15. After the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets were read, the leaders of the synagogue sent a message to Paul and Barnabas: “Brothers, if you have any message that will encourage the people, please speak.”
16. Paul stood up, raised his hand, and said, “You Israelites and you who worship God, please listen!
17. The God of the Israelites chose our ancestors. He made the people great during the time they lived in Egypt, and he brought them out of that country with great power.
18. And he was patient with them for forty years in the desert.
19. God destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan and gave the land to his people.
20. All this happened in about four hundred fifty years.“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.