Acts 16:22–37

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. ³⁴The jailer brought them into his house. He set a meal in front of them. He and his whole family were filled with joy. They had become believers in God.

³⁵Early in the morning the judges sent their officers to the jailer. They ordered him, “Let those men go.” ³⁶The jailer told Paul, “The judges have ordered me to set you and Silas free. You can leave now. Go in peace.”

³⁷But Paul replied to the officers. “They beat us in public,” he said. “We weren’t given a trial. And we are Roman citizens! They threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and personally lead us out.”