Acts 23:5 — Compare Translations

28 translations compared side by side

And Paul said, I was not conscious, brethren, that he was a high priest; for the Scripture says, You shall not speak ill of a ruler of your people. [Exod. 22:28.]

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

And Paul said, I was not conscious, brethren, that he was a high priest; for the Scripture says, You shall not speak ill of a ruler of your people. [Exod. 22:28.]

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’ ”

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

“I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul. “For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people. ”

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

And Paul said, I was not conscious, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evilly of the ruler of thy people.

English EASY 2024

Paul replied, ‘My brothers, I did not know that this man is the most important priest. Our Jewish law says, “Do not say bad things against the man who rules your people.” So I should not have said anything bad against him.’

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know this man was the high priest. The Scriptures say, 'You must not say bad things about a leader of your people.' "

And Paul said, "I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Paul answered, “My fellow Israelites, I did not know that he was the High Priest. The scripture says, ‘You must not speak evil of the ruler of your people.’”

English God's Word - GW 1995

Paul answered, "Brothers, I didn't know that he is the chief priest. After all, Scripture says, 'Don't speak evil about a ruler of your people.' "

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

"I did not know, brothers," Paul said, "that it was the high priest. For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people."

English KJV 1611

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

English LSB

And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Paul said, “Brothers, I did not know that he was the high priest. For it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.’ ”

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'"

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Paul answered, "Brothers, I did not realize he was the high priest. For it is written, 'You shall not curse a ruler of your people.'"

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Paul replied, “I did not realize, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘ You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’”

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

Paul replied, "Brothers, I didn't realize he was the high priest. It is written, 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.' "--(Exodus 22:28)

English NIV

Paul replied, "Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: 'Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.'"

English NKJ 1982

Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

English NLT

"I'm sorry, brothers. I didn't realize he was the high priest," Paul replied, "for the Scriptures say, 'Do not speak evil of anyone who rules over you.'"

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

And Paul said, "I did not realize, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a leader of your people.'"

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

Paul answered, “I had no idea, brothers, that he was the high priest. For the Scriptures say, ‘Do not curse the ruler of your people.’ ”

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

And Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

“I didn't realize he was the High Priest, brothers,“ Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, 'Never speak evil of any of your rulers.' “

English Tyndale 1537

Then said Paul: I wist not brethren, that he was the high priest. For it is written thou shalt not speak evil to (curse) the ruler of thy people.