First ReadingActs 16:22-34
From the Acts of the Apostles
22The multitude rose up together against themand the magistrates tore their clothes from them,then commanded them to be beaten with rods.23When they had laid many stripes on them,they threw them into prison,charging the jailer to keep them safely.24Having received such a command,he threw them into the inner prisonand secured their feet in the stocks.
25But about midnight Paul and Silas were prayingand singing hymns to God,and the prisoners were listening to them.26Suddenly there was a great earthquake,so that the foundations of the prison were shaken;and immediately all the doors were opened,and everyone’s bonds were loosened.27The jailer, being roused out of sleepand seeing the prison doors open,drew his sword and was about to kill himself,supposing that the prisoners had escaped.28But Paul cried with a loud voice,saying, “Don’t harm yourself,for we are all here!”
29He called for lights,sprang in, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas,30brought them out, and said,“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,and you will be saved,you and your household.”32They spoke the word of the Lord to him,and to all who were in his house.
33He took them the same hour of the nightand washed their stripes,and was immediately baptized,he and all his household.34He brought them up into his houseand set food before them,and rejoiced greatly with all his household,having believed in God.