Acts 23:1-9 ▼

1 THEN Paul, looking earnestly at the sanhedrim, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience unto God even to this day.

2 Then the high-priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God is ready to smite thee, thou whited wall: for art thou sitting to judge me according to the law, and violating that law, commandest me to be smitten?

4 Then they who stood by, said, Revilest thou God's high-priest?

5 And Paul said, I had not observed, brethren, that he was high-priest: for it is written, ?Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.?

6 Now when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried in the sanhedrim, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: for the hope and resurrection of the dead am I brought to this bar.

7 So when he had said this, a great dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say indeed, that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And a great clamour arose: and the scribes rising up who were of the party of the Pharisees, contended stoutly, saying, We find no fault in this man: but if a spirit have spoken to him, or an angel, let us not fight against God.