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Acts / Paul's Defense: His Conversion and Mission
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Paul's Defense: His Conversion and Mission

Acts 21:37-22:21

21
Chapter 21
37 As he was about to be led into the barracks, Paul said to the chiliarch, "Is it permitted for me to say something to you?" He said, "Do you know Greek?" 38 "Are you not then the Egyptian who before these days stirred up and led out into the wilderness the four thousand men of the dagger-men?" 39 But Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. But I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” 40 And when Paul was permitted, standing on the steps, he beckoned with his hand to the people. And when there was much silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew dialect, saying
22
Chapter 22
1 Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense now. 2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Jewish dialect, they became even more silent. And he says: 3 I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the exactness of our ancestral law, a zealot for God just as all of you are today, 4 who persecuted this way to death, binding and handing over to prisons both men and women, 5 As the high priest and all the presbytery also testify to me; from whom I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus and was going there, intending to bring back the ones there who were bound to Jerusalem so that they might be punished. 6 It happened to me while I was journeying and drawing near to Damascus about noon, that suddenly from heaven a light flashed around me. 7 I also fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 8 But I answered, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said to me, "I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you persecute." 9 But the ones who were with me saw the light but did not hear the voice of the one speaking to me. 10 But I said, "What shall I do, Lord?" And the Lord said to me, "Rise, go to Damascus, and there you will be told about all the things that have been appointed for you to do." 11 And since I could not see because of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those who were with me, I came into Damascus. 12 But Ananias, a certain man devout according to the Law, being well testified to by all the Jews dwelling there, 13 He came to me and stood beside me and said to me, "Saul, brother, look up." And at that hour I looked up at him. 14 But he said, "The God of our fathers chose you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth." 15 because you will be a witness to him to all people of the things you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name. 17 Now it happened that when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance. 18 and to see him saying to me, "Hurry and go out quickly from Jerusalem, because they will not receive your testimony about me." 19 And I said, "Lord, they know that I was imprisoning and beating those who believe in you in the synagogues." 20 and when the blood of your witness Stephen was being poured out, I myself was standing by and approving and guarding the garments of those who were taking him away. 21 And he said to me, "Go, for I will send you out to far-off nations."