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Acts

Describes the early Christian church's formation and spread, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 18

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1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

*After that, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

*Aquila, a Jewish man from Pontus who recently moved from Italy, and his wife Priscilla were found. They left Rome because Claudius ordered all Jews to do so, and the person went to them.

3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

*Since they were all in the same job, he stayed and worked with them, as they made tents for a living.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

*He explained things at the meeting each week, convincing both Jews and non-Jews.

5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

*When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul felt strongly in his spirit and told the Jews that Jesus is the Messiah.

6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

*When they argued and spoke badly, he shook his clothes and told them, You are responsible for your own blood; I am innocent. From now on, I will teach non-Jews.

7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.

*He left that place and went to a man's house named Justus, who followed God. The house was right next to the meeting place for Jews called the synagogue.

8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

*Crispus, the main leader at the synagogue, trusted in the Lord along with his whole family. Many people in Corinth who heard about it also believed and got baptized.

9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

*Then, the Lord talked to Paul at night through a vision, saying, "Don't be scared, just speak up and don't stay quiet."

10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

*I'm with you, and nobody can harm you, because many people live here.

11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

*He stayed for a year and half, teaching God's words to them.

12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

*When Gallio was in charge of Achaia, the Jews united to rebel against Paul and took him to the judge.

13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

*He says that this person convinces people to worship God in a way not allowed by the rules.

14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye Jews, reason would that I should bear with you:

*When Paul was ready to speak, Gallio told the Jews, "If this was about something bad or immoral, I would listen to you, Jews."

15 But if it be a question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will be no judge of such matters.

*But if it's about word choices and name meanings, and your rules, you handle that. I won't be judging those things.

16 And he drave them from the judgment seat.

*And he removed them from where they judged.

17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for none of those things.

*Then all the Greeks grabbed Sosthenes, the main leader at the synagogue, and hurt him in front of the judge's seat. Gallio didn't care about any of that.

18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

*Paul stayed there for more time after that, then said goodbye to the believers and sailed to Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. He cut his hair in Cenchrea because he made a promise to do so.

19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.

*He went to Ephesus and left the others behind. He then went into the synagogue and talked with the Jewish people.

20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;

*When they wanted him to stay longer, he agreed but didn't.

21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

*He said goodbye, explaining that he had to attend an important festival in Jerusalem, but he would come back if possible. Then, he left Ephesus by boat.

22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.

*After reaching Caesarea, he greeted the church and then traveled to Antioch.

23 And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.

*After some time, he left and traveled through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the believers along the way.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

*A Jew named Apollos, skilled in speaking and knowledgeable in scripts, arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria.

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

*This man learned about God's ways and was very passionate. He spoke and taught eagerly about God's stuff, but only knew John's baptism method.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

*He started talking confidently in the church. When Aquila and Priscilla heard this, they brought him to their home and explained God's ways more clearly to him.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

*When he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers wrote a letter encouraging the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who believed through God's kindness.

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

*He strongly convinced the Jews, doing it openly, and used scriptures to show that Jesus was the Messiah.

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