Paul

13Paul and his friends sailed away from Paphos. They came to the town of Perga in the land of Pamphylia. There John left them and went back to Jerusalem.

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

NotePerga and Pamphylia were a town and a region in the land we now call Turkey. This John is also called John Mark.

14They went on from Perga to Antioch in the land of Pisidia. On the Sabbath, the Jewish day of rest, they went into the meeting place and sat down.

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

NoteThis is a different Antioch from the one in verse 1. Two towns had the same name. The Sabbath was the Jewish day of rest and worship. In the meeting place, a teacher sat down to speak.

15Someone read from the law and the prophets, which are parts of the Bible. Then the leaders of the meeting place sent them a message. "Brothers, if you have words to cheer the people, please speak."

And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

NoteThe law and the prophets are books of the Bible written long before Jesus. Visitors were often asked to say a few words after the reading.

16Paul stood up and waved his hand. He said, "Men of Israel, and all of you who worship God, please listen.

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

Note"Men of Israel" means the Jewish people there. "Ye that fear God" means people who were not Jewish but came to worship Israel's God.

17The God of Israel chose our fathers long ago. He made them into a great people while they lived in Egypt. Then he used his strong arm to bring them out.

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Note"Our fathers" means their family long, long ago, like Abraham. The Jewish people once lived in Egypt as slaves. "With an high arm" is a picture of God using great strength.

18For about forty years he put up with the way they acted in the desert.

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

NoteThe wilderness was dry, empty land with almost nothing growing. The King James says God "suffered their manners." That means he put up with the way they behaved.

19He beat seven nations in the land of Canaan. Then he gave their land to his people.

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

NoteCanaan was the land God promised to give Israel. The King James says the land was divided "by lot." Marked stones were drawn to decide who got which part.

20After that he gave them judges to lead them, for about 450 years. This lasted until Samuel the prophet.

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

NoteA judge here was a leader who rescued Israel from its enemies. It does not mean a judge in a courtroom.

21Then the people asked for a king. God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, from the family group of Benjamin. Saul was king for forty years.

And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

NoteIsrael was made up of twelve family groups called tribes. Benjamin was one of them. The King James spells the father's name Cis; today we say Kish.

22God took Saul away and made David their king. God said about him, "I have found David, the son of Jesse. He is a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want."

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

Note"A man after mine own heart" means someone who wants what God wants. Jesse was David's father.

23God promised to send Israel a Savior from David's family, and he did. That Savior is Jesus. A Savior is someone who rescues people.

Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

NoteThe King James says "of this man's seed." Seed here means a person's children, and their children after them.

24Before Jesus began his work, John told all the people of Israel to turn away from their sins. He told them to be baptized, which means being washed in water to show their hearts had changed.

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

NoteThis is John the Baptist. Repentance means being sorry for wrong and turning away from it.

25As John was finishing his work, he said, "Who do you think I am? I am not the one you are waiting for. Someone is coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his shoes."

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

NoteUntying a guest's sandals was a job for the lowest servant in the house. John meant he was not even that important next to Jesus.

26"Brothers, children of Abraham's family, and all of you who worship God, listen. This message about being saved was sent to you.

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

NoteAbraham lived hundreds of years before. Jewish people counted him as their first father.

27The people in Jerusalem and their leaders did not know who Jesus was. They did not understand the prophets' words, even though those words are read every Sabbath. By saying Jesus was guilty, they did just what the prophets said would happen.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

28They could find no reason to put him to death. Even so, they asked Pilate, the Roman ruler, to have him killed.

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

NotePilate was the Roman governor. Only he could order someone put to death.

29They did everything that was written about him. Then they took his body down from the tree and laid it in a tomb.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

Note"The tree" means the wooden cross Jesus was killed on. The King James word "sepulchre" means a tomb, a room cut into rock.

30But God raised him from the dead.

But God raised him from the dead:

31For many days he was seen by the people who came with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they tell everyone what they saw.

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

NoteGalilee was the part of the country where Jesus grew up and taught. A witness is someone who saw a thing happen and can tell about it.

32We are bringing you good news. God made a promise to our fathers long ago.

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

33He has kept that promise for us, their children, by raising Jesus back to life. The second psalm says this: "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

NoteThe Psalms are songs and prayers in the Bible. There are 150 of them. "Begotten" is an old word meaning born as someone's child.

34God raised him up, and he will never die and rot again. God said this: "I will give you the sure and holy gifts I promised to David."

