First I preached to people in Damascus. Then I preached in Jerusalem and in all Judea. And then I preached to the Gentiles. I told them to turn away from their sins to God. The way they live must show that they have turned away from their sins.

先在大马士革，后在耶路撒冷和犹太全地，以及外邦，劝勉他们应当悔改归向神，行事与悔改的心相称。

我先在大马士革，后在耶路撒冷和犹太全地，以及外邦，劝勉他们应当悔改归向上帝，行事与悔改的心相称。

我先在大马士革，后在耶路撒冷和犹太全地，以及外邦，劝勉他们应当悔改归向神，行事与悔改的心相称。

我先在大马士革，然后到耶路撒冷、犹太全境和外族人当中劝人悔改归向上帝，行事为人要与悔改的心相称。

先向大马士革、耶路撒冷、犹太全地的人宣讲，后向外族人宣讲，叫他们悔改，归向神，行事与悔改的心相称。

我首先在大马士革，然后在耶路撒冷、犹太全地以及外邦人中，告诫人们要悔改，归向神，行事与悔改的心相称。

先在大馬士革，後在耶路撒冷和猶太全地，以及外邦，勸勉他們應當悔改歸向神，行事與悔改的心相稱。

我先在大馬士革，後在耶路撒冷和猶太全地，以及外邦，勸勉他們應當悔改歸向上帝，行事與悔改的心相稱。

我先在大馬士革，後在耶路撒冷和猶太全地，以及外邦，勸勉他們應當悔改歸向神，行事與悔改的心相稱。

我先在大馬士革，然後到耶路撒冷、猶太全境和外族人當中勸人悔改歸向上帝，行事為人要與悔改的心相稱。

先向大馬士革、耶路撒冷、猶太全地的人宣講，後向外族人宣講，叫他們悔改，歸向神，行事與悔改的心相稱。

我乃是先向在大馬色和耶路撒冷的人，然後向猶太全地區以及外國、傳報，叫他們悔改、轉向上帝，行事跟悔改相稱。

我首先在大馬士革，然後在耶路撒冷、猶太全地以及外邦人中，告誡人們要悔改，歸向神，行事與悔改的心相稱。

乃先於大馬色、次於耶路撒冷、舉猶太地、爰及異邦人、告之宜改悔、歸上帝、而行事符於改悔、

乃先於大馬色、次於耶路撒冷、舉猶太地、爰及異邦、我告人悔改、歸上帝、而行事以彰悔改、

乃先於大瑪色、次於耶路撒冷及猶太徧地、後在異邦、勸人當悔改、歸天主、而行事以彰悔改、

先於大馬士革、繼於耶路撒冷及猶太全境、爰及異邦、勸人幡然悔改、歸向天主、且實踐聖道、以稱悔改之心。

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.

but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.

I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God— and prove they have changed by the good things they do.

Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.

but continually proclaimed to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and then all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they are to repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.

but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

but declared both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judæa, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance.

But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and[ then] to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

but I declared to those in Damascus first, and then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds consistent with repentance.

but declared first to them of Damascus, at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.

So turn away from your sins. Turn to God. Then your sins will be wiped away. The time will come when the Lord will make everything new.

Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins.

Peter replied,“ All of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.

Go and learn what this means,‘ I want mercy and not sacrifice.’( Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.”

The believers themselves report the kind of welcome you gave us. They tell about how you turned away from statues of gods. And you turned to serve the living and true God.

“ Friends, why are you doing this? We are only human, just like you. We are bringing you good news. Turn away from these worthless things. Turn to the living God. He is the one who made the heavens and the earth and the sea. He made everything in them.In the past, he let all nations go their own way.But he has given proof of what he is like. He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven. He gives you crops in their seasons. He provides you with plenty of food. He fills your hearts with joy.”Paul and Barnabas told them all these things. But they had trouble keeping the crowd from offering sacrifices to them.Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They won the crowd over to their side. They threw stones at Paul. They thought he was dead, so they dragged him out of the city.The believers gathered around Paul. Then he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.Paul and Barnabas preached the good news in the city of Derbe. They won large numbers of followers. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch.

He said,“ Turn away from your sins! The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

People of Jacob, you must return to your God. You must hold on to love and do what is fair. You must trust in your God always.

