VIII.  

And Saul was consenting to his death. And on that day there arose a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and all were scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3But Saul laid waste the church, entering house after house, and dragging both men and women, committed them to prison.

4They, therefore, that were scattered, went abroad, preaching the word. 5And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached to them the Christ. 6And the multitudes with one accord gave heed to the things said by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he wrought. 7For out of many who had unclean spirits they went forth, crying with loud voice; and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.

9But a certain man, named Simon, was in the city before, using sorcery, and bewitching the people of Samaria, saying that he was some great one; 10to whom all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying: This man is the great power of God. 11And to him they gave heed, because for a long time they were bewitched by his sorceries. 12But when they believed Philip publishing the good news concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were immersed, both men and women. 13And Simon also himself believed; and having been immersed, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were wrought.

14And the apostles in Jerusalem, hearing that Samaria has received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John; 15who, having come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit; 16for he had not yet fallen upon any of them; but they had only been immersed in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18And Simon, seeing that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, offered them money, 19saying: Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit. 20But Peter said to him: Thy money perish with thee; because thou didst think to obtain the gift of God with money: 21Thou hast no part nor lot in this matter; for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity.

24And Simon answering, said: Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25They, therefore, having testified and spoken the word of the Lord, were returning to Jerusalem, and publishing the good news to many villages of the Samaritans. 26But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying: Arise, and go down to the south, to the way that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. This is desert.

27And he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch, an officer of state of Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, 28was returning, and sitting in his chariot; and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29And the Spirit said to Philip: Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30And Philip ran thither, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet. And he said: Understandest thou then what thou art reading? 31And he said: How could I, except some one should guide me? And he entreated Philip to come up, and sit with him.

32And the contents of the Scripture which he was reading was this:

He was led as a sheep to the slaughter;

And as a lamb dumb before his shearer,

So he opens not his mouth.

33In his humiliation his judgment was taken away;

And his generation who shall fully declare?

For his life is taken away from the earth.

34And the eunuch answering said to Philip: I pray thee, of whom does the prophet speak this? Of himself, or of some other man? 35And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, made known to him the good news of Jesus. 36And as they went along the way, they came to a certain water. And the eunuch said: See, here is water; what hinders that I should be immersed? 37And Philip said: If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And answering he said: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded that the chariot should stop. And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he immersed him. 39And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. 40But Philip was found at Azotus; and passing through, he published the good news to all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.

IX.  

But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2and asked of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus. And suddenly there flashed around him a light from heaven; 4and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said: Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said: I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. 6But arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

7And the men who journeyed with him were standing speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. 8And Saul arose from the earth; and his eyes being opened, he saw nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him the Lord said, in a vision, Ananias! And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11And the Lord said to him: Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. For, behold, he prays; 12and in a vision he saw a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive sight.

13And Ananias answered: Lord, I have heard from many concerning this man, how great evils he did to thy saints at Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15But the Lord said to him: Go; for he is to me a chosen vessel, to bear my name before Gentiles, and kings, and the sons of Israel; 16for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17And Ananias went, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him, he said: Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to thee in the way thou camest, that thou mayest receive sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18And immediately there fell off from his eyes as it were scales; and he received sight, and arose, and was immersed; 19and having taken food, he was strengthened.

And Saul was certain days with the disciples at Damascus. 20And straightway he preached Jesus, in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21And all that heard him were amazed, and said: Is not this he who destroyed in Jerusalem those who call on this name? And he came hither for this purpose, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests.

22But Saul was more strengthened, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.

23And when many days were completed, the Jews took counsel to kill him. 24But their lying in wait became known to Saul. And they were watching the gates day and night to kill him. 25But the disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.

26And Saul, having come to Jerusalem, attempted to join himself to the disciples; and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and related fully to them how he saw the Lord in the way, and that he spoke to him, and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28And he was with them, going in and out at Jerusalem, 29and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus; and was speaking and disputing against the Grecian Jews; but they were attempting to slay him. 30And the brethren, learning it, brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31The church therefore, throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, had peace, being built up, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the consolation of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.

32And it came to pass that Peter, going through them all, came down also to the saints who dwelt at Lydda. 33And there he found a certain man named Æneas, who had lain upon a pallet eight years, who was palsied. 34And Peter said to him: Æneas, Jesus the Christ makes thee whole; arise, and make thy bed. And immediately he arose. 35And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him; and they turned to the Lord.

