JMNT(i)
1 Now there were prophets (folks who had light ahead of time and spoke it before folks) and teachers within the midst of Antioch, down in (or: corresponding to; or: to accord with) the called-out community currently being [there]: both Barnabas and Simeon – the one normally being called " [the] Black" (or: Niger) – as well as Lucius, the man from Cyrene (a Greek colony in north Africa; or: Cyrenian, being the name of another man there), and Manaen (or: Manahen) – a person who was brought up with (or: a foster brother of; a childhood companion of; one educated and nurtured with) Herod, the tetrarch (provincial or district ruler) – and Saul.
2 So, in the midst of their continually doing public work (service for the people) for (or: in; to; by; with) the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], as well as periodically fasting, the set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit) said, "Now therefore, you folks section off (mark off boundaries so as to define) Barnabas and Saul – to (or: for; by; in; with) Me – into the work toward which I Myself have called (or: summoned) them."
3 At that time then, after fasting and praying (speaking and thinking toward things going well), and then placing their hands on (or: to) them, they loosed [them] away (disbanded and released [them]).
4 They themselves indeed therefore – being sent out from the midst by the set-apart Breath-effect (or: under the Holy Spirit) – went down into Seleucia. Then from there, they sailed away unto Cyprus.
5 And so, upon coming to be in Salamis, they began bringing God's Logos down (or: thoroughly announcing the message and proclaiming God's Word, Idea and thought; [note: the prophets brought the Word of God down from heaven, and to the people]) within the synagogues of the Jews. Now they also continued having John [as] an attendant ("under-rower;" = for support and assistance).
6 Now after going through the whole island up to Paphos, they found a certain man – a magus [note: originally of the Persians, Medes and Babylonians as priests and wise men, magi specialized in the study of astrology and enchantment and were often employed as official spiritual advisers; some were sorcerers] [and] a false prophet – a Jew named Bar-Jesus (son of Jesus),
7 who was in association with the proconsul (= regional governor under the control of the Roman senate) Sergius Paulus – an intellectual and intelligent man. This man, having called to himself Barnabas and Saul, earnestly sought to hear God's Logos (the Word of God; the thought, idea, reason and verbal expression which came from, had the characteristic of, and was God; the message from God).
8 But Elymas (Arabic meaning: the wise one), the magus – for in this way is his name being normally translated and interpreted – kept on standing in face-to-face opposition to them, repeatedly seeking to twist in two and thoroughly turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 Yet Saul – the [same] man also [being] Paul – being filled full of set-apart Breath-effect (or: being filled with [the] Holy Spirit), after staring intently into him, said,
10 "O you son of an adversary (of one who throws something through another person; = one who has the character and qualities of a devil), all full of fish-bait (or: filled with every fraud and deceit) and every thing that is done adroitly and with ease (knavish schemes and roguish tricks) – enemy of all fairness, equity, rightwised behavior and just relationships which constitute the Way pointed out (= covenant principles)! You will not of yourself cease thoroughly perverting and twisting in two (or: distorting) the straight ways and paths of [the] Lord [= Yahweh, or, Christ],
11 "and so at this moment, look and consider: [the] hand of [the] Lord [is] upon you, and you will proceed being a blind man, not seeing the sun – until an appointed season, and a fitting situation!" So instantly, and from the necessary [situation], a thick mist (also: a medical term for a failure of sight) and darkness (obscure dimness and shadowed gloom) fell upon him, and then, continuously going around, he kept seeking people to lead him by the hand.
12 At that point the proconsul, having seen what had happened, at once believed and is trusting – being progressively struck out the midst of himself (or: = struck out of his [wits]), and astounded, upon (or: at) the Lord's [= Christ's or Yahweh's] teaching (or: teaching about the Lord).
13 Now having been led back up [upon the sea] away from Paphos, they – around Paul – came into Perga of Pamphylia. Yet John, withdrawing from them and departing, returned unto Jerusalem.
14 They themselves, however, after passing on through from Perga came along unto the Pisidian Antioch. Then having gone into the synagogue on the day of the sabbaths, they sat down.
15 Now after the public reading of the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders (rulers; chiefs) sent a message over to them, saying, "Men (= Gentlemen), brothers, if within or among you folks there is any word (or: message) of relief, comfort, encouragement or exhortation to the people, be now speaking [it] (= you are invited to be speaking at this time)."
16 So, arising (or: after standing up) and gesturing – making a downward motion – with [his] hand, Paul said, "Men (= Gentlemen), Israelites – as well as the folks fearing God (i.e., the God-fearers: Gentile proselytes) – listen, and hear.
17 "The God of this people Israel picked out and chose our fathers (= ancestors), then exalted (put up high) the people during [their] period of living as alien residents (as foreigners) within the land of Egypt. Next He led them out of it with an uplifted (high) arm,
18 "and then for about forty years' time He carried them in His arms as a nurse [reading with p74, A, C and others; Aleph, B, C2, D and others read: put up (or: was tolerant) with their behavior, disposition, moods and manners] within the midst of the wilderness (desert; lonely and desolate place).
