Paul and Silas Are Thrown Into Prison
16 One day we were going to the place of prayer. On the way we were met by a female slave. She had a spirit that helped her to tell ahead of time what was going to happen. She earned a lot of money for her owners by telling fortunes.
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The woman followed Paul and the rest of us around. She shouted, "These men serve the Most High God. They are telling you how to be saved."
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She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became upset. Turning around, he spoke to the spirit. "In the name of Jesus Christ," he said, "I command you to come out of her!" At that very moment the spirit left her.
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The female slave's owners realized that their hope of making money was gone. So they grabbed Paul and Silas. They dragged them into the market place to face the authorities.
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They brought them to the judges. "These men are Jews," her owners said. "They are making trouble in our city.
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They are suggesting practices that are against Roman law. These are practices we can't accept or take part in."
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The crowd joined the attack against Paul and Silas. The judges ordered that Paul and Silas be stripped and beaten.
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They were whipped without mercy. Then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.
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When he received his orders, he put Paul and Silas deep inside the prison. He fastened their feet so they couldn't get away.
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About midnight Paul and Silas were praying. They were also singing hymns to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.
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Suddenly 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.