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.
25
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.
26
Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!
27
The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself.
28
But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”
29
The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30
Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”