“·People of Israel [^LMen, Israelites], ·listen to [hear] these words: Jesus ·from Nazareth [or the Nazarene] was a very special man. God clearly ·showed [attested; pointed out] this to you by the ·miracles [mighty deeds], wonders, and signs he did through Jesus. You all know this, because it happened ·right here among you [^Lin your midst].

The ·twelve apostles [Twelve] called the whole group of ·followers [^Ldisciples] together and said, “It is not right for us to ·stop our work of teaching God’s word [^Lleave/abandon the word of God] in order to serve tables.

Then we [apostles] can ·continue [devote ourselves] to pray and to ·teach [^Lthe ministry/service of] the word of God.”

The word of God was continuing to spread. The ·group [number] of ·followers [disciples] in Jerusalem [quickly; or greatly] ·increased [multiplied], and a great number of the Jewish priests ·believed and obeyed [^Lbecome obedient to the faith].

When the apostles who were still in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria [8:1] had ·accepted [received] the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

You know the ·message [word] that God has sent to the people of Israel ·is the Good News that peace [announcing/proclaiming the Gospel of peace that] has come through Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lord of all people [^Cboth Jews and Gentiles]!

Peter Returns to Jerusalem

The apostles and the ·believers [^Lbrothers] in Judea heard that some Gentiles had accepted ·God’s teaching [^Lthe word of God] too.

When they came to Salamis [^Cthe main city of Cyprus], they preached the ·Good News [Gospel; ^Lword] of God in the synagogues [^Lof the Jews]. John Mark was ·with them to help [their assistant].

who ·always stayed close to [^Lwas with; ^Cperhaps an assistant or advisor] Sergius Paulus, the ·governor [proconsul] and a ·smart [intelligent; discerning] man. He asked Barnabas and Saul to come to him, because he wanted to hear the ·message [^Lword] of God.

“·Brothers, [^LMen, brothers] ·sons [or descendants] of the family of Abraham, and others who ·worship [fear; 13:16] God, listen! The ·news [word; message] about this salvation has been sent to us.

But Paul and Barnabas spoke very ·boldly [fearlessly; courageously], saying, “·We must [It was necessary for us to] speak the ·message [word] of God to you first. But [^Lsince] you ·refuse to listen [or reject it]. You are judging yourselves not worthy of having eternal life! So we will now ·go [^Lturn] to the ·people of other nations [Gentiles].

But the Jews [^Cwho had opposed Paul earlier] in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, too. So they came there, ·upsetting [stirring up] the ·people [crowd] and ·making trouble [causing a disturbance].

Some of the Epicurean [^Cwho believed the goal of life was pleasure and did not believe the soul survived death] and Stoic philosophers [^Cwho believed life should be lived with indifference to pleasure and pain, and did not believe the soul was immortal] ·argued [conversed; debated] with him, saying, “What is this ·babbler [or charlatan; or ignorant show-off; ^Lword-scatterer] trying to say?” Others said, “He seems to be telling us about ·some other gods [foreign gods; strange deities],” because Paul was ·telling them [preaching the Good News/Gospel] about Jesus and ·his rising from the dead [the resurrection].

“Now I ·am putting you in the care of [commend/commit/entrust you to] God and the ·message [word] about his grace. It is able to ·give you strength [edify you; build you up], and it will give you the ·blessings God has [^Linheritance] ·for [or among] all ·his holy people [those who are sanctified; those set apart for himself].

He said, ‘The God of our ·ancestors [forefathers; fathers] ·chose [appointed] you long ago to know his ·plan [will; purpose], to see the Righteous One [^CJesus], and to hear ·words [a divine message; ^La voice] from ·him [^Lhis mouth].