25
Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears.
26
Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.
27
Startled from sleep, the jailer saw all the doors swinging loose on their hinges. Assuming that all the prisoners had escaped, he pulled out his sword and was about to do himself in, figuring he was as good as dead anyway,
28
when Paul stopped him: "Don't do that! We're all still here! Nobody's run away!"
29
The jailer got a torch and ran inside. Badly shaken, he collapsed in front of Paul and Silas.
30
He led them out of the jail and asked, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved, to really live?"
31
They said, "Put your entire trust in the Master Jesus. Then you'll live as you were meant to live - and everyone in your house included!"
32
They went on to spell out in detail the story of the Master - the entire family got in on this part.
33
They never did get to bed that night. The jailer made them feel at home, dressed their wounds, and then - he couldn't wait till morning! - was baptized, he and everyone in his family.
34
There in his home, he had food set out for a festive meal. It was a night to remember: He and his entire family had put their trust in God; everyone in the house was in on the celebration.
35
At daybreak, the court judges sent officers with the instructions, "Release these men."