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.

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35 When day came, the magistrates sent guards, who commanded, “Release those men.”

36 The jailer reported these words to Paul, and added, “The magistrates have sent word to release you. So come out now and go in peace.”

37 But Paul told the guards,[a] “The magistrates[b] have had us beaten publicly without a trial and have thrown us into jail, even though we are Roman citizens. Now are they going to throw us out secretly? Certainly not! Have them come and escort us out.”

38 The guards reported these words to the magistrates, and they became afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas[c] were Roman citizens. 39 So the magistrates[d] came, apologized to them, and escorted them out. Then they asked them to leave the city. 40 Leaving the jail, Paul and Silas[e] went to Lydia’s house. They saw the brothers, encouraged them, and then left.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 16:37 Lit. told them
  2. Acts 16:37 Lit. They
  3. Acts 16:38 Lit. that they
  4. Acts 16:39 Lit. So they
  5. Acts 16:40 Lit. jail, they