MWBR19 01 Laif ahn Minischri Meetin Werkbuk Risaach Infamayshan

JANIWERI 7-13

CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | AKS 21-22

“If Da Jehoava Wil, Wel Mek Ih Bee Soh”

(Aks 21:8-12) Di neks day wi lef, ahn den wi reech Seezareeya. Dehsoh wi stay da Filip, weh da di evanjilis, ahn hihn da-mi wan a di sebm deekan dehn. ⁹ Hihn mi ga foa daata weh neva marid ahn weh mi ga di gif a prafesi. ¹⁰ Wi mi dehdeh fi sevral dayz wen wahn prafit weh nayhn Agabos kohn deh fahn Judeeya. ¹¹ Hihn kohn tu wi, ahn ih tek Paal belt ahn tai op fi hihn oan han ahn fut wid it. Den ih seh, “Dis da weh di Hoali Spirit seh: ‘Dis da di sayhn way how di Jooz dehn da Jeroosalem wahn tai op di oana a dis belt, ahn han ahn oava tu di peepl dehn weh da noh Joo.ʼ” ¹² Wen wi yehr dis, aala wi weh di chravl wid Paal, plos di loakal bileeva dehn, bayg Paal noh fi goh da Jeroosalem.

bt-E 177-178 ¶15-16

“Let the Will of Jehovah Take Place”

¹⁵ During Paulʼs stay with Philip, another respected visitor arrived—Agabus. Those gathered at Philipʼs home knew Agabus to be a prophet; he had foretold a great famine during the reign of Claudius. (Acts 11:27, 28) Perhaps they wondered: ‘Why has Agabus come? What message does he bring?ʼ As they watched intently, he took Paulʼs girdle—a long beltlike strip of cloth that could hold money and other items and was worn around the waist. With it, Agabus bound his own feet and hands. Then he spoke. The message was sobering: “Thus says the holy spirit, ‘The man to whom this girdle belongs the Jews will bind in this manner in Jerusalem and deliver into the hands of people of the nations.ʼ”—Acts 21:11.

¹⁶ The prophecy confirmed that Paul would go to Jerusalem. It also indicated that his dealings with the Jews there would result in his being delivered “into the hands of people of the nations.” The prophecy had a profound effect on those who were present. Luke writes: “Now when we heard this, both we and those of that place began entreating him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered: ‘What are you doing by weeping and making me weak at heart? Rest assured, I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.ʼ”—Acts 21:12, 13.

(Aks 21:13) Bot Paal ansa seh, “Da wai unu di baal ahn di chrai brok mi haat? Ai redi noh oanli fi dehn tai mi op, bot fi ded fi di Laad da Jeroosalem if Ah haftu.”

bt-E 178 ¶17

“Let the Will of Jehovah Take Place”

¹⁷ Imagine the scene. The brothers, including Luke, entreat Paul not to proceed. Some are weeping. Moved by the loving concern they show for him, Paul tenderly says that they are making him “weak at heart,” or as some translations render the Greek, they are “breaking [his] heart.” Still, his resolve is firm, and as was the case when he met with the brothers in Tyre, he will not allow entreaties or tears to cause him to waver. Instead, he explains to them why he must proceed. What courage and determination he showed! Like Jesus before him, Paul set his face steadfastly to go to Jerusalem. (Heb. 12:2) Paul was not seeking to be a martyr, but if that happened, he would consider it an honor to die as a follower of Christ Jesus.

(Aks 21:14) Wen wi si dat wi kudn chaynj ih main, wi giv op ahn seh, “If da di Laad wil, wel mek ih bee soh.”

bt-E 178 ¶18

“Let the Will of Jehovah Take Place”

¹⁸ How did the brothers react? In a word, respectfully. We read: “When he would not be dissuaded, we acquiesced with the words: ‘Let the will of Jehovah take place.ʼ” (Acts 21:14) Those who tried to convince Paul to avoid going to Jerusalem did not insist on having their way. They listened to Paul and yielded, recognizing and accepting the will of Jehovah, even though doing so was difficult for them. Paul had embarked on a course that would eventually lead to his death. It would be easier for Paul if those who loved him did not try to dissuade him.

Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz

(Aks 21:23, 24) Soh du weh wi tel yu. Yu ga foa man weh mek wahn vow tu Gaad. ²⁴ Goh lang wid dehn ahn jain eena dehn washin serimoni ahn pay fi dehn soh dat dehn ku shayv dehn hed. Den evribadi wahn noa seh dat di stoari dehn weh dehn yehr bowt yoo da noh chroo bikaa yu di kip di Laa stil.

bt-E 184-185 ¶10-12

“Hear My Defense”

¹⁰ Nevertheless, Paul showed understanding toward those who felt comfortable observing some Jewish customs, such as abstaining from work on the Sabbath or avoiding certain foods. (Rom. 14:1-6) And he did not set down rules about circumcision. Indeed, Paul had Timothy circumcised so that the Jews would not be suspicious of Timothy, whose father was a Greek. (Acts 16:3) Circumcision was a matter for personal decision. Paul told the Galatians: “Neither circumcision is of any value nor is uncircumcision, but faith operating through love is.” (Gal. 5:6) However, to get circumcised so as to come under the Law or to present the practice as being necessary in order to obtain Jehovahʼs approval would betray a lack of faith.

¹¹ Hence, although the rumors were gross distortions, Jewish believers were still disturbed by them. For that reason, the older men offered Paul this direction: “We have four men with a vow upon themselves. Take these men along and cleanse yourself ceremonially with them and take care of their expenses, that they may have their heads shaved. And so everybody will know that there is nothing to the rumors they were told about you, but that you are walking orderly, you yourself also keeping the Law.”—Acts 21:23, 24.

