Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying.
16
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
17 She followed Paul and us, crying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation."
17
She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
18 And this she did for many days. But Paul was annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, "I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
18
She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place before the rulers;
19
When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
20 and when they had brought them to the magistrates they said, "These men are Jews and they are disturbing our city.
20
They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar
21 They advocate customs which it is not lawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
21
by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”
22 The crowd joined in attacking them; and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods.
22
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.
23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely.
23
After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully.
24 Having received this charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
24
When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them,
25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened.
26
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
27
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here."
28
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas,
29
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 and brought them out and said, "Men, what must I do to be saved?"
30
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
31
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all that were in his house.
32
Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, with all his family.
33
At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
34 Then he brought them up into his house, and set food before them; and he rejoiced with all his household that he had believed in God.
34
The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.