Children, obey your parents as believers in the Lord. Obey them because it’s the right thing to do.Scripture says,“ Honor your father and mother.” That is the first commandment that has a promise.“ Then things will go well with you. You will live a long time on the earth.”( Deuteronomy 5:16)Fathers, don’t make your children angry. Instead, instruct them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them.Slaves, obey your masters here on earth. Respect them and honor them with a heart that is true. Obey them just as you would obey Christ.Don’t obey them only to please them when they are watching. Do it because you are slaves of Christ. Be sure your heart does what God wants.Serve your masters with all your heart. Work as serving the Lord and not as serving people.You know that the Lord will give each person a reward. He will give it to them in keeping with the good they do. It doesn’t matter whether they are a slave or not.Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. When you warn them, don’t be too hard on them. You know that the God who is their Master and yours is in heaven. And he treats everyone the same.

“ I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple. Then it seemed to me that I was dreaming.I saw the Lord speaking to me.‘ Quick!’ he said.‘ Leave Jerusalem at once. The people here will not accept what you tell them about me.’“‘ Lord,’ I replied,‘ these people know what I used to do. I went from one synagogue to another and put believers in prison. I also beat them.Stephen was a man who told other people about you. I stood there when he was killed. I had agreed that he should die. I even guarded the coats of those who were killing him.’“ Then the Lord said to me,‘ Go. I will send you far away to people who are not Jews.’ ”The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they shouted,“ Kill him! He isn’t fit to live!”

They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth.Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted.

They went out. And they preached that people should turn away from their sins.

“ So I will judge you Israelites. I will judge each of you in keeping with what you have done,” announces the Lord and King.“ Turn away from your sins! Turn away from all the evil things you have done. Then sin will not bring you down.Get rid of all the evil things you have done. Let me give you a new heart and a new spirit. Then you will be faithful to me. Why should you die, people of Israel?When anyone dies, it does not give me any joy,” announces the Lord and King.“ So turn away from your sins. Then you will live!

In the past, God didn’t judge people for what they didn’t know. But now he commands all people everywhere to turn away from their sins.

So you should try very hard to add goodness to your faith. To goodness, add knowledge.To knowledge, add the ability to control yourselves. To the ability to control yourselves, add the strength to keep going. To the strength to keep going, add godliness.To godliness, add kindness for one another. And to kindness for one another, add love.All these things should describe you more and more. They will make you useful and fruitful as you know our Lord Jesus Christ better.

Here is what I’m telling you. I am speaking for the Lord as I warn you. You must no longer live as the Gentiles do. Their thoughts don’t have any purpose.They can’t understand the truth. They are separated from the life of God. That’s because they don’t know him. And they don’t know him because their hearts are stubborn.They have lost all feeling for what is right. So they have given themselves over to all kinds of evil pleasures. They take part in every kind of unclean act. And they are full of greed.But that is not the way of life in Christ that you learned about.You heard about Christ and were taught about life in him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus.You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That’s because it has been made impure by the desire for things that lead you astray.You were taught to be made new in your thinking.You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is.So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbor. We are all parts of one body.Scripture says,“ When you are angry, do not sin.”( Psalm 4:4) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.Don’t give the devil a chance.Anyone who has been stealing must never steal again. Instead, they must work. They must do something useful with their own hands. Then they will have something to give to people in need.Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen.Do not make God’s Holy Spirit mourn. The Holy Spirit is the proof that you belong to God. And the Spirit is the proof that God will set you completely free.Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage. Stop all fighting and lying. Don’t have anything to do with any kind of hatred.Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive one another, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.You are the children that God dearly loves. So follow his example.Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved us. He gave himself up for us. He was a sweet- smelling offering and sacrifice to God.There should not be even a hint of sexual sin among you. Don’t do anything impure. And do not always want more and more. These are not the things God’s holy people should do.There must not be any bad language or foolish talk or dirty jokes. They are out of place. Instead, you should give thanks.Here is what you can be sure of. Those who give themselves over to sexual sins are lost. So are people whose lives are impure. The same is true of those who always want more and more. People who do these things might as well worship statues of gods. No one who does them will receive a share in the kingdom of Christ and of God.Don’t let anyone fool you with worthless words. People who say things like that aren’t obeying God. He is angry with them.So don’t go along with people like that.At one time you were in the dark. But now you are in the light because of what the Lord has done. Live like children of the light.The light produces what is completely good, right and true.Find out what pleases the Lord.Have nothing to do with the acts of darkness. They don’t produce anything good. Show what they are really like.It is shameful even to talk about what people who don’t obey do in secret.But everything the light shines on can be seen. And everything that the light shines on becomes a light.That is why it is said,“ Wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead. Then Christ will shine on you.”So be very careful how you live. Do not live like people who aren’t wise. Live like people who are wise.Make the most of every opportunity. The days are evil.So don’t be foolish. Instead, understand what the Lord wants.Don’t fill yourself up with wine. Getting drunk will lead to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. Give thanks to him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.Follow the lead of one another because of your respect for Christ.Wives, follow the lead of your own husbands as you follow the Lord.The husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church. The church is Christ’s body. He is its Savior.The church follows the lead of Christ. In the same way, wives should follow the lead of their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives. Love them just as Christ loved the church. He gave himself up for her.