¹² Paul could have objected that the real problem was, not the rumors about him, but the zeal of those Jewish believers for the Mosaic Law. But he was willing to be flexible, as long as he did not have to compromise godly principles. Earlier he had written: “To those under law I became as under law, though I myself am not under law, that I might gain those under law.” (1 Cor. 9:20) On this occasion, Paul cooperated with the Jerusalem elders and became “as under law.” In so doing, he set a fine example for us today to cooperate with the elders and not insist on doing things our own way.—Heb. 13:17.

(Aks 22:16) Soh weh yu di wayt fa? Get op ahn goh geh baptaiz ahn kaal pahn di Laad fi wash weh yu sin dehn.ʼ

nwtsty stodi noat pahn Aks 22:16

kaal pahn di Laad fi wash weh yu sin dehn: Er “wash weh yu sin dehn ahn kaal pan ih naym.” Wahn persn sin dehn geh wash weh, noh onli wen ih geh baptaiz eena waata, bot wen ih kaal pahn Jeezas naym. Dis meen dat di persn wahn ga fayt eena Jeezas an ih wahn shoa it bai di tingz weh ih du az wahn Kristyan.—Aks 10:43; Jay 2:14, 18.

Baibl Reedin

(Aks 21:1-19) At laas wi manij fi tayr wiself fahn dehn, ahn wi sayl schrayt fi di ailan a Kos. Di neks day wi reech Roadz, ahn fahn deh wi gaan aan tu Pataara. ² Dehsoh wi fain wahn ship weh mi gwehn da Foneesha, soh wi gaahn boad ahn set sayl fi deh. ³ Pahn wi way tu Taiya, wi paas di ailan weh nayhn Saipros pahn wi lef. Wen wi reech Taiya, weh deh eena Siriya, di ship stap deh fi anload. ⁴ Dehsoh wi fain sohn loakal bileeva ahn stay wid dehn fi wan week. Dehn waan Paal dat di Hoali Spirit tel dehn seh dat ih noh fi goh da Jeroosalem. ⁵ Bot wen di taim mi kohn fi boad di ship agen, wi lef ahn kantinyu wi jerni. Aala di bileeva dehn, lang wid dehn waif ahn pikni, kohn si wi aaf. Dehn waak lang wid wi til wi get owta di siti. Bifoa wi lef, wi pray wid dehn rait deh pahn di beech. ⁶ Afta wi seh gudbai, wi boad di ship, ahn den dehn gaahn hoahn. ⁷ Wi kantinyu wi jerni fahn Taiya ahn gaahn shoa da Toalamays, wehpaa wi greet di bileeva dehn ahn stay wid dehn fi wan day. ⁸ Di neks day wi lef, ahn den wi reech Seezareeya. Dehsoh wi stay da Filip, weh da di evanjilis, ahn hihn da-mi wan a di sebm deekan dehn. ⁹ Hihn mi ga foa daata weh neva marid ahn weh mi ga di gif a prafesi. ¹⁰ Wi mi dehdeh fi sevral dayz wen wahn prafit weh nayhn Agabos kohn deh fahn Judeeya. ¹¹ Hihn kohn tu wi, ahn ih tek Paal belt ahn tai op fi hihn oan han ahn fut wid it. Den ih seh, “Dis da weh di Hoali Spirit seh: ‘Dis da di sayhn way how di Jooz dehn da Jeroosalem wahn tai op di oana a dis belt, ahn han ahn oava tu di peepl dehn weh da noh Joo.ʼ” ¹² Wen wi yehr dis, aala wi weh di chravl wid Paal, plos di loakal bileeva dehn, bayg Paal noh fi goh da Jeroosalem. ¹³ Bot Paal ansa seh, “Da wai unu di baal ahn di chrai brok mi haat? Ai redi noh oanli fi dehn tai mi op, bot fi ded fi di Laad da Jeroosalem if Ah haftu.” ¹⁴ Wen wi si dat wi kudn chaynj ih main, wi giv op ahn seh, “If da di Laad wil, wel mek ih bee soh.” ¹⁵ Afta dis wi geh redi ahn pak op wi ting dehn, ahn gaahn da Jeroosalem. ¹⁶ Som a di disaipl dehn fahn Seezareeya mi kohn wid wi, ahn dehn kehr wi da dis man hows weh mi nayhn Nayson. Hihn da-mi fahn Saipros ahn da-mi wahn bileeva fahn di erli dayz. ¹⁷ Di bileeva dehn da Jeroosalem gi wi wahn waam welkom wen wi reech deh. ¹⁸ Di neks day, Paal ahn aala wi gaahn gaahn si Jaymz. Aala di elda dehn mi dehdeh. ¹⁹ Paal hayl dehn ahn den ih tel dehn evriting eena deetayl weh Gaad mi du chroo hihn monks di peepl dehn weh da noh Joo.

JANIWERI 14-20

CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | AKS 23-24

“Dehn Mi Akyooz Paal a Bee Wahn Chroblmayka Weh Ster Op Faiya Monks di Jooz”

(Aks 23:12) Di neks maanin, sohn Jooz kohn tugeda ahn dehn mek wahn vow seh dat dehn noh wahn eet notn ner jrink notn til dehn kil Paal.

