Acts 23:5

NETBible

Paul replied, 1  “I did not realize, 2  brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’” 3 

NIV ©

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

NASB ©

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.’"

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.’"

MSG ©

Paul acted surprised. "How was I to know he was Chief Priest? He doesn't act like a Chief Priest. You're right, the Scripture does say, 'Don't speak abusively to a ruler of the people.' Sorry."

BBE ©

And Paul said, Brother, I had no idea that he was the high priest: for it has been said, You may not say evil about the ruler of your people.

NRSV ©

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.’"

NKJV ©

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.’"

KJV
Then
<5037>
said
<5346> (5713)
Paul
<3972>_,
I wist
<1492> (5715)
not
<3756>_,
brethren
<80>_,
that
<3754>
he was
<2076> (5748)
the high priest
<749>_:
for
<1063>
it is written
<1125> (5769)_,
Thou shalt
<2046> (0)
not
<3756>
speak
<2046> (5692)
evil
<2560>
of the ruler
<758>
of thy
<4675>
people
<2992>_.
NASB ©
And Paul
<3972>
said
<5346>
, "I was not aware
<3609>
, brethren
<80>
, that he was high
<749>
priest
<749>
; for it is written
<1125>
, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK
<3004>
EVIL
<2560>
OF A RULER
<758>
OF YOUR PEOPLE
<2992>
.'"
NET [draft] ITL
Paul
<3972>
replied
<5346>
, “I did
<1492>
not
<3756>
realize
<1492>
, brothers
<80>
, that
<3754>
he was
<1510>
the high priest
<749>
, for
<1063>
it is written
<1125>
, ‘You
<3754>
must
<2046>
not
<3756>
speak
<2046>
evil
<2560>
about a ruler
<758>
of your
<4675>
people
<2992>
.’”
GREEK
efh o paulov ouk hdein oti estin gegraptai oti arconta tou laou sou ouk ereiv
NETBible

Paul replied, 1  “I did not realize, 2  brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You must not speak evil about a ruler of your people.’” 3 

NET Notes

1 tn Grk “said.”

2 tn Or “know.”

3 sn A quotation from Exod 22:28. This text defines a form of blasphemy. Paul, aware of the fact that he came close to crossing the line, backed off out of respect for the law.