Acts 22 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Paul's Defense before the Jews

Act 22:1"Brethren and fathers, hear the defense which I now make before you."

Act 22:2And when they heard that he addressed them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet. And he said:

Act 22:3"I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cili'cia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gama'li-el, educated according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as you all are this day.

Act 22:4

Act 22:4I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,

Act 22:5

Act 22:5as the high priest and the whole council of elders bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brethren, and I journeyed to Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

Act 22:6

Act 22:6"As I made my journey and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone about me.

Act 22:7

Act 22:7And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?'

Act 22:8

Act 22:8And I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?' And he said to me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.'

Act 22:9

Act 22:9Now those who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

Act 22:10

Act 22:10And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.'

Act 22:11

Act 22:11And when I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

Act 22:12

Act 22:12"And one Anani'as, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,

Act 22:13

Act 22:13came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And in that very hour I received my sight and saw him.

Act 22:14

Act 22:14And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth;

Act 22:15

Act 22:15for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Act 22:16

Act 22:16And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.'

Act 22:17

Act 22:17"When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance

Act 22:18

Act 22:18and saw him saying to me, 'Make haste and get quickly out of Jerusalem, because they will not accept your testimony about me.'

Act 22:19

Act 22:19And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in thee.

Act 22:20

Act 22:20And when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who killed him.'

Act 22:21

Act 22:21And he said to me, 'Depart; for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'"

Act 22:22

Act 22:22Up to this word they listened to him; then they lifted up their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he ought not to live."

Act 22:23

Act 22:23And as they cried out and waved their garments and threw dust into the air,

Act 22:24

Act 22:24the tribune commanded him to be brought into the barracks, and ordered him to be examined by scourging, to find out why they shouted thus against him.

Act 22:25

Act 22:25But when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen, and uncondemned?"

Act 22:26

Act 22:26When the centurion heard that, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen."

Act 22:27

Act 22:27So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes."

Act 22:28

Act 22:28The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen."

Act 22:29

Act 22:29So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him instantly; and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Act 22:30

Act 22:30But on the morrow, desiring to know the real reason why the Jews accused him, he unbound him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

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Source: Transcribed from: The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

Language: English

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Acts 22 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Paul's Defense before the Jews

Pericope