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

As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air,

The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

the commander ordered that Paul be brought into the barracks. He directed that Paul be flogged and interrogated to determine the reason for this outcry against him.

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.

Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

But those standing nearby said, “How dare you insult the high priest of God!”

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.

“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.’”