They saidto him, "We have neitherreceivedlettersfrom Judeaconcerningyou, norhave anyof the brethrencome hereand reportedorspokenanythingbadaboutyou.
But against anyof the sonsof Israela dogwill not [even] bark,whetheragainst manorbeast,that you may understandhowthe LORDmakesa distinctionbetweenEgyptand Israel.'
"Behold,allthose who are angeredat you will be shamedand dishonored;Thosewhocontendwith you will be as nothingand will perish.
He who vindicatesMe is near;Whowill contendwith Me? Let us standup to eachother;Whohas a caseagainst Me? Let him drawnearto Me.
"Noweaponthat is formedagainstyou will prosper;And everytonguethat accusesyou in judgmentyou will condemn.Thisis the heritageof the servantsof the LORD,And their vindicationis from Me," declaresthe LORD.
as alsothe high priestand allthe Council of the elderscan testify.From them I alsoreceivedlettersto the brethren,and startedoff for Damascusin order to bringeventhosewho were thereto Jerusalemas prisonersto be punished.
Therewe found[some] brethren,and were invitedto staywith them for sevendays;and thuswe cameto Rome.
"And now,brethren,I knowthat you actedin ignorance,justas your rulersdid also.
For I could wishthat I myselfwere accursed,[separated] from Christfor the sakeof my brethren,my kinsmenaccordingto the flesh,
