Acts 14

1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they did enter together into the synagogue of the Jews, and spake, so that there believed both of Jews and Greeks a great multitude;

In Iconium the same thing happened. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and spoke so convincingly that many of both the Jewish and Greek-speaking worshipers trusted in Jesus.

2 and the unbelieving Jews did stir up and made evil the souls of the nations against the brethren;

But the Jews that refused to believe in Jesus stirred up the feelings of the foreigners, and poisoned them against the believers.

3 long time, indeed, therefore, did they abide speaking boldly in the Lord, who is testifying to the word of His grace, and granting signs and wonders to come to pass through their hands.

Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time, speaking to them boldly in the Lord, who confirmed their message of grace through the miraculous signs that they were enabled to perform.

4 And the multitude of the city was divided, and some were with the Jews, and some with the apostles,

The inhabitants of the town were divided, with some supporting the Jews and some the apostles.

5 and when there was a purpose both of the nations and of the Jews with their rulers to use [them] despitefully, and to stone them,

But then the foreigners and the Jews, together with their leaders, decided to attack and stone Paul and Barnabas.

6 they having become aware, did flee to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe, and to the region round about,

However, they found out about it and fled to the region of Lycaonia, to the towns of Lystra and Derbe,

7 and there they were proclaiming good news.

where they continued to share the good news.

8 And a certain man in Lystra, impotent in the feet, was sitting, being lame from the womb of his mother — who never had walked,

In the town of Lystra there was a disabled man who was lame in both feet. He had been crippled from birth and had never been able to walk.

9 this one was hearing Paul speaking, who, having stedfastly beheld him, and having seen that he hath faith to be saved,

He sat there listening to Paul speaking. When Paul looked directly at him, and realized that the man was trusting in God to heal him,

10 said with a loud voice, 'Stand up on thy feet upright;' and he was springing and walking,

Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” The man jumped to his feet and started walking.

11 and the multitudes having seen what Paul did, did lift up their voice, in the speech of Lycaonia, saying, 'The gods, having become like men, did come down unto us;'

When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted out in the language of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us looking like men!”

12 they were calling also Barnabas Zeus, and Paul Hermes, since he was the leader in speaking.

They identified Barnabas as the Greek god Zeus, and Paul as the god Hermes because he was one who did most of the talking.

13 And the priest of the Zeus that is before their city, oxen and garlands unto the porches having brought, with the multitudes did wish to sacrifice,

The priest of the temple of Zeus that lay just outside the town, brought oxen and wreaths to the town gates. He planned to carry out a sacrifice in front of the crowds.

14 and having heard, the apostles Barnabas and Paul, having rent their garments, did spring into the multitude, crying

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul learned what was happening, they tore their clothes, and rushed into the crowds, shouting out,

15 and saying, 'Men, why these things do ye? and we are men like-affected with you, proclaiming good news to you, from these vanities to turn unto the living God, who made the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and all the things in them;

“People, what are you doing? We are human beings with the same kind of nature as you. We came to bring you good news, so you could turn from these pointless things to a God who is truly alive. He is the one who made heaven, earth, and sea, and everything in them.

16 who in the past generations did suffer all the nations to go on in their ways,

In past times he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways.

17 though, indeed, without witness He did not leave himself, doing good — from heaven giving rains to us, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness;'

Even so he still provided evidence of himself by doing good, sending you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons, providing all the food you need, and filling you with happiness.”

18 and these things saying, scarcely did they restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

With these words they barely managed to stop the crowds from offering sacrifices to them.

19 And there came thither, from Antioch and Iconium, Jews, and they having persuaded the multitudes, and having stoned Paul, drew him outside of the city, having supposed him to be dead;

But then some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul, and dragged him outside the town, thinking he was dead.

20 and the disciples having surrounded him, having risen he entered into the city, and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe.

But when the believers gathered around him, he got up, and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

21 Having proclaimed good news also to that city, and having discipled many, they turned back to Lystra, and Iconium, and Antioch,

After sharing the good news with the people in that town, and after many had become believers, they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

22 confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting to remain in the faith, and that through many tribulations it behoveth us to enter into the reign of God,

They encouraged the believers to remain firm and to continue to trust in Jesus. “We have to go through many trials to enter God's kingdom,” they said.

23 and having appointed to them by vote elders in every assembly, having prayed with fastings, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

After they had appointed elders for every church, and had prayed and fasted with them, Paul and Barnabas left them in the Lord's care, the one that they trusted in.

24 And having passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia,

They passed through Pisidia, and arrived in Pamphylia.

25 and having spoken in Perga the word, they went down to Attalia,

They spoke God's word in Perga, and then went on to Attalia.

26 and thence did sail to Antioch, whence they had been given by the grace of God for the work that they fulfilled;

From there they sailed back to Antioch where they had started out, having been dedicated there in God's grace to the work they had now accomplished.

27 and having come and gathered together the assembly, they declared as many things as God did with them, and that He did open to the nations a door of faith;

When they arrived, they called the church together. They reported everything God had done through them, and how he had opened a door for the foreigners to trust in him.

28 and they abode there not a little time with the disciples.

They stayed there with the believers for a long time.