36And there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which interpreted is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works, and of alms, which she did. 37And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died. And having washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. 38And as Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent to him two men, entreating that he would not delay to come to them.

39And Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber; and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said: Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord.

43And it came to pass, that he remained many days in Joppa, with one Simon, a tanner.

X.  

There was a certain man in Cæsarea named Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band; 2devout, and one that feared God with all his house, giving many alms to the people, and praying to God always. 3He saw in a vision, distinctly, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in to him, and saying to him: Cornelius! 4And fixing his eyes on him, he was afraid, and said: What is it, Lord? And he said to him: Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter. 6He lodges with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.

7And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius was gone, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of those who waited on him; 8and having told them all these things, he sent them to Joppa.

9On the morrow, as they were journeying, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about the sixth hour. 10And he became very hungry, and desired to eat. While they now were making ready, there fell upon him a trance; 11and he beholds heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as a great sheet, bound by four corners, and let down upon the earth; 12wherein were all the fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth, and birds of the air. 13And there came a voice to him: Arise, Peter; slay, and eat. 14But Peter said: Not so, Lord; for I never ate anything common or unclean. 15And a voice came to him again, the second time: What God cleansed, call not thou common. 16This was done thrice; and the vessel was taken up again into heaven.

17And while Peter was doubting in himself what the vision might be which he saw, behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, came and stood before the gate; 18and calling they asked, whether Simon, who is surnamed Peter, lodges here.

19While Peter was earnestly considering the vision, the Spirit said to him: Behold, men are seeking thee. 20But arise, and go down, and go with them, making no scruple; because I have sent them.

21Peter went down to the men, and said: Behold, I am he whom ye seek. What is the cause for which ye are here? 22And they said: Cornelius, a centurion, a just man, and one that fears God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee to his house; and to hear words from thee.

23He called them in, therefore, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went forth with them, and certain brethren from Joppa went with him. 24And on the morrow after, they entered into Cæsarea. And Cornelius was expecting them, having called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and did reverence to him. 26But Peter raised him, saying: Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27And while talking with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 28And he said to them: Ye know that it is unlawful for a Jew to keep company with, or come to, one of another nation; but God showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 29Wherefore I also came without delay, when sent for. I ask therefore for what reason did ye send for me?

30And Cornelius said: Four days ago I was fasting unto this hour, and at the ninth hour was praying in my house; and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31and said: Cornelius, thy prayer was heard, and thine alms were remembered before God. 32Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodges in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea-side; who, when he comes will speak to thee. 33Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou didst well in coming hither. Now therefore we are all present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee from the Lord.

34And Peter opened his mouth, and said: Of a truth I perceive that God is not a respecter of persons; 35but in every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is acceptable to him. 36The word which he sent to the sons of Israel, publishing glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37ye know; the thing which was done throughout all Judæa, beginning from Galilee, after the immersion which John preached; Jesus of Nazareth, 38how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed by the Devil; because God was with him. 39And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew, hanging him on a tree. 40Him God raised on the third day, and showed him openly; 41not to all the people, but to witnesses before appointed by God, to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42And he commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is he who has been appointed by God to be Judge of the living and dead. 43To him all the prophets bear witness, that through his name every one who believes on him shall receive remission of sins.

44While Peter was yet speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45And those of the circumcision who believed, as many as came with Peter, were astonished, that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. 46For they heard them speaking with tongues, and magnifying God.

Then answered Peter: 47Can any one forbid the water, that these should not be immersed, who received the Holy Spirit even as we also? 48And he commanded that they should be immersed in the name of the Lord. Then they entreated him to remain certain days.

XI.  

And the apostles, and the brethren throughout Judæa, heard that the Gentiles also received the word of God. 2And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3saying: Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

4But Peter rehearsed the matter to them in order, from the beginning, saying: 5I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as a great sheet, let down out of heaven by four corners; and it came even to me. 6On which fixing my eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and birds of the air. 7And I heard a voice saying to me: Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8But I said: Not so, Lord; for nothing common or unclean ever entered into my mouth. 9But a voice answered me a second time out of heaven: What God cleansed, regard not thou as common. 10And this was done three times; and all were drawn up again into heaven.

