for your consent.”(G) 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, ordering him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of this.”

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10 When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks.(A)

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Paul Arrested in the Temple

27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, who had seen him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd. They seized him,(A) 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites,[a] help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place; more than that, he has actually brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”(B) 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.(C) 30 Then all the city was aroused, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut.(D) 31 While they were trying to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

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Footnotes

  1. 21.28 Gk Men, Israelites

23 About that time no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way.(A) 24 A man named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the artisans.(B) 25 These he gathered together, with the workers of the same trade, and said, “Men, you know that we get our wealth from this business. 26 You also see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost the whole of Asia this Paul has persuaded and drawn away a considerable number of people by saying that gods made with hands are not gods.(C) 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be scorned, and she will be deprived of her majesty that brought all Asia and the world to worship her.”

28 When they heard this, they were enraged and shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”(D) 29 The city was filled with the confusion, and people[a] rushed together to the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were Paul’s travel companions.(E) 30 Paul wished to go into the crowd, but the disciples would not let him; 31 even some officials of the province of Asia[b] who were friendly to him sent him a message urging him not to venture into the theater. 32 Meanwhile, some were shouting one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.(F) 33 Some of the crowd gave instructions to Alexander, whom the Jews had pushed forward. And Alexander motioned for silence and tried to make a defense before the people.(G) 34 But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours all of them shouted in unison, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 35 But when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, “Citizens of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis and of the statue that fell from heaven?(H) 36 Since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 You have brought these men here who are neither temple robbers nor blasphemers of our[c] goddess.(I) 38 If therefore Demetrius and the artisans with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls; let them bring charges there against one another.(J) 39 If there is anything further[d] you want to know, it must be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” 41 When he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.

Paul Goes to Macedonia and Greece

20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them and saying farewell, he left for Macedonia.(K) When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece, where he stayed for three months. He was about to set sail for Syria when a plot was made against him by the Jews, so he decided to return through Macedonia.(L) He was accompanied[e] by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Beroea, by Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, by Gaius from Derbe, and by Timothy, as well as by Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.(M) They went ahead and were waiting for us in Troas, but we sailed from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we joined them in Troas, where we stayed for seven days.(N)

Footnotes

  1. 19.29 Gk they
  2. 19.31 Gk some of the Asiarchs
  3. 19.37 Other ancient authorities read your
  4. 19.39 Other ancient authorities read about other matters
  5. 20.4 Other ancient authorities add as far as Asia

Paul in Ephesus

19 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples.(A)

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Paul’s Return to Antioch

18 After staying there for a considerable time, Paul said farewell to the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had his hair cut, for he was under a vow.(A) 19 When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay longer, he declined, 21 but on taking leave of them he said, “I[a] will return to you, if God wills.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.(B)

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem[b] and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(C) 23 After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia[c] and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 18.21 Other ancient authorities read I must at all costs keep the approaching festival in Jerusalem, but I
  2. 18.22 Gk went up
  3. 18.23 Gk the Galatian region

12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal.

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40 But Paul chose Silas and set out, the brothers and sisters commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.(A)

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul[a] went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek.(B) He was well spoken of by the brothers and sisters in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.(C) As they went from town to town, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.(D) So the churches were strengthened in the faith and increased in numbers daily.(E)

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.(F) When they had come opposite Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them;(G) so, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas.(H) During the night Paul had a vision: there stood a man of Macedonia pleading with him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”(I) 10 When he had seen the vision, we immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.(J)

The Conversion of Lydia

11 We therefore[b] set sail from Troas and took a straight course to Samothrace, the following day to Neapolis,(K) 12 and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city for some days.(L) 13 On the Sabbath day we went outside the gate by the river, where we supposed[c] there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. 14 A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul. 15 When she and her household were baptized, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home.” And she prevailed upon us.(M)

Paul and Silas in Prison

16 One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a female slave who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling.(N) 17 While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, “These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you[d] the way of salvation.”(O) 18 She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities.(P) 20 When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, “These men, these Jews, are disturbing our city(Q) 21 and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.” 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods.(R) 23 After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely.(S) 24 Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.(T)

Footnotes

  1. 16.1 Gk He
  2. 16.11 Other ancient authorities lack therefore
  3. 16.13 Other ancient authorities read where, according to the custom,
  4. 16.17 Other ancient authorities read to us

And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.(A) So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.(B) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.(C)

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19 But Jews came there from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. Then they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.(A)

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