When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
Acts 22:1 - Hebrew Names version (HNV) *Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.* Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition BRETHREN AND fathers, listen to the defense which I now make in your presence. American Standard Version (1901) Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you. Common English Bible “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” Catholic Public Domain Version "Noble brothers and fathers, listen to the explanation that I now give to you." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version MEN, brethren, and fathers, hear ye the account which I now give unto you. |
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don't be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say;
Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer,
Brothers, children of the stock of Avraham, and those among you who fear God, the word of this salvation is sent out to you.
They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
Sha'ul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, *Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.*
But when Sha'ul perceived that the one part were Tzedukim and the other Perushim, he cried out in the council, *Men and brothers, I am a Parush, a son of Perushim. Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!*
When the governor had beckoned to him to speak, Sha'ul answered, *Because I know that you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I cheerfully make my defense,
To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face, and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against him.
while he said in his defense, *Neither against the Torah 1 of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all.*
As he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, *Sha'ul, you are crazy! Your great learning is driving you insane!*
It happened that after three days Sha'ul called together those who were the Jewish leaders. When they had come together, he said to them, *I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Yerushalayim into the hands of the Romans,
He said, *Brothers and fathers, listen. The God of glory appeared to our father Avraham, when he was in Aram-Naharayim, before he lived in Charan,
in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)
Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Messiah. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.
For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.
but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News.
It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: