1 Paul came to Derbe and Lystra, where a follower named Timothy lived. Timothy’s mother was Jewish and a believer, but his father was a Greek.
2 The believers in Lystra and Iconium respected Timothy and said good things about him.
3 Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, but all the people living in that area knew that Timothy’s father was Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy to please his mother’s people.
4 Paul and those with him traveled from town to town and gave the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey.
5 So the churches became stronger in the faith and grew larger every day.
6 Paul and those with him went through the areas of Phrygia and Galatia since the Holy Spirit did not let them preach the Good News in Asia.
7 When they came near the country of Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not let them.