3 ^y“I am a ^zJew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of ^aGamaliel¹ according to the ^bstrict manner of the law of our fathers, being ^czealous for God as all of you are this day.

4 “My manner of life from my ^vyouth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the ^wstrictest party of our religion I have lived as a ^xPharisee.

The Remnant of Israel

1 I ask, then, has God ^arejected his people? By no means! For ^bI myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham,¹ a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

22 Are they ^oHebrews? ^pSo am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I.

4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. ^xIf anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the ^yeighth day, ^zof the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a ^aHebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a ^bPharisee; 6 as to ^czeal, a ^dpersecutor of the church; as to ^erighteousness under the law,¹ blameless.