1At Iconium similarly they went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke to such purpose that a large body both of Jews and Greeks became believers. 2But the unconverted Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the Christians. 3For some time Paul and Barnabas stayed on and spoke boldly and openly in reliance on the Lord; and he confirmed the message of his grace by causing signs and miracles to be worked at their hands. 4The mass of the townspeople were divided, some siding with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5But when a move was made by Gentiles and Jews together, with the connivance of the city authorities, to maltreat them and stone them, 6they got wind of it and made their escape to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding country, 7where they continued to spread the good news.
8At Lystra sat a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked in his life. 9This man listened while Paul was speaking. Paul looked him in the face and saw that he had the faith to be cured, 10so he said to him in a loud voice, 'Stand up straight on your feet'; and he sprang up and started to walk. 11When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, in their native Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in human form.' 12And they called Barnabas Jupiter, and Paul they called Mercury, because he was the spokesman. 13And the priest of Jupiter, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and he and all the people were about to offer sacrifice.
14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd shouting, 15 [ Ex.20.11, Ps.146.6. ] 'Men, what is this that you are doing? We are only human beings, no less mortal than you. The good news we bring tells you to turn from these follies to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. 16In past ages he allowed all nations to go their own way; 17and yet he has not left you without some clue to his nature, in the kindness he shows: he sends you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons, and gives you food and good cheer in plenty.'
18With these words they barely managed to prevent the crowd from offering sacrifice to them.
19Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came on the scene and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, thinking him dead. 20The converts formed a ring round him, and he got to his feet and went into the city. Next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
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