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Acts 16
New Life Version
Acts 16
New Life Version
Timothy Starts to Work with Paul
16 Paul went down to the cities of Derbe and Lystra. There was a follower there named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish Christian and his father was a Greek. 2 The Christians in the city of Lystra and Iconium respected Timothy. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to go with him as a missionary. He took him and had Timothy go through the religious act of becoming a Jew because of the Jews who were in those places. Everyone knew his father was a Greek.
4 They went from city to city and told the Christians what the missionaries and the church leaders in Jerusalem had written for the Christians to do. 5 The churches were made stronger in the faith. More people were added each day.
Paul Is Called to Macedonia in a Dream
6 They went through the countries of Phrygia and Galatia. The Holy Spirit kept them from preaching the Word of God in the countries of Asia. 7 When they came to the city of Mysia, they tried to go on to the city of Bithynia but the Holy Spirit would not let them go. 8 From Mysia they went down to the city of Troas.
9 That night Paul had a dream. A man was standing in front of him crying out, “Come over to the country of Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen this, we agreed that God told us to go to Macedonia to tell them the Good News.
Lydia, the First Christian in Europe
11 We took a ship from the city of Troas to the city of Samothracia. The next day we went to the city of Neapolis. 12 From there we went to the city of Philippi. This was an important city in Macedonia. It was ruled by the leaders of the country of Rome. We stayed here for some days. 13 On the Day of Rest we went outside the city to a place down by the river. We thought people would be gathering there for prayer. Some women came and we sat down and talked to them. 14 One of the women who listened sold purple cloth. She was from the city of Thyatira. Her name was Lydia and she was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to hear what Paul said. 15 When she and her family had been baptized, she said to us, “If you think I am faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my house.” She kept on asking. Then we went with her.
Paul Heals a Girl with a Demon
16 One day as we were going to the place to pray, we met a servant-girl who could tell what was going to happen in the future by a demon she had. Her owner made much money from her power. 17 She followed Paul and us crying out, “These are servants of the Highest God. They are telling you how to be saved from the punishment of sin.” 18 She did this many days. Paul was troubled. Then he turned and said to the demon in her, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I speak to you. Come out of her!” At once it left her.
Paul and Silas in Jail
19 The girl’s owners saw that they could not make money with her anymore. Then they took hold of Paul and Silas and dragged them to the leaders. This happened in the center of town where people gather. 20 After they brought them in front of the leaders, they said, “These men are Jews and are making a lot of trouble in our city. 21 They are teaching a religion that we Romans are not allowed to follow.”
22 Many people had gathered around Paul and Silas. They were calling out things against them. The leaders had the clothes of Paul and Silas taken off and had them beaten with sticks. 23 After they had hit them many times, they put Paul and Silas in prison. The soldiers told the man who watched the prison to be sure to keep them from getting away. 24 Because of this, they were put in the inside room of the prison and their feet were put in pieces of wood that held them.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs of thanks to God. The other men in prison were listening to them. 26 All at once the earth started to shake. The stones under the prison shook and the doors opened. The chains fell off from everyone.
27 The man who watched the prison woke up. He saw the prison doors wide open and thought the men in prison had gotten away. At once he pulled out his sword to kill himself. 28 But Paul called to him, “Do not hurt yourself. We are all here!” 29 The man who watched the prison called for a light. Then he ran in and got down in front of Paul and Silas. He was shaking with fear. 30 As he took them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They said, “Put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your family will be saved from the punishment of sin.”
32 Then Paul spoke the Word of God to him and his family. 33 It was late at night, but the man who watched the prison took Paul and Silas in and washed the places on their bodies where they were hurt. Right then he and his family were baptized. 34 He took Paul and Silas to his house and gave them food. He and all his family were full of joy for having put their trust in God.
Paul and Silas Are Allowed to Go Free
35 When it was day, the leaders sent a soldier to say, “Let these men go free.” 36 The man who watched the prison told this to Paul. He said, “The leaders have sent word to let you go free. Come out now and go without any trouble.”
37 Paul said, “No! They have beaten us in front of many people without a trial. We are Roman citizens and they have put us in prison. Now do they think they can send us away without anyone knowing? No! They must come themselves and take us out.” 38 The soldiers told this to the leaders. Then the leaders were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 They went themselves and told Paul and Silas they were sorry. Then they took them out and asked them to leave their city. 40 Paul and Silas went to Lydia’s house after they left the prison. They met with the Christians and gave them comfort. Then they went away from the city.