(Aks 23:16) Bot Paal nevyoo yehr bowt di plan, ahn sayhn taim hihn gaahn da di baraks gaahn tel Paal.

bt-E 191 ¶5-6

“Be of Good Courage!”

⁵ The encouragement given Paul was timely. The very next day, over 40 Jewish men “formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with a curse, saying they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.” This “oath-bound conspiracy” showed just how determined those Jews were to murder the apostle. If they did not succeed in carrying out their plot, the end result, they believed, would be a curse, or an evil, to them. (Acts 23:12-15) Their plan, sanctioned by the chief priests and older men, was to have Paul brought back to the Sanhedrin for further questioning, as if to ascertain matters concerning him more accurately. But en route, the conspirators would be lying in wait to pounce on Paul and kill him.

⁶ Paulʼs nephew, however, heard of this plot and reported it to Paul. In turn, Paul had the young man report it to the Roman military commander Claudius Lysias. (Acts 23:16-22) Surely Jehovah loves young ones who, like this unnamed nephew of Paul, courageously put the welfare of Godʼs people ahead of their own and faithfully do whatever they can to promote Kingdom interests.

(Aks 24:2) Dehn bring een Paal, ahn Tertilos staat ih kays gens ahn. Dis da weh ih seh: “Anarabl Feeliks, anda fi yoo waiz rool, wi nayshan ga pees fi wahn lang taim now, ahn yu mek lata chaynj fi di beta.

(Aks 24:5, 6) “Dis man ya da wahn chroblmayka ahn ih reeli laik ster op faiya monks di Jooz fi wahn rilijos paati weh nayhn di Nazareen dehn. ⁶ Hihn eevn chrai fi disrispek fi wee templ, ahn soh wi ares ahn, [ahn wi waahn chrai ahn fi brok wi Laa.

bt-E 192 ¶10

“Be of Good Courage!”

¹⁰ In Caesarea, Paul was “kept under guard in the praetorian palace of Herod” to await the arrival of the accusers from Jerusalem. (Acts 23:35) Five days later, they came—High Priest Ananias, a public speaker named Tertullus, and a group of older men. Tertullus first praised Felix for what he was doing for the Jews, evidently to flatter him and gain his favor. Then, getting to the matter at hand, Tertullus referred to Paul as “a pestilent fellow and stirring up seditions among all the Jews throughout the inhabited earth and a spearhead of the sect of the Nazarenes, one who also tried to profane the temple and whom we seized.” The other Jews “joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.” (Acts 24:5, 6, 9) Stirring up sedition, spearheading a dangerous sect, and profaning the temple—these were serious charges that could result in a sentence of death.

(Aks 24:10-21) Den di govna nad tu Paal fi mek ih noa dat da mi fi hihn tern fi taak now. Soh Paal staat. Ih seh, “Ah noa, Sa, dat yoo da wahn joj oava dis nayshan fi lata yaaz, soh Ah stan op fronta yu hapi fi lay owt mi kays tu yu. ¹¹ Yu ku fain owt eezi-wan dat da oanli twelv dayz sins Ai deh ya da Jeroosalem, di wership da di templ. ¹² Ah neva aagyu wid nobadi da di templ. Ah neva ster op no chrobl fi mek peepl waahn raiyat eena di Jooish meetn plays ner pahn schreet. ¹³ No way dehn man ya kuda proov di ting dehn weh dehn seh mee du. ¹⁴ “Ah hafu tel yu doh, dat da chroo seh dat Ai fala Di Way a di Laad Jeezas, weh dehn seh da wahn rang way. Ah mos tel yu seh tu dat Ai wership di Gaad a fi wee ansesta dehn, an Ai schrangli bileev di Laa ahn aal weh di prafit dehn rait. ¹⁵ Ai ga fi mee hoap ahn kanfidens eena Gaad jos laik dehn man ya, dat wan day Gaad wahn rayz op di raichos ahn di wikid. ¹⁶ Bikaaz a dis, Ai aalwayz chrai mi bes fi kip wahn klyaa kanshans wid Gaad ahn man eena evriting weh Ah du. ¹⁷ “Ah mi gaahn weh fi kwait a fyoo yaaz, an Ah kohn bak da Jeroosalem now fi bring moni fi help mi Jooish peepl dehn ahn fi aafa sakrifais tu Gaad. ¹⁸ Da mi wail Ah mi-di goh chroo di serimoni fi mek miself kleen fronta Gaad dat dehn wan weh gat it gens mi kohn ster op chrobl. No krowd neva deh rong mee, wosa no raiyat. ¹⁹ “Da sohn Jooz fahn Aysha weh staat di hoal ting, ahn fi si dat dehn noh deh ya tudeh fi seh da weh dehn ga gens mee. ²⁰ Wel, Ah sopoaz dehn wan weh deh ya kuda seh da weh kraim di Jooish Kongsl fain mee gilti a. ²¹ Di oanli ting weh Ah ku tink bowt dat maybi dehn kuda seh Ah mi gilti a, da wen Ah mi stan op fronta dehn ahn hala seh, ‘Ah deh pahn chraiyal fronta unu tudeh bikaa Ah bileev seh dat Gaad wahn mek dehn peepl weh ded kohn bak tu laif agen!ʼ”

bt-E 193-194 ¶13-14

“Be of Good Courage!”

¹³ Paul set a good example for us to follow if we are ever brought before secular authorities because of our worship and are falsely accused of such things as being rabble-rousers, seditionists, or members of a “dangerous sect.” Paul did not fawn over the governor, uttering words of flattery as did Tertullus. Paul stayed calm and respectful. Tactfully, he gave clear and truthful testimony. Paul mentioned that the “Jews from the district of Asia” who had accused him of defiling the temple were not present and that legally, he should be able to face them and hear their accusations.—Acts 24:18, 19.

