Acts 22 Cross References - JMNT

¹ "Men! Brothers (= Fellow Jews) and fathers! Listen, and hear my defense to you now!" ² Well, upon hearing that he was now loudly addressing them in the Hebrew language (or: dialect), they provided even more quietness of behavior [D reads: became more calm and tranquil]. And so he continued affirming, ³ "I myself am a man [who is] a Jew having been born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but having been nourished, trained and educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel – disciplined and instructed corresponding to and in accord with the strictness, accuracy and precision of the ancestral Law (or: the Law received from the fathers); continuing under a beginning of being God's zealot (or: progressing from a humble beginning, being zealous concerning God), just as all of you yourselves are today! ⁴ "I – who quickly gave pursuit and persecuted this Way, to the extent of death, repeatedly binding and handing over into prison both men and women, ⁵ "as both the chief priest and the entire body of elders continue bearing witness (or: giving testimony) to (or: for) me, from whom also receiving letters to [D adds: all] the brothers (= fellow Jews) – I was continuing my journey into Damascus, intending to be bringing also those [of this Way] being there, bound (= as prisoners), into Jerusalem, so that they could (or: would) be punished. ⁶ "Now it happened to me, during going my way and when drawing near to Damascus, at about midday, suddenly and unexpectedly from out of the sky (or: forth from the midst of heaven; out of the atmosphere) a bright and intense Light flashed all around me like lightning! ⁷ "At this, I fell onto the road (literally: the bottom), and I heard a Voice repeatedly saying to me, 'Saul... Saul! Why do you continue pursuing and persecuting Me?' ⁸ "So I myself gave a considered reply, 'Who are You, Lord (or: Master; Sir)?' Then He said to me, 'I am (or: I Myself Am) Jesus, the Nazarene, Whom you yourself continue pursuing and persecuting!' ⁹ "Now the men being with me indeed had a view of and gazed at the Light [D and others add: and came to be afraid], yet they did not hear the One presently speaking to me. ¹⁰ "At that I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' So the Lord said to me, 'After standing up (or: Upon rising), continue on your way into Damascus, and there it will be spoken to you about all things which it has been arranged and aligned for you to do.' ¹¹ "So, since I continued being in a condition of not seeing – from the glory (= dazzling brightness) of that Light – I came into Damascus, being progressively led by the hand under [the directing and assistance] of the folks being with me. ¹² "Now Ananias, a certain well-received adult man who took a good hold on things that corresponded to the Law, [which fact] was being constantly attested by all the Jews normally dwelling [p41 and others add: in Damascus] so that he was held in high regard. ¹³ "Upon coming to me and standing near, he said to me, 'Brother Saul (or: Saul, my brother)! Look up and see again!' And I myself at once looked up into him and saw again (or: recovered my sight) – in that very hour (= right then)! ¹⁴ "So he said to me, 'The God of our fathers (or: ancestors) took you in hand beforehand (or: handled you in advance; or: hand-picked you ahead of time) to know His will and to gain insight about the effect of His intent, and the result of His design and purpose, by intimate experience, and then to see the Fair and Equitable One (the One who is Rightwised, Just, in right relationships, and who embodies the Way pointed out), and to hear [the] voice forth from His mouth, ¹⁵ "'because (or: that) you will be a witness for (or: to; with; by) Him to all mankind (or: you will be evidence about Him with a view toward all humanity) of what (or: concerning which things) you have seen and heard (or: and now hear). ¹⁶ "'And so now, what are you presently waiting for (or: why do you continue delaying)? Upon rising (standing up), at once immerse yourself (dip yourself) and you yourself wash away your mistakes (your failures to hit the target; your errors; your sins), after having called upon His Name!' ¹⁷ "Now it happened to me, after returning into Jerusalem and then during my continuing in projecting thoughts and words toward events and situations being well (or: praying), within the midst of the Temple complex, I came to be (or: was birthed) within an ecstasy ¹⁸ "and then to see Him presently saying to me, 'Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony (or: witness; evidence) concerning Me.' ¹⁹ "And so I myself said, 'Lord, they themselves continue being well-versed and understand that in one synagogue after another I myself was repeatedly imprisoning and flaying (flogging) the folks trusting and believing upon You. ²⁰ "'Then when the blood of Stephen, Your witness, was being progressively poured out, I myself was also standing by and continuing in consenting (approving; endorsing) as well as guarding the outer garments of those in the process of assassinating (murdering) him.' ²¹ "Then He said to me, 'Get on your way, because I Myself will be sending you off with a mission, out into the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; non-Jews) afar off.'" ²² Now they kept on listening to his [speech; presentation] – down to this word! Then they suddenly raised their voice, [together and one after another] repeatedly saying, "Be lifting the likes of him away from the earth (or: Be taking such a person off the Land), for he has not continued fit or suitable (it has not reached the level) for him to keep on living!" ²³ More than this [p74, Aleph, D and others read: Now], with their continued crying out and one after another throwing, tossing and flinging off [their] robes and outer garments, then continuing in casting dust into the air, ²⁴ the commander (tribune) gave orders to proceed in taking him inside, into the barracks, saying [for] him to be progressively interrogated and thoroughly examined with whips (= to undergo scourging) so that he can personally come to fully know through what cause (or: for what reason) the people were continuing to shout against him in this way. ²⁵ Yet as they extend and stretch him forward with the thongs (or: straps), Paul says to the centurion, "If a person [be] (or: Since a man [is]) a Roman and [is] uncondemned, is it lawful or permissible for you to be scourging [him] (= Is it legal for you to flog a Roman who has not been condemned)?" ²⁶ Well, upon hearing this the centurion, after approaching, reported to the commander, saying," [D adds: Consider] what you are about to be doing, for this man is a Roman [citizen]!" ²⁷ So after approaching [Paul], the commander said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman [citizen]?" So [Paul] affirms, "Yes." [D reads: So he said, "I am."] ²⁸ Now the commander, after considering, responds, "I myself, with much capital (= a large sum of money), procured for myself this citizenship!" But Paul affirmed, "Yet I myself have even been born [one] (or: But I by heredity)." ²⁹ Immediately, therefore, the men being about to be interrogating him at once withdrew (stood away) from him. Then the commander (tribune) became afraid after becoming fully aware that he is a Roman [citizen], and that (or: because) he was the person having bound (or: imprisoned) him. ³⁰ So on the next day, continuing being determined to know (or: = find out) the certainty of the [matter] – just why he continues being accused by the Jews, he loosed him (unshackled him and released him from prison) and then commanded the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin (High Council) to come together (to assemble). Next, bringing Paul down, he had inserted [him] into the midst, making [him] stand among them.

²³ and coming into a city being normally called (or: termed) Nazareth, he settled down in a home – so that the [oracle; prophecy] being spoken through the prophets could (or: would; should) be fulfilled, that "He will habitually be called a Nazarene [Hebrew: a sprout; a shoot]."

²² "However, I Myself am now saying to you people that everyone, who – from internal swelling or agitated emotions of his natural disposition, or from the fruition of his mental bent – is habitually being randomly impulsive to, or without cause repeatedly intensely angry with, his brother (= fellow member of the society) will continue being held within the decision (= under control of the judging of the local court). Now whoever may at some point say to his brother, 'Raca (an Aramaic word of verbal abuse: contemptible imbecile; worthless good-for-nothing; senseless empty-head; brainless idiot; blockhead)!' will continue being held within (= accountable to) the Sanhedrin (the ruling Jewish council). Yet whoever may at some point say, 'Inept moron (Stupid scoundrel; Despicable fool; Perverse idiot)!' will continue being held within (= accountable to) [placement] into the [part of] the Valley of Hinnom which pertains to the fire (i.e., the incinerator for refuse in the dump outside of Jerusalem). [note: Dallas Willard, in his book The Divine Conspiracy, HarperSanFrancisoc, 1998, p. 151-2, points out that raca was a word of contempt, and contempt, he says, is "a studied degradation of another," or, it is meant to "mark [someone] out" as being "contemptible." He further shows that using expressions of contempt "breaks the social bond" and excludes, pushes a person away, and leaves him isolated. Willard cites Prov. 14:16; 18:2 and 26:11 as Biblical definitions of a "fool;" he states that this word "is a combination of stupid perversity and rebellion against God"]

⁸ Now the centurion, giving a considered response, said, "O Sir, I am not fit or important enough to the end that you should enter under my roof. But rather, only say a word (speak a message) and my orderly (manservant) will proceed to be healed and made whole.

¹⁴ "Also, whoever may not welcome and receive you men, nor even listen to your words or hear your message, as you are going outside, from out of the house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. [note: Hospitality in those times and countries involved having a servant wash the feet of their guests; further: Jews did this when they left a Gentile country, so this would indicate that this town was being regarded as polluted and unholy, and in the same category as the Gentiles; comment: this could be a metaphor to shake off that incident, so as not to let their “humanity” cling to them]

¹⁷ "So constantly hold your attention toward protecting yourself from humanity. You see, they will periodically be giving you folks over (turning you in) unto [their] local city councils and courts, and then they will proceed scourging you with lashes and whips.

²³ "Now whenever they may continue chasing you or be repeatedly persecuting you in this [particular] city, proceed taking flight (escaping) into a different one, for, truly – I now say to you folks – you can under no circumstances complete the circuit of (or: finish [visiting]) the cities (or: towns) of Israel until the Son of the Man (humanity's son; = Adam's son; or: = the awaited Messianic figure) should go (or: comes; can come).

⁴⁰ "The person habitually receiving, welcoming and embracing you folks continually receives, welcomes and embraces Me; and the person that continues receiving, welcoming and embracing Me continuously receives, welcomes and embraces the One sending Me off as a representative with a mission (as an emissary). ⁴¹ "The person who by habit receives, welcomes and embraces a prophet into [the place of regard and function] that pertains to a prophet's reputation and vocation, will repeatedly receive a prophet's wage and reward. Likewise the person who by habit receives, welcomes and embraces a fair and just person (one who maintains right relationships with God and mankind, and who has been rightwised into the path of the Way pointed out) into [the place of regard and function] that pertains to a fair and just person's reputation and way of life, will habitually receive a wage and reward that pertains to a rightwised and equitable person. ⁴² "And further, whoever should give only a cup of cold water to drink to one of these little ones, into [the place of regard and function] that pertains to the reputation and vocation of a disciple, assuredly, I now say to you, he can by no means be lose his wage or reward.

² And then, all of a sudden, He was transformed (changed in external form and appearance) and His face radiated light, like a lamp, and shone like the sun. His outer garments also turned white – bright as the light!

⁴⁰ "And then, giving a decided reply, the King will proceed saying to them, 'I am truly now saying to (or: It is true, I now tell) you folks, Upon such an amount (or: = To the extent) that you did (or: do) and perform(ed) [it] to (or: for) one of these belonging to the least of My brothers (used collectively: = the members of My family; or: = those of My group or brotherhood), you did and perform [it] to and for Me!'

⁴⁵ "At that time, He will continue making a decisive reply, continuing in saying to them, 'Truly (or: It is True; Amen), I now say to you folks, Upon such an amount (or: = To the extent) that you did (or: do) [it] not to (or: for) one of these least folks, neither did (or: do) you do [it] to (or: for) Me.'

² And thus, upon binding Him, they led [Him] off and then handed [Him] over to Pilate, the governor.

²³ So the governor affirms, "For what? Did he do something bad, worthless or ugly?" But they kept on crying out (or: shouted) all the more, and louder, repeatedly saying, "Let him be at once put to death on a stake (or: crucified)!"

⁵⁴ Now the centurion (a Roman commander who normally is in charge of one hundred soldiers) and those with him [who were] guarding and watching over Jesus, upon seeing the shaking (= earthquake) and the things occurring (happening; being birthed), were made extremely afraid, one to another saying, "Truly (or: Really; Certainly) this man was God's son."

