On Cyprus

The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,(A) went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.(B) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God(C) in the Jewish synagogues.(D) John(E) was with them as their helper.

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer(F) and false prophet(G) named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul,(H) Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer(I) (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul(J) from the faith.(K) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit,(L) looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil(M) and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?(N) 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you.(O) You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”(P)

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul(Q) saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

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To the Church in Laodicea

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea(A) write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness,(B) the ruler of God’s creation.(C) 15 I know your deeds,(D) that you are neither cold nor hot.(E) I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’(F) But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.(G) 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,(H) so you can become rich; and white clothes(I) to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness;(J) and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.(K) So be earnest and repent.(L) 20 Here I am! I stand at the door(M) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door,(N) I will come in(O) and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious,(P) I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,(Q) just as I was victorious(R) and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear(S) what the Spirit says to the churches.”

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