Acts 1818ActsPaul's missionary journeysOpen English Bible (Commonwealth)

Open English Bible (Commonwealth)Berean Standard Bible

1. Paul Ministers in Corinth

   (1 Corinthians 1:1–3; 2 Corinthians 1:1–2)

2. 1ENGOEBCWOn leaving Athens, Paul next went to Corinth.BSBBSB: After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
3. 2ENGOEBCWThere he met a Jew of the name of Aquila, from Pontus, who, with his wife Priscilla, had lately come from Italy, in consequence of the order which had been issued by the Emperor Claudius for all Jews to leave Rome. Paul paid them a visit,BSBBSB: There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
4. 3ENGOEBCWand, since their trade was the same as his, he stayed and worked with them – their trade was tent-making.BSBBSB: and he stayed and worked with them because they were tentmakers by trade, just as he was.
5. 4ENGOEBCWEvery Sabbath Paul gave addresses in the synagogue, trying to convince both Jews and Greeks.BSBBSB: Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike.
6. 5ENGOEBCWBut, when Silas and Timothy had come down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself entirely to delivering the message, earnestly maintaining before the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.BSBBSB: And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
7. 6ENGOEBCWHowever, as they set themselves against him and became abusive, Paul shook his clothes in protest and said to them, ‘Your blood be on your own heads. My conscience is clear. From this time forward I will go to the Gentiles.’BSBBSB: But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
8. 7ENGOEBCWSo he left, and went to the house of a certain Titius Justus, who had been accustomed to join in the worship of God, and whose house was next door to the synagogue.BSBBSB: So Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God.
9. 8ENGOEBCWCrispus, the synagogue leader, came to believe in the Lord, and so did all his household; and many of the Corinthians, as they listened to Paul, became believers in Christ and were baptised.BSBBSB: Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his whole household believed in the Lord. And many of the Corinthians who heard the message believed and were baptized.
10. 9ENGOEBCWOne night the Lord said to Paul, in a vision, ‘Have no fear, but continue to speak, and refuse to be silenced;BSBBSB: One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
11. 10ENGOEBCWfor I am with you, and no one will do you harm, for I have many people in this city.’BSBBSB: For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”
12. 11ENGOEBCWSo he settled there for a year and a half, and taught God’s message among the people.BSBBSB: So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching the word of God among the Corinthians.

13. Paul before Gallio

14. 12ENGOEBCWWhile Gallio was governor of Greece, some of the Jewish leaders made a combined attack on Paul, and brought him before the Governor’s Bench,BSBBSB: While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
15. 13ENGOEBCWcharging him with persuading people to worship God in a way forbidden by the Law.BSBBSB: “This man is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law,” they said.
16. 14ENGOEBCWJust as Paul was on the point of speaking, Gallio said to them, ‘If this were a case of misdemeanour or some serious crime, there would be some reason for my listening patiently to you;BSBBSB: But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
17. 15ENGOEBCWbut, since it is a dispute about words, and names, and your own Law, you must see to it yourselves. I do not choose to be a judge in such matters.’BSBBSB: But since it is a dispute about words and names and your own law, settle it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.”
18. 16ENGOEBCWSaying this, he drove them back from the Bench.BSBBSB: And he drove them away from the judgment seat.
19. 17ENGOEBCWThen they all set on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him in front of the Bench, but Gallio did not trouble himself about any of these things.BSBBSB: At this, the crowd seized Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the judgment seat. But none of this was of concern to Gallio.

20. Paul Returns to Antioch

21. 18ENGOEBCWPaul remained there some time after this, and then took leave of the followers, and sailed to Syria with Priscilla and Aquila, but not before his head had been shaved at Cenchreae, because he was under a vow.BSBBSB: Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
22. 19ENGOEBCWThey put into Ephesus, and there Paul, leaving his companions, went into the synagogue and addressed the Jews.BSBBSB: When they reached Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue there and reasoned with the Jews.
23. 20ENGOEBCWWhen they asked him to prolong his stay, he declined, saying however,BSBBSB: When they asked him to stay for a while longer, he declined.
24. 21ENGOEBCWas he took his leave, ‘I will come back again to you, please God,’ and then set sail from Ephesus.BSBBSB: But as he left, he said, “I will come back to you if God is willing.” And he set sail from Ephesus.
25. 22ENGOEBCWOn reaching Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and exchanged greetings with the church, and then went down to Antioch.BSBBSB: When Paul had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church at Jerusalem. Then he went down to Antioch.

26. Paul’s Third Missionary Journey Begins

    (Acts 13:1–3; Acts 15:36–41)

27. 23ENGOEBCWAfter making some stay in Antioch, he set out on a tour through the Phrygian district of Galatia, strengthening the faith of all the disciples as he went.BSBBSB: After Paul had spent some time in Antioch, he traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
28. 24ENGOEBCWMeanwhile there had come to Ephesus an Alexandrian Jew, named Apollos, an eloquent man, who was well-versed in the scriptures.BSBBSB: Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures.
29. 25ENGOEBCWHe had been well-instructed in the Way of the Lord, and with burning zeal he spoke of, and taught carefully, the facts about Jesus, though he knew of no baptism but John’s.BSBBSB: He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.
30. 26ENGOEBCWThis man began to speak out fearlessly in the synagogue; and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the Way of God to him more carefully still.BSBBSB: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
31. 27ENGOEBCWWhen he wanted to cross to Greece, the followers furthered his plans, and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival he proved of great assistance to those who had, through the loving kindness of God, become believers in Christ,BSBBSB: When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
32. 28ENGOEBCWfor he vigorously confuted the Jews, publicly proving by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.BSBBSB: For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.