²⁵ And now, look and consider this! There was a man within Jerusalem whose name [was] Simeon, and this man [was] just (fair; equitable; in right relationships; in accord with the way pointed out) as well as grasping things well (or: well-received; taking it with ease and wellness), habitually receptive to (or: continuously welcoming and granting access to) Israel's call to the side for relief, aid, comfort and encouragement (or: the work and function of a Paraclete from Israel) – and a set-apart spirit (a holy wind; a separated Breath-effect; a sacred attitude) was continuously being upon him.

⁴⁶ Later, after three days, it happened [that] they found Him within the Temple courts (or: grounds), continuing in sitting within the midst of the teachers, constantly listening to them, as well as repeatedly making inquiries and putting question to them.

³⁵ So people came out to see what had happened, and thus they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons (= influences) went out clothed with a cloak (or: outer garments) as well as sane and continuing in a sound and healthy frame of mind, remaining sitting beside the feet of Jesus – and they were made to fear (or: were afraid).

³⁹ Now for her there was also a sister being normally called Mariam [other MSS: Mary] who also, sitting alongside near to the Lord's [other MSS: Jesus'] feet, began listening and kept on hearing His word (His logos; His idea, thoughts and message).

⁴⁸ "Really (or: Consequently; Accordingly then), you folks exist being witnesses (or: continuously are folks who testify and give evidence) and you are constantly approving, thinking well of and giving endorsement to the actions (deeds; works) of your fathers (and: forefathers), because they indeed killed them off, and now you yourselves continue building the [memorial] houses [other MSS: their tombs]!

¹¹ "Now whenever they may bring you folks into the midst, upon [some charge before] the synagogues (or: public assemblies), or [haul you up before] the government officials (rulers) and the authorities, you should not be anxious or overly concerned about how or what you should speak in your defense, nor what you should say.

¹⁴ "Therefore, you people put [it] in your hearts not to be habitually premeditating or rehearsing beforehand to make [your] defenses.

²¹ "At that point, let the people in Judea progressively flee into the hill country and mountains; then let the people within the midst of her [i.e., Jerusalem] proceed departing out of that place, and don't let (or: let not) the folks in the country or the district continue coming (or: going) into her,

⁶⁶ Eventually, as it became day, the body of the elders (= the Sanhedrin) of the people was led together (was gathered and assembled) – [including] both chief (or: ranking) priests and scribes (scholars and theologians) – and they led Him away into their Sanhedrin (the supreme Jewish council), saying,

¹⁸ But they, as it were with one voice of an entire multitude, cried out – some screaming; some yelling; some shrieking – repeatedly saying, "Be lifting this one up (or: Proceed in taking this one away)!... yet at once release to (or: for) us Barabbas (meaning: the [or: a] father's son)!"

⁴⁷ "and then, upon the [authority and basis of] His Name, a change of mind and thinking – [proceeding, or, leading] into a flowing away of failures (a sending away of mistakes; a forgiveness of sins; a divorcing of the situations of missing the target; an abandonment of guilt; a release from error) – is to be proclaimed by heralds unto all the ethnic multitudes and nations (or: the Gentiles; the non-Israelites), beginning (or: with folks starting) from Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ "You folks are witnesses of these things (or: are people who can give evidence for these people).

²⁹ Hence the crowd of common folks, the [crowd] standing around and hearing [it], began to say that it had thundered. Others were saying, "A messenger (or: An agent) has spoken to him." ³⁰ Jesus decidedly replied, and said, "This voice (or: sound) has occurred (happened; come to be) not because of Me, but rather because of you folks (= for your benefit).

¹⁶ "You yourselves did not choose Me, but to the contrary I, Myself, selected and picked out (or: chose) you folks and placed (or: set) you, to the end that you would (or: can; may) progressively lead and bring [situations] under control (or: humbly go your way) and would (or: can; should) be constantly bearing (bringing forth) fruit, and your fruit may continuously remain (stay; abide), so that whatever you may seek in petition from the Father – in My Name – He at a certain point would (or: may suddenly; [other MSS: will proceed to]) give [it] to you.

²⁷ "Now you folks, also, are constantly giving witness (are habitually testifying; are being evidence), because – from [the] beginning (= the start or the outset) – you are with Me (or: because you constantly exist, being with Me from [the] origin)."

¹ Thereupon (or: At that time) Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged (with a whip [having pieces of metal embedded, so as to rip off flesh] severely flogged) [Him].

¹⁵ Therefore those men yelled and shouted, "Lift [him] up at once and carry [him] away!" "Lift [him] up and carry [him] away!" "Crucify him (Put him to death on the stake)!" Pilate says, "Shall I proceed to crucify (put to death on the stake) your king?" The chief (ranking) priests decidedly answered, "We are not having a king (or: we continue holding no king) except Caesar!"

⁸ "Nevertheless, you folks will progressively receive power and will continue taking to yourselves ability [at, or with, the] coming of the Set-apart Breath-effect (the Holy Spirit and Sacred Attitude) upon you folks – and you will keep on being My witnesses (those who testify and give evidence of what they have seen and experienced; and later: martyrs; = you will continue telling about Me), both within Jerusalem and within all Judea and Samaria... even as far as [the] end of the Land (or: the extremity and farthest point of the earth)."

²² "beginning from the immersion originated by John (or: John's baptism) until the day in which He was taken back up (or: received again), away from us – one of these is to become a witness (one who gives testimony and presents evidence) together with us, in regard to His resurrection."

²¹ 'Then it will continue being (or: existing) [that] everyone – whoever can (or: may in any single situation) call upon the Name of [the] Lord [= Yahweh's name]! – will proceed being rescued (or: kept safe; healed and restored to wholeness; delivered; saved).' [Joel 2:28-32] [comment: they were now in vss. 17-18; vss. 19-21 would come in AD 70]

³⁷ Now, upon hearing [this], they were pierced down to the heart (the core of their being), and so said to Peter and the rest of the commissioned and sent-forth folks (or: emissaries), "Men... brothers, what can or should we do?" ³⁸ So Peter at once affirms to them, "At once change your way of thinking (your frame of mind and point of view; [by customary use this implies: and return to Yahweh]). Then at once let each one of you folks be immersed (baptized) within the Name (= in union with the identity, the character, the authority, the essence) of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] Anointed Jesus; with is Jesus [the Messiah]) – into the midst of a release and sending away, a divorce and an abandonment, a cancellation and a forgiveness: of your failures, your mistakes, your times of missing the target, your errors, and your sins – and then you will proceed receiving and continue taking in hand the free gift (the gratuity) of the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: which is the Holy Spirit; or: which has its source in and the character of the Sacred Attitude).

⁶ However, Peter said, "Silver and gold [coin] is not normally a subsistence for me (or: is not a possession with me), yet what I do continuously have, this I am presently giving to you: Within, and in union with, the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, start walking, and then keep on walking about (around)!"

¹³ "The God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob – the God of our fathers – brought glory (a manifestation which calls forth praise) and a good reputation to His Servant (or: Boy) Jesus, Whom indeed you folks turned over (gave aside; [D adds: unto judgment]) and renounced (or: disown; denied) before Pilate's face – [he] having decided to be releasing that One! ¹⁴ "But then you yourselves renounced (disowned; denied) the set-apart and fair Person (the holy and just One Who personified the Way pointed out; the consecrated and rightwised One), and instead you demanded for yourselves an adult man [who is] a murderer – to be at once graciously surrendered to you, as a favor.

¹⁹ "Therefore, at once change your way of thinking (your frame of mind and point of view; [by customary use this implies: and return to Yahweh]), and turn around toward [the situation for] your failures (errors; times of missing the target; sins) to be anointed out and wiped forth from your midst, so that seasons of cooling again, as well as fitting situations and fertile moments of refreshing could, should and would come from [the] face of the Lord [= Yahweh],

⁵ Now it happened on the next day [that] their rulers and the elders, along with the Torah scholars (scribes; theologians; doctors of the Law) were to be gathered together in Jerusalem.

¹⁰ "let it be now progressively known to all you men and to all the people of Israel, that in (within and in union with) the Name of Jesus Christ (or: of [the] anointed Jesus), the Nazarene, Whom you yourselves executed on a stake (crucified), Whom God raised up from out of the midst of dead folks – within and in union with this Man (or: [Name]), this man has stood near and now stands sound and healthy at the side, in your sight and presence!

²⁰ "For you see, we ourselves are not able not to be constantly speaking [about] the things which we saw and heard."

²¹ So after hearing [this], they entered into the Temple complex under the [light of] daybreak (or: the early dawn) and began (or: continued) teaching. Now later, after arriving (or: coming along), the chief (ranking) priest and those with him called together the Sanhedrin (the Jewish High Council; the governing body) and all the assembly of the older men (persons of age and influence invited to sit with the Sanhedrin; = the senate) of the sons of Israel (= Israel as a tribe or nation), and they sent forth [men] unto the prison (jail; place for bound folks) to have them brought.

³⁰ "The God of our fathers (= ancestors) raised up Jesus – Whom you men yourselves intensely manhandled with intent to kill, hanging [Him] on a wooden pole (or: suspending [Him] upon a tree).

³⁴ But, after standing up, a certain man in [other MSS: belonging to] the Sanhedrin – a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a Law professor (a respected teacher of the Torah; [note: the grandson of Hillel]), one esteemed and honored by all the People – gave an order to put the men outside for a little while (or: briefly).

³ "Thus, brothers (= fellow believers and member of the community), look about carefully upon and inspect so as to select from your [ranks] seven adult men [who are] constantly being attested and certified by witnesses [to be] full of Breath-effect (or: [the] Spirit; Attitude) and of wisdom, whom we will proceed situating (setting or placing down) upon this need.

⁹ Yet certain men rose up – from the [members] of the synagogue being normally termed "Freedmen" (or: Libertines; Jews who had been enslaved in the Syrian wars but were later freed), also [composed] of Cyrenians, Alexandrians and people from Cilicia, as well as [the province] of Asia – repeatedly arguing and debating (or: inquiring and discussing together) with Stephen,

¹⁴ "For instance, we have heard him repeatedly saying that Jesus the Nazarene will destroy (demolish; dismantle) this place and he will change the customs which Moses handed down to (and: for) us."

² So he affirmed, "Men... brothers and fathers, listen, and now hear! The God of the glory (or: The God of the manifestation which called forth praise; or: The God which pertains to, and is, the glory [of Israel]) was perceived (or: seen) by our father (or: forefather; patriarchal ancestor) Abraham – [he] being in Mesopotamia, before the [situation for] him to settle down (= take up residence) within Haran –

⁵² "Which one of the prophets (those who had light ahead of time and spoke before the people) did your fathers [D* reads: those men] not persecute and pursue? And they killed off those predicting concerning (or: bringing down the announcement in advance about) the coming of the Just One (the Fair, Equitable, Right One that is in rightwised relationships that accord with the Way pointed out) – of Whom you yourselves became betrayers (or: traitors) and murderers: ⁵³ "the very ones who received and took in hand the Law – [leading] into [situations] thoroughly arranged and fully set in order by [His] agents and messengers – and yet you people did not observe it, maintain it, keep it or guard it!" ⁵⁴ Well now, while progressively hearing these things, they were being progressively sawn in two in their hearts (= emotionally ripped and cut to the core so as to be filled with rage), and so they began and continued to grind and gnash [their] teeth on him (= at his words) with noises as of a wild animal eating greedily. ⁵⁵ Yet he, continuing in being inherently full of set-apart Breath-effect (or: of [the] Holy Spirit; or: filled with a consecrated attitude), gazing intently into the atmosphere and sky (or: heaven) saw God's glory, and Jesus [D adds: the Master (or: Lord)], standing at God's right [hand, or, side] (or: fixing his eyes into the heaven, sees a manifestation of God which calls forth praise – even Jesus, having taken a stand from out of the midst of God's place of honor and power), ⁵⁶ And so he said, "Look! I am presently watching the atmosphere and skies (or: the heavens) having been fully opened up... and the Son of the Man (the Human Being; = Adam's Son; [p74 reads: God's Son]) standing at God's right [hand, or, side] (or: having taken a stand from out of the midst of the right [parts] of God)!" [Ps. 110:1] ⁵⁷ So now, screeching and crying out in a great voice (with a loud sound; = at the top of their lungs), they pressed [their hands on] their ears and uncontrollably rushed upon him with one accord (in like passions). ⁵⁸ Then after casting [him] forth, outside of the city, they began stoning [him] (throwing stones at him to kill him). And the witnesses put off their outer garments, [depositing them] beside the feet of a certain young man being normally called Saul.

