Addressing the Jerusalem Mob

37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?”

He replied, “Can you speak Greek? 38 eAre you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”

39 But Paul said, f“I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no 1mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”

40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and gmotioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the hHebrew language, saying,

22 “Brethren aand fathers, hear my defense before you now.” 2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the bHebrew language, they kept all the more silent.

Then he said: 3 c“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city dat the feet of eGamaliel, taught faccording to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and gwas zealous toward God has you all are today. 4 iI persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and jall the council of the elders, kfrom whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus lto bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

6 “Now mit happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ 8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’

9 “And nthose who were with me indeed saw the light 1and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me. 10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’ 11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 “Then oa certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, phaving a good testimony with all the qJews who dwelt there, 13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him. 14 Then he said, r‘The God of our fathers shas chosen you that you should tknow His will, and usee the Just One, vand hear the voice of His mouth. 15 wFor you will be His witness to all men of xwhat you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, yand wash away your sins, zcalling on the name of the Lord.’

17 “Now ait happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance 18 and bsaw Him saying to me, c‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’ 19 So I said, ‘Lord, dthey know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and ebeat those who believe on You. 20 fAnd when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by gconsenting 2to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, hfor I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”

Paul’s Roman Citizenship

22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, i“Away with such a fellow from the earth, for jhe is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and 3tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, k“Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”

27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”

He said, “Yes.”

28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”

And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”

29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.