Add parallel Print Page Options

Mission and magic

13 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen from the court of Herod the Tetrarch, and Saul. As they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the holy spirit said, “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So they fasted and prayed; and then they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

So off they went, sent out by the holy spirit, and arrived at Seleucia. From there they set sail to Cyprus, and when they arrived in Salamis they announced God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their assistant. They went through the whole of the island, all the way to Paphos. There they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. He called Barnabas and Saul and asked to hear the word of God. The magician Elymas (that is the translation of his name) was opposing them, and doing his best to turn the governor away from the faith. But Saul, also named Paul, looked intently at him, filled with the holy spirit.

10 “You’re full of trickery and every kind of villainy!” he said. “You’re a son of the devil! You’re an enemy of everything that’s right! When are you going to stop twisting the paths that God has made straight? 11 Now see here: the Lord’s hand will be upon you, and you will be blind for a while; you won’t even be able to see the sun!”

At once mist and darkness fell on him, and he went about looking for someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the governor saw what had happened, he believed, since he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The New Testament for Everyone, Third Edition: A Fresh Translation
The New Testament for Everyone, Third Edition: A Fresh Translation
Retail: $34.99
Our Price: $24.49
Save: $10.50 (30%)