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

NoteThe King James word "corruption" means a dead body rotting away. "The sure mercies of David" means the good things God promised David and would surely give.

35In another psalm God says, "You will not let your Holy One rot in the grave."

Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

36David did what God wanted while he was alive. Then he died and was buried with his fathers, and his body rotted away.

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

Note"Fell on sleep" is a gentle old way of saying he died. "Laid unto his fathers" means he was buried where his family was buried.

37But the one God raised from the dead did not rot away.

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

38So listen, brothers. We are telling you that God forgives sins through this man Jesus.

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

NoteForgiveness of sins means God wipes away the wrong things a person has done.

39Everyone who believes in him is made right with God. The law of Moses could never do that for you.

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Note"Justified" means made right with God, as if you had done nothing wrong. The law of Moses was the set of rules God gave Israel through Moses.

40So be careful. Do not let happen to you what the prophets warned about.

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

41They said, "Look, you who make fun of God. Be amazed, and be swept away. I am doing a work in your own time. You would not believe it, even if someone told you about it."

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

NoteThese words come from Habakkuk, a prophet who lived long before. "Despisers" means people who make fun of God. "In no wise" means not at all.

42When the Jewish people left the meeting place, the others begged Paul and Barnabas to come back. They wanted to hear more next Sabbath. These others were Gentiles, which means people who are not Jewish.

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

NoteGentiles means everyone in the world who is not Jewish.

43After the meeting ended, many Jews followed Paul and Barnabas. Others followed too, people who had joined the Jewish faith. Paul and Barnabas talked with them. They told them to keep on trusting God's kindness.

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

NoteThe King James calls them "proselytes." They were people not born Jewish who had joined the Jewish faith. Grace means God's kindness, given as a gift nobody earns.

44On the next Sabbath, almost the whole city came to hear the word of God.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

45But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They argued against what Paul said and spoke insults.

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

NoteBlaspheming means saying insulting things about God.

46Then Paul and Barnabas spoke bravely. "God's word had to be told to you first. But you push it away. You show that you do not think you should have life forever. So now we are going to the Gentiles.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

47This is what the Lord told us to do. He said, "I have made you a light for the Gentiles. You will bring my saving help to the far ends of the earth."

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

NoteThese words come from the prophet Isaiah, in an older part of the Bible.

48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad. They gave honor to the Lord's word. And all who were chosen for life forever believed.

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

49The word of the Lord spread all through that whole area.

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

50But the Jews stirred up important women who worshiped God. They stirred up the leading men of the city too. They made trouble for Paul and Barnabas and pushed them out of that area.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

NotePersecution means hurting people on purpose because of what they believe. The King James word "coasts" means the edges of an area, not a seashore.

51So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet at them. Then they went on to the city of Iconium.

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

NoteShaking the dust off your feet was a sign people understood. It meant, "We tried here, and now we are done." Iconium was another city farther inland.

52And the followers of Jesus were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

NoteA disciple is a follower who learns from a teacher.

1In the city called Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went into the synagogue. A synagogue is where Jewish people met to pray and learn. They spoke so well that many Jews and Greeks believed.

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

NoteJews were the people God chose long ago. Greeks were people from other lands who spoke Greek. Both kinds of people lived in this city.

2But some Jews would not believe. They stirred up the Gentiles, who were people who were not Jewish. They made them think bad things about the believers.

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

3So Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time. They spoke bravely, trusting in the Lord. God showed their message was true. He let them do signs and wonders, amazing things people saw happen.

Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

NoteSigns and wonders are amazing things that people see happen.

4The people of the city took sides. Some agreed with the Jews. Some agreed with the apostles, the men Jesus sent out to tell about him.

But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5Then some Gentiles and Jews and their leaders made a plan. They wanted to hurt Paul and Barnabas and throw stones at them.

And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

NoteLong ago, throwing stones was a way people killed someone. A crowd would throw big rocks until the person died.

6Paul and Barnabas found out about the plan. So they ran away to Lystra and Derbe. Those were cities in an area called Lycaonia. They went to the towns nearby too.

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

7In those places they kept telling people the good news about Jesus.

And there they preached the gospel.

8In Lystra a man sat who could not use his feet. He had been that way since he was born. He had never walked.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9This man listened while Paul spoke. Paul looked right at him. Paul could see the man believed God would heal him.

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10Paul said in a loud voice, "Stand up on your feet!" The man jumped up and began to walk.

Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11The crowds saw what Paul had done. They shouted in their own Lycaonian language. They said, "The gods have come down to us as men!"

And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

NoteThese people believed in many gods. They told stories about them and made statues of them. They thought two of those gods had come to visit.

12They called Barnabas Jupiter, and they called Paul Mercurius. They called Paul that because he did most of the talking.

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

NoteJupiter and Mercurius were two of those gods. People said Jupiter was the boss of all the gods. They said Mercurius carried messages and did the talking.

13There was a temple for Jupiter just outside the city. Its priest brought bulls and flower wreaths to the city gates. He and the crowd wanted to kill the bulls as a gift to Paul and Barnabas.

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

NoteA priest was a man whose job was to serve a god at its temple. A temple was a building made for a god. People brought animals there and killed them as gifts. Flower wreaths were rings of flowers put on the animals first.

14Barnabas and Paul heard about this. They tore their own clothes to show how upset they were. Then they ran into the crowd, shouting.

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

NoteTearing your own clothes was how people showed big feelings. It meant, "This is terribly wrong." Everyone watching would understand right away.

15"Men, why are you doing this? We are only people, just like you. We came to bring you good news. Stop trusting these useless things. Turn to the living God. He made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them."

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

NoteThe "useless things" were the statues the people prayed to. A statue cannot see or hear or help anyone. Paul calls God "living" because God is real and alive.

16"Long ago, God let every nation live in its own way."

Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17"But God always showed people what he is like. He was good to them. He sent rain from the sky and good growing times. He gave them plenty of food and made them glad."

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18Even after they said all this, the people almost made the sacrifice anyway. Paul and Barnabas could barely stop them.

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They talked the crowd into turning against Paul. They threw stones at him and dragged him out of the city. They thought he was dead.

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20But the believers gathered around him. Paul got up and walked back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21They told the good news in that city, and many people became followers of Jesus. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22They helped the believers grow strong inside. They told them to keep trusting God. They said, "We must go through many hard things to enter God's kingdom."

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

NoteGod's kingdom means everywhere God is king. It is God's people living with him as their king.

23In each group of believers they chose leaders called elders. They prayed and went without food. Then they placed the believers in the care of the Lord they trusted.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

NoteElders were older, trusted people picked to care for the group. Going without food is called fasting. People did it for a short time to help them pray.

24They traveled through the area called Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25They told God's message in the city of Perga. Then they went down to Attalia.

And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26From there they sailed to Antioch. That was where the believers had asked God to be kind to them and help them with this work. Now the work was done.

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

NoteThis Antioch was a different city from the Antioch in verse 21. Two cities had the same name. This one was far away by the sea, where the trip began.

27When they got there, they called the church together. They told everything God had done through them. God had opened a door so people who were not Jewish could believe too.

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

NoteThe word church means all the believers together. It does not mean a building.

28They stayed there a long time with the believers.

And there they abode long time with the disciples.

1Some men came down from Judea and taught the believers. They said, "You must be circumcised, the way Moses taught, or you cannot be saved." Being circumcised was a small cutting of skin. It was a sign that a man belonged to God's people.

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

NoteJudea was the land around Jerusalem, where many Jews lived. Moses led God's people long ago. God gave his rules to the people through Moses. To be circumcised was to have a small bit of skin cut off. It was a sign that a boy belonged to God's people. Only boys and men were given this sign. "Saved" means rescued by God and kept safe with him forever.

2Paul and Barnabas did not agree with them at all. They argued about it a great deal. So it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem. They would ask the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles were the men Jesus chose to lead. Elders were older leaders of the church.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

NoteThe apostles were the special helpers Jesus picked to lead his followers. Elders were older, trusted leaders in a group of believers. Jerusalem was the most important city for Jewish people. The first leaders of the church lived there.

3The church sent them on their way. They traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria. They told how many Gentiles had turned to God. Gentiles are people who are not Jews. This news made all the believers very glad.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

NoteIn the Bible, a "church" is a group of people who follow Jesus. It is not a building here. Phoenicia and Samaria were lands they walked through on the way. Gentiles were people who were not Jewish. That meant almost everybody else in the world.

4When they reached Jerusalem, the church welcomed them. The apostles and elders welcomed them too. They told everyone all that God had done through them.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

5But some believers who belonged to the Pharisees stood up. Pharisees were teachers who kept the rules of Moses very carefully. They said, "These Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the law of Moses."

