Paul’s Defense at Jerusalem

22 “Brethren^(A) and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”

² And he said, ^(A)“Brethren and fathers, listen: The ^(B)God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in ^(C)Haran,

¹⁶ At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. ^(A)May it not be charged against them.

¹⁵ But ^[a]sanctify ^[b]the Lord God in your hearts, and always ^(A)be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the ^(B)hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

^19 (A)Again, ^[a]do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? ^(B)We speak before God in Christ. ^(C)But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.

¹¹ For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what ^(A)clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be ^(B)clear in this matter.

³ My defense to those who examine me is this:

¹⁵ who show the ^(A)work of the law written in their hearts, their ^(B)conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)