²⁹ He spoke and argued with the Hellenists, but they were attempting to kill him.^(A)

Seven Chosen to Serve

6 Now during those days, when the disciples were increasing in number, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food.^(A)

²⁶ on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters;^(A)

⁹ But when the archangel Michael disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, he did not dare to bring a condemnation of slander^[a] against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”^(A)

⁸ He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God.^(A)

¹⁹ When they reached Ephesus, he left them there, but first he himself went into the synagogue and had a discussion with the Jews.

¹⁷ So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons and also in the marketplace^[a] every day with those who happened to be there.

²⁰ But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists^[a] also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.^(A)

²⁷ But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and described for them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.^(A)

²⁰ and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” ²¹ All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem among those who invoked this name? And has he not come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?”^{(A) 22} Saul became increasingly more powerful and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus^[a] was the Messiah.^[b](B)

Saul Escapes from the Jews

²³ After some time had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,^(C)