Acts 21:37-22:11

English Standard Version

Paul Speaks to the People

³⁷ As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? ³⁸ Are you not ^(A)the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out ^(B)into the wilderness?” ³⁹ Paul replied, ^(C)“I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” ⁴⁰ And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, ^(D)motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in ^(E)the Hebrew language,^[a] saying:

22 ^(F)“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

² And when they heard that he was addressing them in ^(G)the Hebrew language,^[b] they became even more quiet. And he said:

^3 (H)“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated ^(I)at the feet of ^(J)Gamaliel^{[c] (K)}according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, ^(L)being zealous for God ^(M)as all of you are this day. ^4 (N)I persecuted ^(O)this Way ^(P)to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, ⁵ as ^(Q)the high priest and ^(R)the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to ^(S)the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

^6 (T)“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. ⁷ And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ ⁸ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am ^(U)Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ ^9 (V)Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand^[d] the voice of the one who was speaking to me. ¹⁰ And I said, ^(W)‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ ¹¹ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.