37. But the one God raised from death did not rot in the grave.
38-39. Brothers, understand what we are telling you. You can have forgiveness of your sins through this Jesus. The Law of Moses could not free you from your sins. But you can be made right with God if you believe in Jesus.
40. So be careful! Don’t let what the prophets said happen to you:
41. ‘Listen, you people who doubt! You can wonder, but then go away and die; because during your time, I will do something that you will not believe. You will not believe it, even if someone explains it to you!’” Habakkuk 1:5
42. As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people asked them to come again on the next Sabbath day and tell them more about these things.
43. After the meeting, many of the people followed Paul and Barnabas, including many Jews and people who had changed their religion to be like Jews and worship the true God. Paul and Barnabas encouraged them to continue trusting in God’s grace.
44. On the next Sabbath day, almost all the people in the city came together to hear the word of the Lord.
45. When the Jews there saw all these people, they became very jealous. Shouting insults, they argued against everything Paul said.
46. But Paul and Barnabas spoke very boldly. They said, “We had to tell God’s message to you Jews first, but you refuse to listen. You have made it clear that you are not worthy of having eternal life. So we will now go to those who are not Jews.
47. This is what the Lord told us to do: ‘I have made you a light for the other nations, to show people all over the world the way to be saved.’” Isaiah 49:6
48. When the non-Jewish people heard Paul say this, they were happy. They gave honor to the message of the Lord, and many of them believed it. These were the ones chosen to have eternal life.
49. And so the message of the Lord was being told throughout the whole country.