¹ Now on that day great persecution, pursuit and [D adds: pressure] was birthed (occurred) upon the called-out community [that was] within Jerusalem, so they were all – except for the sent-forth emissaries (representatives) [D*& 1175 add: who alone remained in Jerusalem] – dispersed and scattered as seeds down among the regions (or: territories) of Judea and Samaria.

¹ Now on that day great persecution, pursuit and [D adds: pressure] was birthed (occurred) upon the called-out community [that was] within Jerusalem, so they were all – except for the sent-forth emissaries (representatives) [D*& 1175 add: who alone remained in Jerusalem] – dispersed and scattered as seeds down among the regions (or: territories) of Judea and Samaria. ² So cautious but respected men joined together and collected Stephen and carried [him] in to be prepared for burial, and then they made a great lamentation (grieving and beating the chest) upon him (= at his situation and the loss of him).

² So cautious but respected men joined together and collected Stephen and carried [him] in to be prepared for burial, and then they made a great lamentation (grieving and beating the chest) upon him (= at his situation and the loss of him). ³ Now Saul began devastating then continued laying waste and bringing havoc to the called-out community, repeatedly making his way into and invading one house after another. Constantly dragging away and pulling along both men and women by force, he routinely handed [them] over into prison (or: jail).

³ Now Saul began devastating then continued laying waste and bringing havoc to the called-out community, repeatedly making his way into and invading one house after another. Constantly dragging away and pulling along both men and women by force, he routinely handed [them] over into prison (or: jail). ⁴ Nonetheless, those being scattered and dispersed went throughout, from place to place, progressively bringing the Word as good news, and announcing the message of goodness [which was] the Logos.

¹ Now Saul, still continuously inhaling and breathing (or: in-spiriting and blowing [out]; animated with the spirit of) threatening and murder (or: slaughter) into the midst of the Lord's [= Yahweh's or Christ's] disciples (or: students; learners), after going to the head (chief; ranking) priest,

¹ Now Saul, still continuously inhaling and breathing (or: in-spiriting and blowing [out]; animated with the spirit of) threatening and murder (or: slaughter) into the midst of the Lord's [= Yahweh's or Christ's] disciples (or: students; learners), after going to the head (chief; ranking) priest, ² requested from him letters [to take] into Damascus – to the synagogues – so that if he should be finding anyone being [a part] of (or: belonging to) the Way (or: the Path; the Road), he could lead [them] – both men and women – bound, into Jerusalem. ³ Now it happened, during [the occasion for] him to be progressively traveling [and] to be nearing Damascus, that with unexpected suddenness a light from out of the midst of the atmosphere (or: sky; heaven) flashed around him as lightning, ⁴ and having fallen upon the ground, he heard a Voice (or: sound) repeatedly saying to him, "Saul... Saul... Why do you continue pursuing and persecuting Me?" ⁵ So he said, "Who are You, Lord (or: Sir; Master)?" Now He replied, "I, Myself, am Jesus... Whom you continue pursuing and persecuting! ⁶ "Nevertheless, at once stand up and then enter into the city. Then it will proceed being spoken to you that which it continues binding and necessary for you to continue doing."

⁶ "Nevertheless, at once stand up and then enter into the city. Then it will proceed being spoken to you that which it continues binding and necessary for you to continue doing." ⁷ Now the adult men who were presently accompanying him on the journey had stood speechless and continued standing dumbfounded – while hearing the Voice (or: sound), and yet still, as spectators, gazing at not even one person (or: yet not viewing anyone)!

⁷ Now the adult men who were presently accompanying him on the journey had stood speechless and continued standing dumbfounded – while hearing the Voice (or: sound), and yet still, as spectators, gazing at not even one person (or: yet not viewing anyone)! ⁸ But then Saul got up from the ground, and yet with his eyes having been opened up, and continuing open, he was seeing nothing! So they led him on into Damascus,

⁸ But then Saul got up from the ground, and yet with his eyes having been opened up, and continuing open, he was seeing nothing! So they led him on into Damascus, ⁹ and he was three days still not seeing. He also neither ate nor drank. ¹⁰ Now there was a certain disciple (student; apprentice) in Damascus named Ananias, and within a vision the Lord [= Christ] said to him, "Ananias!" So he said, "Look, I [am here], O Lord!" ¹¹ So then the Lord [said] to him, "At once get up and go on your way upon the alley (or: narrow street) being normally called 'Straight,' and look for (seek; try to find) within [the] house of Judah (or: Judas) a person from Tarsus named Saul, for you see, look and consider! – he is presently thinking with a view toward having goodness, ease and well-being (or: continuously praying),

¹¹ So then the Lord [said] to him, "At once get up and go on your way upon the alley (or: narrow street) being normally called 'Straight,' and look for (seek; try to find) within [the] house of Judah (or: Judas) a person from Tarsus named Saul, for you see, look and consider! – he is presently thinking with a view toward having goodness, ease and well-being (or: continuously praying), ¹² "and within a vision (the effect of something seen) he saw an adult man named Ananias coming in and putting [his] hands upon him so that he can look up, and see again!" ¹³ But Ananias discerningly answered, "O Lord! I hear (or: heard) from many people about this adult man... how many vile and bad (worthless and evil; ugly and malicious) things he did to Your set-apart folks (Your saints) in Jerusalem!

¹³ But Ananias discerningly answered, "O Lord! I hear (or: heard) from many people about this adult man... how many vile and bad (worthless and evil; ugly and malicious) things he did to Your set-apart folks (Your saints) in Jerusalem! ¹⁴ "And here in this place he is presently having (or: holding) authority from the chief (head; ranking) priests to bind all those habitually calling upon Your Name!"

¹⁴ "And here in this place he is presently having (or: holding) authority from the chief (head; ranking) priests to bind all those habitually calling upon Your Name!"

¹⁴ "And here in this place he is presently having (or: holding) authority from the chief (head; ranking) priests to bind all those habitually calling upon Your Name!" ¹⁵ Yet the Lord [= Christ] said to him, "Be presently going (or: Go, and continue on your way), because this one is (or: exists being) a vessel of choice to Me (or: a picked our and chosen instrument for Me) to lift up and carry My Name before (in the sight and presence of) the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; Gentiles; non-Israelites) – as well as [before] kings and [the] sons (= people) of Israel.

¹⁵ Yet the Lord [= Christ] said to him, "Be presently going (or: Go, and continue on your way), because this one is (or: exists being) a vessel of choice to Me (or: a picked our and chosen instrument for Me) to lift up and carry My Name before (in the sight and presence of) the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; Gentiles; non-Israelites) – as well as [before] kings and [the] sons (= people) of Israel. ¹⁶ "For you see, I Myself will proceed underlining and pointing out (or: plainly showing) to him how many things it continues being binding and necessary for him to experience and be suffering – over [the situation of] (or: for; on behalf of) My Name." ¹⁷ So Ananias went off and entered into the house, and after placing [his] hands upon him, he said, "O Brother Saul! The Lord – Jesus, the One being seen by you on the road in which you were coming – has sent me with a mission so that you can look up and see again, and then you can be filled with [the] set-apart Breath-effect (or: [the] Holy Spirit; a consecrated attitude)!"

¹⁷ So Ananias went off and entered into the house, and after placing [his] hands upon him, he said, "O Brother Saul! The Lord – Jesus, the One being seen by you on the road in which you were coming – has sent me with a mission so that you can look up and see again, and then you can be filled with [the] set-apart Breath-effect (or: [the] Holy Spirit; a consecrated attitude)!" ¹⁸ And immediately there fell off from his eyes [something] like scales (or: hulls; shells; rinds; incrustations; [Greek lepris; note: lepra is the word: leprosy; lepros is a leper]). And so he looked up and could see again (or: recovered his sight). Next, after standing up, he was immersed (or: baptized). Later on, upon receiving food (or: nourishment), he was inwardly strengthened and invigorated.

¹⁸ And immediately there fell off from his eyes [something] like scales (or: hulls; shells; rinds; incrustations; [Greek lepris; note: lepra is the word: leprosy; lepros is a leper]). And so he looked up and could see again (or: recovered his sight). Next, after standing up, he was immersed (or: baptized). Later on, upon receiving food (or: nourishment), he was inwardly strengthened and invigorated.

²¹ Yet all the folks presently listening and hearing [him] continued amazed and astonished (literally: standing out of themselves), and were one after another saying, "Is not this man the person [who] in Jerusalem was laying waste (devastating; ravaging; trying to kill) the people habitually calling upon this Name? And now he has come here, into this place (or: unto this purpose), so that after [their] having been bound, he could lead them on to the head (chief; ranking) priests!"

²⁶ Now later, coming to be present [after entering] into Jerusalem, he kept on trying to be closely joined to the disciples (students; apprentices), and yet everyone continued fearing him, still not trusting or believing that he is now a disciple. ²⁷ So Barnabas, taking on [the problem] (or: taking him on [as a friend]; or: taking him by the hand), led him to the sent-forth folks (the emissaries) and then he [i.e., Paul] fully related to them how he saw the Lord on the road, and that He spoke to him (or: he spoke to Him) and how in Damascus he spoke in the Name of Jesus with the right of complete freedom from constraint, and with all boldness being publicly open and frank. ²⁸ And so he continued being with them, going his way into Jerusalem, as well as traveling out. ²⁹ Repeatedly speaking in the Name of the Lord with the right of complete freedom from constraint, and with all boldness being publicly open and frank, he continued both speaking and making joint-deliberations to the Hellenists (the Jews who spoke Greek or had adopted the Greek culture, or both). Yet these folks began taking in hand to assassinate him. ³⁰ So, upon coming to be personally aware and to accurately know [of this], the brothers led him down into Caesarea, and then sent him forth with a mission into Tarsus.

¹ Now in Caesarea there was a certain adult man named Cornelius, a centurion (a Roman officer in charge of 100 men, i.e., one sixth of a cohort) that was a part of the band (or: cohort; squadron; – an army division of 600 men) which is normally being called "Italian,"

⁹ Now the next day, while those [three] were in progress of traveling on the road and were presently drawing near to the city, Peter went up onto the housetop to pray (think and speak towards things being well) – [it was] about [the] sixth hour (about noon). ¹⁰ But he became very hungry – almost ravenous – and began desiring to at once taste (= eat) [something]. Now during their being in the midst of preparing [a meal], an ecstasy happened (an out-of-place state of being was birthed [p45 reads: came]) upon him,

²² So they said, "Cornelius – a centurion (army officer), a just, fair and equitable man who lives in accord with the way pointed out, as well as being habitually God-fearing, besides being a person constantly attested (reported by witnesses; = highly regarded) by the whole nation of the Judeans – was given useful and practical instructions on this matter, by a set-apart agent (or: sacred messenger): to send you over unto his house, and then to listen face-to-face to gush-effects of your spoken words and declarations (or: to [the] effects of the flow, at your side; or: = to hear in person what you have to say)."

