And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take you no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say:
Acts 22:1 - King James 2000 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear you my defense which I make now unto 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. |
And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take you no thought how or what thing you shall answer, or what you shall say:
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand what you shall answer:
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you fears God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defense unto the people.
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Since I know that you have been for many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before he that is accused have the accusers face to face, and have opportunity to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all.
And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad.
And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,
Who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Again, do you think that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
For behold this same thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, what earnestness it worked in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what full punishment! In all things you have proved yourselves to be pure in this matter.
But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.
Even as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; since as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace.
At my first defense no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: