Study Desk

but Paul chose Silas, and having been recommended by the brethren to the favour of God,

Paul arrived then at Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish convert, but his father a Greek.

as the brethren of Lystra and Iconium gave him a good character, Paul had a mind he should accompany him.

there Paul had a vision in the night. a Macedonian appear'd to him, and thus address'd him, "pass on to Macedonia, and come to our relief."

so we took our places, and convers'd with the women, that came there. one of them was nam'd Lydia of Thyatira, a trader in purple, and a Jewish proselyte. she heard us: and the Lord inclin'd her heart to attend to what Paul said.

as she followed Paul and the rest of us, she cried out, these men are the servants of the most high God, who show you the way to salvation.

this she did for several days, till Paul tir'd with it turn'd about, and said to the spirit, in the name of Jesus Christ I command you to quit her; and instantly he came out.

her masters finding they had lost such a prospect of gain, seized upon Paul and Silas, and hawl'd them to the publick place before the magistrates.

At midnight Paul and Silas went to prayers, and sang praises to God, which the other prisoners heard:

but Paul call'd to him aloud, and said, do thy self no harm, for we are all here.

then having called for a light, he ran in, and with trembling fell down before Paul and Silas;

so the jayler told Paul, the magistrates had order'd them to be discharg'd. depart then, said he, and go in peace.

but Paul replied, they have publickly scourg'd us, who are Romans, without any trial, they have thrown us into jayl, and now do they give us a private discharge? no, let them come themselves and release us.

Paul, as was his custom, us'd to go there, and for three sabbath-days discours'd to the Jews from the scriptures,

Some of them believed, and join'd themselves to Paul and Silas, besides a great number of Greek proselytes, and several women of distinction.

Immediately the brethren sent away Paul and Silas by night to Berea, where being arriv'd, they went into the synagogue.

but when the Jews of Thessalonica were inform'd that Paul had preached the word of God at Berea, they went thither to stir up the populace.

Upon this the brethren immediately sent Paul away to the sea-coast, but Silas and Timothy staid there.

While Paul was expecting them at Athens, he was grieved to the soul to see the whole city o'er-spread with idols.

Then Paul being plac'd in the middle of the Areopagus, said thus, "I observe, O Athenians, that you are in a manner too devout.