1In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke so effectively that a large number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
2But the Jews who did not believe stirred up the non-Jews and made them hostile toward the brothers.
3So Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
4But the city’s population was divided. Some sided with the Jews, and others with the apostles.
5Then some non-Jews and Jews, along with their leaders, made a violent attempt to mistreat them and stone them.
6They found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding area.
7There they preached the Good News.
8In Lystra, a man was sitting who couldn't use his feet. He had been born crippled and had never walked.
9He was listening as Paul spoke. Paul looked directly at him and saw that he had enough faith to be healed.
10Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” The man jumped up and began to walk.
11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us looking like humans!”
12They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes” because Paul was the main speaker.
13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside their city, brought oxen and garlands to the city gates. He and the crowd planned to offer a sacrifice to them.
14But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard about it, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
15“Men, why are you doing these things? We are only human, just like you! We are bringing you the Good News, so you should turn from these useless things to the living God. He made the sky, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.
16In the past, he allowed all nations to live their own way.
17Yet, he always showed who he was by doing good things. He gave you rain from heaven and good harvests, filling your hearts with food and joy.”
18Even with these words, they barely stopped the crowd from sacrificing to them.
19But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and managed to persuade the crowds. They then stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.
20However, as the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day, he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
21After they had preached the Good News in that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.
22They encouraged the disciples and strengthened their faith, telling them, “We must go through many troubles to enter God’s Kingdom.”
23In every church, they appointed elders for them. After praying and fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.
24They traveled through Pisidia and arrived in Pamphylia.
25After speaking the message in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26From there, they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been entrusted to God’s grace for the work they had now completed.
27When they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28They stayed there with the disciples for a long time.