35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer(A) told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”(B)

37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,(C) 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.(D) 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.(E) 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,(F) where they met with the brothers and sisters(G) and encouraged them. Then they left.

Read full chapter

An Official Apology

35 When daylight came, the chief magistrates sent the police to say, “Release those men!”

36 The jailer reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders for you to be released. So come out now and go in peace.”(A)

37 But Paul said to them, “They beat us in public without a trial, although we are Roman citizens, and threw us in jail. And now are they going to smuggle us out secretly? Certainly not! On the contrary, let them come themselves and escort us out!”(B)

38 Then the police reported these words to the magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them, and escorting them out, they urged them to leave town. 40 After leaving the jail, they came to Lydia’s house where they saw and encouraged the brothers, and departed.(C)

Read full chapter