Book of Common Prayer

13 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. They were Barnabas, Simeon Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen who grew up with Herod the ruler, and Saul.

² They were worshipping the Lord and fasting [not eating food for a time]. The Holy Spirit said, `Give me Barnabas and Saul to do the work for which I have called them.'

³ The men fasted and talked to God. Then they laid their hands on Barnabas and Paul and sent them on their way.

⁴ Barnabas and Saul left Antioch. The Holy Spirit sent them to the town of Seleucia. From there they went in a boat to the island of Cyprus.

⁵ When they reached the town of Salamis, they told God's word in the meeting places of the Jews. John was with them to help.

⁶ They went through all the island to the town of Paphos. There they met a witch doctor. He was a Jew named Bar-Jesus. He was not a true prophet.

⁷ This witch-doctor was with Sergius Paulus, the ruler of the country. Sergius Paulus was a wise man. He wanted to hear God's word, so he called for Barnabas and Saul.

⁸ The witch-doctor was also called Elymas. He tried to stop them. He did not want the ruler to believe the truth.

⁹ Then Saul, who is also called Paul, being filled with the Holy Spirit, looked at him.

¹⁰ `You son of the devil!' he said. `You do nothing but tell lies and make much trouble. You hate everything that is right. The Lord's way is right. Will you not stop spoiling his way?

¹¹ See now, the Lord's hand is upon you. You will be blind and will not be able to see the sun for a while.' And right then something like a dark cloud came over Elymas' eyes. He went around begging someone to take his hand and lead him.

¹² The ruler saw what had happened. And he was very much surprised at the teaching about the Lord. He believed it.

⁴¹ Peter said, `Lord, are you telling this story for us or for all the people?'

⁴² The Lord said, `Who is like a wise servant who can be trusted? His master will put him in charge of his other servants. He gives them food to eat at the right time.

⁴³ His master will bless that servant if he is doing this when he comes!

⁴⁴ I tell you the truth. His master will put him in charge of all that he has

⁴⁵ But perhaps that servant says to himself, "My master will not come just now." Then he begins to beat the other servants. He begins to eat and drink until he is drunk.

⁴⁶ If he does that, his master will come on a day when he is not looking for him. He will not know the time when his master is coming. His master will punish him very much and put him away with those he cannot trust.

⁴⁷ `A servant knew what his master wanted. But he was not ready. He did not do what his master wanted him to do. So he will be beaten much.

⁴⁸ But if a servant did not know and did something bad, he will be beaten only a little. To whom much has been given, from him much will be asked. When people give much to anyone, they will ask more from him.