Paul Defends Himself

1 MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my apology which I now offer unto you.

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

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

2 Then when they heard that he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence: 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 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the (a)(B)Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he *said,

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:

3 I am indeed a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed accurately in the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as ye all are this day:

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 (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 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.

4 so much so that I persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women.

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

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

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,

5 As also the high-priest will bear me witness, and all the body of elders: from whom also having received letters unto the brethren, I went unto Damascus, to bring those who were there in chains unto Jerusalem, that they might 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 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 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.

Paul Tells Of His Conversion On The Damascus Road

6 But as I went and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great light from heaven 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 (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 “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.

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

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

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

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarean, whom thou persecutest.

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

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

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?'

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

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 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 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.

10 Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, go into Damascus; and there information shall be given thee of all things which are ordained for thee 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 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 “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?'

11 Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to 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 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 “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.

12 And one Ananias, a religious man according to the law, and in high repute with all the Jews dwelling there,

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

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 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,

13 came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, recover sight. And the same hour 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 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 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.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath predestinated thee to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice 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 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 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,

15 For thou shalt be a witness for him to all men, of the things which thou hast 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 (AE)a witness for Him to all men of (AF)what you have 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.

16 And now why delay? arise, to be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.

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

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 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.'

Paul's Call To Preach To The Gentiles

17 Now it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I was in 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 “It happened when I (AJ)returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I (AK)fell into 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

18 and beheld him saying to me, Make haste, and depart quickly from Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony of 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 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 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.'

19 And I said, Lord, they know that I was imprisoning and scourging from synagogue to synagogue those who believe on thee:

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

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 “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.

20 and when the blood of Stephen thy martyr was shed, I myself even stood by, and took delight in his execution, and guarded the garments of those who slew 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 (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 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.'

21 And he said to me, Go: for I will send thee forth to the Gentiles afar off.

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

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

Paul Questioned By The Military Tribune

22 And they gave him audience to this sentence, and lifted up their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should 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 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 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!"

23 So when they began raising a vast clamour, and stripping off their garments, and casting dust into the air,

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

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

Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship

24 the military tribune commanded him to be brought into the fortress, ordering that he should be put to the question by scourging; that he might know for what cause they clamoured so loudly against him.

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 (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 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.

25 So as they were tying him up for the thongs, Paul said to the centurion standing by him, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen, 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 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 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?"

26 And when the centurion heard this, he came and told the military tribune, saying, Consider what you are going to do: for this man is a Roman citizen.

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 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 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!"

27 Then the tribune came, and said to him, Tell me, art thou a Roman citizen? 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 (n)commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” And he said, “Yes.”

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.

28 And the tribune replied, With a large sum of money I purchased this citizenship. And Paul said, But I enjoy it as my birthright.

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

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 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."

29 Immediately then they who were about to put him to the question, withdrew from him: and indeed the tribune dreaded the consequences, when he knew that he was a Roman citizen, that he had even gone so far as to bind him.

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 (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 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.

Paul Before The Council

30 So on the morrow, desirous to know of a certainty what it was of which he was accused by the Jews, he loosed him from the bonds, and commanded the high-priest and all the sanhedrim to appear, and bringing Paul down, 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 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 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.

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