³³ "Thereupon I immediately sent to you [D adds: urging you to come to us and help us], and you did beautifully (or: ideally) in [D adds: quickly] coming to be at [our] side. At this time, then, we ourselves are all present – in the sight and presence of God – to at once hear all the things having been commanded to you from, and now arranged for you by, the Lord [= Yahweh; p74, D & others read: God]."

³⁹ "And we ourselves [are] witnesses of all [the] things which He did (and: performed; produced), both within the country of the Judeans, and in Jerusalem – Whom also they lifted up and assassinated, hanging [Him] upon a wooden pole (or: stake; tree). ⁴⁰ "This Man (or: Person) God raised up on (or: in; [D reads: after]) [the] third day, and He gave (or: gives) Him to become (or: be birthed) visible within the midst – ⁴¹ "not among all the people, but rather among witnesses (or: disclosed – not to all the people, but rather to folks giving evidence) having been previously hand-picked and elected by God – in us (or: to us) who ate and drank together with Him, after the [occasion for] Him to stand back up (rise again) out from the midst of dead folks.

²⁵ So he went forth into Tarsus to hunt up (to seek up and down as well as back and forth for; = to make a thorough search for) Saul,

² So, in the midst of their continually doing public work (service for the people) for (or: in; to; by; with) the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], as well as periodically fasting, the set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Holy Spirit) said, "Now therefore, you folks section off (mark off boundaries so as to define) Barnabas and Saul – to (or: for; by; in; with) Me – into the work toward which I Myself have called (or: summoned) them."

¹¹ "and so at this moment, look and consider: [the] hand of [the] Lord [is] upon you, and you will proceed being a blind man, not seeing the sun – until an appointed season, and a fitting situation!" So instantly, and from the necessary [situation], a thick mist (also: a medical term for a failure of sight) and darkness (obscure dimness and shadowed gloom) fell upon him, and then, continuously going around, he kept seeking people to lead him by the hand.

¹⁷ "The God of this people Israel picked out and chose our fathers (= ancestors), then exalted (put up high) the people during [their] period of living as alien residents (as foreigners) within the land of Egypt. Next He led them out of it with an uplifted (high) arm,

²⁶ "Men! Brothers! Sons of the race (or: family) of Abraham as well as those among you continuously fearing God (or: [who] are God-fearers)! The Logos (Word; message) of this deliverance (salvation; return to health, wholeness and our original state of being) was sent forth out to us [other MSS: you]!

⁴⁶ Continuing bold, expressing the inherent right to speak the whole truth publicly with freedom from reprisal, both Paul and Barnabas said, "It was a matter of constraint, compulsion, and pressed indispensability [for] God's Logos (Word; message; idea) to be spoken to you folks first! Yet since you folks continue to push it away from yourselves, and are repeatedly judging (or: deciding) yourselves [to be] not worthy of the eonian life (the life pertaining to the Age [of Messiah]; the life whose source and character is from the Age), look! We are now being turned (or, as a middle: progressively turning ourselves) unto the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the Gentiles; the non-Jews). ⁴⁷ "You see, thus has the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] directed to us: 'I have placed (or: set) you unto [being] a light of nations (ethnic multitudes; non-Jews), [in order for] you to be [placed] into the midst of a deliverance (a rescue and a return to health and wholeness; a restoring to the original state of being and condition) as far as [the] last [point] of the earth!'" [Isa. 49:6]

²³ after writing [D adds: a letter] by their hand [D adds: presently containing this]: " [From:] The emissaries (sent-forth folks) and the older men (or: the elders) – brothers (or: the older brothers; [other MSS: as well as the brothers {= fellow believers; = your brothers}]), To: The brothers down in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia – to those from out of the ethnic multitudes (nations; non-Jews) – to continue to be rejoicing! (= Greetings!)

⁴¹ And so he continued passing on through Syria and Cilicia, progressively establishing the called-out communities [D adds: while one by one passing on the goals/directives from the older folks].

¹⁷ This girl, repeatedly following Paul and [the rest of] us down [to the river], kept on crying out and shrieking, constantly saying, "These people (or: humans) are slaves of the Most High God [= El Ha Elyon], who are constantly and progressively bringing the news down and are announcing to you folks [other MSS: to us] a way (or: path) of safety and deliverance (or: health, wholeness and salvation)."

²² Then the crowd rose up together, [with D: taking a stand in attack] against them [with D: repeatedly crying out against them], and the civil magistrates, after stripping (or: ripping) off the cloaks and outer garments from them, began giving orders to proceed beating [them] with rods. ²³ Besides imposing (inflicting) on them many blows (or: stripes), they threw them into jail (or: prison), passing along instructions to the jailer (or: prison guard) to continue keeping them guarded securely,

³⁰ Next, after leading them outside [D adds: and upon securing the rest {of the prisoners}], he said to them, "Sirs (or: [My] lords; Masters) what is it now necessary for me to continue doing or keep on performing so that I can be kept safe (or: rescued)?"

³⁷ Yet Paul affirmed to them, "After lashing (or: beating) us in public, uncondemned (or: not having gone through a legal trial) – men who are Romans – they threw (cast) [us] into prison (or: jail)! And now they are proceeding in throwing us out secretly and unnoticed? No indeed! To the contrary, upon coming [here], let they themselves lead us out!" ³⁸ So the constables reported these results of the flow (or: sayings) back to the city magistrates. Now they grew fearful upon hearing that they were Romans, ³⁹ and then, after coming, they entreated them, calling them to their sides. Next, having led them out [of the prison], they kept on asking [them] to go off [other MSS: out], away from the city. [D reads: and so, upon arriving unto the prison – accompanied by many friends – they entreated them to go forth, saying, "We were not aware (had no personal knowledge) of the situation regarding you folks, that you are just men (men of blameless character)." And so, having escorted them out, they entreated them, saying, "Go forth out of this city, otherwise folks may gather together again and turn on you, repeatedly shouting threats against you."]

⁴ And so certain folks from among them were persuaded and became convinced – including a great multitude of reverent (or: "God-fearing") Greeks [i.e., those who, without becoming "Jews," attended the synagogue to worship the true God], as well as not a few of the leading women [of the city] (or: first- [ranking] women; = women of the upper class or aristocracy) – and thus had their lot cast with Paul and Silas.

⁶ But with their constantly setting themselves in face to face battle array for opposition against [him] and then repeatedly speaking abusively [to him], while suddenly shaking out [his] garments [note: a symbolic act denoting disassociation], he said to them, "Your blood [is] upon your head! I myself [am] clean (= I have no blame in this situation, and am not responsible for your lives). From now on I will be going unto (or: into the midst of) the ethnic multitudes (the nations which are non-Jews)."

²⁶ More than this, this person started to be consistently speaking boldly, as with the right of a citizen, within the synagogue. So after hearing him, Priscilla and Aquila took him to themselves and more accurately exposed (or: expounded; set out from the midst) God's Way (or: path).

⁹ Yet, as certain folks were being progressively dried up and began to be made hard and stiff, they continued unconvinced (unpersuaded) and began being uncompliant and obstinate, repeatedly speaking bad, worthless and malicious things about the Way before the crowd (or: multitude) [D adds: of the ethnic groups (or: nations). At that point,] immediately withdrawing from them, he set boundaries to separate the disciples (the folks who were learning) away from [them], continuing in daily holding discussions while thoroughly laying thoughts out with reasonings [D adds: from eleven o'clock in the morning until four in the afternoon] in the school (or: lecture hall or auditorium; or: place for leisure) of (or: belonging to) Tyrannus.

²³ Now corresponding to that particular situation [in Ephesus] (or: Now during that season) there occurred no slight disturbance (agitation; trouble) about (or: concerning) the Way.

³³ So folks of the Jews, thrusting him forward, together made Alexander stand out of the crowd. Thus now Alexander, gesturing (or: motioning) downward with [his] hand, was wanting and intending to be defending himself to the people (or: populace).

¹¹ and then, after coming to us and picking up Paul's girding attire (sash or leather belt; girdle with which he wraps himself) [and] upon binding his own feet and hands, he said, "Thus is the Set-apart Breath-effect now saying (or: Now the Holy Spirit is progressively laying out these things), 'In this way will the Jews in Jerusalem proceed binding the man who owns this girding attire – and they will continue in turning [him] over into [the] hands of [the] ethnic multitudes (or: nations; people groups that are non-Jewish)!'"

²⁰ Now after hearing [these things] they began giving the glory and ascribing the reputation to God [D and other MSS: the Lord (= Yahweh, or, Christ)]. Besides this, they said to him, "Brother, you are now observing and noticing how many tens of thousands there are among the Jews of those having trusted and are continuing in believing – and they all continue humbly from their beginning being zealots of the Law (or: zealous about the Law).

³¹ And then, while [they were] seeking to kill him, a report that [the] whole of Jerusalem was being progressively poured together in turmoil reached the commander (or: tribune) of the battalion (or: squadron – normally 600 Roman soldiers), ³² who from that same moment ran (or: rushed) down upon them, taking along soldiers and centurions (officers in charge of 100 men). Now upon seeing the commander and the soldiers, they at once stopped beating Paul. ³³ At that point the commander (or: tribune), drawing near, took hold of him (= arrested him). Then he gave orders [for him] to be bound with two chains, and began inquiring who he might be and what it is he had done. ³⁴ Now some within the mob began shouting out one thing, other folks something else. So with his not being able to know the certainty [of the matter] because of the uproar and tumult, he gave orders for him to be led into the barracks (or: fortress).

³⁶ for you see, the great mass of the people kept following, repeatedly crying out, "Take him up and be doing away with (= killing) him!"

³⁹ So Paul said, "I myself am in fact a Jew, a man from (= a native of; [D adds: having been born in]) Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of a distinguished and illustrious (or: no insignificant) city. So please, will you permit me to speak to the people?" ⁴⁰ Now after his giving permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, gestures – motioning down with [his] hand – to the people. Then, with it becoming perfectly quiet, he shouted to [them] in the Hebrew [p74 & A read: in his own] language (or: dialect), saying:

¹ "Men! Brothers (= Fellow Jews) and fathers! Listen, and hear my defense to you now!"

⁴ "I – who quickly gave pursuit and persecuted this Way, to the extent of death, repeatedly binding and handing over into prison both men and women, ⁵ "as both the chief priest and the entire body of elders continue bearing witness (or: giving testimony) to (or: for) me, from whom also receiving letters to [D adds: all] the brothers (= fellow Jews) – I was continuing my journey into Damascus, intending to be bringing also those [of this Way] being there, bound (= as prisoners), into Jerusalem, so that they could (or: would) be punished.