¹⁴ Most strikingly, Paul did not hold back from giving testimony regarding his beliefs. Boldly, the apostle reiterated his belief in the resurrection, the issue that had created such turmoil when he was before the Sanhedrin. (Acts 23:6-10) In his defense, Paul emphasized the resurrection hope. Why? Because Paul was bearing witness to Jesus and to His resurrection from the dead—something those opposers would not accept. (Acts 26:6-8, 22, 23) Yes, it was the issue of the resurrection—and more precisely, belief in Jesus and in his resurrection—on which the controversy was centered.

Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz

(Aks 23:6) Bai dis taim, Paal riyalaiz dat som a di man dehn da-mi Sadyusee ahn sohn da-mi Farisee. Soh ih hala seh, “Brejrin, Ai da wahn Farisee ahn di son a wahn Farisee. Dehn haal mi eena dis koat bikaaz Ah bileev dat wan day di ded wahn rayz op bak tu laif.”

nwtsty stodi noat pahn Aks 23:6

Ai da wahn Farisee: Som peepl eena di aadyans mi noa Paal. (Aks 22:5) Soh wen hihn mi kaal ihself di son a wahn Farisee, hihn mi waahn di peepl andastan dat hihn da-mi fahn di saym bakgrong laik dehn. Dehn mi noa dat Paal neva mi-di lai dehn, bikaaz di Farisee dehn fahn di Jooish Kongsl mi noa dat hihn mi ton intu wahn Kristyan weh mi eega fi preech. Bot eena dis kanteks, Paal mi help dehn andastan wat hihn mi meen. Paal mi seh dat hihn da-mi jos laik di Farisee dehn weh mi bileev eena di rezorekshan, ahn noh laik di Sadyusee dehn weh neva bileev eena di rezorekshan. Paal mi du dat bikaaz di Farisee dehn mi fameelya wid da tapik. Hihn praabli mi-di hoap dat dis hat tapik weh ih mi bring op mi wahn mek som a di membaz a di Jooish Kongsl gree wid hihn, an ih plan mi werk. (Aks 23:7-9) Aalso weh Paal mi seh da Aks 23:6 gree wid weh ih mi seh bowt ihself wen ih mi difen ihself fronta King Agripa. (Aks 26:5) Ahn wen Paal mi rait letaz da Roam fi di Kristyanz da Filipai, agen hihn mi seh dat hihn da-mi wahn Farisee. (Fil 3:5) Aalso ih inchrestin fi noa dat eena Aks 15:5 ih taak bowt sohn ada Kristyanz weh yoostu bee Farisee.—Si di stodi noat pahn Aks 15:5.

(Aks 24:24) Sohn dayz layta, Feeliks kohn wid ih waif Jrusila, weh da-mi wahn Joo. Ih sen fi Paal fi kohn taak tu dehn bowt ih fayt eena Krais Jeezas. Hihn ahn ih waif lisn gud.

(Aks 24:27) Hoal a too yaaz paas laik dis, ahn den wahn nyoo man tek oava fahn Feeliks, nayhn Porsyos Festos. Wen Feeliks mi-di lef, ih lef Paal rait deh eena prizn bikaa ih mi waahn du di Jooz dehn wahn fayva.

nwtsty stodi noat pahn Aks 24:24

Jrusila: Shee da-mi di terd ahn yongis daata a King Herod Agripa I weh Aks 12:1 taak bowt. Shee mi baan rong 38 C.E. ahn shee da-mi sista tu Agripa II ahn Bernis. (Si di stodi noat pahn Aks 25:13 ahn Glossary, “Herod.”) Govna Feeliks da-mi fi shee sekant hozban. Jrusila mi fos geh marid tu Siriyan King Azaizoos a Emeeza bot laytaraan shee geh wahn divoas. Den shee mi geh marid tu Feeliks rong di yaa 54 C.E., er wen shee mi bowt 16 yaaz oal. Ih ku bee pasabl dat shee mi dehdeh wen Paal mi taak tu Feeliks “bowt raichosnis, ahn self-kanchroal, ahn jojment weh wahn kohn.” (Aks 24:25) Wen Feeliks ton oava ih roolaship tu Festos, hihn mi lef Paal da prizn bikaaz hihn mi waahn pleez di Jooz dehn. Som peepl seh dat hihn mi du dis fi pleez ih waif, weh da-mi wahn Joo.—Aks 24:27.

