Acts 13:1-22 ▼

1 Now in the church {ekklēsian} at Antioch there were prophets and teachers {didaskaloi}: Barnabas (son of encouragement), Simeon called Niger, Lucius (light) of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod (heroic) the tetrarch), and Saul (asked for).

2 While they were worshiping the Lord {Kyriō} and fasting, the Holy Spirit {Hagion Pneuma} said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas (son of encouragement) and Saul (asked for) for the work to which I have called them.

3 And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos}, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God {Theou} in the Jewish synagogues. And John (YHWH is gracious) was with them as their helper.

6 They traveled through the whole island as far as Paphos, where they found a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,

7 an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius (servant) Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas (son of encouragement) and Saul (asked for) because he wanted to hear the word of God {Theou}.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

9 Then Saul (asked for), who was also called Paul (humble), filled with the Holy Spirit {Hagiou Pneumatos}, looked directly at Elymas

10 and said, “O child of the devil {diabolou} and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord {Kyriou}?

11 Now look (Behold), the hand of the Lord {Kyriou} is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun. Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed (had faith), for he was astonished at the teaching {didachē} about the Lord {Kyriou}.

13 After setting sail from Paphos, Paul (humble) and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John (YHWH is gracious) left them to return to Jerusalem (city of peace).

14 And from Perga, they traveled inland to Pisidian Antioch, where they entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and sat down.

15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent word to them: “Brothers, if you⁺ have a word of encouragement for the people, please speak.

16 Paul (humble) stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel (He wrestles with God) and you Gentiles who fear God {Theon}, listen to me!

17 The God {Theos} of the people of Israel (He wrestles with God) chose our fathers {pateras}. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt (land of bondage), and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land.

18 He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness (solitary place).

19 And having vanquished seven nations {ethnē} in Canaan (low), He gave their land to His people as an inheritance.

20 All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel (God has heard) the prophet.

21 Then the people asked for a king, and God {Theos} gave them Saul (asked for) son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin (son of the right hand), who ruled forty years.

22 After removing Saul, He raised up David (beloved) as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse (gift) a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety <1Sa 13:14>.’