¹² "Now Ananias, a certain well-received adult man who took a good hold on things that corresponded to the Law, [which fact] was being constantly attested by all the Jews normally dwelling [p41 and others add: in Damascus] so that he was held in high regard. ¹³ "Upon coming to me and standing near, he said to me, 'Brother Saul (or: Saul, my brother)! Look up and see again!' And I myself at once looked up into him and saw again (or: recovered my sight) – in that very hour (= right then)! ¹⁴ "So he said to me, 'The God of our fathers (or: ancestors) took you in hand beforehand (or: handled you in advance; or: hand-picked you ahead of time) to know His will and to gain insight about the effect of His intent, and the result of His design and purpose, by intimate experience, and then to see the Fair and Equitable One (the One who is Rightwised, Just, in right relationships, and who embodies the Way pointed out), and to hear [the] voice forth from His mouth,

¹⁴ "So he said to me, 'The God of our fathers (or: ancestors) took you in hand beforehand (or: handled you in advance; or: hand-picked you ahead of time) to know His will and to gain insight about the effect of His intent, and the result of His design and purpose, by intimate experience, and then to see the Fair and Equitable One (the One who is Rightwised, Just, in right relationships, and who embodies the Way pointed out), and to hear [the] voice forth from His mouth, ¹⁵ "'because (or: that) you will be a witness for (or: to; with; by) Him to all mankind (or: you will be evidence about Him with a view toward all humanity) of what (or: concerning which things) you have seen and heard (or: and now hear). ¹⁶ "'And so now, what are you presently waiting for (or: why do you continue delaying)? Upon rising (standing up), at once immerse yourself (dip yourself) and you yourself wash away your mistakes (your failures to hit the target; your errors; your sins), after having called upon His Name!'

¹⁸ "and then to see Him presently saying to me, 'Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony (or: witness; evidence) concerning Me.' ¹⁹ "And so I myself said, 'Lord, they themselves continue being well-versed and understand that in one synagogue after another I myself was repeatedly imprisoning and flaying (flogging) the folks trusting and believing upon You. ²⁰ "'Then when the blood of Stephen, Your witness, was being progressively poured out, I myself was also standing by and continuing in consenting (approving; endorsing) as well as guarding the outer garments of those in the process of assassinating (murdering) him.'

²⁴ the commander (tribune) gave orders to proceed in taking him inside, into the barracks, saying [for] him to be progressively interrogated and thoroughly examined with whips (= to undergo scourging) so that he can personally come to fully know through what cause (or: for what reason) the people were continuing to shout against him in this way. ²⁵ Yet as they extend and stretch him forward with the thongs (or: straps), Paul says to the centurion, "If a person [be] (or: Since a man [is]) a Roman and [is] uncondemned, is it lawful or permissible for you to be scourging [him] (= Is it legal for you to flog a Roman who has not been condemned)?"

²⁵ Yet as they extend and stretch him forward with the thongs (or: straps), Paul says to the centurion, "If a person [be] (or: Since a man [is]) a Roman and [is] uncondemned, is it lawful or permissible for you to be scourging [him] (= Is it legal for you to flog a Roman who has not been condemned)?" ²⁶ Well, upon hearing this the centurion, after approaching, reported to the commander, saying," [D adds: Consider] what you are about to be doing, for this man is a Roman [citizen]!"

²⁶ Well, upon hearing this the centurion, after approaching, reported to the commander, saying," [D adds: Consider] what you are about to be doing, for this man is a Roman [citizen]!" ²⁷ So after approaching [Paul], the commander said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman [citizen]?" So [Paul] affirms, "Yes." [D reads: So he said, "I am."]

²⁷ So after approaching [Paul], the commander said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman [citizen]?" So [Paul] affirms, "Yes." [D reads: So he said, "I am."] ²⁸ Now the commander, after considering, responds, "I myself, with much capital (= a large sum of money), procured for myself this citizenship!" But Paul affirmed, "Yet I myself have even been born [one] (or: But I by heredity)."

²⁸ Now the commander, after considering, responds, "I myself, with much capital (= a large sum of money), procured for myself this citizenship!" But Paul affirmed, "Yet I myself have even been born [one] (or: But I by heredity)." ²⁹ Immediately, therefore, the men being about to be interrogating him at once withdrew (stood away) from him. Then the commander (tribune) became afraid after becoming fully aware that he is a Roman [citizen], and that (or: because) he was the person having bound (or: imprisoned) him.

²⁹ Immediately, therefore, the men being about to be interrogating him at once withdrew (stood away) from him. Then the commander (tribune) became afraid after becoming fully aware that he is a Roman [citizen], and that (or: because) he was the person having bound (or: imprisoned) him.

¹ So Paul, looking intently (riveting his gaze) at the Sanhedrin (Jewish High Council) said, "Men! Brothers (= Fellow Jews)! I myself have lived and behaved as a citizen in all good conscience to and for God (or: with a completely clear joint-knowledge and with virtuous shared-sight, I have conducted my citizenship in God and managed the affairs of [His] city for God), up to this day!"

⁶ Now Paul, knowing from personal experience that in the Sanhedrin (High Council) the one part (or: party) is of [the] Sadducees, yet the different part [is] of [the] Pharisees, suddenly cries out, "Men! Brothers (= Fellow Jews)! I myself am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees! I myself am presently being judged (or: am now standing on trial) concerning [the] expectation – even [the] resurrection of dead folks!"

¹⁰ Yet, with so much commotion and dispute occurring and becoming so violent, the commander – fearing [that] Paul would at some point be torn in two (or: pulled apart) by them – commanded the troop (band of soldiers) to bring [him] into the barracks after descending to snatch him out of the midst of them. ¹¹ Now in the following night, the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], while standing by him, said, "Be increasingly receiving courage and confidence, for as you delivered a thorough witness of the things concerning Me into Jerusalem, in this way it continues binding and necessary for you yourself to deliver a witness (a testimony; evidence) into Rome also."

¹⁵ "Now therefore, you men make it appear (show it in such a light so as to convey the idea) to the commander along with the Sanhedrin (High Council) as though [you are] intending to continue investigating, being now about to thoroughly examine and more accurately know the things concerning him – so that he would bring him down to you folks. Yet before the [situation for] him to draw near [p48 adds: to you] (= before he gets here), we ourselves are ready and prepared to assassinate him.

¹⁷ So Paul, calling one of the centurions to him, said, "Take this young man to the commander (tribune), for he is having something to report to him."

²⁷ This man, being taken in hand together by the Jews, was also being about to be murdered by them. Standing by with the troop of soldiers, I myself extricated [p48 reads: rescued] [him], having learned that he is a Roman [citizen]. ²⁸ Besides this, wishing to fully know the cause for which they had been accusing him, I led him down into their High Council (Sanhedrin).

³⁴ Now upon reading [it] and inquiring from what province he is, then ascertaining that [he is] from Cilicia,

¹⁰ Following this, with the governor nodding to him to be now speaking, Paul gave a discerning response: "Being fully versed in the knowledge of you being a judge of this nation for many years, in a good spirit and with passion I readily proceed making a defense about the things concerning myself.

¹⁴ "Yet this I now speak in agreement (or: confess) to you, that according to the Way (or: corresponding to the Path) – which they are normally calling a sect (or: maintaining [to be] a party; or: terming heresy) – in this way am I habitually performing sacred service to the God of (or: pertaining to) the fathers (or: the ancestral God), constantly trusting, believing and being loyal to all the things corresponding to the Law (= the Torah) and having been written within the Prophets –

⁸ with Paul's presently refuting in defense, that "Neither unto the Law (= Torah) of the Jews, nor unto the Temple, nor unto Caesar did I commit any sin or do anything in error or failure, nor commit any wrong to offend!"

¹⁶ "– to which men I made the decided reply that it is not [the] custom for Romans to hand over any person as a favor before the one being accused might have the accusers face to face, as well as receive a place for (= have opportunity to make) a defense concerning the indictment (or: charge).

²⁴ Then Festus affirms, "King Agrippa, and all you men being present with us, you are now looking at this person about whom the entire multitude of the Jews interceded (or: petitioned) to me, both in Jerusalem and in this place, repeatedly shouting [that] by all means it continues necessary and binding for him to continue living no longer.

¹ So Agrippa affirms to Paul, "It is now permitted for you to proceed in speaking concerning [other MSS: over; on behalf of; = for] yourself." At that point Paul, while stretching out [his] hand, began to make a defense: ² "King Agrippa, I have considered myself fortunate, happy and blessed at now being about to proceed in making a defense before you, today, concerning all [the] things of which I am being repeatedly charged (or: indicted) by [the] Jews,

⁵ "previously having a personal acquaintance and intimate knowledge about me from that earlier period [so as] to continue testifying, giving witness one after another – if they would continue being willing – that in accord with the strictest sect (or: party) of this ritual and form of worship (or: religious discipline; system of external observances) of ours, I lived (or: I live) a Pharisee.

⁹ "Therefore within myself I, for one, used to think it to continue binding (or: had the opinion [that] it was then necessary) to commit (or: perform) many acts in opposition against the Name of Jesus, the Nazarene,

⁹ "Therefore within myself I, for one, used to think it to continue binding (or: had the opinion [that] it was then necessary) to commit (or: perform) many acts in opposition against the Name of Jesus, the Nazarene,

⁹ "Therefore within myself I, for one, used to think it to continue binding (or: had the opinion [that] it was then necessary) to commit (or: perform) many acts in opposition against the Name of Jesus, the Nazarene, ¹⁰ "which I did, even in Jerusalem. Furthermore, I myself also locked up many of the set-apart folks (holy ones; saints) in prisons, receiving the authority from the chief (or: ranking) priests, and more than this, I brought down a pebble (= cast my vote) against them – when one after another they were being taken back to be killed.

¹⁰ "which I did, even in Jerusalem. Furthermore, I myself also locked up many of the set-apart folks (holy ones; saints) in prisons, receiving the authority from the chief (or: ranking) priests, and more than this, I brought down a pebble (= cast my vote) against them – when one after another they were being taken back to be killed.

¹⁰ "which I did, even in Jerusalem. Furthermore, I myself also locked up many of the set-apart folks (holy ones; saints) in prisons, receiving the authority from the chief (or: ranking) priests, and more than this, I brought down a pebble (= cast my vote) against them – when one after another they were being taken back to be killed. ¹¹ "Then, while continuing in punishing them in vengeance – down through the [various] synagogues – I kept on trying to force (or: compel) [them] to blaspheme (speak abusively about [God]), besides keeping them in the midst of insane rage which completely surrounded them, and continued pressing forward to persecute [them] even into the cities outside [Palestine].

¹¹ "Then, while continuing in punishing them in vengeance – down through the [various] synagogues – I kept on trying to force (or: compel) [them] to blaspheme (speak abusively about [God]), besides keeping them in the midst of insane rage which completely surrounded them, and continued pressing forward to persecute [them] even into the cities outside [Palestine].

¹¹ "Then, while continuing in punishing them in vengeance – down through the [various] synagogues – I kept on trying to force (or: compel) [them] to blaspheme (speak abusively about [God]), besides keeping them in the midst of insane rage which completely surrounded them, and continued pressing forward to persecute [them] even into the cities outside [Palestine]. ¹² "Within the midst of which [activities], while traveling on my journey unto Damascus with [the] authority, as well as a commission which gave permission, from the chief (or: ranking) priests,

¹² "Within the midst of which [activities], while traveling on my journey unto Damascus with [the] authority, as well as a commission which gave permission, from the chief (or: ranking) priests,

¹² "Within the midst of which [activities], while traveling on my journey unto Damascus with [the] authority, as well as a commission which gave permission, from the chief (or: ranking) priests, ¹³ " [being] down on the road at midday, I saw, O king, a light from [the] sky (or: from heaven) – more intense than (or: above) the brightness and brilliance of the sun – shining and flashing around me and the folks then traveling with me.

¹³ " [being] down on the road at midday, I saw, O king, a light from [the] sky (or: from heaven) – more intense than (or: above) the brightness and brilliance of the sun – shining and flashing around me and the folks then traveling with me. ¹⁴ "Next, at all of us falling down to the ground, I heard a Voice proceeding in saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, O Saul! Why do you continue pressing forward to persecute Me? To keep on kicking [your heel] toward [the] goads (sharp points; e.g., as with an ox-goad; = futilely resisting or 'flogging a dead horse') [makes it] hard for you (or: = can hurt you)!'

