But Paulsaid,"I ama Jewof Tarsusin Cilicia,a citizenof noinsignificantcity;and I begyou, allowme to speakto the people."
and they sent this letterby them, "The apostlesand the brethrenwho are elders,to the brethrenin Antiochand Syriaand Ciliciawhoare from the Gentiles,greetings.
And he was traveling throughSyriaand Cilicia,strengtheningthe churches.
But Paulsaidto them, "They have beatenus in publicwithout trial,menwho are Romans,and have thrownus into prison;and noware they sending us awaysecretly?Noindeed!But let them comethemselvesand bringus out."
As Paulwas aboutto be broughtinto the barracks,he saidto the commander,"MayI saysomethingto you?" And he said,"Do you knowGreek?
"I ama Jew,bornin Tarsusof Cilicia,but broughtup in thiscity,educatedunderGamaliel,strictlyaccordingto the lawof our fathers,beingzealousfor Godjustas you allare today.
"When thismanwas arrestedby the Jewsand was aboutto be slainby them, I cameup to them with the troopsand rescuedhim, having learnedthat he was a Roman.
When he had readit, he askedfrom whatprovincehe was, and when he learnedthat he was from Cilicia,
But some menfrom what was calledthe Synagogueof the Freedmen,[including] bothCyreniansand Alexandrians,and somefrom Ciliciaand Asia,roseup and arguedwith Stephen.
And the Lord[said] to him, "Getup and goto the streetcalledStraight,and inquireat the houseof Judasfor a man from TarsusnamedSaul,for he is praying,
But when the brethrenlearned[of it], they brought him downto Caesareaand sent him awayto Tarsus.
but sanctifyChristas Lordin your hearts,always[being] readyto make a defenseto everyonewho asksyou to give an accountfor the hopethat is in you, yetwith gentlenessand reverence;
