11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the (A)Lycaonian language, “(B)The gods have become like men and have come down to us!” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, [a]Zeus, and Paul, [b]Hermes, since he was [c]the chief speaker. 13 Moreover, the priest of Zeus, whose temple was [d]just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and (C)wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when (D)the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about it, they (E)tore their [e]robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also (F)men, of the same nature as you, (G)preaching the gospel to you, to turn from these [f](H)useless things to a (I)living God, who (J)made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything that is in them.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 14:12 In Lat Jupiter, the chief pagan god of Rome
  2. Acts 14:12 In Lat Mercury, considered the messenger or spokesman for the pagan gods of Rome
  3. Acts 14:12 Lit the leader of the speaking
  4. Acts 14:13 Lit in front of
  5. Acts 14:14 Or outer garments
  6. Acts 14:15 I.e., idols

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”(A) 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.(B) 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes(C) and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human,(D) like you. We are bringing you good news,(E) telling you to turn from these worthless things(F) to the living God,(G) who made the heavens and the earth(H) and the sea and everything in them.(I)

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