23. After they had been badly beaten, they were put in jail, and the jailer was told to guard them carefully.
24. The jailer did as he was told. He put them deep inside the jail and chained their feet to heavy blocks of wood.
25. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened.
26. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.
27. When the jailer woke up and saw that the doors were open, he thought that the prisoners had escaped. He pulled out his sword and was about to kill himself.
28. But Paul shouted, “Don't harm yourself! No one has escaped.”
29. The jailer asked for a torch and went into the jail. He was shaking all over as he knelt down in front of Paul and Silas.
30. After he had led them out of the jail, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?”
31. They replied, “Have faith in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved! This is also true for everyone who lives in your home.”
32. Then Paul and Silas told him and everyone else in his house about the Lord.
33. While it was still night, the jailer took them to a place where he could wash their cuts and bruises. Then he and everyone in his home were baptized.
34. They were very glad that they had put their faith in God. After this, the jailer took Paul and Silas to his home and gave them something to eat.
35. The next morning the officials sent some police with orders for the jailer to let Paul and Silas go.
36. The jailer told Paul, “The officials have ordered me to set you free. Now you can leave in peace.”