21. They are telling people to do things that are not right for us as Romans to do.”
22. The whole crowd turned against Paul and Silas. The officials tore the clothes off both men and ordered that they be beaten with rods.
23. They were beaten severely and thrown into jail. The officials told the jailer, “Guard them very carefully!”
24. When the jailer heard this special order, he put Paul and Silas far inside the jail and bound their feet between large blocks of wood.
25. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.
26. Suddenly there was an earthquake so strong that it shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors of the jail opened, and the chains on all the prisoners fell off.
27. The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. He thought that the prisoners had already escaped, so he got his sword and was ready to kill himself.
28. But Paul shouted, “Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!”
29. The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down in front of Paul and Silas.