Acts 16:20–33

²⁰They brought them to the judges. “These men are Jews,” her owners said. “They are making trouble in our city. ²¹They are suggesting practices that are against Roman law. These are practices we can’t accept or take part in.”

²²The crowd joined the attack against Paul and Silas. The judges ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped and beaten. ²³They were whipped without mercy. Then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴When he received his orders, he put Paul and Silas deep inside the prison. He fastened their feet so they couldn’t get away.

²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying. They were also singing hymns to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was a powerful earthquake. It shook the prison from top to bottom. All at once the prison doors flew open. Everybody’s chains came loose.

²⁷The jailer woke up. He saw that the prison doors were open. He pulled out his sword and was going to kill himself. He thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸“Don’t harm yourself!” Paul shouted. “We are all here!”

²⁹The jailer called out for some lights. He rushed in, shaking with fear. He fell down in front of Paul and Silas. ³⁰Then he brought them out. He asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus. Then you and your family will be saved.” ³²They spoke the word of the Lord to him. They also spoke to all the others in his house.

³³At that hour of the night, the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Right away he and his whole family were baptized.