NSB(i)
39 But Paul said, »I am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city and I request that you allow me to speak to the people.«
40 The commander gave permission so Paul stood on the stairs, motioned to the people. When there was silence he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying:
22 1 »Men, brothers and fathers, hear my defense to you now.«
2 They heard him speak in the Hebrew tongue and became quiet.
3 »I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up here in Jerusalem as a student of Gamaliel. I received instruction in the Law of our ancestors and was just as zealous for God as are all of you.
4 »I persecuted the people who followed this Way to the point of death. I arrested men and women and threw them into prison.
5 »The High Priest and the whole Council can prove that I am telling the truth. I received letters from them written to fellow Jews in Damascus, so I went there to arrest these people and bring them back in chains to Jerusalem to be punished.