Stoning, Escape to Derbe

19 (A)Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, (B)they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be (C)dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Strengthening the Converts

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city (D)and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, (E)exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, (F)“We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had (G)appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, (H)they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had (I)opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Conflict over Circumcision

15 And (J)certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, (K)“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that (L)Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

So, (M)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, (N)describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

The Jerusalem Council

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: (O)“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, (P)who knows the heart, [a]acknowledged them by (Q)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, (R)and made no distinction between us and them, (S)purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God (T)by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But (U)we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus [b]Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had (V)worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had [c]become silent, (W)James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 (X)Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After(Y) this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the [d]Lord who does all these things.’

18 [e]“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore (Z)I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who (AA)are turning to God, 20 but that we (AB)write to them to abstain (AC)from things polluted by idols, (AD)from [f]sexual immorality, (AE)from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, (AF)being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Jerusalem Decree

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named (AG)Barsabas,[g] and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (AH)some who went out from us have troubled you with words, (AI)unsettling your souls, [h]saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one [i]accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (AJ)men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 (AK)that you abstain from things offered to idols, (AL)from blood, from things strangled, and from (AM)sexual[j] immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being (AN)prophets also, (AO)exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were (AP)sent back with greetings from the brethren to [k]the apostles.

34 [l]However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 (AQ)Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Division over John Mark

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas [m]was determined to take with them (AR)John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them (AS)the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to (AT)Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (AU)being [n]commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (AV)strengthening the churches.

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Then he came to (AW)Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, (AX)named Timothy, (AY)the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he (AZ)took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the (BA)decrees to keep, (BB)which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. (BC)So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

The Macedonian Call

Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of (BD)Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in [o]Asia. After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the [p]Spirit did not permit them. So passing by Mysia, they (BE)came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A (BF)man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go (BG)to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Lydia Baptized at Philippi

11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, 12 and from there to (BH)Philippi, which is the [q]foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. 13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. 14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of (BI)Thyatira, who worshiped God. (BJ)The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. 15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So (BK)she persuaded us.

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl (BL)possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters (BM)much profit by fortune-telling. 17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” 18 And this she did for many days.

But Paul, (BN)greatly [r]annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” (BO)And he came out that very hour. 19 But (BP)when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and (BQ)dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.

20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, (BR)exceedingly trouble our city; 21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.” 22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes (BS)and commanded them to be beaten with rods. 23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. 24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Saved

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 (BT)Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately (BU)all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, (BV)“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 So they said, (BW)“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, (BX)he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

Paul Refuses to Depart Secretly

35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the [s]officers, saying, “Let those men go.”

36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned (BY)Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”

38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans. 39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and (BZ)asked them to depart from the city. 40 So they went out of the prison (CA)and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.

Preaching Christ at Thessalonica

17 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to (CB)Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. Then Paul, as his custom was, (CC)went in to them, and for three Sabbaths (CD)reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating (CE)that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” (CF)And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and (CG)Silas.

Assault on Jason’s House

But the Jews [t]who were not persuaded, [u]becoming (CH)envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of (CI)Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, (CJ)“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. Jason has [v]harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, (CK)saying there is another king—Jesus.” And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

Ministering at Berea

10 Then (CL)the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more [w]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and (CM)searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. 13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds. 14 (CN)Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there. 15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and (CO)receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.

The Philosophers at Athens

16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, (CP)his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was [x]given over to idols. 17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. 18 [y]Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this [z]babbler want to say?”

Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them (CQ)Jesus and the resurrection.

19 And they took him and brought him to the [aa]Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.” 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.

Addressing the Areopagus

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the [ab]Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 (CR)God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is (CS)Lord of heaven and earth, (CT)does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He (CU)gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one [ac]blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and (CV)the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 (CW)so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, (CX)though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for (CY)in Him we live and move and have our being, (CZ)as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ 29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, (DA)we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 30 Truly, (DB)these times of ignorance God overlooked, but (DC)now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which (DD)He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by (DE)raising Him from the dead.”

