Acts 16 Bible Chapter

And he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold there was a certain disciple there named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who believed, his father being was a Gentile. To this man the brethren, who were in Lystra and Iconium, gave a good testimony. Him Paul would have to go along with him: and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews, who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile. And as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, that were decreed by the apostles and ancients, who were at Jerusalem. And the churches indeed were confirmed in faith, and increased in number daily. Now having passed through Phrygia, and the country of Galatia, they were forbidden, by the Holy Ghost, to preach the word of God in Asia. And when they were come into Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus permitted them not. And when they had passed through Mysia, they went down to Troas: And a vision was shewn to Paul in the night: A man of Macedonia standing, and beseeching him, and saying: Pass over into Macedonia, and help us. And as soon as he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, being assured that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So sailing from Troas, we came with a direct course to Samothracia, and the day following to Neapolis: And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were in this city some days, conferring together. And upon the sabbath-day, we went forth without the gate by a river side, where it seemed that there was prayer: and sitting down, we spoke to the women that were assembled. And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened to attend to the things which were spoken by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and remain. And she constrained us. And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl, possessed with a pythonical spirit, met us, who brought her masters much gain by divining. This same, following Paul and us, cried out, saying: These men are the servants of the most high God, who announce to you the way of salvation. And this she did many days. But Paul being grieved, turned, and said to the spirit: I command thee, in the name of Jesus Christ, to go out of her. And he went out the same hour. But her masters seeing that the hope of their gain was gone, apprehending Paul and Silas, they brought them into the market-place to the rulers; And presenting them to the magistrates, said: These men disturb our city, being Jews: And preach a fashion which it is not lawful for us to receive, nor observe, being Romans. And the people ran together against them: and the magistrates tearing off their clothes, commanded them to be beaten with rods. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them securely. Who having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight, Paul and Silas praying, praised God: and they who were in prison heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened: and the bands of all were loosed. And the keeper of the prison being awakened, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drawing his sword, would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying: Do thyself no harm, for we all are here. Then calling for a light, he went in, and trembling, fell down at the feet of Paul and Silas: And bringing them out, he said: Masters, what must I do, that I may be saved? But they said: Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all that were in his house. And he taking them the same hour of the night, washed their wounds: and himself was baptized, and all his family forthwith. And when he had brought them into his own house, he laid the table for them, and rejoiced with all his family, believing God. And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying: Let those men go. And the keeper of the prison told these words to Paul: The magistrates have sent to have you discharged: now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said to them: After having beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men that are Romans, they cast us into prison: and now do they thrust us out privately? Not so: but let them come, And discharge us themselves. And the serjeants told these words to the magistrates. And they were afraid, hearing that they were Romans: And coming, they intreated them: and bringing them out, they desired them to depart out of the city. And going out of the prison, they entered into the house of Lydia: and having seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.