Baibl Reedin

(Aks 23:1-15) Paal luk schrayt pahn di memba dehn a di Kongsl ahn seh, “Brejrin, op tu dis day Ah liv mi laif wid wahn klyaa kanshans fronta Gaad.” ² Den Ananaiyas, weh da-mi di hai prees, tel sohn man weh mi deh neks tu Paal fi lik ahn eena ih mowt. ³ Wen Paal yehr dat, ih seh, “Da mee yu wahn lik? Gaad wahn lik yoo dong, yu hipokrit. Yu da jos laik dehn wait-wash waal. Yu wahn joj mee wid di Laa, bot yoo yuself di brok di Laa wen yu di luk fi slap mi.” ⁴ Dehn wan weh mi-di stan op deh seh, “Da how dayr yoo? Yoo kyaahn di taak laik dat ahn insolt di hai prees weh Gaad put deh.” ⁵ Paal seh, “Brejrin, Ai neva noa dat hihn da-mi di hai prees. Ah hafu admit dat di Skripcha doo seh, ‘Yu noh fi taak bad bowt yu leeda.ʼ” ⁶ Bai dis taim, Paal riyalaiz dat som a di man dehn da-mi Sadyusee ahn sohn da-mi Farisee. Soh ih hala seh, “Brejrin, Ai da wahn Farisee ahn di son a wahn Farisee. Dehn haal mi eena dis koat bikaaz Ah bileev dat wan day di ded wahn rayz op bak tu laif.” ⁷ Wel, wen Paal seh dat, aagyument brok owt bitween di Farisee dehn pahn wan said, ahn di Sadyusee dehn pahn di ada said. ⁸ Yu si, di Sadyusee dehn seh dat wen sohnbadi don ded, dehn noh wahn kohn bak tu laif agen. Ahn dehn noh bileev eena aynjel ner spirit needa. Bot di Farisee dehn bileev eena aala dat. ⁹ Soh big komoashan mi deh. Som a di teecha a di Laa weh bilangz tu di Farisee paati dehn geh hat ahn jomp op di seh, “Wee noh fain notn rang wid dis man. Sopoaz dat da wahn spirit er wahn aynjel di taak tu hihn.” ¹⁰ Wel, di kwaaril geh hata ahn hata, soh di komanda disaid fi du sohnting bikaa ih mi frayd seh dat dehn mi wahn tayr Paal tu peesiz. Ih aada di soalja dehn fi get Paal owta deh ahn kehr ahn bak da di soalja baraks. ¹¹ Da nait, di Laad kohn tu Paal ahn seh, “Noh giv op, Paal. Sayhn way how yu witnis bowt mi ya da Jeroosalem, da di sayhn way yu wahn hafu witnis bowt mi da Roam.” ¹² Di neks maanin, sohn Jooz kohn tugeda ahn dehn mek wahn vow seh dat dehn noh wahn eet notn ner jrink notn til dehn kil Paal. ¹³ Da mi oava faati a dehn weh mek dis vow. ¹⁴ Aala dehn kohn tugeda ahn gaahn fronta di cheef prees dehn ahn di ada Jooish leeda dehn ahn tel dehn seh, “Wee vow monks wiself dat wi noh wahn eet notn ahn wi noh wahn jrink notn til wi don kil Paal. ¹⁵ Soh weh yu ku du, da priten seh yu waahn fain owt moa fahn Paal bowt dis hoal mata, soh mek unu ahn di Kongsl aks di komanda fi bring ahn bak soh unu ku kweschan ahn. Den bifoa ih eevn kohn fronta unu, wee wahn kil ahn.”

JANIWERI 21-27

CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | AKS 25-26

“Paal Aks fi Mek Seeza Hyaa Ih Kays ahn Den Ih Preech tu King Herod Agripa”

(Aks 25:11) If Ai du sohnting weh dizerv det, Ai noh main fi ded. Bot if Ai inosent, den needa yoo ner nobadi noh ga no rait fi han mi oava tu dehn. Mek Seeza ihself chrai mi.”

bt-E 198 ¶6

“I Appeal to Caesar!”

⁶ Festusʼ desire to indulge the Jews could have put Paul in mortal danger. Therefore, Paul used a right he possessed as a Roman citizen. He told Festus: “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be judged. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also are finding out quite well. . . . I appeal to Caesar!” Once made, such an appeal was usually irrevocable. Festus emphasized this, saying: “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” (Acts 25:10-12) By appealing to a higher legal authority, Paul set a precedent for true Christians today. When opposers try to frame “trouble by decree,” Jehovahʼs Witnesses avail themselves of legal provisions to defend the good news.—Ps. 94:20.

(Aks 26:1-3) Den Agripa seh tu Paal, “Goh hed ahn taak ahn difen yuself.” Soh Paal rayz ih han ahn staat tu taak. ² Ih seh, “King Agripa, da wahn gud ting seh dat da fronta yoo Ah fi difen miself gens aala dehn ting weh di Jooz dehn di akyooz mi bowt, ³ bikaaz Ah noa seh dat yoo da wahn eksport wen ih kohn tu Jooish kostom ahn aala dehn ishyooz weh dehn laik aagyu bowt. Soh Ah di aks yu fi lisn ahn ga payshens wid mi.

bt-E 198-201 ¶10-16

“I Appeal to Caesar!”

¹⁰ Paul respectfully thanked King Agrippa for the opportunity to present a defense to him, acknowledging that the king was an expert on all the customs as well as the controversies among Jews. Paul then described his past life: “According to the strictest sect of our form of worship I lived a Pharisee.” (Acts 26:5) As a Pharisee, Paul had hoped in the coming of the Messiah. Now, as a Christian, he boldly identified Jesus Christ as that long-awaited one. A belief that he and his accusers had in common—that is, the hope of the fulfillment of Godʼs promise to their forefathers—was the reason that Paul was on trial that day. This situation left Agrippa even more interested in what Paul had to say.

¹¹ Recalling his past outrageous treatment of Christians, Paul said: “I, for one, really thought within myself I ought to commit many acts of opposition against the name of Jesus the Nazarene . . . Since I was extremely mad against them [the followers of Christ], I went so far as to persecuting them even in outside cities.” (Acts 26:9-11) Paul was not exaggerating. Many people knew of the violence he had done to the Christians. (Gal. 1:13, 23) ‘What could have changed such a man?ʼ Agrippa may have wondered.

