11. The crowds who saw what Paul had done shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come to us, and they look human.”
12. They addressed Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes because Paul did most of the talking.
13. Zeus’ temple was at the entrance to the city. The priest of the god Zeus brought bulls with flowery wreaths around their necks to the temple gates. The priest and the crowd wanted to offer a sacrifice ⌊to Paul and Barnabas⌋.
14. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they were very upset. They rushed into the crowd
15. and said, “Men, what are you doing? We’re human beings like you. We’re spreading the Good News to you to turn you away from these worthless gods to the living God. The living God made the sky, the land, the sea, and everything in them.
16. In the past God allowed all people to live as they pleased.
17. Yet, by doing good, he has given evidence of his existence. He gives you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons. He fills you with food and your lives with happiness.”
18. Although Paul and Barnabas said these things, they hardly kept the crowd from sacrificing to them.
19. However, Jews from the cities of Antioch and Iconium arrived in Lystra and won the people over. They tried to stone Paul to death and dragged him out of the city when they thought that he was dead.