A Light for the Gentiles

(Isaiah 49:1–6)

42 [As] [Paul and Barnabas] were leaving [the synagogue], [the people] urged them to continue this message on the next Sabbath. 43 [After] the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them [and] urged them to continue in the grace of God.

44 On the following Sabbath, nearly the whole city gathered to hear the word of [the] Lord. 45 But [when] the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and {they} blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered [them] boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

‘I have made you a light for [the] Gentiles,

to bring salvation to [the] ends of the earth.’[fn]”

48 [When] the Gentiles heard [this], they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord spread throughout [that] region.

50 The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district. 51 [So] they shook the dust {off} [their] feet [in protest] against them [and] went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and [with the] Holy Spirit.