Acts 18

1 And after these things, having left Athens, he came to Corinth;

Paul then left Athens and went to Corinth

2 and finding a certain Jew by name Aquila, of Pontus by race, just come from Italy, and Priscilla his wife, (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome, ) came to them,

where he met a Jew named Aquila. Aquila was originally from Pontus, and had just arrived from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all Jews expelled from Rome. Paul went to see them,

3 and because they were of the same trade abode with them, and wrought. For they were tent-makers by trade.

and because they were in the same business of tent-making, he stayed with them.

4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.

He debated in the synagogue every Sabbath, convincing both Jews and Greeks.

5 And when both Silas and Timotheus came down from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in respect of the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul felt he had to become more direct in what he said, and told the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah.

6 But as they opposed and spoke injuriously, he shook his clothes, and said to them, Your blood be upon your own head: I [am] pure; from henceforth I will go to the nations.

When they opposed him and cursed him, he shook out his clothes and told them, “Your blood is on your own heads! I am innocent of any guilt, and from now on I will go to the foreigners.”

7 And departing thence he came to the house of a certain [man], by name Justus, who worshipped God, whose house adjoined the synagogue.

He left and went to stay with Titius Justus, who worshiped God and whose house was next door to the synagogue.

8 But Crispus the ruler of the synagogue believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing, believed, and were baptised.

Crispus, leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord together with his whole household. Many of the people of Corinth who heard the message became believers and were baptized.

9 And the Lord said by vision in [the] night to Paul, Fear not, but speak and be not silent;

The Lord told Paul in a vision at night: “Don't be afraid. Speak up, don't keep quiet—

10 because I am with thee, and no one shall set upon thee to injure thee; because I have much people in this city.

because I am with you, and no-one will attack you, for many people in this city are mine.”

11 And he remained [there] a year and six months, teaching among them the word of God.

Paul stayed there for eighteen months, teaching the people the word of God.

12 But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews with one consent rose against Paul and led him to the judgment-seat,

However, during the time when Gallio was the governor of Achaia, the Jews united in an attack against Paul and brought him before the court.

13 saying, This [man] persuades men to worship God contrary to the law.

“This man is persuading people to worship God illegally,” they declared.

14 But as Paul was going to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, If indeed it was some wrong or wicked criminality, O Jews, of reason I should have borne with you;

But just as Paul was about to defend himself, Gallio told the Jews, “If you Jews were bringing criminal charges or some serious legal offense, there would be a reason for me to listen to your case.

15 but if it be questions about words, and names, and the law that ye have, see to it yourselves; [for] I do not intend to be judge of these things.

But since you're only arguing over words and names and your own law, then you deal with it yourselves. I won't rule on such matters.”

16 And he drove them from the judgment-seat.

Then Gallio had them ejected from the court.

17 And having all laid hold on Sosthenes the ruler of the synagogue, they beat him before the judgment-seat. And Gallio troubled himself about none of these things.

Then the crowd turned on Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him right outside the court, but Gallio wasn't concerned about this at all.

18 And Paul, having yet stayed [there] many days, took leave of the brethren and sailed thence to Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila, having shorn his head in Cenchrea, for he had a vow;

Paul stayed on for a while. Then left the believers and sailed for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila along with him. He had his head shaved while in Cenchrae, because he had taken a vow.

19 and he arrived at Ephesus, and left them there. But entering himself into the synagogue he reasoned with the Jews.

They arrived in Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. He went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews.

20 And when they asked him that he would remain for a longer time [with them] he did not accede,

They asked him to stay longer, but he refused.

21 but bade them farewell, saying, [I must by all means keep the coming feast at Jerusalem]; I will return to you again, if God will: and he sailed away from Ephesus.

He said his goodbyes, and set sail from Ephesus, telling them, “I'll come back and see you if it's God's will.”

22 And landing at Caesarea, and having gone up and saluted the assembly, he went down to Antioch.

After landing at Caesarea he went to greet the church members, and then carried on to Antioch.

23 And having stayed [there] some time, he went forth, passing in order through the country of Galatia and Phrygia, establishing all the disciples.

He spent some time there and then went from town to town through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, encouraging all the believers.

24 But a certain Jew, Apollos by name, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, who was mighty in the scriptures, arrived at Ephesus.

In the meantime a Jew named Apollos, originally from Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was a gifted speaker who knew the Scriptures well.

25 He was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in his spirit, he spoke and taught exactly the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John.

He had been taught the way of the Lord. He was spiritually passionate, and in his speaking and teaching he presented Jesus accurately, but he only knew about John's baptism.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. And Aquila and Priscilla, having heard him, took him to [them] and unfolded to him the way of God more exactly.

He started speaking openly in the synagogue. So when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to join them and explained the way of God to him more fully.

27 And when he purposed to go into Achaia, the brethren wrote to the disciples engaging them to receive him, who, being come, contributed much to those who believed through grace.

When he decided to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples there telling them to welcome him. When he arrived he was very helpful to those who through grace trusted God,

28 For he with great force convinced the Jews publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

because he was able to strongly refute the Jews in public debate, demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.