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Galatians 1:11-24
Contemporary English Version
Galatians 1:11-24
Contemporary English Version
How Paul Became an Apostle
11 My friends, I want you to know that no one made up the message I preach. 12 It wasn't given or taught to me by some mere human. My message came directly from Jesus Christ when he appeared to me.
13 (A) You know how I used to live as a Jew. I was cruel to God's church and even tried to destroy it. 14 (B) I was a much better Jew than anyone else my own age, and I obeyed every law our ancestors had given us. 15 (C) But even before I was born, God had chosen me by his gift of undeserved grace and had decided 16 to show me his Son, so I would announce his message to the Gentiles. I didn't talk this over with anyone. 17 I didn't say a word, not even to the men in Jerusalem who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went at once to Arabia, and afterwards I returned to Damascus.
18 (D) Three years later I went to visit Peter[a] in Jerusalem and stayed with him for 15 days. 19 The only other apostle I saw was James, the Lord's brother. 20 And in the presence of God I swear I am telling the truth.
21 Later, I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 But no one who belonged to Christ's churches in Judea had ever seen me in person. 23 They had only heard that the one who had been cruel to them was now preaching the message that he had once tried to destroy. 24 And because of me, they praised God.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1.18 Peter: The Greek text has “Cephas,” which is an Aramaic name meaning “rock.” Peter is the Greek name with the same meaning.
Galatians 1:11-24
New International Version
Galatians 1:11-24
New International Version
Paul Called by God
11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters,(A) that the gospel I preached(B) is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man,(C) nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation(D) from Jesus Christ.(E)
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism,(F) how intensely I persecuted the church of God(G) and tried to destroy it.(H) 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous(I) for the traditions of my fathers.(J) 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb(K) and called me(L) by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles,(M) my immediate response was not to consult any human being.(N) 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.(O)
18 Then after three years,(P) I went up to Jerusalem(Q) to get acquainted with Cephas[a] and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,(R) the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God(S) that what I am writing you is no lie.(T)
21 Then I went to Syria(U) and Cilicia.(V) 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea(W) that are in Christ.(X) 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith(Y) he once tried to destroy.”(Z) 24 And they praised God(AA) because of me.
Footnotes
- Galatians 1:18 That is, Peter
Galatians 1:11-24
King James Version
Galatians 1:11-24
King James Version
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:
14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
21 Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia;
22 And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:
23 But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
24 And they glorified God in me.
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