23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,j 24 but Saul learned of their plan.k Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.l

26 When he came to Jerusalem,m he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabasn took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him,o and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.p 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,a q but they tried to kill him.r 30 When the believerss learned of this, they took him down to Caesareat and sent him off to Tarsus.u

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samariav enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.w