Acts 13

1The church in Antioch had prophets and teachers among its members: Barnabas, Simeon known as Niger, Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen, a childhood companion of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2While they were serving the Lord in worship and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me, for the work I have called them to do.” 3Then, after more fasting and prayer, they laid their hands on the two men and let them go.

4So, sent out by the Holy Spirit, the two went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5Arriving at Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John with them as an assistant. 6They went across the whole island as far as Paphos, and there they came upon a Jewish magician, a false prophet, whose name was Bar-Jesus. 7He was in the company of the proconsul Sergius Paulus, a man of understanding. The proconsul sent for Barnabas and Saul and asked to hear the word of God. 8But the magician Elymas, for that is how his name is translated, kept opposing them and tried to steer the proconsul away from the faith. 9Then Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him 10and said, “You are full of every kind of deceit and villainy, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness! Will you never stop twisting the straight paths of the Lord? 11Now look: the hand of the Lord is against you. You will be blind and unable to see the sun for a while.” At once a mist and a darkness came down on him, and he moved about looking for someone to lead him by the hand. 12The proconsul, seeing what had taken place, believed. He was struck with amazement at the teaching about the Lord.

13Paul and those with him put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. But John left them there and went back to Jerusalem. 14They went on from Perga and arrived at Antioch near Pisidia. On the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and took their seats. 15When the Law and the Prophets had been read, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to them: “Brothers, if one of you has a word of encouragement for the people, speak.” 16Paul stood up, waved his hand for quiet, and said, “People of Israel, and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen. 17The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors. During their stay as foreigners in the land of Egypt he made the people great, and with a raised arm he led them out of that land. 18For about forty years he bore with their ways in the desert, 19and after he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave their land to his people to possess. 20The whole span was about 450 years. After that he gave them judges until the time of the prophet Samuel. 21Next they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, a man from the tribe of Benjamin, who reigned forty years. 22When he had set Saul aside, he raised up David to be their king, and he gave this testimony about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man in tune with my heart, who will carry out all that I want.’ 23From this man’s line God has brought Israel a Savior, Jesus, just as he promised. 24Before Jesus came, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25As John was finishing his course, he kept saying, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not the one. No, someone is coming after me, and I am not fit to untie the sandal on his feet.’

26Brothers and sisters, children of Abraham’s family, and you among us who fear God: this message of salvation has been sent out to us. 27The people of Jerusalem and their leaders did not know who he was, and they did not understand the words of the prophets that are read out every Sabbath; yet by condemning him they made those words come true. 28They found no charge that deserved death, and still they demanded that Pilate have him killed. 29When they had done everything that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead, 31and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to the people. 32And we are bringing you good news: the promise made to the ancestors 33God has now fulfilled for our children by raising up Jesus. So it stands written in the second psalm: ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you.’ 34And that God raised him from the dead, never again to go back to decay, he declared in these words: ‘I will give you the holy blessings of David, the ones that can be trusted.’ 35That is why he also says in another psalm, ‘You will not let your Holy One undergo decay.’ 36For David, after serving God’s purpose in his own generation, fell asleep in death; he was laid to rest with his ancestors, and his body decayed. 37But the one whom God raised up did not undergo decay. 38So, brothers and sisters, you must know this: through this man forgiveness of sins is being announced to you, and from everything the law of Moses could not acquit you of, 39everyone who believes is acquitted through him. 40So be careful, or what was said in the Prophets may come upon you: 41‘See, you who scorn, be astonished and vanish! For I am doing a work in your days, a work you would never believe, even if someone explained it to you.’”

42As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept urging them to speak about these things again on the next Sabbath. 43After the gathering broke up, many Jews and converts who worshiped God went along with Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and kept persuading them to remain in the grace of God.

44The following Sabbath nearly the entire city came together to hear the word of the Lord. 45But when the Jews saw the crowds, jealousy filled them, and they spoke against what Paul was saying and reviled him. 46Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly: “The word of God had to be spoken to you first. Since you push it away and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, see, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47For this is the command the Lord has given us: ‘I have set you as a light for the nations, so that you may be the means of salvation to the farthest part of the earth.’” 48When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord spread across the whole region. 50But the Jews stirred up the respected women who worshiped God and the leading men of the city; they started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. 51So the two shook the dust from their feet against them and went on to Iconium. 52And the disciples went on being filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.