²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing ·songs [hymns; praise songs] to God as the other prisoners listened. ²⁶ Suddenly, there was a ·strong [great; violent] earthquake that shook the foundation of the ·jail [prison]. Then all the doors of the ·jail [prison] broke open, and all the prisoners were freed from their chains. ²⁷ The jailer woke up and saw that the ·jail [prison] doors were open. Thinking that the prisoners had already escaped, he got his sword and was about to kill himself [^Cbeing responsible, he would suffer punishment and shame for their escape].