But the Lord said to Ananias,“ Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will announce my name to the Gentiles and to their kings. He will also announce my name to the people of Israel.

But when anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

From that time on Jesus began to preach.“ Turn away from your sins!” he said.“ The kingdom of heaven has come near.”

They spoke evil things against the God of heaven. They did this because of their pains and their sores. But they refused to turn away from the sins they had committed.

I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too.”

“ Now here is my decision. We should not make it hard for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

But God chose you to be his people. You are royal priests. You are a holy nation. You are God’s special treasure. You are all these things so that you can give him praise. God brought you out of darkness into his wonderful light.Once you were not a people. But now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy.Dear friends, you are outsiders and those who wander in this world. So I’m asking you not to give in to your sinful desires. They fight against your soul.People who don’t believe might say you are doing wrong. But lead good lives among them. Then they will see your good deeds. And they will give glory to God on the day he comes to judge.

I have told both Jews and Greeks that they must turn away from their sins to God. They must have faith in our Lord Jesus.

I tell you, it is the same in heaven. There is joy in heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin.”

I’ve given her time to turn away from her sinful ways. But she doesn’t want to.

After eating some food, he got his strength back. Saul spent several days with the believers in Damascus.Right away he began to preach in the synagogues. He taught that Jesus is the Son of God.All who heard him were amazed. They asked,“ Isn’t he the man who caused great trouble in Jerusalem? Didn’t he make trouble for those who worship Jesus? Hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”But Saul grew more and more powerful. The Jews living in Damascus couldn’t believe what was happening. Saul proved to them that Jesus is the Messiah.After many days, the Jews had a meeting. They planned to kill Saul.But he learned about their plan. Day and night they watched the city gates closely in order to kill him.But his followers helped him escape by night. They lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the believers. But they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really one of Jesus’ followers.But Barnabas took him to the apostles. He told them about Saul’s journey. He said that Saul had seen the Lord. He told how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also said that Saul had preached without fear in Jesus’ name in Damascus.So Saul stayed with the believers. He moved about freely in Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the Lord’s name.He talked and argued with the Greek Jews. But they tried to kill him.

Do you disrespect God’s great kindness and favor? Do you disrespect God when he is patient with you? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is meant to turn you away from your sins?

Tell the older men that in anything they do, they must not go too far. They must be worthy of respect. They must control themselves. They must have true faith. They must love others. They must not give up.In the same way, teach the older women to lead a holy life. They must not tell lies about others. They must not let wine control them. Instead, they must teach what is good.Then they can advise the younger women to love their husbands and children.The younger women must control themselves and be pure. They must take good care of their homes. They must be kind. They must follow the lead of their husbands. Then no one will be able to speak evil things against God’s word.In the same way, help the young men to control themselves.Do what is good. Set an example for them in everything. When you teach, be honest and serious.No one can question the truth. So teach what is true. Then those who oppose you will be ashamed. That’s because they will have nothing bad to say about us.Teach slaves to obey their masters in everything they do. Tell them to try to please their masters. They must not talk back to them.They must not steal from them. Instead, they must show that they can be trusted completely. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior appealing in every way.God’s grace has now appeared. By his grace, God offers to save all people.His grace teaches us to say no to godless ways and sinful desires. We must control ourselves. We must do what is right. We must lead godly lives in today’s world.That’s how we should live as we wait for the blessed hope God has given us. We are waiting for Jesus Christ to appear in his glory. He is our great God and Savior.

So don’t think you are better than the other branches. Remember, you don’t give life to the root. The root gives life to you.You will say,“ Some branches were broken off so that I could be joined to the tree.”That’s true. But they were broken off because they didn’t believe. You stand only because you do believe. So don’t be proud, but tremble.

