The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Acts 23:1 - Hebrew Names version (HNV) Sha'ul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, *Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day.* Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Amplified Bible - Classic Edition THEN PAUL, gazing earnestly at the council (Sanhedrin), said, Brethren, I have lived before God, doing my duty with a perfectly good conscience until this very day [as a citizen, a true and loyal Jew]. American Standard Version (1901) And Paul, looking stedfastly on the council, said, Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day. Common English Bible Paul stared at the council and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with an altogether clear conscience right up to this very day.” Catholic Public Domain Version Then Paul, gazing intently at the council, said, "Noble brothers, I have spoken with all good conscience before God, even to this present day." Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version AND Paul looking upon the council, said: Men, brethren, I have conversed with all good conscience before God until this present day. |
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing!' shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of the fire of Gehinnom.
*Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense which I now make to you.*
But on the next day, desiring to know the truth about why he was accused by the Judeans, he freed him from the bonds, and commanded the chief Kohanim and all the council to come together, and brought Sha'ul down and set him before them.
As also the Kohen Gadol and all the council of the elders testify, from whom also I received letters to the brothers, and traveled to Damascus to bring them also who were there to Yerushalayim in bonds to be punished.
Now therefore, you with the council inform the commanding officer that he should bring him down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to judge his case more exactly. We are ready to kill him before he comes near.*
He said, *The Judeans have agreed to ask you to bring Sha'ul down to the council tomorrow, as though intending to inquire somewhat more accurately concerning him.
Desiring to know the cause why they accused him, I brought him down to their council.
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!*
Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face like it was the face of an angel.
For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and sincerity of God, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God we behaved ourselves in the world, and more abundantly toward you.
But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
I thank God, whom I serve as my forefathers did, with a pure conscience. How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day
Pray for us, for we are persuaded that we have a good conscience, desiring to live honorably in all things.
having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good manner of life in Messiah.