Timothy Joins Paul and Silas

1Then he arrived at Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a faithful Jewish woman, his father a Gentile. 2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium rendered good testimony to him. 3Paul wanted this man to travel with him, and taking him, he circumcised him, because of the Jews who were in those places. For they all knew that his father was a Gentile. 4And as they were traveling through the cities, they delivered to them the dogmas to be kept, which were decreed by the Apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem. 5And certainly, the Churches were being strengthened in faith and were increasing in number every day.

Paul’s Vision of the Macedonian

6Then, while crossing through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word in Asia. 7But when they had arrived in Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not permit them. 8Then, when they had crossed through Mysia, they descended to Troas. 9And a vision in the night was revealed to Paul of a certain man of Macedonia, standing and pleading with him, and saying: “Cross into Macedonia and help us!” 10Then, after he saw the vision, immediately we sought to set out for Macedonia, having been assured that God had called us to evangelize to them.

Lydia’s Conversion in Philippi
(Revelation 2:18–29)

11And sailing from Troas, taking a direct path, we arrived at Samothrace, and on the following day, at Neapolis, 12and from there to Philippi, which is the preeminent city in the area of Macedonia, a colony. Now we were in this city some days, conferring together. 13Then, on the Sabbath day, we were walking outside the gate, beside a river, where there seemed to be a prayer gathering. And sitting down, we were speaking with the women who had assembled.

14And a certain woman, named Lydia, a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira, a worshiper of God, listened. And the Lord opened her heart to be receptive to what Paul was saying. 15And when she had been baptized, with her household, she pleaded with us, saying: “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, enter into my house and lodge there.” And she convinced us.

Paul and Silas Imprisoned

16Then it happened that, as we were going out to prayer, a certain girl, having a spirit of divination, met with us. She was a source of great profit to her masters, through her divining. 17This girl, following Paul and us, was crying out, saying: “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are announcing to you the way of salvation!” 18Now she behaved in this way for many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to go out from her.” And it went away in that same hour.

19But her masters, seeing that the hope of their profit went away, apprehended Paul and Silas, and they brought them to the rulers at the courthouse. 20And presenting them to the magistrates, they said: “These men are disturbing our city, since they are Jews. 21And they are announcing a way which is not lawful for us to accept or to observe, since we are Romans.”

22And the people rushed together against them. And the magistrates, tearing their tunics, ordered them to be beaten with staffs. 23And when they had inflicted many scourges on them, they cast them into prison, instructing the guard to watch them diligently. 24And since he had received this kind of order, he cast them into the interior prison cell, and he restricted their feet with stocks.

The Conversion of the Jailer

25Then, in the middle of the night, Paul and Silas were praying and praising God. And those who were also in custody were listening to them. 26Yet truly, there was a sudden earthquake, so great that the foundations of the prison were moved. And immediately all the doors were opened, and the bindings of everyone were released. 27Then the prison guard, having been jarred awake, and seeing the doors of the prison open, drew his sword and intended to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled. 28But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Do no harm to yourself, for we are all here!” 29Then calling for a light, he entered. And trembling, he fell before the feet of Paul and Silas. 30And bringing them outside, he said, “Sirs, what must I do, so that I may be saved?”

31So they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and then you will be saved, with your household.” 32And they spoke the Word of the Lord to him, along with all those who were in his house. 33And he, taking them in the same hour of the night, washed their scourges. And he was baptized, and next his entire household. 34And when he had brought them into his own house, he set a table for them. And he was joyous, with his entire household, believing in God.

An Official Apology

35And when daylight had arrived, the magistrates sent the attendants, saying, “Release those men.” 36But the prison guard reported these words to Paul: “The magistrates have sent to have you released. Now therefore, depart. Go in peace.” 37But Paul said to them: “They have beaten us publicly, though we were not condemned. They have cast men who are Romans into prison. And now they would drive us away secretly? Not so. Instead, let them come forward, 38and let us drive them away.” Then the attendants reported these words to the magistrates. And upon hearing that they were Romans, they were afraid. 39And arriving, they pleaded with them, and leading them out, they begged them to depart from the city. 40And they went away from the prison and entered into the house of Lydia. And having seen the brothers, they consoled them, and then they set out.