Matthew 10:17 - The Message17-20 “Don’t be naive. Some people will question your motives, others will smear your reputation—just because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you—and me—a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words. Ver CapítuloMás versionesKing James Version (Oxford) 176917 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; Ver CapítuloAmplified Bible - Classic Edition17 Be on guard against men [whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God]; for they will deliver you up to councils and flog you in their synagogues, Ver CapítuloAmerican Standard Version (1901)17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you; Ver CapítuloCommon English Bible17 Watch out for people—because they will hand you over to councils and they will beat you in their synagogues. Ver CapítuloCatholic Public Domain Version17 But beware of men. For they will hand you over to councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. Ver Capítulo |
“At first I objected: ‘Who has better credentials? They all know how obsessed I was with hunting out those who believed in you, beating them up in the meeting places and throwing them in jail. And when your witness Stephen was murdered, I was right there, holding the coats of the murderers and cheering them on. And now they see me totally converted. What better qualification could I have?’
Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.