¹⁷ But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them ^(A)to speak no more to anyone in this name.”

²⁸ saying, ^(A)“We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you ^(B)intend to bring this man's blood upon us.”

⁸ For not only has the word of the Lord ^(A)sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth ^(B)everywhere, so that we need not say anything.

¹⁸ For I will not venture to speak of anything except ^(A)what Christ has accomplished through me ^(B)to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, ^19 (C)by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that ^(D)from Jerusalem and all the way around ^(E)to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; ²⁰ and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, ^(F)lest I build on someone else's foundation, ²¹ but as it is written,

Paul's Plan to Visit Rome

²² This is the reason why ^(H)I have so often been hindered from coming to you.

²⁴ Now when ^(A)the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed about them, wondering what this would come to.

^15 (A)who killed both the Lord Jesus and ^(B)the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and ^(C)oppose all mankind ^16 (D)by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always ^(E)to fill up the measure of their sins. But ^(F)wrath has come upon them at last!^[a]

¹⁶ But ^(A)they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ^(B)“Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” ¹⁷ So ^(C)faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

¹⁸ But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for

³⁹ but ^(A)if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You ^(B)might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, ⁴⁰ and ^(C)when they had called in the apostles, ^(D)they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

²⁹ And now, Lord, ^(A)look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all ^(B)boldness, ³⁰ while ^(C)you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed ^(D)through the name of your ^(E)holy servant Jesus.”