5Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them.

6When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area.

7And there they preached the Good News.

11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!”

12They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker.

13Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting,

15“Friends,14:15 Greek Men. why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.

16In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways,

17but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.”

18But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them.

19Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.

20But as the believers14:20 Greek disciples; also in 14:22, 28. gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

26Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed.

27Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too.

28And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.