Study Desk

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the ^(C1)Lycaonian language, "^(C2)The gods have become like men and have come down to us!"

And they began calling Barnabas, ^(F1)Zeus, and Paul, ^(F2)Hermes, since he was ^(F3)the chief speaker.

Moreover, the priest of Zeus, whose temple was ^(F1)just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and ^(C1)wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

But when ^(C1)the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they ^(C2)tore their ^(F1)robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also ^(C1)men, of the same nature as you, ^(C2)preaching the gospel to you, to turn from these ^(F1)(C3)useless things to a ^(C4)living God, who ^(C5)MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND EVERYTHING THAT IS IN THEM.

"^(F1)In past generations He ^(C1)permitted all the ^(F2)nations to ^(C2)go their own ways;

yet ^(C1)He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and ^(C2)gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, ^(F1)satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

And even by saying these things, only with difficulty did they restrain the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.