¹² Paulʼs next words provided the answer: “As I was journeying to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, I saw at midday on the road, O king, a light beyond the brilliance of the sun flash from heaven about me and about those journeying with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground I heard a voice say to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? To keep kicking against the goads makes it hard for you.ʼ But I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?ʼ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.ʼ”—Acts 26:12-15.

¹³ Before this supernatural event, Paul had figuratively been “kicking against the goads.” Just as a beast of burden would injure itself unnecessarily by kicking against the sharp end of an oxgoad, Paul had hurt himself spiritually by resisting the will of God. By appearing to Paul on the road to Damascus, the resurrected Jesus caused this sincere but clearly misguided man to change his thinking.—John 16:1, 2.

¹⁴ Paul did indeed make drastic changes in his life. Addressing Agrippa, he said: “I did not become disobedient to the heavenly sight, but both to those in Damascus first and to those in Jerusalem, and over all the country of Judea, and to the nations I went bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance.” (Acts 26:19, 20) For years, Paul had been fulfilling the commission that Jesus Christ had given him in that midday vision. With what results? Those who responded to the good news that Paul preached repented of their immoral, dishonest conduct and turned to God. Such ones became good citizens, contributing to and showing respect for law and order.

¹⁵ Those benefits, however, meant nothing to Paulʼs Jewish opposers. Paul said: “On account of these things Jews seized me in the temple and attempted to slay me. However, because I have obtained the help that is from God I continue to this day bearing witness to both small and great.”—Acts 26:21, 22.

¹⁶ As true Christians, we must be “always ready to make a defense” of our faith. (1 Pet. 3:15) When speaking to judges and rulers about our beliefs, we may find it helpful to imitate the method Paul used in speaking to Agrippa and Festus. By respectfully telling them how Bible truths have changed lives for the better—our own life as well as the lives of those who respond to our message—we may touch the hearts of these high officials.

(Aks 26:28) Agripa ansa Paal, “Yoo tink eena dis shaat taim yoo ku ton mee intu wahn Kristyan?”

bt-E 202 ¶18

“I Appeal to Caesar!”

¹⁸ But Paul had a reply for the governor: “I am not going mad, Your Excellency Festus, but I am uttering sayings of truth and of soundness of mind. In reality, the king to whom I am speaking with freeness of speech well knows about these things . . . Do you, King Agrippa, believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” Agrippa responded: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:25-28) These words, sincere or not, show that Paulʼs witness had a profound effect on the king.

Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz

(Aks 26:14) Aala wi faal dong pahn di grong, an Ah yehr wahn vais seh tu mi eena Heebroo, ‘Saal, Saal! Da wai yu di persikyoot mi? Yu di hert yuself wen yu di chrai hert mee. Da laik wahn bul weh di kik gens di stik weh ih oana di yooz fi gaid ahn wid.ʼ

nwtsty stodi noat pahn Aks 26:14

di kik gens di stik [er goad] weh ih oana di yooz fi gaid ahn wid: Wahn goad da wahn stik weh ga wahn shaap point weh peepl yooz fi gaid wahn animal. (Jg 3:31) Di ekspreshan “fi kik gens di goad” da wahn Greek praverb. Dis bays pahn wahn picha a wahn stobant bul weh kik gens di goad weh ih oana yooz fi gaid ahn, soh wen di bul du dat, ih hert ih oanself. Saal mi goh aan jos laik dat bifoa ih mi ton intu wahn Kristyan. Paal mi put ih laif eena daynja wen hihn mi fait gens Jeezas falowa dehn weh mi ga Jehoava sopoat. (Kompyaa Aks 5:38, 39; 1Tim 1:13, 14.) Da Ec 12:11 ih yooz “oxgoads” fi rifaa tu di werdz a wahn waiz persn weh help sombadi fi lisn an obay wahn kongsl.

nwt glossary

Goad. Da wahn lang stik wid wahn shaap metal point weh di faamaz yooz fi juk wahn animal soh dat dehn ku gaid di animal. Dehn kompyaa wahn goad tu di werdz a wahn waiz persn weh help sombadi fi lisn an obay wahn waiz kongsl. “Di kik gens di goad” di rifaa tu di akshan a wahn stobant bul weh rifyooz fi mek ih oana gaid ahn, soh wen di bul kik gens di goad, ih hert ih oanself.—Aks 26:14; Jg 3:31.

(Aks 26:27) “King Agripa, yoo bileev di prafit dehn? Ah noa seh yu bileev dehn.”

w03-E 11/15 16-17 ¶14

Help Others to Accept the Kingdom Message

¹⁴ Paul knew that Agrippa was nominally a Jew. Appealing to Agrippaʼs knowledge of Judaism, Paul reasoned that his preaching really involved “saying nothing except things the Prophets as well as Moses stated were going to take place” regarding the Messiahʼs death and resurrection. (Acts 26:22, 23) Addressing Agrippa directly, Paul asked: “Do you, King Agrippa, believe the Prophets?” Agrippa faced a dilemma. If he said that he rejected the prophets, his reputation as a Jewish believer would be ruined. But if he concurred with Paulʼs reasoning, he would be taking a position of public agreement with the apostle and would risk being called a Christian. Paul wisely answered his own question, saying: “I know you believe.” How did Agrippaʼs heart move him to answer? He responded: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:27, 28) Although Agrippa did not become a Christian, Paul evidently affected his heart to some extent with his message.—Hebrews 4:12.

