1After this, Paul left Athens, and went to Corinth,
2And there he met a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome).
3And because Paul was of the same craft (tentmaking), he stayed and worked with them; for they, too, were tentmakers.
4And every Sabbath, he reasoned in the synagogue, persuading Jews and Greeks.
5And when Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself to testifying to the Jews that Jesus was Christ (the Messiah)
6But when they opposed Paul, and became abusive, and blasphemed, he shook the dust from his clothing, and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads - I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.
7And he left the synagogue, and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, one of those who worshipped God.
8And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, also believed in the Lord, with all his household; and many of the Corinthians that heard also believed, and were baptized.
9Then in the night, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak; do not be silent;
10For I am with you, and no man shall attack or hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
11And he stayed in Corinth for a year and six months, teaching them the word of God.
12And when Gallio was the deputy (proconsul) of Achaia, the Jews made a coordinated attack against Paul, and brought him before the governor for judgment,
13Claiming, “This man persuades people to worship God in ways contrary to the law”.
14And just when Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, “If this were a matter of wrong or wicked crime, I would bear with you Jews;
15But if it is a question of words and names, and of your law, settle it yourselves; for I will not judge such matters”.
16And he drove them from the judgment seat.
17Then the crowd grabbed Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him in front of the proconsul at the judgment seat. and Gallio paid no attention whatever.
18And after this Paul stayed there for a good while, and when did leave the brothers and sisters there, he sailed from there for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before sailing Paul had shorn his head in Cenchrea; because of a vow he had taken.
19And they arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila, while he, himself, entered the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20When they asked him to stay with them longer, he declined,
21But as he left, he said, “I must by all means keep this feast that is coming in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
22And when he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem, then he went down to Antioch.
23And after spending some time there in Antioch, he departed for all the country of Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the disciples.
24And a certain Jew, named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, and learned in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and he spoke fervently and taught diligently the things of the Lord, but knew only of the baptism of John.
26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue; then, when Aquila and Priscilla had heard him, they invited him to their home, where they explained to him the way of God more accurately.
27And when Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters wrote, encouraging the disciples to welcome him. And when he had arrived, he was much help to them who had believed through grace;
28For he refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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