Acts 21:37-22:5

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.