Rejection by Jews, Turning to Gentiles

42

As they left, the people invited Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba to tell them more about these matters the following Shabbat.

43

When the synagogue meeting broke up, many of the born Jews and devout proselytes followed Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba, who spoke with them and urged them to keep holding fast to the love and kindness of God.

44

The next Shabbat, nearly the whole city gathered together to hear the message about the Lord;

45

but when the Jews who had not believed saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and spoke up against what Sha’ul was saying and insulted him.

46

However, Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba answered boldly: “It was necessary that God’s word be spoken first to you. But since you are rejecting it and are judging yourselves unworthy of eternal life — why, we’re turning to the Goyim!

47

For that is what Adonai has ordered us to do: ‘I have set you as a light for the Goyim, to be for deliverance to the ends of the earth.’ ”

48

The Gentiles were very happy to hear this. They honored the message about the Lord, and as many as had been appointed to eternal life came to trust.

49

And the message about the Lord was carried throughout the whole region.

50

But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the women ‘God-fearers’ of high social standing and the leading men of the city, and they organized persecution against Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba and expelled them from their district.

51

However, Sha’ul and Bar-Nabba shook off the dust of their feet against them and went on to Iconium;

52

and the talmidim were filled with joy and with the Ruach HaKodesh.

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