Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

He came to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy. His father was a Greek, but his mother was a Jewish woman who believed in God. The brethren at Lystra and Iconium gave Timothy a strong recommendation.

Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, so he circumcised him because of the Jews living in those areas. Paul knew that Timothy's father was a Greek. As they traveled through the cities, they delivered the instructions that had been established by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. The churches grew stronger in their faith and continued to grow daily.

When they passed through Phrygia and Galatia, the Holy Spirit forbade them from preaching in Asia. They tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit stopped them again. So they went down to Troas, a city on the coast. One night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia was begging him to come over there and help them.

Paul believed that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel in Macedonia, so he immediately set sail for Samothrace with his companions. They made good time and arrived at Neapolis the next day. From there they traveled to Philippi, a major city in Macedonia and a Roman colony. They stayed in the city for several days.

On the Sabbath, Paul went out of the city along the river and sat down to talk with the women who gathered there for prayer. One woman named Lydia was there; she was a merchant from Thyatira and worshipped God. She listened intently as Paul spoke about the Lord, and her heart opened up to what he said.

Lydia and her household were baptized after hearing Paul's message. They asked him to come stay with them, saying that they had judged her to be faithful to the Lord. They persuaded Paul and his companions to accept their invitation.

As they continued on their journey, a young woman who was possessed by an evil spirit followed Paul and his friends. She had been making money for her owners by telling fortunes. For many days she cried out, saying that Paul and his companions were servants of the Most High God, announcing salvation to everyone.

Paul became deeply troubled because this girl was causing such a disturbance, so he turned to the spirit within her and said in Jesus' name, "I command you to leave her!" And immediately it left. When her owners realized their income had stopped, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the city rulers.

The magistrates told Paul and Silas that they were causing trouble in the city and promoting customs not allowed by Roman law. They accused the two men of teaching things that Romans should not follow or observe. The crowd grew angry with them, tore their clothes off, and ordered them to be beaten.

The magistrates instructed the jailor to keep Paul and Silas securely locked up, but at midnight they prayed and sang hymns to God while the other prisoners listened in awe. Then suddenly there was a massive earthquake that shook everything.

The jailer woke up from his sleep, saw the prison doors open, and thought all the prisoners had escaped. He was about to kill himself when Paul shouted loudly, "Don't harm yourself! We're all still here!"

The jailer called for a light, came trembling to Paul and Silas, and fell at their feet. He asked them what he could do to be saved. They told him, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, along with your entire household."

The jailer immediately listened to their message and took Paul and Silas home that same night. He washed their wounds, then had his whole household baptized.

When it was daybreak, the magistrates sent word to release Paul and Silas from prison. The jailor told them, "I've been ordered by the magistrates to let you go free." But Paul said, "They've beaten us up publicly without any justification, just because we're Roman citizens. Are they now secretly trying to get rid of us? No way! Let them come and take us out themselves."

The magistrates were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. The crowd begged them to leave the city peacefully.

Paul and his companions left the prison, accompanied by the crowd, who pleaded with them not to go away until they had departed from the city safely.