Act 14 | LSB | STEP | Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.

Acts 14

In Iconium

1 Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the ^{▼▼Or disobeying}unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the ^{▼▼Lit souls}minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that ^{▼▼Or attesting miracles}signs and wonders be done through their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided; and some ^{▼▼Lit were}sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to proclaim the gospel.

In Lystra and Derbe

8 And at Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man listened to Paul as he spoke, who, when he fixed his gaze on him and saw that he had faith to be ^{▼▼Or made well}saved from being lame, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, ^{▼▼In Lat Jupiter, the chief pagan god}Zeus, and Paul, ^{▼▼In Lat Mercury, considered the messenger or spokesman for the pagan gods of Greece and Rome}Hermes, because he was ^{▼▼Lit the leader of the speaking}the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was ^{▼▼Lit in front of}just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and was wanting to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, proclaiming the gospel to you that you should turn from these ^▼▼Idolsvain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 ^{▼▼Lit Who in the generations gone by permitted}In the generations gone by He permitted all the ^{▼▼Or Gentiles}nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and after winning over the crowds and stoning Paul, they were dragging him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And after they had proclaimed the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many afflictions we must enter the kingdom of God.” 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

The Return to Antioch

24 And when they passed through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 And from there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and ^{▼▼Lit that}how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent not a little time with the disciples.