Acts 16:23-36

23After they had hit Paul and Silas many times, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailer to keep them under tight security.

24So the jailer followed these orders and put Paul and Silas into solitary confinement with their feet in leg irons.

25Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.

26Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the foundations of the jail. All the doors immediately flew open, and all the prisoners’ chains came loose.

27The jailer woke up and saw the prison doors open. Thinking the prisoners had escaped, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself.

28But Paul shouted as loudly as he could, “Don’t hurt yourself! We’re all here!”

29The jailer asked for torches and rushed into the jail. He was trembling as he knelt in front of Paul and Silas.

30Then he took Paul and Silas outside and asked, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved?”

31They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you and your family will be saved.”

32They spoke the Lord’s word to the jailer and everyone in his home.

33At that hour of the night, the jailer washed Paul and Silas’ wounds. The jailer and his entire family were baptized immediately.

34He took Paul and Silas upstairs into his home and gave them something to eat. He and his family were thrilled to be believers in God.

35In the morning the Roman officials sent guards who told the jailer, “You can release those men now.”

36The jailer reported this order to Paul by saying, “The officials have sent word to release you. So you can leave peacefully now.”