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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Serving in Cyprus

After the Holy Spirit sent them on their way, they went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. In Salamis they proclaimed God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their assistant. They traveled throughout the island until they arrived at Paphos. There they found a certain man named Bar-Jesus, a Jew who was a false prophet and practiced sorcery. He kept company with the governor of that province, an intelligent man named Sergius Paulus. The governor sent for Barnabas and Saul since he wanted to hear God’s word. But Elymas the sorcerer[a] (for that’s what people understood his name meant) opposed them, trying to steer the governor away from the faith. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Saul, also known as Paul, glared at Bar-Jesus and 10 said, “You are a deceiver and trickster! You devil! You attack anything that is right! Will you never stop twisting the straight ways of the Lord into crooked paths? 11 Listen! The Lord’s power is set against you. You will be blind for a while, unable even to see the daylight.” At once, Bar-Jesus’ eyes were darkened, and he began to grope about for someone to lead him around by the hand. 12 When the governor saw what had taken place, he came to believe, for he was astonished by the teaching about the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 13:8 Or magician (Gk magos)