Acts 16:19-40

19But when her masters saw that the hope of profit was gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities.

20And when they brought them to the chief authorities, they said, “These men are throwing our city into an uproar! Being Jewish,

21they advocate customs which are not permitted for us to accept or practice, being Romans.”

22Then the crowd joined in the attack on them. So the chief authorities ripped their clothes off them and commanded them to be beaten with rods.

23After inflicting many blows on them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to guard them securely.

24Having received this charge, he threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25But about midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.

26Suddenly there was such a great earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. Immediately all the doors were unlocked, and everyone’s chains came loose.

27When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners had escaped.

28But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Don’t harm yourself! We’re all here!”

29The jailer called for lights and rushed in; and trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas.

30After he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31They said, “Put your trust in the Lord Yeshua and you will be saved—you and your household!”

32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him, along with everyone in his household.

33He took them that very hour and washed their wounds, and at once he was immersed—he and all his household.

34The jailer brought them to his house and set food before them, and he was overjoyed that he with his entire household had put their trust in God.

35When day came, the chief authorities sent their police officers, saying, “Release those men.”

36But the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The chief authorities have sent orders to release you. So come out now, and go in shalom.”

37But Paul said to the officers, “They have beaten us publicly without a trial—men who are Roman citizens—and have thrown us into prison. And now they are sending us away secretly? No! Let them come themselves and lead us out!”

38The police officers reported these words to the chief authorities. They became afraid when they heard they were Romans,

39so they came and apologized to them. After they escorted them out, they kept begging them to leave the city.

40When Paul and Silas went out of the prison, they visited Lydia’s house. And when they saw the brothers, they encouraged them and then departed.