¹⁴ "Next, at all of us falling down to the ground, I heard a Voice proceeding in saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, O Saul! Why do you continue pressing forward to persecute Me? To keep on kicking [your heel] toward [the] goads (sharp points; e.g., as with an ox-goad; = futilely resisting or 'flogging a dead horse') [makes it] hard for you (or: = can hurt you)!' ¹⁵ "So I myself said, 'Who are you, Sir (or: Master; Lord)?' But the Lord (or: The Owner; [= Christ]) said, 'I Myself am Jesus (or: I exist in Myself being Jesus) – Whom you continue pressing forward to persecute!

¹⁵ "So I myself said, 'Who are you, Sir (or: Master; Lord)?' But the Lord (or: The Owner; [= Christ]) said, 'I Myself am Jesus (or: I exist in Myself being Jesus) – Whom you continue pressing forward to persecute! ¹⁶ "'But now, get up and stand upon your feet! You see, into this [situation; commission] and unto this [purpose] I became seen by you (or: was made to appear to you): to take you in hand beforehand (or: to handle you in advance; or: to hand-pick you ahead of time) [to be] a subordinate (one who is a rower of a ship's crew) and a witness (one who testifies and gives evidence) – both of things in which you saw Me, and of things in which I will continue being seen by (or: in; with) you –

¹⁶ "'But now, get up and stand upon your feet! You see, into this [situation; commission] and unto this [purpose] I became seen by you (or: was made to appear to you): to take you in hand beforehand (or: to handle you in advance; or: to hand-pick you ahead of time) [to be] a subordinate (one who is a rower of a ship's crew) and a witness (one who testifies and gives evidence) – both of things in which you saw Me, and of things in which I will continue being seen by (or: in; with) you – ¹⁷ "'now Myself choosing you from out of the midst of the People (or: repeatedly taking you from out of the midst of, i.e., rescuing you from, the People), as well as from out of the midst of the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; non-Jews) unto whom I Myself am progressively sending you off with a mission: ¹⁸ "'to open back up their eyes again; to turn [their eyes; or: them] back: away from darkness (a realm of the shadow; dimness and obscurity) into Light, even from the authority and privilege of the adversary (or: that is, from the right which comes from out being the opponent), and upon God; to receive a flowing away of deviations and a release from failures, mistakes and occasions of missing the goal (or: a forgiveness of sins) and an allotted inheritance among and in union with the folks having been – and now remaining – set apart in, with and for faith which [leads] into Me (or: centered within the people now made holy by trust [which is] by the One [having come] into the midst of Me; or: within those having been consecrated for loyalty, sanctified with faith and now set apart to trusting conviction [that has brought them] unto Me).'

²⁰ "but to the contrary, both to the folks in Damascus, first, and then in Jerusalem – besides all the country of Judea – and later to the ethnic multitudes (the nations; the non-Jews) I kept on reporting the message to be progressively changing one's way of thinking and perspective, as well as to be turning back upon (= oriented to) God, while habitually performing works (or: constantly committing deeds and practicing acts) worthy of that change of mind and that embody the value equal to [a return to Yahweh].

²⁴ Now with his progressively making [his] defense [in] these [statements], Festus then affirms in (or: with) a loud voice, "You are progressively going insane (stark raving mad), Paul! The many writings (or: = the effects of much learning) progressively spin you around into madness (mania and insanity)!"

²⁹ So Paul [responds], "I would ever claim it for the goodness in God (or: speak in boast to the well-being [that is] by God) [for] both in a little [time] as well as even in a great (= long) [space of time] not only you, but further also all those presently hearing me today, to at some point come to be folks of such a sort as I myself presently am – with the exception (or: yet at the outside) of these bonds!"

¹ Now as it was decided for us to be presently sailing off into Italy, they handed over Paul, besides also some different prisoners (= folks who were prisoners for reasons different than for Paul), to a centurion (Roman officer normally in charge of 100 soldiers) named Julius, who was a part of an Augustan military cohort (or: [the] Imperial regiment or squadron).

³ After this, on a different [day], we were put in at (or: led down [from the high sea] into) Sidon. With this, Julius, dealing kindly and being helpful and humane to Paul, permitted [him] to obtain and enjoy casual care and attention which hit the spot – after [his] going on his way [to visit] the friends (= either personal acquaintances who had affection for him, or, fellow believers who were referred to in this way).

²⁴ "presently saying, 'Do not be fearing now, Paul. It continues necessary and binding for you to stand beside Caesar – and now, consider this! God has in grace favored, along with you (or: to you; for you), all the folks presently sailing with you.'

⁴³ But the centurion, wanting and intending to bring Paul safely through (or: to fully rescue Paul and keep him safe and sound throughout [the ordeal]), prevented them from [their] intention. Besides that, he gave orders for those being able, after diving off, to proceed to be swimming [and thus] to be out upon the land first,

¹⁷ Then, after three days, he happened to call to himself the folks being the foremost (those in the leading circle in the community) of the Jews. So upon their coming together, he proceeded to say to them, "Men... Brothers! I myself, having done nothing contrary (or: not one thing in opposition) to the People, nor to the customs of the fathers (or: the paternal and hereditary traditions), was from the midst of Jerusalem handed over [as] a prisoner into the hands of the Romans,

²¹ So they said to him, "We ourselves neither received letters concerning you from Judea, nor has anyone of the brothers (= fellow Jews) coming along reported back or spoken anything harmful (disadvantageous; malicious; bad) about you.

¹ Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave (or: a slave servant of and from [the] Anointed One, Jesus; a slave belonging to Jesus [the] Anointed [= Messiah]), a called person, one sent forth with a mission (or: an ambassador or emissary by invitation), being one having been marked off by boundaries (parted away and determined by bounds; separated away and limited off; delineated; defined) unto God’s good news (or: into a message of goodness and well-being which is God),

⁵ through Whom we receive grace, as well as a sending off with a mission [leading] unto faith’s obedience (or: obedience that springs from trust and loyalty; [the] paying attention associated with loyal allegiance; or, as apposition: "obedience which faith is" – Rudolf Bultmann) among all the ethnic multitudes, over [the essence, reality and power of] His Name (or: through means of Whom we at one point received a joy-producing act of favor, and then suddenly took in hand a commission as emissaries with a view to a humble and submissive hearkening – along with an appropriate response, which is faith – and a giving-of-the-ear from beneath [Him], with compliant listening and paying attention that has its source in trust and involved commitment, within all the non-Jewish nations for the sake of and in behalf of His Name [and reputation]),

³² those who, fully knowing by experience (being fully aware of) the effect of God’s justice (or: the result of God's fairness and equity; or: the result of what is right, from the way pointed out, which is God; or: God's decree of the Way pointed out) – that those continually performing (committing; executing) such things are folks deserving (worthy; of equivalent value) of death – not only keep on doing the same things, but also are constantly mutually approving, taking pleasure in and consenting with those habitually performing (or: committing; practicing) them.

¹⁵ which very ones continuously display (exhibit; show outward proof by demonstration) the work of the Law (or: action and conduct of that law and principle) written within their hearts, their conscience (the knowing with themselves; awareness; integrated recognition from what has been seen) continually bearing joint-testimony (giving confirming witness and evidence, together), and, in between each other’s calculations (or: logical thoughts), also constantly accusing (speaking down [against] in the assembly) or defending themselves (or: and in the mean time one another’s reasonings and reckonings constantly accusing, or even repeatedly excusing themselves),

³ Or are you continuing to be ignorant (are you remaining without experiential knowledge; do you continue not knowing) that as many of we who are immersed (or: were at one point baptized) into Christ Jesus are immersed (or: were then baptized) into His death? ⁴ We, then (or: consequently), were buried together (entombed together with funeral rites) in Him (or: by Him; with Him), through the immersion (baptism) into the death, to the end that just as (or: in the same manner as) Christ was roused and raised forth from out of the midst of dead folks THROUGH (through means of) THE GLORY (the glorious manifestation of splendor which calls forth praise; the notion; the renown; the reputation; the imagination) of The Father (or: which is the Father), thus also we can walk around (or: we also should likewise conduct ourselves and order our behavior) within newness of life (in union with life characterized by being new in kind and quality, and different from that which was former).

³ For you see, I kept on claiming, while having goodness, holding well-being and possessing ease, that I myself am to be (or: to continuously exist [as]) a result or an effect of something set up as an offering devoted to God (= a sacrifice; [comment: this would correspond to Jesus telling His disciples to follow Him, bearing their crosses]), forth from the Anointing (or: = [thus being separated] from [the body] of Christ; or: arising from the Christ) over [the situation of] (or: for the sake of) my brothers, my relatives (kinsmen; joint or commonly born ones; fellow countrymen) according to flesh (= in the sphere of natural human birth), ⁴ the very ones who are Israelites, whose [is] the placing in the condition of a son (or: the deposit of the Son; the setting in place which is the Son; the constituting as a son) and the glory (the things which call forth praise and bring a splendid reputation) and the arrangements(or: covenants; [other MSS: the Covenant) and the placing of the Law (or: even the setting of custom and legislation by/as [Torah]) and the sacred service and the promises,

² For I am habitually testifying and giving evidence among them, because they continue possessing a zeal from God (or: For you see, I can repeatedly bear witness to and for them that they constantly hold God's zeal and they continuously have a boiling jealously and hot aspiration concerning God), but however, not down from (or: on the level of and in accordance with) full and accurate experiential knowledge, recognition or insight (epi-gnosis). ³ For they, being continuously ignorant of God's Way pointed out (or: habitually failing to recognize the rightwisedness and fairness, which are God, and the right relationships from God in His covenant justice) and constantly seeking to establish (to set and make to stand) their own way pointed out (plan of rightness in relational dealings), were not placed under, and humbly aligned to, God's Way pointed out (or: subjected to God's just path and plan of fairness, or arranged under the rightwisedness from God [= brought into God's covenant participation]),

¹² You see, there is no distinction or separation made by putting asunder in order to define or distinguish between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord (Owner; Master) of everyone (or: for the same One [being] Lord of all) is continuously being rich unto (or: is constantly abundantly furnishing [Himself] into) all the folks habitually calling upon Him. ¹³ For thus it follows, "Everyone – whoever may at some point call upon the Name of the Lord [= Yahweh] – will proceed being delivered (kept safe; rescued; saved, healed and made whole)!" [Joel 2:32] ¹⁴ How, then, can (may; should; would) they at some point call unto (= invoke) One Whom (or: that which) they do not trust or believe (or: did not have faith in)? And how can (may; should; would) they believe where they do not hear (or: trust in Whom they did not hear)? And how can they at any point hear apart from a person continually making public proclamation (habitually publishing and extensively heralding)?

¹ I am asking (or: saying), then, God does not (or: did not) thrust away His people, does He (or: did He)? [cf Ps. 94:14] Certainly not (May it not happen)! For I myself am also (or: also exist being) an Israelite, forth from out of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe Benjamin.

¹³ So I am presently speaking for and to you, the nations (the ethnic multitudes; the non-Jews; the Gentiles; the pagans). In as much as (or: For as long as), indeed then, I myself am an emissary (envoy; missionary; one sent on a mission with a commission) pertaining to and belonging to [the] ethnic multitudes (nations; non-Jewish groups; Gentiles; pagans), I am continually building the reputation, appearance and notions of my service and dispensing (or: I am glorifying the function and execution of my attending in waiting upon [you folks]),

¹⁶ into the [arranged ability for] me to be Christ Jesus' public servant into the nations (a public worker of Jesus Christ unto the ethnic multitudes and pagans), constantly doing the work of a priest for God's good news (or: habitually functioning as the Temple for the message of the goodness, which is God), to the end that the offering composed of the ethnic multitudes (or: the act of bearing forward gifts from the pagans; the approaching of the nations as an offering) can become well-received and pleasingly acceptable, it being [an offering; a carrying toward] having been set-apart and remaining sacred within the midst of holy spirit and a sacred attitude (or: in union with a set-apart Breath-effect; within [the] Holy Spirit).

