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23 Then Paul and Silas were thrown into jail, and the jailer was ordered to guard them carefully. 24 When he heard this order, he put them far inside the jail and pinned their feet down between large blocks of wood.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God as the other prisoners listened. 26 Suddenly, there was a strong earthquake that shook the foundation of the jail. Then all the doors of the jail broke open, and all the prisoners were freed from their chains. 27 The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. Thinking that the prisoners had already escaped, he got his sword and was about to kill himself.[a] 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here.”

29 The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 He brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all the people in your house.” 32 So Paul and Silas told the message of the Lord to the jailer and all the people in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Then he and all his people were baptized immediately. 34 After this the jailer took Paul and Silas home and gave them food. He and his family were very happy because they now believed in God.

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Footnotes

  1. 16:27 kill himself He thought the leaders would kill him for letting the prisoners escape.

23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer(A) 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.(B)

25 About midnight(C) Paul and Silas(D) were praying and singing hymns(E) 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.(F) At once all the prison doors flew open,(G) and everyone’s chains came loose.(H) 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.(I) 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.(J) 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(K)

31 They replied, “Believe(L) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved(M)—you and your household.”(N) 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(O) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.(P) 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he(Q) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

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