Atti 16
Nuova Riveduta 1994
Atti 16
Nuova Riveduta 1994
Timoteo si unisce a Paolo
16 (A)Giunse anche a Derba e a Listra; e là c'era un discepolo, di nome *Timoteo, figlio di una donna ebrea credente, ma di padre greco. 2 Di lui rendevano buona testimonianza i fratelli che erano a Listra e a Iconio. 3 *Paolo volle che egli partisse con lui; perciò lo prese e lo circoncise a causa dei Giudei che erano in quei luoghi; perché tutti sapevano che il padre di lui era greco. 4 Passando da una città all'altra, trasmisero ai fratelli, perché le osservassero, le decisioni prese dagli *apostoli e dagli *anziani che erano a *Gerusalemme. 5 Le chiese dunque si fortificavano nella fede e crescevano ogni giorno di numero.
Visione di Paolo a Troas
6 (B)Poi attraversarono la Frigia e la regione della *Galazia[a], perché lo Spirito Santo vietò loro di annunziare la parola in *Asia; 7 e, giunti ai confini della Misia[b], cercavano di andare in Bitinia; ma lo Spirito di Gesú non lo permise loro; 8 e, oltrepassata la Misia, discesero a *Troas. 9 Paolo ebbe durante la notte una visione: un macedone gli stava davanti, e lo pregava dicendo: «Passa in Macedonia e soccorrici». 10 Appena ebbe avuta quella visione, cercammo subito di partire per la Macedonia, convinti che Dio ci aveva chiamati là, ad annunziare loro il vangelo.
Paolo a Filippi
11 (C)Perciò, salpando da Troas, puntammo diritto su Samotracia[c], e il giorno seguente su Neapolis[d]; 12 di là ci recammo a *Filippi, che è colonia[e] romana e la città piú importante di quella
regione della Macedonia; e restammo in quella città alcuni giorni.
13 Il sabato andammo fuori dalla porta, lungo il fiume, dove pensavamo vi fosse un luogo di preghiera; e sedutici parlavamo alle donne là riunite. 14 Una donna della città di Tiatiri, commerciante di porpora, di nome Lidia, che temeva Dio, ci stava ad ascoltare. Il Signore le aprí il cuore, per renderla attenta alle cose dette da Paolo. 15 Dopo che fu battezzata con la sua famiglia, ci pregò dicendo: «Se avete giudicato ch'io sia fedele al Signore, entrate in casa mia, e alloggiatevi». E ci costrinse ad accettare.
Paolo e Sila in prigione
16 (D)Mentre andavamo al luogo di preghiera, incontrammo una serva posseduta da uno spirito di divinazione[f]. Facendo l'indovina, essa procurava molto guadagno ai suoi padroni. 17 Costei, messasi a seguire Paolo e noi, gridava: «Questi uomini sono servi del Dio altissimo, e vi annunziano la via della salvezza». 18 Cosí fece per molti giorni; ma Paolo, infastidito, si voltò e disse allo spirito: «Io ti ordino, nel nome di Gesú Cristo, che tu esca da costei». Ed egli uscí in quell'istante.
19 I suoi padroni, vedendo che la speranza del loro guadagno era svanita, presero Paolo e *Sila e li trascinarono sulla piazza davanti alle autorità; 20 e, presentatili ai pretori, dissero: «Questi uomini, che sono Giudei, turbano la nostra città, 21 e predicano riti che a noi Romani non è lecito accettare né praticare». 22 La folla insorse allora contro di loro; e i pretori, strappate loro le vesti, comandarono che fossero battuti con le verghe. 23 E, dopo aver dato loro molte vergate, li cacciarono in prigione, comandando al carceriere di sorvegliarli attentamente. 24 Ricevuto tale ordine, egli li rinchiuse nella parte piú interna del carcere e mise dei ceppi ai loro piedi.
