Iconium

1Now it happened in Iconium that they went together into the synagogue of the Jews, and they spoke to such effect that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

2But the disobedient Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

3Even so they stayed there a considerable time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, giving signs and wonders to take place by their hands. ³²⁴

4Well the population of the city became divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.

5But when a plot was hatched by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them,

6they became aware of it and escaped to the cities of Lycaonia—Lystra, Derbe and the surrounding area—

7where they continued to preach the Gospel.

Lystra

8Well in Lystra a certain man with helpless feet was sitting (lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked).

9This man was listening to Paul speaking; who looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

10said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And the man jumped up and began to walk! ³²⁵

11Now when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

12And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

13Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought bulls and garlands to the gates, intending to make a sacrifice, along with the crowd. ³²⁶

14But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, crying out

15and saying: “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, giving you good news, telling you to turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them;

16who in the former generations allowed all the ethnic nations to walk in their own ways.

17Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” ³²⁷

18Even saying these things, they barely stopped the crowd from sacrificing to them.

Paul stoned

19Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came, and having persuaded the crowd and having stoned Paul, ³²⁸they dragged him out of the city, ³²⁹supposing him to have died.

20But as the disciples stood around him, ³³⁰he got up and entered the city. The next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

The return to Antioch

21When they had evangelized that city and discipled a good number, they returned to Lystra ³³¹and Iconium and Antioch,

22strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” ³³²

23When they had appointed elders for them in every congregation, ³³³having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord into whom they had believed. ³³⁴

24After going through Pisidia, they came to Pamphilia.

25When they had declared the Word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had completed.

27So upon arriving and gathering the congregation, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

28And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.