Acceptance and Opposition

14 Now in Iconium Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue together and spoke in such a way [with such power and boldness] that a large number of Jews as well as Greeks believed [and confidently accepted Jesus as Savior]; ² but the unbelieving Jews [who rejected Jesus as Messiah] stirred up and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the ^[a]believers. ³ So Paul and Barnabas stayed for a long time, speaking boldly and confidently for the Lord, who continued to testify to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders (attesting miracles) be done by them. ⁴ But the people of the city were divided; some were siding with the Jews, and some with the apostles. ⁵ When there was an attempt by both the Gentiles and the Jews, together with their rulers, to shamefully mistreat and to stone them, ⁶ they, aware of the situation, escaped to Lystra and Derbe, [taking refuge in the] cities of Lycaonia, and the neighboring region; ⁷ and there they continued to preach the good news.