3. The prophets and teachers fasted and prayed. They placed their hands on Barnabas and Saul. Then they sent them off.
4. Barnabas and Saul were sent on their way by the Holy Spirit. They went down to Seleucia. From there they sailed to Cyprus.
5. They arrived at Salamis. There they preached God's word in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6. They traveled all across the island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jew named Bar-Jesus. He was an evil magician and a false prophet.
7. He was an attendant of Sergius Paulus, the governor. Paulus was a man of understanding. He sent for Barnabas and Saul. He wanted to hear God's word.
8. But Elymas, the evil magician, opposed them. The name Elymas means "magician." He tried to keep the governor from becoming a believer.
9. Saul was also known as Paul. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He looked straight at Elymas. He said to him,
10. "You are a child of the devil! You are an enemy of everything that is right! You cheat people. You use all kinds of tricks. Won't you ever stop twisting the right ways of the Lord?
11. Now the Lord's hand is against you. You are going to go blind. You won't be able to see the light of the sun for a while." Right away mist and darkness came over him. He tried to feel his way around. He wanted to find someone to lead him by the hand.
12. When the governor saw what had happened, he believed. He was amazed at what Paul was teaching about the Lord.
13. From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. There John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
14. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath day they entered the synagogue and sat down.
15. The Law and the Prophets were read aloud. Then the synagogue rulers sent word to Paul and his companions. They said, "Brothers, do you have a message of hope for the people? If you do, please speak."
16. Paul stood up and motioned with his hand. Then he said, "Men of Israel, and you non-Jews who worship God, listen to me!
17. The God of Israel chose our people who lived long ago. He blessed them greatly while they were in Egypt. With his mighty power he led them out of that country.
18. He put up with them for about 40 years in the desert.
19. He destroyed seven nations in Canaan. Then he gave the land to his people as their rightful share.
20. All of this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.