11And, behold, immediately there stood three men at the house where I was, having been sent to me from Cæsarea. 12And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no scruple. And these six brethren also went with me, and we entered into the man's house. 13And he told us how he saw the angel in his house, standing and saying to him: Send to Joppa, and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter; 14who will speak to thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, and all thy house.

15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as also on us at the beginning; 16and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said: John indeed immersed in water, but ye shall be immersed in the Holy Spirit. 17If therefore God gave the like gift to them as to us, having believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who then was I, that I could withstand God?

18When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying: So then, to the Gentiles also God gave repentance unto life.

19Now they who were scattered abroad by the persecution that arose on account of Stephen, went as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none but Jews. 20But some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, having come to Antioch, spoke to the Greeks, publishing the good news of the Lord Jesus. 21And the hand of the Lord was with them; and a great number believed, and turned to the Lord.

22But the report concerning them came to the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem; and they sent forth Barnabas, to go as far as Antioch. 23Who having come, and seen the grace of God, rejoiced; and he exhorted all, that with purpose of heart they should cleave to the Lord. 24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great multitude was added to the Lord.

25And Barnabas departed to Tarsus, to seek for Saul; 26and having found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they came together in the church, and taught a great multitude; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

27And in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be a great dearth over all the world; which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. 29And the disciples, according as any one was prospered, determined each of them to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judæa; 30which also they did, sending it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

XII.  

And about that time, Herod the king stretched forth his hands to oppress certain of the church. 2And he slew James the brother of John with the sword. 3And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also; (then were the days of unleavened bread;) 4whom he also seized and put in prison, delivering him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after the passover to bring him forth to the people.

5Peter therefore was kept guarded in the prison; but earnest prayer was made by the church to God on his behalf.

6And when Herod was about to bring him forth, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains; and keepers before the door were guarding the prison. 7And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shined in the prison; and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him, saying: Rise up quickly. And his chains fell from off his hands. 8And the angel said to him: Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals; and he did so. And he said to him: Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9And he went out, and followed him; and knew not that what was done by the angel was true, but thought he saw a vision.

10And having passed the first and the second watch, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11And Peter, having come to himself, said: Now I know truly, that the Lord sent forth his angel, and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12And becoming fully conscious of it, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, who was surnamed Mark, where many were gathered together, and praying.

13And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a maidservant came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14And recognizing Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told that Peter was standing before the gate. 15And they said to her: Thou art mad. But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said: It is his angel.

16But Peter continued knocking; and opening the door they saw him, and were amazed. 17And beckoning to them with the hand to be silent, he related to them how the Lord brought him out of the prison. And he said: Go tell these things to James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went to another place.

18And when it was day, there was no small commotion among the soldiers, as to what was become of Peter. 19And Herod, when he had sought for him, and found him not, after examining the keepers, commanded that they should be led away to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea, and there abode.

20And Herod was highly displeased with the Tyrians and Sidonians. But they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by that of the king.

21And on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made a speech to them. 22And thereupon the people shouted: The voice of a god, and not of a man! 23And immediately an angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not glory to God; and he was eaten by worms, and expired.

24But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having performed the service, taking with them also John, who was surnamed Mark.

XIII.  

And there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers; Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenean, and Manaen the foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2And while they were ministering to the Lord, and fasting, the Holy Spirit said: Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, unto the work to which I have called them. 3Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

4They therefore, being sent forth by the Holy Spirit, came down to Seleucia; and from thence they sailed away to Cyprus. 5And having come to Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John as an assistant.

6And having gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain Magian, a Jewish false prophet, whose name was Bar-jesus; 7who was with the proconsul of the country, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. He, having called for Barnabas and Saul, desired to hear the word of God. 8But Elymas the Magian (for so his name is interpreted), withstood them, seeking to turn away the proconsul from the faith.

9Then Saul (who is also called Paul), filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his eyes on him, 10and said: O full of all deceit and all wickedness, child of the Devil, enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? 11And 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 darkness; and going about, he sought persons to lead him by the hand.

12Then the proconsul, seeing what was done, believed, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

13And Paul and his companions, having put to sea from Paphos, came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. 14But they, going on from Perga, came to Antioch in Pisidia; and entering into the synagogue on the sabbath day, they sat down. 15And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying: Men, brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.

