Hechos 22

1 “Hermanos y padres, escuchad la defensa que ahora os hago”.

Brethren and fathers, hear ye the defence which I now make unto you.

2 Cuando oyeron que les hablaba en lengua hebrea, se callaron aún más. Dijo:

And when they heard that he spake unto them in the Hebrew language, they were the more quiet: and he saith,

3 “En verdad soy judío, nacido en Tarso de Cilicia, pero criado en esta ciudad a los pies de Gamaliel, instruido según la estricta tradición de la ley de nuestros padres, siendo celoso de Dios, como lo sois todos vosotros hoy.

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, even as ye all are this day:

4 Perseguí a este Camino hasta la muerte, atando y entregando en las cárceles tanto a hombres como a mujeres,

and I persecuted this Way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 como también lo atestiguan el sumo sacerdote y todo el consejo de ancianos, de quienes también recibí cartas para los hermanos, y viajé a Damasco para llevar también a Jerusalén a los que estaban allí atados para ser castigados.

As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus, to bring them also which were there unto Jerusalem in bonds, for to be punished.

6 “Mientras hacía mi viaje y me acercaba a Damasco, hacia el mediodía, una gran luz brilló a mi alrededor desde el cielo.

And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and drew nigh unto Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

7 Caí al suelo y oí una voz que me decía: “Saulo, Saulo, ¿por qué me persigues?”

And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

8 Respondí: “¿Quién eres, Señor?” Me dijo: “Yo soy Jesús de Nazaret, a quien tú persigues”.

And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

9 “Los que estaban conmigo, en efecto, vieron la luz y tuvieron miedo, pero no entendieron la voz del que me hablaba.

And they that were with me beheld indeed the light, but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 Yo dije: “¿Qué debo hacer, Señor? El Señor me dijo: ‘Levántate y ve a Damasco. Allí se te informará de todo lo que está previsto que hagas’.

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 Cuando no podía ver por la gloria de aquella luz, siendo conducido de la mano de los que estaban conmigo, entré en Damasco.

And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 “Un tal Ananías, hombre piadoso según la ley, del que tenían buena fama todos los judíos que vivían en Damasco,

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews that dwelt there,

13 se acercó a mí y, de pie, me dijo: “Hermano Saulo, recibe la vista”. En aquella misma hora le miré.

came unto me, and standing by me said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And in that very hour I looked up on him.

14 Me dijo: “El Dios de nuestros padres te ha designado para que conozcas su voluntad, para que veas al Justo y oigas la voz de su boca.

And he said, The God of our fathers hath appointed thee to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth.

15 Porque serás testigo de él ante todos los hombres de lo que has visto y oído.

For thou shalt be a witness for him unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16 Ahora, ¿por qué esperáis? Levántate, bautízate y lava tus pecados, invocando el nombre del Señor’.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

17 “Cuando volví a Jerusalén y mientras oraba en el templo, caí en un trance

And it came to pass, that, when I had returned to Jerusalem, and while I prayed in the temple, I fell into a trance,

18 y vi que me decía: ‘Date prisa y sal de Jerusalén rápidamente, porque no recibirán el testimonio de ti sobre mí’.

and saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: because they will not receive of thee testimony concerning me.

19 Le dije: ‘Señor, ellos mismos saben que yo encarcelé y golpeé en todas las sinagogas a los que creían en ti.

And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

20 Cuando se derramó la sangre de Esteban, tu testigo, yo también estaba de pie, consintiendo su muerte y guardando los mantos de los que lo mataron.’

and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

21 “Me dijo: ‘Vete, porque te enviaré lejos de aquí a los gentiles’”.

And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto the Gentiles.

22 Le escucharon hasta que dijo eso; entonces levantaron la voz y dijeron: “¡Limpia la tierra de este tipo, porque no es apto para vivir!”

And they gave him audience unto this word; and they lifted up their voice, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23 Mientras gritaban, se quitaban los mantos y arrojaban polvo al aire,

And as they cried out, and threw off their garments, and cast dust into the air,

24 el comandante mandó que lo llevaran al cuartel, ordenando que lo examinaran mediante la flagelación, para saber por qué delito gritaban así contra él.

the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, bidding that he should be examined by scourging, that he might know for what cause they so shouted against him.

25 Cuando le ataron con correas, Pablo preguntó al centurión que estaba allí: “¿Os es lícito azotar a un hombre que es romano y no ha sido declarado culpable?”

And when they had tied him up with the thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 Cuando el centurión lo oyó, se dirigió al oficial al mando y le dijo: “¡Cuidado con lo que vas a hacer, porque este hombre es un romano!”

And when the centurion heard it, he went to the chief captain, and told him, saying, What art thou about to do? for this man is a Roman.

27 El oficial al mando se acercó y le preguntó: “Dime, ¿eres romano?” Dijo: “Sí”.

And the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? And he said, Yea.

28 El comandante respondió: “Compré mi ciudadanía a un gran precio”. Pablo dijo: “Pero yo nací romano”.

And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am [a Roman] born.

29 Inmediatamente se apartaron de él los que iban a interrogarle, y también el comandante tuvo miedo al ver que era romano, porque le había atado.

They then which were about to examine him straightway departed from him: and the chief captain also was afraid, when he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

30 Pero al día siguiente, deseando saber la verdad sobre el motivo por el que era acusado por los judíos, le liberó de las ataduras y mandó reunir a los jefes de los sacerdotes y a todo el consejo, e hizo bajar a Pablo y lo presentó ante ellos.

But on the morrow, desiring to know the certainty, wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him, and commanded the chief priests and all the council to come together, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.