32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter. 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

Ministering at Corinth

18 After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named (DF)Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them (DG)and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. (DH)And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

(DI)When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was (DJ)compelled [ad]by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But (DK)when they opposed him and blasphemed, (DL)he shook his garments and said to them, (DM)“Your blood be upon your own heads; (DN)I am clean. (DO)From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he departed from there and entered the house of a certain man named [ae]Justus, one who worshiped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue. (DP)Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

Now (DQ)the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 (DR)for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

12 When Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one accord rose up against Paul and brought him to the [af]judgment seat, 13 saying, “This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.”

14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you. 15 But if it is a (DS)question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters. 16 And he drove them from the judgment seat. 17 Then [ag]all the Greeks took (DT)Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. But Gallio took no notice of these things.

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 So Paul still remained [ah]a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. (DU)He had his hair cut off at (DV)Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, (DW)“I[ai] must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, (DX)God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.

22 And when he had landed at (DY)Caesarea, and [aj]gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of (DZ)Galatia and Phrygia [ak]in order, (EA)strengthening all the disciples.

Ministry of Apollos

24 (EB)Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being (EC)fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, (ED)though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, (EE)he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, (EF)showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Paul at Ephesus

19 And it happened, while (EG)Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through (EH)the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

So they said to him, (EI)“We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

So they said, (EJ)“Into John’s baptism.”

Then Paul said, (EK)“John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

When they heard this, they were baptized (EL)in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had (EM)laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and (EN)they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.

(EO)And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading (EP)concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But (EQ)when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil (ER)of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. 10 And (ES)this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

Miracles Glorify Christ

11 Now (ET)God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, 12 (EU)so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 (EV)Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists (EW)took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, [al]“We [am]exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul (EX)preaches.” 14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, [an]overpowered them, and prevailed against [ao]them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and (EY)fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came (EZ)confessing and telling their deeds. 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 (FA)So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

The Riot at Ephesus

21 (FB)When these things were accomplished, Paul (FC)purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through (FD)Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, (FE)I must also see Rome.” 22 So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, (FF)Timothy and (FG)Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time.

23 And (FH)about that time there arose a great commotion about (FI)the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [ap]Diana, brought (FJ)no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that (FK)they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and [aq]her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized (FL)Gaius and (FM)Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 31 Then some of the [ar]officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 32 Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And (FN)Alexander (FO)motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess [as]Diana, and of the image which fell down from [at]Zeus? 36 Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of [au]your goddess. 38 Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a [av]case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger of being [aw]called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

Journeys in Greece

20 After the uproar had ceased, Paul called the disciples to himself, embraced them, and (FP)departed to go to Macedonia. Now when he had gone over that region and encouraged them with many words, he came to (FQ)Greece and stayed three months. And (FR)when the Jews plotted against him as he was about to sail to Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. And Sopater of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also (FS)Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and (FT)Gaius of Derbe, and (FU)Timothy, and (FV)Tychicus and (FW)Trophimus of Asia. These men, going ahead, waited for us at (FX)Troas. But we sailed away from Philippi after (FY)the Days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days joined them (FZ)at Troas, where we stayed seven days.

Ministering at Troas

Now on (GA)the first day of the week, when the disciples came together (GB)to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps (GC)in the upper room where [ax]they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. 10 But Paul went down, (GD)fell on him, and embracing him said, (GE)“Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” 11 Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed. 12 And they brought the young man in alive, and they were not a little comforted.

From Troas to Miletus

13 Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had [ay]given orders, intending himself to go on foot. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. 15 We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for (GF)he was hurrying (GG)to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on (GH)the Day of Pentecost.

