26. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were loosened.
27. When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.
28. But Paul shouted, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
29. He called for lights and rushed in, trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas.
30. He then led them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31. They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your household will be saved.”
32. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his household.
33. In that hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds. And immediately he and his entire household were baptized.
34. Then he brought them up to his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced with his entire household believing in God.
35. When it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, “Release those men.”
36. The prison guard reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to release you. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
37. But Paul said to them, “They have publicly beaten us, who are uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they secretly throw us out? Certainly not! Let them come themselves and bring us out.”
38. The sergeants reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
39. So they came and entreated them. And they brought them out, asking them to leave the city.
40. They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia. When they had seen the brothers, they exhorted them and departed.