Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Acts 22
Paul’s Defense to the Jerusalem Crowd
“Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” When they heard him addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even quieter. Then he said: “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but raised in this city. I was educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict interpretation of our ancestral Law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today. I persecuted this Way to the point of death, binding and handing over to prison both men and women. The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about this. I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus and traveled there to bring those who were there back to Jerusalem in chains to be punished.
Paul Retells His Encounter with Jesus
“As I was traveling and approaching Damascus around noon, suddenly a great light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ He said to me, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.’ Those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one speaking to me. I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus. There you will be told everything appointed for you to do.’ Because I could not see from the brightness of that light, my companions led me by the hand into Damascus. A man named Ananias, devout according to the Law and well spoken of by all the Jewish people living there, came to me, stood beside me, and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ At that very moment I looked up and saw him. He said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice from his mouth, because you will be his witness to all people concerning what you have seen and heard. And now why delay? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Paul Is Sent to the Gentiles
“When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry and leave Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in synagogue after synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who trusted in you. And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I stood there approving and guarding the clothing of those killing him.’ Then he said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
Paul’s Roman Citizenship Stops the Scourging
The crowd listened to Paul up to this statement. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Remove such a man from the earth! He should not be allowed to live!” As they shouted, threw off their cloaks, and tossed dust into the air, the commander ordered Paul to be brought into the barracks and examined by scourging so he could learn why the crowd was shouting against him this way. But when they stretched him out with the straps, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a Roman citizen who has not been condemned?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported, “What are you about to do? This man is a Roman citizen.” The commander came and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” He said, “Yes.” The commander replied, “I acquired this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” Immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew. The commander also became afraid when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. The next day, wanting to know exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jewish leaders, the commander released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole council to assemble. He brought Paul down and stood him before them.