⁹ During the night Paul had a vision^(A) of a man of Macedonia^(B) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we^(C) got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel^(D) to them.

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi

¹¹ From Troas^(E) we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis. ¹² From there we traveled to Philippi,^(F) a Roman colony and the leading city of that district^[a] of Macedonia.^(G) And we stayed there several days.

¹³ On the Sabbath^(H) we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. ¹⁴ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira^(I) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart^(J) to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵ When she and the members of her household^(K) were baptized,^(L) she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

⁴⁴ He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you:^(A) Everything must be fulfilled^(B) that is written about me in the Law of Moses,^(C) the Prophets^(D) and the Psalms.”^(E)

⁴⁵ Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer^(F) and rise from the dead on the third day,^{(G) 47} and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name^(H) to all nations,^(I) beginning at Jerusalem.^{(J) 48} You are witnesses^(K) of these things. ⁴⁹ I am going to send you what my Father has promised;^(L) but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension of Jesus

⁵⁰ When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany,^(M) he lifted up his hands and blessed them. ⁵¹ While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.^{(N) 52} Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. ⁵³ And they stayed continually at the temple,^(O) praising God.

Concluding Affirmations

¹³ I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God^(A) so that you may know that you have eternal life.^{(B) 14} This is the confidence^(C) we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.^{(D) 15} And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know^(E) that we have what we asked of him.^(F)