Paul

13Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

Paul 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.

14But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

They 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.

15And 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.

Someone 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."

16Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

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

17The 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.

The 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.

18And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

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

19And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

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

20And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

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

21And 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.

Then 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.

22And 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.

God 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."

23Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

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

24When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

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

25And 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.

As 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."

26Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

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

27For 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.

The 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.

28And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

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

29And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

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

30But God raised him from the dead:

But God raised him from the dead.

31And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

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

32And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

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

33God 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.

He 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."

34And 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.

God 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."

35Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

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

36For 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:

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

37But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

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

38Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

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

39And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

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

40Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

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

41Behold, 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.

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

42And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

When 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.

43Now 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.

After 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.

44And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

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

45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

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

46Then 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.

Then 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.

47For 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.

This 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."

48And 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.

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

49And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

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

50But 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.

But the Jewish leaders 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.

51But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

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

52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

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

1And 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.

In 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.

2But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

But 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.

3Long 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.

So Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time. They spoke bravely about the Lord. God showed their message was true. He let them do signs and wonders, amazing things only God can do.

4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

The 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.

5And 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,

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

6They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

Paul 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.

7And there they preached the gospel.

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

8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

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

9The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

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

10Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

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

11And 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.

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

12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

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

13Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

There 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.

14Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

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

15And 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:

"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."

16Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

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

17Nevertheless 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.

"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."

18And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

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

19And 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.

Then 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.

20Howbeit, 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.

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

21And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

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

22Confirming 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.

They 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."

23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

In 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.

24And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

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

25And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

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

26And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

From 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.

27And 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.

When 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.

28And there they abode long time with the disciples.

They stayed there a long time with the believers.

1And 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.

Some 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.

2When 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.

Paul 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.

3And 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.

The 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.

4And 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.

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

5But 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.

But 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."

6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

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

7And 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.

They 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."

8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

"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."

9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

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

10Now 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?

"So why are you testing God? You want to put a yoke on the necks of these followers. A yoke is a heavy wooden bar laid on animals to make them pull. Our fathers could not carry that load. We could not carry it either."

11But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

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

12Then 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.

Then 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.

22Then 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:

The 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.

23And 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:

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

24Forasmuch 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:

"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."

25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

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

26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

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

28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

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

29That 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.

"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."

30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

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

31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

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

32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

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

33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

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

34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

But Silas was happy to stay there instead.

35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

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

36And 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.

Some 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."

37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

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

38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

But 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.

39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

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

40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

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

41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

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