Baibl Reedin

(Aks 25:1-12) Chree dayz afta Festos mi deh da Seezareeya az di govna, ih gaan op da Jeroosalem. ² Dehsoh di hai prees ahn di Jooish leeda dehn meet wid Festos ahn staat tel ahn aal weh dehn mi akyooz Paal a. ³ Dehn bayg Festos wahn fayva, fi sen Paal bak da Jeroosalem. Akchwali dehn plan da-mi fi laywayt Paal ahn kil ahn wen dehn bring ahn pahn di way. ⁴ Bot Festos tel dehn seh dat Paal wahn stay rait deh da Seezareeya, kaa hihn ihself gwehn bak deh direkli. ⁵ Soh ih tel dehn seh, “Mek unu leeda dehn goh bak deh wid mi. If Paal du eniting rang, unu ku staat unu kays dong deh.” ⁶ Festos stay wid dehn ayt er ten dayz, ahn den ih gaahn bak da Seezareeya. Di veri neks day ih tek ih plays az joj, den ih gi aadaz fi dehn bring een Paal. ⁷ Di minit Paal waak eena di koat room, di Jooz dehn weh mi kohn dong fahn Jeroosalem, dehn sorong ahn, ahn staat tu akyooz ahn bowt sohn seeryos tingz weh dehn kudn proov. ⁸ Paal stan op fi difen ihself ahn seh, “Sa, Ai noh komit no kraim gens di Jooish Laa, ner di templ ner gens Seeza.” ⁹ Den Festos, sayka weh hihn mi waahn pleez di Jooz dehn, aks Paal seh, “Yoo wilin fi goh op da Jeroosalem ahn stan chraiyal fronta mi deh?” ¹⁰ Bot Paal ansa seh, “No, Sa! Ai noh don di stan pahn chraiyal fronta Seeza koat rait now? Soh Ah noh si wai yu kyaahn chrai mi rait ya. Yu wel noa seh dat Ai noh du di Jooz dehn notn. ¹¹ If Ai du sohnting weh dizerv det, Ai noh main fi ded. Bot if Ai inosent, den needa yoo ner nobadi noh ga no rait fi han mi oava tu dehn. Mek Seeza ihself chrai mi.” ¹² Festos taak it oava wid ih advaiza dehn ahn den ih tel Paal seh, “Yu aks fi Seeza chrai yu, soh da Seeza yu gwehn tu.”

JANIWERI 28–FEBIWERI 3

CHREZHAZ FAHN DI WERD A GAAD | AKS 27-28

“Paal Sayl tu Roam”

(Aks 27:23, 24) How Ah noa dis da bikaa laas nait wahn aynjel weh kohn fahn di Gaad weh Ai bileev eena ahn weh Ai wership, kohn tu mi ahn tel mi seh, ²⁴ ‘Noh frayd, Paal! Yu hafu stan op fronta Seeza. Bikaaz a dis, Gaad, owta ih gudnis tuwaadz yu, wahn spayr di laif a aala dehn wan weh di chravl wid yu.ʼ

bt-E 208 ¶15

“Not a Soul of You Will Be Lost”

¹⁵ Likely Paul had been witnessing to many on the ship about “the hope of the promise that was made by God.” (Acts 26:6; Col. 1:5) Now, with shipwreck probable, Paul could offer a powerful basis for a more immediate hope. He said: “This night there stood near me an angel . . . , saying, ‘Have no fear, Paul. You must stand before Caesar, and, look! God has freely given you all those sailing with you.ʼ” Paul urged them: “Therefore be of good cheer, men; for I believe God that it will be exactly as it has been told me. However, we must be cast ashore on a certain island.”—Acts 27:23-26.

(Aks 28:1, 2) Wen wi reech sayf pahn shoa, wi laan seh dat di ailan mi nayhn Malta. ² Di peepl dehn weh liv pahn di ailan mi oanli frenli. Ih mi staat tu rayn ahn ih mi koal, soh dehn bil wahn faiya ahn dehn mek aala wi feel welkom.

bt-E 209 ¶18

“Not a Soul of You Will Be Lost”

¹⁸ It turned out that the survivors were on the island of Malta, south of Sicily. (See the box “Malta—Where?”) The foreign-speaking people of the island showed them “extraordinary human kindness.” (Acts 28:2) They made a fire for these strangers who had reached their shore drenched and shivering. The fire helped them to get warm despite the cold and rain. It also gave rise to a miracle.

bt-E 210 ¶21

“Not a Soul of You Will Be Lost”

²¹ The wealthy landowner Publius lived in the area. He may have been the leading Roman officer on Malta. Luke described him as “the principal man of the island,” employing the exact title that has been found on two Maltese inscriptions. He hospitably entertained Paul and his companions for three days. However, Publiusʼ father was ill. Again Luke described a condition with accuracy. He wrote that the man “was lying down distressed with fever and dysentery,” citing the precise medical nature of the illness. Paul prayed and laid his hands on the man, and he was healed. Deeply impressed by this miracle, the local people brought other sick ones to be healed, and they brought gifts to fill the needs of Paul and his companions.—Acts 28:7-10.

(Aks 28:16, 17) Wen wi reech Roam dehn mi alow Paal fi liv bai ihself wid oanli wan soalja di gyaad ahn. ¹⁷ Afta chree dayz paas, Paal kaal di Jooish leeda dehn tugeda, ahn wen dehn kohn tugeda, ih tel dehn seh, “Mi bradaz, Ah neva du notn gens fi wee peepl ner gens di kostom dehn a fi wee ansesta dehn, bot stil dehn lak mi op da Jeroosalem ahn han mi oava tu di Roamanz.

bt-E 213 ¶10

“Bearing Thorough Witness”

¹⁰ When the band of travelers finally entered into Rome, “Paul was permitted to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.” (Acts 28:16) For those in light custody, security against escape usually called for a chain that bound the prisoner to his guard. Even so, Paul was a Kingdom proclaimer, and a chain certainly could not silence him. Hence, after giving himself just three days to recover from the journey, he called together the principal men of the Jews in Rome in order to introduce himself and give a witness.

