Paul Defends Himself

1 (A)Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.”

1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.”

1 "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense that I am now making before you."

1 “Brethren and fathers (kinsmen), hear my defense which I now offer to you.”

2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the (a)(B)Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said,

2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

2 When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter.(A)

2 When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet, and he continued:

2 When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet. And he continued,

3 (C)I am (D)a Jew, born in (E)Tarsus of (F)Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated (b)under (G)Gamaliel, (c)(H)strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as (I)you all are today.

3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

3 He(B) continued, “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city(a) at the feet of Gamaliel(C) and educated according to the strict view of our patriarchal law. Being zealous for God, just as all of you are today,(D)

3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today.

3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of (a)Gamaliel according to the strictness of the law of our fathers, being ardent and passionate for God just as all of you are today.

4 (J)I persecuted this (K)Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons,

4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

4 I persecuted this Way(E) to the death, binding and putting both men and women in jail,(F)

4 I persecuted this Way, even executing people, and kept tying up both men and women and putting them in prison,

4 I persecuted and pursued the followers of this (b)Way to the death, binding them with chains and putting [followers of Jesus] both men and women into prisons,

5 as also (L)the high priest and all (M)the Council of the elders (d)can testify. From them I also (N)received letters to (O)the brethren, and started off for (P)Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem (e)as prisoners to be punished.

5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to bring those who were prisoners there to be punished in Jerusalem.(G)

5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. I also received letters from them to the brothers in Damascus, and I was going there to tie up those who were there and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.

5 as the high priest and all the Council of the elders (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) can testify; because from them I received letters to the brothers, and I was on my way to Damascus in order to bring those [believers] who were there to Jerusalem in chains to be punished.

Paul Tells Of His Conversion On The Damascus Road

6 (Q)But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me,

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

6 “As(H) I was traveling and near Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

6 "But while I was on my way and approaching Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.

6 “But as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a great blaze of light suddenly flashed from heaven and shone around me.

7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, "Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?'

7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

8 And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am (R)Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

8 “I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the One you are persecuting!’

8 "I answered, "Who are you, Lord?'

8 And I replied, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’

9 And those who were with me (S)saw the light, to be sure, but (T)did not (f)understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.

9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

9 Now those who were with me saw the light,(b) but they did not hear the voice of the One who was speaking to me.(I)

9 "He told me, "I'm Jesus from Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.' The men who were with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

9 Now those who were with me (c)saw the light, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me.

10 And I said, ‘(U)What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.’

10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

10 “Then I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told about everything that is assigned for you to do.’

10 "Then I asked, "What am I to do, Lord?'

10 And I asked, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord answered me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that is appointed and destined for you to do.’

11 But since I (V)could not see because of the (g)brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

11 “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.(J)

11 "The Lord told me, "Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are destined to do.' Since I could not see because of the brightness of the light, the men who were with me took me by the hand and led me into Damascus.

11 But since I could not see because of the [glorious intensity and dazzling] brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me and came into Damascus.

12 “A certain (W)Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and (X)well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

12 Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good reputation with all the Jews residing there,(K)

12 "A certain Ananias, who was a devout man with respect to the Law and who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there,

12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to (d)the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,

13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘(Y)Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And (h)(Z)at that very time I looked up at him.

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

13 came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him.

13 came to me. He stood beside me and said, "Brother Saul, receive your sight!' At that moment I could see him.

13 came to [see] me, and standing near, he said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I [recovered my sight and] looked up at him.

14 And he said, ‘(AA)The God of our fathers has (AB)appointed you to know His will and to (AC)see the (AD)Righteous One and to hear an (i)utterance from His mouth.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed(L) you to know His will, to see(M) the Righteous One,(N) and to hear the sound of His voice.(c)

14 "Then he said, "The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear his own voice,

14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, [and to progressively understand His plan with clarity and power] and to see the Righteous One [Jesus Christ, the Messiah] and to hear a message from His [own] mouth.

15 For you will be (AE)a witness for Him to all men of (AF)what you have seen and heard.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

15 For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard.(O)

15 because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.

