²⁷ But Barnabas^(A) took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,^(B) and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.^(C)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas^(A) (which means “son of encouragement”),

²⁹ Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.^(A)

¹⁸ Then after three years,^(A) I went up to Jerusalem^(B) to get acquainted with Cephas^[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ I saw none of the other apostles—only James,^(C) the Lord’s brother.

¹³ When they saw the courage of Peter and John^(A) and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men,^(B) they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.^(C)

²⁰ At once he began to preach in the synagogues^(A) that Jesus is the Son of God.^{(B) 21} All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?^(C) And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”^{(D) 22} Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.^(E)

¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(A) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(B) make known the mystery^(C) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(D) in chains.^(E) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

¹³ The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas^(A) was led astray.

⁹ James,^(A) Cephas^[a](B) and John, those esteemed as pillars,^(C) gave me and Barnabas^(D) the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me.^(E) They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles,^(F) and they to the circumcised.