18
She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, "Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!" And it was gone, just like that.
19
When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them
20
and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace - dangerous Jewish agitators
21
subverting our Roman law and order."
22
By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.
23
After beating them black and blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jailkeeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape.
24
He did just that - threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.
25
Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears.
26
Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.
27
Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway,
28
when Paul stopped him: "Don't do that! We're all still here! Nobody's run away!"