Conversione del carceriere di Filippi
25 (E)Verso la mezzanotte Paolo e Sila, pregando, cantavano inni a Dio; e i carcerati li ascoltavano. 26 A un tratto, vi fu un gran terremoto, la prigione fu scossa dalle fondamenta; e in quell'istante tutte le porte si aprirono, e le catene di tutti si spezzarono. 27 Il carceriere si svegliò e, vedute tutte le porte del carcere spalancate, sguainò la spada per uccidersi, pensando che i prigionieri fossero fuggiti. 28 Ma Paolo gli gridò ad alta voce: «Non farti del male, perché siamo tutti qui». 29 Il carceriere, chiesto un lume, balzò dentro e tutto tremante, si gettò ai piedi di Paolo e di Sila; 30 poi li condusse fuori e disse: «Signori, che debbo fare per essere salvato?» 31 Ed essi risposero: «Credi nel Signore Gesú, e sarai salvato tu e la tua famiglia». 32 Poi annunziarono la Parola del Signore a lui e a tutti quelli che erano in casa sua. 33 Ed egli li prese con sé in quella stessa ora della notte, lavò le loro piaghe e subito fu battezzato lui con tutti i suoi. 34 Poi li fece salire in casa sua, apparecchiò loro la tavola, e si rallegrava con tutta la sua famiglia, perché aveva creduto in Dio.
Paolo e Sila vengono rilasciati
35 (F)Fattosi giorno, i pretori mandarono i littori a dire: «Libera quegli uomini». 36 Il carceriere riferí a Paolo queste parole, dicendo: «I pretori hanno mandato a dire che siate rimessi in libertà; or dunque uscite, e andate in pace». 37 Ma Paolo disse loro: «Dopo averci battuti in pubblico senza che fossimo stati condannati, noi che siamo cittadini romani[g], ci hanno gettati in prigione; e ora vogliono rilasciarci di nascosto? No davvero! Anzi, vengano loro stessi a condurci fuori». 38 I littori riferirono queste parole ai pretori; e questi ebbero paura quando seppero che erano Romani; 39 essi vennero e li pregarono di scusarli; e, accompagnandoli fuori, chiesero loro di andarsene dalla città. 40 Allora Paolo e Sila, usciti dalla prigione, entrarono in casa di Lidia; e visti i fratelli, li confortarono, e partirono.
Footnotes
- Atti 16:6 Frigia… Galazia, erano delle provincie situate al centro dell'Asia minore.
- Atti 16:7 Misia, era una provincia a ovest dell'Asia minore, che si estendeva fino al mar Egeo.
- Atti 16:11 Samotracia, isola del mar Egeo.
- Atti 16:11 Neapolis, era una città che, probabilmente, faceva parte della Tracia.
- Atti 16:12 Colonia romana, fondata da Giulio Cesare (v. 21).
- Atti 16:16 Uno spirito di divinazione, lett. uno spirito Pitone, cioè un demonio.
- Atti 16:37 Noi che siamo cittadini romani: Paolo era cittadino romano per filiazione; aveva questo diritto dai suoi antenati; At 22:28; le leggi romane proibivano di frustare un cittadino romano.
Acts 16
New International Version
Acts 16
New International Version
Timothy Joins Paul and Silas
16 Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra,(A) where a disciple named Timothy(B) lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer(C) but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers(D) at Lystra and Iconium(E) spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.(F) 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders(G) in Jerusalem(H) for the people to obey.(I) 5 So the churches were strengthened(J) in the faith and grew daily in numbers.(K)
Paul’s Vision of the Man of Macedonia
6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia(L) and Galatia,(M) having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.(N) 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus(O) would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas.(P) 9 During the night Paul had a vision(Q) of a man of Macedonia(R) standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we(S) got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel(T) to them.
Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
11 From Troas(U) 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,(V) a Roman colony and the leading city of that district[a] of Macedonia.(W) And we stayed there several days.
13 On the Sabbath(X) 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(Y) named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart(Z) to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household(AA) were baptized,(AB) 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.
Paul and Silas in Prison
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer,(AC) we were met by a female slave who had a spirit(AD) by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God,(AE) who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.(AF)
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money(AG) was gone, they seized Paul and Silas(AH) and dragged(AI) them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar(AJ) 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans(AK) to accept or practice.”(AL)
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.(AM) 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer(AN) was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.(AO)
25 About midnight(AP) Paul and Silas(AQ) were praying and singing hymns(AR) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.(AS) At once all the prison doors flew open,(AT) and everyone’s chains came loose.(AU) 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.(AV) 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.(AW) 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”(AX)
31 They replied, “Believe(AY) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved(AZ)—you and your household.”(BA) 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night(BB) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.(BC) 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he(BD) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer(BE) told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”(BF)
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,(BG) and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.(BH) 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.(BI) 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,(BJ) where they met with the brothers and sisters(BK) and encouraged them. Then they left.
Footnotes
- Acts 16:12 The text and meaning of the Greek for the leading city of that district are uncertain.
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Nuova Riveduta 1994 (NR1994)
Copyright © 1994 by Geneva Bible Society
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