²⁶ but now is being brought to light and manifested, and through prophetic Scriptures, down from (in accord with, on the level of and in line with) a command of the eonian God (from the God Who exists through and comprises the ages; of God in relation to the ages; or: = from the God who created, inhabits, owns and rules the ages), [which leads] into hearing obedience from faith as well as a humble listening and paying attention belonging to trust, pertaining to confidence and which comprises loyalty – suddenly being made known unto all the ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles; pagans; non-Israelites),

² to God's called-out community (or: summoned-forth group that has God as its source, and which belongs to God), the one being within Corinth; to those having been set-apart within Christ Jesus (or: made holy, sacred, different from the normal and sanctified, in union with [the] Anointing of Jesus); to called (or: invited) folks [and] to set-apart people (holy ones; saints; sanctified folks; sacred ones) – together with all those in every place constantly calling upon the Name of our Lord [note: the phrase applied to Yahweh in Gen. 12:8; Zech. 13:9], Jesus Christ – their [Lord] as well as ours:

¹¹ And some of you were these things. But now you folks bathed yourselves off (took a bath to cleanse things away). But further, you were set apart (made holy; sanctified). But also you were rightwised and placed in the Way pointed out (turned in the right direction, made fair and equitable, and then joined in right relationship with God and mankind; = put in covenant) in union with and within the midst of the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ – even in union with and within the midst of the Spirit of (or: Breath-effect and Attitude which is) our God!

¹ Am I not free (Do I not exist being a free man)? Am I not one sent forth with a mission (a representative; an emissary; a commissioned agent)? Have I not seen Jesus, our Lord (Owner; Master)? Are you folks not my work within the Lord (or: = in union with Christ or Yahweh)?

³ – this is my defense (my verbal reply) to or for those continuously examining me and sifting the evidence about me –

²³ For you see, I myself received to myself and accepted from the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] that which I also passed along (or: hand on as a tradition; cf vs. 2, above) to you folks, that the Lord Jesus, within the night in which He was in process of being handed over, received and took a loaf of bread,

¹² You see, correspondingly as the [human] body is one [body] and continuously has (possesses; holds) many members (body parts), and all the members of the one body – being many – are one body, in this way, also, [is] the Christ (or: even thus [is] the Anointed One and the Anointing). ¹³ For we, ourselves – within the midst of one Spirit (or: in union with one Breath-effect and Attitude) – are all submerged into one body (or: were all immersed into, so as to be enveloped by, one body) – whether Jews or Greeks (or: Hellenists), whether slaves or free folks – and we all are (or: were) made (or: caused) to drink one Spirit (or: spirit; Breath-effect; Attitude).

²⁶ And further, whether one member is continuing to experience the effect of something, or constantly undergoes suffering, all the members continually experience the effect or the suffering together with [it]; or if a member is being constantly glorified or is progressively receiving a good reputation, all the members are continuously rejoicing together with [it]. ²⁷ Now you folks yourselves are, and continuously exist being, Christ's body (or: a body which is Anointed; or: a body whose source and character is Christ) – and individually [you are] members of a part [of it] –

³ For I handed on (or: give over as tradition) to you, among [the] first (or: primary) things, that which I also accepted and embraced: that Christ died over [the situation and circumstances of] our failures (on behalf of our mistakes and sins) – corresponding to the Scriptures –

⁸ Yet last of all [these] folks, He was seen by me, also – as if it were by one born prematurely (or: in a miscarriage; = born too soon, and thus weak and not fully developed, or, born dead, or, aborted; or: by one forth from out of a wound). ⁹ For I myself am the smallest (thus: the least one) of the sent-forth people (envoys; representatives), who am not adequate to reach [the stature] to be normally called a sent-off representative or emissary, because I pursued and persecuted God's called-out (or: the community of the called-out whose source is God, and which have the character of God).

²¹ for you see, He made (or: formed; makes) the One not at any point knowing failure (sin; error; mistake) by intimate experience [to take the place of; to be] failure over us and our [situation] (or: He constructed [as] a sin [offering], for our sake, the Person who was not at that point having an experiential knowledge of missing the target or making a mistake), to the end that we may be birthed (come into existence being; come to be) God's rightwised qualities (God's right relationship with fair and equitable dealing which accords to the Way pointed out; God's justice; God's way it should be, with well-ordered living and right thinking; also: = participants in a covenant from God), within Him and in union with Him.

⁸ through a good reputation, and [through] dishonor (or: through means of glory and a praise-inducing manifestation, as well as [through] absence of value or respect); through words of ill omen and words of good omen (or: through bad reports and defamation, and [through] good reports and praise); as wanderers and yet real (or: as [considered being] men who deceive and lead astray, and yet [being] true);

¹¹ For consider (or: look)! This very thing – the [experience for] you to be made sad and anxious down from and in accord with God – to what extent it accomplished (produces; worked down and effects) [qualities] of haste to earnest diligence in you folks; but further, verbal defense (apologetics); but still further, indignant displeasure [with the whole situation]; yet further, fear and respect!; but then, longing (strong and anxious love with fond regret); on the other hand, fiery zeal and enthusiasm; yes, in fact, righting of what is wrong (maintaining justice out of rightwised relationships from the fairness of the Way pointed out) – within the midst of everything, in every respect and among all people, placing yourselves and standing together to continuously exist being pure in this practice-effect (or: results of the matter).

²² Are they Hebrews? So [am] I! Are they Israelites? So [am] I! Are they a seed of Abraham? So [am] I! [comment: this is the "boasting on the level of flesh" in vs. 18, above]

¹ It is necessary for one to boast from time to time – though indeed not beneficial or expedient – so I will proceed in coming unto [the subject of] visions and unveilings of [the] Lord (or: = from Christ or Yahweh). (or: [other MSS: If (or: Since) it is necessary to continue boasting, {it}; still other MSS: Now to repeatedly boast] indeed does not normally bring [people] together, so I will continue moving on to sights, apparitions and appearances, as well as revelations and disclosures, whose source and origin are [the] Lord, or, which are [the] Lord). ² I am acquainted with a person (or: a man; a human) in Christ (or: within the midst of Christ; in union with [the] Anointed) more than fourteen years ago – whether in body (or: in a body), I am not aware; whether outside of the body, I am not aware; God has seen and knows (is aware) – being snatched away (dragged off; seized and taken) as such, as far as [the; or: a] third heaven (or: atmosphere). ³ Further, I have seen and know such a person (man; human) – whether in body or apart from the body, I know not; God knows – ⁴ that was snatched away (seized and taken) into the Paradise and heard inexpressible gush-effects and utterances (unutterable sayings and results of a flow; unspeakable results of movement and flux; inexpressible matters and declarations) which are not being from out of existence (or: which are not continuing from within the midst of being; or: which it continues being not right; or: for which there is no privilege or authority; which are not being possible; which are not being allowed) in a person (to mankind; for a human) to at any point speak.

¹⁹ All this time [other MSS: Again] do you folks continue thinking (supposing; presuming) that we are repeatedly making a verbal defense to you? Down [here] in God's stead and place, we are constantly speaking within Christ and in union with [the] Anointing. And the whole (all [these] things), beloved ones, [is (are)] over (on behalf of) your edification (your upbuilding; the construction of your house).

¹² for I myself neither received it to my side from a human (or: from beside a person), nor was I taught [it], but to the contrary, [it came] through an unveiling of Jesus Christ (or: through an uncovering pertaining to Jesus [the Messiah]; through a revelation from Jesus Christ; by means of a disclosure which is [the] Anointed Jesus).

¹⁴ And so I was progressively cutting forward and kept on advancing within Judaism (the culture and religion of the Jews) over and above many contemporaries (folks of the same age) within my race, being inherently more exceedingly zealous pertaining to the traditions of my fathers (or: for the things handed over, given alongside or delivered which originated with my ancestors). ¹⁵ Yet when God – the One marking off boundaries to separate and sever me from out of my mother's womb (or: cavity; [comment: a figure of the religion of the Jews]), and calling [me] through His grace and favor – thought well (or: delights and takes pleasure)

¹⁵ Yet when God – the One marking off boundaries to separate and sever me from out of my mother's womb (or: cavity; [comment: a figure of the religion of the Jews]), and calling [me] through His grace and favor – thought well (or: delights and takes pleasure) ¹⁶ to unveil (reveal; uncover; disclose) His Son within the midst of me (or: in union with me), to the end that I in myself (or: for myself; by myself; of myself) would announce and proclaim the message of goodness, [which is] Him, within the ethnic multitudes (or: may bring and tell the message of ease and well-being: Him [now] among the nations), I did not immediately place myself back toward flesh and blood (= present my cause up for the approval of other people; consult anyone; seek communication or advice from my race, kin or religion),

¹⁸ Later on, after three years, I went up into Jerusalem to become acquainted with (or: to inquire of, examine and get information from) Cephas [some MSS: Peter] while visiting him and relating my story to him, and then stayed on with him for fifteen days.

²¹ Later, I came into the slopes of the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

⁷ But rather, on the contrary, seeing that I had been persuaded by and convinced of (or: perceiving that I had been entrusted with) the message of goodness, ease and well-being concerning (or: with reference to; in consideration of; pertaining to; separated for; belonging to; having characteristics and qualities suited to; for the context of; relative to; as it relates to) the Uncircumcision (= those not of the Jewish religion, being from pagan religions or Hellenistic culture), correspondingly as Peter, concerning (or: with reference to; in consideration of; pertaining to; separated for; belonging to; having characteristics and qualities suited to; for the context of; relative to; as it relates to) the Circumcision (= the Jews, or those of the Jewish religion and culture) – ⁸ for you see, the One working within (being active in; operating within; energizing) Peter unto a sending for a mission concerning (in reference to; or: which is) the Circumcision, also by me inwardly works (energizes; is inwardly active and operative) unto the multitudes (into the midst of the nations – the non-Jewish ethnic groups; the Gentiles) –

²⁷ For you see, as many of you folks as were immersed into Christ, at once clothed yourselves with Christ (or: were plunged into so as to be enveloped by then saturated and permeated with Anointing – or, the Anointed One – instantly entered within and put on [the] Anointing)!

¹⁷ They are constantly zealous over you folks (= These folks are constantly showing you great attention in order to win you over) – [though] not beautifully (or: ideally; in a fine way). But on the other hand they are constantly willing (intending; wanting) to shut you out (to exclude you), so that you folks might be habitually zealous over them (= trying to win their favor). ¹⁸ Now [it is] always ideal (fine; beautiful) to be normally made zealous (or: to continue having a ferment of spirit) within a beautiful (fine; ideal) thing or situation, and not only within the situation for me to be present (or: at your side) and focused toward you folks.

