Part 21

44:015:040 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

44:015:041 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

44:016:001 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:

44:016:002 Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.

44:016:003 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.

44:016:004 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem.

44:016:005 And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

44:016:006 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,

44:016:007 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.

44:016:008 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.

44:016:009 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.

44:016:010 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

44:016:011 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis;

44:016:012 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days.

44:016:013 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

44:016:014 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.

44:016:015 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

44:016:016 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

44:016:017 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

44:016:018 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

44:016:019 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,

44:016:020 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,

44:016:021 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.

44:016:022 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

44:016:023 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:

44:016:024 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.

44:016:025 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

44:016:026 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.