Paul Addresses the Crowd

37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “Do I have permission to [fn]speak to yoʋ?” The commander said, “Yoʋ know how to speak Greek? 38 Then yoʋ are not the Egyptian who before these days incited a revolt and led four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” 39 Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I beg yoʋ, let me speak to the people.” 40 When the commander gave him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language,

22 “Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense I now make to you.” 2 When they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. Then he said, 3 “I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel and instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, just as all of you are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding both men and women and putting them in prison, 5 as the high priest can testify about me, along with the whole council of elders. From them I received letters to the brothers in Damascus and then made my way there to make arrests and bring the prisoners back to Jerusalem to be punished.