Acts 16:1-15 : Easy-to-Read Version
Timothy Goes with Paul and Silas
16 1Paul went to the cities of Derbe and Lystra. A follower [of Christ] named Timothy was there. Timothy's mother was a Jewish believer. His father was a Greek (not a Jew). 2The believers in the cities of Lystra and Iconium respected Timothy. They said good things about him. 3Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him. But all the Jews living in that area knew that Timothy's father was Greek (not Jewish). So Paul circumcised* Timothy to please the Jews. 4Then Paul and the men with him traveled through other cities.* They gave the believers the rules and decisions from the apostles* and elders* in Jerusalem. They told the believers to obey these rules. 5So the churches (groups of believers) were becoming stronger in the faith and were growing bigger every day.
Paul Is Called out of Asia
6Paul and the men with him went through the countries of Phrygia and Galatia. The Holy Spirit* did not allow them to tell the Good News* in the country of Asia.* 7Paul and Timothy went near the country of Mysia. They wanted to go into the country of Bithynia. But the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go in. 8So they passed by Mysia and went to the city of Troas. 9That night Paul saw a vision.* In this vision, a man from the country of Macedonia came to Paul. The man stood there and begged, "Come across to Macedonia. Help us!" 10After Paul had seen the vision, we immediately prepared to leave for Macedonia. We understood that God had called us to tell the Good News* to those people.
The Conversion of Lydia
11We left Troas in a ship, and we sailed to the island of Samothrace. The next day we sailed to the city of Neapolis. 12Then we went to Philippi. Philippi is an important city in that part of Macedonia. It is a city for Romans. We stayed in that city for a few days. 13On the Sabbath day* we went out the city gate to the river. At the river we thought we might find a special place for prayer. Some women had gathered there. So we sat down and talked with them. 14There was a woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira. Her job was selling purple cloth. She worshiped the true God. Lydia listened to Paul. The Lord opened her heart. She believed the things Paul said. 15She and all the people living in her home were baptized.* Then Lydia invited us into her home. She said, "If you think I am truly a believer in the Lord Jesus, then come stay in my house." She persuaded us to stay with her.
circumcised To have the foreskin cut off. This was done to every Jewish baby boy. It was a mark of the agreement that God made with Abraham (Gen. 17:9-14). cities The cities where there were groups of believers. apostles The men Jesus chose to be his special helpers. elders A group of men chosen to lead a church. Also called "overseers" and "pastors" ("shepherds"), they have the work of caring for God's people (Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; Tit. 1:7,9). Spirit, Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. Joined with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world. Good News, message The news that God has made a way for people to have their sins forgiven and live with him forever. Asia The western part of Asia Minor. vision(s) Something like dreams used by God to speak to people. Sabbath day The seventh day of the Jewish week. It was a special religious day for the Jews. baptized A Greek word meaning to be immersed, dipped, or buried briefly under water.