15 For you will be His witness to all men testifying of what you have seen and heard.

16 Now why do you delay? (AG)Get up and be baptized, and (AH)wash away your sins, (AI)calling on His name.’

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

16 And now, why delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins(P) by calling on His name.’(Q)

16 So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.'

16 Now, why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name [for salvation].’

Paul's Call To Preach To The Gentiles

17 “It happened when I (AJ)returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I (AK)fell into a trance,

17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

17 “After I came back to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple complex, I went into a visionary state(R)

17 "Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance

17 “Then it happened when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple [enclosure], that I fell into a trance (vision);

18 and I saw Him saying to me, (AL)Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’

18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

18 and saw Him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me!’

18 and saw the Lord saying to me, "Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.'

18 and I saw Him saying to me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’

19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves understand that in one synagogue after another (AM)I used to imprison and (AN)beat those who believed in You.

19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

19 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in You imprisoned and beaten.(S)

19 "I said, "Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you.

19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know [without any doubt] that in one synagogue after another I used to imprison and beat those who believed in You [and Your message of salvation].

20 And (AO)when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing by approving, and watching out for the coats of those who were slaying him.’

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing by and approving,(d) and I guarded the clothes of those who killed him.’(T)

20 Even when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there, approving it and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.'

20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was being shed, I also was standing nearby approving and consenting [to his death], and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.’

21 And He said to me, ‘Go! For I will send you far away (AP)to the Gentiles.’

21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

21 “Then He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’(U)

21 "Then he told me, "Go, because I'll send you far away to the gentiles.'"

21 And the Lord said to me, ‘Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Paul Questioned By The Military Tribune

22 They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, “(AQ)Away with such a fellow from the earth, for (AR)he should not be allowed to live!”

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

22 They listened to him up to this word. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this person off the earth—it’s a disgrace for him to live!”(V)

22 Up to this point they listened to him, but then they began to shout, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! He's not fit to go on living!"

22 They listened to Paul until [he made] this [last] statement, but now they raised their voices and shouted, “Away with such a man from the earth! He is not fit to live!”

23 And as they were crying out and (AS)throwing off their cloaks and (AT)tossing dust into the air,

23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

23 As they were yelling and flinging aside their robes and throwing dust into the air,(W)

23 While they were yelling, tossing their coats around, and throwing dirt into the air,

23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their coats [getting ready to stone Paul] and tossing dust into the air [expressing their anger],

Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship

24 the (j)commander ordered him to be brought into (AU)the barracks, stating that he should be (AV)examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way.

24 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be examined with the scourge, so he could discover the reason they were shouting against him like this.

24 the tribune ordered Paul to be taken into the barracks and told the soldiers to beat and question him in order to find out why the people were yelling at him like this.

24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he was to be (e)interrogated with a whip in order to learn why the people were shouting against him that way.

25 But when they stretched him out (k)with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it (l)lawful for you to scourge (AW)a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?”

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

25 As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?”(X)

25 But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?"

25 But when they had stretched him out (f)with the leather straps [in preparation for the whip], Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned [without a trial]?”

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the (m)commander and told him, saying, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman.”

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

26 When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and told him, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!"

26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and said to him, “What are you about to do? This man is a (g)Roman!”

27 The (n)commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”

27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

27 The commander came and said to him, “Tell me—are you a Roman citizen?”“Yes,” he said.

27 So the tribune went and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said.

27 So the commander came and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”

28 The (o)commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.”

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

28 The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.”“But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.

28 Then the tribune replied, "I paid a lot of money for this citizenship of mine."

28 The commander replied, “I (h)purchased this citizenship [of mine] for a large sum of money [so how did you acquire yours?].” Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.”

29 Therefore those who were about to (AX)examine him immediately (p)let go of him; and the (q)commander also (AY)was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had (r)(AZ)put him in chains.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

29 Therefore, those who were about to examine him withdrew from him at once. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.(Y)

29 Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Immediately those who were about to examine him stepped back, and the tribune was afraid when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had tied him up.

29 So those who were about to interrogate him by torture immediately let him go; and the commander was also afraid when he realized that Paul was a Roman and he had put him in chains.

Paul Before The Council

30 But on the next day, (BA)wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he (BB)released him and ordered the chief priests and all (BC)the (s)Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them.

30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

30 The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him(e) and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene.(Z) Then he brought Paul down and placed him before them. >

30 The next day, since the tribune wanted to find out exactly what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, he released him and ordered the high priests and the entire Council to meet. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.

30 But on the next day, wanting to know the real reason why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) to assemble; and brought Paul down and presented him before them.

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