⁶ (or, reading the phrase "in spirit" with the next phrase rather than the previous one: in spirit) the nations (the Gentiles; the ethnic multitudes; non-Jews) are to continuously be joint-heirs (fellow-participants by allotment) and a Joint Body (a body together) and joint sharers (partakers) of The Promise [along with the rest], resident within (or: of the assurance in union with) Christ Jesus through the good news (or: [spreading] throughout the midst by means of the message of goodness, ease and well-being) ⁷ of which I came to be (was birthed; became) an attendant (a server; one who renders service and dispenses) in accord with, down from, in the sphere of and commensurate with the gift of God's grace and favor that being given to me (or: by me) in accord with (or: down from; corresponding to; to the level of; in line with) the operative, effective, internal working energy of His power and ability! ⁸ To me, the one far inferior to (or: less than the least among) all of those set apart (or: the saints; the holy people), was given this grace and joyous favor: to myself address the nations (non-Jews; Gentiles; ethnic multitudes) with the good news of (or: whose source is) the untrackable (untraceable; or: not-searched-out and unexplored) riches of the Christ (or: to for myself declare and bring to the ethnic groups the message of goodness, ease and well-being of the unexploreable wealth which is the Anointed One),

⁷ just as (or: correspondingly as) it is fair for me (or: it is right in me; it accords with the Way pointed out to me) to habitually think this regarding all of you folks (or: to continuously have this opinion and disposition over you all), because of the [situation for] me to constantly hold (or: have) you folks within my heart, both within my bonds (fetters; chains) and within the verbal defense (a word spoken from and on behalf of) and legally valid confirmation (the placement on a good footing to establish and make firm and steadfast) of the message of goodness and well-being – you all being my co-participants (common partners; fellow-sharers together) of the grace and joyous favor! (or: ... to continuously possess you people in the midst of the core of my being – you all being my joint-partners of this grace, both in union with my imprisonments and in verification of the good news!)

¹⁷ Yet those, on the other hand, from out of faction (partisan purposes; contentiousness; or: from self-interest, or from a motive of financial gain, or to enhance their careers) are habitually announcing in accord with the message of the Christ, not purely (= with pure motives) – being ones habitually presuming (or: supposing) to be repeatedly arousing and raising up squeezing (pressure; affliction; tribulation; oppression) to (or: for) my bonds (or: in my imprisonment).

⁵ in circumcision, on [the] eighth day; out of race (from posterity; by birth; as to class or species), of Israel; of Benjamin's tribe; a Hebrew out of the midst of [the] Hebrews (or: = a supreme Hebrew); in accordance to Law, a Pharisee (or: down from custom, a Pharisee); ⁶ in accordance to zeal, one constantly pressing, pursuing and persecuting the called-out community; in accordance to fairness and equity in the way pointed out in the Law, one coming to be, of myself, without defect (one becoming blameless).

⁶ in accordance to zeal, one constantly pressing, pursuing and persecuting the called-out community; in accordance to fairness and equity in the way pointed out in the Law, one coming to be, of myself, without defect (one becoming blameless).

¹³ – one being formerly a blasphemer (a vilifier and slanderer; one using abusive speech and hindering the Light while bringing injury) and a persecutor and a violent, insolent aggressor (an overbearing, insolent, riotous and outrageous person), but to the contrary, I was mercied (or: given mercy), because, being continuously ignorant (without intimate, experiential knowledge or personal insight), I acted (or: did it) within unbelief (or: in distrust).

¹³ – one being formerly a blasphemer (a vilifier and slanderer; one using abusive speech and hindering the Light while bringing injury) and a persecutor and a violent, insolent aggressor (an overbearing, insolent, riotous and outrageous person), but to the contrary, I was mercied (or: given mercy), because, being continuously ignorant (without intimate, experiential knowledge or personal insight), I acted (or: did it) within unbelief (or: in distrust). ¹⁴ Yet our Lord's grace and favor overwhelms (is above more than enough; is overabounding) with faith and trust, as well as love, which are resident within Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ The Word [is] full of faith, and [is] deserving of every welcome reception of equal value, because (or: Faithful and trustworthy, even worthy of all and complete acceptance, [is] the message and saying that) Christ Jesus came into the ordered System (the world of secular culture, religion, government and economy; or: the cosmos) to rescue failures (to deliver those missing the target; to save and make sinners healthy and whole; to restore outcasts to their rightful position), of whom I myself exist being first (or: am foremost).

⁷ into the midst of which I, a preacher (or: herald) and one sent with a mission (an envoy and representative), was placed (or: am set) – I am speaking truth, I am not lying – a teacher of multitudes (nations; the multiplied ethnic groups; non-Jews), within faith and Truth (or: in union with trust and reality).

⁷ Yet it is also necessary and binding to continuously hold (or: have) a beautiful witness and testimony (= a fine reputation) from those outside, so that s/he would not fall into reproach (lest s/he may fall into a censorious report regarding character) and [into] a trick (snare; gin; device; stratagem) belonging to or devised by the adversary (or: whose source is the one who, or [that spirit and attitude] which, thrusts things through folks and causes injury or division; or: which is the adversary).

¹⁴ Do not make it a habit to neglect the care of or disregard this result of grace (or: the effect of favor) residing within you, which was given to you through a prophecy (a coming or manifestation of light ahead of time), accompanied by a laying on of the hands of the body of elder folks.

¹ Paul, one sent off with a commission pertaining to (or: from) Christ Jesus through God's will, intent and purpose, down from, in line with and with a view to [the] promise of Life – the one [which is] resident within Christ Jesus (or: through God's design which corresponds to Life's promise, or the Promise, which is life: the one belonging to, pertaining to and from Jesus – in union with [the] Anointing),

¹¹ into which (or: into Whom) I am placed (or: I was put): a herald (a public announcer; a proclaimer; a preacher) – even a person sent off with a mission (an envoy; a representative; or: = a messenger) – and a teacher [other MSS add: of the ethnic multitudes (nations; Gentiles; Goyim; non-Jews)].

¹⁶ Within my first verbal defense no one happened to be beside me (no one came along with me), but rather, all forsook (abandoned; other MSS: were forsaking and abandoning) me – may it not be put to their account (may it not be counted against them)!

¹ Paul, God's slave (a slave of God; one bound to, subjected under and owned by God), yet one sent away with a commission (as an emissary, envoy or ambassador) from, pertaining to and belonging to Jesus Christ (or: a representative of Jesus [the] Anointed), with a view to and corresponding to [the] faith of God's chosen folks (or: in line with a trust and loyalty possessed by and characteristic of God's selected and picked-out ones) and the full, accurate and precise intimate knowledge and experiential insight of Truth and Reality – the [truth and reality] corresponding to and in accord with reverence (or: down from goodness which produces virtuous conduct with devoutness, and in line with ease from a true relation to God) –

⁵ not from out of works [which arise from] within religious performance which we ourselves do [= deeds associated with the temple cultus of the old covenant] (or: not forth from actions in union with an act of righteousness which we, ourselves, did; not in a relationship based upon our own performance; not deeds in a system of justice, equity and fairness which we, ourselves, constructed), but to the contrary, down from and corresponding to His mercy, He delivered us (or: He saves, rescues and restores us to the wholeness and health of our original condition) through a bath of and from a birth-back-up-again (or: [the] bathing of a regeneration; note: can = a ritual immersion pool of rebirth) and a making back-up-new (of a different kind and quality) again from a set-apart Breath-effect (or: of a renewal and renovation whose source is [the] Holy Spirit; or: a set-apart spirit's creating or birthing [us] back-up-new-again; a renewal which is a holy spirit) –

¹⁶ no longer as a slave, but in contrast, above (over; = more than) a slave: a dearly loved brother (= fellow believer; = member of [His] family), most of all (especially) by and to me, yet how much rather by and to you, both in [the] flesh (= in person; or: = in the natural realm) as well as within [the] Lord [= in Christ or Yahweh]!

²² we can be continuously and progressively approaching with a true heart in fullness of faith (or: in faith's being brought to the full), the hearts having been sprinkled from a misery-gushed consciousness of what is evil or unserviceable (or: a joint-knowledge full of labor; a conscience in a bad condition), and then the body having been bathed in and by clean water.

² For in the midst of and in union with this the ancient ones (or: the folks old time; the elders) were given testimony (or: had witness and evidence borne to them that gave them a reputation; had their record attested):

³⁵ women took with the hand their dead folks from out of a resurrection (or: wives received their dead ones out of the midst of a rising-again). Yet others were beaten to death with rods (or: drummed upon), not receiving (or: accepting; taking) toward (or: with a view to) themselves (= refusing) the releasing away (liberation; setting free) procured by payment of a ransom, so that they may hit the target of (or: attain) a superior (stronger and better) resurrection.

²² "Who does not make a mistake (Who did not perform failure; Who does no sin; Who does not construct failure to hit the target), nor is (or: was) deceitful bait (fraud; guile) found in His mouth;" [Isa. 53:9]

¹⁵ Now "you folks set [the] Lord [= Yahweh] – the Anointed One – apart (or: Yet, let the Lord Christ be set-apart)" [Isa. 8:13], within your hearts! (or: So, treat the Anointed Owner as holy, in the core of your beings), always ready (ever prepared) toward a defense to everyone – for the one repeatedly asking you for a word (i.e., a rational explanation and a logical response) about the expectation within you folks – but still with gentleness (tenderness; meekness; kindness) and deep respect (or: serious caution; reverence; [the] fear [of the Lord]),

²¹ [into] which, also, an echo of correspondent form (or: a copy; an antitype; an impress which answers back; in place of the type or pattern) is now progressively delivering (rescuing) you folks (or: repeatedly bringing you to safety): immersion (submersion and envelopment which brings absorption and permeation to the point of saturation) – not [the] putting off of [the] filth (removal of dirt) away from [the] flesh (= not baptism or bathing of the physical body, or the removal of the alienated false persona), but rather – the result of a full inquiry into the midst of God (or: the effect of an added request unto God; or: = a further quest into “the Divine Mystery” – Paul Tillich) made by a good conscience (from an excellent joint-knowing; in relation to virtuous co-knowledge). [It saves you and it is made] through means of [the] resurrection of Jesus Christ,

¹ My little children (born ones), I am writing these things to you (or: for you) to the end that you may not fail to hit the target (deviate from the goal; sin). And if anyone should at some point fail (or: suddenly commit sin, make a mistake or deviate), we constantly have One called alongside to help, give relief and guide us toward the Father (or: we continuously possess a Paraclete, face to face with the Father): Jesus Christ, [the] One in accord with the Way pointed out (or: a Just One; [the] Righteous One; [the] Fair One who is in right relationship with all; a Rightwised One; [the] right one; a Person that is turned in the right direction).

¹² Demetrius has been attested (= has received supportive testimony) by all and by the Truth itself. Now we ourselves are also continuously bearing witness (or: testifying), and you have seen, and so know, that our witness (testimony; evidence) is (exists being) real and true.

¹⁰ was within the island called Patmos because of God’s Word (or: the message which is God) and because of the testimony (witness; evidence) pertaining to and having the characteristics of Jesus Christ. I came to be (or: birthed myself; happened to be) within spirit (or: in union with [the] Spirit; in the midst of a Breath-effect) within the Day which pertains to or has the characteristics of the Lord (the Lord’s Day; = the Day of Yahweh; or, = the Day of Christ; = Christ’s Day), and I heard behind me a great voice (or: = a loud sound), as of a trumpet, saying (or: = like that of a trumpet sounding a command or a message),

¹⁶ Furthermore, [He is] constantly holding (or: having; possessing) [the] seven stars within His right hand, and a sharp two-mouthed (= double-edged) broadsword is continuously (or: repeatedly) proceeding (issuing forth) from out of His mouth. And His appearance (countenance; sight) continually shines as the sun, in its power.

¹³ I have seen, and thus know (am aware of) where you are continually dwelling (settling down for an abode) – where satan’s seat (or: the adversary's throne and place of power) [is]! – and yet you are constantly strong in (or: getting into your power) My Name, and did not deny (disown) My Faith in the days in which Antipas, My faithful witness (or: martyr), who was killed alongside you folks: where satan dwells (where the adversary continuously has his abode).

⁶ Then I saw the woman, being continuously drunk from out of the blood of the set-apart folks and from out of the blood of the witnesses of Jesus, and seeing her I wondered (marveled) a great wonder (or: I wondered, “ [It is] a great marvel!”).