Acts 14:1-9

1 When they got to Iconium they went, as they always did, to the meeting place of the Jews and gave their message. The Message convinced both Jews and non-Jews - and not just a few, either.
2 But the unbelieving Jews worked up a whispering campaign against Paul and Barnabas, sowing mistrust and suspicion in the minds of the people in the street.
3 The two apostles were there a long time, speaking freely, openly, and confidently as they presented the clear evidence of God's gifts, God corroborating their work with miracles and wonders.
4 But then there was a split in public opinion, some siding with the Jews, some with the apostles.
5 One day, learning that both the Jews and non-Jews had been organized by their leaders to beat them up,
6 they escaped as best they could to the next towns - Lyconia, Lystra, Derbe, and that neighborhood -
7 but then were right back at it again, getting out the Message. Gods or Men?
8 There was a man in Lystra who couldn't walk. He sat there, crippled since the day of his birth.
9 He heard Paul talking, and Paul, looking him in the eye, saw that he was ripe for God's work, ready to believe.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.