The Earthquake and the Jailer

²⁵Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was a massive earthquake that shook the foundations of the prison. Immediately all the doors flew open and everyone's chains came loose. ²⁷The jailer woke up and saw that the prison doors were open. He drew his sword and was about to kill himself, assuming the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted loudly, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" ²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰Then he brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" ³¹They answered, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved — you and your household." ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. ³³At that very hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. Then immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴He brought them into his house and set food before them, and he rejoiced with his entire household, having believed in God. ³⁵When daylight came, the magistrates sent their officers with the order, "Release those men." ³⁶The jailer reported this to Paul: "The magistrates have sent word to release you. So now you may leave and go in peace." ³⁷But Paul said to them, "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out." ³⁸The officers reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. ³⁹So they came and appealed to them, and after escorting them out, they asked them to leave the city. ⁴⁰After leaving the prison, they went to Lydia's house. There they saw the brothers, encouraged them, and departed.