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 The next morning the city officials sent the police to tell the jailer, “Let those men go!” 36 So the jailer told Paul, “The city officials have said you and Silas are free to leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul replied, “They have publicly beaten us without a trial and put us in prison—and we are Roman citizens. So now they want us to leave secretly? Certainly not! Let them come themselves to release us!”

38 When the police reported this, the city officials were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. 39 So they came to the jail and apologized to them. Then they brought them out and begged them to leave the city. 40 When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town.

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