Acts 13
13
1In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers. Among them were Barnabas, Simeon, and Lucius from Cyrene. Simeon was also called Niger. Another was Manaen. He had been brought up with Herod, the ruler of Galilee. Saul was among them too. 2While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke. “Set apart Barnabas and Saul for me,” he said. “I have appointed them to do special work.” 3The prophets and teachers fasted and prayed. They placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul. Then they sent them off.
Events on Cyprus
4Barnabas and Saul were sent on their way by the Holy Spirit. They went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus. 5They arrived at Salamis. There they preached God’s word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6They traveled all across the island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jew named Bar-Jesus. He was an evil magician and a false prophet. 7He was an attendant of Sergius Paulus, the governor. Paulus was a man of understanding. He sent for Barnabas and Saul. He wanted to hear God’s word. 8But the evil magician named Elymas opposed them. The name Elymas means Magician. He tried to keep the governor from becoming a believer. 9Saul was also known as Paul. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked straight at Elymas. He said to him, 10“You are a child of the devil! You are an enemy of everything that is right! You cheat people. You use all kinds of tricks. Won’t you ever stop twisting the right ways of the Lord? 11Now the Lord’s hand is against you. You are going to go blind. For a while you won’t even be able to see the light of the sun.”
Right away mist and darkness came over him. He tried to feel his way around. He wanted to find someone to lead him by the hand. 12When the governor saw what had happened, he believed. He was amazed at what Paul was teaching about the Lord.
Paul Preaches in Pisidian Antioch
13From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. 14From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down. 15The Law and the Prophets were read aloud. Then the leaders of the synagogue sent word to Paul and his companions. They said, “Brothers, do you have any words of instruction for the people? If you do, please speak.”
16Paul stood up and motioned with his hand. Then he said, “Fellow Israelites, and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17The God of Israel chose our people who lived long ago. He blessed them greatly while they were in Egypt. With his mighty power he led them out of that country. 18He put up with their behavior for about 40 years in the desert. 19And he destroyed seven nations in Canaan. Then he gave the land to his people as their rightful share. 20All this took about 450 years.
“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21Then the people asked for a king. He gave them Saul, son of Kish. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin. He ruled for 40 years. 22God removed him and made David their king. Here is God’s witness about him. ‘David, son of Jesse, is a man dear to my heart,’ he said. ‘David will do everything I want him to do.’
23“From this man’s family line God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus. This is what he had promised. 24Before Jesus came, John preached that we should turn away from our sins and be baptized. He preached this to all Israel. 25John was coming to the end of his work. ‘Who do you suppose I am?’ he said. ‘I am not the one you are looking for. But there is someone coming after me. I am not good enough to untie his sandals.’
26“Listen, fellow children of Abraham! Listen, you Gentiles who worship God! This message of salvation has been sent to us. 27The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus. By finding him guilty, they made the prophets’ words come true. These are read every Sabbath day. 28The people and their rulers had no reason at all for sentencing Jesus to death. But they asked Pilate to have him killed. 29They did everything that had been written about Jesus. Then they took him down from the cross. They laid him in a tomb. 30But God raised him from the dead. 31For many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. Now they are telling our people about Jesus.
32“We are telling you the good news. What God promised our people long ago 33he has done for us, their children. He has raised up Jesus. This is what is written in the second Psalm. It says,
“ ‘You are my son.
Today I have become your father.’ (Psalm 2:7)
34God raised Jesus from the dead. He will never rot in the grave. As God has said,
“ ‘Holy and sure blessings were promised to David.
I will give them to you.’ (Isaiah 55:3)
35In another place it also says,
“ ‘You will not let your holy one rot away.’ (Psalm 16:10)
36“David carried out God’s purpose while he lived. Then he died. He was buried with his people. His body rotted away. 37But the one whom God raised from the dead did not rot away.
38“My friends, here is what I want you to know. I announce to you that your sins can be forgiven because of what Jesus has done. 39Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin. Moses’ law could not make you right in God’s eyes. 40Be careful! Don’t let what the prophets spoke about happen to you. They said,
41“ ‘Look, you who make fun of the truth!
Wonder and die!
I am going to do something in your days
that you would never believe.
You wouldn’t believe it even if someone told you.’ ” (Habakkuk 1:5)
42Paul and Barnabas started to leave the synagogue. The people invited them to say more about these things on the next Sabbath day. 43The people were told they could leave the service. Many Jews followed Paul and Barnabas. Many Gentiles who faithfully worshiped the God of the Jews did the same. Paul and Barnabas talked with them. They tried to get them to keep living in God’s grace.
44On the next Sabbath day, almost the whole city gathered. They gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45When the Jews saw the crowds, they became very jealous. They began to disagree with what Paul was saying. They said evil things against him.
46Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly. “We had to speak God’s word to you first,” they said. “But you don’t accept it. You don’t think you are good enough for eternal life. So now we are turning to the Gentiles. 47This is what the Lord has commanded us to do. He said,
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles.
