5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith and were increased in number daily.
Evangelization of Europe
6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia and were prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the message in the province of Asia.
7
When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.
8
So, bypassing Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9
During the night a vision appeared to Paul: a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, "Cross over to Macedonia and help us!"
10
After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to evangelize them.
Lydia's Conversion
11 Then, setting sail from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis,
12
and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for a number of days.
13
On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.
14
A woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was spoken by Paul.
15
After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.