But PAUL said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, without a trial, men who are Romans, and have cast us into prison! Do they now release us secretly? No, most certainly, but let them come themselves and bring us out!"

25. When they had tied him up with thongs, PAUL asked the centurion who stood by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and not found guilty?"

26. When the centurion heard it, he went to the commanding officer and told him, "Watch what you are about to do, for this man is a Roman!"

27. The commanding officer came and asked him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?"He said, "Yes."

28. The commanding officer answered, "I bought my citizenship for a great price."PAUL said, "But I was born a Roman."