Modern Literal Version
[Acts 16]




     {52 AD. Paul going toward Europe.}



     16:1 Now he arrived in Derbe and Lystra, and behold, a certain disciple was there, Timothy by name, the son of a certain believing Jewess woman and a Greek father. 16:2 He was being testified of by the brethren in Lystra and Iconium. 16:3 This one, Paul wished to go forth together with him, and he took Timothy and circumcised him because of the Jews who are in those places; for* they all knew that his father was* Greek. 16:4 Now as they were traveling through the cities, they were giving them the decrees, to observe what had been decided by the apostles and the elders who were in Jerusalem.16:5 Therefore indeed, the congregations* were being strengthened in the faith, and were abounding in number every day.




     16:6 Now having gone through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 16:7 And after they came down to Mysia, they were attempting to travel to Bithyna, and the Spirit did not permit them. 16:8 And passing by Mysia, they went-down to Troas. 16:9 And a vision was seen by Paul through the night. There was a certain man, a Macedonian, standing, pleading with him and saying, After you have crossed over into Macedonia, help us! 16:10Now as he saw the vision, we immediately sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that the Lord has called us to proclaim the good-news to them.




          {Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}



     16:11 Therefore having set-sail from Troas, we made a straight route to Samothrace, and the nextday to Neapolis; 16:12 and from there to Philippi, which is the first city of that part of Macedonia, aRoman colony. Now we were staying in the same city for some days. 16:13 And on the Sabbath day, we went forth outside the city beside a river, where we supposed it to be a place of prayer. And having sat down and we were speaking to the women who came together. 16:14 And a certain woman, Lydia by name, a seller of purple of the city of Thyatira was hearing us and worshiping God, whose heart the Lord opened to take-heed to the things being spoken from Paul. 16:15 Now as she and her household were immersed*, she pleaded with us, saying, If you* have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, abide*here, having entered into my house. And she constrained us.




     {52 AD. Philippi.}



     16:16 Now it happened, while traveling to the place of prayer, that a certain maidservant came to encounter us, having a spirit of divination, who was providing her lords much business by fortune-telling. 16:17 This maidservant was crying out, having followed after Paul and us, saying, These men are bondservants of the Highest God, who are proclaiming to us the way of salvation. 16:18 Now she was doing* this for many days. But Paul, also was pained and having turned, said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come forth away from her. And it came out in the same hour.




     16:19 But after her lords saw that the hope of their business was gone, after they grabbed Paul and Silas, they dragged them into the marketplace in front of the rulers. 16:20 Having led them to the magistrates, they said, These men, being* Jews, are disturbing our city, 16:21 and are proclaiming customs which it is not legal for us to accept, or to do*, being Romans. 16:22 And the crowd stood up together against them, and the magistrates, having ripped off their garments, were commanding the sergeants to lash them with rods. 16:23 And having laid many wounds on them, they cast them into prison, and commanded the jailer to securely guard them. 16:24 Having received such a command, he cast them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the wood stocks.




          {Examples of those who are saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8a; 18:8b; 19:1-7; Saul/Apostle Paul: 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18.}



     16:25 But toward midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the prisoners were their audience; 16:26 and suddenly there became a great earthquake, so-as for the foundations of the prison to be shaken, and instantly all the doors were opened and everyone's bonds were laxed.16:27 But the jailer, became awake and saw the doors of the prison had been opened, pulled his sword and was about to assassinate himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled. 16:28 But Paul shouted with a loud voice, saying, Do* nothing evil to yourself; for* we are all here.



     16:29 Now after he asked for lights, he dashed in and came*in trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. 16:30 And having led them outside, he said, Lords, what is essential for me to do* in order that I might be saved?



     16:31 Now they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your house.16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him, to all who were in his house. 16:33 And having taken them in that same hour of the night, he fully-washed dirt from their wounds, and he and all hishousehold were instantly immersed*.16:34 And he led them up into his house and placed a table beforethem, and was glad with all his household, all having believed in God.




     16:35 But after it became day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Release those men.



     16:36 Now the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, The magistrates have sent me forth in order that you* should be released. Therefore now after you have gone out, travel* in peace.



     16:37 But Paul said to them, They whipped us in public, uncondemned men who are* Romans, and cast us into prison, and are they now casting us out secretly? For* no {i.e. No way,}, let* them lead but after having come themselves.



     16:38 Now the sergeants reported these words to the magistrates and they feared, having heard that they are Romans. 16:39 And after they came, they pleaded with them, and having led them outside, they asked them to go out away from the city.



     16:40 Now after they came out of the prison and they entered into the house of Lydia, and having seen the brethren, they encouraged them and went out.





Modern Literal Version Preface & Appendix , copyright 1987, 1999, 2013 by G. Allen Walker for the MLV New Testament Committee.
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