At Iconium a great crowd believed, but others stirred up the city. When a plan arose to mistreat and stone them, Paul and Barnabas fled to Lystra and Derbe. "There they preached the Good News."

At Lystra a man who had never walked listened to Paul. Seeing he had faith to be made whole, Paul said, "Stand upright on your feet!" He leaped up and walked. The crowds cried that the gods had come down as men. The priest of Jupiter brought oxen and garlands to sacrifice.

Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes and ran in among the crowd. They said they were men of the same nature as the people. They urged them to turn from vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, and the sea. They said God "didn't leave himself without witness," for he gave rains and fruitful seasons.

Opponents from Antioch and Iconium won over the crowd. They stoned Paul and dragged him out, thinking he was dead. But when the disciples stood around him, he rose up. Returning through the cities, the apostles told the disciples that through many afflictions we must enter God's Kingdom. They appointed elders with prayer and fasting. At Antioch they reported that God had opened a door of faith to the nations (Acts 14:27).

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas spoke so that a great multitude of Jews and Greeks believed. The city became divided. When an attempt was made to mistreat and stone them, they fled to Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia and preached the Good News there.

At Lystra sat a man impotent in his feet, who had never walked. Paul, seeing that he had faith to be made whole, called out, "Stand upright on your feet!" When the man leaped up, the crowds shouted in Lycaonian that the gods had come down in the likeness of men. They called Barnabas "Jupiter" and Paul "Mercury," and the priest of Jupiter brought oxen and garlands to the gates.

The apostles tore their clothes and protested that they were men of the same nature, bringing good news that the people should turn from vain things to the living God, who made the sky, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. In past generations God allowed the nations to walk in their own ways, yet he did not leave himself without witness: he did good, gave rains and fruitful seasons, and filled hearts with food and gladness (Acts 14:16-17).

Opponents arrived from Antioch and Iconium and persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing he was dead. But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up and entered the city, and the next day went on to Derbe. Then they retraced their steps. They strengthened the disciples and taught that through many afflictions we must enter into God's Kingdom. They appointed elders in every assembly with prayer and fasting, commending them to the Lord. Back in Antioch they reported all that God had done and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations.