25.About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,
and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a
violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all
the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27.The jailer
woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and
was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But
Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29.The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and
Silas. 30.He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be
saved?”
31.They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and
your household.” 32.Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all
the others in his house. 33.At that hour of the night the jailer took them and
washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
34.The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he
was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole
household.
35.When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with
the order: “Release those men.” 36.The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have
ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
37.But Paul said to the officers: “