⁴⁶ Then both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. Since you reject it and judge yourselves to be unworthy of eternal life, we are now turning to the gentiles.^(A)

²⁸ “Let it be known to you, then, that this salvation of God has been sent to the gentiles; they will listen.”^[a]

²⁰ but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout the countryside of Judea, and also to the gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God and do deeds consistent with repentance.^(A)

²⁶ When God raised up his servant,^[a] he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”^(A)

²¹ Then he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the gentiles.’ ”^(A)

⁴³ “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces its fruits.^(A)

¹⁹ Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

²⁰ Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,

²¹ But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”^(C)

¹⁰ but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, both the Jew first and the Greek.

The Power of the Gospel

¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is God’s saving power for everyone who believes,^[a] for the Jew first and also for the Greek.^(A)