The Ephesian Elders Exhorted

17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, (GI)from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me (GJ)by the plotting of the Jews;

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:8 bore witness to
  2. Acts 15:11 NU, M omit Christ
  3. Acts 15:13 stopped speaking
  4. Acts 15:17 NU Lord, who makes these things
  5. Acts 15:18 NU (continuing v. 17) known from eternity (of old).
  6. Acts 15:20 Or fornication
  7. Acts 15:22 NU, M Barsabbas
  8. Acts 15:24 NU omits saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”
  9. Acts 15:25 purpose or mind
  10. Acts 15:29 Or fornication
  11. Acts 15:33 NU those who had sent them
  12. Acts 15:34 NU, M omit v. 34.
  13. Acts 15:37 resolved
  14. Acts 15:40 committed
  15. Acts 16:6 The Roman province of Asia
  16. Acts 16:7 NU adds of Jesus
  17. Acts 16:12 Lit. first
  18. Acts 16:18 distressed
  19. Acts 16:35 lictors, lit. rod bearers
  20. Acts 17:5 NU omits who were not persuaded
  21. Acts 17:5 M omits becoming envious
  22. Acts 17:7 welcomed
  23. Acts 17:11 Lit. noble
  24. Acts 17:16 full of idols
  25. Acts 17:18 NU, M add also
  26. Acts 17:18 Lit. seed picker, an idler who makes a living picking up scraps
  27. Acts 17:19 Lit. Hill of Ares, or Mars’ Hill
  28. Acts 17:22 Lit. Hill of Ares, or Mars’ Hill
  29. Acts 17:26 NU omits blood
  30. Acts 18:5 Or in his spirit or in the Spirit
  31. Acts 18:7 NU Titius Justus
  32. Acts 18:12 Gr. bema
  33. Acts 18:17 NU they all
  34. Acts 18:18 Lit. many days
  35. Acts 18:21 NU omits I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem
  36. Acts 18:22 To Jerusalem
  37. Acts 18:23 successively
  38. Acts 19:13 NU I
  39. Acts 19:13 adjure, solemnly command
  40. Acts 19:16 M and they overpowered them
  41. Acts 19:16 NU both of them
  42. Acts 19:24 Gr. Artemis
  43. Acts 19:27 NU she be deposed from her magnificence
  44. Acts 19:31 Asiarchs, rulers of Asia, the province
  45. Acts 19:35 Gr. Artemis
  46. Acts 19:35 heaven
  47. Acts 19:37 NU our
  48. Acts 19:38 Lit. matter
  49. Acts 19:40 Or charged with rebellion concerning today
  50. Acts 20:8 NU, M we
  51. Acts 20:13 arranged it

19 Then some Jews(A) came from Antioch and Iconium(B) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul(C) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples(D) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

21 They preached the gospel(E) in that city and won a large number(F) of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium(G) and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.(H) “We must go through many hardships(I) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a](J) for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting,(K) committed them to the Lord,(L) in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,(M) 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch,(N) where they had been committed to the grace of God(O) for the work they had now completed.(P) 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them(Q) and how he had opened a door(R) of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.(S)

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people(T) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:(U) “Unless you are circumcised,(V) according to the custom taught by Moses,(W) you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem(X) to see the apostles and elders(Y) about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(Z) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(AA) This news made all the believers very glad. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.(AB)

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(AC) of the Pharisees(AD) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(AE)

The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.(AF) God, who knows the heart,(AG) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(AH) just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them,(AI) for he purified their hearts by faith.(AJ) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(AK) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(AL) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(AM) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(AN) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(AO) 13 When they finished, James(AP) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[b] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(AQ) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
    and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[c](AR)
18     things known from long ago.[d](AS)

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(AT) from sexual immorality,(AU) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(AV) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(AW)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders,(AX) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(AY) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(AZ) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(BA) Syria(BB) and Cilicia:(BC)

Greetings.(BD)

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(BE) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(BF) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(BG) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(BH) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(BI) You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas,(BJ) who themselves were prophets,(BK) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace(BL) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [e] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(BM) the word of the Lord.(BN)

