²⁰ Some of them, however, men from Cyprus^(A) and Cyrene,^(B) went to Antioch^(C) and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news^(D) about the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The Lord’s hand was with them,^(E) and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.^(F)

²² News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas^(G) to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done,^(H) he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.^{(I) 24} He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit^(J) and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.^(K)

²⁵ Then Barnabas went to Tarsus^(L) to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples^(M) were called Christians first^(N) at Antioch.

13 ¹ 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. ² 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) 3} So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them^(J) and sent them off.^(K)

On Cyprus

⁴ The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,^(L) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.^{(M) 5} 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.

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^(A) where we preached the word of the Lord^(B) and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,^(C) with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them^(D) 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^(E) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.^{(F) 41} He went through Syria^(G) and Cilicia,^(H) strengthening the churches.^(I)