⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they ^(A)opposed the things spoken by Paul. ⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, ^(B)“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but ^(C)since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, ^(D)we turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For so the Lord has commanded us:

⁴⁸ Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. ^(F)And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

⁴⁹ And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. ⁵⁰ But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, ^(G)raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

¹⁹ So I said, ‘Lord, ^(A)they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and ^(B)beat those who believe on You. ^20 (C)And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by ^(D)consenting ^[a]to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ ²¹ Then He said to me, ‘Depart, ^(E)for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

Paul’s Roman Citizenship

²² And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, ^(F)“Away with such a fellow from the earth, for ^(G)he is not fit to live!”