Book of Common Prayer

After an Earthquake Opens The Jail, The Jailer Believes And Is Baptized

²⁵ And about midnight Paul and Silas were singing-praise-to God while praying. And the prisoners were listening-to^[a] them. ²⁶ And suddenly a great earthquake took place, so that the foundations of the jailhouse were shaken. And at-once all the doors were opened, and the bonds^[b] of everyone were unfastened^[c]. ²⁷ And the jailer— having become awakened, and having seen the doors of the prison having been opened, having drawn his sword— was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸ But Paul called-out with a loud voice, saying, “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here”. ²⁹ And having asked-for lights, he rushed-in. And having become trembling, he fell before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ And having brought them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do in order that I may be saved?” ³¹ And the ones said, “Put faith upon the Lord Jesus and you will be saved— you and your household”. ³² And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along with all the ones in his house. ³³ And having taken them at that hour of the night, he washed off their wounds. And he was baptized at-once— he and all his household. ³⁴ And having led them up to his house, he set a table before them and rejoiced-greatly— having believed in God with-his-whole-household.

The Magistrates Release Paul And Silas After Learning They Are Roman Citizens

³⁵ And having become day, the magistrates sent forth their officers^[d], saying, “Release those men”. ³⁶ And the jailer reported these words to Paul, that “The magistrates have sent forth in order that you may be released. Now therefore having come out, proceed in peace”. ³⁷ But Paul said to them, “Having beaten us in public— uncondemned^[e] men being Romans^[f]— they threw us into prison. And now they are throwing us out secretly? No indeed! But having come themselves, let them lead us out!” ³⁸ And the officers reported these words to the magistrates. And having heard that they were Romans, they became afraid. ³⁹ And having come, they appealed-to them. And having led them out, they were asking them to depart from the city. ⁴⁰ And having gone forth from the prison, they went-in^[g] to Lydia. And having seen the brothers^[h], they encouraged them, and went forth.

²⁷ Now My soul has been troubled. And what should I say— ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this reason I came to this hour! ²⁸ Father, glorify Your name!”

Now Is The Judgment of This World. If I Am Lifted Up, I Will Draw All People To Myself

Then a voice came from heaven: “I both glorified it, and will again glorify it”. ²⁹ Then the crowd, the one standing there and having heard, was saying that thunder had taken place. Others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him”. ³⁰ Jesus responded and said, “This voice has taken place not for My sake, but for your sakes. ³¹ Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be cast out! ³² And if I am lifted-up^[a] from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself ”. ³³ Now He was saying this signifying by what-kind-of death He was going to die.

Believe In The Light While You Have The Light, That You May Become Sons of Light

³⁴ Then the crowd responded to Him, “We heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How indeed do You say that ‘The Son of Man must be lifted-up^[b]’? Who is this Son of Man?” ³⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “The Light is among you for a short time longer. Be walking while you have the Light, in order that darkness may not overtake you. Indeed the one walking in the darkness does not know where he is going. ³⁶ While you have the Light, be believing in the Light, in order that you may become sons of Light”. Jesus spoke these things, and having gone away, was hidden from them.