1
In the church at Antioch there were these prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon (also called Niger), Lucius (from the city of Cyrene), Manaen (who had grown up with Herod, the ruler), and Saul.
2
They were all worshiping the Lord and giving up eating for a certain time. During this time the Holy Spirit said to them, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul to do a special work for which I have chosen them."
3
So after they gave up eating and prayed, they laid their hands onn Barnabas and Saul and sent them out.
4
Barnabas and Saul, sent out by the Holy Spirit, went to the city of Seleucia. From there they sailed to the island of Cyprus.
5
When they came to Salamis, they preached the Good News of God in the Jewish synagogues. John Mark was with them to help.
6
They went across the whole island to Paphos where they met a Jewish magician named Bar-Jesus. He was a false prophet
7
who always stayed close to Sergius Paulus, the governor and a smart man. He asked Barnabas and Saul to come to him, because he wanted to hear the message of God.
8
But Elymas, the magician, was against them. (Elymas is the name for Bar-Jesus in the Greek language.) He tried to stop the governor from believing in Jesus.