Elymas

4The Holy Spirit had sent them out. They went down to the town of Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

NoteSeleucia was the port town where ships left from. Cyprus is a big island out in that sea.

5In the town of Salamis they told God's word in the Jewish meeting places. John came along to help them.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

NoteA Jewish meeting place was called a synagogue. People gathered there to pray and read God's word. The King James calls John their "minister." Here that word just means helper.

6They traveled all across the island to the town of Paphos. There they met a Jewish man named Bar-Jesus. He did magic and pretended to speak for God.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

NoteMagic here means using secret words and spells to make things happen. A false prophet was someone who pretended God gave him messages.

7This man stayed near Sergius Paulus, the Roman ruler of the island. Sergius Paulus was wise. He sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear God's word.

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

NoteRome ruled many lands far away. Rome sent a governor to run each one. The King James calls him "the deputy of the country."

8But the magic worker fought against them. He was also called Elymas, which is what his name means. He tried to keep the ruler from believing.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

9Then Saul, who is also called Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked straight at Elymas.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

NoteMany Jewish people then had two names. Saul was his Jewish name. Paul was his Roman name. From here on, this book calls him Paul.

10He said, "You are full of lies and tricks. You are a child of the devil. You are the enemy of everything good. Will you never stop twisting the Lord's straight paths?

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

NoteCalling someone a child of something meant he acted just like it. It did not mean the devil was really his father.

11Now the Lord's hand is against you. You will be blind for a while and will not see the sun." Right away a fog and darkness came over him. He felt around for someone to lead him by the hand.

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Note"The hand of the Lord" is a way of saying God's power at work.

12When the ruler saw what happened, he believed. He was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

NoteThe King James word "doctrine" is an old word for teaching.