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

NoteThe Pharisees were a group of Jewish teachers. They tried very hard to keep every one of God's rules. "The law of Moses" means the rules God gave through Moses. They are written down in the first books of the Bible.

6So the apostles and elders met together to look at this question.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7They talked about it for a long time. Then Peter stood up and said, "Brothers, listen. You know what God did a good while ago. He chose me to tell the good news to Gentiles. They heard it from my mouth, and they believed."

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

NoteThe "good news" is the news about Jesus. It tells how he came to rescue people and bring them to God.

8"God knows what is inside every heart. He showed that he accepted them. He gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us."

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God himself, come to live inside his people. He helps them and shows them what is true.

9"He did not treat them any differently from us. He made their hearts clean because they trusted him."

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10"So why are you testing God? You want to put a yoke on the necks of these followers. Our fathers could not carry that load. We could not carry it either."

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

NoteA yoke is a heavy wooden bar. It is laid across the necks of two oxen so they can pull a cart. Peter says all the rules felt like that heavy bar.

11"We believe the Lord Jesus saves us by his kindness, as a free gift. Gentiles are saved the very same way."

But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Note"Kindness as a free gift" is what the Bible calls grace. A gift is not something you work for. Nobody can earn it or pay for it.

12Then the whole crowd grew quiet. They listened to Barnabas and Paul. The two men told about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

NoteSigns and wonders are amazing things only God can do. Healing a sick person is one kind of sign.

22The apostles and elders and the whole church liked this plan. They picked some of their own men to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas, who was also called Barsabbas, and Silas. Both men were leaders among the believers.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

NoteAntioch was a big city far to the north of Jerusalem. Many people there were Gentiles who now followed Jesus. Judas had a second name, Barsabbas, so people knew which Judas was meant.

23They sent this letter with them: "From the apostles, the elders and the brothers. To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!"

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

NoteSyria and Cilicia were lands near Antioch. Back then a letter started with the writers' names, not at the end.

24"We have heard that some men went out from us and upset you. Their words troubled your minds. They said you must be circumcised and keep the law. We never told them to say that."

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

NoteThese men had left Jerusalem on their own. Nobody there had sent them or told them what to say.

25"So we all agreed together. We chose some men to send to you. They come with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul."

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26"These two men have put their lives in danger for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NoteTo "put their lives in danger" means they could have been killed. People had thrown stones at Paul for telling about Jesus.

27"So we are sending Judas and Silas. They will tell you the same things with their own mouths."

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28"The Holy Spirit thought this was good, and so did we. We will not lay any load on you except these few needed things."

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29"Stay away from food that was given to idols. Stay away from blood. Do not eat animals that were choked to death. Stay away from sexual sin. If you keep away from these things, you will do well. Goodbye."

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Note"Goodbye" here is the old word "farewell." It was the polite way to finish a letter.

30So the men were sent off, and they went to Antioch. They called all the believers together. Then they gave them the letter.

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31The people read it. Its kind words cheered them up, and they were glad.

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

NoteThe letter said kind, comforting words. Those words took away the believers' worry.

32Judas and Silas were prophets themselves. They said many things to cheer up the believers and make them strong.

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

NoteA prophet is someone who tells people a message from God.

33They stayed there for a while. Then the believers sent them off in peace. They went back to the ones who had sent them.

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34But Silas was happy to stay there instead.

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

NoteSome very old copies of this book do not have this sentence. That is why some Bibles leave it out.

35Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch too. They and many others taught people and told them the word of the Lord.

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36Some days later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit our brothers. Let's go to every town where we told people the Lord's message. We can see how they are doing."

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

Note"Brothers" here does not mean boys from the same family. It means the other people who follow Jesus.

37Barnabas wanted to take John with them. John was also called Mark.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38But Paul did not think that was a good idea. Mark had left them back in Pamphylia. He had not stayed to do the work with them.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

NotePamphylia was a land they had visited on an earlier trip. Mark had left them there and gone home.

39They disagreed so strongly that they split up and went different ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

NoteCyprus is an island in the sea. It was the place where Barnabas had grown up.

40Paul chose Silas and left. The believers asked God to be kind to Paul and take care of him.

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

NoteThe believers prayed for Paul before he left. They asked God to be kind to him and keep him safe.

41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia. He made the churches there stronger.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

NoteSyria and Cilicia were the lands Paul came from. The churches there were small groups of believers. They often met in someone's house.