You will bring salvation to the whole earth.’ ” (Isaiah 49:6)
48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad. They honored the word of the Lord. All who were appointed for eternal life believed.
49The word of the Lord spread through the whole area. 50But the Jewish leaders stirred up the important women who worshiped God. They also stirred up the men who were leaders in the city. The Jewish leaders tried to get the women and men to attack Paul and Barnabas. They threw Paul and Barnabas out of that area. 51Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet. This was a warning to the people who had opposed them. Then Paul and Barnabas went on to Iconium. 52The believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
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Acts 13: NIrV
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Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Acts 13
13
1Now #Acts 14:26in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: #Acts 11:22Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, #Rom. 16:21Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, #Num. 8:14; Acts 9:15; 22:21; Rom. 1:1; Gal. 1:15; 2:9“Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work #Matt. 9:38; Acts 14:26; Rom. 10:15; Eph. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11; Heb. 5:4to which I have called them.” 3Then, #Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:20; Luke 5:35; Acts 6:6having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Preaching in Cyprus
4So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to #Acts 4:36Cyprus. 5And when they arrived in Salamis, #(Acts 13:46)they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had #Acts 12:25; 15:37John as their assistant.
6Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found #Acts 8:9a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8But #Ex. 7:11; 2 Tim. 3:8Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9Then Saul, who also is called Paul, #Acts 2:4; 4:8filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, #Matt. 13:38; John 8:44; (1 John 3:8)you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11And now, indeed, #Ex. 9:3; 1 Sam. 5:6; Job 19:21; Ps. 32:4; Heb. 10:31the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
At Antioch in Pisidia
13Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and #Acts 15:38John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and #Acts 16:13went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15And #Luke 4:16after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have #Heb. 13:22any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”
16Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and #Acts 10:35you who fear God, listen: 17The God of this people Israel #Ex. 6:1, 6; 13:14, 16; Deut. 7:6–8chose our fathers, and exalted the people #Acts 7:17when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He #Ex. 14:8brought them out of it. 18Now #Ex. 16:35; Num. 14:34; Acts 7:36for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19And when He had destroyed #Deut. 7:1seven nations in the land of Canaan, #Josh. 14:1, 2; 19:51; Ps. 78:55He distributed their land to them by allotment.
20“After that #Judg. 2:16; 1 Sam. 4:18; 7:15He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, #1 Sam. 3:20; Acts 3:24until Samuel the prophet. 21#1 Sam. 8:5And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them #1 Sam. 10:20–24Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22And #1 Sam. 15:23, 26, 28when He had removed him, #1 Sam. 16:1, 12, 13He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, #Ps. 89:20‘I have found David the son of Jesse, #1 Sam. 13:14a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23#Is. 11:1From this man’s seed, according #Ps. 132:11to the promise, God raised up for Israel #(Matt. 1:21)a Savior—Jesus— 24#Matt. 3:1; (Luke 3:3)after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25And as John was finishing his course, he said, #Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:7; Luke 3:16‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, #John 1:20, 27there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’
26“Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and #Ps. 66:16those among you who fear God, #Matt. 10:6to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, #Luke 23:34because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28#Matt. 27:22, 23; Mark 15:13, 14; Luke 23:21–23; John 19:15; Acts 3:14; (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:15); 1 Pet. 2:22And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29#Luke 18:31Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, #Matt. 27:57–61; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30#Ps. 16:10, 11; Hos. 6:2; Matt. 12:39, 40; 28:6But God raised Him from the dead. 31#Matt. 28:16; Acts 1:3, 11; 1 Cor. 15:5–8He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32And we declare to you glad tidings—#(Gen. 3:15)that promise which was made to the fathers. 33God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:
#Ps. 2:7; Heb. 1:5‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’
34And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus:
#Is. 55:3‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’
35Therefore He also says in another Psalm:
#Ps. 16:10; Acts 2:27‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’
36“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, #Acts 2:29fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that #Jer. 31:34through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39and #(Is. 53:11; John 3:16)by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:
41‘Behold,#Hab. 1:5 you despisers,
Marvel and perish!
For I work a work in your days,
A work which you will by no means believe,
Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”
Blessing and Conflict at Antioch
42So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, #Acts 11:23persuaded them to continue in #Titus 2:11; Heb. 12:15; 1 Pet. 5:12the grace of God.
44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. 45But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they #Acts 18:6; 1 Pet. 4:4; Jude 10opposed the things spoken by Paul. 46Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, #Matt. 10:6; Acts 3:26; Rom. 1:16“It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but #Ex. 32:10; Deut. 32:21; Is. 55:5; Matt. 21:43; Rom. 10:19since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, #Acts 18:6we turn to the Gentiles. 47For so the Lord has commanded us:
#Is. 42:6; 49:6; Luke 2:32‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
48Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. #(Acts 2:47)And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
49And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. 50But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, #Acts 7:52; 2 Tim. 3:11raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51#Matt. 10:14; Mark 6:11; (Luke 9:5)But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. 52And the disciples #Matt. 5:12; John 16:22were filled with joy and #Acts 2:4; 4:8, 31; 13:9with the Holy Spirit.
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.