Old Testament

New Testament

Acts 23:1-7 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

1. Then Paul, gazing intently at the council, said, "Noble brothers, I have spoken with all good conscience before God, even to this present day."

2. And the high priest, Ananias, instructed those who were standing nearby to strike him on the mouth.

3. Then Paul said to him: "God shall strike you, you whitewashed wall! For would you sit and judge me according to the law, when, contrary to the law, you order me to be struck?"

4. And those who were standing nearby said, "Are you speaking evil about the high priest of God?"

5. And Paul said: "I did not know, brothers, that he is the high priest. For it is written: 'You shall not speak evil of the leader of your people.' "

6. Now Paul, knowing that one group were Sadducees and the other were Pharisees, exclaimed in the council: "Noble brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees! It is over the hope and resurrection of the dead that I am being judged."

7. And when he had said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. And the multitude was divided.

Read complete chapter Acts 23