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns(BO) where we preached the word of the Lord(BP) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(BQ) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(BR) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas(BS) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(BT) 41 He went through Syria(BU) and Cilicia,(BV) strengthening the churches.(BW)

Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,(BX) where a disciple named Timothy(BY) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer(BZ) but whose father was a Greek. The believers(CA) at Lystra and Iconium(CB) spoke well of him. 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.(CC) As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders(CD) in Jerusalem(CE) for the people to obey.(CF) So the churches were strengthened(CG) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.(CH)

Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia(CI) and Galatia,(CJ) having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.(CK) When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus(CL) would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.(CM) During the night Paul had a vision(CN) of a man of Macedonia(CO) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we(CP) got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel(CQ) to them.

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

11 From Troas(CR) 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,(CS) a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[f] of Macedonia.(CT) And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath(CU) 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(CV) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart(CW) to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household(CX) were baptized,(CY) 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,(CZ) we were met by a female slave who had a spirit(DA) 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,(DB) 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.(DC)

19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money(DD) was gone, they seized Paul and Silas(DE) and dragged(DF) 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(DG) 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans(DH) to accept or practice.”(DI)

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

25 About midnight(DM) Paul and Silas(DN) were praying and singing hymns(DO) 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.(DP) At once all the prison doors flew open,(DQ) and everyone’s chains came loose.(DR) 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.(DS) 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.(DT) 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(DU)

31 They replied, “Believe(DV) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved(DW)—you and your household.”(DX) 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(DY) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.(DZ) 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he(EA) 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(EB) told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”(EC)

37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,(ED) 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.(EE) 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.(EF) 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,(EG) where they met with the brothers and sisters(EH) and encouraged them. Then they left.

In Thessalonica

17 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica,(EI) where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue,(EJ) and on three Sabbath(EK) days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,(EL) explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer(EM) and rise from the dead.(EN) “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,”(EO) he said. Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas,(EP) as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

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.(EQ) They rushed to Jason’s(ER) house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.[g] But when they did not find them, they dragged(ES) Jason and some other believers(ET) before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world(EU) have now come here,(EV) and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”(EW) When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made Jason(EX) and the others post bond and let them go.

In Berea

10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas(EY) away to Berea.(EZ) On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.(FA) 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica,(FB) for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures(FC) every day to see if what Paul said was true.(FD) 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.(FE)

13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea,(FF) some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14 The believers(FG) immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas(FH) and Timothy(FI) stayed at Berea. 15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens(FJ) and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.(FK)

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(FL) 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(FM) about Jesus and the resurrection.(FN) 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus,(FO) where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching(FP) 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(FQ) 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(FR) and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.(FS) 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(FT)—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

24 “The God who made the world and everything in it(FU) is the Lord of heaven and earth(FV) and does not live in temples built by human hands.(FW) 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.(FX) 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.(FY) 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.(FZ) 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[h](GA) As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[i]

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.(GB) 30 In the past God overlooked(GC) such ignorance,(GD) but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.(GE) 31 For he has set a day when he will judge(GF) the world with justice(GG) by the man he has appointed.(GH) He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”(GI)

32 When they heard about the resurrection of the dead,(GJ) 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,(GK) also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.

In Corinth

18 After this, Paul left Athens(GL) and went to Corinth.(GM) There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,(GN) because Claudius(GO) had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.(GP) Every Sabbath(GQ) he reasoned in the synagogue,(GR) trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

When Silas(GS) and Timothy(GT) came from Macedonia,(GU) Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.(GV) But when they opposed Paul and became abusive,(GW) he shook out his clothes in protest(GX) and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads!(GY) I am innocent of it.(GZ) From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”(HA)

Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.(HB) Crispus,(HC) the synagogue leader,(HD) and his entire household(HE) believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:(HF) “Do not be afraid;(HG) keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you,(HH) 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.(HI)