So remember what you have been taught and have heard. Hold firmly to it. Turn away from your sins. If you don’t wake up, I will come like a thief. You won’t know when I will come to you.

“ Then the father went to the other son. He said the same thing. The son answered,‘ I will, sir.’ But he did not go.“ Which of the two sons did what his father wanted?”“ The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them,“ What I’m about to tell you is true. Tax collectors and prostitutes will enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.John came to show you the right way to live. And you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. You saw this. But even then you did not turn away from your sins and believe him.

Tell the Lord you are turning away from your sins. Return to him. Say to him,“ Forgive us for all our sins. Please be kind to us. Welcome us back to you. Then our lips will offer you our praise.

As a result, they don’t live the rest of their earthly life for evil human desires. Instead, they live to do what God wants.You have spent enough time in the past doing what ungodly people choose to do. You lived a wild life. You longed for evil things. You got drunk. You went to wild parties. You worshiped statues of gods, which the Lord hates.Ungodly people are surprised that you no longer join them in what they do. They want you to join them in their wild and wasteful living. So they say bad things about you.But they will have to explain their actions to God. He is ready to judge those who are alive and those who are dead.

I tell you, it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins.

You should obey your Father. You shouldn’t give in to evil desires. They controlled your life when you didn’t know any better.The God who chose you is holy. So you should be holy in all that you do.It is written,“ Be holy, because I am holy.”( Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2)

But Zacchaeus stood up. He said,“ Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of what I own to those who are poor. And if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay it back. I will pay back four times the amount I took.”Jesus said to Zacchaeus,“ Today salvation has come to your house. You are a member of Abraham’s family line.

Think about how far you have fallen! Turn away from your sins. Do the things you did at first. If you don’t, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

He told them,“ This is what is written. The Messiah will suffer. He will rise from the dead on the third day.His followers will preach in his name. They will tell others to turn away from their sins and be forgiven. People from every nation will hear it, beginning at Jerusalem.

I tell you, no! But unless you turn away from your sins, you will all die too.

Godly sadness causes us to turn away from our sins and be saved. And we are certainly not sorry about that! But worldly sadness brings death.

He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.

I will save you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them

When they heard this, they didn’t object anymore. They praised God. They said,“ So then, God has allowed even Gentiles to turn away from their sins. He did this so that they could live.”

Let’s take a good look at the way we’re living. Let’s return to the Lord.

Let those who are evil stop doing evil things. And let them quit thinking evil thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord. The Lord will show them his tender love. Let them turn to our God. He is always ready to forgive.

People from one end of the earth to the other will remember and turn to the Lord. The people of all the nations will bow down in front of him.

After we wandered away from you, we turned away from our sins. After we learned our lesson, we beat our chests in sorrow. We were full of shame. What we did when we were young brought dishonor on us.’Aren’t the people of Ephraim my dear children? Aren’t they the children I take delight in? I often speak against them. But I still remember them. So my heart longs for them. I love them with a tender love,” announces the Lord.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly.“ We had to speak God’s word to you first,” they said.“ But you don’t accept it. You don’t think you are good enough for eternal life. So now we are turning to the Gentiles.This is what the Lord has commanded us to do. He said,“‘ I have made you a light for the Gentiles. You will bring salvation to the whole earth.’ ”( Isaiah 49:6)When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad. They honored the word of the Lord. All who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Live in a way that shows you have turned away from your sins. And don’t start saying to yourselves,‘ Abraham is our father.’ I tell you, God can raise up children for Abraham even from these stones.The ax is already lying at the roots of the trees. All the trees that don’t produce good fruit will be cut down. They will be thrown into the fire.”“ Then what should we do?” the crowd asked.John answered,“ Anyone who has extra clothes should share with the one who has none. And anyone who has extra food should do the same.”Even tax collectors came to be baptized.“ Teacher,” they asked,“ what should we do?”“ Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” John told them.Then some soldiers asked him,“ And what should we do?” John replied,“ Don’t force people to give you money. Don’t bring false charges against people. Be happy with your pay.”

He found him there. Then he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church. They taught large numbers of people. At Antioch the believers were called Christians for the first time.In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.One of them was named Agabus. He stood up and spoke through the Spirit. He said there would not be nearly enough food anywhere in the Roman world. This happened while Claudius was the emperor.The believers decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. All of them helped as much as they could.They sent their gift to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.