19 "Later, after pulling down seven nations (or: demolishing seven ethnic groups) within the land of Canaan, He distributed [A, C D2 and others add: to them] their land [D* reads: the land of the foreign tribes], by lot, as an inheritance
20 "– for about four hundred and fifty years. Then after these things, he gave [them] judges – until Samuel, the prophet (the one who had light ahead of time, and spoke it before folks).
21 "And from there they asked for a king, and so He gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man out of the tribe of Benjamin – [for] forty years.
22 "Then, upon changing the standing of (or: deposing; dismissing) him, He raise up David to (or: for) them, unto [the position of] king – about whom He also said, showing evidence and giving testimony, 'I found David, the [son] of Jesse, a man corresponding to and in accord with My heart, who will continue doing all the effects of My will (or: who will progressively perform all the results of My intent, purpose and desire).' [Ps. 89:20]
23 "From the seed of this one (or: From this person's descendant) – corresponding to and in accord with [the] promise – He brought to (or: for; in; by) Israel a Deliverer (Savior; Rescuer; Restorer to health and wholeness), Jesus.
24 "John's previous heralding – before His personal entrance – was publicly proclaiming an immersion (a dipping; a baptism) which pertained to a change of mind (a change in thinking and life, which also involved a return of their focus to Yahweh) to and for all the people [of] Israel.
25 "Yet as John continued fulfilling [his own] race course (= completed [his] career), he kept on repeatedly saying, 'What or who are you people continuing to secretly think (or: repeatedly conjecturing; presently supposing) me to be? I myself am not [what you think] (or: not [the One])! To the contrary, look and consider! One is progressively coming – after me – the sandals of Whose feet, I am not worthy to loosen or untie.'
26 "Men! Brothers! Sons of the race (or: family) of Abraham as well as those among you continuously fearing God (or: [who] are God-fearers)! The Logos (Word; message) of this deliverance (salvation; return to health, wholeness and our original state of being) was sent forth out to us [other MSS: you]!
27 "You see, those presently residing (dwelling; having a permanent home) in Jerusalem, along with their rulers, not knowing this or even the voices of the prophets – those being regularly and repeatedly read in accord with every sabbath – they fulfilled [them] in judging [Him] (or: not recognizing or knowing, and being ignorant about, this One, by judging [Him] they fulfilled the voices of the prophets which are continuously being read, down on every sabbath).
28 "And even though not finding in Him even one cause for (or: grounds deserving) death [D* adds: after judging Him they turned {Him} over to Pilate {and}], they asked Pilate to take Him up to be executed.
29 "So as they ended (brought to fruition; brought to its goal and destiny; finished; completed the final act and purpose of) all the things having been written concerning Him, after taking [Him] down from the wooden pole (stake; cross), they put [Him] into a memorial tomb.
30 "Yet God aroused and raised Him up from out of the midst of dead folks,
31 "Who was from time to time seen on many days by those walking back up together from Galilee into Jerusalem – who at this time continue being witnesses of Him (or: evidence for Him; His folks who give testimony) to the people.
32 "And thus we ourselves continue bringing and declaring [to] you folks the good news [about] the promise that was being birthed to (or: was coming into existence, or occurring, toward) our fathers (= ancestors),
33 "that God has filled this out of [our] midst (or: has fully fulfilled this) for (or: to; in) our children [other MSS: us, their children,] in raising (resurrecting; standing back up again) Jesus – even as it has been written in the second Psalm, 'You are My Son; I Myself have given birth to You today (or: today I Myself have become Your Father).' [D adds: You see then, request of Me and I will proceed giving to You the ethnic multitudes (nations and people groups) {for} Your allotted inheritance, and the limits and uttermost parts of the earth {as} Your firmly held possession.] [Ps. 2:7]
34 "Now, seeing that He raised Him up (resurrected Him; stood Him back up again) from out of the midst of dead folks – no longer being about to be progressively returning (or: not anymore continuing about to be constantly or repeatedly turning below, or under) into corruption and decay. Thus He has declared, 'I will proceed giving to and among you people the faithful and trustworthy qualities and aspects of pious and benign loyalty which belonged to David.' [Isa. 55:3]
35 "Wherefore also, in a different [Psalm], it continues saying, 'I will not proceed in giving Your Pious and Benignly Loyal Person to see (= experience) decay or corruption.' [Ps. 16:10]
36 "You see David, on the one hand – in his own generation – after rendering subordinate service to (or: in; by; for; with) the counsel and express will of God, fell asleep (= died) and was placed facing toward (or: was added to) his fathers – and then saw (= experienced) decay and corruption.
37 "On the other hand, He whom God aroused and raised up did not see (= experience) decay or corruption.
38 "Therefore be it now known to you and progressively experienced by you folks – men... brothers – that through This One is being continuously and progressively announced, as a message come down to (or: for; among) you people, a flowing-away of mistakes (a sending away of failures; a divorce from sins; an abandoning of errors; a forgiveness and release from situations of missing the target),