46. But Paul and Barnabas spoke out even more boldly: “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken first to you. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we will leave you and go to the Gentiles.
47. For this is the commandment that the Lord has given us:‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,so that all the world may be saved.’ ”
48. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and praised the Lord's message; and those who had been chosen for eternal life became believers.
49. The word of the Lord spread everywhere in that region.
50. But the Jews stirred up the leading men of the city and the Gentile women of high social standing who worshipped God. They started a persecution against Paul and Barnabas and threw them out of their region.
51. The apostles shook the dust off their feet in protest against them and went on to Iconium.
52. The believers in Antioch were full of joy and the Holy Spirit.