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Acts 22:1 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

1 “Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense I want to make to you.”

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More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

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Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

1 BRETHREN AND fathers, listen to the defense which I now make in your presence.

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American Standard Version (1901)

1 Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you.

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Common English Bible

1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.”

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Catholic Public Domain Version

1 "Noble brothers and fathers, listen to the explanation that I now give to you."

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Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

1 MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you.

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Acts 22:1
21 Cross References  

And when people bring you in front of synagogue assemblies and rulers and authorities [i.e., for judgment], do not worry about how to speak or what you should say.


Determine in your hearts, therefore, not to plan ahead how you will answer them [when interrogated],


“You brothers, descendants of Abraham’s family and those of you who respect God very much, this message of salvation was intended for us.


[It appears that] Alexander was appointed out of the crowd by the Jews [i.e., to be their spokesman in defending them from the charges being made against Paul]. He motioned with his hand [to get attention] and attempted to speak to the assembly in defense [of the Jewish viewpoint].


Paul [then] looked intently at the Council [i.e., the Jewish Supreme Court called the “Sanhedrin”] and spoke [in his defense]: “Brothers, I have lived before God with a good conscience all my life.”


When Paul realized that part [of the Sanhedrin] were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he lifted up his voice before the Council and said, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. And it is concerning our hope that the dead will be raised that I have been brought to trial.”


And when the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul answered [the charges, by saying], “I know [Your Excellency] that you have administered justice for this nation for many years, so I am glad to make my defense [before you].


I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to turn over any person [for sentencing] before he is faced by his accusers and has had the opportunity to defend himself against the charges made against him.


Paul replied in his defense, “I have not committed any sin against the law of the Jews, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar.”


As Paul made his defense in this way, Festus said to him loudly, “Paul, you are crazy. All your education is driving you insane.”


And it happened after three days that Paul called together those who were the leading Jews, and when they assembled he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against the [Jewish] people or the customs of our forefathers, yet I was made a prisoner at Jerusalem, being placed in the custody of the Romans [while there].


And he answered, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me: Our glorious God appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, [even] before he lived in Haran


In doing this [i.e., practicing some of the requirements of the Law of Moses], they demonstrate that these requirements are written in their hearts. Their conscience tells them this, and their thoughts alternately accuse them [of wrongdoing], or else endorse them [for doing right]).


My defense to those people who [want to] examine my credentials is this:


You have been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves [have you not]? We are [simply] speaking [the truth] before God in [fellowship with] Christ. But everything [we are doing], dear friends, is to build you up [spiritually].


See how the very fact that you were made sorry from a godly motive has produced earnestness in you! [It produced] a desire to vindicate yourselves [i.e., by making amends for your wrongdoing]; an attitude of just anger [i.e., toward the wrongdoers]; a sense of fear [i.e., a fear of God for doing wrong]; an eager desire [i.e., to do the right thing]; a zeal [i.e., to correct problems]; and an attitude of avenging [i.e., that punished the wrongdoer]. You demonstrated in everything [you did] that you were pure [i.e., innocent] in this matter. [Note: This whole description of their conduct appears to be a reference to the incident mentioned in 2:1- 11].


But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison.


It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart [i.e., you are dear to me], for you people are sharing in God’s unearned favor with me [Note: Paul here refers to his ministry], both in my imprisonment and in my defense and confirmation of the Gospel [i.e., in my efforts to give proof of the Gospel’s truth].


At my first defense [Note: Paul here refers to his initial hearing before the Roman court] no one supported me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.


But instead, set aside a place in your hearts where Christ is [in full control as] Lord, and be prepared always to give a suitable reply to every person who asks you for a reason why you have an inner hope. But [be sure you do it] in a meek and respectful way, however.


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