14
One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.
15
She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests. “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.” And she urged us until we agreed.
16
One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes.
17
She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.”
18
This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.
19
Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace.
20
“The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials.
21
“They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”
22
A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods.
23
They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape.
24
So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.