Nowwhen [the meeting of] the synagoguehad brokenup, manyof the Jewsand of the God-fearingproselytesfollowedPauland Barnabas,who,speakingto them, were urgingthem to continuein the graceof God.
Then when he arrivedand witnessedthe graceof God,he rejoicedand [began] to encouragethem allwith resoluteheartto remain[true] to the Lord;
strengtheningthe soulsof the disciples,encouragingthem to continuein the faith,and [saying], "Throughmanytribulationswe mustenterthe kingdomof God."
Anyonewho goes too farand does not abidein the teachingof Christ,does not haveGod;the one who abidesin the teaching,he hasboththe Fatherand the Son.
Do not be carried awayby variedand strangeteachings;for it is goodfor the heartto be strengthenedby grace,not by foods,throughwhichthosewho were so occupiedwere not benefited.
Seeto it that noonecomes shortof the graceof God;that norootof bitternessspringingup causes trouble,and by it manybe defiled;
We proclaimHim, admonishingeverymanand teachingeverymanwith allwisdom,sothat we may presenteverymancompletein Christ.
ifindeedyou continuein the faithfirmly establishedand steadfast,and not moved awayfrom the hopeof the gospelthat you have heard,which was proclaimedin allcreationunderheaven,and of whichI, Paul,was madea minister.
Therefore,my belovedbrethrenwhom I long[to see], my joyand crown,in this waystand firmin the Lord,my beloved.
however,let us keep livingby that same[standard] to whichwe have attained.
For by graceyou have been savedthroughfaith;and that not of yourselves,[it is] the giftof God;
It was for freedomthat Christset us free;thereforekeep standing firmand do not be subjectagainto a yokeof slavery.
And working together[with Him], we alsourgeyou not to receivethe graceof Godin vain--
Therefore,knowingthe fearof the Lord,we persuademen,but we are mademanifestto God;and I hopethat we are made manifestalsoin your consciences.
But ifit is by grace,it is nolongeron the basisof works,otherwisegraceis no longergrace.
sothat, as sinreignedin death,evensogracewould reignthroughrighteousnessto eternallifethroughJesusChristour Lord.
throughwhomalsowe have obtainedour introductionby faithinto thisgracein whichwe stand;and we exultin hopeof the gloryof God.
being justifiedas a giftby His gracethroughthe redemptionwhich is in ChristJesus;
But somemenjoinedhim and believed,amongwhomalsowere Dionysiusthe Areopagiteand a womannamedDamarisand otherswith them.
And someof them were persuadedand joinedPauland Silas,alongwith a largenumberof the God-fearingGreeksand a numberof the leadingwomen.
A womannamedLydia,from the cityof Thyatira,a seller of purple fabrics,a worshiperof God,was listening;and the Lordopenedher heartto respondto the things spokenby Paul.
Thereforethey spenta longtime[there] speaking boldly[with reliance] upon the Lord,who was testifyingto the wordof His grace,grantingthat signsand wondersbe doneby their hands.
Therefore,beloved,since you lookfor these things,be diligentto be foundby Him in peace,spotlessand blameless,
ThroughSilvanus,our faithfulbrother(for soI regard[him]), I have writtento you briefly,exhortingand testifyingthat thisis the true graceof God.Stand firmin it!
You have been severedfrom Christ,you whoare seeking to be justifiedby law;you have fallenfrom grace.
When they had seta dayfor Paul, they cameto him at his lodgingin large numbers;and he was explainingto them by solemnly testifyingabout the kingdomof Godand trying to persuadethem concerningJesus,from boththe Lawof Mosesand from the Prophets,from morninguntilevening.
Sohe was reasoningin the synagoguewith the Jewsand the God-fearing[Gentiles], and in the market placeeverydaywith thosewho happened to be present.
But the Jewsincitedthe devoutwomenof prominenceand the leading menof the city,and instigateda persecutionagainstPauland Barnabas,and drovethem out of their district.
The statementfound approvalwith the wholecongregation;and they choseStephen,a manfullof faithand of the HolySpirit,and Philip,Prochorus,Nicanor,Timon,Parmenasand Nicolas,a proselytefrom Antioch.
Phrygiaand Pamphylia,Egyptand the districtsof LibyaaroundCyrene,and visitorsfrom Rome,bothJewsand proselytes,
"Woeto you, scribesand Pharisees,hypocrites,becauseyou travel aroundon seaand landto makeoneproselyte;and whenhe becomesone, you makehim twice as mucha sonof hellas yourselves.
Now,little children,abidein Him, sothat whenHe appears,we may haveconfidenceand not shrinkawayfrom Him in shameat His coming.
For the graceof Godhas appeared,bringing salvationto allmen,
Thenhe leftthereand wentto the houseof a mannamedTitiusJustus,a worshiperof God,whosehousewas nextto the synagogue.
