^21:12But before all this,³⁰ they will seize³¹ you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues³² and prisons. You³³ will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. ^21:13This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.³⁴^21:14Therefore be resolved³⁵ not to rehearse³⁶ ahead of time how to make your defense. ^21:15For I will give you the words³⁷ along with the wisdom³⁸ that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

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Footnotes

30 But before all this. Another note of timing is present, this one especially important in understanding the sequence in the discourse. Before the things noted in vv. 8–11 are the events of vv. 12–19.
31 Grk “will lay their hands on you.”
32 Some of the persecution is of Jewish origin (the synagogues). Some fulfillment of this can be seen in Acts. See the note on synagogues in .
33 Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started here in the translation.
34 Grk “This will turn out to you for [a] testimony.”
35 Grk “determine in your hearts.”
36 This term could refer to rehearsing a speech or a dance. On its syntax, see §392.2.
37 Grk “a mouth.” It is a metonymy and refers to the reply the Lord will give to them.
38 Grk “and wisdom.”

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to bear witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.

NLTNew Living Translation

“But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will turn out to you for a time of witness. Therefore make up your minds not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict.

KJV 1900King James Version

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

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