Acts 23:1 Cross References - JMNT

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!"

¹⁵ Then, staring intently at him (or: into [Stephen]), all the men presently sitting in the Sanhedrin (High Council) saw his face (and: countenance) as if [it were the] face of an "agent" (or: countenance and presence of [God's] messenger).

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

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.

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.

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!"

¹⁶ "Within this I myself also habitually exercise, exert myself, train and make endeavors: to be constantly having (or: habitually holding) a conscience free from striking toward [others], being inoffensive to God as well as [to] humanity – through all [situations] and at all [times].

⁴ For, in and regarding (or: [as] to; for) myself, I have been conscious of nothing; but yet in this I have not been set forth as (or: made to be) fair and equitable (just and rightwised with right relationship in the Way pointed out). Now the One continually setting me up for evaluation (sifting, reviewing and deciding about me) is [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh].

¹² For you see, our boasting (or: expression of being proud) is this – [and it is] the witness and testimony of our conscience: that within the midst of the System (world of religion, culture, economy, secular society and government), and especially (or: more exceedingly) in our relationship with you folks, we were turned back and caused to live our lives and conduct ourselves within, and in union with, God's simplicity [other MSS: quality and aspect of being set apart (holiness)] and clearness from a decision made in sunlight (or: a sincerity which is God) – and this not within fleshly wisdom or cleverness, but to the contrary, within the midst of and in union with God's grace (or: the favor from, and which is, God).

² To the contrary, we speak-away from ourselves (or: spurn; renounced; disowned) the hidden things pertaining to the shame (or: whose source is [our] shame; that result in dishonorable conduct or bring disgrace), not habitually walking around (= living our lives) in craftiness (or: in union with the capability for every work; within readiness to do anything), neither constantly diluting or adulterating God's message (God's thought and idea; the Word of God), but rather, in a manifestation of the Truth and by a setting of the Reality in clear Light, we are progressively placing ourselves together in addressing every conscience of mankind (or: commending ourselves toward every human conscience), in God's sight (= before God).

³ I constantly hold grace in God (or: I am habitually having gratitude to God; I repeatedly possess favor, by God), in Whom (or: to, for, by or with Whom) I continually render sacred service – [handed down] from [the] ancestors (or: those born earlier; forefathers) – within a clean conscience (or: co-knowledge; a joint-knowing from shared seeing), as I constantly hold (or: am presently having) an unceasing remembrance (or: a memory which leaves no interval) about you within my expressions of need (or: seekings of aid; requests), by night and by day,

¹⁸ Be continuously thinking, speaking and acting toward having things go well (or: projecting goodness and ease; praying) concerning us, for we have been persuaded that we have a beautiful consciousness (a fine and ideal share in knowledge; or: a sound and noble conscience), setting our will to behave ourselves beautifully (in a good way; ideally; soundly; honorably) in all things and among all people.

¹⁶ habitually holding a good conscience (or: having a virtuous joint-knowing, from possessing a clear joined-perception), so that those, having a habit of spitefully abusing and harassing your good behavior (or: conduct; way of life) within, and in union with, Christ, may be brought to shame and disgrace relating to that within which you folks are constantly being defamed (spoken down against).