Acts 16:11-40

The Conversion of Lydia

11So, setting sail from Troas, we amade a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, 12and from there to bPhilippi, which is a leading city of the
Or that
district of Macedonia and da Roman colony. We remained in this city some days.
13And eon the Sabbath day we went outside the gate fto the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we gsat down and spoke to the women who had come together. 14One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, hwho was a worshiper of God. The Lord iopened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15And after she was baptized, jand her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she kprevailed upon us.

Paul and Silas in Prison

16As we were going to lthe place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had ma spirit of ndivination and obrought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17She followed Paul and us, pcrying out, “These men are qservants
Greek bondservants
of sthe Most High God, who proclaim to you tthe way of salvation.”
18And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, u“I command you vin the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And wit came out that very hour.

19But xwhen her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and ydragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21They zadvocate customs that are not lawful for us aaas Romans to accept or practice.” 22The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders abto beat them with rods. 23And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24Having received this order, he put them into the inner acprison and fastened their feet in adthe stocks.

The Philippian Jailer Converted

25 aeAbout midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26and suddenly afthere was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately agall the doors were opened, and aheveryone’s bonds were unfastened. 27When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and aiwas about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29And the jailer
Greek he
called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he akfell down before Paul and Silas.
30Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, alwhat must I do to be amsaved?” 31And they said, anBelieve in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you aoand your household.” 32And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33And he took them apthe same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he aqwas baptized at once, he and all his family. 34Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he arrejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

35But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” 36And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” 37But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, asuncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” 38The police reported these words to the magistrates, and atthey were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and auasked them to leave the city. 40So they went out of the prison and visited avLydia. And when they had seen awthe brothers, they encouraged them and departed.

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