¹⁸ On my account you will be brought before governors and kings^(A) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

³ But Saul^(A) began to destroy the church.^(B) Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

²² Then the apostles and elders,^(A) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch^(B) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,^(C) men who were leaders among the believers.

⁶ But when they did not find them, they dragged^(A) Jason and some other believers^(B) before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world^(C) have now come here,^{(D) 7} and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”^{(E) 8} When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.

²⁵ He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.^{(A) 26} And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus^(B) and in practically the whole province of Asia.^(C) He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.^(D)

³⁰ The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul,^(A) they dragged him^(B) from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

⁶ But you have dishonored the poor.^(A) Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?^(B)