¹⁹ Then some Jews^(A) came from Antioch and Iconium^(B) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul^(C) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after the disciples^(D) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

²¹ They preached the gospel^(E) in that city and won a large number^(F) of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium^(G) and Antioch, ²² strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.^(H) “We must go through many hardships^(I) to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

²¹ To my shame I admit that we were too weak^(A) for that!

Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about.^{(B) 22} Are they Hebrews? So am I.^(C) Are they Israelites? So am I.^(D) Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I.^{(E) 23} Are they servants of Christ?^(F) (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder,^(G) been in prison more frequently,^(H) been flogged more severely,^(I) and been exposed to death again and again.^{(J) 24} Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes^(K) minus one. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods,^(L) once I was pelted with stones,^(M) three times I was shipwrecked,^(N) I spent a night and a day in the open sea, ²⁶ I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews,^(O) in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city,^(P) in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.^{(Q) 27} I have labored and toiled^(R) and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food;^(S) I have been cold and naked. ²⁸ Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.^(T)

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.^{(A) 25} For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.^(B)