Thematic Bible: His defense
Thematic Bible
Paul » His defense
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear now my apology unto you. And hearing that he was speaking to them in the Hebrew tongue, they kept silent the more. And he says, I am Jewish man, having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, having been brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the accuracy of patristic law, being a zealot of God, as you all are this day; read more.
who after this way persecuted unto death, binding and committing to prison both men and women; as the high priest also, and all the eldership, witnessed me: from whom having also received letters from the brethren in Damascus, I was on my way, being about to lead them also hither into Jerusalem bound, that they might be punished. And it came to pass, while I was journeying, and nigh unto Damascus, a great light, about midday, suddenly shone from heaven around me; and I felt upon the ground, and heard a voice, saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I responded, Who art thou, Lord? And He said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom thou art persecuting. And those being along with me saw the light indeed, but heard not the voice of the one speaking to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Rising up, go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which have been ordained for thee to do. And when I did not see on account of the glory of that light, and being led by the hand by those journeying with me, I came into Damascus. And a certain Ananias, a man godly according to the law, and of good report by all the Jews dwelling there, having come to me, and standing over me, said, Brother Saul, look up. And I at that hour looked up unto him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee to know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice from His mouth; because thou shalt be a witness for Him to all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arising, be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on His name. And it happened unto me, having returned into Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, I was in an ecstasy; and I saw Him speaking to me, Hasten, and depart quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I was imprisoning and binding those believing on thee throughout the synagogue; and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of those killing him. And He said to me, Go: because I will send thee far away to the Gentiles.
who after this way persecuted unto death, binding and committing to prison both men and women; as the high priest also, and all the eldership, witnessed me: from whom having also received letters from the brethren in Damascus, I was on my way, being about to lead them also hither into Jerusalem bound, that they might be punished. And it came to pass, while I was journeying, and nigh unto Damascus, a great light, about midday, suddenly shone from heaven around me; and I felt upon the ground, and heard a voice, saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I responded, Who art thou, Lord? And He said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom thou art persecuting. And those being along with me saw the light indeed, but heard not the voice of the one speaking to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Rising up, go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which have been ordained for thee to do. And when I did not see on account of the glory of that light, and being led by the hand by those journeying with me, I came into Damascus. And a certain Ananias, a man godly according to the law, and of good report by all the Jews dwelling there, having come to me, and standing over me, said, Brother Saul, look up. And I at that hour looked up unto him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee to know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice from His mouth; because thou shalt be a witness for Him to all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arising, be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on His name. And it happened unto me, having returned into Jerusalem, and while I was praying in the temple, I was in an ecstasy; and I saw Him speaking to me, Hasten, and depart quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I was imprisoning and binding those believing on thee throughout the synagogue; and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of those killing him. And He said to me, Go: because I will send thee far away to the Gentiles.