Acts 22 : 1 (NLT)
"Brothers and esteemed fathers," Paul said, "listen to me as I offer my defense."
Acts 22 : 2 (NLT)
When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.
Acts 22 : 3 (NLT)
Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.
Acts 22 : 4 (NLT)
And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.
Acts 22 : 5 (NLT)
The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the Christians from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.
Acts 22 : 6 (NLT)
"As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.
Acts 22 : 7 (NLT)
I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'
Acts 22 : 8 (NLT)
" 'Who are you, lord?' I asked."And the voice replied, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.'
Acts 22 : 9 (NLT)
The people with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice speaking to me.
Acts 22 : 10 (NLT)
"I asked, 'What should I do, Lord?'"And the Lord told me, 'Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.'
Acts 22 : 11 (NLT)
"I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions.
Acts 22 : 12 (NLT)
A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.
Acts 22 : 13 (NLT)
He came and stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, regain your sight.' And that very moment I could see him!
Acts 22 : 14 (NLT)
"Then he told me, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.
Acts 22 : 15 (NLT)
For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.
Acts 22 : 16 (NLT)
What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.'
Acts 22 : 17 (NLT)
"After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance.
Acts 22 : 18 (NLT)
I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, 'Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won't accept your testimony about me.'
Acts 22 : 19 (NLT)
" 'But Lord,' I argued, 'they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
Acts 22 : 20 (NLT)
And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.'
Acts 22 : 21 (NLT)
"But the Lord said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!'"
Acts 22 : 22 (NLT)
The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, "Away with such a fellow! He isn't fit to live!"
Acts 22 : 23 (NLT)
They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.
Acts 22 : 24 (NLT)
The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious.
Acts 22 : 25 (NLT)
When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't even been tried?"
Acts 22 : 26 (NLT)
When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!"
Acts 22 : 27 (NLT)
So the commander went over and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes, I certainly am," Paul replied.
Acts 22 : 28 (NLT)
"I am, too," the commander muttered, "and it cost me plenty!" Paul answered, "But I am a citizen by birth!"
Acts 22 : 29 (NLT)
The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.
Acts 22 : 30 (NLT)
The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them.
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