Acts 26:14 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

When we all fell to the ground I heard a voice speaking in the Hebrew [i.e., Aramaic] language. [It said], ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself by kicking against the spurs [i.e., opposing the work of God].’

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice in the Hebrew tongue saying to me, Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me [to harass and trouble and molest Me]? It is dangerous and turns out badly for you to keep kicking against the goads [to keep offering vain and perilous resistance].

American Standard Version (1901)

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

Common English Bible

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice that said to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me? It’s hard for you to kick against a spear.’

Catholic Public Domain Version

And when we had all fallen down to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew language: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goad.'

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

And when we were all fallen down on the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me in the Hebrew tongue: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goad.

Acts 26:14 Cross References

Acts 21:40

And when the commander gave him permission, Paul stood on the stairway and motioned to the people with his hand [for attention]. When they completely quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew [i.e., Aramaic] language, saying,

Acts 22:2

And when they heard him speaking in the Hebrew language, they listened all the more quietly. So, he continued,

Acts 26:13

[Then] along the road, about noon, O King, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.

Acts 26:15

I answered, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting.

Acts 9:7

And the men who were traveling with Saul were speechless, having heard the sound, but not seeing anyone.

1 Corinthians 10:22

Or, are we [trying to] make the Lord jealous [by doing this]? [Do we think] we are stronger that He is?