12 While Gallio was proconsul(HJ) of Achaia,(HK) 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(HL)—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(HM) the synagogue leader(HN) 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(HO) and sailed for Syria,(HP) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.(HQ) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae(HR) because of a vow he had taken.(HS) 19 They arrived at Ephesus,(HT) 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.”(HU) Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,(HV) he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(HW)

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia(HX) and Phrygia,(HY) strengthening all the disciples.(HZ)

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,(IA) a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.(IB) 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[j](IC) and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.(ID) 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila(IE) 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,(IF) the brothers and sisters(IG) 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(IH) that Jesus was the Messiah.(II)

Paul in Ephesus

19 While Apollos(IJ) was at Corinth,(IK) Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.(IL) There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit(IM) when[k] you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

Paul said, “John’s baptism(IN) was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”(IO) On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.(IP) When Paul placed his hands on them,(IQ) the Holy Spirit came on them,(IR) and they spoke in tongues[l](IS) and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Paul entered the synagogue(IT) and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.(IU) But some of them(IV) became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.(IW) So Paul left them. He took the disciples(IX) with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years,(IY) so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia(IZ) heard the word of the Lord.(JA)

11 God did extraordinary miracles(JB) through Paul, 12 so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured(JC) and the evil spirits left them.

13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits(JD) tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus(JE) 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,(JF) they were all seized with fear,(JG) 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.[m] 20 In this way the word of the Lord(JH) spread widely and grew in power.(JI)

21 After all this had happened, Paul decided[n] to go to Jerusalem,(JJ) passing through Macedonia(JK) and Achaia.(JL) “After I have been there,” he said, “I must visit Rome also.”(JM) 22 He sent two of his helpers,(JN) Timothy(JO) and Erastus,(JP) to Macedonia, while he stayed in the province of Asia(JQ) a little longer.

The Riot in Ephesus

23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.(JR) 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.(JS) 26 And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus(JT) and in practically the whole province of Asia.(JU) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.(JV) 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!”(JW) 29 Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius(JX) and Aristarchus,(JY) Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia,(JZ) and all of them rushed into the theater together. 30 Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples(KA) 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.(KB) 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(KC) 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!”(KD)

35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians,(KE) 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(KF) nor blasphemed our goddess. 38 If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen(KG) have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls.(KH) 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(KI) and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia.(KJ) He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him(KK) just as he was about to sail for Syria,(KL) he decided to go back through Macedonia.(KM) He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus(KN) and Secundus from Thessalonica,(KO) Gaius(KP) from Derbe, Timothy(KQ) also, and Tychicus(KR) and Trophimus(KS) from the province of Asia.(KT) These men went on ahead and waited for us(KU) at Troas.(KV) But we sailed from Philippi(KW) after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas,(KX) where we stayed seven days.

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

On the first day of the week(KY) we came together to break bread.(KZ) Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room(LA) where we were meeting. 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(LB) and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”(LC) 11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread(LD) 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.(LE) 16 Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus(LF) to avoid spending time in the province of Asia,(LG) for he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem,(LH) if possible, by the day of Pentecost.(LI)

17 From Miletus,(LJ) Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders(LK) of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you,(LL) from the first day I came into the province of Asia.(LM) 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears(LN) and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.(LO)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:23 Or Barnabas ordained elders; or Barnabas had elders elected
  2. Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
  3. Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  4. Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
  5. Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.
  6. Acts 16:12 The text and meaning of the Greek for the leading city of that district are uncertain.
  7. Acts 17:5 Or the assembly of the people
  8. Acts 17:28 From the Cretan philosopher Epimenides
  9. Acts 17:28 From the Cilician Stoic philosopher Aratus
  10. Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit
  11. Acts 19:2 Or after
  12. Acts 19:6 Or other languages
  13. Acts 19:19 A drachma was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages.
  14. Acts 19:21 Or decided in the Spirit