Acts 13

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

In the Antioch church, there were some prophets and teachers. These included Barnabas, Simeon also known as Niger, Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen who grew up with Herod the ruler, and Saul.

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

As they devoted themselves to God, fasting in reverence, the Divine Spirit spoke, "Set apart Barnabas and Saul for the special mission I have chosen for them."

And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

After a heartfelt fast and prayer, they lovingly placed their hands on them, bidding them a tearful farewell.

So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, they set off for Seleucia, then journeyed by sea to Cyprus.

And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

When they reached Salamis, they passionately shared God's message in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John with them as their helper.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

As they journeyed across the island to Paphos, they encountered a deceptive sorcerer, a false prophet of Jewish origin, known as Barjesus.

Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

He was an attendant of Sergius Paulus, the wise and respected leader of the land, who eagerly invited Barnabas and Saul. He yearned to understand the word of God.

But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Elymas, the magician, as his name suggests, resisted them, trying to turn the governor away from the faith.

Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.

Saul, also known as Paul, brimming with divine spirit, fixed his gaze upon him.

And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?

You, master of deceit and trouble, child of the devil, enemy of all that's good, won't you stop twisting God's righteous path?

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Now the hand of God is against you: you'll be blind, unable to see the sun for a while. Suddenly, a foggy darkness enveloped him, and he stumbled around, searching for someone to lead him by the hand.

Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Seeing what had happened, the deputy believed, awestruck by the teaching about the Lord.

Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem.

When Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos, they arrived in Perga, Pamphylia, their hearts heavy with longing. John, choosing a different path, left them and journeyed back to Jerusalem, his home.

But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.

Leaving Perga behind, they arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. Filled with reverence, they entered the synagogue on the sacred Sabbath, taking their seats quietly.

And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

After the scriptures were read, the synagogue leaders sent word to Paul and his companions, asking, "Brothers, if you have any words of encouragement for the people, please speak up."

Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience.

Paul rose, his hand waving gently, and pleaded, "Listen, people of Israel and those who respect God."

The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

The God of Israel chose our ancestors and uplifted them during their time as outsiders in Egypt. With great strength, He liberated them from that land.

And about the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.

For nearly four decades, He patiently endured their behavior in the wilderness.

And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he divided their land to them by lot.

After he had vanquished seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he fairly distributed their territories among them.

And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

After that, he provided them with judges for a lengthy period of about 450 years, leading up to the time of the prophet Samuel.

And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.

Longing for a leader, they pleaded to God. He answered their prayers, presenting them with Saul, a Benjaminite, who reigned for four decades.

And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

After he had dismissed the previous leader, God chose David to be their king. He publicly endorsed David, saying, "I've chosen David, Jesse's son, a man who deeply understands my heart and will, to fulfill all my plans."

Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:

From this man's lineage, God has fulfilled His promise to Israel by giving them a Savior, Jesus.

When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

Before Jesus arrived, John passionately shared the message of repentance through baptism with everyone in Israel.

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

As John's journey came to an end, he asked, "Who do you believe I am? I am not the one you think. But pay attention, someone greater than me is coming, I'm not even worthy to untie his shoes."

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

Dear brothers and sisters, descendants of Abraham, and all who respect God, this message of salvation is meant for you.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

The people of Jerusalem and their leaders didn't recognize him, nor did they understand the prophets' teachings they heard every week. Yet, by sentencing him, they unknowingly fulfilled these prophecies.

And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.

Even though they found no reason for him to die, they still pleaded with Pilate to have him killed.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

After completing all that was foretold about him, they gently removed him from the tree, and with heavy hearts, placed him in a tomb.

But God raised him from the dead:

With divine power, God lovingly resurrected him from the grip of death.

And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people.

He was frequently seen by those who journeyed with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are his living testimonials to the people.

And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

We joyfully share with you the good news: the promise made to our ancestors has been fulfilled.

God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

God has kept that promise to us, their children, by bringing Jesus back to life. Just as it's written in the second psalm, "You are my Son, today I have given you life."

And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

About God resurrecting him from death, never to decay again, He promised, "I will bless you with David's unfailing kindness."

Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

In another psalm, it is said with deep reverence and conviction, "You will not let your Sacred One decay."

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:

David, having fulfilled God's purpose in his own time, peacefully passed away. He joined his ancestors and his body returned to the earth.

But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption.

But the one God raised from the dead never saw decay.

Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:

Dear friends and brothers, understand this: through this man, you are offered the gift of forgiveness for your sins.

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Through him, everyone who believes is set free from all sins, things that the laws of Moses could not absolve.

Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets;

Be careful, so you don't experience what the prophets warned about.

Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.

Look, you scoffers, be amazed and perish. For I am doing something in your lifetime, something you won't believe even if someone explains it to you.

And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

After the Jews left the synagogue, the Gentiles eagerly requested to hear these teachings again the following Sabbath.

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

After the gathering dispersed, numerous Jews and spiritual seekers were drawn to Paul and Barnabas. They passionately urged them to persist in God's loving kindness.

And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

When the next day of rest arrived, nearly the entire city gathered, eager and excited to listen to God's message.

But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

Seeing the crowds, the Jews were consumed by jealousy. They openly opposed and slandered Paul's teachings.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

Paul and Barnabas, filled with courage, declared, "We had to share God's message with you first. But since you reject it and don't see yourselves worthy of eternal life, we're now taking this message to the Gentiles."

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

God has instructed us, saying, "I've chosen you to be a beacon of hope for all people, bringing salvation to every corner of the world."

And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.

When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced, praising the Lord's message. Those destined for eternal life embraced faith.

And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

The Lord's message spread passionately across the entire region.

But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

The Jews incited respected women and city leaders, creating a hostile environment for Paul and Barnabas, ultimately driving them away from their lands.

But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.

They shook the dust off their feet as a sign against them and moved on to Iconium, filled with determination.

And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

The disciples were brimming with happiness and touched by the divine spirit.