³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle^(A) you saw^(B) I had, and now hear^(C) that I still have.

² We had previously suffered^(A) and been treated outrageously in Philippi,^(B) as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.^(C)

¹⁹ When her owners realized that their hope of making money^(A) was gone, they seized Paul and Silas^(B) and dragged^(C) them into the marketplace to face the authorities. ²⁰ They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar^{(D) 21} by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans^(E) to accept or practice.”^(F)

²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.^{(G) 23} After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer^(H) 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.^(I)

²⁵ About midnight^(J) Paul and Silas^(K) were praying and singing hymns^(L) 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.^(M) At once all the prison doors flew open,^(N) and everyone’s chains came loose.^{(O) 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.^{(P) 28} But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.^{(Q) 30} He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”^(R)

³¹ They replied, “Believe^(S) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved^(T)—you and your household.”^{(U) 32} Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³ At that hour of the night^(V) the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.^{(W) 34} The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he^(X) was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

³⁵ When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” ³⁶ The jailer^(Y) told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”^(Z)

³⁷ But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens,^(AA) and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

³⁸ The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.^{(AB) 39} They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.^{(AC) 40} After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house,^(AD) where they met with the brothers and sisters^(AE) and encouraged them. Then they left.

God Disciplines His Children

⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.^(A)

⁷ I have fought the good fight,^(A) I have finished the race,^(B) I have kept the faith.

³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?^(A) Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?^{(B) 36} As it is written:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors^(D) through him who loved us.^(E)

¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything^(A) for the sake of the elect,^(B) that they too may obtain the salvation^(C) that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.^(D)

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:^(E)

¹¹ Put on the full armor of God,^(A) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(B) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(C) against the powers^(D) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(E) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(F) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(G) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(H) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(I) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(J) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(K) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(L) and the sword of the Spirit,^(M) which is the word of God.^(N)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(O) on all occasions^(P) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(Q) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(R) for all the Lord’s people.