When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you will answer or what you are to say,
1 Corinthians 9:3 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021 This is my defense to those who would examine me. More versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, Amplified Bible - Classic Edition This is my [real ground of] defense (my vindication of myself) to those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me. American Standard Version (1901) My defence to them that examine me is this. Common English Bible This is my defense against those who criticize me. Catholic Public Domain Version My defense with those who question me is this: Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version My defence with them that do examine me is this. |
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you will answer or what you are to say,
“Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense that I now make before you.”
I told them that it was not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before the accused had met the accusers face to face and had been given an opportunity to make a defense against the charge.
Anyone who claims to be a prophet or spiritual must acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.
If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
So I write these things while I am away from you, so that when I come I may not have to be severe in using the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down.
since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you but is powerful in you.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless, indeed, you fail to meet the test!
the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment.
It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, for all of you are my partners in God’s grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them!