16And Paul arose, and beckoning with the hand, said: Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, hearken. 17The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers; and he exalted the people in their sojourn in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm he brought them out of it. 18And about the time of forty years he nourished them in the wilderness. 19And having destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as a possession, 20about four hundred and fifty years. And after that, he gave judges, until Samuel the prophet. 21And afterward they desired a king; and God gave them Saul the Son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And having removed him, he raised up for them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, saying: I found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.

23Of the seed of this man, God, according to promise, raised up to Israel a Savior, Jesus; 24John having first preached, before his entrance, the immersion of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25Now as John was finishing his course, he said: Whom do ye suppose me to be? I am not he. But, behold, there comes one after me, the sandal of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.

26Men, brethren, children of the race of Abraham, and whoever among you fears God, to you the word of this salvation was sent forth. 27For they who dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, not knowing him, nor the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, fulfilled them in condemning him. 28And though they found no cause of death, they demanded of Pilate that he should be slain. 29And when they had fulfilled all the things written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead. 31And he was seen for many days by those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses unto the people. 32And we declare to you glad tidings of the promise made to the fathers, 33that God has fulfilled this to us their children, in raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm:

Thou art my Son;

I this day have begotten thee.

34And that he raised him up from the dead to return no more to corruption, he has thus spoken: I will give to you the holy, the sure promises of David. 35Wherefore also in another psalm he says: Thou wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. 36For David, having served his own generation according to the purpose of God, fell asleep, and was added to his fathers, and saw corruption. 37But he, whom God raised, saw not corruption.

38Be it known to you therefore, men, brethren, that remission of sins through this man is announced to you; 39and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye were not able to be justified by the law of Moses.

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

41Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish;

Because I work a work in your days,

A work which ye will not believe,

Though one should fully declare it to you.

42And as they were going out, they besought that these words might be spoken to them on the next sabbath. 43And when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and of the proselyte worshipers followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

44And on the next sabbath day, almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45But the Jews, seeing the multitudes, were filled with indignation, and spoke against the things said by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

46Then Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly, and said: It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you; but since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves not worthy of the eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so has the Lord commanded us:

I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles,

That thou shouldst be for salvation to the end of the earth.

48And the Gentiles hearing it rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord; and as many as were appointed unto eternal life believed. 49And the word of the Lord was spread abroad throughout all the region.

50But the Jews stirred up the devout and honorable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out from their borders. 51And they, having shaken off the dust of their feet against them, came to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Spirit.

XIV.  

And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of Jews and Greeks believed. 2But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brethren. 3They spent a long time, therefore, speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4But the multitude of the city was divided; and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5And when a movement was made, both of the Gentiles and Jews with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6they, being aware of it, fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the region around; 7and there they were publishing the good news.

8And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being lame from his mother's womb, who never walked. 9This man was listening to Paul as he spoke; who, fixing his eyes on him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, 10said with a loud voice: Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up, and walked.

11And the multitudes, seeing what Paul did, lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia: The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. 13And the priest of Jupiter, that was before the city, having brought oxen and garlands to the gates, would have offered sacrifice with the people. 14But the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, hearing of it, rent their clothes, and rushed forth to the multitude; crying out, 15and saying: Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like nature with you, bringing you glad tidings, that ye should turn from these vanities to the living God, who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein; 16who, in the ages past, suffered all nations to walk in their own ways; 17although he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, giving you rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.

18And with these sayings they hardly restrained the people from sacrificing to them.

19But there came thither Jews from Antioch and Iconium; and having persuaded the people, and stoned Paul, they drew him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20But the disciples having gathered around him, he rose up, and came into the city; and on the morrow he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21And having published the good news to that city, and made many disciples, they turned back to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch; 22confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much affliction enter into the kingdom of God.

23And having appointed for them elders in every church, they commended them, with prayer and fasting, to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24And after passing through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25And having spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia; 26and thence they sailed away to Antioch, from whence they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they accomplished.

27And having come, and gathered the church together, they reported how great things God wrought with them, and that he opened to the Gentiles a door of faith. 28And they spent no little time with the disciples.