Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.^(A) Stand firm,^(B) then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.^(C)

²³ After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer^(A) was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴ When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.^(B)

²⁵ About midnight^(C) Paul and Silas^(D) were praying and singing hymns^(E) to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken.^(F) At once all the prison doors flew open,^(G) and everyone’s chains came loose.^{(H) 27} The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.^{(I) 28} But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”