Saach fi Spirichwal Chrezhaz

(Aks 27:9) Wi ways wahn lata taim deh. Bai da taim di Day a Atoanment mi don gaan. Dehn riyalaiz seh dat fi kantinyu di jerni mi wahn daynjaros, soh Paal waan dehn seh,

nwtsty stodi noat pahn Aks 27:9

di faas pan Atoanment Day: Lit., “di faas.” Di Greek frayz “di faas” rifaa tu di onli faas weh di Laa a Moaziz mi koman peepl fi du, ahn dis faas kanek wid di Atoanment Day weh di peepl dehn mi fi ga evri yaa. Wahn neks naym fi it da Yom Kippur (Heebroo, yohm hak·kip·pu·rimʹ, “di day fi waip weh sin”). (Le 16:29-31; 23:26-32; Nu 29:7; si di Glossary, “Day of Atonement.”) Di ekspreshan “fi kaaz payn pahn yuself,” kanek wid di Atoanment Day, weh ku meen fi giv op di tingz weh yu injai, ahn du tingz laik faastin. (Le 16:29, futnoat.) Wen Look mi yooz di frayz “di faas” da Aks 27:9, hihn akchwali mi-di sopoat di aidyaa dat pan Atoanment Day wan a di mayn ting weh peepl wuda du, da faas. Di faastin fi Atoanment Day mi yoozhwali hapm pahn di en a Septemba er erli Aktoaba.

(Aks 28:11) Afta chree monts wi lef Malta pahn wahn ship weh mi dak deh pahn di ailan fi di hoal winta. Dis ship weh mi nayhn “Di Twin Gaad” da-mi fahn Alegzanjriya.

nwtsty stodi noat pahn Aks 28:11

Son dehn a Zoos: Er “Twin Gaad.” Akaadn tu weh di Greek ahn di Roaman dehn bileev, di “Son dehn a Zoos” (Greek, Di·oʹskou·roi) da-mi Castor ahn Pollux. Peepl mi bileev dat di gaad Zoos (Jupiter) mi ga dehnya too son wid Kween Leda a Sparta. Lang wid sohn ada tingz, peepl mi si dehn az di wan dehn weh protek di sayla dehn, ahn hoo kuda mi sayv dehn wen dehn mi deh eena daynja owt da see. Dis lee deetayl bowt di stachu weh mi deh pahn di front a di ship da moa proof dat di persn weh mi rait dis akonk mi seeʼt fi ihself.

Baibl Reedin

(Aks 27:1-12) Afta dehn disaid seh dat wi wahn sayl goh da Itali, dehn han oava Paal ahn sohn ada prizna tu Joolyos. Hihn da-mi wahn aafisa eena wan a di rejiment a di Roaman aami weh dehn kaal “Seeza Rejiment.” ² Wi boad wahn ship fahn Ajramityam weh mi redi fi lef fi goh da difrent plays lang di koas a Aysha; soh wi set sayl. Aristaakos, wahn Masidoanyan fahn Tesalonaika, mi deh wid wi. ³ Di neks day wi reech shoa da Saidan. Joolyos mi kain tu Paal, soh ih mek Paal gaahn gaahn luk fi ih fren dehn weh liv deh ahn soh geh eniting weh ih mi need. ⁴ Wi lef owt fahn deh agen bot bikaa di breez mi-di bloa gens wi, wi mi hafu sayl kloas tu di ailan a Saipros fi haid fahn di breez. ⁵ Wi kraas di see paas Silisya ahn Pamfilya ahn gaahn shoa da Mira eena Lisya. ⁶ Dehsoh di aafisa fain wahn ship weh kohn fahn Alegzanjriya ahn weh mi wahn sayl tu Itali; soh ih put wi boad. ⁷ Wi sayl sloa sloa fi sevral dayz ahn ih neva eezi, til at laas wi reech di tong a Kinaidos. Di breez chaynj dairekshan, soh wi sayl dong di said a di ailan weh nayhn Kreet weh mi blak di breez. Wi paas Kayp Salmoneh. ⁸ Wi stay kloas kloas tu di koas bot di see mi rof. Fainali wi reech wahn plays kaal Sayf Haaba, weh neva deh tu faar fahn di tong a Laseeya. ⁹ Wi ways wahn lata taim deh. Bai da taim di Day a Atoanment mi don gaan. Dehn riyalaiz seh dat fi kantinyu di jerni mi wahn daynjaros, soh Paal waan dehn seh, ¹⁰ “Bradaz, Ah si seh dat wi jerni fahn ya goh bak wahn bee daynjaros. Wi ku laas di kaago ahn di ship, ahn eevn wi laif.” ¹¹ Bot di aafisa neva bileev Paal ataal; insted hihn bileev weh di kyaptin ahn di oana a di boat tel ahn. ¹² Di haaba weh dehn mi deh da neva wahn gud plays fi spen di winta non ataal. Soh nayli evribadi mi agree fi wi put owt da see ahn chrai fi reech Feeniks soh wi ku spen di winta deh. Feeniks da wahn haaba eena Kreet weh fays sowt-wes ahn naat-wes.