12
They gave Barnabas the name Zeus, and Paul the name Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13
The priest of the god Zeus, whose temple stood just outside the town, brought bulls and flowers to the gate, for he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice to the apostles.
14
When Barnabas and Paul heard what they were about to do, they tore their clothes and ran into the middle of the crowd, shouting,
15
"Why are you doing this? We ourselves are only human beings like you! We are here to announce the Good News, to turn you away from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven, earth, sea, and all that is in them.
1
16
In the past he allowed all people to go their own way.
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But he has always given evidence of his existence by the good things he does: he gives you rain from heaven and crops at the right times; he gives you food and fills your hearts with happiness."
18
Even with these words the apostles could hardly keep the crowd from offering a sacrifice to them.
19
Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium; they won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead.
20
But when the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe.
21
Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News in Derbe and won many disciples. Then they went back to Lystra, to Iconium, and on to Antioch in Pisidia.
22
They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. "We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God," they taught.